Lincoln – Supporters of the effort to repeal LB753 say Nebraska’s Constitution gives voters the right to repeal “any act” of the legislature and that the measure must stay on the ballot for voters to decide.

Support Our Schools Nebraska gathered 117,415 signatures in fewer than 90 days last summer to let voters decide the fate of LB753’s plan to divert tax dollars to private schools. The petition was certified as meeting all legal requirements to put the issue on the ballot by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen on October 10. On January 9, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan sent a letter to Evnen asking him to reverse the certification.

“Sen. Linehan and the billionaires pushing this tax scheme are afraid to let Nebraskans vote on whether they want tax dollars diverted to private schools,” said Tim Royers, a sponsor of Support Our Schools Nebraska and president of the Millard Education Association. “Linehan and her lemmings failed miserably in their attempt to derail the petition drive so now they’re pushing a bogus legal claim in their desperation to deny Nebraskans their right to vote on the issue.”

In a letter to Evnen, Support Our Schools Nebraska attorneys write that Evnen should reject Linehan’s request for “at least two separate and independent reasons.”

“First, Senator Linehan’s objections exceed the scope of your pre-election review. As discussed below, a legal sufficiency determination is procedural in nature, limited only to the form of the petition and the technical requirements of the sponsors. Senator Linehan’s request is substantive in nature, raising substantive constitutional challenges that are not ripe for review. Because substantive ballot challenges cannot be decided before an election, Senator Linehan’s request should be denied.

Second, Senator Linehan’s arguments fail as a matter of law. Her attempt to limit the referendum right is foreclosed by the plain text of the Constitution, which reserves to the people the right to repeal “any act” of the Legislature. Further, the Senator’s reliance on revenue generating provisions is misplaced because LB 753 reduces the state’s revenue through corporate and individual tax breaks. Senator Linehan’s arguments are without merit, and you should reject them as a matter of law.”

“Nebraska is the only state in the nation with a one-house legislature. The people of Nebraska, through our initiative and referendum process, serve as the second house,” said Royers. “The referendum is a right and a power reserved for the voters. Sen. Linehan’s attempt to infringe on that right undermines our democracy, stifles public participation, and removes a check on elected officials that is a hallmark of Nebraska’s unicameral system.”

Royers said Support Our Schools Nebraska will continue its work to protect the right of Nebraskans to vote on the repeal of L753. For more information on the effort, visit: Website: https://supportourschoolsnebraska.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOSNebraska Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOSNebraska Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sosnebraska/

Karen KilgarinSupport Our SchoolsLincoln – Supporters of the effort to repeal LB753 say Nebraska’s Constitution gives voters the right to repeal “any act” of the legislature and that the measure must stay on the ballot for voters to decide.Support Our Schools Nebraska gathered 117,415 signatures in fewer than 90 days last summer to let voters decide the fate of LB753’s plan to divert tax dollars to private schools. The petition was certified as meeting all legal requirements to put the issue on the ballot by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen on October 10. On January 9, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan sent a letter to Evnen asking him to reverse the certification.“Sen. Linehan and the billionaires pushing this tax scheme are afraid to let Nebraskans vote on whether they want tax dollars diverted to private schools,” said Tim Royers, a sponsor of Support Our Schools Nebraska and president of the Millard Education Association. “Linehan and her lemmings failed miserably in their attempt to derail the petition drive so now they’re pushing a bogus legal claim in their desperation to deny Nebraskans their right to vote on the issue.”In a letter to Evnen, Support Our Schools Nebraska attorneys write that Evnen should reject Linehan’s request for “at least two separate and independent reasons.”“First, Senator Linehan’s objections exceed the scope of your pre-election review. As discussed below, a legal sufficiency determination is procedural in nature, limited only to the form of the petition and the technical requirements of the sponsors. Senator Linehan’s request is substantive in nature, raising substantive constitutional challenges that are not ripe for review. Because substantive ballot challenges cannot be decided before an election, Senator Linehan’s request should be denied.Second, Senator Linehan’s arguments fail as a matter of law. Her attempt to limit the referendum right is foreclosed by the plain text of the Constitution, which reserves to the people the right to repeal “any act” of the Legislature. Further, the Senator’s reliance on revenue generating provisions is misplaced because LB 753 reduces the state’s revenue through corporate and individual tax breaks. Senator Linehan’s arguments are without merit, and you should reject them as a matter of law.”“Nebraska is the only state in the nation with a one-house legislature. The people of Nebraska, through our initiative and referendum process, serve as the second house,” said Royers. “The referendum is a right and a power reserved for the voters. Sen. Linehan’s attempt to infringe on that right undermines our democracy, stifles public participation, and removes a check on elected officials that is a hallmark of Nebraska’s unicameral system.”Royers said Support Our Schools Nebraska will continue its work to protect the right of Nebraskans to vote on the repeal of L753. For more information on the effort, visit: Website: https://supportourschoolsnebraska.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOSNebraska Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOSNebraska Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sosnebraska/

Voters can repeal “any act” of the Legislature, LB753 must remain on ballot

WASHINGTON (AP) — The maker of Robitussin cough syrup is recalling several lots of products containing honey due to contamination that could pose a serious risk to people with weakened immune systems.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/haleon-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-robitussin-honey-cf-max-day-adult-and-robitussin-honey-cf">Click here </a>to read the USDA advisory

Haleon’s recall covers eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult, which were distributed to stores and pharmacy suppliers. The Food and Drug Administration posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/haleon-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-robitussin-honey-cf-max-day-adult-and-robitussin-honey-cf">company's announcement</a>&nbsp;to its website Wednesday.

The products may contain dangerously high levels of yeast, the company said in an emailed message Thursday. Yeast is a natural component of honey, but the levels detected by the company were “beyond allowed measurements,” Haleon said.

Ingestion of the contaminated syrup could result in severe fungal infections that would be potentially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients or those with HIV. Several million people in the U.S. have conditions that impair the immune system’s ability to fight off infections.

For most healthy individuals, any infections resulting from the products are unlikely to be serious, said the company, which is based in the U.K. and has its U.S. headquarters in New Jersey.

Haleon said it has not received any reports of injury or infection linked to the products, which have expiration dates ranging from October 2025 to June 2026.

People who have used the product should contact a health provider if they think they're experiencing any problem related to the recall. They can also report the problem to the FDA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program/reporting-serious-problems-fda">online system</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706209128138.png" alt="FDA image" />
 <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The maker of Robitussin cough syrup is recalling several lots of products containing honey due to contamination that could pose a serious risk to people with weakened immune systems.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/haleon-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-robitussin-honey-cf-max-day-adult-and-robitussin-honey-cf">Click here </a>to read the USDA advisoryHaleon’s recall covers eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult, which were distributed to stores and pharmacy suppliers. The Food and Drug Administration posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/haleon-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-robitussin-honey-cf-max-day-adult-and-robitussin-honey-cf">company's announcement</a>&nbsp;to its website Wednesday.The products may contain dangerously high levels of yeast, the company said in an emailed message Thursday. Yeast is a natural component of honey, but the levels detected by the company were “beyond allowed measurements,” Haleon said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706209168223.png" alt="Location of Lot/Expiration -FDA image" />
 <figcaption>Location of Lot/Expiration -FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>Ingestion of the contaminated syrup could result in severe fungal infections that would be potentially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients or those with HIV. Several million people in the U.S. have conditions that impair the immune system’s ability to fight off infections.For most healthy individuals, any infections resulting from the products are unlikely to be serious, said the company, which is based in the U.K. and has its U.S. headquarters in New Jersey.Haleon said it has not received any reports of injury or infection linked to the products, which have expiration dates ranging from October 2025 to June 2026.People who have used the product should contact a health provider if they think they're experiencing any problem related to the recall. They can also report the problem to the FDA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program/reporting-serious-problems-fda">online system</a>.

Robitussin maker recalls several lots of cough syrup

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/rep-mike-flood-files-to-run-again-for-u-s-house/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., filed to run for re-election Wednesday, a day after drawing a Democratic challenger in 2024, State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue.

Flood won the 1st District seat in a 2022 special election held after former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry resigned following three felony campaign finance-related convictions. (Fortenberry has since had his convictions reversed because his trial was held in California and not where the statements prosecutors said misled the FBI took place.)

Flood won a first full term in November 2022. In both races, he defeated then-State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks.

He has spent much of his time in Congress discussing taxes and spending and cryptocurrency. Like much of the GOP caucus, Flood has focused more recently on border security.

Flood’s Democratic critics, including Blood, have criticized him for straying from what they described as his more middle-ground approach when he served as speaker in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature.

Flood has said in previous interviews that he was always conservative. He proposed and helped enact Nebraska’s 20-week abortion ban and co-authored a proposed fuller ban.

“In Congress, I’ve kept my promises to Nebraskans by standing against government overreach, cutting $2.1 trillion from the federal budget, and voting for a comprehensive border security package,” Flood said in a statement from his campaign.

He said he would continue speaking up for the “common sense priorities of Nebraska’s First District.” Thus far, he has drawn no GOP challengers.

Blood, who represents eastern Sarpy County, is set to formally announce her bid on Saturday in Lincoln, the largest city in the 1st District, which also includes Norfolk, Flood’s hometown.

She has criticized the House of Representatives’ dysfunction under GOP control and pledged to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security from tweaks that might cut benefits.

As of the last federal campaign finance reporting period, Flood listed $235,000 in campaign cash on hand. Last year, Blood listed $2,700 in cash on hand left from her gubernatorial bid.

She raised $636,000 in her Democratic bid for governor in 2022. She lost that race to Republican Jim Pillen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706199628581.jpeg" alt="U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., signs paperwork at the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office to file to run for re-election in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District. (Courtesy of Flood for Congress campaign)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., signs paperwork at the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office to file to run for re-election in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District. (Courtesy of Flood for Congress campaign)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/rep-mike-flood-files-to-run-again-for-u-s-house/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., filed to run for re-election Wednesday, a day after drawing a Democratic challenger in 2024, State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue.Flood won the 1st District seat in a 2022 special election held after former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry resigned following three felony campaign finance-related convictions. (Fortenberry has since had his convictions reversed because his trial was held in California and not where the statements prosecutors said misled the FBI took place.)Flood won a first full term in November 2022. In both races, he defeated then-State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks.He has spent much of his time in Congress discussing taxes and spending and cryptocurrency. Like much of the GOP caucus, Flood has focused more recently on border security.Flood’s Democratic critics, including Blood, have criticized him for straying from what they described as his more middle-ground approach when he served as speaker in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature.Flood has said in previous interviews that he was always conservative. He proposed and helped enact Nebraska’s 20-week abortion ban and co-authored a proposed fuller ban.“In Congress, I’ve kept my promises to Nebraskans by standing against government overreach, cutting $2.1 trillion from the federal budget, and voting for a comprehensive border security package,” Flood said in a statement from his campaign.He said he would continue speaking up for the “common sense priorities of Nebraska’s First District.” Thus far, he has drawn no GOP challengers.Blood, who represents eastern Sarpy County, is set to formally announce her bid on Saturday in Lincoln, the largest city in the 1st District, which also includes Norfolk, Flood’s hometown.She has criticized the House of Representatives’ dysfunction under GOP control and pledged to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security from tweaks that might cut benefits.As of the last federal campaign finance reporting period, Flood listed $235,000 in campaign cash on hand. Last year, Blood listed $2,700 in cash on hand left from her gubernatorial bid.She raised $636,000 in her Democratic bid for governor in 2022. She lost that race to Republican Jim Pillen.

Rep. Mike Flood files to run again for U.S. House

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump White House official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/peter-navarro">Peter Navarro</a>, who was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-5a1ad57112fde21084f028913b9fdc94">the Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced on Thursday to four months behind bars.

He was the second Trump aide convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/steve-bannon-donald-trump-congress-mark-meadows-subpoenas-70fcf59323df874b4a0def1f4c1222cc">contempt of Congress charges</a>. Former White House adviser Steve Bannon previously received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-congress-donald-trump-sentencing-36d412eba9e1609a030859852378ae3d">a four-month sentence</a>&nbsp;but is free pending appeal.

Navarro was found guilty of defying a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House Jan. 6 committee. He served as a White House trade adviser under then-President Donald Trump and later promoted the Republican’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;of mass voter fraud in the 2020 election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta told Navarro that it took “chutzpah” for him to assert that he accepted responsibility for his actions while also suggesting that his prosecution was politically motivated.

“You are not a victim. You are not the object of a political prosecution,” the judge said. “These are circumstances of your own making."

Navarro's attorneys filed a notice that he is appealing his conviction and sentence.

Navarro has said he couldn’t cooperate with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-committee-final-report-trump-bcfea6162fe9cfa0d120e86d069af0e4">the committee</a>&nbsp;because Trump had invoked executive privilege. The judge barred him from making that argument at trial, however, finding that he didn’t show Trump had actually invoked it.

Navarro said in court before his sentencing Thursday that the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack had led him to believe that it accepted his invocation of executive privilege.

“Nobody in my position should be put in conflict between the legislative branch and the executive branch,” he told the judge.

Mehta said that asserting executive privilege is not “magic dust to avoid a duty."

“It's not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” the judge added.

A federal prosecutor, John Crabb Jr., told the judge that the Justice Department enforces the law “without fear, favor or political influence.”

“This is a righteous prosecution,” Crabb said.

More than 1,200 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. More than 100 police officers were injured during clashes with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;who disrupted the joint session of Congress for certifying Biden's victory over Trump.

The House committee spent 18 months investigating the insurrection, interviewing over 1,000 witnesses, holding 10 hearings and obtaining more than 1 million pages of documents.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-committee-final-report-trump-bcfea6162fe9cfa0d120e86d069af0e4">In its final report</a>, the panel ultimately concluded that Trump criminally engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the election results and failed to act to stop his supporters from storming the Capitol.

Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has denied doing anything wrong.

Navarro’s lawyers had advised him not to address the judge on Thursday, but he said he wanted to speak after hearing the judge express disappointment in him. Responding to a question about why he didn’t initially seek a lawyer’s counsel, he told the judge, “I didn’t know what to do, sir.”

The judge said Navarro should have known how to respond to a subpoena from the House committee because he received one several weeks after Bannon was charged with criminal contempt of Congress.

“I know you think it's a political hatchet job,” Mehta told Navarro. "(The House committee) had a job to do, and you made it harder. It's really that simple."

The judge is allowing Navarro’s defense to submit a written brief on the question of allowing him to remain free pending appeal.

Justice Department prosecutors said Navarro tried to “hide behind claims of privilege” even before he knew what the committee wanted, showing a “disdain” for the committee that should warrant a longer sentence. Prosecutors had asked a judge to sentence him to six months behind bars and impose a $200,000 fine.

Defense attorneys said Trump did claim&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1890f544201941b490a8fd165c63203e">executive privilege</a>, putting Navarro in an “untenable position,” and they had asked for a sentence of probation and a $100 fine.

The judge ordered Navarro to pay a $9,500 fine.

Defense attorney Stanley Woodward said Navarro believed that he was “duty bound” to assert executive privilege.

“He need not be punished to prove a point,” Woodward told the judge.

Bannon, who also made executive-privilege arguments, was convicted of two counts.

Navarro’s sentencing comes after a judge rejected his bid for a new trial. His attorneys had argued that jurors may have been improperly influenced by political protesters outside the courthouse when they took a break from deliberations. Shortly after their break, the jurors found Navarro guilty of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706205024532.png" alt="File photo -In September, Peter Navarro reacted to a jury finding him guilty of contempt of Congress-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo -In September, Peter Navarro reacted to a jury finding him guilty of contempt of Congress-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump White House official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/peter-navarro">Peter Navarro</a>, who was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-5a1ad57112fde21084f028913b9fdc94">the Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced on Thursday to four months behind bars.He was the second Trump aide convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/steve-bannon-donald-trump-congress-mark-meadows-subpoenas-70fcf59323df874b4a0def1f4c1222cc">contempt of Congress charges</a>. Former White House adviser Steve Bannon previously received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-congress-donald-trump-sentencing-36d412eba9e1609a030859852378ae3d">a four-month sentence</a>&nbsp;but is free pending appeal.Navarro was found guilty of defying a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House Jan. 6 committee. He served as a White House trade adviser under then-President Donald Trump and later promoted the Republican’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;of mass voter fraud in the 2020 election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta told Navarro that it took “chutzpah” for him to assert that he accepted responsibility for his actions while also suggesting that his prosecution was politically motivated.“You are not a victim. You are not the object of a political prosecution,” the judge said. “These are circumstances of your own making."Navarro's attorneys filed a notice that he is appealing his conviction and sentence.Navarro has said he couldn’t cooperate with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-committee-final-report-trump-bcfea6162fe9cfa0d120e86d069af0e4">the committee</a>&nbsp;because Trump had invoked executive privilege. The judge barred him from making that argument at trial, however, finding that he didn’t show Trump had actually invoked it.Navarro said in court before his sentencing Thursday that the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack had led him to believe that it accepted his invocation of executive privilege.“Nobody in my position should be put in conflict between the legislative branch and the executive branch,” he told the judge.Mehta said that asserting executive privilege is not “magic dust to avoid a duty."“It's not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” the judge added.A federal prosecutor, John Crabb Jr., told the judge that the Justice Department enforces the law “without fear, favor or political influence.”“This is a righteous prosecution,” Crabb said.More than 1,200 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. More than 100 police officers were injured during clashes with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;who disrupted the joint session of Congress for certifying Biden's victory over Trump.The House committee spent 18 months investigating the insurrection, interviewing over 1,000 witnesses, holding 10 hearings and obtaining more than 1 million pages of documents.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-committee-final-report-trump-bcfea6162fe9cfa0d120e86d069af0e4">In its final report</a>, the panel ultimately concluded that Trump criminally engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the election results and failed to act to stop his supporters from storming the Capitol.Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has denied doing anything wrong.Navarro’s lawyers had advised him not to address the judge on Thursday, but he said he wanted to speak after hearing the judge express disappointment in him. Responding to a question about why he didn’t initially seek a lawyer’s counsel, he told the judge, “I didn’t know what to do, sir.”The judge said Navarro should have known how to respond to a subpoena from the House committee because he received one several weeks after Bannon was charged with criminal contempt of Congress.“I know you think it's a political hatchet job,” Mehta told Navarro. "(The House committee) had a job to do, and you made it harder. It's really that simple."The judge is allowing Navarro’s defense to submit a written brief on the question of allowing him to remain free pending appeal.Justice Department prosecutors said Navarro tried to “hide behind claims of privilege” even before he knew what the committee wanted, showing a “disdain” for the committee that should warrant a longer sentence. Prosecutors had asked a judge to sentence him to six months behind bars and impose a $200,000 fine.Defense attorneys said Trump did claim&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1890f544201941b490a8fd165c63203e">executive privilege</a>, putting Navarro in an “untenable position,” and they had asked for a sentence of probation and a $100 fine.The judge ordered Navarro to pay a $9,500 fine.Defense attorney Stanley Woodward said Navarro believed that he was “duty bound” to assert executive privilege.“He need not be punished to prove a point,” Woodward told the judge.Bannon, who also made executive-privilege arguments, was convicted of two counts.Navarro’s sentencing comes after a judge rejected his bid for a new trial. His attorneys had argued that jurors may have been improperly influenced by political protesters outside the courthouse when they took a break from deliberations. Shortly after their break, the jurors found Navarro guilty of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress.

Trump advisor appeals prison sentence for defying House Jan. 6 subpoena

A Colorado man was sentenced today to 39 months in prison for a hate crime charge in connection with a fire that he set to a church in Loveland, Colorado, on Jan. 19, 2023. Darion Ray Sexton, 22, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge on May 5, 2023.

“This defendant has now been held accountable for his deliberate attack on the church,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should live in fear because of their religious beliefs. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who seek to destroy houses of worship and interfere with the fundamental right to practice religion freely.”

“Places of worship are critical for our communities, and this office stands ready to protect them,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado.&nbsp; “Religious freedom means being free to worship without fear. Our office will take every appropriate action to ensure that every Coloradan enjoys this essential freedom.”&nbsp;

“This defendant admitted he set out to destroy this church, which was determined to be a federal hate crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark D. Michalek of the FBI Denver Field Office. “FBI Denver worked with the Loveland Police Department to bring this man to justice. Anyone who attacks a house of worship will get the full attention of the FBI. In addition to seeking justice for these crimes, the FBI remains committed to providing resources for potential victims, such as the event with faith leaders held in this county the day before the crime occurred.”

“Arson is not only destructive and deadly, but also undermines the sense of safety within places of worship,” said Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “We immediately committed all ATF resources to addressing the impact of this arson by deploying our certified fire investigator, an ATF Task Force Officer with their ATF trained accelerant detection canine and ATF Laboratory services to analyze fire debris and evidence. Early and continued collaboration with our local and federal partners ensured justice once again prevailed.”

According to court documents, Sexton pleaded guilty to intentionally setting fire to the church in the evening hours of Jan. 19, 2023. Sexton admitted that he set this fire by throwing two Molotov cocktails at the church — one at the front door and the other at the basement. Sexton further admitted that he was motivated to set this fire due to the religious character of the church and that he intended to destroy the church. &nbsp;

The FBI, ATF and the Loveland Police and Fire Departments conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan D. Fields for the District of Colorado and Trial Attorney Maura White of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.&nbsp;

FBIA Colorado man was sentenced today to 39 months in prison for a hate crime charge in connection with a fire that he set to a church in Loveland, Colorado, on Jan. 19, 2023. Darion Ray Sexton, 22, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge on May 5, 2023.“This defendant has now been held accountable for his deliberate attack on the church,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should live in fear because of their religious beliefs. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who seek to destroy houses of worship and interfere with the fundamental right to practice religion freely.”“Places of worship are critical for our communities, and this office stands ready to protect them,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado.&nbsp; “Religious freedom means being free to worship without fear. Our office will take every appropriate action to ensure that every Coloradan enjoys this essential freedom.”&nbsp;“This defendant admitted he set out to destroy this church, which was determined to be a federal hate crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark D. Michalek of the FBI Denver Field Office. “FBI Denver worked with the Loveland Police Department to bring this man to justice. Anyone who attacks a house of worship will get the full attention of the FBI. In addition to seeking justice for these crimes, the FBI remains committed to providing resources for potential victims, such as the event with faith leaders held in this county the day before the crime occurred.”“Arson is not only destructive and deadly, but also undermines the sense of safety within places of worship,” said Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “We immediately committed all ATF resources to addressing the impact of this arson by deploying our certified fire investigator, an ATF Task Force Officer with their ATF trained accelerant detection canine and ATF Laboratory services to analyze fire debris and evidence. Early and continued collaboration with our local and federal partners ensured justice once again prevailed.”According to court documents, Sexton pleaded guilty to intentionally setting fire to the church in the evening hours of Jan. 19, 2023. Sexton admitted that he set this fire by throwing two Molotov cocktails at the church — one at the front door and the other at the basement. Sexton further admitted that he was motivated to set this fire due to the religious character of the church and that he intended to destroy the church. &nbsp;The FBI, ATF and the Loveland Police and Fire Departments conducted the investigation.Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan D. Fields for the District of Colorado and Trial Attorney Maura White of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.&nbsp;

Colorado Man Sentenced for Church Arson in Federal Hate Crime Case

(LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an incident during which a subject died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while talking with law enforcement officers in David City.

The incident occurred Tuesday at approximately 5:10 p.m., when David City officers and Butler County deputies were called to a report of a suicidal party at a residence in the 200 block of N. 4th&nbsp;Street in David City. The subject was located on a back porch of the residence and was observed with a handgun. A trooper also arrived on scene to assist.

After lengthy attempts to convince the subject not to harm himself, the subject fired one shot at himself. Officers immediately provided aid. The subject was transported to Butler County Health Care Center where he was pronounced deceased.

No law enforcement officers were injured in this incident. No officers fired a weapon during the incident. Because the death occurred during an interaction with law enforcement, the Butler County Attorney’s Office has requested the Nebraska State Patrol conduct an in-custody death investigation.

By Cody ThomasNebraska State Patrol(LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an incident during which a subject died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while talking with law enforcement officers in David City.The incident occurred Tuesday at approximately 5:10 p.m., when David City officers and Butler County deputies were called to a report of a suicidal party at a residence in the 200 block of N. 4th&nbsp;Street in David City. The subject was located on a back porch of the residence and was observed with a handgun. A trooper also arrived on scene to assist.After lengthy attempts to convince the subject not to harm himself, the subject fired one shot at himself. Officers immediately provided aid. The subject was transported to Butler County Health Care Center where he was pronounced deceased.No law enforcement officers were injured in this incident. No officers fired a weapon during the incident. Because the death occurred during an interaction with law enforcement, the Butler County Attorney’s Office has requested the Nebraska State Patrol conduct an in-custody death investigation.

Nebraska State Patrol Investigating Death in David City   

NEW YORK (AP)—Melanie, the singer-songwriter who rose through the New York folk scene, performed at Woodstock and had a series of 1970s hits including the enduring cultural phenomenon “Brand New Key," has died.

Her publicist Billy James told The Associated Press that Melanie died Tuesday. She was 76 and lived in central Tennessee. The cause was not immediately revealed.

“Our world is much dimmer, the colors of a dreary, rainy Tennessee pale with her absence today,” her children Leilah, Jeordie and Beau Jarred, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/therealmelaniesafka/posts/pfbid0VXHJvGvN2e8deibnbntrZRMr7eUmhQaFwkfpa5rT73jmjc51nCZj5UDzwgigveijl">post on her Facebook page</a>&nbsp;announcing her death.

With a voice that could shift from high-pitched and coy to a deep soulful rasp, Melanie wrote and sang hits including “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma" and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)."

She was best known for “Brand New Key,” a song from her 1971 album “Gather Me” that she wrote about about a girl who bikes and skates past the house of a boy she longs for. It became a No. 1 hit in the U.S. and several other countries.

With echoes of the popular songs of the ‘20s and ’30s, it combines a youthful simplicity with a winking adult sophistication in its chorus:

“Well, I’ve got a brand-new pair of roller skates, you’ve got a brand-new key, I think that we should get together, and try them on to see.”

She would say in later interviews that she didn't necessarily intend sexual innuendo in the song, but those who heard it weren't necessarily wrong.

“I probably have a quirky way of writing, and I think I was misunderstood,” she told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/10/09/woodstock-star-melanie-safka-plans-rare-show/16871675/">the Tennessean</a>&nbsp;newspaper in 2014. “I had this smiling, cherubic thing, and I think that worked against me. Girls with guitars who were relevant were angst-filled and angular.”

The song has had several revivals in the decades since. It had a key place in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 film “Boogie Nights” and was lip-synced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/754008/melissa-mccarthy-gets-a-standing-ovation-for-the-messiest-most-surprising-lip-sync-battle-yet">Jimmy Fallon</a>&nbsp;on “The Tonight Show” in 2016.

Born Melanie Safka, the daughter of a jazz singer, in Queens, New York, she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and performed in the coffee houses of Greenwich Village and other New York folk hubs.

She released her self-titled debut album in 1969, and had hit songs in Europe with “Bobo's Party” and “Beautiful People.”

That summer, she was one of only three female solo performers, along with Joan Baez and Janis Joplin, to perform at the generation-defining Woodstock Music and Art Fair in upstate New York.

The candles the crowd held up during her opening-night set at the festival inspired her first U.S. hit, 1970's “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” which went to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year came “Look What They've Done to My Song Ma,” which would be covered by artists from Ray Charles to Miley Cyrus and adapted into commercial jingles for decades after.

“People in the Front Row,” a danceable jam from 1971's “Garden in the City,” got prominent placement in the most recent season of “Black Mirror.”

By the mid-1970s her popularity waned, but she would maintain a following and keep recording and playing live into the 2010s.

Melanie was married to her manager and producer Peter Schekeryk from 1968 until his death in 2010. They had three kids together.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706193486058.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP)—Melanie, the singer-songwriter who rose through the New York folk scene, performed at Woodstock and had a series of 1970s hits including the enduring cultural phenomenon “Brand New Key," has died.Her publicist Billy James told The Associated Press that Melanie died Tuesday. She was 76 and lived in central Tennessee. The cause was not immediately revealed.“Our world is much dimmer, the colors of a dreary, rainy Tennessee pale with her absence today,” her children Leilah, Jeordie and Beau Jarred, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/therealmelaniesafka/posts/pfbid0VXHJvGvN2e8deibnbntrZRMr7eUmhQaFwkfpa5rT73jmjc51nCZj5UDzwgigveijl">post on her Facebook page</a>&nbsp;announcing her death.With a voice that could shift from high-pitched and coy to a deep soulful rasp, Melanie wrote and sang hits including “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma" and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)."She was best known for “Brand New Key,” a song from her 1971 album “Gather Me” that she wrote about about a girl who bikes and skates past the house of a boy she longs for. It became a No. 1 hit in the U.S. and several other countries.With echoes of the popular songs of the ‘20s and ’30s, it combines a youthful simplicity with a winking adult sophistication in its chorus:“Well, I’ve got a brand-new pair of roller skates, you’ve got a brand-new key, I think that we should get together, and try them on to see.”She would say in later interviews that she didn't necessarily intend sexual innuendo in the song, but those who heard it weren't necessarily wrong.“I probably have a quirky way of writing, and I think I was misunderstood,” she told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/10/09/woodstock-star-melanie-safka-plans-rare-show/16871675/">the Tennessean</a>&nbsp;newspaper in 2014. “I had this smiling, cherubic thing, and I think that worked against me. Girls with guitars who were relevant were angst-filled and angular.”The song has had several revivals in the decades since. It had a key place in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 film “Boogie Nights” and was lip-synced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/754008/melissa-mccarthy-gets-a-standing-ovation-for-the-messiest-most-surprising-lip-sync-battle-yet">Jimmy Fallon</a>&nbsp;on “The Tonight Show” in 2016.Born Melanie Safka, the daughter of a jazz singer, in Queens, New York, she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and performed in the coffee houses of Greenwich Village and other New York folk hubs.She released her self-titled debut album in 1969, and had hit songs in Europe with “Bobo's Party” and “Beautiful People.”That summer, she was one of only three female solo performers, along with Joan Baez and Janis Joplin, to perform at the generation-defining Woodstock Music and Art Fair in upstate New York.The candles the crowd held up during her opening-night set at the festival inspired her first U.S. hit, 1970's “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” which went to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year came “Look What They've Done to My Song Ma,” which would be covered by artists from Ray Charles to Miley Cyrus and adapted into commercial jingles for decades after.“People in the Front Row,” a danceable jam from 1971's “Garden in the City,” got prominent placement in the most recent season of “Black Mirror.”By the mid-1970s her popularity waned, but she would maintain a following and keep recording and playing live into the 2010s.Melanie was married to her manager and producer Peter Schekeryk from 1968 until his death in 2010. They had three kids together.

Melanie, 'Brand New Key' singer-songwriter, dies at 76

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The United Auto Workers of America endorsed the re-election of President Joe Biden Wednesday, just months after he became the first sitting U.S. president&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/09/26/biden-makes-historic-visit-to-metro-detroit-picket-line-to-rally-with-striking-auto-workers/">to walk a picket line</a>&nbsp;with striking autoworkers in Michigan.

Speaking at the UAW’s biannual political conference in Washington, D.C., Biden told the crowd “I was so damn proud to stand on that picket line with you” — a moment that seemed to lock in the union’s coveted endorsement, crucial in the swing state of Michigan.

The president delivered the keynote address to hundreds of UAW leaders one day after winning a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/01/23/new-hampshire-primary-live-trump-vs-haley-biden-write-in-campaign/">write-in campaign</a>&nbsp;in the New Hampshire primary, where former President Donald Trump scored&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/01/24/wednesday-morning-numbers-show-definitive-trump-lead-over-haley/">a second win</a>&nbsp;for the Republican side.

“If I’m gonna be in a fight, I want to be in a fight with you, the UAW,” Biden told the crowd at the Marriott Marquis in downtown D.C. “I mean it, we have a big fight in front of us. We’re fundamentally changing the economy of this country, and everybody’s getting a little worried about it, the very powerful.”

In a rousing endorsement speech to his members, UAW President Shawn Fain laid out a binary scenario for November.

“Rarely as a union do you get so clear of a choice between two candidates,” Fain said at the conference themed “Stand Up For Our Future,” a nod to the union’s historic “Stand Up” strike in September against the nation’s three big automakers.

“It’s not about who you like, it’s not about your party, it’s not about this b—– about age. It’s not about anything but our best shot at taking back power for the working class,” Fain said.

“Donald Trump is a scab,” Fain said to loud applause and whistling. “Donald Trump is a billionaire and that’s who he represents. If Donald Trump ever worked in an auto plant, he wouldn’t be a UAW member. He’d be a company man, trying to squeeze the American autoworker.

“Donald Trump stands against everything the UAW stands for. When you go back to our core issues — Wages. Retirement. Health care. Time. That’s what this election is about,” Fain said.

The union’s board voted unanimously to endorse Biden, Fain told reporters after the event.

When asked if he spoke to Trump before issuing the endorsement, Fain said he didn’t think there was a need.

“Because I know what he said, I know what his track record has been. And he has never stood for working class people. And, you know, talk is cheap, actions speak louder. We saw what he did prior to being president. We saw what he did when he was president, and what he continues to do.”

UAW workers walked off the job in September after contract negotiations with Ford Motor Company, Stellantis and General Motors&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/blog/uaw-president-sets-new-deadline-for-automakers-promising-additional-strikes/">collapsed</a>. The labor dispute stretched across more than 20 states, with Michigan at the epicenter.

Fain&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/09/26/biden-makes-historic-visit-to-metro-detroit-picket-line-to-rally-with-striking-auto-workers/">invited Biden</a>&nbsp;to address the striking workers on Sept. 26 in the Detroit suburb of Belleville, where the president told them, “You deserve what you’ve earned, and you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than what you’re getting paid now.”

Trump delivered remarks a day later at a non-unionized auto parts manufacturer in Macomb County, an event he planned to counter the second televised Republican presidential debate.

There he asked for support,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?530700-1/president-trump-holds-rally-detroit">saying</a>&nbsp;“hopefully your leaders at the United Auto Workers will endorse Donald Trump,” despite the event being unaffiliated with the labor organization.

Fain and Biden on Wednesday both recounted the former president’s speech at the non-union location during one of the largest labor strikes in recent U.S. history.

The strike ended in November after the union&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/30/uaw-reaches-tentative-pact-with-general-motors-the-last-detroit-three-holdout/">struck agreements</a>&nbsp;with the three big automakers.

Fain also faulted Trump for what he described as disparaging comments about the recovery of the auto industry after the 2008 financial collapse and said Trump “stood by” as the General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio, closed in 2019.

“Instead of talking trash about our union, Joe Biden stood with us,” Fain said.

The UAW leader told reporters that he expects his membership to engage in political actions like rallying, door knocking and phone banking in the coming year.

When asked if he had concerns about Biden not calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Fain said “the alternative’s even worse. Trump moved the (Israeli) embassy when he was president. Obviously he’s not going to do anything.”

The UAW has formally called for a ceasefire, and Fain said the union will continue to do so.

A handful of protesters unfurled a Palestinian flag and shouted “ceasefire now” during Biden’s speech Wednesday. Biden paused briefly as large swaths of the crowd began shouting “UAW” to drown out the protesters as security escorted them out of the room.

Fain said he was not concerned about members “exercising their voice.” It was the second day in a row that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-harris-vow-restore-protections-abortion-rights-2024-campaign-launches">protesters interrupted</a>&nbsp;a Biden event.

In addition to the UAW’s endorsement, Biden has picked up several others, including from the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the United Farm Workers, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of Teachers.

As of Wednesday evening Trump’s campaign had not released a statement in response to the UAW’s endorsement of Biden.

However, the campaign released images of September posts on X by @TeamTrump stating that “PRESIDENT TRUMP is a great champion of American workers. He SAVED the American auto industry once, and he will do it again.”

On Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform where he posts daily, the former president had only posted Wednesday about his caucus and primary wins in Iowa and New Hampshire.

He also posted in all capital letters Wednesday just before 4 p.m. Eastern: “MASSIVE PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT BY CROOKED JOE AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AGAINST HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706150075714.png" alt="Photo courtesy UAW" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The United Auto Workers of America endorsed the re-election of President Joe Biden Wednesday, just months after he became the first sitting U.S. president&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/09/26/biden-makes-historic-visit-to-metro-detroit-picket-line-to-rally-with-striking-auto-workers/">to walk a picket line</a>&nbsp;with striking autoworkers in Michigan.Speaking at the UAW’s biannual political conference in Washington, D.C., Biden told the crowd “I was so damn proud to stand on that picket line with you” — a moment that seemed to lock in the union’s coveted endorsement, crucial in the swing state of Michigan.The president delivered the keynote address to hundreds of UAW leaders one day after winning a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/01/23/new-hampshire-primary-live-trump-vs-haley-biden-write-in-campaign/">write-in campaign</a>&nbsp;in the New Hampshire primary, where former President Donald Trump scored&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/01/24/wednesday-morning-numbers-show-definitive-trump-lead-over-haley/">a second win</a>&nbsp;for the Republican side.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/UAW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UAW</a> President <a href="https://twitter.com/ShawnFainUAW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShawnFainUAW</a>: &quot;If our endorsements must be earned, Joe Biden has earned it...the UAW is endorsing Joe Biden for president of the United States.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/24syQyX1BI">pic.twitter.com/24syQyX1BI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1750250575667556430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“If I’m gonna be in a fight, I want to be in a fight with you, the UAW,” Biden told the crowd at the Marriott Marquis in downtown D.C. “I mean it, we have a big fight in front of us. We’re fundamentally changing the economy of this country, and everybody’s getting a little worried about it, the very powerful.”In a rousing endorsement speech to his members, UAW President Shawn Fain laid out a binary scenario for November.“Rarely as a union do you get so clear of a choice between two candidates,” Fain said at the conference themed “Stand Up For Our Future,” a nod to the union’s historic “Stand Up” strike in September against the nation’s three big automakers.“It’s not about who you like, it’s not about your party, it’s not about this b—– about age. It’s not about anything but our best shot at taking back power for the working class,” Fain said.“Donald Trump is a scab,” Fain said to loud applause and whistling. “Donald Trump is a billionaire and that’s who he represents. If Donald Trump ever worked in an auto plant, he wouldn’t be a UAW member. He’d be a company man, trying to squeeze the American autoworker.“Donald Trump stands against everything the UAW stands for. When you go back to our core issues — Wages. Retirement. Health care. Time. That’s what this election is about,” Fain said.The union’s board voted unanimously to endorse Biden, Fain told reporters after the event.When asked if he spoke to Trump before issuing the endorsement, Fain said he didn’t think there was a need.“Because I know what he said, I know what his track record has been. And he has never stood for working class people. And, you know, talk is cheap, actions speak louder. We saw what he did prior to being president. We saw what he did when he was president, and what he continues to do.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Working people are going to get their fair share. You&#39;ve earned it. You fought for it and you deserve it!&quot; — <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/yFX6j1a3xa">pic.twitter.com/yFX6j1a3xa</a>&mdash; UAW (@UAW) <a href="https://twitter.com/UAW/status/1750249367980667184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Biden’s support of UAW strikers</h2>UAW workers walked off the job in September after contract negotiations with Ford Motor Company, Stellantis and General Motors&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/blog/uaw-president-sets-new-deadline-for-automakers-promising-additional-strikes/">collapsed</a>. The labor dispute stretched across more than 20 states, with Michigan at the epicenter.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695751581443.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Fain&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/09/26/biden-makes-historic-visit-to-metro-detroit-picket-line-to-rally-with-striking-auto-workers/">invited Biden</a>&nbsp;to address the striking workers on Sept. 26 in the Detroit suburb of Belleville, where the president told them, “You deserve what you’ve earned, and you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than what you’re getting paid now.”Trump delivered remarks a day later at a non-unionized auto parts manufacturer in Macomb County, an event he planned to counter the second televised Republican presidential debate.There he asked for support,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?530700-1/president-trump-holds-rally-detroit">saying</a>&nbsp;“hopefully your leaders at the United Auto Workers will endorse Donald Trump,” despite the event being unaffiliated with the labor organization.Fain and Biden on Wednesday both recounted the former president’s speech at the non-union location during one of the largest labor strikes in recent U.S. history.The strike ended in November after the union&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/30/uaw-reaches-tentative-pact-with-general-motors-the-last-detroit-three-holdout/">struck agreements</a>&nbsp;with the three big automakers.Fain also faulted Trump for what he described as disparaging comments about the recovery of the auto industry after the 2008 financial collapse and said Trump “stood by” as the General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio, closed in 2019.“Instead of talking trash about our union, Joe Biden stood with us,” Fain said.The UAW leader told reporters that he expects his membership to engage in political actions like rallying, door knocking and phone banking in the coming year.<h2>Israel-Hamas</h2>When asked if he had concerns about Biden not calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Fain said “the alternative’s even worse. Trump moved the (Israeli) embassy when he was president. Obviously he’s not going to do anything.”The UAW has formally called for a ceasefire, and Fain said the union will continue to do so.A handful of protesters unfurled a Palestinian flag and shouted “ceasefire now” during Biden’s speech Wednesday. Biden paused briefly as large swaths of the crowd began shouting “UAW” to drown out the protesters as security escorted them out of the room.Fain said he was not concerned about members “exercising their voice.” It was the second day in a row that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-harris-vow-restore-protections-abortion-rights-2024-campaign-launches">protesters interrupted</a>&nbsp;a Biden event.<h2>Other union endorsements</h2>In addition to the UAW’s endorsement, Biden has picked up several others, including from the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the United Farm Workers, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of Teachers.As of Wednesday evening Trump’s campaign had not released a statement in response to the UAW’s endorsement of Biden.However, the campaign released images of September posts on X by @TeamTrump stating that “PRESIDENT TRUMP is a great champion of American workers. He SAVED the American auto industry once, and he will do it again.”On Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform where he posts daily, the former president had only posted Wednesday about his caucus and primary wins in Iowa and New Hampshire.He also posted in all capital letters Wednesday just before 4 p.m. Eastern: “MASSIVE PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT BY CROOKED JOE AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AGAINST HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT!”

🎥UAW delivers rousing endorsement for Biden over ‘scab’ Trump

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/24/controversial-guns-to-be-locked-away-at-gaming-commission-until-training-protocols-adopted/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Semi-automatic guns purchased recently by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will be locked away until proper training and procedures for their use can be adopted, a representative of that agency said Wednesday.

Shane Greckel, the vice chairman of the commission, said the gambling agency had explored whether to return the 10 Sig Sauer MPX rifles, purchased for the commission’s investigators.

But, he said, the agency would have had to pay a 30% “restocking” fee, which made it too expensive, and there was no interest in declaring them “surplus” property of the state so they could be sold.

“It’s best that we hold onto them right now,” Greckel said.

The guns cost $30,350 and were portrayed as necessary to respond to&nbsp; any “active shooter” incidents that might occur at the state’s gambling casinos. Such incidents typically involve high-powered, semi-automatic rifles.

But the purchase —&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/18/questions-raised-over-gun-purchase-for-gaming-commission-whether-racetrack-study-fell-short/#:~:text=Gun%20purchase%20was%20a%20surprise&amp;text=The%20Sig%20Sauer%20MPX%20rifles,at%20a%20casino%20or%20racetrack.">first reported by the Examiner</a>&nbsp;— raised concerns with some commissioners who weren’t informed about it until November.

Greckel said the commission has decided to lock up the guns until proper training and procedures for their use can be adopted.

The commission has expanded rapidly with the opening of legal casinos in the state 16 months ago. It employs 10 plain-clothes investigators to patrol casinos and racetracks. They are certified state law enforcement officers, officials have said.

While some commissioners questioned whether the agency needed the additional firepower, investigators told the Examiner that the short-barreled rifles purchased were the standard weapons used by SWAT teams in active shooter cases and that it was necessary to “meet force with force.”

The executive director who approved the gun purchase, Tom Sage, announced last week that he will retire in March.

Sage, who went on personal leave recently for health reasons, defended the purchase as a necessary step to protect the public.

Sage was also facing questions about a $48,000 contract for a market study on gaming that he had signed — a study that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/19/state-racing-and-gaming-commission-decides-market-study-is-incomplete-needs-additional-info/">commissioners deemed incomplete</a>&nbsp;last week. A review is now underway to determine whether it should be redone or if an addendum is needed.

On Monday, a state legislative committee heard no opposition to a bill that would give the governor more power over the commission.

Under Legislative Bill 839, the governor would have final say over the appointment of an executive director by the commissioners and could remove commissioners for malfeasance, neglect or other causes. Currently, the Racing and Gaming Commission has sole authority over choosing its executive. The governor appoints the seven-member board.

State Auditor Mike Foley charged this week that the Racing and Gaming Commission was not following state law or its own policies, which require auditing of the gambling revenue it receives by an independent accounting firm.

The commission received $9.6 million in tax revenues in the fiscal year that ended in July, Foley noted, and that revenue is expected to double in the current fiscal year with the opening of more casinos.

“When the citizens voted for casino gambling, a lot of promises were made about the influx of tax dollars.” the auditor said. “Now we need to be assured that the monies generated by casino gambling are verified … and thus far that has not happened.”

Last month, in an official response to a letter sent by the State Auditor’s Office, the commission said it agreed with the concerns and was “currently working on strengthening our policies and procedures.”

Greckel said Wednesday that audits have been “on the forefront of our agenda” and will be done.

Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/24/controversial-guns-to-be-locked-away-at-gaming-commission-until-training-protocols-adopted/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Semi-automatic guns purchased recently by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will be locked away until proper training and procedures for their use can be adopted, a representative of that agency said Wednesday.Shane Greckel, the vice chairman of the commission, said the gambling agency had explored whether to return the 10 Sig Sauer MPX rifles, purchased for the commission’s investigators.But, he said, the agency would have had to pay a 30% “restocking” fee, which made it too expensive, and there was no interest in declaring them “surplus” property of the state so they could be sold.“It’s best that we hold onto them right now,” Greckel said.<h2>For active shooter incidents</h2>The guns cost $30,350 and were portrayed as necessary to respond to&nbsp; any “active shooter” incidents that might occur at the state’s gambling casinos. Such incidents typically involve high-powered, semi-automatic rifles.But the purchase —&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/18/questions-raised-over-gun-purchase-for-gaming-commission-whether-racetrack-study-fell-short/#:~:text=Gun%20purchase%20was%20a%20surprise&amp;text=The%20Sig%20Sauer%20MPX%20rifles,at%20a%20casino%20or%20racetrack.">first reported by the Examiner</a>&nbsp;— raised concerns with some commissioners who weren’t informed about it until November.Greckel said the commission has decided to lock up the guns until proper training and procedures for their use can be adopted.The commission has expanded rapidly with the opening of legal casinos in the state 16 months ago. It employs 10 plain-clothes investigators to patrol casinos and racetracks. They are certified state law enforcement officers, officials have said.While some commissioners questioned whether the agency needed the additional firepower, investigators told the Examiner that the short-barreled rifles purchased were the standard weapons used by SWAT teams in active shooter cases and that it was necessary to “meet force with force.”<h2>Executive director to retire</h2>The executive director who approved the gun purchase, Tom Sage, announced last week that he will retire in March.Sage, who went on personal leave recently for health reasons, defended the purchase as a necessary step to protect the public.Sage was also facing questions about a $48,000 contract for a market study on gaming that he had signed — a study that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/19/state-racing-and-gaming-commission-decides-market-study-is-incomplete-needs-additional-info/">commissioners deemed incomplete</a>&nbsp;last week. A review is now underway to determine whether it should be redone or if an addendum is needed.On Monday, a state legislative committee heard no opposition to a bill that would give the governor more power over the commission.Under Legislative Bill 839, the governor would have final say over the appointment of an executive director by the commissioners and could remove commissioners for malfeasance, neglect or other causes. Currently, the Racing and Gaming Commission has sole authority over choosing its executive. The governor appoints the seven-member board.<h2>Auditor questions lack of CPA review</h2>State Auditor Mike Foley charged this week that the Racing and Gaming Commission was not following state law or its own policies, which require auditing of the gambling revenue it receives by an independent accounting firm.The commission received $9.6 million in tax revenues in the fiscal year that ended in July, Foley noted, and that revenue is expected to double in the current fiscal year with the opening of more casinos.“When the citizens voted for casino gambling, a lot of promises were made about the influx of tax dollars.” the auditor said. “Now we need to be assured that the monies generated by casino gambling are verified … and thus far that has not happened.”Last month, in an official response to a letter sent by the State Auditor’s Office, the commission said it agreed with the concerns and was “currently working on strengthening our policies and procedures.”Greckel said Wednesday that audits have been “on the forefront of our agenda” and will be done.

Controversial guns to be locked away at gaming commission until training, protocols adopted

CONCORD, N.H. — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign says it has gathered enough signatures from registered voters in New Hampshire to qualify for the state's ballot in the general election.

The independent candidate already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">has qualified</a>&nbsp;for the ballot in another state, Utah.

Some have questioned whether he or another independent or third-party candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-presidential-campaign-independent-2024-30d940109c4956de9c81f332ec418463">could play spoiler</a>&nbsp;in a close presidential race this fall.

But the candidate, who is known for his environmental conservation work and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-2024-president-campaign-621c9e9641381a1b2677df9de5a09731">anti-vaccine empire</a>, has a long road ahead. Each state sets its own requirements to qualify for the ballot, and the process can be costly for candidates not backed by the major parties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704300369387.png" alt="Robert F. Kennedy Jr.- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Robert F. Kennedy Jr.- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>CONCORD, N.H. — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign says it has gathered enough signatures from registered voters in New Hampshire to qualify for the state's ballot in the general election.The independent candidate already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">has qualified</a>&nbsp;for the ballot in another state, Utah.Some have questioned whether he or another independent or third-party candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-presidential-campaign-independent-2024-30d940109c4956de9c81f332ec418463">could play spoiler</a>&nbsp;in a close presidential race this fall.But the candidate, who is known for his environmental conservation work and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-2024-president-campaign-621c9e9641381a1b2677df9de5a09731">anti-vaccine empire</a>, has a long road ahead. Each state sets its own requirements to qualify for the ballot, and the process can be costly for candidates not backed by the major parties.

RFK Jr.'s campaign qualifies for another state's general election ballot

This week, thousands came to Washington to participate in the 51st annual March for Life and celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Day. Sanctity of Human Life Day was first recognized in 1984 by President Reagan, marking the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;Roe v Wade&nbsp;decision and commemorating the right to life for the unborn. When handed down in January of 1973,&nbsp;Roe v Wade&nbsp;assigned federal protection for abortion access to an arbitrary point in pregnancy and unjustly struck down state laws which protected unborn children.

Today, even after the Supreme Court’s landmark 2022 decision in&nbsp;Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned&nbsp;Roe v Wade, the work of the pro-life movement is not done. Contrary to popular misconception, Dobbs in itself did nothing to prohibit abortion or protect abortion-vulnerable women and children.

While the U.S. remains one of only seven countries worldwide with no national abortion limitations after 20 weeks of pregnancy, many states, including Nebraska have stepped up to protect the right to life. However, there is much work to be done to extend dignity to every woman and child in America.

Women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy can face isolation and uncertainty, lacking the information, options, and support necessary to make the best choice for their own wellbeing and their child’s. Across the country pregnancy resource centers (PRCs), play an important role in providing this support to vulnerable families. Through support systems, coaching, parenting classes, childcare, and more, these centers work to empower women.

I’ve been inspired by the work of PRCs to meet the needs of women and families to overcome the challenges of work, pregnancy, and raising children. I’ve heard from PRC clients who had a difficult life moment become very triumphant because they had someone with vital information and care walk through it with them.

Unfortunately, due to a proposal from the Biden administration, PRCs with clients seeking this kind of assistance are at risk of being prohibited from providing support utilizing funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The policy, a rule proposed by the Children and Families Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services would bar states from awarding TANF funding to pro-life pregnancy centers.

While the primary purpose of TANF is providing cash and job search assistance to the neediest Americans, states are empowered to use their block grants to provide supplemental assistance to help Americans enter and remain in the workforce, including parenting supports such as those provided by PRCs. Nearly 3,000 of these organizations support women and children daily in extraordinary ways. There is no reason organizations offering these services to their communities shouldn’t be eligible for support through TANF. We allow states much latitude in carrying out what they think they need to do with taxpayer dollars devoted to assistance programs. It’s imperative those dollars be wisely and efficiently directed to help those most in need.

This week, I spoke in the Ways and Means Committee and on the House floor in support of the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (H.R. 6918), a bill to help to women and families acutely in need by prohibiting restrictions on the use of TANF funds targeted toward PRCs.

With my support H.R. 6918 passed the House on January 18.

I remain committed to ensuring respect for human life continues to be a cornerstone of public policy. Let’s come together, taking every opportunity to honor the options expectant mothers and fathers should have. Connecting those truly in need with resources can help them on a trajectory to thrive, earn advancement, and provide for their families. The federal government should not for ideological reasons stand in the way of organizations offering information and support to uphold life.

Adrian SmithThis week, thousands came to Washington to participate in the 51st annual March for Life and celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Day. Sanctity of Human Life Day was first recognized in 1984 by President Reagan, marking the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;Roe v Wade&nbsp;decision and commemorating the right to life for the unborn. When handed down in January of 1973,&nbsp;Roe v Wade&nbsp;assigned federal protection for abortion access to an arbitrary point in pregnancy and unjustly struck down state laws which protected unborn children.Today, even after the Supreme Court’s landmark 2022 decision in&nbsp;Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned&nbsp;Roe v Wade, the work of the pro-life movement is not done. Contrary to popular misconception, Dobbs in itself did nothing to prohibit abortion or protect abortion-vulnerable women and children.While the U.S. remains one of only seven countries worldwide with no national abortion limitations after 20 weeks of pregnancy, many states, including Nebraska have stepped up to protect the right to life. However, there is much work to be done to extend dignity to every woman and child in America.Women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy can face isolation and uncertainty, lacking the information, options, and support necessary to make the best choice for their own wellbeing and their child’s. Across the country pregnancy resource centers (PRCs), play an important role in providing this support to vulnerable families. Through support systems, coaching, parenting classes, childcare, and more, these centers work to empower women.I’ve been inspired by the work of PRCs to meet the needs of women and families to overcome the challenges of work, pregnancy, and raising children. I’ve heard from PRC clients who had a difficult life moment become very triumphant because they had someone with vital information and care walk through it with them.Unfortunately, due to a proposal from the Biden administration, PRCs with clients seeking this kind of assistance are at risk of being prohibited from providing support utilizing funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The policy, a rule proposed by the Children and Families Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services would bar states from awarding TANF funding to pro-life pregnancy centers.While the primary purpose of TANF is providing cash and job search assistance to the neediest Americans, states are empowered to use their block grants to provide supplemental assistance to help Americans enter and remain in the workforce, including parenting supports such as those provided by PRCs. Nearly 3,000 of these organizations support women and children daily in extraordinary ways. There is no reason organizations offering these services to their communities shouldn’t be eligible for support through TANF. We allow states much latitude in carrying out what they think they need to do with taxpayer dollars devoted to assistance programs. It’s imperative those dollars be wisely and efficiently directed to help those most in need.This week, I spoke in the Ways and Means Committee and on the House floor in support of the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (H.R. 6918), a bill to help to women and families acutely in need by prohibiting restrictions on the use of TANF funds targeted toward PRCs.With my support H.R. 6918 passed the House on January 18.I remain committed to ensuring respect for human life continues to be a cornerstone of public policy. Let’s come together, taking every opportunity to honor the options expectant mothers and fathers should have. Connecting those truly in need with resources can help them on a trajectory to thrive, earn advancement, and provide for their families. The federal government should not for ideological reasons stand in the way of organizations offering information and support to uphold life.

Upholding the Work of Pregnancy Resource Centers

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/poverty-elimination-is-goal-of-proposal-aired-at-ne-legislature/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A proposal calling for Nebraska cities to create a five-year anti-poverty plan was met mostly with support Tuesday at a legislative hearing, though a few opponents worried it would be an expensive undertaking for smaller towns.

The Poverty Elimination Action Plan Act was introduced by State Sen. Terrell McKinney to promote upward mobility.

The North Omaha lawmaker, in testimony to the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee, said he grew up poor. “It wasn’t easy,” he told committee members. He said he hoped a mandate to establish a more concerted, purposeful strategy would spare another kid from a similar&nbsp; economic journey.

Tina Rockenbach, executive director of Community Action of Nebraska, was among a handful of others voicing support for Legislative Bill 840, which has no funding allocation.&nbsp;

Rockenbach said she recognized the process — which would include community input, goal-setting, data analysis and laying out plans to use public incentives for anti-poverty efforts — was a “heavy lift.”

“The good news,” she said, is that agencies such as hers have done some of the footwork already and could offer that expertise.

Under the act, cities with populations of 50,000 or more would review their reports every two years and update them every five. The bill seeks to develop a statewide and comprehensive poverty elimination action plan that addresses unique challenges of various areas.

Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, said her objection to the bill was not a sign that poverty elimination was not important. She said, however, that to pay more than just “lip service,” such studies likely would require a consultant and staffing, which could be a financial struggle, especially for smaller cities.

She suggested providing a funding mechanism and a prototype that would guide cities.

The committee did not take action on the proposal.

Also Tuesday, the Urban Affairs Committee heard support for proposed changes to the “Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act.”

Legislative Bill 843 would reduce the match contribution required of eligible applicants from 50% to 25%. It also would increase the maximum grants that the Department of Economic Development could award to nonprofits from $5 million to $10 million in a two-year period.

Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/poverty-elimination-is-goal-of-proposal-aired-at-ne-legislature/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A proposal calling for Nebraska cities to create a five-year anti-poverty plan was met mostly with support Tuesday at a legislative hearing, though a few opponents worried it would be an expensive undertaking for smaller towns.The Poverty Elimination Action Plan Act was introduced by State Sen. Terrell McKinney to promote upward mobility.The North Omaha lawmaker, in testimony to the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee, said he grew up poor. “It wasn’t easy,” he told committee members. He said he hoped a mandate to establish a more concerted, purposeful strategy would spare another kid from a similar&nbsp; economic journey.Tina Rockenbach, executive director of Community Action of Nebraska, was among a handful of others voicing support for Legislative Bill 840, which has no funding allocation.&nbsp;Rockenbach said she recognized the process — which would include community input, goal-setting, data analysis and laying out plans to use public incentives for anti-poverty efforts — was a “heavy lift.”“The good news,” she said, is that agencies such as hers have done some of the footwork already and could offer that expertise.Under the act, cities with populations of 50,000 or more would review their reports every two years and update them every five. The bill seeks to develop a statewide and comprehensive poverty elimination action plan that addresses unique challenges of various areas.Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, said her objection to the bill was not a sign that poverty elimination was not important. She said, however, that to pay more than just “lip service,” such studies likely would require a consultant and staffing, which could be a financial struggle, especially for smaller cities.She suggested providing a funding mechanism and a prototype that would guide cities.The committee did not take action on the proposal.Also Tuesday, the Urban Affairs Committee heard support for proposed changes to the “Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act.”Legislative Bill 843 would reduce the match contribution required of eligible applicants from 50% to 25%. It also would increase the maximum grants that the Department of Economic Development could award to nonprofits from $5 million to $10 million in a two-year period.

Poverty elimination is goal of proposal aired at NE Legislature

JERUSALEM (AP) — Two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments came under attack off Yemen on Wednesday, officials said, with the U.S. Navy intercepting some of the incoming fire. Suspicion immediately fell on Yemen's Houthi rebels for carrying out the assault.

The attacks on the container ships Maersk Detroit and Maersk Chesapeake further raise the stakes of the group's ongoing attacks on shipping through the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The U.S. and the United Kingdom have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes seeking to stop the attacks.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/qatar">Qatar</a>, one of the world's top exporters of liquified natural gas, warned that its deliveries were affected by ongoing Houthi attacks over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.

Danish shipper Maersk, in a statement to The Associated Press, identified two of its vessels affected by the attacks as the U.S.-flagged container ships Maersk Detroit and Maersk Chesapeake. It said the U.S. Navy was accompanying its ships at the time.

“While en route, both ships reported seeing explosions close by and the U.S. Navy accompaniment also intercepted multiple projectiles,” Maersk said. “The crew, ship, and cargo are safe and unharmed. The U.S. Navy has turned both ships around and is escorting them back to the Gulf of Aden.”

Maersk said both vessels carried cargo belonging to the U.S. Defense and State Departments, as well as other government agencies, meaning they were “afforded the protection of the U.S. Navy for passage through the strait.”

The ships were operated by Maersk Line, a U.S. subsidiary of Maersk that is “suspending transits in the region until further notice,” the company said.

The U.S. military's Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Houthis, who have been launching attacks on ships since November over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, did not immediately acknowledge the incident.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.

The U.S. and the U.K. have launched rounds of airstrikes targeting suspected missile storage and launch sites used by the Houthis in their attacks. The rebels now say they’ll target American and British ships as well.

Meanwhile, Qatar announced its shipments of liquified natural gas had been affected by the Houthi attacks. Previous shipments had been delayed previously before heading through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Qatar, which has served as a key mediator between Hamas and Israel, has yet to see any of its ships attacked, however. A statement from its state-owned QatarEnergy producer said that its “production continues uninterrupted, and our commitment to ensuring the reliable supply of LNG to our customers remains unwavering.”

“While the ongoing developments in the Red Sea area may impact the scheduling of some deliveries as they take alternative routes, LNG shipments from Qatar are being managed with our valued buyers,” the statement said.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments came under attack off Yemen on Wednesday, officials said, with the U.S. Navy intercepting some of the incoming fire. Suspicion immediately fell on Yemen's Houthi rebels for carrying out the assault.The attacks on the container ships Maersk Detroit and Maersk Chesapeake further raise the stakes of the group's ongoing attacks on shipping through the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The U.S. and the United Kingdom have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes seeking to stop the attacks.Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/qatar">Qatar</a>, one of the world's top exporters of liquified natural gas, warned that its deliveries were affected by ongoing Houthi attacks over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.Danish shipper Maersk, in a statement to The Associated Press, identified two of its vessels affected by the attacks as the U.S.-flagged container ships Maersk Detroit and Maersk Chesapeake. It said the U.S. Navy was accompanying its ships at the time.“While en route, both ships reported seeing explosions close by and the U.S. Navy accompaniment also intercepted multiple projectiles,” Maersk said. “The crew, ship, and cargo are safe and unharmed. The U.S. Navy has turned both ships around and is escorting them back to the Gulf of Aden.”Maersk said both vessels carried cargo belonging to the U.S. Defense and State Departments, as well as other government agencies, meaning they were “afforded the protection of the U.S. Navy for passage through the strait.”The ships were operated by Maersk Line, a U.S. subsidiary of Maersk that is “suspending transits in the region until further notice,” the company said.The U.S. military's Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The Houthis, who have been launching attacks on ships since November over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, did not immediately acknowledge the incident.Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.The U.S. and the U.K. have launched rounds of airstrikes targeting suspected missile storage and launch sites used by the Houthis in their attacks. The rebels now say they’ll target American and British ships as well.Meanwhile, Qatar announced its shipments of liquified natural gas had been affected by the Houthi attacks. Previous shipments had been delayed previously before heading through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.Qatar, which has served as a key mediator between Hamas and Israel, has yet to see any of its ships attacked, however. A statement from its state-owned QatarEnergy producer said that its “production continues uninterrupted, and our commitment to ensuring the reliable supply of LNG to our customers remains unwavering.”“While the ongoing developments in the Red Sea area may impact the scheduling of some deliveries as they take alternative routes, LNG shipments from Qatar are being managed with our valued buyers,” the statement said.