Lincoln, NE – March 25, 2025 – Starting with the April 8 drawing, Mega Millions players will see changes that include larger jackpots, better odds of winning and a built-in multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes.

Mega Millions drawings will still consist of five white balls and one gold Mega Ball®, for a total of six winning numbers. Under a new matrix, the number of white balls will stay at 70 and the number of gold balls (the Mega Ball) will decrease from 25 to 24. The result will be improved odds of winning the jackpot prize (1 in 290 million) and many other prize levels. The starting Mega Millions jackpot will also increase from $20 million to $50 million.

“We anticipate that the larger Mega Millions jackpots and new features will appeal to our players,” said Brian Rockey, Nebraska Lottery Director. “The Mega Millions Consortium that sets the game rules does not include Nebraska, but under a licensing arrangement we’ve offered Mega Millions since 2010. It’s produced several Nebraska millionaires along with millions in proceeds for good causes across our state.”

Here are some of the other enhancements that players will see:

The price of each Mega Millions play will be $5. The overall odds of winning any prize will be 1 in 23.07. Tickets for the enhanced game will go on sale beginning April 5.

The Nebraska Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March 2010 after a cross-selling agreement was implemented between the members of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and Mega Millions member lotteries. Mega Millions is a national game with tickets sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 10 p.m. Central Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. Profits from every Mega Millions ticket sold remain in the state in which the ticket was sold. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iAuI3qUyZqtRffZQ3zfUp6vkLeMz9xWWk2usNlOONp-2BuquvHcFVHm7ECXtG2yet1GtQ0_zp2viNv8WmCDmvKbS8g-2FumCH-2BSIkHTUhcISA1gweg93LIwGEu7Eu0ohNOhpJ1nCtJT3xXLcGnwndj0t64QaXbVDk0wvL65KD1iN4vYB7rKAhKu1l-2FBLlTpj0KgRYXUJnLi-2F6IURvEG0oh8wQWbMaC4D8WCDVBM9HcZij-2BIFQChdn8a-2BVUZDhFZrPbJvtGHAGzu-2Bk5nBy-2FiWmhX9QNFGo824G0mX-2BY0kHWqWHhtEW2rVSQbXr2Np8KHNT231f6-2B6jldchAl3lqdMj-2B5l5iS7Kyy2JzCrUUKHEHX6Uao-2FN83eqAnJuihSHdsW7-2BX44ulcMlJduEZkyhLAvTFAygK0O9Pcd6tdDxPcV3hYLtjcS41EpJUKucTUP1Dmr9itlSedW6zy-2FnkEAY87XTA7cdYjtHg-3D-3D" target="_blank">www.megamillions.com</a>.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. $1.015 billion has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Nebraska LotteryLincoln, NE – March 25, 2025 – Starting with the April 8 drawing, Mega Millions players will see changes that include larger jackpots, better odds of winning and a built-in multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes.Mega Millions drawings will still consist of five white balls and one gold Mega Ball®, for a total of six winning numbers. Under a new matrix, the number of white balls will stay at 70 and the number of gold balls (the Mega Ball) will decrease from 25 to 24. The result will be improved odds of winning the jackpot prize (1 in 290 million) and many other prize levels. The starting Mega Millions jackpot will also increase from $20 million to $50 million.“We anticipate that the larger Mega Millions jackpots and new features will appeal to our players,” said Brian Rockey, Nebraska Lottery Director. “The Mega Millions Consortium that sets the game rules does not include Nebraska, but under a licensing arrangement we’ve offered Mega Millions since 2010. It’s produced several Nebraska millionaires along with millions in proceeds for good causes across our state.”Here are some of the other enhancements that players will see:<ul>
 <li>Bigger jackpots more frequently</li><li>Faster growing jackpots</li><li>A built-in multiplier on every play, automatically improving every non-jackpot prize by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X – up to $10 million for matching the five white balls</li><li>No breakeven prizes, meaning when a player wins, they’ll always win more than the cost of a play</li>
 </ul>The price of each Mega Millions play will be $5. The overall odds of winning any prize will be 1 in 23.07. Tickets for the enhanced game will go on sale beginning April 5.The Nebraska Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March 2010 after a cross-selling agreement was implemented between the members of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and Mega Millions member lotteries. Mega Millions is a national game with tickets sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 10 p.m. Central Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. Profits from every Mega Millions ticket sold remain in the state in which the ticket was sold. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iAuI3qUyZqtRffZQ3zfUp6vkLeMz9xWWk2usNlOONp-2BuquvHcFVHm7ECXtG2yet1GtQ0_zp2viNv8WmCDmvKbS8g-2FumCH-2BSIkHTUhcISA1gweg93LIwGEu7Eu0ohNOhpJ1nCtJT3xXLcGnwndj0t64QaXbVDk0wvL65KD1iN4vYB7rKAhKu1l-2FBLlTpj0KgRYXUJnLi-2F6IURvEG0oh8wQWbMaC4D8WCDVBM9HcZij-2BIFQChdn8a-2BVUZDhFZrPbJvtGHAGzu-2Bk5nBy-2FiWmhX9QNFGo824G0mX-2BY0kHWqWHhtEW2rVSQbXr2Np8KHNT231f6-2B6jldchAl3lqdMj-2B5l5iS7Kyy2JzCrUUKHEHX6Uao-2FN83eqAnJuihSHdsW7-2BX44ulcMlJduEZkyhLAvTFAygK0O9Pcd6tdDxPcV3hYLtjcS41EpJUKucTUP1Dmr9itlSedW6zy-2FnkEAY87XTA7cdYjtHg-3D-3D" target="_blank">www.megamillions.com</a>.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. $1.015 billion has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Mega Millions® Enhancements Start April 5

University of Nebraska Medical Center nursing student&nbsp;<a>Nolan Parks knows firsthand the difference a scholarship can make.</a>

He works part time as a certified nursing assistant at Nebraska Medicine and lives with his parents in Elkhorn to save money. Still, he was worried he would need to take out student loans to finish his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. So, he was incredibly grateful to learn he was the recipient of the Sharon Bonham Holyoke Nursing Scholarship.<a></a>

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for providing me with the means to finish college,” said Parks, a senior who plans to work in the Nebraska Medicine ICU after graduation. “This is a gift which I will never forget, one which I will remember each time I clock in and every time I receive that heartwarming feeling of discharging a patient who has made a full recovery.”

Raising funds for student scholarships is one of the many priorities of For the Greater Good, a 24-hour giving day to support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. From noon-to-noon March 26-27, 2025, gifts may be made online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>&nbsp;to fuel the future of health care in Nebraska.

“Giving, no matter the amount, has the power to transform lives,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “Every dollar an individual gives during For the Greater Good supports scholarships, student groups, patient care and groundbreaking research that shapes the future in the areas about which they are most passionate. This is our chance to make a difference, and I invite everyone to be part of something truly meaningful.”

Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, said, “We are surrounded by examples of how our generous supporters have made positive impacts on the care we provide and the research we conduct. Even relatively small donations add up quickly and help people feel even more connected to that important work.”

Supporters have committed more than $200,000 for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/prizes" target="_blank">challenges and matching gifts</a>&nbsp;to encourage others to give. Donors can maximize their gifts by supporting these funds.

One of the challenges was established by College of Nursing alumna Sharon Bonham Holyoke of Omaha, a 1966 graduate and retired longtime nursing faculty member. If&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/organizations/college-of-nursing-unmc" target="_blank">250 donors give</a>&nbsp;to the College of Nursing, $25,000 will be unlocked to support nursing scholarships. Two other challenges support the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/newborn-intensive-care-unit" target="_blank">Nebraska Medicine Newborn Intensive Care Unit</a>, which has been providing specialized care to infants and their families since 1968.&nbsp;

The goal of the 2025 giving day is 2,100 gifts. Anyone who makes a gift totaling $75 or more will receive a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/info/giveaway" target="_blank">UNMC and Nebraska Medicine custom hat</a>. Supporters are encouraged to share on social media why UNMC and Nebraska Medicine are important to them, using the hashtag #GreaterGoodGivingDay.

Several other important causes will benefit from the third annual day of giving, including:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a variety of departmental funds within Nebraska Medicine, supporting fields such as nursing development and patient support. One of those is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/organ-transplant-program" target="_blank">Transplant Patient and Family Assistance Fund</a>, which provides crucial support to transplant patients and their families facing financial challenges by helping with the costs of travel, lodging, rent, utilities and other expenses;

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than 40 registered student organizations within UNMC, assisting in reducing operational costs and enhancing students’ experiences on campus; and

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/search?query=scholarships" target="_blank">dozen scholarship funds</a>&nbsp;aimed at investing in the next generation of Nebraska’s health care professionals, including for the Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Allied Health Professions, Public Health, Medicine and Nursing.&nbsp;

Learn more and track the giving day’s progress at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742831552138.jpeg" alt="For the Greater Good logo (UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>For the Greater Good logo (UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center nursing student&nbsp;<a>Nolan Parks knows firsthand the difference a scholarship can make.</a>He works part time as a certified nursing assistant at Nebraska Medicine and lives with his parents in Elkhorn to save money. Still, he was worried he would need to take out student loans to finish his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. So, he was incredibly grateful to learn he was the recipient of the Sharon Bonham Holyoke Nursing Scholarship.<a></a>“From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for providing me with the means to finish college,” said Parks, a senior who plans to work in the Nebraska Medicine ICU after graduation. “This is a gift which I will never forget, one which I will remember each time I clock in and every time I receive that heartwarming feeling of discharging a patient who has made a full recovery.”Raising funds for student scholarships is one of the many priorities of For the Greater Good, a 24-hour giving day to support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. From noon-to-noon March 26-27, 2025, gifts may be made online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>&nbsp;to fuel the future of health care in Nebraska.“Giving, no matter the amount, has the power to transform lives,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “Every dollar an individual gives during For the Greater Good supports scholarships, student groups, patient care and groundbreaking research that shapes the future in the areas about which they are most passionate. This is our chance to make a difference, and I invite everyone to be part of something truly meaningful.”Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, said, “We are surrounded by examples of how our generous supporters have made positive impacts on the care we provide and the research we conduct. Even relatively small donations add up quickly and help people feel even more connected to that important work.”Supporters have committed more than $200,000 for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/prizes" target="_blank">challenges and matching gifts</a>&nbsp;to encourage others to give. Donors can maximize their gifts by supporting these funds.One of the challenges was established by College of Nursing alumna Sharon Bonham Holyoke of Omaha, a 1966 graduate and retired longtime nursing faculty member. If&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/organizations/college-of-nursing-unmc" target="_blank">250 donors give</a>&nbsp;to the College of Nursing, $25,000 will be unlocked to support nursing scholarships. Two other challenges support the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/newborn-intensive-care-unit" target="_blank">Nebraska Medicine Newborn Intensive Care Unit</a>, which has been providing specialized care to infants and their families since 1968.&nbsp;The goal of the 2025 giving day is 2,100 gifts. Anyone who makes a gift totaling $75 or more will receive a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/info/giveaway" target="_blank">UNMC and Nebraska Medicine custom hat</a>. Supporters are encouraged to share on social media why UNMC and Nebraska Medicine are important to them, using the hashtag #GreaterGoodGivingDay.Several other important causes will benefit from the third annual day of giving, including:•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a variety of departmental funds within Nebraska Medicine, supporting fields such as nursing development and patient support. One of those is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/organ-transplant-program" target="_blank">Transplant Patient and Family Assistance Fund</a>, which provides crucial support to transplant patients and their families facing financial challenges by helping with the costs of travel, lodging, rent, utilities and other expenses;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than 40 registered student organizations within UNMC, assisting in reducing operational costs and enhancing students’ experiences on campus; and•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/search?query=scholarships" target="_blank">dozen scholarship funds</a>&nbsp;aimed at investing in the next generation of Nebraska’s health care professionals, including for the Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Allied Health Professions, Public Health, Medicine and Nursing.&nbsp;Learn more and track the giving day’s progress at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>.

For the Greater Good fuels future of health care in Nebraska

March 24, 2025 (Holdrege, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrested the suspect of a domestic violence investigation early this morning in Holdrege.

Sunday night, the Holdrege Police Department and Phelps County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic assault that had occurred in Holdrege. Upon investigation, officers identified a suspect and learned that he had barricaded himself in an apartment in the 300 block of Nobes Street in Holdrege. The suspect was believed to be armed. Officers obtained an arrest warrant and requested the NSP SWAT Team to assist just after 12:30 a.m. Monday.

The SWAT Team and NSP Crisis Negotiators made numerous attempts to communicate with the suspect, who refused to exit the apartment. After hours of the suspect’s refusal to exit, the SWAT Team deployed tear gas into the apartment, which lead to the suspect voluntarily exiting the residence at approximately 5:20 a.m. Monday. He was immediately taken into custody.

The suspect, Lucas Barrow, 39, of Holdrege, was remanded to the custody of Holdrege PD and the Phelps County Jail for assault by strangulation and third-degree domestic assault. Holdrege PD is the lead investigating agency.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716320706146.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolMarch 24, 2025 (Holdrege, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrested the suspect of a domestic violence investigation early this morning in Holdrege.Sunday night, the Holdrege Police Department and Phelps County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic assault that had occurred in Holdrege. Upon investigation, officers identified a suspect and learned that he had barricaded himself in an apartment in the 300 block of Nobes Street in Holdrege. The suspect was believed to be armed. Officers obtained an arrest warrant and requested the NSP SWAT Team to assist just after 12:30 a.m. Monday.The SWAT Team and NSP Crisis Negotiators made numerous attempts to communicate with the suspect, who refused to exit the apartment. After hours of the suspect’s refusal to exit, the SWAT Team deployed tear gas into the apartment, which lead to the suspect voluntarily exiting the residence at approximately 5:20 a.m. Monday. He was immediately taken into custody.The suspect, Lucas Barrow, 39, of Holdrege, was remanded to the custody of Holdrege PD and the Phelps County Jail for assault by strangulation and third-degree domestic assault. Holdrege PD is the lead investigating agency.

Domestic Assault Suspect Arrested After Standoff in Central Nebraska

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/24/committee-advances-bill-with-57-salary-hikes-for-nebraska-constitutional-officers-except-governor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A legislative committee has narrowly advanced a bill that would provide all Nebraska constitutional officers, except the governor, a roughly 57% salary raise effective in 2027.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59243&amp;docnum=LB345&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 345</a>, introduced by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, includes no specific dollar amounts as introduced. However, the committee unanimously adopted an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AM-710-to-LB-345-Amendment.pdf">amendment</a>&nbsp;to the bill, advanced in a 5-1 vote, offering the raises effective Jan. 7, 2027, if passed by the full Legislature and signed into law by the governor.

The proposed 57% raise was calculated by a committee staffer who compared inflationary increases compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor between Jan. 4, 2007, and earlier this month.&nbsp;That was the last time the offices got a salary bump.

“As we know, a 2025 dollar is not worth what a 2007 dollar was worth,” State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, chair of the committee, said at the bill’s Feb. 5 hearing.

The changes would affect the following&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-721" target="_blank">salaries</a>:

The governor would remain at $105,000. It would be the first time the governor was paid the least among this set of constitutional officers since at least 1987, according to a review by the Nebraska Examiner.

Sanders told the Examiner last month that if the bill increased the governor’s salary, Pillen had promised to veto it.

In a Feb. 7 statement to the Examiner, Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said “being a public servant requires sacrifice.”

“Governor Pillen is humbled to serve the people of Nebraska,” she said in an email. “He does not support a pay increase for himself or other elected officials.”

Salary changes must come at the start of an officeholder’s term, so January 2027, after the November 2026 elections. If LB 345 or a version of it doesn’t pass, a raise is prohibited until January 2031 at the earliest.

If passed at the amended amounts, LB 345 would require an additional $456,000 each fiscal year&nbsp;to cover the raised salaries.

Sanders, who leads the bill as chair of the Government Committee, said the constitutional officers oversee essential state functions full time. She said that if lawmakers want Nebraskans with families to be able to serve in the roles, they must consider “appropriate” salary levels.&nbsp;She has said it’s also about attracting candidates, noting current officials are&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB345-Exh-2-Mike-Foley-Auditor.pdf">paid less than their counterparts in all six surrounding states</a>.

Former State Treasurer John Murante left his post in September 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/21/nebraska-state-treasurer-to-exit-elected-role-to-head-state-retirement-agency/">head the agency overseeing state retirement plans,</a>&nbsp;going from a salary of $85,000 to $205,000. He left that role&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/06/former-nebraska-state-treasurer-john-murante-leaves-state-retirement-job-to-lobby/">at the end of last year</a>&nbsp;for a local lobbying firm.

“No one should get rich from a career in public service,” Sanders told her colleagues. “I’m not even advocating for salaries that are equivalent to similar responsibility levels in private industry. It is an honor to serve, and it is appropriate for elected officials to make some personal sacrifices as part of their service.”

She continued: “At some point, however, we do have an obligation to adjust the salary levels to make sure the best candidates can afford to serve.”

State Sens. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County, Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, Dan Lonowski of Hastings and Dan McKeon of Amherst joined Sanders in advancing the bill. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha was the lone “no” vote.

State Sens. John Cavanaugh of Omaha and Dave Wordekemper of Fremont took no position and were “present, not voting.”

Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley, now in his 11th year in the role, was the only person to speak on the bill in February, where he was described as an “invited guest.” He indicated he’d support whatever the committee decided.

His lengthy tenure in state government began in 2001, stretching six years as a Lincoln state senator, eight years as auditor and eight years as lieutenant governor to former Gov. Pete Ricketts. He returned to the auditor spot in 2023, where Foley, a longtime Republican, is often praised by senators regardless of party for&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">his office’s dogged work</a>.

For example, State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, a pragmatic Democrat now in her 11th year as a state senator in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, has filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/MO40.pdf" target="_blank">motion to kill the bill</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/AM337.pdf" target="_blank">amendment to limit the salary increase to Foley alone</a>.

LB 345 likely has no viable path as a standalone bill this year, but committee staff said it could be attached to a bill from Speaker John Arch of La Vista,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58836" target="_blank">LB 346</a>, which was introduced at Gov. Jim Pillen’s request to eliminate various boards and commissions.

Previous salary bills, at least to 1973, have all passed as stand-alone proposals and have most recently faced opposition from the governor.

Pillen would not be alone if he vetoed the bill, though lawmakers have a history of overriding vetoes on the raises, such as in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Slip/LB246.pdf" target="_blank">1973</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. James Exon) and each of the last three approved bills, in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Slip/LB503.pdf" target="_blank">1990</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Kay Orr),&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Slip/LB956.pdf" target="_blank">2000</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Mike Johanns) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Slip/LB817.pdf" target="_blank">2006</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Dave Heineman). Each veto came in the respective governor’s first term.

Bills in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/85/PDF/Slip/LB541.pdf" target="_blank">1978</a>&nbsp;(Exon) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/89/PDF/Slip/LB43.pdf" target="_blank">1986</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Bob Kerrey) were not vetoed. Exon was term-limited and Kerrey didn’t run for reelection.

Each governor that used their veto pen cited budget constraints or,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1597" target="_blank">in the case of Heineman</a>, said the raises did not “represent a spending priority.”

Orr said in 1990 that she was vetoing “<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1999" target="_blank">worthwhile programs</a>” due to budget constraints and that officials “must share in these efforts to keep state spending to a minimum.” Johanns said in 2000 that he appreciated lawmakers’ willingness to examine the constitutional officer salaries compared to other states.&nbsp;

“At a time, however, when I have vetoed many meritorious proposals due to our current budget constraints, I cannot in good conscience agree to raise my salary, along with those of other constitutional officers,” Johanns wrote in his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1748" target="_blank">April 11, 2000, veto letter</a>.

The very next day, lawmakers in a 45-1 vote — the largest margin of the override motions — rebuffed Johanns. He then got the 31% pay bump after he won reelection in 2002.

Exon in 1973 said he appreciated lawmakers not raising the governor’s salary. However, he cautioned that “substantial increases to only a few constitutional officers is not the only point” and that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Journal/r1journal.pdf#page=1906" target="_blank">assistants traditionally also see large increases</a>, “and a chain reaction sets in.”

Asked whether Pillen would veto the bill if passed, Strimple said “we will not speculate on hypotheticals in the legislative process.”

Pillen has eyed a second term but has not yet announced reelection for 2026. He ran in 2022 alongside Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, who presides over the Legislature.

This time around, lawmakers face a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">projected $457 million budget shortfall over the next two fiscal years</a>, prior to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/18/preliminary-appropriations-committee-budget-unveiled-includes-pillen-cuts-to-nu/">any legislative action</a>. The next state budget must pass by mid-May.

Conrad, a former member of the Appropriations Committee during all eight of Foley’s first eight years as auditor, echoed budget concerns. She’s also been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/17/ag-hilgers-issues-opinion-that-threatens-new-felon-voter-registrations-in-nebraska/">highly critical</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/16/improving-oversight-eyed-as-a-hallmark-issue-of-2025-legislative-session/">other officers’ job performance</a>, namely Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Pillen.

“My bottom line is I don’t think we should raise salaries for highly paid politicians amid a budget crisis, and it’s highly hypocritical to seek such as many of these same leaders seek to undermine the will of the voters and undercut working families’ access to minimum wage and sick leave,” Conrad said in a Thursday email.

Lawmakers just last week also moved away from a conversation about changing their own compensation levels, which haven’t been raised since 1988, and parked a proposal for a nonpartisan, independent compensation review commission at the end of 2025 priorities, including after the state budget.&nbsp;

Any changes to lawmaker compensation would require a constitutional amendment, and state senator salaries have been more rigid because they are locked in the Nebraska Constitution, unlike salaries for constitutional officers or judges, the latter of whom almost always get salaries adjusted each July 1.

Foley told the Government Committee last month that it is appropriate to review and perhaps update compensation from time to time, but he didn’t have “any particular number in mind.”

“That’s your call, not mine,” he testified. “Whatever compensation figures you determine to be correct, that’s the right number. You’ll hear no quibbling from me.”

Foley confirmed that stance again in a Thursday email, telling the Examiner: “Whatever number the committee decides is fine with me.”

A spokesperson for Attorney General Mike Hilgers said he hadn’t weighed in on the proposal “and believes that he should not advocate for any changes to his own salary. He trusts that the body will make an appropriate decision that is right for the State of Nebraska.”

A spokesperson for the Public Service Commission said the commission hadn’t taken a position and would not speak on pending legislation. A spokesperson for Treasurer Tom Briese, a former state senator appointed to the role in November 2023, said the office had no comment.

A spokesperson for Evnen said by email after reviewing the amended bill: “The secretary indicated that no one had discussed the figures … with him. The proposal was not made at his behest, and this is a legislative determination.” Of current constitutional officers, Evnen was the first to announce a&nbsp;<a href="https://klin.com/2025/03/06/secretary-of-state-evnen-to-seek-re-election-in-2026/" target="_blank">reelection bid for 2026</a>.

Foley was in the Legislature in 2006 when former State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha led the last bill to raise the salaries, which also included the governor.

“My philosophy is that we should look past the individuals who happen to be occupying the office and annex to that office a salary commensurate with the duties entailed and the dignity that the office should be cloaked with,” Chambers said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/transcripts/view_page.php?leg=99&amp;bill=LB%20817&amp;key=3&amp;pages=7541%208319%209438%2010665-10668%2010795%2010829%2010909%2011208%2011464%2012710%2012752-12753%2012968%2013118%2013120%2013297%2013367%2013553-13554%2013587" target="_blank">March 14, 2006, floor speech regarding his bill</a>.

Foley was in the middle of his campaign for auditor and was “present, not voting” when Chambers’ bill came for a final vote that year.

“I think it’s the right thing to do, every 20 years or so, to revise the salaries for the constitutional officers of the State of Nebraska,” Foley said last month. “That’s why we’re here: to simply do the right thing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742823738627.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers meets to certify the November 2024 general election results on Dec. 2, 2024. From left: State Auditor Mike Foley, Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Gov. Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and State Treasurer Tom Briese. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers meets to certify the November 2024 general election results on Dec. 2, 2024. From left: State Auditor Mike Foley, Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Gov. Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and State Treasurer Tom Briese. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/24/committee-advances-bill-with-57-salary-hikes-for-nebraska-constitutional-officers-except-governor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A legislative committee has narrowly advanced a bill that would provide all Nebraska constitutional officers, except the governor, a roughly 57% salary raise effective in 2027.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59243&amp;docnum=LB345&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 345</a>, introduced by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, includes no specific dollar amounts as introduced. However, the committee unanimously adopted an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AM-710-to-LB-345-Amendment.pdf">amendment</a>&nbsp;to the bill, advanced in a 5-1 vote, offering the raises effective Jan. 7, 2027, if passed by the full Legislature and signed into law by the governor.The proposed 57% raise was calculated by a committee staffer who compared inflationary increases compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor between Jan. 4, 2007, and earlier this month.&nbsp;That was the last time the offices got a salary bump.“As we know, a 2025 dollar is not worth what a 2007 dollar was worth,” State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, chair of the committee, said at the bill’s Feb. 5 hearing.The changes would affect the following&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-721" target="_blank">salaries</a>:<ul>
 <li>Attorney general, from $95,000 to $149,000.</li><li>Secretary of state, from $85,000 to $133,000.</li><li>Auditor of public accounts, from $85,000 to $133,000.</li><li>State treasurer, from $85,000 to $133,000.</li><li>Lieutenant governor, from $75,000 to $118,000.</li><li>Five members of the Public Service Commission, from $75,000 to $118,000 each.</li>
 </ul>The governor would remain at $105,000. It would be the first time the governor was paid the least among this set of constitutional officers since at least 1987, according to a review by the Nebraska Examiner.Sanders told the Examiner last month that if the bill increased the governor’s salary, Pillen had promised to veto it.In a Feb. 7 statement to the Examiner, Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said “being a public servant requires sacrifice.”“Governor Pillen is humbled to serve the people of Nebraska,” she said in an email. “He does not support a pay increase for himself or other elected officials.”Salary changes must come at the start of an officeholder’s term, so January 2027, after the November 2026 elections. If LB 345 or a version of it doesn’t pass, a raise is prohibited until January 2031 at the earliest.If passed at the amended amounts, LB 345 would require an additional $456,000 each fiscal year&nbsp;to cover the raised salaries.<h2>Setting an ‘appropriate’ salary</h2>Sanders, who leads the bill as chair of the Government Committee, said the constitutional officers oversee essential state functions full time. She said that if lawmakers want Nebraskans with families to be able to serve in the roles, they must consider “appropriate” salary levels.&nbsp;She has said it’s also about attracting candidates, noting current officials are&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB345-Exh-2-Mike-Foley-Auditor.pdf">paid less than their counterparts in all six surrounding states</a>.Former State Treasurer John Murante left his post in September 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/21/nebraska-state-treasurer-to-exit-elected-role-to-head-state-retirement-agency/">head the agency overseeing state retirement plans,</a>&nbsp;going from a salary of $85,000 to $205,000. He left that role&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/06/former-nebraska-state-treasurer-john-murante-leaves-state-retirement-job-to-lobby/">at the end of last year</a>&nbsp;for a local lobbying firm.“No one should get rich from a career in public service,” Sanders told her colleagues. “I’m not even advocating for salaries that are equivalent to similar responsibility levels in private industry. It is an honor to serve, and it is appropriate for elected officials to make some personal sacrifices as part of their service.”She continued: “At some point, however, we do have an obligation to adjust the salary levels to make sure the best candidates can afford to serve.”<h2>The bill’s path forward</h2>State Sens. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County, Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, Dan Lonowski of Hastings and Dan McKeon of Amherst joined Sanders in advancing the bill. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha was the lone “no” vote.State Sens. John Cavanaugh of Omaha and Dave Wordekemper of Fremont took no position and were “present, not voting.”Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley, now in his 11th year in the role, was the only person to speak on the bill in February, where he was described as an “invited guest.” He indicated he’d support whatever the committee decided.His lengthy tenure in state government began in 2001, stretching six years as a Lincoln state senator, eight years as auditor and eight years as lieutenant governor to former Gov. Pete Ricketts. He returned to the auditor spot in 2023, where Foley, a longtime Republican, is often praised by senators regardless of party for&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">his office’s dogged work</a>.For example, State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, a pragmatic Democrat now in her 11th year as a state senator in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, has filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/MO40.pdf" target="_blank">motion to kill the bill</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/AM337.pdf" target="_blank">amendment to limit the salary increase to Foley alone</a>.LB 345 likely has no viable path as a standalone bill this year, but committee staff said it could be attached to a bill from Speaker John Arch of La Vista,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58836" target="_blank">LB 346</a>, which was introduced at Gov. Jim Pillen’s request to eliminate various boards and commissions.Previous salary bills, at least to 1973, have all passed as stand-alone proposals and have most recently faced opposition from the governor.<h2>Governor vetoes are common</h2>Pillen would not be alone if he vetoed the bill, though lawmakers have a history of overriding vetoes on the raises, such as in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Slip/LB246.pdf" target="_blank">1973</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. James Exon) and each of the last three approved bills, in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Slip/LB503.pdf" target="_blank">1990</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Kay Orr),&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Slip/LB956.pdf" target="_blank">2000</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Mike Johanns) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Slip/LB817.pdf" target="_blank">2006</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Dave Heineman). Each veto came in the respective governor’s first term.Bills in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/85/PDF/Slip/LB541.pdf" target="_blank">1978</a>&nbsp;(Exon) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/89/PDF/Slip/LB43.pdf" target="_blank">1986</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Bob Kerrey) were not vetoed. Exon was term-limited and Kerrey didn’t run for reelection.Each governor that used their veto pen cited budget constraints or,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1597" target="_blank">in the case of Heineman</a>, said the raises did not “represent a spending priority.”Orr said in 1990 that she was vetoing “<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1999" target="_blank">worthwhile programs</a>” due to budget constraints and that officials “must share in these efforts to keep state spending to a minimum.” Johanns said in 2000 that he appreciated lawmakers’ willingness to examine the constitutional officer salaries compared to other states.&nbsp;“At a time, however, when I have vetoed many meritorious proposals due to our current budget constraints, I cannot in good conscience agree to raise my salary, along with those of other constitutional officers,” Johanns wrote in his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1748" target="_blank">April 11, 2000, veto letter</a>.The very next day, lawmakers in a 45-1 vote — the largest margin of the override motions — rebuffed Johanns. He then got the 31% pay bump after he won reelection in 2002.Exon in 1973 said he appreciated lawmakers not raising the governor’s salary. However, he cautioned that “substantial increases to only a few constitutional officers is not the only point” and that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Journal/r1journal.pdf#page=1906" target="_blank">assistants traditionally also see large increases</a>, “and a chain reaction sets in.”Asked whether Pillen would veto the bill if passed, Strimple said “we will not speculate on hypotheticals in the legislative process.”Pillen has eyed a second term but has not yet announced reelection for 2026. He ran in 2022 alongside Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, who presides over the Legislature.<h2>‘Highly hypocritical’</h2>This time around, lawmakers face a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">projected $457 million budget shortfall over the next two fiscal years</a>, prior to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/18/preliminary-appropriations-committee-budget-unveiled-includes-pillen-cuts-to-nu/">any legislative action</a>. The next state budget must pass by mid-May.Conrad, a former member of the Appropriations Committee during all eight of Foley’s first eight years as auditor, echoed budget concerns. She’s also been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/17/ag-hilgers-issues-opinion-that-threatens-new-felon-voter-registrations-in-nebraska/">highly critical</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/16/improving-oversight-eyed-as-a-hallmark-issue-of-2025-legislative-session/">other officers’ job performance</a>, namely Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Pillen.“My bottom line is I don’t think we should raise salaries for highly paid politicians amid a budget crisis, and it’s highly hypocritical to seek such as many of these same leaders seek to undermine the will of the voters and undercut working families’ access to minimum wage and sick leave,” Conrad said in a Thursday email.Lawmakers just last week also moved away from a conversation about changing their own compensation levels, which haven’t been raised since 1988, and parked a proposal for a nonpartisan, independent compensation review commission at the end of 2025 priorities, including after the state budget.&nbsp;Any changes to lawmaker compensation would require a constitutional amendment, and state senator salaries have been more rigid because they are locked in the Nebraska Constitution, unlike salaries for constitutional officers or judges, the latter of whom almost always get salaries adjusted each July 1.Foley told the Government Committee last month that it is appropriate to review and perhaps update compensation from time to time, but he didn’t have “any particular number in mind.”“That’s your call, not mine,” he testified. “Whatever compensation figures you determine to be correct, that’s the right number. You’ll hear no quibbling from me.”<h2>‘Look past the individuals’</h2>Foley confirmed that stance again in a Thursday email, telling the Examiner: “Whatever number the committee decides is fine with me.”A spokesperson for Attorney General Mike Hilgers said he hadn’t weighed in on the proposal “and believes that he should not advocate for any changes to his own salary. He trusts that the body will make an appropriate decision that is right for the State of Nebraska.”A spokesperson for the Public Service Commission said the commission hadn’t taken a position and would not speak on pending legislation. A spokesperson for Treasurer Tom Briese, a former state senator appointed to the role in November 2023, said the office had no comment.A spokesperson for Evnen said by email after reviewing the amended bill: “The secretary indicated that no one had discussed the figures … with him. The proposal was not made at his behest, and this is a legislative determination.” Of current constitutional officers, Evnen was the first to announce a&nbsp;<a href="https://klin.com/2025/03/06/secretary-of-state-evnen-to-seek-re-election-in-2026/" target="_blank">reelection bid for 2026</a>.Foley was in the Legislature in 2006 when former State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha led the last bill to raise the salaries, which also included the governor.“My philosophy is that we should look past the individuals who happen to be occupying the office and annex to that office a salary commensurate with the duties entailed and the dignity that the office should be cloaked with,” Chambers said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/transcripts/view_page.php?leg=99&amp;bill=LB%20817&amp;key=3&amp;pages=7541%208319%209438%2010665-10668%2010795%2010829%2010909%2011208%2011464%2012710%2012752-12753%2012968%2013118%2013120%2013297%2013367%2013553-13554%2013587" target="_blank">March 14, 2006, floor speech regarding his bill</a>.Foley was in the middle of his campaign for auditor and was “present, not voting” when Chambers’ bill came for a final vote that year.“I think it’s the right thing to do, every 20 years or so, to revise the salaries for the constitutional officers of the State of Nebraska,” Foley said last month. “That’s why we’re here: to simply do the right thing.”

Committee advances bill with 57% salary hikes for Nebraska constitutional officers, except governor

Unknown travel direction, unknown of any associated vehicles. Please help us bring Ellen home!

If you have seen her or have any information, please contact the Alliance Police Department 308-762-4955&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742823276359.jpeg" alt="Ellen Rose Wilson (Alliance Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Ellen Rose Wilson (Alliance Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>Alliance Police DepartmentName: Ellen Rose WilsonAge: 32Last Seen: March 20, 2025 at 11:00pmLocation Last Seen: 400 block of LaramieClothing Description: UNKNOWN Height: 5'7Weight: 125LBSHair: BROWNEyes: BROWNAdditional Info:Unknown travel direction, unknown of any associated vehicles. Please help us bring Ellen home!If you have seen her or have any information, please contact the Alliance Police Department 308-762-4955&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAlliancePoliceDept%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0fSHxr2P2m9ifjnzQ74nUxdK9fVBZUUsGF8Ux9aWmu16DCzCaoxF6Ndc7J9GDG1Hel&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="552" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Alliance Police Department seeking help to locate missing Panhandle Woman 

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly say they are encouraged that the pursuit for justice for Sarah Root and her family is taking another significant step forward. Wanted fugitive Eswin Mejia will be extradited to Nebraska to face charges for her death in a 2016 crash. Mejia, who was in the U.S. illegally, disappeared after posting bail. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly say they are encouraged that the pursuit for justice for Sarah Root and her family is taking another significant step forward. Wanted fugitive Eswin Mejia will be extradited to Nebraska to face charges for her death in a 2016 crash. Mejia, who was in the U.S. illegally, disappeared after posting bail. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen and Lt. Gov. Kelly React to Announced Extradition of Eswin Mejia

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency for more than 20 counties impacted by this week’s winter storm. The combination of rain, sleet, hail, heavy snow, and high winds resulted in closures across multiple roadways, including Interstate 80. Conditions also did considerable damage to trees and power lines, resulting in a loss of electricity across multiple service areas. The heaviest damage occurred along the eastern part of the state.&nbsp;

Since Wednesday, significant progress has been made in getting customers reconnected. &nbsp;The public power districts have received assistance from crews in other states, through mutual aid agreements.&nbsp; According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the peak outage was reported Thursday afternoon with 119,199 customers without power. That has now been reduced to just over 29,000 customers.

Gov. Pillen has received regular updates from the utilities, as well as from leadership within the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while storm recovery has continued over the last few days. His proclamation will allow Nebraska’s adjutant general to take any steps necessary and to utilize funds for protecting lives and property impacted by the storm.&nbsp;

Counties covered by today’s emergency declaration include Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Platte, Polk, Nuckolls, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York. It is possible the list of counties will change as NEMA continues to receive damage assessment data from local emergency management agencies. If so, an additional declaration may be issued by Gov. Pillen. Initial damage estimates currently exceed $21 million. Again, it is possible that number will fluctuate with ongoing damage assessments. &nbsp;

Today, Gov. Pillen reiterated his appreciation to those who have been managing aspects of storm since its onset early Wednesday.

“From state troopers who assisted stranded motorists, to snow removal crews and now those involved in repairing downed lines to re-establish our power grid – a lot of people have stepped up very quickly to ensure that our safety has been the number one priority,” said Gov. Pillen.

Once all damage assessments are completed, steps will be undertaken to seek a federal disaster declaration.

In conjunction with this proclamation, Gov. Pillen also issued an executive order waiving the use of dynamic pricing for the remainder of the emergency order. &nbsp;

Copies of both documents are attached to this release.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency for more than 20 counties impacted by this week’s winter storm. The combination of rain, sleet, hail, heavy snow, and high winds resulted in closures across multiple roadways, including Interstate 80. Conditions also did considerable damage to trees and power lines, resulting in a loss of electricity across multiple service areas. The heaviest damage occurred along the eastern part of the state.&nbsp;Since Wednesday, significant progress has been made in getting customers reconnected. &nbsp;The public power districts have received assistance from crews in other states, through mutual aid agreements.&nbsp; According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the peak outage was reported Thursday afternoon with 119,199 customers without power. That has now been reduced to just over 29,000 customers.Gov. Pillen has received regular updates from the utilities, as well as from leadership within the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while storm recovery has continued over the last few days. His proclamation will allow Nebraska’s adjutant general to take any steps necessary and to utilize funds for protecting lives and property impacted by the storm.&nbsp;Counties covered by today’s emergency declaration include Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Platte, Polk, Nuckolls, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York. It is possible the list of counties will change as NEMA continues to receive damage assessment data from local emergency management agencies. If so, an additional declaration may be issued by Gov. Pillen. Initial damage estimates currently exceed $21 million. Again, it is possible that number will fluctuate with ongoing damage assessments. &nbsp;Today, Gov. Pillen reiterated his appreciation to those who have been managing aspects of storm since its onset early Wednesday.“From state troopers who assisted stranded motorists, to snow removal crews and now those involved in repairing downed lines to re-establish our power grid – a lot of people have stepped up very quickly to ensure that our safety has been the number one priority,” said Gov. Pillen.Once all damage assessments are completed, steps will be undertaken to seek a federal disaster declaration.In conjunction with this proclamation, Gov. Pillen also issued an executive order waiving the use of dynamic pricing for the remainder of the emergency order. &nbsp;Copies of both documents are attached to this release.

Gov. Pillen Declares Emergency for Counties Impacted by Winter Storm

More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.

Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.

Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.

The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.

Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.

“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.

Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.

“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.

“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.

Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.

The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.

The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.

Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.

Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.

“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.

“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”

“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)

Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.

Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.

In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).

States with the highest flu vaccination rates by December were Maine (37%), Connecticut and Vermont (33%), and Wisconsin and Minnesota (31%). But even those were down since 2022.

People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.”

A&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569234/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year. (Doctors recommend flu vaccinations annually and note that even vaccinated patients who get the flu usually face less severe forms.)

And in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X25001033" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;published in February in the journal Vaccine, researchers found that people refuse flu vaccinations for many of the same reasons they refused COVID-19 shots: a feeling of “social vulnerability” that leads to distrust of government and medical guidance. One hopeful sign, the report noted, is that vaccine recommendations from trusted health care professionals can turn around such attitudes.

“Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is deeply entangled with misinformation, political rhetoric and public distrust,” said Khan, the Oregon pulmonologist and the study’s author. “Scientific data alone may not be enough to shift public perceptions, as many vaccine decisions are driven by gut feelings and external influences rather than evidence.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732863479.png" alt=" A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)" />
 <figcaption> A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732798762.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).States with the highest flu vaccination rates by December were Maine (37%), Connecticut and Vermont (33%), and Wisconsin and Minnesota (31%). But even those were down since 2022.People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.”A&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569234/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year. (Doctors recommend flu vaccinations annually and note that even vaccinated patients who get the flu usually face less severe forms.)And in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X25001033" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;published in February in the journal Vaccine, researchers found that people refuse flu vaccinations for many of the same reasons they refused COVID-19 shots: a feeling of “social vulnerability” that leads to distrust of government and medical guidance. One hopeful sign, the report noted, is that vaccine recommendations from trusted health care professionals can turn around such attitudes.“Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is deeply entangled with misinformation, political rhetoric and public distrust,” said Khan, the Oregon pulmonologist and the study’s author. “Scientific data alone may not be enough to shift public perceptions, as many vaccine decisions are driven by gut feelings and external influences rather than evidence.”

Flu deaths rise as anti-vaccine disinformation takes root

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen is partnering with the Department of Agriculture (NDA) in providing Nebraskans with information about the appearance of avian influenza in wild birds this time of year.&nbsp; Today, the Douglas County Health Department reported on the detection of H5N1 in dead geese at ConAgra Lake in Omaha.

“Nebraska is situated in the heart of the migratory bird path, especially waterfowl.&nbsp; It’s well known that wild waterfowl can be infected with avian influenza and transmit the virus to other birds, including backyard and commercial poultry, through contact including wild bird droppings.&nbsp; Many wild birds will show no symptoms of the virus however, some will succumb to the disease,” said NDA State Veterinarian Roger Dudley.

According to the USDA Wildlife Services website, there were 29 wild birds with H5N1 in Nebraska in 2022. There were 17 reported in 2023, 11 in 2024 and five in 2025, excluding the two most recent detections reported in Douglas County.

Anyone spotting a dead wild bird is encouraged to utilize the new Nebraska Game and Parks website to report it.&nbsp; An easy-to-complete webform can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fconservation%2Fconservation-challenges%2Fwildlife-diseases%2Favian-influenza%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CEzra.Effrein%40nebraska.gov%7Ca6604a47f5924ee335bb08dd68a1ec04%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C638781766846205667%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9lRUsis9u6CrxFTlEeCvZHuo6mYHmeqvpTLjfC4H%2FSY%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://outdoornebraska.gov/conservation/conservation-challenges/wildlife-diseases/avian-influenza/</a>.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen is partnering with the Department of Agriculture (NDA) in providing Nebraskans with information about the appearance of avian influenza in wild birds this time of year.&nbsp; Today, the Douglas County Health Department reported on the detection of H5N1 in dead geese at ConAgra Lake in Omaha.“Nebraska is situated in the heart of the migratory bird path, especially waterfowl.&nbsp; It’s well known that wild waterfowl can be infected with avian influenza and transmit the virus to other birds, including backyard and commercial poultry, through contact including wild bird droppings.&nbsp; Many wild birds will show no symptoms of the virus however, some will succumb to the disease,” said NDA State Veterinarian Roger Dudley.According to the USDA Wildlife Services website, there were 29 wild birds with H5N1 in Nebraska in 2022. There were 17 reported in 2023, 11 in 2024 and five in 2025, excluding the two most recent detections reported in Douglas County.Anyone spotting a dead wild bird is encouraged to utilize the new Nebraska Game and Parks website to report it.&nbsp; An easy-to-complete webform can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fconservation%2Fconservation-challenges%2Fwildlife-diseases%2Favian-influenza%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CEzra.Effrein%40nebraska.gov%7Ca6604a47f5924ee335bb08dd68a1ec04%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C638781766846205667%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9lRUsis9u6CrxFTlEeCvZHuo6mYHmeqvpTLjfC4H%2FSY%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://outdoornebraska.gov/conservation/conservation-challenges/wildlife-diseases/avian-influenza/</a>.

Gov. Pillen and Dept. of Agriculture Offer Information for Reporting Dead Wild Birds

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement regarding LB89, the&nbsp;Stand With Women Act, introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth at his request. Yesterday, the five Republicans on the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to pass the legislation out of committee.

“This is common sense legislation that the majority of Nebraskans believe in,” said Gov. Pillen. “Biological males don’t need to be competing against biological females. It’s really an issue of safety and fairness. We must carve out spaces – bathrooms, locker rooms, and the field of play – for our girls. I’m grateful to the five Republican committee members who voted to pass this effort out of committee – senators Sanders, Andersen, Lonowski, McKeon, and Wordekemper – who wanted to pass this effort out of committee.”

The&nbsp;Stand With Women Act&nbsp;would prohibit biological males from joining female sports teams. It would require group restrooms and locker rooms in schools as well as state agencies to be designated for use by either males or females, and it prohibits individuals of one biological sex from using the restroom or locker rook designated for use by the opposite biological sex.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement regarding LB89, the&nbsp;Stand With Women Act, introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth at his request. Yesterday, the five Republicans on the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to pass the legislation out of committee.“This is common sense legislation that the majority of Nebraskans believe in,” said Gov. Pillen. “Biological males don’t need to be competing against biological females. It’s really an issue of safety and fairness. We must carve out spaces – bathrooms, locker rooms, and the field of play – for our girls. I’m grateful to the five Republican committee members who voted to pass this effort out of committee – senators Sanders, Andersen, Lonowski, McKeon, and Wordekemper – who wanted to pass this effort out of committee.”The&nbsp;Stand With Women Act&nbsp;would prohibit biological males from joining female sports teams. It would require group restrooms and locker rooms in schools as well as state agencies to be designated for use by either males or females, and it prohibits individuals of one biological sex from using the restroom or locker rook designated for use by the opposite biological sex.

 Gov. Pillen Praises Stand With Women Committee Vote

Acting United States Attorney Matt Molsen announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 17 unsealed Indictments charging 19 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.&nbsp;

Deaviea Brown, age 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges Brown with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person beginning on or about December 19, 2024, and continuing to on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges Brown with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute beginning on or about December 19, 2024, and continuing to on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 2 years, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Brown with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime beginning on or about December 19, 2024, and continuing to on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jermaine Cobb, age 33, of Auburn, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about February 27, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a $100 special assessment.

Jorge E. Morrison, age 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about November 7, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Oswaldo Molina Cisneros, age 20, of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Victor Molina Morales, age 22, of Bellevue, Nebraska, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 22, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Steven Jones, age 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Jones with attempted production of child pornography beginning on an unknown date and continuing through on or about September 30, 2022.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Jones with distribution of child pornography beginning on or about September 1, 2022, and continuing through on or about September 30, 2022.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;Chloe Johnson, age 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with threatening to assault a United States Representative, a Member of Congress, on or about February 24, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 6 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Dontae D. Orduna, age 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Bruce J. Dortch, age 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged in a five-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges Orduna and Dortch with conspiracy to commit bank robbery between on or about January 1, 2025, through March 12, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3- year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges Orduna and Dortch with bank robbery on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Orduna and Dortch with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 7 years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Orduna and Dortch with attempted bank robbery beginning on or about March 1, 2025, and continuing through March 12, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count V charges Orduna with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 12, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:&nbsp;

Christian Fernando Alvarado-Nieto, age 30

The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:&nbsp;

The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

United States Attorney's OfficeActing United States Attorney Matt Molsen announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 17 unsealed Indictments charging 19 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.&nbsp;Deaviea Brown, age 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges Brown with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person beginning on or about December 19, 2024, and continuing to on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges Brown with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute beginning on or about December 19, 2024, and continuing to on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 2 years, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Brown with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime beginning on or about December 19, 2024, and continuing to on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jermaine Cobb, age 33, of Auburn, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about February 27, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a $100 special assessment.Jorge E. Morrison, age 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about November 7, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Oswaldo Molina Cisneros, age 20, of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Victor Molina Morales, age 22, of Bellevue, Nebraska, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 22, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Steven Jones, age 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Jones with attempted production of child pornography beginning on an unknown date and continuing through on or about September 30, 2022.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Jones with distribution of child pornography beginning on or about September 1, 2022, and continuing through on or about September 30, 2022.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chloe Johnson, age 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with threatening to assault a United States Representative, a Member of Congress, on or about February 24, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 6 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.Dontae D. Orduna, age 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Bruce J. Dortch, age 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged in a five-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges Orduna and Dortch with conspiracy to commit bank robbery between on or about January 1, 2025, through March 12, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3- year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges Orduna and Dortch with bank robbery on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Orduna and Dortch with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence on or about January 14, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 7 years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Orduna and Dortch with attempted bank robbery beginning on or about March 1, 2025, and continuing through March 12, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count V charges Orduna with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 12, 2025.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release.&nbsp;&nbsp;The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:&nbsp;Genaro Barriente, age 46Wilson Hamilton Chinchilla-Ruiz, age 38Eber David Flores-Gomez, age 27Oscar Gabino-Maganda, age 37Jose Vicente Diaz-Sorto, age 55Christian Fernando Alvarado-Nieto, age 30Jesus Eduardo Nunez-Alvarez, age 28Gabriel Zarza-Estrada, age 32The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:&nbsp;Marco Mejia, age 50Javier Banderas Guevara, age 39The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska

WASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Department of Education executive order. He was invited to the White House and attended the signing ceremony.

“Our kids and grandkids must be a priority, because they are Nebraska’s future,” said Gov. Pillen. “Since the Department of Education was formed as a standalone entity in 1980, we’ve seen its budget and workforce bloat – but the U.S. has not seen improved outcomes for students, parents or classrooms. Our kids’ education and our teachers are too important for us to keep pursuing mediocre results that cost us billions. The best thing we can do to help families and schools is to increase local influence and restore decision making to those nearest our students -- because they care the most. This is a pro-kid, pro-parent, pro-teacher, pro-school position.”

Additionally, Gov. Pillen met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and other Trump Administration officials to promote Nebraska agriculture and industry.

“Building these relationships is critical for our state,” continued Gov. Pillen. “The good folks in the Trump Administration are working hard to serve our country, and the state of Nebraska looks forward to partnering with them in many more ways.”

Office of Govenor Jim PillenWASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Department of Education executive order. He was invited to the White House and attended the signing ceremony.“Our kids and grandkids must be a priority, because they are Nebraska’s future,” said Gov. Pillen. “Since the Department of Education was formed as a standalone entity in 1980, we’ve seen its budget and workforce bloat – but the U.S. has not seen improved outcomes for students, parents or classrooms. Our kids’ education and our teachers are too important for us to keep pursuing mediocre results that cost us billions. The best thing we can do to help families and schools is to increase local influence and restore decision making to those nearest our students -- because they care the most. This is a pro-kid, pro-parent, pro-teacher, pro-school position.”Additionally, Gov. Pillen met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and other Trump Administration officials to promote Nebraska agriculture and industry.“Building these relationships is critical for our state,” continued Gov. Pillen. “The good folks in the Trump Administration are working hard to serve our country, and the state of Nebraska looks forward to partnering with them in many more ways.”

Gov. Pillen Attends Trump Education EO Signing Ceremony

Nebraska State Education Association

Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska State Education Association&nbsp; announced that Trish Guinan has notified the Board of Directors of her intention to retire as NSEA Executive Director effective Dec. 31, 2025.&nbsp; Isau Metes, NSEA Associate Executive Director, has been named Executive Director effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Guinan has successfully served the Association and public education for almost 50 years. She taught mathematics at the secondary and college levels before beginning her association work as a field representative for members in 1996, becoming Director of Member Rights in 2000, Director of Advocacy in 2012, and Executive Director in 2021.

While teaching, Guinan also served as the Fremont Public Schools Staff Development Coordinator. She served as a building representative, negotiator, vice president, and president of the Fremont Education Association, vice president of NSEA’s Metro District Board of Directors, and as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly and the NSEA Delegate Assembly. Guinan earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from Buena Vista College (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master of Arts for Teachers of Mathematics Degree from the University of&nbsp; Nebraska Omaha (Summa Cum Laude).

“On behalf of NSEA’s 26,000 members, I want to thank Trish for her many years of service to the Association and public education,” said Tim Royers, NSEA President. “Her contributions, leadership and the positive impact she has had on the Association is stellar and is very much appreciated.”

In announcing her decision to retire at the end of the year, Guinan said she wanted to ensure time for a smooth transition.

“Advocating for our members and our Nebraska public schools and students is an honor and privilege,” said Guinan. “My deep belief in servant leadership, proactive thinking and collaboration has guided me throughout my career. The support of the Board of Directors and our dedicated, talented NSEA members and staff have led to many rewarding accomplishments.”

Guinan said the Board’s appointment of Metes as her successor ensures “continuity for our members” and means the Association “won’t miss a beat” in supporting members and advocating for Nebraska public schools.

“Isau and I have worked together on a daily basis for more than six years,” said Guinan. “I have complete confidence in her leadership, and I am thrilled that the Board of Directors has selected her as my successor.”

Metes, a U.S. Army veteran, was a Lincoln Public Schools teacher for 10 years before joining the NSEA as an Organizational Specialist in 2019. She added Assistant Director of Advocacy work to her duties in January 2020, and assumed the Teaching and Learning position duties in the fall of 2020. She was named Director of Advocacy in November 2021, and became the&nbsp; Associate Executive Director in July 2023. Metes earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Language and Literature from Wayne State College and a Master of Education Degree from Doane University.

“Isau is ideally prepared to assume the duties as our next Executive Director,” said Royers. “In addition to being knowledgeable and collaborative, Isau possesses high personal integrity and character. She will continue to well serve the Association in her new role.”

“I am grateful for the Board’s confidence in me, and I am honored to succeed Trish as NSEA’s Executive Director,” said Metes. “Trish has been and continues to be a mentor to me. Her leadership has put the Association on solid footing – and she has done so with humility, exceptional character, and a servant mindset.”

Metes will be the 12th&nbsp;Executive Director in the Association’s 158-year history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742570813653.jpeg" alt="Trish Guinan (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>Trish Guinan (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska State Education AssociationLincoln, NE – The Nebraska State Education Association&nbsp; announced that Trish Guinan has notified the Board of Directors of her intention to retire as NSEA Executive Director effective Dec. 31, 2025.&nbsp; Isau Metes, NSEA Associate Executive Director, has been named Executive Director effective Jan. 1, 2026.Guinan has successfully served the Association and public education for almost 50 years. She taught mathematics at the secondary and college levels before beginning her association work as a field representative for members in 1996, becoming Director of Member Rights in 2000, Director of Advocacy in 2012, and Executive Director in 2021.While teaching, Guinan also served as the Fremont Public Schools Staff Development Coordinator. She served as a building representative, negotiator, vice president, and president of the Fremont Education Association, vice president of NSEA’s Metro District Board of Directors, and as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly and the NSEA Delegate Assembly. Guinan earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from Buena Vista College (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master of Arts for Teachers of Mathematics Degree from the University of&nbsp; Nebraska Omaha (Summa Cum Laude).“On behalf of NSEA’s 26,000 members, I want to thank Trish for her many years of service to the Association and public education,” said Tim Royers, NSEA President. “Her contributions, leadership and the positive impact she has had on the Association is stellar and is very much appreciated.”In announcing her decision to retire at the end of the year, Guinan said she wanted to ensure time for a smooth transition.“Advocating for our members and our Nebraska public schools and students is an honor and privilege,” said Guinan. “My deep belief in servant leadership, proactive thinking and collaboration has guided me throughout my career. The support of the Board of Directors and our dedicated, talented NSEA members and staff have led to many rewarding accomplishments.”Guinan said the Board’s appointment of Metes as her successor ensures “continuity for our members” and means the Association “won’t miss a beat” in supporting members and advocating for Nebraska public schools.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742570848614.jpeg" alt="Isau Metes (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>Isau Metes (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Isau and I have worked together on a daily basis for more than six years,” said Guinan. “I have complete confidence in her leadership, and I am thrilled that the Board of Directors has selected her as my successor.”Metes, a U.S. Army veteran, was a Lincoln Public Schools teacher for 10 years before joining the NSEA as an Organizational Specialist in 2019. She added Assistant Director of Advocacy work to her duties in January 2020, and assumed the Teaching and Learning position duties in the fall of 2020. She was named Director of Advocacy in November 2021, and became the&nbsp; Associate Executive Director in July 2023. Metes earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Language and Literature from Wayne State College and a Master of Education Degree from Doane University.“Isau is ideally prepared to assume the duties as our next Executive Director,” said Royers. “In addition to being knowledgeable and collaborative, Isau possesses high personal integrity and character. She will continue to well serve the Association in her new role.”“I am grateful for the Board’s confidence in me, and I am honored to succeed Trish as NSEA’s Executive Director,” said Metes. “Trish has been and continues to be a mentor to me. Her leadership has put the Association on solid footing – and she has done so with humility, exceptional character, and a servant mindset.”Metes will be the 12th&nbsp;Executive Director in the Association’s 158-year history.

NSEA Executive Director Announces Upcoming Retirement

Office of Nebraska Attorney General Office

Lincoln— Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined 51 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in support of two military veterans and their families who were unlawfully denied their full G.I. Bill education benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

 In this case, U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran were denied crucial education benefits to which they are clearly entitled.

The brief argues that the VA has taken a restrictive interpretation of the G.I. Bills that contradicts the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in&nbsp;Rudisill v. McDonough, which confirmed that veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills are entitled to a full 48 months of education benefits. Despite the clear precedent, the VA has continued to limit benefits based on an erroneous reading of the ruling, depriving veterans and their families of critical educational opportunities.

“The dedicated service of our veterans establishes a special covenant between those brave men and women and our government. I am proud to join my fellow Attorneys General in the fight to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits they have been promised,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.

The brief was joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Office of Nebraska Attorney General OfficeLincoln— Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined 51 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in support of two military veterans and their families who were unlawfully denied their full G.I. Bill education benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this case, U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran were denied crucial education benefits to which they are clearly entitled.The brief argues that the VA has taken a restrictive interpretation of the G.I. Bills that contradicts the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in&nbsp;Rudisill v. McDonough, which confirmed that veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills are entitled to a full 48 months of education benefits. Despite the clear precedent, the VA has continued to limit benefits based on an erroneous reading of the ruling, depriving veterans and their families of critical educational opportunities.“The dedicated service of our veterans establishes a special covenant between those brave men and women and our government. I am proud to join my fellow Attorneys General in the fight to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits they have been promised,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.The brief was joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

52 Attorneys General Join Amicus Brief in Support of Military Veterans

Many of us have heard the sobering facts about China’s growing military might. Beyond its rapidly advancing military, China is also becoming increasingly aggressive in the Indo-Pacific region. In the South China Sea, for example, Chinese military ships continue to harass Filipino vessels to bully the Philippines into submission; and in the Taiwan Strait, China regularly sends military aircraft to intimidate Taiwan.&nbsp;

At some point, China could miscalculate and provoke an all-out war or intentionally initiate military action, potentially drawing the United States into a conflict. A war against a technologically advanced adversary like China would almost certainly result in massive numbers of casualties, unlike anything we’ve seen this century. If deterrence fails, we cannot be caught unprepared, and we must have plans to quickly transport and treat injured servicemembers.

Today, the Military Health System is not prepared to respond to casualties resulting from conflict against a military power such as China. It’s something we must address now—both to fulfill our sacred obligation to those who risk their lives for our country and because our adversaries are becoming increasingly aggressive.

This includes modernizing the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which would be called upon to plan, coordinate, and execute our medical response to a mass casualty event like a war. The NDMS is comprised of multiple federal agencies that partner with civilian health care organizations to create a network to care for civilian or military casualties in crises. For this reason, for the past several years I have authorized and funded a pilot program to improve the NDMS, making it easier for different entities to work together and expanding NDMS’s surge capacity to care for more patients.

Last week, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, I questioned experts on how we can continue to strengthen NDMS and prepare our nation for an attack that could quickly overwhelm our health system. At the hearing, the experts urged Congress to find a way to take the lessons learned from the pilot program and apply them going forward.

The experts also underscored the importance of the military partnering with civilian entities such as academic institutions. One institution that works closely with the Military Health System is our own University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Specifically, UNMC has a leading program for treating patients with highly contagious infectious diseases and on-site training built in partnership with the U.S. Air Force. Military-civilian partnerships like these strengthen the NDMS, while also improving care for both military and civilian patients, by accelerating the exchange of ideas between institutions that would need to collaborate closely if a major war erupted. These partnerships build up future leaders to specialize in medical areas that are relevant to combat.

We all hope that we will never see war against a major military power, but we must live in reality and recognize the growing aggression and capabilities of our adversaries. I’ll be working with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to strengthen our national security, which includes improving our Military Health System.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb FischerMany of us have heard the sobering facts about China’s growing military might. Beyond its rapidly advancing military, China is also becoming increasingly aggressive in the Indo-Pacific region. In the South China Sea, for example, Chinese military ships continue to harass Filipino vessels to bully the Philippines into submission; and in the Taiwan Strait, China regularly sends military aircraft to intimidate Taiwan.&nbsp;At some point, China could miscalculate and provoke an all-out war or intentionally initiate military action, potentially drawing the United States into a conflict. A war against a technologically advanced adversary like China would almost certainly result in massive numbers of casualties, unlike anything we’ve seen this century. If deterrence fails, we cannot be caught unprepared, and we must have plans to quickly transport and treat injured servicemembers.Today, the Military Health System is not prepared to respond to casualties resulting from conflict against a military power such as China. It’s something we must address now—both to fulfill our sacred obligation to those who risk their lives for our country and because our adversaries are becoming increasingly aggressive.This includes modernizing the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which would be called upon to plan, coordinate, and execute our medical response to a mass casualty event like a war. The NDMS is comprised of multiple federal agencies that partner with civilian health care organizations to create a network to care for civilian or military casualties in crises. For this reason, for the past several years I have authorized and funded a pilot program to improve the NDMS, making it easier for different entities to work together and expanding NDMS’s surge capacity to care for more patients.Last week, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, I questioned experts on how we can continue to strengthen NDMS and prepare our nation for an attack that could quickly overwhelm our health system. At the hearing, the experts urged Congress to find a way to take the lessons learned from the pilot program and apply them going forward.The experts also underscored the importance of the military partnering with civilian entities such as academic institutions. One institution that works closely with the Military Health System is our own University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Specifically, UNMC has a leading program for treating patients with highly contagious infectious diseases and on-site training built in partnership with the U.S. Air Force. Military-civilian partnerships like these strengthen the NDMS, while also improving care for both military and civilian patients, by accelerating the exchange of ideas between institutions that would need to collaborate closely if a major war erupted. These partnerships build up future leaders to specialize in medical areas that are relevant to combat.We all hope that we will never see war against a major military power, but we must live in reality and recognize the growing aggression and capabilities of our adversaries. I’ll be working with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to strengthen our national security, which includes improving our Military Health System.Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

 Stabilizing the Military Health System

On 03/20/25 (9:43PM), the Scottsbluff Police Department and Scottsbluff Fire Department, were dispatched to 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave. regarding a fire.

Upon arrival it was determined that an adult male, Anthony Cervantes (74), had been doused with an accelerant and set on fire.Cervantes was found to be deceased at the scene.

The suspect was identified as Anthony’s son, Elijah Cervantes (44). Both men reside at the home at 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave.

Elijah Cervantes was located and subsequently arrested for 2nd&nbsp;Degree Murder and 1st&nbsp;Degree Arson.

The Scottsbluff Police Department was assisted by the Scotts Bluff Sherrif’s Office, Gering Police Department, and the State of Nebraska Fire Marshal’s Office.

By Scottsbluff Police DepartmentOn 03/20/25 (9:43PM), the Scottsbluff Police Department and Scottsbluff Fire Department, were dispatched to 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave. regarding a fire.Upon arrival it was determined that an adult male, Anthony Cervantes (74), had been doused with an accelerant and set on fire.Cervantes was found to be deceased at the scene.The suspect was identified as Anthony’s son, Elijah Cervantes (44). Both men reside at the home at 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave.Elijah Cervantes was located and subsequently arrested for 2nd&nbsp;Degree Murder and 1st&nbsp;Degree Arson.The Scottsbluff Police Department was assisted by the Scotts Bluff Sherrif’s Office, Gering Police Department, and the State of Nebraska Fire Marshal’s Office.