<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/13/gov-jim-pillens-political-legacy-and-future-could-hinge-on-property-tax-relief-push/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen pushed his property tax relief chips to the middle of the Legislature’s poker table Monday, staking his political reputation on state senators passing structural changes that cannot be easily undone.&nbsp;

He has held listening sessions. He has rallied supporters. He has funded polls and mailers. He has paid for bulk text messages. He has held secret meetings with select state senators and talked to reporters. He has pressured allies and enemies alike, lawmakers say.

Pillen’s approach to addressing what he calls the “property tax crisis” has left him on a bit of a political island as his proposals need public defenders and pathways forward.&nbsp;

He will have his defenders, including State Sens. Brad von Gillern and Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, two members of the Revenue Committee that have helped to craft the tax proposal. But his opposition is not simply partisan in nature. Republican State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar has said she won’t and can’t vote for what she describes as a major tax increase.

“I can’t support a plan like this,” she said. “I just can’t.”

Over several weeks of reporting, senators who have tried to work with Pillen on changes described meeting with him as being like running into a brick wall. He listens. He nods. And then he tells you why what he has proposed is better, several senators said.

sked about the stakes he faces personally and politically from passage or failure of meaningful property tax relief, Pillen said, “I don’t think about those things. I just am focused on doing what we believe is best and what the people need.”

“I’m very, very pleased how hard the majority of the Legislature is working to find solutions,” he said. “Human nature is … we don’t like a lot of change, and we’re pretty selfish. So we’ve got a lot of those things to work through.”

The first-term governor is gambling his chance at a second term on whether he can persuade enough senators to pass his vision of tax relief during the special session he called.

Pillen told the Examiner on Monday he wants any plan to include front-loading of the state’s income tax credits for property taxes paid. He said he wants spending caps or controls. And he wants the state to take over more funding for K-12 schools.

The latest proposal he favors includes each of those concepts and more parts of his original plan. The various parts were shoehorned into Legislative Bill 34 on Monday by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha and the Revenue Committee. Debate by the full Legislature begins Tuesday.

Pillen said his North Star for property tax relief is making sure young people can buy a first home, helping families afford a home and ensuring that senior citizens can stay in their homes. That should be something on which all Nebraskans agree, he said.

Like other owners of agricultural land, Pillen wants the State of Nebraska to shift more of the tax burden from land taxes to sales taxes. He runs a hog operation based in Columbus.&nbsp;

People who know and have worked with Pillen say it makes sense that he would wager the political capital he earned from his election win on reaching this point. He has long complained about the unfairness of the state relying on agriculture to pay for schools.

Farmers, ranchers and breeders account for significant portions of property tax payments, particularly those in rural school districts. And more than half of the $5.3 billion property tax cost Nebraskans pay comes from funding schools.&nbsp;

Pillen denied that he has any personal interest in making sure a property tax plan benefits him and his businesses, as some of his opponents have alleged. He said he would not have been elected governor if he were out for himself.&nbsp;

He did not discuss the specifics of his property tax plan during any of the 2022 campaign stops the Examiner attended. He did discuss the need for the state to fund more of K-12 education rather than relying so heavily on local property taxes.

Agricultural interests, including the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Farmers Union and others have argued that the state should step up and fund more of the load of K-12 education, pointing to a provision of the state constitution.

“I’m focused on working for Nebraskans that work their tails off every day, that don’t have lobbyists,” Pillen said. “They need a voice, and I’m going to work really hard to make sure they have a voice.”&nbsp;

The Farm Bureau did not return a call Monday seeking comment about the latest tax plan. The group opposed Pillen’s initial proposal for taxing agricultural and manufacturing machinery.&nbsp;The Revenue Committee this week decided to keep the state’s existing sales tax exemptions on both items.

The organization took the rare step of endorsing Pillen during the 2022 Republican primary election against multi-state agribusinessman Charles Herbster, whom Pillen defeated.

Herbster has said he is still thinking about whether to make another run for office. He said he had considered running for U.S. Senate against former Gov. Pete Ricketts but didn’t. The other office he has said he would consider was governor.

Political consultants told the Examiner they think that if Pillen falls short of the public expectations he has set for property tax relief, he risks making himself vulnerable in a 2026 GOP primary to a self-funded or a well-known candidate.

The governor has spent months telling Nebraskans he wanted to make sure they felt tax relief, proposing to offset 40% or 50% of property tax bills. The latest plan would offset less than a third, based on early estimates.

Several senators who have opposed Pillen’s proposals, including State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, said he is trying to make life more expensive for people in her district, that people who can afford it the least might pay more in taxes.&nbsp;She said the governor is also trying to do too much too fast in a special session instead of a regular session, particularly addressing school funding changes that touch every person in Nebraska.

Pillen, she said, is out for personal and professional gain.

“Being singularly focused on property taxes is never going to be successful for anyone because it’s so much bigger than that,” she said. “It’s a holistic view of how do we fund government, of what is the role of government?”

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who has expressed some openness to Pillen’s proposals, said he can’t support any proposal that doesn’t include more significant relief for renters, including a fallback position being discussed.&nbsp;

He said Pillen’s plan doesn’t have the votes. And he called on his fellow Democrats to come back to the table.

State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, a Republican, questioned the order in which Pillen pursued the special session. He said the senators Pillen handpicked to work on a proposal should have held their meetings and drafted and shared a potential bill with all senators in early August.

That would have given lawmakers time to give the select group feedback so they had a consensus proposal before calling the Legislature into special session. Instead, he said, the process has seemed chaotic.

“They’re doing all the negotiations that should’ve happened before we met, they’re doing it during the special session,” Erdman said. “They’re doing it backwards. We should’ve gotten a consensus on what we wanted to do.”

Linehan defends Pillen’s work, committee efforts

Linehan, who has prodded her colleagues to support Pillen’s proposals, expressed frustration Monday that some senators have stopped negotiating.

“It makes no sense,” she said. “If you’re doing the right thing, you’re giving the schools more money. You’re lowering property taxes. You’re doubling the earned income tax credit. It’s not about doing what’s right — it’s raw politics.”

Linehan said Pillen has worked “as hard as any governor I’ve ever seen” on this proposal. She said he’s been clear about his priorities and has at least two more years to reach his goals. He’s not limited to a single special session to accomplish his goals, she said.

She said negotiations and work will continue behind the scenes until lawmakers settle on whatever can reach the 33-vote threshold for passage.

State Sen. Tom Brewer, whose LB 34 is the current vehicle for property tax relief, said he knows the governor is in a difficult spot but credited him for taking on an issue too many others have avoided. Brewer represents north-central Nebraska.

Pillen would not say Monday whether he would sign incremental steps toward his goals. Senators have told him and his staff they lack the 33 votes to overcome a filibuster, meaning his latest preferred proposal appears poised to die Tuesday after eight hours of debate.&nbsp;

He declined to say whether he might call senators back into session if they don’t pass reforms he considers sweeping enough.

“I obviously put out the plan I believe in exactly where that goes,” Pillen said. “What that means when it gets to me, we’ll decide that at that time. … I don’t get involved in speculation. There’s too many moving parts.”

He said the goal is making the state more competitive when a business owner or family is looking at relocating to Nebraska.&nbsp;

“I still have faith that everybody in this Unicameral knows what a crisis the property tax crisis is and that, in the end, then the games are going to stop and they’ll do the people’s work,” he said.

Paul Landow, a retired political scientist from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said Pillen is about to learn either the price or payoff of raising public expectations on an issue people care about as much as property taxes.

Said Landow: “He will either be the hero who did it or the bum who couldn’t get it done.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723566815893.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen. June 10, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen. June 10, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/13/gov-jim-pillens-political-legacy-and-future-could-hinge-on-property-tax-relief-push/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen pushed his property tax relief chips to the middle of the Legislature’s poker table Monday, staking his political reputation on state senators passing structural changes that cannot be easily undone.&nbsp;He has held listening sessions. He has rallied supporters. He has funded polls and mailers. He has paid for bulk text messages. He has held secret meetings with select state senators and talked to reporters. He has pressured allies and enemies alike, lawmakers say.Pillen’s approach to addressing what he calls the “property tax crisis” has left him on a bit of a political island as his proposals need public defenders and pathways forward.&nbsp;He will have his defenders, including State Sens. Brad von Gillern and Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, two members of the Revenue Committee that have helped to craft the tax proposal. But his opposition is not simply partisan in nature. Republican State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar has said she won’t and can’t vote for what she describes as a major tax increase.“I can’t support a plan like this,” she said. “I just can’t.”Over several weeks of reporting, senators who have tried to work with Pillen on changes described meeting with him as being like running into a brick wall. He listens. He nods. And then he tells you why what he has proposed is better, several senators said.sked about the stakes he faces personally and politically from passage or failure of meaningful property tax relief, Pillen said, “I don’t think about those things. I just am focused on doing what we believe is best and what the people need.”“I’m very, very pleased how hard the majority of the Legislature is working to find solutions,” he said. “Human nature is … we don’t like a lot of change, and we’re pretty selfish. So we’ve got a lot of those things to work through.”<h2>Gambling a second term</h2>The first-term governor is gambling his chance at a second term on whether he can persuade enough senators to pass his vision of tax relief during the special session he called.Pillen told the Examiner on Monday he wants any plan to include front-loading of the state’s income tax credits for property taxes paid. He said he wants spending caps or controls. And he wants the state to take over more funding for K-12 schools.The latest proposal he favors includes each of those concepts and more parts of his original plan. The various parts were shoehorned into Legislative Bill 34 on Monday by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha and the Revenue Committee. Debate by the full Legislature begins Tuesday.Pillen said his North Star for property tax relief is making sure young people can buy a first home, helping families afford a home and ensuring that senior citizens can stay in their homes. That should be something on which all Nebraskans agree, he said.<h2>Debate over education costs</h2>Like other owners of agricultural land, Pillen wants the State of Nebraska to shift more of the tax burden from land taxes to sales taxes. He runs a hog operation based in Columbus.&nbsp;People who know and have worked with Pillen say it makes sense that he would wager the political capital he earned from his election win on reaching this point. He has long complained about the unfairness of the state relying on agriculture to pay for schools.Farmers, ranchers and breeders account for significant portions of property tax payments, particularly those in rural school districts. And more than half of the $5.3 billion property tax cost Nebraskans pay comes from funding schools.&nbsp;Pillen denied that he has any personal interest in making sure a property tax plan benefits him and his businesses, as some of his opponents have alleged. He said he would not have been elected governor if he were out for himself.&nbsp;He did not discuss the specifics of his property tax plan during any of the 2022 campaign stops the Examiner attended. He did discuss the need for the state to fund more of K-12 education rather than relying so heavily on local property taxes.Agricultural interests, including the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Farmers Union and others have argued that the state should step up and fund more of the load of K-12 education, pointing to a provision of the state constitution.“I’m focused on working for Nebraskans that work their tails off every day, that don’t have lobbyists,” Pillen said. “They need a voice, and I’m going to work really hard to make sure they have a voice.”&nbsp;<h2>A challenger could be emboldened</h2>The Farm Bureau did not return a call Monday seeking comment about the latest tax plan. The group opposed Pillen’s initial proposal for taxing agricultural and manufacturing machinery.&nbsp;The Revenue Committee this week decided to keep the state’s existing sales tax exemptions on both items.The organization took the rare step of endorsing Pillen during the 2022 Republican primary election against multi-state agribusinessman Charles Herbster, whom Pillen defeated.Herbster has said he is still thinking about whether to make another run for office. He said he had considered running for U.S. Senate against former Gov. Pete Ricketts but didn’t. The other office he has said he would consider was governor.Political consultants told the Examiner they think that if Pillen falls short of the public expectations he has set for property tax relief, he risks making himself vulnerable in a 2026 GOP primary to a self-funded or a well-known candidate.The governor has spent months telling Nebraskans he wanted to make sure they felt tax relief, proposing to offset 40% or 50% of property tax bills. The latest plan would offset less than a third, based on early estimates.<h2>Questions about process, renters</h2>Several senators who have opposed Pillen’s proposals, including State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, said he is trying to make life more expensive for people in her district, that people who can afford it the least might pay more in taxes.&nbsp;She said the governor is also trying to do too much too fast in a special session instead of a regular session, particularly addressing school funding changes that touch every person in Nebraska.Pillen, she said, is out for personal and professional gain.“Being singularly focused on property taxes is never going to be successful for anyone because it’s so much bigger than that,” she said. “It’s a holistic view of how do we fund government, of what is the role of government?”State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who has expressed some openness to Pillen’s proposals, said he can’t support any proposal that doesn’t include more significant relief for renters, including a fallback position being discussed.&nbsp;He said Pillen’s plan doesn’t have the votes. And he called on his fellow Democrats to come back to the table.“We can do better,” he said.State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, a Republican, questioned the order in which Pillen pursued the special session. He said the senators Pillen handpicked to work on a proposal should have held their meetings and drafted and shared a potential bill with all senators in early August.That would have given lawmakers time to give the select group feedback so they had a consensus proposal before calling the Legislature into special session. Instead, he said, the process has seemed chaotic.“They’re doing all the negotiations that should’ve happened before we met, they’re doing it during the special session,” Erdman said. “They’re doing it backwards. We should’ve gotten a consensus on what we wanted to do.”<h2>Linehan defends Pillen’s work, committee efforts</h2>Linehan, who has prodded her colleagues to support Pillen’s proposals, expressed frustration Monday that some senators have stopped negotiating.“It makes no sense,” she said. “If you’re doing the right thing, you’re giving the schools more money. You’re lowering property taxes. You’re doubling the earned income tax credit. It’s not about doing what’s right — it’s raw politics.”Linehan said Pillen has worked “as hard as any governor I’ve ever seen” on this proposal. She said he’s been clear about his priorities and has at least two more years to reach his goals. He’s not limited to a single special session to accomplish his goals, she said.She said negotiations and work will continue behind the scenes until lawmakers settle on whatever can reach the 33-vote threshold for passage.State Sen. Tom Brewer, whose LB 34 is the current vehicle for property tax relief, said he knows the governor is in a difficult spot but credited him for taking on an issue too many others have avoided. Brewer represents north-central Nebraska.<h2>Pillen has to sign off on backup plans</h2>Pillen would not say Monday whether he would sign incremental steps toward his goals. Senators have told him and his staff they lack the 33 votes to overcome a filibuster, meaning his latest preferred proposal appears poised to die Tuesday after eight hours of debate.&nbsp;He declined to say whether he might call senators back into session if they don’t pass reforms he considers sweeping enough.“I obviously put out the plan I believe in exactly where that goes,” Pillen said. “What that means when it gets to me, we’ll decide that at that time. … I don’t get involved in speculation. There’s too many moving parts.”He said the goal is making the state more competitive when a business owner or family is looking at relocating to Nebraska.&nbsp;“I still have faith that everybody in this Unicameral knows what a crisis the property tax crisis is and that, in the end, then the games are going to stop and they’ll do the people’s work,” he said.Paul Landow, a retired political scientist from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said Pillen is about to learn either the price or payoff of raising public expectations on an issue people care about as much as property taxes.Said Landow: “He will either be the hero who did it or the bum who couldn’t get it done.”

Gov. Jim Pillen’s political legacy and future could hinge on property tax relief push

NEW YORK — Donald Trump discussed the assassination attempt,&nbsp; shared a plan to shut down the U.S. Education Department and much more during an online visit with&nbsp;X, formerly Twitter, owner Elon Musk Monday evening.&nbsp;

The  conversation had technical glitches but was viewed by over a billion, according to Musk.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723512136730.png" alt="Photo by Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK — Donald Trump discussed the assassination attempt,&nbsp; shared a plan to shut down the U.S. Education Department and much more during an online visit with&nbsp;X, formerly Twitter, owner Elon Musk Monday evening.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/cPUMFx9Qu5">pic.twitter.com/cPUMFx9Qu5</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1823254086126608862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The conversation had technical glitches but was viewed by over a billion, according to Musk.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Combined views of the conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> and subsequent discussion by other accounts now ~1 billion <a href="https://t.co/s8x8QmdmnY">https://t.co/s8x8QmdmnY</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1823249070296797515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 A billion combined views: The Trump-Musk full conversation

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/12/veterans-club-within-nes-oldest-prison-saluted-at-vietnam-vet-reunion/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Every year, a wreath is placed on the grave of Beryl Zich.

It has been a solemn tradition since her death in 2005, a way to pay tribute to her love and dedication for her son, Larry, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, who was listed as missing in action until his remains were identified in 2022.

The flowers aren’t from a traditional veterans organization, but from a group of inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.

For more than 40 years, a “veterans club” has been among the betterment groups allowed to form at the state’s oldest prison.

Along the way, the 25 to 40 inmates/veterans who gather twice a month behind prison walls got interested in the MIAs and prisoners of war from the Vietnam War. Eventually, they connected with Beryl Zich, the mother of an MIA, who began coming to the State Pen for their meetings.

She eventually referred to the veterans club members as “my boys” as the years passed, and as her son — who disappeared during a mission in 1972 — remained missing.

“Sometimes, I think those boys are the only ones who care,” she once remarked.

Jaime Obrecht and Roy Schoen, two long-time volunteers for the inmate club, related that story and others about the prison veterans organization at the 39th annual Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion held this past weekend at the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.

The first motto for the State Pen veterans’ organization was “Forgotten and Disowned,” which, Schoen said, was how a lot of veterans felt back in the 1980s.

“We had a chip on our shoulder for quite a few years for how we were treated,” said Schoen, an Army veteran and a retired counselor with the veterans center in Lincoln.

He and Obrecht, a retired Lincoln teacher, first began volunteering with the prison group in 1984, shortly after it was formed.

The Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion began in 1985, Schoen said. It was organized by a group of vets who felt that a gathering would be helpful, not only to share stories and common experiences, but also to learn more about veterans benefits and organizations.

“There wasn’t much going on back then for (Vietnam) veterans,” he said. “Things have changed quite a bit. Slowly.”

About 300 veterans and their spouses registered for this year’s reunion, which included presentations about the State Pen’s Veterans Club, Agent Orange, a book about fallen veterans from Norfolk and the evacuation from Afghanistan. A representative of the Nebraska Department &nbsp;of Veterans Affairs also offered remarks.

There were a lot of dark-blue “Vietnam Veteran” ball caps among the participants, as well as MIA/POW shoulder patches and veterans’ reunion T-shirts. Some aging vets used canes to walk, or carried small tanks of supplemental oxygen, a testament to the advancing age of soldiers who served in a war that ended 49 years ago.

The reunion serves many of the same needs as the veterans club at the State Pen, said Schoen and Obrecht — bringing those with common experiences, and challenges, together.

The State Pen’s club has several projects besides the annual wreath on the grave of Beryl Zich, said Obrecht.

Club members have made more than 511,000 red, paper poppies for the American Legion Auxiliary, which distributes them as a tribute and fundraiser on the Friday before every Memorial Day, he said. More recently, club members have been crocheting hats and scarfs for residents of the state veterans home in Kearney.

But club members have also served as mentors that “police themselves” in the sometimes challenging world of prison, Obrecht said. At times, they’ve served as informal counselors for inmates/veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress syndrome, Schoen said.

I can’t imagine what it’s like to live (in prison) … but the club gives them something to take pride in.

– Jaime Obrecht, volunteer with the veterans club at the Nebraska State Penitentiary

In 2016, the state corrections department established a special housing unit exclusively for military veterans, which the two volunteers said has been greatly appreciated by the inmates who live there.

“It really was a remarkable change,” Schoen said. “They were more relaxed, they didn’t have to deal with all the craziness in the rest of the prison.”

Obrecht said the club meetings at the State Pen are much like the meetings held by the Legion or VFW — there’s a business meeting, followed by reports on projects and then an hour for visiting.

The club holds annual programs on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and purchased the black MIA/POW flags that fly on the flagpole at the State Pen. They also helped obtain new headstones for inmate/veterans buried at the State Pen’s cemetery outside the prison walls atop Grasshopper Hill.

He said they especially like contributing to causes that help veterans on the outside, such as the annual wreath for Beryl Zich.

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to live (in prison) … but the club gives them something to take pride in,” Obrecht said.

Research into the military service of his father and other relatives helped inspire retired social studies teacher Keith Walton to write about the nine soldiers from his hometown, Norfolk, who died in Vietnam.

Walton, now 71 and living in Montana, gave a presentation this weekend on his book, “The Last Full Measure: From America’s Heartland to the Battlefields of Vietnam. Remembering the Fallen from one Nebraska Town.”

Walton, who taught 27 years at Chadron, said that he’s always admired the way documentary film producer Ken Burns presented history — through the eyes of “average people,” not the generals or presidents.

So after producing papers on his father, a World War II medic, and a couple of other relatives, Walton embarked on telling the stories, in separate chapters, of the nine fallen soldiers Norfolk, “so they’re not just names on The Wall.”

He said he knew the names of a couple of the nine, but like many residents of Norfolk, didn’t know all of them — Jerry Allen, Dennis Anderson, Jerome Chandler, Roger Hunt, Jerold Meisinger, Thomas Scheurich, Steven Strube, Claude Van Andle and Michael Wemhoff.

Walton uncovered some remarkable, as well as understandably sad, stories.

Two soldiers were “enlisted by judges” who told them if they didn’t enlist, they would be going to jail for offenses.

One soldier’s mother had a routine of driving every Sunday to Grand Island to work all week in the ordnance plant producing bullets for war before driving back to Norfolk for the weekend. She continued that work even after her son perished.

Scheurich — who realized a life-long dream of being a pilot — is still listed as missing in action, although the remains of his bombardier were identified a few years ago after exploration of the 1968 crash site on an island off the coast of North Vietnam.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723493658661.jpeg" alt=" T-shirt produced by the veterans club at the Nebraska State Penitentiary proclaims that the club is about “veterans for veterans.” Hundreds who attended the 39th annual Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion this past weekend in Lincoln heard stories about the prison veterans organization and more. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> T-shirt produced by the veterans club at the Nebraska State Penitentiary proclaims that the club is about “veterans for veterans.” Hundreds who attended the 39th annual Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion this past weekend in Lincoln heard stories about the prison veterans organization and more. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/12/veterans-club-within-nes-oldest-prison-saluted-at-vietnam-vet-reunion/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Every year, a wreath is placed on the grave of Beryl Zich.It has been a solemn tradition since her death in 2005, a way to pay tribute to her love and dedication for her son, Larry, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, who was listed as missing in action until his remains were identified in 2022.The flowers aren’t from a traditional veterans organization, but from a group of inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.For more than 40 years, a “veterans club” has been among the betterment groups allowed to form at the state’s oldest prison.<h2>Her boys</h2>Along the way, the 25 to 40 inmates/veterans who gather twice a month behind prison walls got interested in the MIAs and prisoners of war from the Vietnam War. Eventually, they connected with Beryl Zich, the mother of an MIA, who began coming to the State Pen for their meetings.She eventually referred to the veterans club members as “my boys” as the years passed, and as her son — who disappeared during a mission in 1972 — remained missing.“Sometimes, I think those boys are the only ones who care,” she once remarked.Jaime Obrecht and Roy Schoen, two long-time volunteers for the inmate club, related that story and others about the prison veterans organization at the 39th annual Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion held this past weekend at the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.The first motto for the State Pen veterans’ organization was “Forgotten and Disowned,” which, Schoen said, was how a lot of veterans felt back in the 1980s.“We had a chip on our shoulder for quite a few years for how we were treated,” said Schoen, an Army veteran and a retired counselor with the veterans center in Lincoln.He and Obrecht, a retired Lincoln teacher, first began volunteering with the prison group in 1984, shortly after it was formed.<h2>A war that ended 49 years ago</h2>The Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion began in 1985, Schoen said. It was organized by a group of vets who felt that a gathering would be helpful, not only to share stories and common experiences, but also to learn more about veterans benefits and organizations.“There wasn’t much going on back then for (Vietnam) veterans,” he said. “Things have changed quite a bit. Slowly.”About 300 veterans and their spouses registered for this year’s reunion, which included presentations about the State Pen’s Veterans Club, Agent Orange, a book about fallen veterans from Norfolk and the evacuation from Afghanistan. A representative of the Nebraska Department &nbsp;of Veterans Affairs also offered remarks.There were a lot of dark-blue “Vietnam Veteran” ball caps among the participants, as well as MIA/POW shoulder patches and veterans’ reunion T-shirts. Some aging vets used canes to walk, or carried small tanks of supplemental oxygen, a testament to the advancing age of soldiers who served in a war that ended 49 years ago.The reunion serves many of the same needs as the veterans club at the State Pen, said Schoen and Obrecht — bringing those with common experiences, and challenges, together.The State Pen’s club has several projects besides the annual wreath on the grave of Beryl Zich, said Obrecht.Club members have made more than 511,000 red, paper poppies for the American Legion Auxiliary, which distributes them as a tribute and fundraiser on the Friday before every Memorial Day, he said. More recently, club members have been crocheting hats and scarfs for residents of the state veterans home in Kearney.<h2>Special housing unit</h2>But club members have also served as mentors that “police themselves” in the sometimes challenging world of prison, Obrecht said. At times, they’ve served as informal counselors for inmates/veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress syndrome, Schoen said.I can’t imagine what it’s like to live (in prison) … but the club gives them something to take pride in.– Jaime Obrecht, volunteer with the veterans club at the Nebraska State PenitentiaryIn 2016, the state corrections department established a special housing unit exclusively for military veterans, which the two volunteers said has been greatly appreciated by the inmates who live there.“It really was a remarkable change,” Schoen said. “They were more relaxed, they didn’t have to deal with all the craziness in the rest of the prison.”Obrecht said the club meetings at the State Pen are much like the meetings held by the Legion or VFW — there’s a business meeting, followed by reports on projects and then an hour for visiting.The club holds annual programs on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and purchased the black MIA/POW flags that fly on the flagpole at the State Pen. They also helped obtain new headstones for inmate/veterans buried at the State Pen’s cemetery outside the prison walls atop Grasshopper Hill.He said they especially like contributing to causes that help veterans on the outside, such as the annual wreath for Beryl Zich.“I can’t imagine what it’s like to live (in prison) … but the club gives them something to take pride in,” Obrecht said.<h2>Not just names on The Wall</h2>Research into the military service of his father and other relatives helped inspire retired social studies teacher Keith Walton to write about the nine soldiers from his hometown, Norfolk, who died in Vietnam.Walton, now 71 and living in Montana, gave a presentation this weekend on his book, “The Last Full Measure: From America’s Heartland to the Battlefields of Vietnam. Remembering the Fallen from one Nebraska Town.”Walton, who taught 27 years at Chadron, said that he’s always admired the way documentary film producer Ken Burns presented history — through the eyes of “average people,” not the generals or presidents.So after producing papers on his father, a World War II medic, and a couple of other relatives, Walton embarked on telling the stories, in separate chapters, of the nine fallen soldiers Norfolk, “so they’re not just names on The Wall.”He said he knew the names of a couple of the nine, but like many residents of Norfolk, didn’t know all of them — Jerry Allen, Dennis Anderson, Jerome Chandler, Roger Hunt, Jerold Meisinger, Thomas Scheurich, Steven Strube, Claude Van Andle and Michael Wemhoff.Walton uncovered some remarkable, as well as understandably sad, stories.Two soldiers were “enlisted by judges” who told them if they didn’t enlist, they would be going to jail for offenses.One soldier’s mother had a routine of driving every Sunday to Grand Island to work all week in the ordnance plant producing bullets for war before driving back to Norfolk for the weekend. She continued that work even after her son perished.Scheurich — who realized a life-long dream of being a pilot — is still listed as missing in action, although the remains of his bombardier were identified a few years ago after exploration of the 1968 crash site on an island off the coast of North Vietnam.

Veterans club in NE’s oldest prison is saluted at Vietnam vet reunion

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/state-employees-union-appeals-remote-work-decision-to-nebraska-supreme-court/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;The union representing Nebraska state employees has appealed a labor court’s July decision that sided with Gov. Jim Pillen to end most remote work assignments.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents more than 8,000 state employees, announced Monday it had appealed the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1561-Findings-of-Fact-and-Order.pdf">July 11 decision</a>&nbsp;from the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations. At the time, the commission said the state had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/11/ne-labor-court-sides-with-gov-pillens-order-calling-state-employees-back-to-the-office/">unilateral authority</a>&nbsp;to set workplace locations and procedures.

The Nebraska Supreme Court will determine whether it will take up the appeal.

“We’ve made the decision to appeal not to debate the virtues of remote work, but rather to protect our members’ right to negotiate and to obtain clarity from Nebraska’s high court on when the state must negotiate the terms and conditions of employment,” Justin Hubly, executive director of the union, said in a statement.

An opinion from the commission upheld Pillen’s executive order that had been set to take effect Jan. 2, 2024, but stalled in the courts. Pillen in his&nbsp;<a href="https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/docs/pilot/pubs/eofiles/23-17.pdf" target="_blank">November 2023</a>&nbsp;order said the COVID-19 pandemic was over.

He described the July ruling as “vindication” of the state’s right to determine that workers come into the office to work “where they can be the most productive.” He also said any public employees still working remotely should be prepared to work in person days later, on July 15.

Pillen’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the appeal.

Another major component of the July decision came in requiring the employees union to pay legal fees on behalf of the state, arguing it engaged in a “disingenuous maneuver.”

“The totality of the record before the Commission demonstrates that Petitioner [the employees union] engaged in a pattern of willful, flagrant, aggravated, persistent and pervasive prohibited misconduct by pursuing this action in bad faith,” the commission wrote.

Hubly has said that could “chill” future labor complaints from being brought forward. He said Monday that public employees shouldn’t have to weigh filing a complaint with having to pay “exorbitant legal fees” if the commission disagrees.

“We will not be intimidated from exercising our rights,” Hubly said.

In September, the union will begin&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/07/nebraska-state-employees-union-renews-demands-to-bargain-for-remote-work/">negotiating</a>&nbsp;its next labor contract for the next two fiscal years. A news release states the union will prioritize new language to allow remote work where it is efficient and effective and that it hopes Pillen will meet with the union to end the litigation.

“We are confident that we can work with the Governor on a solution that sets the State of Nebraska up for success for years to come,” Hubly said. “We’re all better off when we work together.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723492315945.jpeg" alt="Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, leads a noon-hour news conference Dec. 7, 2023, in Lincoln regarding Gov. Jim Pillen’s executive order mandating state employees return to in-peson offices by Jan. 2, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, leads a noon-hour news conference Dec. 7, 2023, in Lincoln regarding Gov. Jim Pillen’s executive order mandating state employees return to in-peson offices by Jan. 2, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/state-employees-union-appeals-remote-work-decision-to-nebraska-supreme-court/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;The union representing Nebraska state employees has appealed a labor court’s July decision that sided with Gov. Jim Pillen to end most remote work assignments.The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents more than 8,000 state employees, announced Monday it had appealed the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1561-Findings-of-Fact-and-Order.pdf">July 11 decision</a>&nbsp;from the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations. At the time, the commission said the state had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/11/ne-labor-court-sides-with-gov-pillens-order-calling-state-employees-back-to-the-office/">unilateral authority</a>&nbsp;to set workplace locations and procedures.The Nebraska Supreme Court will determine whether it will take up the appeal.“We’ve made the decision to appeal not to debate the virtues of remote work, but rather to protect our members’ right to negotiate and to obtain clarity from Nebraska’s high court on when the state must negotiate the terms and conditions of employment,” Justin Hubly, executive director of the union, said in a statement.An opinion from the commission upheld Pillen’s executive order that had been set to take effect Jan. 2, 2024, but stalled in the courts. Pillen in his&nbsp;<a href="https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/docs/pilot/pubs/eofiles/23-17.pdf" target="_blank">November 2023</a>&nbsp;order said the COVID-19 pandemic was over.He described the July ruling as “vindication” of the state’s right to determine that workers come into the office to work “where they can be the most productive.” He also said any public employees still working remotely should be prepared to work in person days later, on July 15.Pillen’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the appeal.Another major component of the July decision came in requiring the employees union to pay legal fees on behalf of the state, arguing it engaged in a “disingenuous maneuver.”“The totality of the record before the Commission demonstrates that Petitioner [the employees union] engaged in a pattern of willful, flagrant, aggravated, persistent and pervasive prohibited misconduct by pursuing this action in bad faith,” the commission wrote.Hubly has said that could “chill” future labor complaints from being brought forward. He said Monday that public employees shouldn’t have to weigh filing a complaint with having to pay “exorbitant legal fees” if the commission disagrees.“We will not be intimidated from exercising our rights,” Hubly said.In September, the union will begin&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/07/nebraska-state-employees-union-renews-demands-to-bargain-for-remote-work/">negotiating</a>&nbsp;its next labor contract for the next two fiscal years. A news release states the union will prioritize new language to allow remote work where it is efficient and effective and that it hopes Pillen will meet with the union to end the litigation.“We are confident that we can work with the Governor on a solution that sets the State of Nebraska up for success for years to come,” Hubly said. “We’re all better off when we work together.”

State employees union appeals remote work decision to Nebraska Supreme Court

August 12, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Nebraska State Patrol is now accepting applications to start a career serving Nebraskans as a State Trooper. Apply today at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/" target="_blank">NebraskaTroopers.com</a>.

The Nebraska State Patrol is looking to build the next class of troopers ready to serve across the entire state. Camp 71 will begin in January 2025 with graduation scheduled for June 2025. The application process is open until September 9, 2024.

Nebraska Troopers serve in many ways, with specialties positions such as criminal investigator, K9 handler, crash investigator, pilot, tactical flight officer, crisis negotiator, drone operator, hazmat technician, and many more. Troopers can also serve in specialty units including the SWAT Team, Carrier Enforcement, Bomb Squad, Executive Protection, Training Academy, Mobile Field Force, and the Husker Football Detail.

The starting salary for a Nebraska State Trooper is $31.50 per hour ($65,520 annually) upon graduation from the NSP Training Academy.&nbsp;Troopers also have opportunities for additional pay, including overtime hours at a pay rate of 1.5 times their base salary rate, shift differential pay of an additional $.85 per hour if they are regularly assigned to the night shift, and a 2.5 percent pay increase for qualifying as bilingual.&nbsp;Troopers also received an excellent retirement plan.

The NSP Training Academy offers an extensive 24-week training program. Recruits go through numerous life-like scenarios and hundreds of hours of instruction to prepare them for a career serving Nebraska.&nbsp;During the training process at the NSP Training Academy, recruits are paid $28.01 per hour.

Applicants must be a United States citizen and at least 21 years of age by graduation, when they take the oath of office. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalence. Additional information about the hiring process, benefits, opportunities, and recruiter contacts can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/" target="_blank">NebraskaTroopers.com.</a>

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolAugust 12, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Nebraska State Patrol is now accepting applications to start a career serving Nebraskans as a State Trooper. Apply today at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/" target="_blank">NebraskaTroopers.com</a>.The Nebraska State Patrol is looking to build the next class of troopers ready to serve across the entire state. Camp 71 will begin in January 2025 with graduation scheduled for June 2025. The application process is open until September 9, 2024.Nebraska Troopers serve in many ways, with specialties positions such as criminal investigator, K9 handler, crash investigator, pilot, tactical flight officer, crisis negotiator, drone operator, hazmat technician, and many more. Troopers can also serve in specialty units including the SWAT Team, Carrier Enforcement, Bomb Squad, Executive Protection, Training Academy, Mobile Field Force, and the Husker Football Detail.The starting salary for a Nebraska State Trooper is $31.50 per hour ($65,520 annually) upon graduation from the NSP Training Academy.&nbsp;Troopers also have opportunities for additional pay, including overtime hours at a pay rate of 1.5 times their base salary rate, shift differential pay of an additional $.85 per hour if they are regularly assigned to the night shift, and a 2.5 percent pay increase for qualifying as bilingual.&nbsp;Troopers also received an excellent retirement plan.The NSP Training Academy offers an extensive 24-week training program. Recruits go through numerous life-like scenarios and hundreds of hours of instruction to prepare them for a career serving Nebraska.&nbsp;During the training process at the NSP Training Academy, recruits are paid $28.01 per hour.Applicants must be a United States citizen and at least 21 years of age by graduation, when they take the oath of office. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalence. Additional information about the hiring process, benefits, opportunities, and recruiter contacts can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/" target="_blank">NebraskaTroopers.com.</a>

Now Hiring Troopers! Nebraska State Patrol Opens Applications

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/16-locations-identified-to-expand-nebraska-nuclear-footprint-shortlist-soon-to-be-narrowed/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;The Nebraska Public Power District has identified 16 possible locations that could be candidates to expand Nebraska’s nuclear footprint and energy capabilities.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development along with NPPD announced Thursday the next phase of a feasibility study that will eventually narrow down its shortlist to two to four sites for emerging nuclear technology: small modular reactors, or SMRs.&nbsp;

Compared to NPPD’s Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville, SMRs take up less physical space and have been championed as augmenting existing power sources.

The 16 sites that will move on to the next phase of the feasibility study are located near the following cities: Beatrice, Brownville, Fremont, Grand Island, Hallam, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, Plattsmouth, Rushville, Sutherland, Valentine and Wauneta.

“We’re excited to help lay the groundwork for the potential future of this technology in Nebraska,” Department of Economic Development Director K.C. Belitz said in a statement. “Electrical generation is key to growing Nebraska’s economy and this study is the first step in creating a tremendous economic impact for any community where it’s located.”

The Legislature first appropriated $1 million of federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act for the study&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=47196" target="_blank">in 2022</a>&nbsp;seeking to identify appropriate places to expand nuclear power.

The second study phase will be a more in-depth technical analysis, including criteria from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and engagement with the local communities. Local support will be an important factor, according to a news release.

State Sen. Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska is chair of a select legislative committee tasked last year with examining the feasibility of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/27/nebraska-lawmakers-explore-feasibility-of-small-modular-nuclear-reactors/">constructing and operating SMRs in Nebraska</a>. At an October hearing, lawmakers were told the work could begin without more legislation.

NPPD is one of 21 utilities licensed to operate a nuclear plant, and there are 94 reactors licensed to operate in the United States, a news release states.

“Nuclear energy has played a vital role in safely and reliably powering Nebraska for more than 50 years,” NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent said in a news release. “NPPD and many other utilities are closely following the progress of these next generation nuclear technologies.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723472071731.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Public Power District’s Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville, Nebraska. (Courtesy of NPPD)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Public Power District’s Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville, Nebraska. (Courtesy of NPPD)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/16-locations-identified-to-expand-nebraska-nuclear-footprint-shortlist-soon-to-be-narrowed/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;The Nebraska Public Power District has identified 16 possible locations that could be candidates to expand Nebraska’s nuclear footprint and energy capabilities.The Nebraska Department of Economic Development along with NPPD announced Thursday the next phase of a feasibility study that will eventually narrow down its shortlist to two to four sites for emerging nuclear technology: small modular reactors, or SMRs.&nbsp;Compared to NPPD’s Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville, SMRs take up less physical space and have been championed as augmenting existing power sources.The 16 sites that will move on to the next phase of the feasibility study are located near the following cities: Beatrice, Brownville, Fremont, Grand Island, Hallam, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, Plattsmouth, Rushville, Sutherland, Valentine and Wauneta.“We’re excited to help lay the groundwork for the potential future of this technology in Nebraska,” Department of Economic Development Director K.C. Belitz said in a statement. “Electrical generation is key to growing Nebraska’s economy and this study is the first step in creating a tremendous economic impact for any community where it’s located.”The Legislature first appropriated $1 million of federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act for the study&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=47196" target="_blank">in 2022</a>&nbsp;seeking to identify appropriate places to expand nuclear power.The second study phase will be a more in-depth technical analysis, including criteria from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and engagement with the local communities. Local support will be an important factor, according to a news release.State Sen. Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska is chair of a select legislative committee tasked last year with examining the feasibility of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/27/nebraska-lawmakers-explore-feasibility-of-small-modular-nuclear-reactors/">constructing and operating SMRs in Nebraska</a>. At an October hearing, lawmakers were told the work could begin without more legislation.NPPD is one of 21 utilities licensed to operate a nuclear plant, and there are 94 reactors licensed to operate in the United States, a news release states.“Nuclear energy has played a vital role in safely and reliably powering Nebraska for more than 50 years,” NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent said in a news release. “NPPD and many other utilities are closely following the progress of these next generation nuclear technologies.”

16 locations identified to expand Nebraska nuclear footprint, shortlist soon to be narrowed

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nicholas Murphy, age 44, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced August 8, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for coercion and enticement of a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Murphy to 57 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. After Murphy is released from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and restitution to the victim.

Sometime in 2021, Murphy began a relationship with a 17-year-old who was a dancer at The Dance Authority, a studio in Omaha. Murphy’s wife was the former owner of The Dance Authority. Murphy had communication with the minor which developed into a romantic relationship. In October 2021, Murphy purchased the minor a first-class airline ticket after the minor’s mother, who did not know about the relationship, inquired if Murphy had any travel plans between Arizona and Nebraska, and if the minor could accompany Murphy. After flying to Arizona together from Omaha, Murphy had sex with the minor in his hotel. In Arizona, it is illegal to have sex with a minor under the age of 18 years of age. Murphy pleaded guilty to persuading and enticing the minor to travel in interstate commerce to engage in sex.&nbsp;

This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney OfficeUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nicholas Murphy, age 44, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced August 8, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for coercion and enticement of a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Murphy to 57 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. After Murphy is released from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and restitution to the victim.Sometime in 2021, Murphy began a relationship with a 17-year-old who was a dancer at The Dance Authority, a studio in Omaha. Murphy’s wife was the former owner of The Dance Authority. Murphy had communication with the minor which developed into a romantic relationship. In October 2021, Murphy purchased the minor a first-class airline ticket after the minor’s mother, who did not know about the relationship, inquired if Murphy had any travel plans between Arizona and Nebraska, and if the minor could accompany Murphy. After flying to Arizona together from Omaha, Murphy had sex with the minor in his hotel. In Arizona, it is illegal to have sex with a minor under the age of 18 years of age. Murphy pleaded guilty to persuading and enticing the minor to travel in interstate commerce to engage in sex.&nbsp;This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Former NFL Player Sentenced for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

(LINCOLN, NEB.) — On Friday evening, Governor Jim Pillen hosted veterans and their family members for the state’s annual Welcome Home Dinner. The event, which started in 2016, is co-hosted by the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) and sponsored by Walmart. Nebraska’s newest veterans—those who discharged from service in the past 12 months—as well as their families are invited to attend.

Governor Pillen presented each veteran in attendance with a keepsake Welcome Home challenge coin. “We all know the sacrifices our service members and their families make in order to protect our great nation,” said Gov. Pillen. “We want to give them a warm, Nebraska welcome home. It’s a way to thank them and show them all the opportunities and support our state has to offer."

In addition to veterans and their families, exhibitors from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), state of Nebraska agencies, veterans service organizations, and other veterans support groups and non-profits were on hand to share resources, promote benefits and services, and showcase employment opportunities with attendees.

“Our Welcome Home program includes two parts: a packet that goes out to each returning service member that outlines everything the state of Nebraska and the VA has to offer them and the Governor’s Welcome Home Dinner where we get to meet our state’s newest veterans in person to shake their hand and thank them for their service,” said NDVA Director John Hilgert. “Getting to spend an evening with them to hear their stories, get to know their families, and share the ways we can support them is one of our most exciting and fulfilling events.”

“I wish all veterans the very best as they embark in their next stage of life, and may you enjoy the happiness of knowing you have honorably done your duty and performed a great service for your country,” said MG Strong.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723468319879.png" alt="Governor Pillen presents a “Welcome Home” challenge coin to a veteran at the 2024 Welcome Home Dinner. (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>Governor Pillen presents a “Welcome Home” challenge coin to a veteran at the 2024 Welcome Home Dinner. (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>Holden Armstrong(LINCOLN, NEB.) — On Friday evening, Governor Jim Pillen hosted veterans and their family members for the state’s annual Welcome Home Dinner. The event, which started in 2016, is co-hosted by the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) and sponsored by Walmart. Nebraska’s newest veterans—those who discharged from service in the past 12 months—as well as their families are invited to attend.Governor Pillen presented each veteran in attendance with a keepsake Welcome Home challenge coin. “We all know the sacrifices our service members and their families make in order to protect our great nation,” said Gov. Pillen. “We want to give them a warm, Nebraska welcome home. It’s a way to thank them and show them all the opportunities and support our state has to offer."In addition to veterans and their families, exhibitors from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), state of Nebraska agencies, veterans service organizations, and other veterans support groups and non-profits were on hand to share resources, promote benefits and services, and showcase employment opportunities with attendees.“Our Welcome Home program includes two parts: a packet that goes out to each returning service member that outlines everything the state of Nebraska and the VA has to offer them and the Governor’s Welcome Home Dinner where we get to meet our state’s newest veterans in person to shake their hand and thank them for their service,” said NDVA Director John Hilgert. “Getting to spend an evening with them to hear their stories, get to know their families, and share the ways we can support them is one of our most exciting and fulfilling events.”“I wish all veterans the very best as they embark in their next stage of life, and may you enjoy the happiness of knowing you have honorably done your duty and performed a great service for your country,” said MG Strong.

Gov. Pillen, NDVA Host Veterans and Families at Annual Welcome Home Dinner

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant Sunday.

Secretary Austin reiterated the United States' commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions. Reinforcing this commitment, Secretary Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group.

Additionally, the Secretary has ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to the Central Command region.

Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant also discussed Israel's operations in Gaza and the importance of mitigating civilian harm, progress towards securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, and our efforts to deter aggression by Iran, Lebanese Hizballah, and other Iran-aligned groups across the region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706810871805.png" alt="File photo Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant Sunday.Secretary Austin reiterated the United States' commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions. Reinforcing this commitment, Secretary Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group.Additionally, the Secretary has ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to the Central Command region.Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant also discussed Israel's operations in Gaza and the importance of mitigating civilian harm, progress towards securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, and our efforts to deter aggression by Iran, Lebanese Hizballah, and other Iran-aligned groups across the region.

U.S. sending more weapons of war to the Middle East

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

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education said last week it will use a phased rollout to launch the 2025-26 form to apply for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/dont-give-fafsa-advocates-student-financial-aid-urge" target="_blank">federal financial student aid</a>, which will make the application fully available two months later than usual.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — will be available to hundreds of students on Oct. 1, gradually ramping up to be available to all by Dec. 1. The staggered approach is an attempt to fix any issues before the form is open to everyone.

The phased rollout came after the 2024-25 form, which got a makeover following Congress passing the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, witnessed its share of hiccups and glitches during the soft launch in December and past the official debut in January.

Though advocates expressed concerns regarding the form’s failure to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/24/politics/fafsa-inflation-fix-income/index.html" target="_blank">adjust for inflation</a>, its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chronicle.com/article/miscalculation-in-fafsa-formula-is-another-unforced-error" target="_blank">formula miscalculation</a>&nbsp;and its&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2024-04-01/update-tax-data-received-fa-ddx-and-manually-entered-information" target="_blank">tax data errors</a>, which prompted processing delays, the department has worked to fix these issues.

“As we rolled out the 2024-2025 FAFSA cycle, we met various challenges in its first year,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said during a call with reporters Wednesday.

Cardona said “these challenges — rooted in a federal student aid department that was also in desperate need of modernization — resulted in frustration for many students, families, education leaders and policy makers from the Hill.”

The Education secretary added that over the last 10 months, the department has “spent lots of time with these stakeholders to ensure their experience and their input influences our work moving forward,” noting that the new rollout process reflects the extensive feedback the department has received.

Jeremy Singer, who leads FAFSA strategy within the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-announces-jeremy-singer-fafsa-executive-advisor-office-federal-student-aid" target="_blank">Office of Federal Student Aid</a>, said hundreds of students will participate in the testing period beginning Oct. 1.

Singer said that availability will expand to thousands of students in mid-October and then to tens of thousands of students in early November, all prior to the form opening up to all students and families by Dec. 1.

Hearing from many students, families, schools and organizations, Singer said some of the most common demands included a concrete launch timeline and ability to track progress on that timeline, the launch of a form that’s fully functioning and assurance that there will be no major defects once the form is launched.

Senior department officials said states and schools have told them that no determination of financial aid will be made before the system opens for all students in December.

U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal, who oversees higher education and financial aid, including the&nbsp; Office of Federal Student Aid, said that in March, the department received nearly 40% fewer FAFSAs than they had on the same date a year prior.

But now that gap is under 4% and they “continue to close it every week,” Kvaal said.

The department is inviting volunteers to take part in the testing period and said it will release more information in the coming weeks on how students and other partners can get involved in this initial process.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700516528497.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education said last week it will use a phased rollout to launch the 2025-26 form to apply for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/dont-give-fafsa-advocates-student-financial-aid-urge" target="_blank">federal financial student aid</a>, which will make the application fully available two months later than usual.The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — will be available to hundreds of students on Oct. 1, gradually ramping up to be available to all by Dec. 1. The staggered approach is an attempt to fix any issues before the form is open to everyone.The phased rollout came after the 2024-25 form, which got a makeover following Congress passing the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, witnessed its share of hiccups and glitches during the soft launch in December and past the official debut in January.Though advocates expressed concerns regarding the form’s failure to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/24/politics/fafsa-inflation-fix-income/index.html" target="_blank">adjust for inflation</a>, its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chronicle.com/article/miscalculation-in-fafsa-formula-is-another-unforced-error" target="_blank">formula miscalculation</a>&nbsp;and its&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2024-04-01/update-tax-data-received-fa-ddx-and-manually-entered-information" target="_blank">tax data errors</a>, which prompted processing delays, the department has worked to fix these issues.“As we rolled out the 2024-2025 FAFSA cycle, we met various challenges in its first year,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said during a call with reporters Wednesday.Cardona said “these challenges — rooted in a federal student aid department that was also in desperate need of modernization — resulted in frustration for many students, families, education leaders and policy makers from the Hill.”The Education secretary added that over the last 10 months, the department has “spent lots of time with these stakeholders to ensure their experience and their input influences our work moving forward,” noting that the new rollout process reflects the extensive feedback the department has received.Jeremy Singer, who leads FAFSA strategy within the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-announces-jeremy-singer-fafsa-executive-advisor-office-federal-student-aid" target="_blank">Office of Federal Student Aid</a>, said hundreds of students will participate in the testing period beginning Oct. 1.Singer said that availability will expand to thousands of students in mid-October and then to tens of thousands of students in early November, all prior to the form opening up to all students and families by Dec. 1.Hearing from many students, families, schools and organizations, Singer said some of the most common demands included a concrete launch timeline and ability to track progress on that timeline, the launch of a form that’s fully functioning and assurance that there will be no major defects once the form is launched.Senior department officials said states and schools have told them that no determination of financial aid will be made before the system opens for all students in December.U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal, who oversees higher education and financial aid, including the&nbsp; Office of Federal Student Aid, said that in March, the department received nearly 40% fewer FAFSAs than they had on the same date a year prior.But now that gap is under 4% and they “continue to close it every week,” Kvaal said.The department is inviting volunteers to take part in the testing period and said it will release more information in the coming weeks on how students and other partners can get involved in this initial process.

U.S. Education Department to gradually roll out new FAFSA form by Dec. 1

Drug Enforcement Administration - Omaha Field Division

<a>OMAHA, Neb. –&nbsp;</a>Students across Nebraska are returning to school this month and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division is reminding families to make time for conversations about the unintended consequences of drug experimentation before kids head out the door for a new year of learning.&nbsp;

Fentanyl and methamphetamine remain the top two drugs seized by DEA investigators in Nebraska. Mexican cartels, namely CJNG and Sinaloa, continue to press pills designed to look like common prescription medications such as Xanax ®, Adderall ® and Oxycodone ®. These fake pills so closely resemble legitimate prescription medications that it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a fentanyl pill and a pharmaceutical. DEA laboratory testing indicates that seven out of every 10 fake pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose, two milligrams, of fentanyl. The only safe medication is one prescribed specifically to you by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

Methamphetamine is not commonly found at the grade school level, although DEA seizures of the stimulant have been trending upward in Nebraska for five years. Members of law enforcement have seen methamphetamine in crystal, powder and pill form.

Vaping and marijuana use among youth remain topics of concern. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among adolescents aged 12-17 who used marijuana in the past year, more than half vaped marijuana, followed by about one-third who ate or drank marijuana. Families are encouraged to talk about the harmful side effects of vaping while also addressing the consequences of ingesting marijuana edibles.

“A lot of parents often wonder if their kids are listening when they talk,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “The truth is, they are. Sit down as a family and talk about the life-altering effects of drugs and the damage they cause to the developing brain, heart and lungs. Your conversation could save a loved one from putting themselves in a dangerous situation.”

For more information on how to talk about the dangers of drugs, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justthinktwice.gov/" target="_blank">www.JustThinkTwice.gov</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/" target="_blank">www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.gov</a>.

Drug Enforcement Administration - Omaha Field Division<a>OMAHA, Neb. –&nbsp;</a>Students across Nebraska are returning to school this month and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division is reminding families to make time for conversations about the unintended consequences of drug experimentation before kids head out the door for a new year of learning.&nbsp;Fentanyl and methamphetamine remain the top two drugs seized by DEA investigators in Nebraska. Mexican cartels, namely CJNG and Sinaloa, continue to press pills designed to look like common prescription medications such as Xanax ®, Adderall ® and Oxycodone ®. These fake pills so closely resemble legitimate prescription medications that it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a fentanyl pill and a pharmaceutical. DEA laboratory testing indicates that seven out of every 10 fake pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose, two milligrams, of fentanyl. The only safe medication is one prescribed specifically to you by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.Methamphetamine is not commonly found at the grade school level, although DEA seizures of the stimulant have been trending upward in Nebraska for five years. Members of law enforcement have seen methamphetamine in crystal, powder and pill form.Vaping and marijuana use among youth remain topics of concern. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among adolescents aged 12-17 who used marijuana in the past year, more than half vaped marijuana, followed by about one-third who ate or drank marijuana. Families are encouraged to talk about the harmful side effects of vaping while also addressing the consequences of ingesting marijuana edibles.“A lot of parents often wonder if their kids are listening when they talk,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “The truth is, they are. Sit down as a family and talk about the life-altering effects of drugs and the damage they cause to the developing brain, heart and lungs. Your conversation could save a loved one from putting themselves in a dangerous situation.”For more information on how to talk about the dangers of drugs, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justthinktwice.gov/" target="_blank">www.JustThinkTwice.gov</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/" target="_blank">www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.gov</a>.

DEA Recommends Including Conversations on Dangers of Drugs in Back-to-School Routines

JERUSALEM—U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Thursday as part of U.S. force posture changes in the region to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or its proxies, according to a statement from Central Command.

In addition, U.S. Forces in the Middle East continue to face daily threats.

Since Tuesday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed seven Iranian-backed Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one Houthi ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. 

Additionally, on Wednesday and Thursday U.S. forces successfully destroyed four Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea, two&nbsp; drones and one Houthi ground control station.

These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723133168145.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM—U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Thursday as part of U.S. force posture changes in the region to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or its proxies, according to a statement from Central Command.In addition, U.S. Forces in the Middle East continue to face daily threats.Since Tuesday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed seven Iranian-backed Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one Houthi ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Additionally, on Wednesday and Thursday U.S. forces successfully destroyed four Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea, two&nbsp; drones and one Houthi ground control station.These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors arrive in Middle East

NEW YORK —In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Samsung Electronics America Inc. has announced a voluntary recall for certain slide-in electric range models with front-mounted knobs.

The remedy for this recall is free knob locks or covers for specific models sold in the U.S. between 2013 and 2024.This announcement addresses potential activation of range knobs through accidental contact by people or pets, posing a fire hazard if flammable objects are left on top of the range.

NEW YORK —In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Samsung Electronics America Inc. has announced a voluntary recall for certain slide-in electric range models with front-mounted knobs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RECALL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RECALL</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/SamsungUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SamsungUS</a> recalls 1,120,905 Slide-in Electric Ranges. Front-mounted knobs can be accidentally activated by humans or pets; fire hazard. Get repair. CONTACT: Toll-free 833-775-0120, email rangesupport@sea.samsung.com or <a href="https://t.co/W8Uvqwea1i">https://t.co/W8Uvqwea1i</a>.<a href="https://t.co/zwemjV3gTL">https://t.co/zwemjV3gTL</a> <a href="https://t.co/m5YahPC1fI">pic.twitter.com/m5YahPC1fI</a>&mdash; US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/USCPSC/status/1821539790119911731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The remedy for this recall is free knob locks or covers for specific models sold in the U.S. between 2013 and 2024.This announcement addresses potential activation of range knobs through accidental contact by people or pets, posing a fire hazard if flammable objects are left on top of the range.

Samsung recalls electric ranges after numerous fire and injury reports

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement regarding the state of the special session convened to fix Nebraska’s spiraling property tax crisis:

“I deeply appreciate the extremely hard work being done by the majority of the Legislature to deliver transformative property tax reform to Nebraskans. These senators, who represent all political stripes and all corners of our state, are doing right by their constituents by engaging in tough negotiations, good faith exchanges of ideas, and collaboration with their colleagues to forge a compromise that will work for Nebraska. Their dedication is even more impressive given that it is moving forward under intense pressure by lobbyists fighting to protect special interest loopholes at the expense of hardworking Nebraska homeowners. I know that any plan passed by the Legislature will be a hard-fought compromise and that it will not include every provision I believe in and am fighting for. Nevertheless, I have profound respect for the work of the Legislature and look forward to signing that work into law.

A small minority of senators, however, are failing their duty to the people of Nebraska. Several have well-known track records of extreme filibusters to block the work of the people. Others have lowered themselves to baseless personal attacks both on the floor of the legislative chamber and through social media in pursuit of festering political grievances. I call upon them to end their obstructionist rhetoric, stop their time-wasting tactics, and engage with their colleagues to craft a bipartisan, consensus solution.

The people of Nebraska are watching carefully and will hold accountable those elected leaders who fail to act to fix this crisis. An overwhelming majority of Nebraskans support cutting property taxes, capping government spending, and closing special interest loopholes. Doing nothing is not an acceptable option for Nebraskans.”

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement regarding the state of the special session convened to fix Nebraska’s spiraling property tax crisis:“I deeply appreciate the extremely hard work being done by the majority of the Legislature to deliver transformative property tax reform to Nebraskans. These senators, who represent all political stripes and all corners of our state, are doing right by their constituents by engaging in tough negotiations, good faith exchanges of ideas, and collaboration with their colleagues to forge a compromise that will work for Nebraska. Their dedication is even more impressive given that it is moving forward under intense pressure by lobbyists fighting to protect special interest loopholes at the expense of hardworking Nebraska homeowners. I know that any plan passed by the Legislature will be a hard-fought compromise and that it will not include every provision I believe in and am fighting for. Nevertheless, I have profound respect for the work of the Legislature and look forward to signing that work into law.A small minority of senators, however, are failing their duty to the people of Nebraska. Several have well-known track records of extreme filibusters to block the work of the people. Others have lowered themselves to baseless personal attacks both on the floor of the legislative chamber and through social media in pursuit of festering political grievances. I call upon them to end their obstructionist rhetoric, stop their time-wasting tactics, and engage with their colleagues to craft a bipartisan, consensus solution.The people of Nebraska are watching carefully and will hold accountable those elected leaders who fail to act to fix this crisis. An overwhelming majority of Nebraskans support cutting property taxes, capping government spending, and closing special interest loopholes. Doing nothing is not an acceptable option for Nebraskans.”

Gov. Pillen Commends Senators’ Good Faith Work to Fix Nebraska’s Escalating Property Taxes; Condemns Political Intransigence

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/ne-lawmakers-confirm-appointment-of-state-chief-information-officer-despite-controversial-email/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers on Wednesday confirmed Gov. Jim Pillen’s appointment of Matthew McCarville as the state’s chief information officer, despite a controversial email sent on his behalf that raised concern among some senators.

State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, acknowledged that McCarville made a “mistake” in asking an assistant July 30 to send an email that encouraged his workforce to participate in a legislative hearing on Pillen’s plan for property tax relief.

But Brewer said that McCarville, who has been in the post since April, was clearly qualified for the position.&nbsp;

“We need to have public servants who can admit when they’re wrong,” he said.

The vote to confirm was 36-0, with nine senators not voting.

Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln was among the Government Committee members who previously grilled McCarville about the email during his confirmation committee hearing, which unfolded just hours after the email was sent.

She said Wednesday the “rather strange timing” of events clouded discussion of McCarville’s “incredible” educational background and compelling personal story.

At the time, McCarville told the Government Committee that he self-reported the incident to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and that the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office also was aware. McCarville said he was told that neither office felt there was a violation of state law.

Wednesday, however, NADC executive director David Hunter said the agency could not comment because there may be an ongoing investigation involving the email situation.

State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue said Wednesday during legislative debate on McCarville’s confirmation that the email mistake was “pretty darn big” and said she could not support his appointment.

States Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha challenged McCarville’s statement that he had voluntarily self-reported the incident to authorities. Cavanaugh noted that she had received complaints from whistle-blowers that morning and quickly distributed copies to news reporters and others.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723142706199.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/ne-lawmakers-confirm-appointment-of-state-chief-information-officer-despite-controversial-email/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers on Wednesday confirmed Gov. Jim Pillen’s appointment of Matthew McCarville as the state’s chief information officer, despite a controversial email sent on his behalf that raised concern among some senators.State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, acknowledged that McCarville made a “mistake” in asking an assistant July 30 to send an email that encouraged his workforce to participate in a legislative hearing on Pillen’s plan for property tax relief.But Brewer said that McCarville, who has been in the post since April, was clearly qualified for the position.&nbsp;“We need to have public servants who can admit when they’re wrong,” he said.The vote to confirm was 36-0, with nine senators not voting.Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln was among the Government Committee members who previously grilled McCarville about the email during his confirmation committee hearing, which unfolded just hours after the email was sent.She said Wednesday the “rather strange timing” of events clouded discussion of McCarville’s “incredible” educational background and compelling personal story.At the time, McCarville told the Government Committee that he self-reported the incident to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and that the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office also was aware. McCarville said he was told that neither office felt there was a violation of state law.Wednesday, however, NADC executive director David Hunter said the agency could not comment because there may be an ongoing investigation involving the email situation.State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue said Wednesday during legislative debate on McCarville’s confirmation that the email mistake was “pretty darn big” and said she could not support his appointment.States Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha challenged McCarville’s statement that he had voluntarily self-reported the incident to authorities. Cavanaugh noted that she had received complaints from whistle-blowers that morning and quickly distributed copies to news reporters and others.State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said McCarville is a “really talented tech guy” with an impressive resume and record of service and said that he’s “probably the right person for that job.”However, she said, the email pressured and created a “serious chilling effect on employees.” Hunt said she is concerned about a culture in Pillen’s administration that would cause “good people like him to send out these partisan campaign emails against their better judgment.”