Paul Hammel,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/21/actors-producers-and-screenwriters-testify-for-bill-to-lure-movie-tv-productions-to-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — State lawmakers adjourned floor debate for the day Tuesday without voting on a bill to phase out Nebraska’s inheritance tax, but it was clear that more work is needed on the measure.

State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, who has made&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/08/senator-makes-another-attempt-to-repeal-nebraskas-inheritance-taxes/">eliminating the “death tax”</a>&nbsp;a top priority during his legislative career, acknowledged that some changes may be needed in his Legislative Bill 1067 before it can be passed.

One cosponsor of the measure, North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson, said he couldn’t ultimately support the bill unless it includes ways to replace the funding lost by Nebraska counties from repeal of the tax.

Jacobson, as well as the Nebraska Association of County Officials, argue that repealing the inheritance tax — which provides up to $100 million a year in funding for the state’s counties — would result in a property tax increase.

“There’s one thing I hate more than inheritance tax, and that’s property tax,” Jacobson said.

Jon Cannon, the executive director of NACO, has estimated that property taxes levied by the counties would have to rise by 11% to offset the funds lost.

Clements said he has been seeking replacement revenue for the counties but also has faith that county commissioners can make needed adjustments during the five-year phase-out of the inheritance tax called for in his bill.

LB 1067, as currently written, contains two new funding sources for counties, allowing them to access lodging tax revenue now used to promote and expand tourism sites, and reimbursing counties for housing state inmates in their jails.

An amendment pending on the bill would limit the use of the tourism funds to 50% of what a county collects and would increase the jail reimbursement from $35 a day to $100 a day.

But Jacobson and others questioned whether that was enough to avoid a rise in property taxes. And Jacobson said the tourism funds should be used for tourism only.

Clements said after the debate that he might support using revenue from the documentary stamp tax, which is charged on the purchase of real estate, to help replace the revenue lost.

During floor debate Tuesday morning, the senator said Nebraska is an outlier in charging an inheritance tax, which he called “arbitrary and excessive” and tough on grieving families and friends.

Nebraska is one of only six states with an inheritance tax, and one of those, Iowa, will phase out its “death tax” at the end of the year.

The bill has 24 cosponsors among the 49 state senators, but it faces some legislative hurdles: a motion to divide the question into two parts from Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad and motions to kill the bill or recommit it to a committee from Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh.

Clements said that repealing the inheritance tax would be a step toward improving Nebraska’s tax system and that ending it would remove a reason for those nearing retirement to move away, so their heirs don’t have to pay the tax.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708703335793.png" alt=" State Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood asks a question regarding nuclear energy during a hearing Oct. 27, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood asks a question regarding nuclear energy during a hearing Oct. 27, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/21/actors-producers-and-screenwriters-testify-for-bill-to-lure-movie-tv-productions-to-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — State lawmakers adjourned floor debate for the day Tuesday without voting on a bill to phase out Nebraska’s inheritance tax, but it was clear that more work is needed on the measure.State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, who has made&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/08/senator-makes-another-attempt-to-repeal-nebraskas-inheritance-taxes/">eliminating the “death tax”</a>&nbsp;a top priority during his legislative career, acknowledged that some changes may be needed in his Legislative Bill 1067 before it can be passed.One cosponsor of the measure, North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson, said he couldn’t ultimately support the bill unless it includes ways to replace the funding lost by Nebraska counties from repeal of the tax.<h2>Foes say it will raise property taxes</h2>Jacobson, as well as the Nebraska Association of County Officials, argue that repealing the inheritance tax — which provides up to $100 million a year in funding for the state’s counties — would result in a property tax increase.“There’s one thing I hate more than inheritance tax, and that’s property tax,” Jacobson said.Jon Cannon, the executive director of NACO, has estimated that property taxes levied by the counties would have to rise by 11% to offset the funds lost.Clements said he has been seeking replacement revenue for the counties but also has faith that county commissioners can make needed adjustments during the five-year phase-out of the inheritance tax called for in his bill.LB 1067, as currently written, contains two new funding sources for counties, allowing them to access lodging tax revenue now used to promote and expand tourism sites, and reimbursing counties for housing state inmates in their jails.An amendment pending on the bill would limit the use of the tourism funds to 50% of what a county collects and would increase the jail reimbursement from $35 a day to $100 a day.But Jacobson and others questioned whether that was enough to avoid a rise in property taxes. And Jacobson said the tourism funds should be used for tourism only.Clements said after the debate that he might support using revenue from the documentary stamp tax, which is charged on the purchase of real estate, to help replace the revenue lost.<h2>‘Arbitrary and excessive’ tax</h2>During floor debate Tuesday morning, the senator said Nebraska is an outlier in charging an inheritance tax, which he called “arbitrary and excessive” and tough on grieving families and friends.Nebraska is one of only six states with an inheritance tax, and one of those, Iowa, will phase out its “death tax” at the end of the year.The bill has 24 cosponsors among the 49 state senators, but it faces some legislative hurdles: a motion to divide the question into two parts from Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad and motions to kill the bill or recommit it to a committee from Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh.Clements said that repealing the inheritance tax would be a step toward improving Nebraska’s tax system and that ending it would remove a reason for those nearing retirement to move away, so their heirs don’t have to pay the tax.

More work ahead for bill that would phase out Nebraska’s inheritance tax

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Josh Hawley&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2f2024-02%2fHawley-Letter-to-Kanter-re-Capital-One-Discover-Merger.pdf&amp;redir_log=537906950005781" target="_blank">sent a letter</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter, urging him to&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.axios.com%2f2024%2f02%2f21%2fsenate-republican-biden-block-credit-card-company-merger-hawley&amp;redir_log=303018207592664" target="_blank">block the merger</a>&nbsp;between Capital One and&nbsp;Discover Financial Services, according to a media release from his office.

On Tuesday, Capital One Financial said it will buy Discover Financial Services for $35 billion, in a deal that would bring together two of the nation's credit card companies as well as potentially shake up the payments industry, which is largely dominated by Visa and Mastercard

"This is destructive corporate consolidation at its starkest. If consummated, this merger will create a new juggernaut in the credit card market, with unprecedented powers to extort American consumers. That cannot be allowed to happen,"&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.

On Thursday, Senator Hawley&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1760327925688103140%3fs%3d20&amp;redir_log=655175228123316" target="_blank">condemned</a>&nbsp;the Capital One-Discover merger and&nbsp;also&nbsp;renewed his push&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.realclearpolitics.com%2farticles%2f2023%2f09%2f11%2fsen_josh_hawley_proposes_18_credit_card_interest_rate_cap__149739.html&amp;redir_log=585672325765853" target="_blank">cap credit card interest rates</a>&nbsp;at 18 percent to provide relief for&nbsp;working Americans.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2f2024-02%2fHawley-Letter-to-Kanter-re-Capital-One-Discover-Merger.pdf&amp;redir_log=537906950005781" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the full letter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708426424767.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Josh Hawley&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2f2024-02%2fHawley-Letter-to-Kanter-re-Capital-One-Discover-Merger.pdf&amp;redir_log=537906950005781" target="_blank">sent a letter</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter, urging him to&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.axios.com%2f2024%2f02%2f21%2fsenate-republican-biden-block-credit-card-company-merger-hawley&amp;redir_log=303018207592664" target="_blank">block the merger</a>&nbsp;between Capital One and&nbsp;Discover Financial Services, according to a media release from his office.On Tuesday, Capital One Financial said it will buy Discover Financial Services for $35 billion, in a deal that would bring together two of the nation's credit card companies as well as potentially shake up the payments industry, which is largely dominated by Visa and Mastercard"This is destructive corporate consolidation at its starkest. If consummated, this merger will create a new juggernaut in the credit card market, with unprecedented powers to extort American consumers. That cannot be allowed to happen,"&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708693800430.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Senator Hawley&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1760327925688103140%3fs%3d20&amp;redir_log=655175228123316" target="_blank">condemned</a>&nbsp;the Capital One-Discover merger and&nbsp;also&nbsp;renewed his push&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.realclearpolitics.com%2farticles%2f2023%2f09%2f11%2fsen_josh_hawley_proposes_18_credit_card_interest_rate_cap__149739.html&amp;redir_log=585672325765853" target="_blank">cap credit card interest rates</a>&nbsp;at 18 percent to provide relief for&nbsp;working Americans.Click&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14484.8907941.7835626.8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2f2024-02%2fHawley-Letter-to-Kanter-re-Capital-One-Discover-Merger.pdf&amp;redir_log=537906950005781" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the full letter.

Missouri Senator demands Biden block Capitol One, Discover card merger

KANSAS CITY (AP) —AT&amp;T said the hourslong outage to its U.S. cellphone network Thursday appeared to be the result of a technical error, not a malicious attack.

The outage&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/att-outage-cell-service-phone-1cd6f595356b385cc9a4495d1f06b983">knocked out cellphone service</a>&nbsp;for thousands of its users across the U.S. starting early Thursday before it was restored.

AT&amp;T blamed the incident on an error in coding, without elaborating.

“Based on our initial review, we believe that today’s outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack,” the Dallas-based company said.

Outage tracker Downdetector noted that outages, which began at about 3:30 a.m. ET, peaked at around 73,000 reported incidents. AT&amp;T had more than 58,000 outages around noon ET, in locations including Houston, Atlanta and Chicago. The carrier is the country's largest, with more than 240 million subscribers.

By 9 p.m. ET, the reports on AT&amp;T's network were fewer than 1,000.

Cricket Wireless, which is owned by AT&amp;T, had more than 9,000 outages at one point but the reports had also tailed off later in the afternoon. Users of other carriers, including Verizon and T-Mobile, also reported issues but those companies said their networks were operating normally and the problems were likely stemming from customers trying to connect to AT&amp;T users.

During the outage, some iPhone users saw SOS messages displayed in the status bar on their cellphones. The message indicates that the device is having trouble connecting to their cellular provider’s network, but it can make emergency calls through other carrier networks, according to Apple Support.

The Federal Communications Commission contacted AT&amp;T about the outage and the Department of Homeland Security and FBI were also looking into it, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

The FBI acknowledged it had been in touch with AT&amp;T. “Should we learn of any malicious activity we will respond accordingly,” the agency said.

The outage also raised concerns on Capitol Hill.

“We are working to assess today’s disruption in order to gain a complete understanding of what went wrong and what can be done to prevent future incidents like this from occurring,” said a statement issued by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Washington Republican who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Ohio Republican Bob Latta, chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708656334580.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —AT&amp;T said the hourslong outage to its U.S. cellphone network Thursday appeared to be the result of a technical error, not a malicious attack.The outage&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/att-outage-cell-service-phone-1cd6f595356b385cc9a4495d1f06b983">knocked out cellphone service</a>&nbsp;for thousands of its users across the U.S. starting early Thursday before it was restored.AT&amp;T blamed the incident on an error in coding, without elaborating.“Based on our initial review, we believe that today’s outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack,” the Dallas-based company said.Outage tracker Downdetector noted that outages, which began at about 3:30 a.m. ET, peaked at around 73,000 reported incidents. AT&amp;T had more than 58,000 outages around noon ET, in locations including Houston, Atlanta and Chicago. The carrier is the country's largest, with more than 240 million subscribers.By 9 p.m. ET, the reports on AT&amp;T's network were fewer than 1,000.Cricket Wireless, which is owned by AT&amp;T, had more than 9,000 outages at one point but the reports had also tailed off later in the afternoon. Users of other carriers, including Verizon and T-Mobile, also reported issues but those companies said their networks were operating normally and the problems were likely stemming from customers trying to connect to AT&amp;T users.During the outage, some iPhone users saw SOS messages displayed in the status bar on their cellphones. The message indicates that the device is having trouble connecting to their cellular provider’s network, but it can make emergency calls through other carrier networks, according to Apple Support.The Federal Communications Commission contacted AT&amp;T about the outage and the Department of Homeland Security and FBI were also looking into it, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.The FBI acknowledged it had been in touch with AT&amp;T. “Should we learn of any malicious activity we will respond accordingly,” the agency said.The outage also raised concerns on Capitol Hill.“We are working to assess today’s disruption in order to gain a complete understanding of what went wrong and what can be done to prevent future incidents like this from occurring,” said a statement issued by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Washington Republican who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Ohio Republican Bob Latta, chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

AT&T reveals cause of outage to its US cellphone network

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Four foreign nationals were arrested and charged Thursday with transporting suspected Iranian-made weapons on a vessel intercepted by U.S. naval forces in the Arabian Sea last month. Two Navy SEALs died during the mission.

The criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Richmond alleges that the four defendants — who were all carrying Pakistani identification cards — were transporting suspected Iranian-made missile components for the type of weapons used by Houthi rebel forces in recent attacks.

“The flow of missiles and other advanced weaponry from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen threatens the people and interests of America and our partners in the region,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a news release.

U.S. officials said that Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers was boarding the boat on Jan. 11 and slipped into the gap created by high waves between the vessel and the SEALs’ combatant craft. As Chambers fell, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped in to try to save him, according to U.S. officials familiar with what happened.

“Two Navy SEALs tragically lost their lives in the operation that thwarted the defendants charged today from allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons that the Houthis could have used to target American forces and threaten freedom of navigation and a vital artery for commerce," Monaco said.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland pledged that the Justice Department “will use every legal authority to hold accountable those who facilitate the flow of weapons from Iran to Houthi rebel forces, Hamas, and other groups that endanger the security of the United States and our allies.”

Muhammad Pahlawan is charged with attempting to smuggle advanced missile components, including a warhead he is accused of knowing would be used by the Houthi rebels against commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. He is also charged with providing false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the vessel.

Pahlawan's co-defendants — Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah and Izhar Muhammad — were also charged with providing false information.

Pahlawan's attorney, Assistant Supervisory Federal Public Defender Amy Austin, said Pahlawan had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court Thursday and is scheduled to be back in court Tuesday for a detention hearing. She declined to comment on the case.

“Right now, he’s just charged with two crimes and we’re just at the very beginning stages, and so all we know is what’s in the complaint,” Austin said when reached by phone Thursday.

According to prosecutors, Navy forces boarded a small, unflagged vessel, described as a dhow, and encountered 14 people on the ship on the night of Jan. 11, in the Arabian Sea off the Somali coast.

Navy forces searched the dhow and found what prosecutors say was Iranian-made weapons, including components for medium range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles.

All 14 sailors on the dhow were brought onto the USS Lewis B. Puller after Navy forces determined the dhow was not seaworthy. They were then brought back to Virginia, where criminal charges were filed against four and material witness warrants were filed against the other 10.

According to an FBI affidavit, Navy forces were entitled to board the ship because they were conducting an authorized “flag verification” to determine the country where the dhow was registered.

The dhow was determined to be flying without a flag and was therefore deemed a “vessel without nationality” that was subject to U.S. law, the affidavit states.

According to the affidavit, the sailors on the dhow admitted they had departed from Iran, although at least one of the men initially insisted they departed from Pakistan.

The affidavit states that crew members had been in contact multiple times by satellite phone with a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708640107835.png" alt="Photo of some of the weapons seized- U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo of some of the weapons seized- U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Four foreign nationals were arrested and charged Thursday with transporting suspected Iranian-made weapons on a vessel intercepted by U.S. naval forces in the Arabian Sea last month. Two Navy SEALs died during the mission.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705958979801.png" alt="Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers -photo Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers -photo Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>The criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Richmond alleges that the four defendants — who were all carrying Pakistani identification cards — were transporting suspected Iranian-made missile components for the type of weapons used by Houthi rebel forces in recent attacks.“The flow of missiles and other advanced weaponry from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen threatens the people and interests of America and our partners in the region,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a news release.U.S. officials said that Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers was boarding the boat on Jan. 11 and slipped into the gap created by high waves between the vessel and the SEALs’ combatant craft. As Chambers fell, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped in to try to save him, according to U.S. officials familiar with what happened.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705959010427.png" alt="Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram-photo Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram-photo Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>“Two Navy SEALs tragically lost their lives in the operation that thwarted the defendants charged today from allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons that the Houthis could have used to target American forces and threaten freedom of navigation and a vital artery for commerce," Monaco said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708640156659.png" alt="The U.S. Navy ultimately sank the ship carrying the weapons after deeming it unsafe, Central Command said. The ship's 14 crew were detained. -photo U.S. Central command" />
 <figcaption>The U.S. Navy ultimately sank the ship carrying the weapons after deeming it unsafe, Central Command said. The ship's 14 crew were detained. -photo U.S. Central command</figcaption>
 </figure>Attorney General Merrick B. Garland pledged that the Justice Department “will use every legal authority to hold accountable those who facilitate the flow of weapons from Iran to Houthi rebel forces, Hamas, and other groups that endanger the security of the United States and our allies.”Muhammad Pahlawan is charged with attempting to smuggle advanced missile components, including a warhead he is accused of knowing would be used by the Houthi rebels against commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. He is also charged with providing false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the vessel.Pahlawan's co-defendants — Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah and Izhar Muhammad — were also charged with providing false information.Pahlawan's attorney, Assistant Supervisory Federal Public Defender Amy Austin, said Pahlawan had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court Thursday and is scheduled to be back in court Tuesday for a detention hearing. She declined to comment on the case.“Right now, he’s just charged with two crimes and we’re just at the very beginning stages, and so all we know is what’s in the complaint,” Austin said when reached by phone Thursday.According to prosecutors, Navy forces boarded a small, unflagged vessel, described as a dhow, and encountered 14 people on the ship on the night of Jan. 11, in the Arabian Sea off the Somali coast.Navy forces searched the dhow and found what prosecutors say was Iranian-made weapons, including components for medium range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles.All 14 sailors on the dhow were brought onto the USS Lewis B. Puller after Navy forces determined the dhow was not seaworthy. They were then brought back to Virginia, where criminal charges were filed against four and material witness warrants were filed against the other 10.According to an FBI affidavit, Navy forces were entitled to board the ship because they were conducting an authorized “flag verification” to determine the country where the dhow was registered.The dhow was determined to be flying without a flag and was therefore deemed a “vessel without nationality” that was subject to U.S. law, the affidavit states.According to the affidavit, the sailors on the dhow admitted they had departed from Iran, although at least one of the men initially insisted they departed from Pakistan.The affidavit states that crew members had been in contact multiple times by satellite phone with a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

2 U.S. Navy SEALs died; 4 now charged in transporting Iranian-made weapons

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private lander touched down on the moon Thursday but managed just a weak signal back, as flight controllers scrambled to gain better contact with the first U.S. spacecraft to reach the lunar surface in more than 50 years.

Despite the spotty communication, Intuitive Machines, the company that built and managed the craft, confirmed that it had landed. There was no immediate word from the company on the condition — or even the exact location — of the lander. The company ended its live webcast soon after confirming a touchdown.

(click below to watch a replay of the landing)

Mission director Tim Crain said the team was evaluating how to refine the lone signal from the lander, named Odysseus.

“But we can confirm, without a doubt, that our equipment is on the surface of the moon," he said.

Added Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus: “I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface and we are transmitting. Welcome to the moon.”

The landing put the U.S. back on the surface for the first time since NASA’s famed Apollo moonwalkers.

Intuitive Machines also became the first private business to pull off a lunar landing, a feat achieved by only five countries. Another company gave it a shot last month, but never made it to the moon, and the lander crashed back to Earth.

Odysseus descended from a moon-skimming orbit and guided itself toward the surface, searching for a relatively flat spot among all the cliffs and craters near the south pole.

Tension mounted in the company's Houston command center following the designated touchdown time, as controllers awaited a signal from the spacecraft some 250,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) away. After close to 15 minutes, the company announced it had received a weak signal from the lander.

Launched last week, the six-footed carbon fiber and titanium lander — towering 14 feet (4.3 meters) — carried six experiments for NASA. The space agency gave the company $118 million to build and fly the lander, part of its effort to commercialize lunar deliveries ahead of the planned return of astronauts in a few years.

Intuitive Machines' entry is the latest in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-private-company-fed3a76d25c9f68cf20d2b6efd48b593">series of landing attempts</a>&nbsp;by countries and private outfits looking to explore the moon and, if possible, capitalize on it.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-moon-lander-slim-probe-pinpoint-2908c74d9e3c4c8a5eabfb6b1625c617">Japan scored a lunar landing</a>&nbsp;last month, joining earlier triumphs by Russia, U.S., China and India.

The U.S. bowed out of the lunar landscape in 1972 after NASA's Apollo program put 12 astronauts on the surface. A Pittsburgh company, Astrobotic Technology, gave it a shot last month, but was derailed by a fuel leak that resulted in the lander plunging back through Earth's atmosphere and burning up.

Intuitive Machines’ target was 186 miles (300 kilometers) shy of the south pole, around 80 degrees latitude and closer to the pole than any other spacecraft has come. The site is relatively flat, but surrounded by boulders, hills, cliffs and craters that could hold frozen water, a big part of the allure. The lander was programmed to pick, in real time, the safest spot near the so-called Malapert A crater.

The solar-powered lander was intended to operate for a week, until the long lunar night.

Besides NASA’s tech and navigation experiments, Intuitive Machines sold space on the lander to Columbia Sportswear to fly its newest insulating jacket fabric; sculptor Jeff Koons for 125 mini moon figurines; and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a set of cameras to capture pictures of the descending lander.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private lunar lander circled the moon while aiming for a touchdown Thursday that would put the U.S. back on the surface for the first time since NASA’s famed Apollo moonwalkers.

The Intuitive Machines lunar lander is now scheduled for landing on the surface of the moon at approximately 5:24pm CST

Intuitive Machines was striving to become the first private business to successfully pull off a lunar landing, a feat achieved by only five countries. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-spacecraft-reenter-burned-e7abeeac01711633eaa807b050704084">rival company’s lander missed</a>&nbsp;the moon last month.

The newest lander, named Odysseus, reached the moon Wednesday, six days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lander-launch-intuitive-machines-nasa-84092096eadf1ec5bb4042c945cdec7e">rocketing from Kennedy Space Center in Florida</a>. The lander maneuvered into a low lunar orbit in preparation for an early evening touchdown.

Flight controllers monitored the action unfolding some 250,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) away from a command center at company headquarters in Houston.

The six-footed carbon fiber and titanium lander — towering 14 feet (4.3 meters) — carried six experiments for NASA. The space agency gave the company $118 million to build and fly the lander, part of its effort to commercialize lunar deliveries ahead of the planned return of astronauts in a few years.

The U.S. bowed out of the lunar landscape in 1972 after NASA's Apollo program put 12 astronauts on the surface . A Pittsburgh company, Astrobotic Technology, gave it a shot last month, but was derailed by a fuel leak that resulted in the lander plunging back through Earth's atmosphere and burning up.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708646787215.png" alt="Member of the Intuitive Machines team celebrate the success Thursday evening" />
 <figcaption>Member of the Intuitive Machines team celebrate the success Thursday evening</figcaption>
 </figure>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private lander touched down on the moon Thursday but managed just a weak signal back, as flight controllers scrambled to gain better contact with the first U.S. spacecraft to reach the lunar surface in more than 50 years.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Odysseus has a new home” <a href="https://t.co/oVgLobxH8T">https://t.co/oVgLobxH8T</a>&mdash; Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) <a href="https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1760815975581016418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Despite the spotty communication, Intuitive Machines, the company that built and managed the craft, confirmed that it had landed. There was no immediate word from the company on the condition — or even the exact location — of the lander. The company ended its live webcast soon after confirming a touchdown.(click below to watch a replay of the landing)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dg2ffigGcYM?si=faNrnj88EqV5Ek9W" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Mission director Tim Crain said the team was evaluating how to refine the lone signal from the lander, named Odysseus.“But we can confirm, without a doubt, that our equipment is on the surface of the moon," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708649070409.png" alt="Moments before the landing was confirmed-image from NASA video" />
 <figcaption>Moments before the landing was confirmed-image from NASA video</figcaption>
 </figure>Added Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus: “I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface and we are transmitting. Welcome to the moon.”The landing put the U.S. back on the surface for the first time since NASA’s famed Apollo moonwalkers.Intuitive Machines also became the first private business to pull off a lunar landing, a feat achieved by only five countries. Another company gave it a shot last month, but never made it to the moon, and the lander crashed back to Earth.Odysseus descended from a moon-skimming orbit and guided itself toward the surface, searching for a relatively flat spot among all the cliffs and craters near the south pole.Tension mounted in the company's Houston command center following the designated touchdown time, as controllers awaited a signal from the spacecraft some 250,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) away. After close to 15 minutes, the company announced it had received a weak signal from the lander.Launched last week, the six-footed carbon fiber and titanium lander — towering 14 feet (4.3 meters) — carried six experiments for NASA. The space agency gave the company $118 million to build and fly the lander, part of its effort to commercialize lunar deliveries ahead of the planned return of astronauts in a few years.Intuitive Machines' entry is the latest in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-private-company-fed3a76d25c9f68cf20d2b6efd48b593">series of landing attempts</a>&nbsp;by countries and private outfits looking to explore the moon and, if possible, capitalize on it.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-moon-lander-slim-probe-pinpoint-2908c74d9e3c4c8a5eabfb6b1625c617">Japan scored a lunar landing</a>&nbsp;last month, joining earlier triumphs by Russia, U.S., China and India.The U.S. bowed out of the lunar landscape in 1972 after NASA's Apollo program put 12 astronauts on the surface. A Pittsburgh company, Astrobotic Technology, gave it a shot last month, but was derailed by a fuel leak that resulted in the lander plunging back through Earth's atmosphere and burning up.Intuitive Machines’ target was 186 miles (300 kilometers) shy of the south pole, around 80 degrees latitude and closer to the pole than any other spacecraft has come. The site is relatively flat, but surrounded by boulders, hills, cliffs and craters that could hold frozen water, a big part of the allure. The lander was programmed to pick, in real time, the safest spot near the so-called Malapert A crater.The solar-powered lander was intended to operate for a week, until the long lunar night.Besides NASA’s tech and navigation experiments, Intuitive Machines sold space on the lander to Columbia Sportswear to fly its newest insulating jacket fabric; sculptor Jeff Koons for 125 mini moon figurines; and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a set of cameras to capture pictures of the descending lander.------------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708634893763.png" alt="This image provided by Intuitive Machines shows its Odysseus lunar lander over the near side of the moon following lunar orbit insertion on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.&nbsp; (Click below to watch the coverage as long as it is available) " />
 <figcaption>This image provided by Intuitive Machines shows its Odysseus lunar lander over the near side of the moon following lunar orbit insertion on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.&nbsp; (Click below to watch the coverage as long as it is available) </figcaption>
 </figure>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private lunar lander circled the moon while aiming for a touchdown Thursday that would put the U.S. back on the surface for the first time since NASA’s famed Apollo moonwalkers.The Intuitive Machines lunar lander is now scheduled for landing on the surface of the moon at approximately 5:24pm CSTIntuitive Machines was striving to become the first private business to successfully pull off a lunar landing, a feat achieved by only five countries. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-spacecraft-reenter-burned-e7abeeac01711633eaa807b050704084">rival company’s lander missed</a>&nbsp;the moon last month.The newest lander, named Odysseus, reached the moon Wednesday, six days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lander-launch-intuitive-machines-nasa-84092096eadf1ec5bb4042c945cdec7e">rocketing from Kennedy Space Center in Florida</a>. The lander maneuvered into a low lunar orbit in preparation for an early evening touchdown.Flight controllers monitored the action unfolding some 250,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) away from a command center at company headquarters in Houston.The six-footed carbon fiber and titanium lander — towering 14 feet (4.3 meters) — carried six experiments for NASA. The space agency gave the company $118 million to build and fly the lander, part of its effort to commercialize lunar deliveries ahead of the planned return of astronauts in a few years.Intuitive Machines' entry is the latest in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-private-company-fed3a76d25c9f68cf20d2b6efd48b593">series of landing attempts</a>&nbsp;by countries and private outfits looking to explore the moon and, if possible, capitalize on it.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-moon-lander-slim-probe-pinpoint-2908c74d9e3c4c8a5eabfb6b1625c617">Japan scored a lunar landing</a>&nbsp;last month, joining earlier triumphs by Russia, U.S., China and India.The U.S. bowed out of the lunar landscape in 1972 after NASA's Apollo program put 12 astronauts on the surface . A Pittsburgh company, Astrobotic Technology, gave it a shot last month, but was derailed by a fuel leak that resulted in the lander plunging back through Earth's atmosphere and burning up.Intuitive Machines’ target was 186 miles (300 kilometers) shy of the south pole, around 80 degrees latitude and closer to the pole than any other spacecraft has come. The site is relatively flat, but surrounded by boulders, hills, cliffs and craters that could hold frozen water, a big part of the allure. The lander was programmed to pick, in real time, the safest spot near the so-called Malapert A crater.The solar-powered lander was intended to operate for a week, until the long lunar night.Besides NASA’s tech and navigation experiments, Intuitive Machines sold space on the lander to Columbia Sportswear to fly its newest insulating jacket fabric; sculptor Jeff Koons for 125 mini moon figurines; and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a set of cameras to capture pictures of the descending lander.___

🎥Success: First U.S. landing on the moon in a half century

Omaha, NE: The Nebraska Broadcasters Association will induct Kent Boughton, Jane Monnich and

Dave Webber into the NBA Hall of Fame on August 6h in Lincoln during the 89th Annual NBA Convention. Established in 1972, the NBA Hall of Fame will have 118 members with these pending inductees.

Kent Boughton began his broadcasting career at the age of 15 as a disc jockey at KRGI in Grand Island. After graduating from Brown Institute in 1977, Kent began his television career as sports and weather director at KIFI TV in Idaho Falls before returning to Nebraska in 1979 to become weather director at KHAS TV in Hastings. After 12 years on the air, Kent left broadcasting for a few years to see his kids grow up. He returned to the airwaves in 1999 as chief forecaster at KHGI TV in Kearney, where he became the trusted weather source for central Nebraskans for over 20 years. 

A defining moment of Kent’s career at KHGI was his live coverage during the June 3, 1980 tornado that devastated the Grand Island area. An avid outdoorsman, Kent pioneered KHGI’s “Outdoor Files” segment, featuring local hunting and fishing stories. Since retiring in 2023, Kent has found his way back on the air, currently serving as a part-time forecaster on Lincoln’s KLKN TV.

Hired as a news writer for KLIN at Lincoln’s Broadcast House in 1972, little did Jane Monnich know the Broadcast House would be her professional home for the next 48 years. At a time when women were rarely heard on the air, Jane was soon named KLIN’s afternoon news anchor. She moved to morning news in 1973 and in 1976 became KLIN’s morning show co-host with Ron Dean, forming Lincoln’s first male-female radio show. Jane’s passion was always news and over the more than four decades of reporting and anchoring that followed, Jane became known as THE voice of KLIN news.

 Jane covered eight Nebraska Governors, 10 Lincoln Mayors, 11 U.S. Senators and countless state and local elected officials. Above and beyond her outstanding radio reporting career, Jane served as coach and mentor to many, inspiring future broadcasters and paving the way for more women to join the radio airwaves. Jane retired from KLIN in 2020.

In a career now exceeding 50 years, Dave Webber got his start as a disc jockey on Omaha’s KLNG and KFAB before joining KMEG TV in Sioux City as a sports reporter in 1973. Dave returned to Omaha in 1977 as a sports reporter for KMTV before taking the assistant sports director role at Omaha’s WOWT TV in 1978. He quickly rose to sports director and over the next 31 years, Dave didn’t just read the sports, he went out and covered sports including Cornhuskers national championships and bowl games, Creighton NCAA tournament runs, the College World Series, the end of Rosenblatt Stadium, high school sports and more. 

While honored with numerous industry and community service awards, Dave selflessly nurtured other sports reporters throughout his career. One of Omaha’s most-loved TV personalities, Dave semi-retired in 2009. He remains active with WOWT’s high school football coverage and hosts the station’s “Omaha Everyday” feature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708634123989.jpeg" alt="Kent Boughton (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Broadcaster Association)" />
 <figcaption>Kent Boughton (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Broadcaster Association)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska Broadcaster AssociationOmaha, NE: The Nebraska Broadcasters Association will induct Kent Boughton, Jane Monnich andDave Webber into the NBA Hall of Fame on August 6h in Lincoln during the 89th Annual NBA Convention. Established in 1972, the NBA Hall of Fame will have 118 members with these pending inductees.Kent Boughton began his broadcasting career at the age of 15 as a disc jockey at KRGI in Grand Island. After graduating from Brown Institute in 1977, Kent began his television career as sports and weather director at KIFI TV in Idaho Falls before returning to Nebraska in 1979 to become weather director at KHAS TV in Hastings. After 12 years on the air, Kent left broadcasting for a few years to see his kids grow up. He returned to the airwaves in 1999 as chief forecaster at KHGI TV in Kearney, where he became the trusted weather source for central Nebraskans for over 20 years. A defining moment of Kent’s career at KHGI was his live coverage during the June 3, 1980 tornado that devastated the Grand Island area. An avid outdoorsman, Kent pioneered KHGI’s “Outdoor Files” segment, featuring local hunting and fishing stories. Since retiring in 2023, Kent has found his way back on the air, currently serving as a part-time forecaster on Lincoln’s KLKN TV.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708634178827.jpeg" alt="Jane Monnich (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Broadcasters Association)" />
 <figcaption>Jane Monnich (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Broadcasters Association)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hired as a news writer for KLIN at Lincoln’s Broadcast House in 1972, little did Jane Monnich know the Broadcast House would be her professional home for the next 48 years. At a time when women were rarely heard on the air, Jane was soon named KLIN’s afternoon news anchor. She moved to morning news in 1973 and in 1976 became KLIN’s morning show co-host with Ron Dean, forming Lincoln’s first male-female radio show. Jane’s passion was always news and over the more than four decades of reporting and anchoring that followed, Jane became known as THE voice of KLIN news. Jane covered eight Nebraska Governors, 10 Lincoln Mayors, 11 U.S. Senators and countless state and local elected officials. Above and beyond her outstanding radio reporting career, Jane served as coach and mentor to many, inspiring future broadcasters and paving the way for more women to join the radio airwaves. Jane retired from KLIN in 2020.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708634204484.jpeg" alt="Dave Webber (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Broadcaster Association)" />
 <figcaption>Dave Webber (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Broadcaster Association)</figcaption>
 </figure>In a career now exceeding 50 years, Dave Webber got his start as a disc jockey on Omaha’s KLNG and KFAB before joining KMEG TV in Sioux City as a sports reporter in 1973. Dave returned to Omaha in 1977 as a sports reporter for KMTV before taking the assistant sports director role at Omaha’s WOWT TV in 1978. He quickly rose to sports director and over the next 31 years, Dave didn’t just read the sports, he went out and covered sports including Cornhuskers national championships and bowl games, Creighton NCAA tournament runs, the College World Series, the end of Rosenblatt Stadium, high school sports and more. While honored with numerous industry and community service awards, Dave selflessly nurtured other sports reporters throughout his career. One of Omaha’s most-loved TV personalities, Dave semi-retired in 2009. He remains active with WOWT’s high school football coverage and hosts the station’s “Omaha Everyday” feature.

Kent Boughton, Jane Monnich and Dave Webber to join NBA Hall of Fam

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — America's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/casinos">commercial casinos</a>&nbsp;won $66.5 billion from gamblers in 2023, the industry's best year ever, according to figures released by its national trade association Tuesday.

The American Gaming Association said that total was 10% higher than in 2022, which itself was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-miller-las-vegas-atlantic-city-business-8a8dc7f64a4cf095736ee47a85815712">a record-setting year</a>.

When revenue figures from tribal-owned casinos are released separately later this year, they are expected to show that overall casino gambling brought in close to $110 billion to U.S. casino operators in 2023.

That all happened in a year in which inflation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/off-charts-inflation-b37490a0a927b18509ec381e1985c29a">while receding</a>, still kept things like grocery and energy costs higher than they had been.

“From the traditional casino experience to online options, American adults’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gambling">demand for gaming</a>&nbsp;is at an all-time high,” said Bill Miller, the association's president and CEO.

Early last year, when the group gave its annual statistical assessment, “inflation was high, uncertainty was in the air. Forecasters couldn't agree what these challenges might do to discretionary income," Miller said.

As they year went on, “inflation began to cool, consumers began to spend and the (Federal Reserve) held rates steady,” he added. “The result was a record-breaking year for our industry.”

Not even the pre-holiday shopping crunch discouraged gamblers from laying their money down: casinos won $6.2 billion in December and $17.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, both of which set records.

Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at New Jersey's Stockton University, which studies the gambling industry, said sports betting is still new enough that it may prove attractive even to those watching their budgets.

“As a form of entertainment, legal sports betting might be a new and novel experience for many patrons, and with its relatively low cost of entry, may be attractive to them even if their discretionary spending budget is limited,” she said.

In-person gambling remains the bread and butter of the industry. Slot machines brought in $35.51 billion in 2023, an increase of 3.8% from the previous year. Table games brought in $10.31 billion, up 3.5%.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports-betting">Sports betting</a>&nbsp;generated $10.92 billion in revenue, up 44.5%. Americans legally wagered $119.84 billion on sports, up 27.8% from the previous year.

Five new sports betting markets that became operational in 2023 — Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska and Ohio — contributed to that and generated a combined $1.49 billion in revenue.

By the end of the year, Massachusetts and Ohio established themselves among the country’s top 10 sports betting states by revenue, New Jersey and Illinois exceeded $1 billion in annual sports betting revenue for the first time, and New York topped all states with $1.69 billion.

Internet gambling generated $6.17 billion, up 22.9%. While Michigan and New Jersey each generated $1.92 billion in annual internet gambling revenue, Michigan outperformed New Jersey by just $115,500 to become the largest internet gambling market in the country. Pennsylvania was third with $1.74 billion in annual revenue.

Other states offering internet gambling are Connecticut, West Virginia and Delaware; Nevada offers online poker only.

Casinos paid an estimated $14.42 billion in gambling taxes last year, up 9.7% from the previous year.

Nevada remains the nation's top gambling market, with $15.5 billion in revenue. Pennsylvania is second at $5.86 billion, followed closely by Atlantic City at $5.77 billion.

New York is fourth at $4.71 billion, followed by Michigan at $3.58 billion; Ohio at $3.31 billion; Indiana at $2.82 billion; Louisiana at $2.69 billion and Illinois at $2.52 billion.

New York's Resorts World casino reclaimed the title as the top-performing U.S. casino outside Nevada. It was followed by MGM National Harbor near Washington, D.C., Encore Boston Harbor and Atlantic City's Borgata.

Of the 35 states that have commercial casinos, 31 saw revenue increase last year.

Jurisdictions where revenue declined were Florida (-0.4%); Indiana (-2.3%) and Mississippi (-3.5%). The sports betting-only market of Washington, D.C., had a more significant decline, with revenue trailing 2022 by 17.6%, the largest drop in the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708619455749.jpeg" alt="Gamblers play slot machines at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. on Nov. 29, 2023. Figures released on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, by the American Gaming Association show that the U.S. commercial casino industry had its best year ever in 2023, winning $66.5 billion from gamblers. When figures from tribal casinos are tallied later this year, the combined total is expected to approach $110 billion for 2023. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)" />
 <figcaption>Gamblers play slot machines at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. on Nov. 29, 2023. Figures released on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, by the American Gaming Association show that the U.S. commercial casino industry had its best year ever in 2023, winning $66.5 billion from gamblers. When figures from tribal casinos are tallied later this year, the combined total is expected to approach $110 billion for 2023. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — America's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/casinos">commercial casinos</a>&nbsp;won $66.5 billion from gamblers in 2023, the industry's best year ever, according to figures released by its national trade association Tuesday.The American Gaming Association said that total was 10% higher than in 2022, which itself was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-miller-las-vegas-atlantic-city-business-8a8dc7f64a4cf095736ee47a85815712">a record-setting year</a>.When revenue figures from tribal-owned casinos are released separately later this year, they are expected to show that overall casino gambling brought in close to $110 billion to U.S. casino operators in 2023.That all happened in a year in which inflation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/off-charts-inflation-b37490a0a927b18509ec381e1985c29a">while receding</a>, still kept things like grocery and energy costs higher than they had been.“From the traditional casino experience to online options, American adults’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gambling">demand for gaming</a>&nbsp;is at an all-time high,” said Bill Miller, the association's president and CEO.Early last year, when the group gave its annual statistical assessment, “inflation was high, uncertainty was in the air. Forecasters couldn't agree what these challenges might do to discretionary income," Miller said.As they year went on, “inflation began to cool, consumers began to spend and the (Federal Reserve) held rates steady,” he added. “The result was a record-breaking year for our industry.”Not even the pre-holiday shopping crunch discouraged gamblers from laying their money down: casinos won $6.2 billion in December and $17.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, both of which set records.Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at New Jersey's Stockton University, which studies the gambling industry, said sports betting is still new enough that it may prove attractive even to those watching their budgets.“As a form of entertainment, legal sports betting might be a new and novel experience for many patrons, and with its relatively low cost of entry, may be attractive to them even if their discretionary spending budget is limited,” she said.In-person gambling remains the bread and butter of the industry. Slot machines brought in $35.51 billion in 2023, an increase of 3.8% from the previous year. Table games brought in $10.31 billion, up 3.5%.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports-betting">Sports betting</a>&nbsp;generated $10.92 billion in revenue, up 44.5%. Americans legally wagered $119.84 billion on sports, up 27.8% from the previous year.Five new sports betting markets that became operational in 2023 — Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska and Ohio — contributed to that and generated a combined $1.49 billion in revenue.By the end of the year, Massachusetts and Ohio established themselves among the country’s top 10 sports betting states by revenue, New Jersey and Illinois exceeded $1 billion in annual sports betting revenue for the first time, and New York topped all states with $1.69 billion.Internet gambling generated $6.17 billion, up 22.9%. While Michigan and New Jersey each generated $1.92 billion in annual internet gambling revenue, Michigan outperformed New Jersey by just $115,500 to become the largest internet gambling market in the country. Pennsylvania was third with $1.74 billion in annual revenue.Other states offering internet gambling are Connecticut, West Virginia and Delaware; Nevada offers online poker only.Casinos paid an estimated $14.42 billion in gambling taxes last year, up 9.7% from the previous year.Nevada remains the nation's top gambling market, with $15.5 billion in revenue. Pennsylvania is second at $5.86 billion, followed closely by Atlantic City at $5.77 billion.New York is fourth at $4.71 billion, followed by Michigan at $3.58 billion; Ohio at $3.31 billion; Indiana at $2.82 billion; Louisiana at $2.69 billion and Illinois at $2.52 billion.New York's Resorts World casino reclaimed the title as the top-performing U.S. casino outside Nevada. It was followed by MGM National Harbor near Washington, D.C., Encore Boston Harbor and Atlantic City's Borgata.Of the 35 states that have commercial casinos, 31 saw revenue increase last year.Jurisdictions where revenue declined were Florida (-0.4%); Indiana (-2.3%) and Mississippi (-3.5%). The sports betting-only market of Washington, D.C., had a more significant decline, with revenue trailing 2022 by 17.6%, the largest drop in the country.

U.S. casinos won $66.5B in 2023, their best year ever as gamblers showed no economic fear

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Drivers in eight Midwestern states will be able to fuel up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethanol-e15-gasoline-midwest-epa-40550ba65a308617fdc490dcf9e57ad9">higher blend of ethanol</a>&nbsp;throughout the year under a final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The biofuels industry and farming groups, with support of Midwest governors, sought the end of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-smog-environment-4a877e9afc2837609c4a0aee72a042bc">summertime ban</a>&nbsp;on sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol for years. The higher blend has been prohibited because of concerns it could worsen smog during warm weather.

The move reflects the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-debt-ceiling-iowa-ethanol-fb4c486ef4ee2aab944946a187a8c128">importance of ethanol to agriculture</a>. The fuel additive consumes roughly 40% of the nation's corn crop, so higher sales of ethanol could mean greater profits for corn farmers.

The rule, which takes effect in April 2025, will apply in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Those states grow the bulk of the U.S. corn crop and are home to much of the nation's ethanol production.

The EPA said it delayed implementation of the new rule because of concerns there wasn't enough supply to meet demand this summer. Ethanol producers welcomed the change but criticized the EPA for that delay.

“While we are pleased to see EPA has finally approved year-round E15 in these eight states, we are extremely disappointed by the agency’s needless decision to delay implementation until 2025,” the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group, said in a statement. “It’s helpful to finally have some certainty about 2025 and beyond, but what happens this summer?”

Most gasoline sold across the country is blended with 10% ethanol, though 15% blends are becoming increasingly common, especially in the Midwest. E15 summer sales still will not be allowed in most of the country during summer, though agricultural groups are pushing for a nationwide policy change.

The biofuels industry and politicians of both parties have portrayed ethanol as a product that helps farmers, reduces prices at the pump and lessens greenhouse gas releases because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline. However, environmentalists and others have said increased ethanol production can increase carbon releases because it results in more corn production, leading to increased use of fertilizer and greater releases of nitrate. Synthetic and natural fertilizers also are a leading source of water pollution.

The EPA has approved sales of E15 for cars and trucks manufactured after 2000. Grow Energy, another bioenergy trade association, estimates the higher blend will cost consumers 15 cents a gallon less than 10% ethanol.

Petroleum refiners have opposed the Midwest-specific rules, saying a special blend in one region would increase costs and could lead to tighter fuel supplies.

The American Petroleum Institute, a trade group, said a national standard was needed.

“We are concerned this piecemeal approach could weaken the resiliency of the region’s fuel supply chain," Will Hupman, a vice president at the group said in a statement. "We continue to call on Congress to pass the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would bring much needed consistency to the marketplace by allowing for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide, preserving access to E10 and eliminating the need for regional or state-specific waiver petitions.”

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639069226448.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Drivers in eight Midwestern states will be able to fuel up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethanol-e15-gasoline-midwest-epa-40550ba65a308617fdc490dcf9e57ad9">higher blend of ethanol</a>&nbsp;throughout the year under a final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency.The biofuels industry and farming groups, with support of Midwest governors, sought the end of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-smog-environment-4a877e9afc2837609c4a0aee72a042bc">summertime ban</a>&nbsp;on sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol for years. The higher blend has been prohibited because of concerns it could worsen smog during warm weather.The move reflects the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-debt-ceiling-iowa-ethanol-fb4c486ef4ee2aab944946a187a8c128">importance of ethanol to agriculture</a>. The fuel additive consumes roughly 40% of the nation's corn crop, so higher sales of ethanol could mean greater profits for corn farmers.The rule, which takes effect in April 2025, will apply in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Those states grow the bulk of the U.S. corn crop and are home to much of the nation's ethanol production.The EPA said it delayed implementation of the new rule because of concerns there wasn't enough supply to meet demand this summer. Ethanol producers welcomed the change but criticized the EPA for that delay.“While we are pleased to see EPA has finally approved year-round E15 in these eight states, we are extremely disappointed by the agency’s needless decision to delay implementation until 2025,” the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group, said in a statement. “It’s helpful to finally have some certainty about 2025 and beyond, but what happens this summer?”Most gasoline sold across the country is blended with 10% ethanol, though 15% blends are becoming increasingly common, especially in the Midwest. E15 summer sales still will not be allowed in most of the country during summer, though agricultural groups are pushing for a nationwide policy change.The biofuels industry and politicians of both parties have portrayed ethanol as a product that helps farmers, reduces prices at the pump and lessens greenhouse gas releases because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline. However, environmentalists and others have said increased ethanol production can increase carbon releases because it results in more corn production, leading to increased use of fertilizer and greater releases of nitrate. Synthetic and natural fertilizers also are a leading source of water pollution.The EPA has approved sales of E15 for cars and trucks manufactured after 2000. Grow Energy, another bioenergy trade association, estimates the higher blend will cost consumers 15 cents a gallon less than 10% ethanol.Petroleum refiners have opposed the Midwest-specific rules, saying a special blend in one region would increase costs and could lead to tighter fuel supplies.The American Petroleum Institute, a trade group, said a national standard was needed.“We are concerned this piecemeal approach could weaken the resiliency of the region’s fuel supply chain," Will Hupman, a vice president at the group said in a statement. "We continue to call on Congress to pass the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would bring much needed consistency to the marketplace by allowing for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide, preserving access to E10 and eliminating the need for regional or state-specific waiver petitions.”

EPA approves year-round sales of higher ethanol blend in 8 Midwest states

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/rep-adrian-smith-touts-importance-of-international-trade-in-yeutter-institute-speech/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s longest-tenured member of Congress told a University of Nebraska-Lincoln audience Tuesday that American trade needs a jolt of public interest.&nbsp;

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, who chairs the House Ways and Means subcommittee with jurisdiction over international trade, stressed economic importance of trade to Nebraska and the world.

He said his North Star on questions about trade matches that of most farmers, ranchers and manufacturers in his 80-county 3rd Congressional District: “What is the impact on consumers?”

Smith spoke during the fifth annual Clayton Yeutter Institute lecture, named after the late Eustis, Neb., native who served stints as U.S. secretary of agriculture and U.S. trade representative.

Smith said his district’s perceptions of trade have evolved from some negative views of its value pre-2017 to more mixed now. The 3rd District is the nation’s top agricultural producer.

He credited former President Donald Trump and his work with Congress on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement for improving the outlook on trade.&nbsp;

Smith said he appreciates the U.S. ambassador to Mexico trying to engage the Mexican government to again allow importing American biotech white corn, much of it from Nebraska.

“I would like the president to take to a podium anywhere to say what is happening with Mexico is not right,” Smith said of President Joe Biden. “We need to get this resolved.”

Smith said he still disagrees with Trump that tariffs punish other countries more than American consumers. He said Americans typically pay more for goods with tariff protections.

But, he said, when Trump pursued tariffs against China, it brought attention to a real issue of over-reliance on China and helped elevate national discussions about trade.

To Smith, the answer isn’t raising tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. but building new supply chains with other countries that would welcome the investments and jobs.

“Some say if you give tariff relief, you only help China, but we ought not think we cannot develop supply chains with other friendlier countries,” Smith said.&nbsp;

Smith: Biden administration too timid on trade

Smith criticized the Biden administration for being too timid in pursuing new trade deals with Congress.&nbsp;

Ag trade, in particular, ran at a deficit nationally for the second straight year in 2023, which is rare in the modern era. Americans bought $20 million more in ag products from abroad than they sold abroad, the Nebraska Farm Bureau reports.

Experts blame much of that drop on economic conditions abroad, the strength of the dollar and wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Animal feed and fuel had good years in 2023. Most economists expect corn and soybean exports to rebound. The meat outlook is mixed.

“We’ve lost ground,” Smith said. “I’ve gone from describing the situation two years ago as treading water to saying we are taking on water. We should be leading on this.”

He said progress is needed in Asia, where Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership with American allies and China is negotiating. And he wants a deal with the United Kingdom now that it has left the European Union. Smith said he would like to see the U.S. focus on trade with Kenya and other African nations where trade improves the quality of life.&nbsp;

Asked about a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, Smith, like most of his House Republican colleagues, said it would likely need to include measures that address border security.

“It’s my hope that … if we do this right, it could be bipartisan,” Smith said. “But it will probably need an immigration component. I don’t want Vladimir Putin to win.”

A friend of Yeutter’s, Randall Moody, asked why the university would ask a person to speak who voted against accepting the 2020 presidential election results.&nbsp;

Smith said in 2021 he was not trying to pick a different winner. He said he wanted to air concerns about states that have relaxed their rules for mail-in voting and voter registrations.

UNL spokeswoman Leslie Reed said Smith was invited to speak because of his expertise on international trade and his leadership position on the Ways and Means Committee.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708619350511.jpeg" alt="About 50 people listened to U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., talk about international trade on Tuesday night at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>About 50 people listened to U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., talk about international trade on Tuesday night at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/rep-adrian-smith-touts-importance-of-international-trade-in-yeutter-institute-speech/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s longest-tenured member of Congress told a University of Nebraska-Lincoln audience Tuesday that American trade needs a jolt of public interest.&nbsp;U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, who chairs the House Ways and Means subcommittee with jurisdiction over international trade, stressed economic importance of trade to Nebraska and the world.He said his North Star on questions about trade matches that of most farmers, ranchers and manufacturers in his 80-county 3rd Congressional District: “What is the impact on consumers?”Smith spoke during the fifth annual Clayton Yeutter Institute lecture, named after the late Eustis, Neb., native who served stints as U.S. secretary of agriculture and U.S. trade representative.<h2>People’s opinions on trade</h2>Smith said his district’s perceptions of trade have evolved from some negative views of its value pre-2017 to more mixed now. The 3rd District is the nation’s top agricultural producer.He credited former President Donald Trump and his work with Congress on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement for improving the outlook on trade.&nbsp;Smith said he appreciates the U.S. ambassador to Mexico trying to engage the Mexican government to again allow importing American biotech white corn, much of it from Nebraska.“I would like the president to take to a podium anywhere to say what is happening with Mexico is not right,” Smith said of President Joe Biden. “We need to get this resolved.”Smith said he still disagrees with Trump that tariffs punish other countries more than American consumers. He said Americans typically pay more for goods with tariff protections.But, he said, when Trump pursued tariffs against China, it brought attention to a real issue of over-reliance on China and helped elevate national discussions about trade.To Smith, the answer isn’t raising tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. but building new supply chains with other countries that would welcome the investments and jobs.“Some say if you give tariff relief, you only help China, but we ought not think we cannot develop supply chains with other friendlier countries,” Smith said.&nbsp;<h2>Smith: Biden administration too timid on trade</h2>Smith criticized the Biden administration for being too timid in pursuing new trade deals with Congress.&nbsp;Ag trade, in particular, ran at a deficit nationally for the second straight year in 2023, which is rare in the modern era. Americans bought $20 million more in ag products from abroad than they sold abroad, the Nebraska Farm Bureau reports.Experts blame much of that drop on economic conditions abroad, the strength of the dollar and wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Animal feed and fuel had good years in 2023. Most economists expect corn and soybean exports to rebound. The meat outlook is mixed.“We’ve lost ground,” Smith said. “I’ve gone from describing the situation two years ago as treading water to saying we are taking on water. We should be leading on this.”He said progress is needed in Asia, where Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership with American allies and China is negotiating. And he wants a deal with the United Kingdom now that it has left the European Union. Smith said he would like to see the U.S. focus on trade with Kenya and other African nations where trade improves the quality of life.&nbsp;<h2>Ukraine aid, 2020 election</h2>Asked about a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, Smith, like most of his House Republican colleagues, said it would likely need to include measures that address border security.“It’s my hope that … if we do this right, it could be bipartisan,” Smith said. “But it will probably need an immigration component. I don’t want Vladimir Putin to win.”A friend of Yeutter’s, Randall Moody, asked why the university would ask a person to speak who voted against accepting the 2020 presidential election results.&nbsp;Smith said in 2021 he was not trying to pick a different winner. He said he wanted to air concerns about states that have relaxed their rules for mail-in voting and voter registrations.UNL spokeswoman Leslie Reed said Smith was invited to speak because of his expertise on international trade and his leadership position on the Ways and Means Committee.&nbsp;

Rep. Adrian Smith touts importance of international trade in Yeutter Institute speech

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/21/actors-producers-and-screenwriters-testify-for-bill-to-lure-movie-tv-productions-to-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska could become the next “Y’allywood” with the right tax incentives for film and television production, a committee of state legislators was told Wednesday.

Travis Beck, a film location scout who grew up in Lincoln, said $70 million was recently spent in Montana to film a season of the television show, “Yellowstone.”

“We could have filmed that here,” Beck said, if Nebraska had provided financial help for film crews.

Under Legislative Bill 1022, the Cast and Crew Nebraska Act, that could happen. It would provide a production company with refundable income tax credits of 20%. The total credits would be capped at $25 million a year.

State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who introduced the bill, said that Nebraska is &nbsp;currently at the bottom of states that provide film incentives, and that such incentives could help keep young people from leaving the state to pursue careers in the movie industry.

‘Y’allywood’ is Hollywood in Georgia

“Y’allywood” refers to Georgia, a state that Sanders said was the “model” for what movie-making incentives can accomplish.

The Peach State has gone all-in to lure Hollywood productions, providing a record $1.3 billion in incentives in 2022, the most of any state.

An audit reported that nearly 35,000 jobs a year are created in Georgia, but it also said the incentives return just 19 cents in benefits to Georgia for every $1 spent,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/georgia-film-59000-subsidy-per-job-audit-1235838593/">according to Variety</a>.

That report didn’t come up during a public hearing before the Legislature’s Revenue Committee.

Sanders, after the hearing, said each state measures the benefits of its programs differently.

In New Mexico, the senator said, the return on investment from tax credits for films was $7.77 for every $1, with the incentives supporting 8,000 jobs and providing direct and indirect economic impacts of $3.8 billion over the past three fiscal years.

In addition, the Oklahoma film industry brought an estimated $200 million in direct economic impact in fiscal years 2020 and 2021,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tulsaworld.com/life-entertainment/local/movies-tv/cities-tribes-offer-incentives-to-lure-filmmaking-industry-to-oklahoma/article_6b666e66-3228-11ee-af21-eb7aa9d63fc5.html">according to the Tulsa World</a>, and helped provide about 15,000 jobs.

A crew of actors, producers and writers who grew up in Nebraska testified in favor of the proposal, saying they would have preferred to stay in the state to pursue their dreams.

Katy Bodenhamer, an actor who has appeared in “The Office” and Mel Gibson’s latest movie, “Desperation Road,” said she moved back to her hometown of Hershey after living 13 years in Hollywood, although she still flies back to California for roles.

She said that many in the movie business want to move away permanently, for better living conditions. She said the proposed incentives would help her, and young college graduates, to stay in Nebraska.

Maher Jafari, a writer, producer and director who grew up in Omaha, said states that don’t provide tax incentives are “off the board” when projects decide where to shoot films and television shows.

Jafari and others said the time is right to provide incentives for moviemaking because the movie industry is “decentralizing” and seeking to tell stories that aren’t based on either coast.

Even Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson testified in favor of the bill, saying the film industry provides many jobs for skilled trades, including electricians and carpenters, good-paying jobs that help lift people out of poverty.

The Revenue Committee took no action on LB 1022 after the hearing.

Nebraska has, in recent years, provided direct grants for a couple of film projects.

A movie<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/10/chief-standing-bear-movie-project-gets-star-power-lift-deals-with-minor-nebraska-grant-setback/">&nbsp;about Standing Bear,</a>&nbsp;the Ponca chief whose legal battle in 1879 led to recognition of Native Americans as “human beings” under the law, got a $5 million grant.

The state also granted $5 million to a Dallas-based production company to create&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/5-million-state-grant-to-help-pay-for-documentary-about-u-s-stratcom/">a documentary highlighting the history</a>&nbsp;and mission of the U.S. Strategic Command.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708613763959.jpeg" alt="Shelby Hagerdon, an animation producer and writer from Lincoln, testified Wednesday in favor of providing greater tax incentives for film and television production in Nebraska. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Shelby Hagerdon, an animation producer and writer from Lincoln, testified Wednesday in favor of providing greater tax incentives for film and television production in Nebraska. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/21/actors-producers-and-screenwriters-testify-for-bill-to-lure-movie-tv-productions-to-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska could become the next “Y’allywood” with the right tax incentives for film and television production, a committee of state legislators was told Wednesday.Travis Beck, a film location scout who grew up in Lincoln, said $70 million was recently spent in Montana to film a season of the television show, “Yellowstone.”“We could have filmed that here,” Beck said, if Nebraska had provided financial help for film crews.Under Legislative Bill 1022, the Cast and Crew Nebraska Act, that could happen. It would provide a production company with refundable income tax credits of 20%. The total credits would be capped at $25 million a year.State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who introduced the bill, said that Nebraska is &nbsp;currently at the bottom of states that provide film incentives, and that such incentives could help keep young people from leaving the state to pursue careers in the movie industry.<h2>‘Y’allywood’ is Hollywood in Georgia</h2>“Y’allywood” refers to Georgia, a state that Sanders said was the “model” for what movie-making incentives can accomplish.The Peach State has gone all-in to lure Hollywood productions, providing a record $1.3 billion in incentives in 2022, the most of any state.An audit reported that nearly 35,000 jobs a year are created in Georgia, but it also said the incentives return just 19 cents in benefits to Georgia for every $1 spent,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/georgia-film-59000-subsidy-per-job-audit-1235838593/">according to Variety</a>.That report didn’t come up during a public hearing before the Legislature’s Revenue Committee.Sanders, after the hearing, said each state measures the benefits of its programs differently.In New Mexico, the senator said, the return on investment from tax credits for films was $7.77 for every $1, with the incentives supporting 8,000 jobs and providing direct and indirect economic impacts of $3.8 billion over the past three fiscal years.In addition, the Oklahoma film industry brought an estimated $200 million in direct economic impact in fiscal years 2020 and 2021,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tulsaworld.com/life-entertainment/local/movies-tv/cities-tribes-offer-incentives-to-lure-filmmaking-industry-to-oklahoma/article_6b666e66-3228-11ee-af21-eb7aa9d63fc5.html">according to the Tulsa World</a>, and helped provide about 15,000 jobs.<h2>Prefer to stay here</h2>A crew of actors, producers and writers who grew up in Nebraska testified in favor of the proposal, saying they would have preferred to stay in the state to pursue their dreams.Katy Bodenhamer, an actor who has appeared in “The Office” and Mel Gibson’s latest movie, “Desperation Road,” said she moved back to her hometown of Hershey after living 13 years in Hollywood, although she still flies back to California for roles.She said that many in the movie business want to move away permanently, for better living conditions. She said the proposed incentives would help her, and young college graduates, to stay in Nebraska.Maher Jafari, a writer, producer and director who grew up in Omaha, said states that don’t provide tax incentives are “off the board” when projects decide where to shoot films and television shows.Jafari and others said the time is right to provide incentives for moviemaking because the movie industry is “decentralizing” and seeking to tell stories that aren’t based on either coast.Even Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson testified in favor of the bill, saying the film industry provides many jobs for skilled trades, including electricians and carpenters, good-paying jobs that help lift people out of poverty.The Revenue Committee took no action on LB 1022 after the hearing.Nebraska has, in recent years, provided direct grants for a couple of film projects.A movie<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/10/chief-standing-bear-movie-project-gets-star-power-lift-deals-with-minor-nebraska-grant-setback/">&nbsp;about Standing Bear,</a>&nbsp;the Ponca chief whose legal battle in 1879 led to recognition of Native Americans as “human beings” under the law, got a $5 million grant.The state also granted $5 million to a Dallas-based production company to create&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/5-million-state-grant-to-help-pay-for-documentary-about-u-s-stratcom/">a documentary highlighting the history</a>&nbsp;and mission of the U.S. Strategic Command.

Actors, producers and screenwriters testify for bill to lure movie/TV productions to Nebraska

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is considering using provisions of federal immigration law repeatedly tapped by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-ap-top-news-international-news-politics-latin-america-6bef9ed6c48b4c2ea203cbbea3ccacad">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;to unilaterally enact a sweeping crackdown at the southern border, according to three people familiar with the deliberations.

The administration, stymied by Republican lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-058876834b48bacf5b3678b067d8dd9a">who rejected a negotiated border bill</a>&nbsp;earlier this month, has been exploring options that President Joe Biden could deploy on his own without congressional approval, multiple officials and others familiar with the talks said. But the plans are nowhere near finalized and it’s unclear how the administration would draft any such executive actions in a way that would survive the inevitable legal challenges. The officials and those familiar with the talks spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to comment on private ongoing White House discussions.

The exploration of such avenues&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-immigration-congress-government-and-politics-a6b7a3f19297e9d6675fd625634dd41f">by Biden’s team underscores the pressure</a>&nbsp;the president faces this election year on immigration and the border, which have been among his biggest political liabilities since he took office. For now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-immigration-election-2182fec11fa008ec96c4202e5656d19e#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt'll%20also%20give%20me,now%20and%20fix%20it%20quickly.%E2%80%9D">the White House has been hammering congressional Republicans</a>&nbsp;for refusing to act on border legislation that the GOP demanded, but the administration is also aware of the political perils that high numbers of migrants could pose for the president and is scrambling to figure out how Biden could ease the problem on his own.

White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández stressed that “no executive action, no matter how aggressive, can deliver the significant policy reforms and additional resources Congress can provide and that Republicans rejected.”

“The administration spent months negotiating in good faith to deliver the toughest and fairest bipartisan border security bill in decades because we need Congress to make significant policy reforms and to provide additional funding to secure our border and fix our broken immigration system,” he said. “Congressional Republicans chose to put partisan politics ahead of our national security, rejected what border agents have said they need, and then gave themselves a two-week vacation.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-security-migrants-homeland-security-1c6e9f612dff721191c0254f980947a5">Arrests for illegal crossings on the U.S. border with Mexico fell by half</a>&nbsp;in January from record highs in December to the third lowest month of Biden’s presidency. But officials fear those figures could eventually rise again, particularly as the November presidential election nears.

The immigration authority the administration has been looking into is outlined in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives a president broad leeway to block entry of certain immigrants into the United States if it would be “detrimental” to the national interest of the United States.

Trump, who is the likely GOP candidate to face off against Biden this fall, repeatedly leaned on the 212(f) power while in office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3a20abe305bd4c989116f82bf535393b">including his controversial ban to bar travelers from Muslim-majority nations.</a>&nbsp;Biden rescinded that ban on his first day in office through executive order.

But now, how Biden would deploy that power to deal with his own immigration challenges is currently being considered, and it could be used in a variety of ways, according to the people familiar with the discussions. For example, the ban could kick in when border crossings hit a certain number. That echoes a provision in the Senate border deal, which would have activated expulsions of migrants if the number of illegal border crossings reached above 5,000 daily for a five-day average.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has also called on Biden to use the 212(f) authority. Yet the comprehensive immigration overhaul Biden also introduced on his first day in office — which the White House continues to tout — includes provisions that would effectively scale back a president’s powers to bar immigrants under that authority.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671577993523.png" alt="Photo courtesy Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is considering using provisions of federal immigration law repeatedly tapped by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-ap-top-news-international-news-politics-latin-america-6bef9ed6c48b4c2ea203cbbea3ccacad">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;to unilaterally enact a sweeping crackdown at the southern border, according to three people familiar with the deliberations.The administration, stymied by Republican lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-058876834b48bacf5b3678b067d8dd9a">who rejected a negotiated border bill</a>&nbsp;earlier this month, has been exploring options that President Joe Biden could deploy on his own without congressional approval, multiple officials and others familiar with the talks said. But the plans are nowhere near finalized and it’s unclear how the administration would draft any such executive actions in a way that would survive the inevitable legal challenges. The officials and those familiar with the talks spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to comment on private ongoing White House discussions.The exploration of such avenues&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-immigration-congress-government-and-politics-a6b7a3f19297e9d6675fd625634dd41f">by Biden’s team underscores the pressure</a>&nbsp;the president faces this election year on immigration and the border, which have been among his biggest political liabilities since he took office. For now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-immigration-election-2182fec11fa008ec96c4202e5656d19e#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt'll%20also%20give%20me,now%20and%20fix%20it%20quickly.%E2%80%9D">the White House has been hammering congressional Republicans</a>&nbsp;for refusing to act on border legislation that the GOP demanded, but the administration is also aware of the political perils that high numbers of migrants could pose for the president and is scrambling to figure out how Biden could ease the problem on his own.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683151099285.png" alt="White House file photo President Biden at the border&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>White House file photo President Biden at the border&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández stressed that “no executive action, no matter how aggressive, can deliver the significant policy reforms and additional resources Congress can provide and that Republicans rejected.”“The administration spent months negotiating in good faith to deliver the toughest and fairest bipartisan border security bill in decades because we need Congress to make significant policy reforms and to provide additional funding to secure our border and fix our broken immigration system,” he said. “Congressional Republicans chose to put partisan politics ahead of our national security, rejected what border agents have said they need, and then gave themselves a two-week vacation.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-security-migrants-homeland-security-1c6e9f612dff721191c0254f980947a5">Arrests for illegal crossings on the U.S. border with Mexico fell by half</a>&nbsp;in January from record highs in December to the third lowest month of Biden’s presidency. But officials fear those figures could eventually rise again, particularly as the November presidential election nears.The immigration authority the administration has been looking into is outlined in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives a president broad leeway to block entry of certain immigrants into the United States if it would be “detrimental” to the national interest of the United States.Trump, who is the likely GOP candidate to face off against Biden this fall, repeatedly leaned on the 212(f) power while in office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3a20abe305bd4c989116f82bf535393b">including his controversial ban to bar travelers from Muslim-majority nations.</a>&nbsp;Biden rescinded that ban on his first day in office through executive order.But now, how Biden would deploy that power to deal with his own immigration challenges is currently being considered, and it could be used in a variety of ways, according to the people familiar with the discussions. For example, the ban could kick in when border crossings hit a certain number. That echoes a provision in the Senate border deal, which would have activated expulsions of migrants if the number of illegal border crossings reached above 5,000 daily for a five-day average.House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has also called on Biden to use the 212(f) authority. Yet the comprehensive immigration overhaul Biden also introduced on his first day in office — which the White House continues to tout — includes provisions that would effectively scale back a president’s powers to bar immigrants under that authority.

White House considering new border crackdown

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A suspected missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels set a ship ablaze in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday as Israel intercepted what appeared to be another Houthi attack near the port city of Eilat, authorities said.

The attacks come as the rebels escalate their assaults over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.

The attack Thursday in the Gulf of Aden saw two missiles fired, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. It said the unnamed ship was ablaze, without elaborating.

Ship-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press identified the vessel ablaze as a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander. It had been coming from Thailand bound for Egypt and previously sent out messages saying “SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD” to potentially avoid being targeted by the Houthis.

“The missile attack lead to a fire onboard and coalition military assets were responding to the incident,” the private security firm Ambrey said.

The ship's Liberian-listed owners could not be immediately reached for comment.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A suspected missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels set a ship ablaze in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday as Israel intercepted what appeared to be another Houthi attack near the port city of Eilat, authorities said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. Department of State statement condemning the reckless and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cargo ships by the Houthis.<a href="https://t.co/MYUMPCP9WD">https://t.co/MYUMPCP9WD</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1760450457494077647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The attacks come as the rebels escalate their assaults over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.The attack Thursday in the Gulf of Aden saw two missiles fired, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. It said the unnamed ship was ablaze, without elaborating.Ship-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press identified the vessel ablaze as a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander. It had been coming from Thailand bound for Egypt and previously sent out messages saying “SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD” to potentially avoid being targeted by the Houthis.“The missile attack lead to a fire onboard and coalition military assets were responding to the incident,” the private security firm Ambrey said.The ship's Liberian-listed owners could not be immediately reached for comment.Meanwhile, sirens sounded early Thursday morning over Eilat, followed by videos posted online of what appeared to be an interception in the sky overhead.The Israeli military later said the interception was carried out by its Arrow missile defense system.Israel did not identify what the fire was, nor where it came from. However, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-israel-missile-defense-arrow-61f9019cc118b806be40c9167b490c60">Arrow system intercepts long-range ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;with a warhead designed to destroy targets while they are in space.The system “successfully intercepted a launch which was identified in the area of the Red Sea and was en route to Israel,” the Israeli military said. “The target did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to civilians.”The Houthis did not immediately claim either attack. They typically acknowledge assaults they conduct hours afterward.Eilat, on the Red Sea, is a key port city of Israel. On Oct. 31, Houthis first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-yemen-houthis-iran-34eab8bc1d3cf3606d874166fef2f018">claimed a missile-and-drone barrage targeting the city</a>. The rebels have claimed other attacks targeting Eilat, which have caused no damage in the city.Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over Israel’s war against Hamas. They have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for trade among Asia, the Mideast and Europe. Those vessels have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-ship-missile-houthi-rebels-attack-bab-elmandeb-strait-999b911c916f9266c07a6d29cc020e9e">at least one with cargo for Iran</a>, the Houthis’ main benefactor.Despite a month of U.S.-led airstrikes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-houthis-d770a3fb0fab4c4b72e2459771833e11">Houthi rebels remain capable</a>&nbsp;of launching significant attacks. This week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-red-sea-israel-hamas-6ac2a1bf5032ed0531258816907cfe2c">they seriously damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone</a>&nbsp;worth tens of millions of dollars. The Houthis insist their attacks will continue until Israel stops its combat operations in the Gaza Strip, which have enraged the wider Arab world and seen the Houthis gain international recognition.On Wednesday, ships in the Red Sea off the Houthi-held port city of Hodeida in Yemen reported seeing an explosion, though all vessels in the area were said to be safe, the UKTMO said. The UKMTO earlier reported heavy drone activity in the area.The U.S. military’s Central Command acknowledged shooting down a Houthi bomb-carrying drone during that time. U.S. airstrikes separately targeted seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile anti-ship ballistic missile prepared to target ships in the Red Sea, Central Command said.The U.S. State Department criticized “the reckless and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cargo ships by the Houthis” that have delayed humanitarian aid including food and medicine bound for Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen. That includes the Sea Champion, a ship carrying corn and other aid to both Aden and Hodeida.“Contrary to what the Houthis may attempt to claim, their attacks do nothing to help the Palestinians,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. “Their actions are not bringing a single morsel of assistance or food to the Palestinian people.”