<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/24/rural-ne-county-attorneys-public-defenders-confront-legal-desert-in-hiring-new-lawyers/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Three decades ago, Hall County Public Defender Gerald Piccolo could get more than 100 applicants for a job opening just by posting a notice on the bulletin boards at Nebraska’s two law colleges and sharing a notice with the state bar association.

Now, he said, he’s lucky to get a handful of aspiring defense attorneys to apply. “I haven’t ever received more than 10 applicants for a job in the past 10 years,” Piccolo said. It’s part of a national trend of fewer law graduates due to decreased enrollment in law schools, which have seen a 21% drop in students since peaking in 2010.

The shortage of potential new prosecutors and public defenders is presenting an even bigger problem in Nebraska’s smaller cities and rural areas, where it’s difficult to convince some college graduates to relocate.

At Piccolo’s central Nebraska office, for instance, four of his eight lawyer positions were unfilled in 2022 and 2023, and two remain open today.

“It’s just more attractive to live in Lincoln or Omaha than live in Grand Island, Madison County or Scottsbluff,” he said. “It’s easier to stay in Omaha or Lincoln because that’s where the law schools are.”

A bill to address the workforce shortage, however, got derailed in the Nebraska Legislature toward the end of the 2024 session due to a disagreement between the state’s prosecutors and defense attorneys over the incentives that should be offered.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who is a lawyer, had introduced legislation to expand financial incentives offered to “public service” attorneys — like county prosecutors and public defenders — who located in rural areas through the state’s long-running Legal Education for Public Service and Rural Practice Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

That program provides student loan repayment assistance to counties with less than 15,000 residents in an effort to address “legal deserts” in the state.

Twelve of the state’s 93 counties currently have no active lawyers, and 18 have three or fewer attorneys, according to the Nebraska State Bar Association.That shortage is projected to expand to 16 counties with no lawyers, and 32 with three or fewer by 2027, due to retirement of lawyers in rural areas.

“We hear from attorneys in rural Nebraska that they'd like to retire (but) their clients won't let them.”

– Liz Neeley, executive director, Nebraska Bar Association

“We hear from attorneys in rural Nebraska that they’d like to retire (but) their clients won’t let them,” Liz Neeley, the executive director of the Nebraska State Bar Association told a legislative committee this spring.That’s because there’s a lack of replacements for them, Neeley said. Some public defender/county attorney jobs have been vacant for six months in rural counties without a single applicant, she said, and a few jobs have been vacant for more than a year.Under Sen. Conrad’s proposed Legislative Bill 1195, the loan repayment program would be expanded to larger counties,&nbsp;such as Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings and Scottsbluff.

Funding for expanding the program, about $500,000, was projected to come from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, which has amassed a reserve fund of millions of dollars via legal settlements it obtains from class-action lawsuits. But LB 1195, as originally proposed, failed to pass. The issue that killed it was salary parity — whether deputy county attorneys should be paid the same salary as deputy public defenders.

“It was really disappointing,” Conrad said. “We were all rowing in the same direction, and then we got tripped up on this parity issue.”&nbsp;

Representatives of the state’s county attorneys argued that the jobs are different, and shouldn’t get the same pay, and that local counties — not the state — should decide what they pay their employees. The parity issue arose during later crafting of the bill, and ended the county attorneys’ support for it.

“(Parity pay) had nothing to do with getting more people out here. And it was problematic,” said Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton.

County attorneys have broader responsibilities than public defenders, according to Eatherton. Not only do they prosecute criminal cases, he said, but handle civil lawsuits for the county, advise county officials on legal matters, handle child support enforcement, and serve as the county coroner.But Conrad said it is important to “establish fairness for those on the front lines” of the state’s legal system.There’s a clear disparity, she said, in the resources provided to public defenders. She added that public defenders, unlike county prosecutors, have to handle appeals of cases.

The supply of new attorneys is very restrictive now. It’s really become a challenge to hire someone.

– Gerald Piccolo, Hall County Public Defender

Salary parity, those interviewed said, only involves a couple of counties. Hall County, for instance, offers almost the identical pay range for new public defenders and deputy county attorneys: $74,318.00-96,990 for public defenders compared to $74,318-$105,664 for county attorneys.

The lack of attorneys to staff rural prosecutor and defender offices is also a financial issue. The Nebraska Association of County Officials, which surveyed counties, said it consistently costs them more money to contract with private attorneys to fill vacant county posts than it does to hire lawyers as county employees. 

Since counties are primarily funded via property taxes, it can raise such taxes, Conrad said. The lawyer shortage can also impact justice and judicial efficiency — the Constitution requires that criminal defendants get adequate legal services, and if contracted attorneys aren’t available, it can delay trials, and increase a county’s cost for jailing someone accused of a crime.

Despite the failure of LB 1195 to address the shortage of public service attorneys, the issue isn’t going away, said Conrad and others.

She said she plans to reintroduce a bill on the subject next year, and Eatherton agreed that something needs to be done. Meanwhile, in Hall County, Piccolo has adjusted his hiring process, and now advertises nationally via a hiring website to find candidates. Expanding the loan-repayment program would help, he added.

In recent months, Piccolo was able to fill one of his openings with an attorney from New Jersey whose family had ties to Nebraska .But of his two remaining vacancies, one — to handle juvenile court cases — has been vacant for two years.

“The supply of new attorneys is very restrictive now. It’s really become a challenge to hire someone,” Piccolo said.

Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/24/rural-ne-county-attorneys-public-defenders-confront-legal-desert-in-hiring-new-lawyers/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Three decades ago, Hall County Public Defender Gerald Piccolo could get more than 100 applicants for a job opening just by posting a notice on the bulletin boards at Nebraska’s two law colleges and sharing a notice with the state bar association.Now, he said, he’s lucky to get a handful of aspiring defense attorneys to apply. “I haven’t ever received more than 10 applicants for a job in the past 10 years,” Piccolo said. It’s part of a national trend of fewer law graduates due to decreased enrollment in law schools, which have seen a 21% drop in students since peaking in 2010.The shortage of potential new prosecutors and public defenders is presenting an even bigger problem in Nebraska’s smaller cities and rural areas, where it’s difficult to convince some college graduates to relocate.<h2>Bill derailed</h2>At Piccolo’s central Nebraska office, for instance, four of his eight lawyer positions were unfilled in 2022 and 2023, and two remain open today.“It’s just more attractive to live in Lincoln or Omaha than live in Grand Island, Madison County or Scottsbluff,” he said. “It’s easier to stay in Omaha or Lincoln because that’s where the law schools are.”A bill to address the workforce shortage, however, got derailed in the Nebraska Legislature toward the end of the 2024 session due to a disagreement between the state’s prosecutors and defense attorneys over the incentives that should be offered.State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who is a lawyer, had introduced legislation to expand financial incentives offered to “public service” attorneys — like county prosecutors and public defenders — who located in rural areas through the state’s long-running Legal Education for Public Service and Rural Practice Loan Repayment Assistance Program.That program provides student loan repayment assistance to counties with less than 15,000 residents in an effort to address “legal deserts” in the state.<h2>12 of 93 counties without lawyers</h2>Twelve of the state’s 93 counties currently have no active lawyers, and 18 have three or fewer attorneys, according to the Nebraska State Bar Association.That shortage is projected to expand to 16 counties with no lawyers, and 32 with three or fewer by 2027, due to retirement of lawyers in rural areas.“We hear from attorneys in rural Nebraska that they'd like to retire (but) their clients won't let them.”– Liz Neeley, executive director, Nebraska Bar Association“We hear from attorneys in rural Nebraska that they’d like to retire (but) their clients won’t let them,” Liz Neeley, the executive director of the Nebraska State Bar Association told a legislative committee this spring.That’s because there’s a lack of replacements for them, Neeley said. Some public defender/county attorney jobs have been vacant for six months in rural counties without a single applicant, she said, and a few jobs have been vacant for more than a year.Under Sen. Conrad’s proposed Legislative Bill 1195, the loan repayment program would be expanded to larger counties,&nbsp;such as Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings and Scottsbluff.<h2>Killed by salary parity</h2>Funding for expanding the program, about $500,000, was projected to come from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, which has amassed a reserve fund of millions of dollars via legal settlements it obtains from class-action lawsuits. But LB 1195, as originally proposed, failed to pass. The issue that killed it was salary parity — whether deputy county attorneys should be paid the same salary as deputy public defenders.“It was really disappointing,” Conrad said. “We were all rowing in the same direction, and then we got tripped up on this parity issue.”&nbsp;Representatives of the state’s county attorneys argued that the jobs are different, and shouldn’t get the same pay, and that local counties — not the state — should decide what they pay their employees. The parity issue arose during later crafting of the bill, and ended the county attorneys’ support for it.“(Parity pay) had nothing to do with getting more people out here. And it was problematic,” said Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton.<h2>Fairness on front lines</h2>County attorneys have broader responsibilities than public defenders, according to Eatherton. Not only do they prosecute criminal cases, he said, but handle civil lawsuits for the county, advise county officials on legal matters, handle child support enforcement, and serve as the county coroner.But Conrad said it is important to “establish fairness for those on the front lines” of the state’s legal system.There’s a clear disparity, she said, in the resources provided to public defenders. She added that public defenders, unlike county prosecutors, have to handle appeals of cases.The supply of new attorneys is very restrictive now. It’s really become a challenge to hire someone.– Gerald Piccolo, Hall County Public DefenderSalary parity, those interviewed said, only involves a couple of counties. Hall County, for instance, offers almost the identical pay range for new public defenders and deputy county attorneys: $74,318.00-96,990 for public defenders compared to $74,318-$105,664 for county attorneys.The lack of attorneys to staff rural prosecutor and defender offices is also a financial issue. The Nebraska Association of County Officials, which surveyed counties, said it consistently costs them more money to contract with private attorneys to fill vacant county posts than it does to hire lawyers as county employees. Since counties are primarily funded via property taxes, it can raise such taxes, Conrad said. The lawyer shortage can also impact justice and judicial efficiency — the Constitution requires that criminal defendants get adequate legal services, and if contracted attorneys aren’t available, it can delay trials, and increase a county’s cost for jailing someone accused of a crime.<h2>Not going away</h2>Despite the failure of LB 1195 to address the shortage of public service attorneys, the issue isn’t going away, said Conrad and others.She said she plans to reintroduce a bill on the subject next year, and Eatherton agreed that something needs to be done. Meanwhile, in Hall County, Piccolo has adjusted his hiring process, and now advertises nationally via a hiring website to find candidates. Expanding the loan-repayment program would help, he added.In recent months, Piccolo was able to fill one of his openings with an attorney from New Jersey whose family had ties to Nebraska .But of his two remaining vacancies, one — to handle juvenile court cases — has been vacant for two years.“The supply of new attorneys is very restrictive now. It’s really become a challenge to hire someone,” Piccolo said.

Rural NE county attorneys, public defenders confront ‘legal desert’ in hiring new lawyers

Snapchill LLC (Snapchill) of Wisconsin is voluntarily recalling all canned coffee products manufactured by the company, within expiration date, because their current process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulinum toxin, in low acid canned foods, according to a statement from the Food and Drug Administration.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/179493/download?attachment">Click here to see a complete</a> list of products included

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. Symptoms can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains botulinum toxin. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The products were distributed nationwide through various coffee roasters and retail locations, as well as through direct online purchase from Snapchill. The problem was identified when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Snapchill that the low acid canned foods process for manufacturing the recalled products was not filed with FDA, as is required by regulation. No illnesses have been reported to-date, and Snapchill is not aware of any instances in which the company’s products contained botulin toxin. Snapchill is working on filing the appropriate notification with FDA.

The products are sold under a range of roaster and brand names, in variety of metal can sizes ranging from 7 oz to 12 oz. The products are identifiable by the language “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” underneath the nutrition facts panel. Some of the products can also be identified by the text “Snapchill Coffee” on the label. The specific products subject to this voluntary recall are listed at the end of this notice.

This voluntary recall is being made with the knowledge of FDA.

Consumers should either destroy the products or return the product to Snapchill or the place of purchase for a refund. Snapchill will offer full refunds for any of these products, with appropriate proof of purchase including a picture of the product(s) before being destroyed. Full information about the return and refund will be available at Compliance@Snapchill.com.

Consumers with questions may contact the company any time by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Compliance@snapchill.com">Compliance@snapchill.com</a>, or by phone, Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm Central Time, at (920) 632-6018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719331741764.png" alt="Among the hundreds of coffee products included in the recall" />
 <figcaption>Among the hundreds of coffee products included in the recall</figcaption>
 </figure>Snapchill LLC (Snapchill) of Wisconsin is voluntarily recalling all canned coffee products manufactured by the company, within expiration date, because their current process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulinum toxin, in low acid canned foods, according to a statement from the Food and Drug Administration.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/179493/download?attachment">Click here to see a complete</a> list of products includedBotulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. Symptoms can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains botulinum toxin. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.The products were distributed nationwide through various coffee roasters and retail locations, as well as through direct online purchase from Snapchill. The problem was identified when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Snapchill that the low acid canned foods process for manufacturing the recalled products was not filed with FDA, as is required by regulation. No illnesses have been reported to-date, and Snapchill is not aware of any instances in which the company’s products contained botulin toxin. Snapchill is working on filing the appropriate notification with FDA.The products are sold under a range of roaster and brand names, in variety of metal can sizes ranging from 7 oz to 12 oz. The products are identifiable by the language “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” underneath the nutrition facts panel. Some of the products can also be identified by the text “Snapchill Coffee” on the label. The specific products subject to this voluntary recall are listed at the end of this notice.This voluntary recall is being made with the knowledge of FDA.Consumers should either destroy the products or return the product to Snapchill or the place of purchase for a refund. Snapchill will offer full refunds for any of these products, with appropriate proof of purchase including a picture of the product(s) before being destroyed. Full information about the return and refund will be available at Compliance@Snapchill.com.Consumers with questions may contact the company any time by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Compliance@snapchill.com">Compliance@snapchill.com</a>, or by phone, Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm Central Time, at (920) 632-6018.

Risk of fatal food poisoning: Hundreds of coffee products recalled 

Fire crews are battling a wildfire in Northwestern Nebraska near Hudson-Meng Buffalo Kill Site according to officials. The Hudson-Men Buffalo Kill Site is located on the Ogalala National Grasslands.&nbsp;

Crews are battling the wildfire southwest of Hudson Meng and north of Eagle Eyes. The last update states that 80 acres have been burned according to the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands Facebook page.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The U.S. Forest Service, Crawford, Chadron and Harrison are on scene. The Nebraska National Forest and Grassland states this fire is in difficult terrain with safety concerns of snags and heavy dead &amp; down timber. Fire fighters are planning to use natural barriers and mechanical lines to contain this fire.&nbsp;

Panhandle PostFire crews are battling a wildfire in Northwestern Nebraska near Hudson-Meng Buffalo Kill Site according to officials. The Hudson-Men Buffalo Kill Site is located on the Ogalala National Grasslands.&nbsp;Crews are battling the wildfire southwest of Hudson Meng and north of Eagle Eyes. The last update states that 80 acres have been burned according to the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands Facebook page.&nbsp;&nbsp;The U.S. Forest Service, Crawford, Chadron and Harrison are on scene. The Nebraska National Forest and Grassland states this fire is in difficult terrain with safety concerns of snags and heavy dead &amp; down timber. Fire fighters are planning to use natural barriers and mechanical lines to contain this fire.&nbsp;

Crews battling a wildlife fire near Hudson-Meng Kill Site

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-eyes-nebraska-taking-over-k-12-school-funding-instead-of-local-property-taxes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen’s route to property tax reform could come through the State of Nebraska taking over all funding for K-12 schools instead of using local property taxes to pay a portion of the cost.

Pillen, in his monthly radio call-in show Monday afternoon, said the “living, breathing document” that will be his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nine-more-gov-pillen-led-property-tax-town-halls-in-central-western-nebraska-this-week/">property tax reform plan</a>&nbsp;will include asking lawmakers to take on every penny of K-12 funding. Locally, about 60% of collected property taxes go to K-12 schools.

“Our goal of our plan is to not have property tax fund one iota of K-12 education. Zero,” Pillen said. “The [Nebraska] Constitution’s crystal clear: Our job is to educate our children. The State of Nebraska is supposed to — not property tax payers.”

Doing so would mirror legislation in 2023, when the state took on community college funding.

In 2023, Nebraskans paid about $5.3 billion in property taxes, $3.7 billion in income taxes and $2.3 billion in sales taxes. Of those taxes, Pillen said “it’s supposed to be the opposite.”

Pillen said most school board members do not have a financial background, and coupled with a confusing state aid formula for schools, Nebraska “quit on our kids.” Before changes to state law were made in 2023, the state did not give aid to about 180 of the state’s 244 school districts.

“This does nothing but strengthen [public schools],” Pillen said of his proposal. “It’s never been the intent that property taxes educate our kids.”

A caller asked Pillen to comment on valuations and tax levies, to which the governor said valuations shouldn’t be the issue because people want valuations to go up. Instead, he said, the “hard core reality” is that all taxing subdivisions —&nbsp;of which there are&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2010.pdf" target="_blank">more than 2,000 in the state</a>&nbsp;— always fail to lower levies, which he said goes against the current spirit of the law.

“We have hard caps [on increased spending]. Then whatever the valuations are has no impact,” Pillen said.

Pillen hopes to fund his ideas through a broad-based sales tax system, which could include ending some&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">sales tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;and increasing “sin taxes” on alcohol, vaping or cigarettes.

With “lots of work” to do with state senators, and a 12-day trade mission to Indonesia in early July, Pillen said he’s “just not prepared” to formally release his plan. However, he remained firm that lawmakers will return to Lincoln as he indicated in a “save-the-date” announcement last week.

“We don’t have them [the dates] locked down in gold yet, but somewhere between July 26 and August 15 is when we’ll ask for the special session,” Pillen said.

Pillen said he had signed a letter for the Legislature regarding a possible special session before joining the radio show, but the offices for the Clerk of the Legislature and Speaker John Arch said they had received no letter as of Monday afternoon.

Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said the letter will be available after it is presented to the Legislature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719323425211.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, at the podium, and State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood speak about the state’s first investments toward a $1 billion pledge to build an Education Future Fund. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, at the podium, and State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood speak about the state’s first investments toward a $1 billion pledge to build an Education Future Fund. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-eyes-nebraska-taking-over-k-12-school-funding-instead-of-local-property-taxes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen’s route to property tax reform could come through the State of Nebraska taking over all funding for K-12 schools instead of using local property taxes to pay a portion of the cost.Pillen, in his monthly radio call-in show Monday afternoon, said the “living, breathing document” that will be his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nine-more-gov-pillen-led-property-tax-town-halls-in-central-western-nebraska-this-week/">property tax reform plan</a>&nbsp;will include asking lawmakers to take on every penny of K-12 funding. Locally, about 60% of collected property taxes go to K-12 schools.“Our goal of our plan is to not have property tax fund one iota of K-12 education. Zero,” Pillen said. “The [Nebraska] Constitution’s crystal clear: Our job is to educate our children. The State of Nebraska is supposed to — not property tax payers.”Doing so would mirror legislation in 2023, when the state took on community college funding.In 2023, Nebraskans paid about $5.3 billion in property taxes, $3.7 billion in income taxes and $2.3 billion in sales taxes. Of those taxes, Pillen said “it’s supposed to be the opposite.”Pillen said most school board members do not have a financial background, and coupled with a confusing state aid formula for schools, Nebraska “quit on our kids.” Before changes to state law were made in 2023, the state did not give aid to about 180 of the state’s 244 school districts.“This does nothing but strengthen [public schools],” Pillen said of his proposal. “It’s never been the intent that property taxes educate our kids.”A caller asked Pillen to comment on valuations and tax levies, to which the governor said valuations shouldn’t be the issue because people want valuations to go up. Instead, he said, the “hard core reality” is that all taxing subdivisions —&nbsp;of which there are&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2010.pdf" target="_blank">more than 2,000 in the state</a>&nbsp;— always fail to lower levies, which he said goes against the current spirit of the law.“We have hard caps [on increased spending]. Then whatever the valuations are has no impact,” Pillen said.Pillen hopes to fund his ideas through a broad-based sales tax system, which could include ending some&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">sales tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;and increasing “sin taxes” on alcohol, vaping or cigarettes.With “lots of work” to do with state senators, and a 12-day trade mission to Indonesia in early July, Pillen said he’s “just not prepared” to formally release his plan. However, he remained firm that lawmakers will return to Lincoln as he indicated in a “save-the-date” announcement last week.“We don’t have them [the dates] locked down in gold yet, but somewhere between July 26 and August 15 is when we’ll ask for the special session,” Pillen said.Pillen said he had signed a letter for the Legislature regarding a possible special session before joining the radio show, but the offices for the Clerk of the Legislature and Speaker John Arch said they had received no letter as of Monday afternoon.Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said the letter will be available after it is presented to the Legislature.

Gov. Pillen eyes Nebraska taking over K-12 school funding instead of local property taxes

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;-- Governor Jim Pillen and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds have issued a joint request for people to remain off the Missouri River in the coming days, as water levels continue to surpass flood stage. That urgent message comes following the latest update from emergency management officials and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Governors Pillen and Reynolds stressed the seriousness of the situation, and the need to remain informed and make safety a priority:

“Now is not the time to be on the water. In addition to higher-than-normal flow, there’s also the potential for more debris in the water, which poses a significant risk to anyone on the Missouri. It’s best to wait until levels return to normal to resume regular activities.”

Excessive rainfall in eastern South Dakota, northeastern Nebraska and northwestern Iowa has resulted in flooding, road closures and evacuations in affected areas. Officials on both sides of the river have been closely monitoring conditions along the river and its tributaries since late last week

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;-- Governor Jim Pillen and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds have issued a joint request for people to remain off the Missouri River in the coming days, as water levels continue to surpass flood stage. That urgent message comes following the latest update from emergency management officials and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.Governors Pillen and Reynolds stressed the seriousness of the situation, and the need to remain informed and make safety a priority:“Now is not the time to be on the water. In addition to higher-than-normal flow, there’s also the potential for more debris in the water, which poses a significant risk to anyone on the Missouri. It’s best to wait until levels return to normal to resume regular activities.”Excessive rainfall in eastern South Dakota, northeastern Nebraska and northwestern Iowa has resulted in flooding, road closures and evacuations in affected areas. Officials on both sides of the river have been closely monitoring conditions along the river and its tributaries since late last week

Governors Pillen & Reynolds Issue Joint Request to Stay Off Missouri River

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen is acting proactively to mitigate the impact of any flooding that happens along the Missouri River. Today, he declared a state of emergency for those counties that abut the river, which will immediately free up state funds and resources, should the need arise. The proclamation confers authority to Nebraska’s Adjutant General to activate those resources, to protect lives and property.

Heavy rain in southeast South Dakota, northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa has resulted in severe flooding. Over the weekend, Gov. Pillen authorized the deployment of a military helicopter and four-member National Army Guard crew to assist the Iowa National Guard in search and rescue operations in and around Sioux City.&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen continues to receive updates from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the U.S. Corps of Engineers as to the status of the Missouri River. Both agencies are closely monitoring the impact to communities as the water’s crest continues downstream in the coming days.

The Governor's proclamation is included with this release.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen is acting proactively to mitigate the impact of any flooding that happens along the Missouri River. Today, he declared a state of emergency for those counties that abut the river, which will immediately free up state funds and resources, should the need arise. The proclamation confers authority to Nebraska’s Adjutant General to activate those resources, to protect lives and property.Heavy rain in southeast South Dakota, northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa has resulted in severe flooding. Over the weekend, Gov. Pillen authorized the deployment of a military helicopter and four-member National Army Guard crew to assist the Iowa National Guard in search and rescue operations in and around Sioux City.&nbsp;Gov. Pillen continues to receive updates from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the U.S. Corps of Engineers as to the status of the Missouri River. Both agencies are closely monitoring the impact to communities as the water’s crest continues downstream in the coming days.The Governor's proclamation is included with this release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719321870274.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

   Gov. Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Counties Along Missouri River

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Thursday approved the establishment of a new Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) degree program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy.

The 120-credit hour BSPS degree is intended to provide a comprehensive undergraduate education for students interested in an accelerated pathway toward a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree, or other health professional degrees or graduate programs, or for entry-level careers, such as medical sales representatives or pharmaceutical research.

Pending final approval from Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, an inaugural class of 10 new students is expected to enroll for Fall 2025, with projected incoming classes growing to 36 new students a year.

Prerequisites of 60 credit hours through the first two years of study can be attained anywhere, including through community colleges, state colleges or universities. The final two years would be completed at UNMC’s Omaha or Kearney campuses. Well-performing students would be eligible for early admission into UNMC’s PharmD program.

These students will help meet a national – and statewide – need for workforce for the pharmaceutical and agriculture industries, said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD.

“This will continue to fill a critical and unmet workforce need and advance the profession and practice of many health profession disciplines by providing a solid foundation to prepare students for many careers,” Dr. Gold said.

Dele Davies, MD, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said that exposing students at the undergraduate level to the experienced clinical faculty, as well as opportunities for practical hands-on training at the state-of-the-art facilities at the UNMC College of Pharmacy, will pay off for the state’s workforce. The program also exposes undergraduate students to unique internship opportunities with world-class pharmaceutical sciences researchers at UNMC.

“A purpose of the program is to provide a pathway of well-qualified candidates for admission to the College of Pharmacy and other professional degree programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and to build a workforce for biomedical, biochemical, agriculture scientists and technicians for the development, testing, and regulatory approval of new drugs,” Dr. Davies said. “The program also will provide a foundational education in step with projections for how the work of pharmacists, scientists and technicians will change over the next 10 years.”

“The College of Pharmacy is committed to addressing the workforce needs of Nebraska by attracting students into UNMC professional programs as well as meeting the needs of the pharmaceutical veterinary industry,” said Keith Olsen, PharmD,&nbsp;Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean of the&nbsp;UNMC College of Pharmacy.

The new program has drawn support from across UNMC, and from pharmaceutical industry officials, Nebraska’s community colleges and universities in the NU system. Leaders note the BSPS degree program supports the university’s five-year strategic plan by fulfilling workforce needs, amplifying impact through partnerships and in providing accessible, affordable and attainable education to Nebraskans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719244314178.jpeg" alt="Dele Davies, MD, UNMC senior vice chancellor for academic affairs" />
 <figcaption>Dele Davies, MD, UNMC senior vice chancellor for academic affairs</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCThe University of Nebraska Board of Regents Thursday approved the establishment of a new Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) degree program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy.The 120-credit hour BSPS degree is intended to provide a comprehensive undergraduate education for students interested in an accelerated pathway toward a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree, or other health professional degrees or graduate programs, or for entry-level careers, such as medical sales representatives or pharmaceutical research.Pending final approval from Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, an inaugural class of 10 new students is expected to enroll for Fall 2025, with projected incoming classes growing to 36 new students a year.Prerequisites of 60 credit hours through the first two years of study can be attained anywhere, including through community colleges, state colleges or universities. The final two years would be completed at UNMC’s Omaha or Kearney campuses. Well-performing students would be eligible for early admission into UNMC’s PharmD program.These students will help meet a national – and statewide – need for workforce for the pharmaceutical and agriculture industries, said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD.“This will continue to fill a critical and unmet workforce need and advance the profession and practice of many health profession disciplines by providing a solid foundation to prepare students for many careers,” Dr. Gold said.Dele Davies, MD, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said that exposing students at the undergraduate level to the experienced clinical faculty, as well as opportunities for practical hands-on training at the state-of-the-art facilities at the UNMC College of Pharmacy, will pay off for the state’s workforce. The program also exposes undergraduate students to unique internship opportunities with world-class pharmaceutical sciences researchers at UNMC.“A purpose of the program is to provide a pathway of well-qualified candidates for admission to the College of Pharmacy and other professional degree programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and to build a workforce for biomedical, biochemical, agriculture scientists and technicians for the development, testing, and regulatory approval of new drugs,” Dr. Davies said. “The program also will provide a foundational education in step with projections for how the work of pharmacists, scientists and technicians will change over the next 10 years.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719244386589.jpeg" alt="Keith Olsen, PharmD, Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean, UNMC College of Pharmacy" />
 <figcaption>Keith Olsen, PharmD, Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean, UNMC College of Pharmacy</figcaption>
 </figure>“The College of Pharmacy is committed to addressing the workforce needs of Nebraska by attracting students into UNMC professional programs as well as meeting the needs of the pharmaceutical veterinary industry,” said Keith Olsen, PharmD,&nbsp;Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean of the&nbsp;UNMC College of Pharmacy.The new program has drawn support from across UNMC, and from pharmaceutical industry officials, Nebraska’s community colleges and universities in the NU system. Leaders note the BSPS degree program supports the university’s five-year strategic plan by fulfilling workforce needs, amplifying impact through partnerships and in providing accessible, affordable and attainable education to Nebraskans.

Regents approve new bachelor’s degree at UNMC to build pharmacy workforce

OMAHA, NEBRASKA June 24, 2024 — As the busy Fourth of July holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to be a powerful force for good by giving blood now and in the weeks to come. You can be the difference between someone's storm and their sunshine. Donors are critically needed right now after a sharp decrease in donations since late spring. All blood types are needed, especially donors giving type O blood and those giving platelets.&nbsp;

Full summer calendars and holiday plans may prevent regular donors from being able to give. Additionally, significant summer weather threats such as hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes can result in travel hazards and blood drive cancellations that could impact the blood supply. Help keep lifesaving blood products stocked on hospital shelves and book a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.  &nbsp;

The Red Cross has teamed up with Universal Pictures for the theatrical release of TWISTERS to help avoid a summer blood shortage. All who come to give blood or platelets July 1-31 will get a Fandango Movie Ticket* by email. Plus, those who come to give July 1-14 will also receive a one-of-a-kind TWISTERS and Red Cross umbrella, while supplies last. BONUS: Those who come to give blood in July will also automatically be entered for a chance to win a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn®. See <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BjlOKn5gyoDa2kcQadnKwq4nHaJIVBj6JyDTQaACstC5JZqGT2UchUTRmRn760JA7pu4HrwCUJ8i4NL7cFO1NQ-3D497D_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ2NABxUG8T7GNyg4FKGQBpI4iLODBp2OCN5iIZ2QQ6MHYPG4PEKIst8xdd2i7S1iTBbcEdA7mBjpH9UNvg7px-2BWNOToxb6dtrpoODOjIqmS0Pa-2F3OU-2FH6Bi7XL-2B5XqQZ2ii0o-2FQ3K882XEgU6rA7qv0-3D">RedCrossBlood.org/Twisters</a> for full details.&nbsp;

Swarms of tornadoes and extreme flooding in recent months have tragically taken lives and destroyed entire communities. Most recently, millions of people have endured one of the longest lasting and strongest heat waves in years, including large portions of the Midwest. Unfortunately, in states like Arkansas, Ohio, Iowa and Nebraska, many communities are still picking up the pieces and recovering from the second most active tornado season on record, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The Red Cross is grateful to have partners like Universal Pictures who are not only lending this support to encourage blood donations during this critical time of year but have also generously donated to help support disaster relief,” said Jennifer Pipa, vice president of Disaster Programs for the Red Cross. “Because of the climate crisis, the Red Cross is now launching twice as many relief operations for major disasters than we did a decade ago. And disasters are not only straining our relief operations but also our ability to collect lifesaving blood donations. So far this year we have collected 20,000 fewer blood donations due to severe weather.”&nbsp;

In just the first five months of the year, the Red Cross has responded to 20 tornado related disasters across 13 states. Unfortunately, meteorologists expect more powerful and destructive storms to continue in the months to come as the effects of the climate crisis continue. This year’s outlook is part of a years-long trend of more frequent and intense climate disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and floods.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Be a force of nature this summer. Give blood or make a financial donation to the Red Cross by visiting <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2Fv2XUpxZVb1dwWXf-2BE6AbM6HczruLPJ6kTOYA5vhinSmC1WE1S8luDvM6SrC74dkt003MlGYFWSHveWPFX6q6jFmd-2FpChL2dzDEuDPGOgnsVeUgd06lPRkshSJF-2F9-2FCKEaATfZGM9t2zf6OPHn777U-3DjuEQ_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ8ezivfxiAq8A4Um-2BIxr2tqVnSwj2yce-2FQsNonhfi0rolk6QAy-2BPnNz-2F7zyVdtKzT8BZkFNXqB6MzBNAy1-2FmhB-2FteofWhzF6S-2FcvTnIawFOC67-2FNuyEaWz98zT4CyCdIQNIOpcCK8wbifD0X-2FoYEFAo-3D">RedCross.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdf62MlpTpw2kgmE3KG0fqSAjRGqvNlUFj0Dj7hYDgnaqHphB_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ3HT9aSgMfRuUChYkzWsJAdPtWI0bQOWPnYUE2eKJYPQxBixRatciCOwhu-2BofgDXgh1JMaJjkhTLsliK3qtPO0LrZnkeXt-2BJOSnXiKPHb7kyG6kU1IjRPvcg72JUu7S0ASQeJBrl4Jm3JQCmWQ6wQXQ-3D">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.&nbsp;

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BjlOKn5gyoDa2kcQadnKwoRE4oLheHyfEN41-2BiLyps3d0kGbNtVRHNMBTiiP26vimqWOErSTyRaIeTfQM38mrVya5z7PYDxqeJbreQz-2Be2t_nFE_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJyq-2Fnt3bfqZy2IHm0ylds4-2BjnAVSs0Nv9e-2BUAjsFTXwq3STtyGNvaNe5Bf-2Bec3LI-2BCMAa8cCvypoA1V-2FkRPGg-2F9wKlnLsKAocF-2BK-2FU2-2F6R1ArioizhGohiJByGaDjrCIZLP1hwqirwxZk8IVd8M5dRg-3D">RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass</a> or use the Blood Donor App.&nbsp;

About the American Red Cross:&nbsp;

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdQDUSRTVVNhCpuFViEAZkUwwybZoOB-2BvKUl99z4ea04F4kK4_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ-2FbEusrXU8-2BpteYz6zkcog2fiHjtetTxOiFg34FnSAHdn56xNWmvBI8ur4Z30F-2FjU-2F8HySqXjVbM-2FTxZKZBQPTDg6HR0osQSlZ-2BxGZ-2FBx4eIiTYJnba8B0JiQ4wjFjkQMwP8b3RbvFWeo-2BOHrbzG22c-3D">redcross.org</a> or <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdZCpBS8hc66RWakFg9GcSpVk3u-2BevSeOtR5S8POS15xykvrG_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ5B5gdNSFrdPhh0njnZeo9-2FtAKMokv4dqMhc2lw-2FZRx99w9JhxOvdN4IKJqQTohGdSt4dhHP9bvryLgwX7rU88P0lclf3s-2FTlBZV6k0TovZqbZoGLBc5gQj2yHVbYQ4ZLtsdpEOcfkBwwsjzpARAYMg-3D">CruzRojaAmericana.org</a>, or follow us on social media.&nbsp;

American Red CrossOMAHA, NEBRASKA June 24, 2024 — As the busy Fourth of July holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to be a powerful force for good by giving blood now and in the weeks to come. You can be the difference between someone's storm and their sunshine. Donors are critically needed right now after a sharp decrease in donations since late spring. All blood types are needed, especially donors giving type O blood and those giving platelets.&nbsp;Full summer calendars and holiday plans may prevent regular donors from being able to give. Additionally, significant summer weather threats such as hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes can result in travel hazards and blood drive cancellations that could impact the blood supply. Help keep lifesaving blood products stocked on hospital shelves and book a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.  &nbsp;The Red Cross has teamed up with Universal Pictures for the theatrical release of TWISTERS to help avoid a summer blood shortage. All who come to give blood or platelets July 1-31 will get a Fandango Movie Ticket* by email. Plus, those who come to give July 1-14 will also receive a one-of-a-kind TWISTERS and Red Cross umbrella, while supplies last. BONUS: Those who come to give blood in July will also automatically be entered for a chance to win a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn®. See <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BjlOKn5gyoDa2kcQadnKwq4nHaJIVBj6JyDTQaACstC5JZqGT2UchUTRmRn760JA7pu4HrwCUJ8i4NL7cFO1NQ-3D497D_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ2NABxUG8T7GNyg4FKGQBpI4iLODBp2OCN5iIZ2QQ6MHYPG4PEKIst8xdd2i7S1iTBbcEdA7mBjpH9UNvg7px-2BWNOToxb6dtrpoODOjIqmS0Pa-2F3OU-2FH6Bi7XL-2B5XqQZ2ii0o-2FQ3K882XEgU6rA7qv0-3D">RedCrossBlood.org/Twisters</a> for full details.&nbsp;Swarms of tornadoes and extreme flooding in recent months have tragically taken lives and destroyed entire communities. Most recently, millions of people have endured one of the longest lasting and strongest heat waves in years, including large portions of the Midwest. Unfortunately, in states like Arkansas, Ohio, Iowa and Nebraska, many communities are still picking up the pieces and recovering from the second most active tornado season on record, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Red Cross is grateful to have partners like Universal Pictures who are not only lending this support to encourage blood donations during this critical time of year but have also generously donated to help support disaster relief,” said Jennifer Pipa, vice president of Disaster Programs for the Red Cross. “Because of the climate crisis, the Red Cross is now launching twice as many relief operations for major disasters than we did a decade ago. And disasters are not only straining our relief operations but also our ability to collect lifesaving blood donations. So far this year we have collected 20,000 fewer blood donations due to severe weather.”&nbsp;In just the first five months of the year, the Red Cross has responded to 20 tornado related disasters across 13 states. Unfortunately, meteorologists expect more powerful and destructive storms to continue in the months to come as the effects of the climate crisis continue. This year’s outlook is part of a years-long trend of more frequent and intense climate disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and floods.&nbsp;&nbsp;Be a force of nature this summer. Give blood or make a financial donation to the Red Cross by visiting <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2Fv2XUpxZVb1dwWXf-2BE6AbM6HczruLPJ6kTOYA5vhinSmC1WE1S8luDvM6SrC74dkt003MlGYFWSHveWPFX6q6jFmd-2FpChL2dzDEuDPGOgnsVeUgd06lPRkshSJF-2F9-2FCKEaATfZGM9t2zf6OPHn777U-3DjuEQ_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ8ezivfxiAq8A4Um-2BIxr2tqVnSwj2yce-2FQsNonhfi0rolk6QAy-2BPnNz-2F7zyVdtKzT8BZkFNXqB6MzBNAy1-2FmhB-2FteofWhzF6S-2FcvTnIawFOC67-2FNuyEaWz98zT4CyCdIQNIOpcCK8wbifD0X-2FoYEFAo-3D">RedCross.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;How to donate blood&nbsp;Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdf62MlpTpw2kgmE3KG0fqSAjRGqvNlUFj0Dj7hYDgnaqHphB_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ3HT9aSgMfRuUChYkzWsJAdPtWI0bQOWPnYUE2eKJYPQxBixRatciCOwhu-2BofgDXgh1JMaJjkhTLsliK3qtPO0LrZnkeXt-2BJOSnXiKPHb7kyG6kU1IjRPvcg72JUu7S0ASQeJBrl4Jm3JQCmWQ6wQXQ-3D">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.&nbsp;Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BjlOKn5gyoDa2kcQadnKwoRE4oLheHyfEN41-2BiLyps3d0kGbNtVRHNMBTiiP26vimqWOErSTyRaIeTfQM38mrVya5z7PYDxqeJbreQz-2Be2t_nFE_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJyq-2Fnt3bfqZy2IHm0ylds4-2BjnAVSs0Nv9e-2BUAjsFTXwq3STtyGNvaNe5Bf-2Bec3LI-2BCMAa8cCvypoA1V-2FkRPGg-2F9wKlnLsKAocF-2BK-2FU2-2F6R1ArioizhGohiJByGaDjrCIZLP1hwqirwxZk8IVd8M5dRg-3D">RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass</a> or use the Blood Donor App.&nbsp;About the American Red Cross:&nbsp;The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdQDUSRTVVNhCpuFViEAZkUwwybZoOB-2BvKUl99z4ea04F4kK4_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ-2FbEusrXU8-2BpteYz6zkcog2fiHjtetTxOiFg34FnSAHdn56xNWmvBI8ur4Z30F-2FjU-2F8HySqXjVbM-2FTxZKZBQPTDg6HR0osQSlZ-2BxGZ-2FBx4eIiTYJnba8B0JiQ4wjFjkQMwP8b3RbvFWeo-2BOHrbzG22c-3D">redcross.org</a> or <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdZCpBS8hc66RWakFg9GcSpVk3u-2BevSeOtR5S8POS15xykvrG_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5AuwILl2KL6-2BqdycAhG3-2F3NS0g4iDy6zkt57mcs-2BT048Nmzjf-2FOLf0lTDtPh44BrLfMAzf3m8ZgW4adiCC-2BzMJ5B5gdNSFrdPhh0njnZeo9-2FtAKMokv4dqMhc2lw-2FZRx99w9JhxOvdN4IKJqQTohGdSt4dhHP9bvryLgwX7rU88P0lclf3s-2FTlBZV6k0TovZqbZoGLBc5gQj2yHVbYQ4ZLtsdpEOcfkBwwsjzpARAYMg-3D">CruzRojaAmericana.org</a>, or follow us on social media.&nbsp;

Be a Powerful Force for Good this Summer  

Kimball, Neb. - One man has been arrested in Kimball over the weekend after making threats to family members.

According to the Kimball Police Department, in the evening hours of Saturday, June 15th, officers were dispatched for a disturbance call to the 600 block of south Burg Street.

Officers were made aware of threats Meghgy had made towards family members, along with additional threats made by the suspect.

Meghgy was placed under arrested and is being charged with terroristic threats. He is lodged in the Kimball County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719257672889.jpeg" alt="Michel Meghgy (Courtesy of Kimball Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Michel Meghgy (Courtesy of Kimball Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>Panhandle PostKimball, Neb. - One man has been arrested in Kimball over the weekend after making threats to family members.According to the Kimball Police Department, in the evening hours of Saturday, June 15th, officers were dispatched for a disturbance call to the 600 block of south Burg Street.Officers were made aware of threats Meghgy had made towards family members, along with additional threats made by the suspect.Meghgy was placed under arrested and is being charged with terroristic threats. He is lodged in the Kimball County Jail.

Kimball man arrested for terroristic threats

Omaha - American technology and innovation have made our farms, our ranches, and our food processing industry more productive and efficient than ever before. But it also makes us more vulnerable to cyber and national security threats. In today's digital world, these threat actors are targeting our food and agricultural sector more and more.&nbsp;

On August 12, 2024, the FBI Omaha field office will host its second annual Agriculture &nbsp;Threats Symposium. It will take place in Omaha, Nebraska. We are inviting private sector, &nbsp;academia, industry, and government officials from the agriculture sector to attend, as well as law &nbsp;enforcement partners.&nbsp;

The free symposium is designed to provide information on cyber and national security threats to the agriculture sector in the United States and offer resources and guidance for the &nbsp;sector to become resilient against these threats. &nbsp;

To register, please visit <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/agriculture-threats-symposium-tickets-920210673897?aff=oddtdtcreator">https://lnkd.in/g2EBshne</a> and complete the registration process.&nbsp; Space is limited. Please direct any questions to AgThreatsSymposium@fbi.gov.&nbsp;

FBI Omaha Field OfficeOmaha - American technology and innovation have made our farms, our ranches, and our food processing industry more productive and efficient than ever before. But it also makes us more vulnerable to cyber and national security threats. In today's digital world, these threat actors are targeting our food and agricultural sector more and more.&nbsp;On August 12, 2024, the FBI Omaha field office will host its second annual Agriculture &nbsp;Threats Symposium. It will take place in Omaha, Nebraska. We are inviting private sector, &nbsp;academia, industry, and government officials from the agriculture sector to attend, as well as law &nbsp;enforcement partners.&nbsp;The free symposium is designed to provide information on cyber and national security threats to the agriculture sector in the United States and offer resources and guidance for the &nbsp;sector to become resilient against these threats. &nbsp;To register, please visit <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/agriculture-threats-symposium-tickets-920210673897?aff=oddtdtcreator">https://lnkd.in/g2EBshne</a> and complete the registration process.&nbsp; Space is limited. Please direct any questions to AgThreatsSymposium@fbi.gov.&nbsp;

FBI Omaha To Host Second Annual Agriculture Threats Symposium 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nine-more-gov-pillen-led-property-tax-town-halls-in-central-western-nebraska-this-week/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen will close out the month of June with nine more town halls focused on his property tax reform ideas in western and central Nebraska.

The latest slate of town halls indicates that Pillen will complete June with “a full slate” of such events in the western and central parts of the state, including his hometown of Columbus. At week’s end, this will equate to 26 town halls.&nbsp;

The governor’s quest has been to shift or eliminate a total of about 40%, or $2 billion, of locally collected property taxes by the end of his first two years in office, adding on to efforts in 2023.&nbsp;Pillen has previewed that he’s open to the state taking on more or all of the tab for Nebraska’s 244 public school districts.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue reports that for the 2023-2024 school year, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2012.pdf">property tax portion for school funding was $2.8 billion</a>, excluding bond taxes.

Ideas for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/24/gov-pillen-outlines-some-funding-levers-in-his-quest-to-lower-nebraska-property-taxes/">funding Pillen’s ideas</a>&nbsp;include eliminating&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">some sales tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;possibly creating a two-tiered sales and use tax rate per dollar on purchases of certain goods or services. The rate is currently 5.5 cents. “Sins taxes” could also increase,&nbsp;such as on alcohol, cigarettes or vaping.

Pillen has not yet disclosed a specific plan of action; neither have any of the more than a dozen state senators he has been working with in Lincoln.

Last week, the governor offered a “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/17/nebraska-gov-pillen-issues-save-the-date-for-special-session-on-property-taxes/">save-the-date</a>” for senators to clear their calendars between July 26 and Aug. 15. It is the clearest indication yet for when he might call a special session, though no official call has been made.

This week’s town hall schedule is as follows:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719242173331.jpeg" alt=" Gov. Jim Pillen addresses attendees at a property tax town hall in Plattsmouth on Thursday, May 30, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Jim Pillen addresses attendees at a property tax town hall in Plattsmouth on Thursday, May 30, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nine-more-gov-pillen-led-property-tax-town-halls-in-central-western-nebraska-this-week/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen will close out the month of June with nine more town halls focused on his property tax reform ideas in western and central Nebraska.The latest slate of town halls indicates that Pillen will complete June with “a full slate” of such events in the western and central parts of the state, including his hometown of Columbus. At week’s end, this will equate to 26 town halls.&nbsp;The governor’s quest has been to shift or eliminate a total of about 40%, or $2 billion, of locally collected property taxes by the end of his first two years in office, adding on to efforts in 2023.&nbsp;Pillen has previewed that he’s open to the state taking on more or all of the tab for Nebraska’s 244 public school districts.The Nebraska Department of Revenue reports that for the 2023-2024 school year, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2012.pdf">property tax portion for school funding was $2.8 billion</a>, excluding bond taxes.Ideas for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/24/gov-pillen-outlines-some-funding-levers-in-his-quest-to-lower-nebraska-property-taxes/">funding Pillen’s ideas</a>&nbsp;include eliminating&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">some sales tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;possibly creating a two-tiered sales and use tax rate per dollar on purchases of certain goods or services. The rate is currently 5.5 cents. “Sins taxes” could also increase,&nbsp;such as on alcohol, cigarettes or vaping.Pillen has not yet disclosed a specific plan of action; neither have any of the more than a dozen state senators he has been working with in Lincoln.Last week, the governor offered a “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/17/nebraska-gov-pillen-issues-save-the-date-for-special-session-on-property-taxes/">save-the-date</a>” for senators to clear their calendars between July 26 and Aug. 15. It is the clearest indication yet for when he might call a special session, though no official call has been made.This week’s town hall schedule is as follows:Tuesday, June 25<ul>
 <li>10:30 a.m. at Phelps Memorial Health Center, 1215 Tibbals St., Holdrege.</li><li>2 p.m. at Younes Conference Center – North, 707 Talmadge St., Kearney.</li>
 </ul>Wednesday, June 26<ul>
 <li>1:30 p.m. at Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 753 33rd Ave., Columbus.</li>
 </ul>Thursday, June 27<ul>
 <li>10 a.m. at Mid-Plains Community College, 715 East Highway 20, Valentine.</li><li>1 p.m. at Chadron State College, Student Center –&nbsp;Lakota Room, 1000 Main St., Chadron.</li><li>4:30 p.m. at Westside Events Center, 2472 County Road 62, Alliance.</li>
 </ul>Friday, June 28<ul>
 <li>8:30 a.m. at Petrified Wood Gallery, 418 East 1st St., Ogallala.</li><li>1 p.m. at Coppermill Steakhouse, 202 Coppermill St., McCook.</li><li>4 p.m. at Central Community College – The Opportunity Center, 1501 Plum Creek Parkway, Lexington.</li>
 </ul>

Nine more Gov. Pillen-led property tax town halls in central, western Nebraska this week

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — The only reason John Arthur is able to be a public school teacher is because his wife makes much more money than he does.

Arthur —&nbsp; the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year&nbsp; — testified on Thursday at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the challenges facing public school teachers.

Arthur, who is also a member of the National Education Association and holds National Board Certification, pointed to pay as the main reason for both teachers leaving the profession and parents not wanting their children to become teachers.

“The No. 1 solution to addressing the issues we face must be increasing teachers’ salaries,” said Arthur, who teaches at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Gemayel Keyes, a teacher at Gilbert Spruance Elementary School in Philadelphia, told the committee that even as an educator, he still has an additional part-time job.

The special education teacher spent most of his career in education as a paraprofessional. At the time he moved into that role, the starting annual salary was $16,000 and the maximum was $30,000.

“It’s still pretty much the same,” he said.

Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/03.09.23-Sanders-Pay-Teachers-Act-text.pdf">introduced a bill</a>&nbsp;in March 2023 that would set an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/766/all-actions">annual base salary</a>&nbsp;of $60,000 for public elementary and secondary school teachers.

“We understand that the children, young people of this country, are our future and there is, in fact … nothing more important that we can do to provide a quality education to all of our young people, and yet, for decades, public school teachers have been overworked, underpaid, understaffed, and maybe most importantly, underappreciated,” Sanders said in his opening remarks.

“Compared to many other occupations, our public school teachers are more likely to experience high levels of anxiety, stress and burnout, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic,” he said.

Sanders said 44% of public school teachers are quitting their profession within five years, citing “the extremely low pay teachers receive” as one of the primary reasons for a massive U.S. teacher shortage.

For the 2023-24 school year, a whopping 86% of K-12 public schools in the country documented challenges in hiring teachers, according to an October report from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/10_17_2023.asp">National Center for Education Statistics</a>.

Maryland sets $60,000 minimum&nbsp;&nbsp;

But a minimum annual teacher salary of $60,000 is not far off for every state.

In Maryland, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://marylandmatters.org/2024/06/03/blueprint-blues-local-leaders-cite-school-reform-plans-progress-problems/">Blueprint for Maryland’s Future</a>&nbsp;raises the starting salary for teachers to $60,000 a year by July 2026.

William E. Kirwan, vice chair of Maryland’s Accountability and Implementation Board, said the multi-year comprehensive plan, passed in 2021 in the Maryland General Assembly, “addresses all aspects of children’s education from birth to high school completion, including most especially, the recruitment, retention and compensation of high quality teachers.”

Kirwan said the “Blueprint’s principle for teacher compensation is that, as professionals, teachers should be compensated at the same level as other professionals requiring similar levels of education, such as architects and CPAs.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy, ranking member of the committee, dubbed Democrats’ solution of creating a federal minimum salary for teachers as a “laudable goal.”

But he noted that “the federal government dictating how states spend their money does not address the root cause of why teachers are struggling to teach in the classroom.”

“More mandates and funding cannot be the only answer we come up with. We must examine broken policies that got us here and find solutions to improve,” the Louisiana Republican said.

Nicole Neily, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, a parents’ rights group, argued that “schools don’t have a resource issue” but rather an “allocation issue.”

“There’s a saying: ‘Don’t tell me where your priorities are, show me where you spend your money, and I’ll tell you what they are.’ Education leaders routinely choose to spend money on programs and personnel that don’t directly benefit students,” said Neily.

Neily pointed to a 2021 report from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.heritage.org/education/report/equity-elementary-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-staff-public-schools">Heritage Foundation</a>, which found that “standardized test results show that achievement gaps are growing wider over time in districts with (chief diversity officers).” Such staff members commonly encourage efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion in schools.

Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said “higher pay does not ease the burden we place on teachers or add hours to their day.”

“By all means, raise teacher pay, but do not assume that it will solve teacher shortages or keep good teachers in the classroom. Poor training, deteriorating classroom conditions, shoddy curriculum and spiraling demands have made an already challenging job nearly impossible to do well and sustainably,” he added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719074599272.png" alt="John Arthur, a teacher at Meadowlark Elementary in Salt Lake City, Utah, testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (Screenshot from committee webcast)/" />
 <figcaption>John Arthur, a teacher at Meadowlark Elementary in Salt Lake City, Utah, testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (Screenshot from committee webcast)/</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — The only reason John Arthur is able to be a public school teacher is because his wife makes much more money than he does.Arthur —&nbsp; the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year&nbsp; — testified on Thursday at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the challenges facing public school teachers.Arthur, who is also a member of the National Education Association and holds National Board Certification, pointed to pay as the main reason for both teachers leaving the profession and parents not wanting their children to become teachers.“The No. 1 solution to addressing the issues we face must be increasing teachers’ salaries,” said Arthur, who teaches at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah.Gemayel Keyes, a teacher at Gilbert Spruance Elementary School in Philadelphia, told the committee that even as an educator, he still has an additional part-time job.The special education teacher spent most of his career in education as a paraprofessional. At the time he moved into that role, the starting annual salary was $16,000 and the maximum was $30,000.“It’s still pretty much the same,” he said.<h2>Minimum teacher salary&nbsp;</h2>Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/03.09.23-Sanders-Pay-Teachers-Act-text.pdf">introduced a bill</a>&nbsp;in March 2023 that would set an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/766/all-actions">annual base salary</a>&nbsp;of $60,000 for public elementary and secondary school teachers.“We understand that the children, young people of this country, are our future and there is, in fact … nothing more important that we can do to provide a quality education to all of our young people, and yet, for decades, public school teachers have been overworked, underpaid, understaffed, and maybe most importantly, underappreciated,” Sanders said in his opening remarks.“Compared to many other occupations, our public school teachers are more likely to experience high levels of anxiety, stress and burnout, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic,” he said.Sanders said 44% of public school teachers are quitting their profession within five years, citing “the extremely low pay teachers receive” as one of the primary reasons for a massive U.S. teacher shortage.For the 2023-24 school year, a whopping 86% of K-12 public schools in the country documented challenges in hiring teachers, according to an October report from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/10_17_2023.asp">National Center for Education Statistics</a>.<h2>Maryland sets $60,000 minimum&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>But a minimum annual teacher salary of $60,000 is not far off for every state.In Maryland, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://marylandmatters.org/2024/06/03/blueprint-blues-local-leaders-cite-school-reform-plans-progress-problems/">Blueprint for Maryland’s Future</a>&nbsp;raises the starting salary for teachers to $60,000 a year by July 2026.William E. Kirwan, vice chair of Maryland’s Accountability and Implementation Board, said the multi-year comprehensive plan, passed in 2021 in the Maryland General Assembly, “addresses all aspects of children’s education from birth to high school completion, including most especially, the recruitment, retention and compensation of high quality teachers.”Kirwan said the “Blueprint’s principle for teacher compensation is that, as professionals, teachers should be compensated at the same level as other professionals requiring similar levels of education, such as architects and CPAs.”<h2>An “allocation issue”&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Sen. Bill Cassidy, ranking member of the committee, dubbed Democrats’ solution of creating a federal minimum salary for teachers as a “laudable goal.”But he noted that “the federal government dictating how states spend their money does not address the root cause of why teachers are struggling to teach in the classroom.”“More mandates and funding cannot be the only answer we come up with. We must examine broken policies that got us here and find solutions to improve,” the Louisiana Republican said.Nicole Neily, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, a parents’ rights group, argued that “schools don’t have a resource issue” but rather an “allocation issue.”“There’s a saying: ‘Don’t tell me where your priorities are, show me where you spend your money, and I’ll tell you what they are.’ Education leaders routinely choose to spend money on programs and personnel that don’t directly benefit students,” said Neily.Neily pointed to a 2021 report from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.heritage.org/education/report/equity-elementary-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-staff-public-schools">Heritage Foundation</a>, which found that “standardized test results show that achievement gaps are growing wider over time in districts with (chief diversity officers).” Such staff members commonly encourage efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion in schools.Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said “higher pay does not ease the burden we place on teachers or add hours to their day.”“By all means, raise teacher pay, but do not assume that it will solve teacher shortages or keep good teachers in the classroom. Poor training, deteriorating classroom conditions, shoddy curriculum and spiraling demands have made an already challenging job nearly impossible to do well and sustainably,” he added.

‘Extremely low pay’ cited at U.S. Senate hearing as prime reason for teacher shortage

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/lia-chien/">LIA CHIEN</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/19/democratic-women-in-u-s-senate-target-project-2025-on-reproductive-rights/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats held a press conference this week to stand up for reproductive rights and freedoms, criticizing a plan by a conservative think tank that if adopted would hinder abortion and contraception access in a Trump administration.

The lawmakers called attention to the potential restrictions former President Donald Trump could employ to reproductive health care if elected in November outlined in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf">Project 2025</a>, an almost 1,000-page conservative policy proposal.

The plan would restructure the federal government to be in line with Trump’s political beliefs. The Trump campaign has said other groups do not speak for it, but the project is led by former staffers, including the chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management in the Trump administration.

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray from Washington state, who is&nbsp; the former chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, led the press event. She was joined by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sens. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.

Murray said Project 2025, drafted by the conservative Heritage Foundation, would pose a threat to access to reproductive care nationwide.

“Donald Trump and his allies are planning a detailed road map, they’ve given it out, to rip away a woman’s right to choose in every single state in America,” she said.

Murray addressed concerns about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too">the Comstock Act</a>, a key element of Republicans’ legal argument in restricting access to abortion in the United States.

In 1873, Congress passed the act to ban mailing of obscene matter, which includes abortion materials. In some interpretations of the law, the act could be used to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-comstock-act-implications-for-abortion-care-nationwide/">prohibit</a>&nbsp;mailing chemical abortion pills, like mifepristone. The Supreme Court last week unanimously&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-rejects-attempt-limit-access-abortion-pill-6">rejected</a>&nbsp;an effort to reduce access to mifepristone by anti-abortion groups.

Abortion pills accounted for 63% of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/2024/03/medication-abortion-accounted-63-all-us-abortions-2023-increase-53-2020">abortions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights nonprofit.

In line with the Roe v. Wade ruling that upheld abortion rights, chemical abortion pills were protected and it was legal to mail them. In December 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe, the Department of Justice&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/application-comstock-act-mailing-prescription-drugs-can-be-used-abortions">determined</a>&nbsp;it is still legal to mail drugs like mifepristone despite the Comstock Act.

Still, Republicans potentially could use the Comstock Act to reduce abortion access under a second Trump presidency, the Project 2025 document indicates. Schumer highlighted a quote at Tuesday’s press conference from Jonathan F. Mitchell, an architect of Project 2025 and lifelong anti-abortion advocate.

“We don’t need a federal ban when we have Comstock on the books,” Mitchell said,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/us/politics/trump-allies-abortion-restrictions.html">quoted</a>&nbsp;in the New York Times.

In May, Sen. Tina Smith from Minnesota announced she planned to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too">introduce</a>&nbsp;legislation to repeal the Comstock Act altogether.

Murray told reporters at Tuesday’s event the DOJ has said Republicans could not use the Comstock Act to restrict abortion access.

“Just let me make it very clear,” said Murray. “Our Department of Justice has made it very clear that Comstock does not apply.”

Schumer slammed Republicans for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-republicans-reject-democrats-bill-ivf-protections">blocking</a>&nbsp;Duckworth’s IVF access legislation last week. The bill needed 60 votes to advance but only&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00197.htm">received</a>&nbsp;48. Only two Republican senators voted to advance it: Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

“In the last two weeks, Senate Republicans have shown that for all their attempts to sound moderate on reproductive care, when it comes time to vote, they choose MAGA extremism,” said Schumer.

Schumer announced that he has begun the process of putting a new bill, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.murray.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HLA24625.pdf">Reproductive Freedom for Women Act</a>, on the legislative calendar. The proposed legislation co-sponsored by Murray and every Democratic woman in the Senate would express the sense of Congress that lawmakers should “enshrin(e) the protections of Roe into law,” Schumer said.

The power of the courts was also a prime focus of lawmakers at the press conference.

Klobuchar, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted how Trump’s appointments to federal courts had a major impact on not only the overturning of Roe, but in restricting reproductive care across the country, including abortion.

She highlighted that judges will be critical in protecting rights to legal standing in bringing cases and prohibiting extreme actions by a possible Trump administration. Senate Democrats are battling to keep control of the chamber in November’s elections.

“Every judge we confirm makes a difference,” she said. “We know the American people are with us. They are with us on having judges in place that actually respect the law.”

During Trump’s first term, he appointed three&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/nominations/SupremeCourtNominations1789present.htm">justices</a>&nbsp;to the Supreme Court: Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. All three were confirmed to the court by the Senate and will remain&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/26/trump-legacy-supreme-court-422058">significant</a>&nbsp;in writing opinions far beyond Trump’s time in office.

Senators at Tuesday’s event called out a number of plans in Project 2025 that Democrats oppose. For example, the plan says the Department of Health and Human Services should make it clear states can defund Planned Parenthood in their Medicaid plans and should propose rules to disqualify Planned Parenthood from Medicaid.

“Planned Parenthood is often the only option for women with low incomes seeking contraception,” Hirono said.

Hirono also noted that Project 2025 proposed changing the name of the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Life.

“This isn’t about protecting life,” said Hirono. “This is about power and control and the Republicans’ obsession with controlling women’s bodies.”

Duckworth expressed frustration with Republicans who tell American voters that they care about women’s rights but don’t vote to protect them.

“When the rubber meets the road and we ask not just for empty words on Twitter before their vote, they won’t lift a finger to protect women in this country,” she said.

Murray vowed to protect women’s rights no matter the outcome of November’s election.

“We are fighting back,” said Murray. “We’re doing everything we can to protect women’s rights and we will be here to block anything that the Trump administration tries to do.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718886172392.png" alt="Democratic women serving in the U.S. Senate held a press conference on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, about reproductive rights. Left to right, Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Patty Murray of Washington, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York is at right. (Lia Chien/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>Democratic women serving in the U.S. Senate held a press conference on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, about reproductive rights. Left to right, Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Patty Murray of Washington, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York is at right. (Lia Chien/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/lia-chien/">LIA CHIEN</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/19/democratic-women-in-u-s-senate-target-project-2025-on-reproductive-rights/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats held a press conference this week to stand up for reproductive rights and freedoms, criticizing a plan by a conservative think tank that if adopted would hinder abortion and contraception access in a Trump administration.The lawmakers called attention to the potential restrictions former President Donald Trump could employ to reproductive health care if elected in November outlined in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf">Project 2025</a>, an almost 1,000-page conservative policy proposal.The plan would restructure the federal government to be in line with Trump’s political beliefs. The Trump campaign has said other groups do not speak for it, but the project is led by former staffers, including the chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management in the Trump administration.Democratic Sen. Patty Murray from Washington state, who is&nbsp; the former chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, led the press event. She was joined by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sens. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.Murray said Project 2025, drafted by the conservative Heritage Foundation, would pose a threat to access to reproductive care nationwide.“Donald Trump and his allies are planning a detailed road map, they’ve given it out, to rip away a woman’s right to choose in every single state in America,” she said.<h2>Comstock Act</h2>Murray addressed concerns about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too">the Comstock Act</a>, a key element of Republicans’ legal argument in restricting access to abortion in the United States.In 1873, Congress passed the act to ban mailing of obscene matter, which includes abortion materials. In some interpretations of the law, the act could be used to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-comstock-act-implications-for-abortion-care-nationwide/">prohibit</a>&nbsp;mailing chemical abortion pills, like mifepristone. The Supreme Court last week unanimously&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-rejects-attempt-limit-access-abortion-pill-6">rejected</a>&nbsp;an effort to reduce access to mifepristone by anti-abortion groups.Abortion pills accounted for 63% of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/2024/03/medication-abortion-accounted-63-all-us-abortions-2023-increase-53-2020">abortions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights nonprofit.In line with the Roe v. Wade ruling that upheld abortion rights, chemical abortion pills were protected and it was legal to mail them. In December 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe, the Department of Justice&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/application-comstock-act-mailing-prescription-drugs-can-be-used-abortions">determined</a>&nbsp;it is still legal to mail drugs like mifepristone despite the Comstock Act.Still, Republicans potentially could use the Comstock Act to reduce abortion access under a second Trump presidency, the Project 2025 document indicates. Schumer highlighted a quote at Tuesday’s press conference from Jonathan F. Mitchell, an architect of Project 2025 and lifelong anti-abortion advocate.“We don’t need a federal ban when we have Comstock on the books,” Mitchell said,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/us/politics/trump-allies-abortion-restrictions.html">quoted</a>&nbsp;in the New York Times.In May, Sen. Tina Smith from Minnesota announced she planned to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too">introduce</a>&nbsp;legislation to repeal the Comstock Act altogether.Murray told reporters at Tuesday’s event the DOJ has said Republicans could not use the Comstock Act to restrict abortion access.“Just let me make it very clear,” said Murray. “Our Department of Justice has made it very clear that Comstock does not apply.”<h2>IVF legislation</h2>Schumer slammed Republicans for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-republicans-reject-democrats-bill-ivf-protections">blocking</a>&nbsp;Duckworth’s IVF access legislation last week. The bill needed 60 votes to advance but only&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00197.htm">received</a>&nbsp;48. Only two Republican senators voted to advance it: Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.“In the last two weeks, Senate Republicans have shown that for all their attempts to sound moderate on reproductive care, when it comes time to vote, they choose MAGA extremism,” said Schumer.Schumer announced that he has begun the process of putting a new bill, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.murray.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HLA24625.pdf">Reproductive Freedom for Women Act</a>, on the legislative calendar. The proposed legislation co-sponsored by Murray and every Democratic woman in the Senate would express the sense of Congress that lawmakers should “enshrin(e) the protections of Roe into law,” Schumer said.<h2>Trump appointments</h2>The power of the courts was also a prime focus of lawmakers at the press conference.Klobuchar, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted how Trump’s appointments to federal courts had a major impact on not only the overturning of Roe, but in restricting reproductive care across the country, including abortion.She highlighted that judges will be critical in protecting rights to legal standing in bringing cases and prohibiting extreme actions by a possible Trump administration. Senate Democrats are battling to keep control of the chamber in November’s elections.“Every judge we confirm makes a difference,” she said. “We know the American people are with us. They are with us on having judges in place that actually respect the law.”During Trump’s first term, he appointed three&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/nominations/SupremeCourtNominations1789present.htm">justices</a>&nbsp;to the Supreme Court: Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. All three were confirmed to the court by the Senate and will remain&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/26/trump-legacy-supreme-court-422058">significant</a>&nbsp;in writing opinions far beyond Trump’s time in office.<h2>Planned Parenthood</h2>Senators at Tuesday’s event called out a number of plans in Project 2025 that Democrats oppose. For example, the plan says the Department of Health and Human Services should make it clear states can defund Planned Parenthood in their Medicaid plans and should propose rules to disqualify Planned Parenthood from Medicaid.“Planned Parenthood is often the only option for women with low incomes seeking contraception,” Hirono said.Hirono also noted that Project 2025 proposed changing the name of the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Life.“This isn’t about protecting life,” said Hirono. “This is about power and control and the Republicans’ obsession with controlling women’s bodies.”Duckworth expressed frustration with Republicans who tell American voters that they care about women’s rights but don’t vote to protect them.“When the rubber meets the road and we ask not just for empty words on Twitter before their vote, they won’t lift a finger to protect women in this country,” she said.Murray vowed to protect women’s rights no matter the outcome of November’s election.“We are fighting back,” said Murray. “We’re doing everything we can to protect women’s rights and we will be here to block anything that the Trump administration tries to do.”

Democratic women in U.S. Senate target Project 2025 on reproductive rights

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen issued a statement about the new Nebraska law requiring online pornographers to verify the age of people consuming their obscene content.

Pornhub, one of the world’s busiest online purveyors of pornography, announced it will go dark in Nebraska when the law goes into effect next month.

“To the news that one of the world’s busiest porn traffickers will shut down in Nebraska, I say: ‘good riddance.’ I was proud to sign LB1092 into law and am grateful for Sen. Dave Murman’s leadership on this issue. This is a great development for the protection of our kids, culture, and values. Our kids already face too many threats from Big Tech and the obscene content industry. Having one fewer outlet trying to sexualize their childhood is a good thing for their futures and a good thing for Nebraska.”

The new anti-obscenity law, the Online Age Verification Liability Act, LB1092, goes into effect July 15.&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnebraskaexaminer.com%2F2024%2F06%2F20%2Fpornhub-intends-to-ban-nebraska-users-after-passage-of-lb-1092%2F%3Femci%3D267bb025-862e-ef11-86d2-6045bdd9e096%26emdi%3Dde7c503b-f42e-ef11-86d2-6045bdd9e096%26ceid%3D393734&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjim.buehler%40nebraska.gov%7C805e0885cdcf449a8bb608dc915e942b%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C638545082594480972%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6MjtwxaP0vAk%2F6STNJ4z6NnRGZPEkcnEkTyMju%2BbUjs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Pornhub intends to ban Nebraska users after passage of LB 1092 • Nebraska Examiner</a>

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen issued a statement about the new Nebraska law requiring online pornographers to verify the age of people consuming their obscene content.Pornhub, one of the world’s busiest online purveyors of pornography, announced it will go dark in Nebraska when the law goes into effect next month.“To the news that one of the world’s busiest porn traffickers will shut down in Nebraska, I say: ‘good riddance.’ I was proud to sign LB1092 into law and am grateful for Sen. Dave Murman’s leadership on this issue. This is a great development for the protection of our kids, culture, and values. Our kids already face too many threats from Big Tech and the obscene content industry. Having one fewer outlet trying to sexualize their childhood is a good thing for their futures and a good thing for Nebraska.”The new anti-obscenity law, the Online Age Verification Liability Act, LB1092, goes into effect July 15.&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnebraskaexaminer.com%2F2024%2F06%2F20%2Fpornhub-intends-to-ban-nebraska-users-after-passage-of-lb-1092%2F%3Femci%3D267bb025-862e-ef11-86d2-6045bdd9e096%26emdi%3Dde7c503b-f42e-ef11-86d2-6045bdd9e096%26ceid%3D393734&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjim.buehler%40nebraska.gov%7C805e0885cdcf449a8bb608dc915e942b%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C638545082594480972%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6MjtwxaP0vAk%2F6STNJ4z6NnRGZPEkcnEkTyMju%2BbUjs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Pornhub intends to ban Nebraska users after passage of LB 1092 • Nebraska Examiner</a>

Governor Jim Pillen Issues Statement on News that Pornhub will shut down in Nebraska

A mountain lion was killed by a member of the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office the evening of June 19 at a subdivision just north of Scottsbluff.

The mountain lion, twice spotted Wednesday in the Scotts Bluff Country Club subdivision that surrounds a golf course, was shot because it was an immediate threat to the public.

Sam Wilson, carnivore and furbearer program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said the mountain lion was a 1½-year-old male, ear-tagged as part of the state’s research efforts. He said 1½ years is the age young males begin dispersing from their mothers to find their own territory and potential mates.

The mountain lion first was seen and reported by a resident about 1:50 p.m. Mountain time. Scotts Bluff County law enforcement and Game and Parks conservation officers and wildlife biologists searched but were unable to find the animal. Another resident, southwest from the original sighting, reported seeing the mountain lion at about 7 p.m. Officers responded, removing the animal for the safety of the public.

A mountain lion was killed by a member of the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office the evening of June 19 at a subdivision just north of Scottsbluff.The mountain lion, twice spotted Wednesday in the Scotts Bluff Country Club subdivision that surrounds a golf course, was shot because it was an immediate threat to the public.Sam Wilson, carnivore and furbearer program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said the mountain lion was a 1½-year-old male, ear-tagged as part of the state’s research efforts. He said 1½ years is the age young males begin dispersing from their mothers to find their own territory and potential mates.The mountain lion first was seen and reported by a resident about 1:50 p.m. Mountain time. Scotts Bluff County law enforcement and Game and Parks conservation officers and wildlife biologists searched but were unable to find the animal. Another resident, southwest from the original sighting, reported seeing the mountain lion at about 7 p.m. Officers responded, removing the animal for the safety of the public.

Mountain lion removed from Scottsbluff subdivision

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/20/nu-regents-approve-inflationary-tuition-increases-millions-in-cuts-for-2024-25-budget/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted 5-2 Thursday to approve next year’s budget with inflationary tuition increases meant to help wipe out a lingering budget deficit.

The approved&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraska.edu/docs/board/agendas/Agenda%206-20-24%20with%20Materials.pdf">$1.1 billion state-aided budget</a>, made up of taxpayer dollars and tuition, will raise the cost of attendance between 3.2% and 3.4% across NU’s campuses. Campus leaders will need to find an additional $11.8 million to cut from their budgets in the next year, too, after cutting about $30 million in the past two fiscal years. Cuts haven’t been identified yet.

An additional $3.1 million that has bubbled up because of inflation will not be reallocated to the campuses and must be absorbed by next summer as well.

Interim NU President Chris Kabourek, who concurrently serves as NU’s chief financial officer, said the “reasonable” steps are expected to end an approximate $50 million budget deficit that NU has been looking to close for about 18 months.

“We could have stuck our head in the sand, but instead we dealt with it,” said Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln, who was board chair in 2023 when the most recent cuts began.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718976956548.jpeg" alt=" Interim University of Nebraska President Chris Kabourek, who concurrently serves as the university’s chief financial officer, leads his final regents meeting that includes approval of NU’s 2024-25 operating budget. June 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Interim University of Nebraska President Chris Kabourek, who concurrently serves as the university’s chief financial officer, leads his final regents meeting that includes approval of NU’s 2024-25 operating budget. June 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/20/nu-regents-approve-inflationary-tuition-increases-millions-in-cuts-for-2024-25-budget/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted 5-2 Thursday to approve next year’s budget with inflationary tuition increases meant to help wipe out a lingering budget deficit.The approved&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraska.edu/docs/board/agendas/Agenda%206-20-24%20with%20Materials.pdf">$1.1 billion state-aided budget</a>, made up of taxpayer dollars and tuition, will raise the cost of attendance between 3.2% and 3.4% across NU’s campuses. Campus leaders will need to find an additional $11.8 million to cut from their budgets in the next year, too, after cutting about $30 million in the past two fiscal years. Cuts haven’t been identified yet.An additional $3.1 million that has bubbled up because of inflation will not be reallocated to the campuses and must be absorbed by next summer as well.Interim NU President Chris Kabourek, who concurrently serves as NU’s chief financial officer, said the “reasonable” steps are expected to end an approximate $50 million budget deficit that NU has been looking to close for about 18 months.“We could have stuck our head in the sand, but instead we dealt with it,” said Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln, who was board chair in 2023 when the most recent cuts began.<h2>Tuition ‘somewhat of a double hit’&nbsp;</h2>Campus chancellors, student regents and many elected regents joined Kabourek to defend&nbsp; the tuition increases, arguing they still kept rates affordable compared to other Big Ten universities.&nbsp;Regent Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City said she could have supported smaller tuition increases, but not when families are already paying more on everything, including in state dollars to NU.&nbsp;“To me, the families have already chipped in because they’re paying the taxes and things that we turn to the Legislature and everybody for,” Wilmot said. “Then, when we ask those students from those families to chip in again, I feel that’s somewhat of a double hit.”Regents voted to increase tuition across the board 3.5% in 2023 for the first time in multiple years, after they had voted to keep rates flat for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic.Regent Jim Scheer of Norfolk, a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, said tuition is a small part of the total NU budget (about 34%). He said the increases “may not be fair, Kathy, but that’s life.”“I do think it’s only equitable that the students and their families participate in those additional funds because they’re going to receive the direct benefit,” Scheer said.Scheer added that Nebraskans would benefit generally from the increased investments, such as through improved medical, legal or accounting services.<h2>Opposition to DEI initiatives, programs</h2>The other “no” vote came from Regent Rob Schafer of Beatrice, the board chair, who said the university shouldn’t fund any diversity, equity or inclusion initiatives or programs, especially as other degree opportunities and employment positions are eliminated.Schafer said he’d like all DEI-related funding to be invested in teaching or research.“We need to recruit and have folks — diversity — here, but we shouldn’t be using tax dollars to fund and promote certain races or genders above others,” Schafer said. “It ought to be a fair and level and equal playing field for all.”Asked whether he’s seen the promotion of one race or gender at NU campuses, Schafer said: “Just the fact that we have funding and we’re promoting different things, I think there’s some things that we could just do better.”Roughly $1 million of the $1.1 billion state-aided budget is annually spent on such programs, or about 0.1%, according to an NU spokesperson. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln cut $800,000 from its Office of Diversity and Inclusion last year, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney similarly cut $90,000 from its budget.Campus chancellors said the funding is used for diversity offices but also to support students or staff who might be first generation, veterans, active military or have disabilities, as examples.<h2>‘Offensive mode’ to prepare students</h2>UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett told regents that “as we think about our future in light of the environment that we’re in,” his campus is in ongoing talks about how to reimagine DEI-related work.Bennett told the Examiner this is about how UNL can approach modifications or additions that might help the campus better serve its community. It’s too early to know what that will look like, he said, adding that “everything is sort of up for consideration,” including reductions or reprioritizing funds.“I’d like for us to be positioned in an offensive mode as opposed to playing defense,” Bennett said.State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee, sought to prohibit DEI-related funding at Nebraska colleges this year. Kabourek, on behalf of NU, testified against the bill. It never advanced from committee.Bennett said the programs will continue to belong at UNL as students must be prepared to understand different multicultural, socioeconomic, geographic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.“I think for our students to really be competitive and be job ready on Day One, having some appreciation in being able to embrace the workforce is really going to be important,” Bennett said.<h2>Budget investments</h2>Several regents and Kabourek said the budget could mean a renewed focus on investments rather than the cuts and tuition increases that have defined past budget cycles.&nbsp;One such investment, through taxpayer dollars, will be $15 million for recruiting and operating costs for the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex at UNK.The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/more-of-nebraskas-top-test-scorers-choose-nu-for-new-presidential-scholars-program/">Presidential Scholars Program</a>&nbsp;is also slated to expand through a $1.5 million investment to support 50 students each year. The program, launched in February, covers the cost of attendance for Nebraska resident students who ace the 36-point ACT or score similarly on the SAT. These students also receive an annual $5,000 stipend and campus-led programming.Seventeen students will be part of the first class this fall, and NU expects to launch an application process for students who score a 32-35 on the ACT to apply beginning next year.“We want every young person who has a dream to think about how the University of Nebraska can help them pursue that,” Kabourek said.<h2>Next NU president starts July 1</h2>The balanced budget, a top goal for the interim president, should give President-elect Jeffrey Gold a “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/13/nu-proposes-inflationary-tuition-increases-to-help-close-budget-deficit/#:~:text=Proposed%20tuition%20increases%20would%20gather,for%20average%2015%2Dcredit%20semesters.">clean slate</a>” to focus on his own priorities when he takes office July 1. The current UNMC chancellor and NU chief academic officer will take the helm with $1.5 million under his belt for priorities of his choosing.Gold said new donors want a structurally balanced budget to invest in excellence and not help NU dig out of difficult recurring financial challenges, and he said the new budget “sets that stage.”He signaled that competing for readmittance into the Association of American Universities will remain a top goal that NU will win in the end.“Indeed, coming at this with a structurally sound budget, coming at it with an opportunity to invest in excellence, is relatively precedent-setting among the 70-some odd institutions that are currently members of the AAU,” Gold said.