JERUSALEM —Iranian-backed Houthis terrorists launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden over the weekend, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. 

One missile struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned  and operated container ship. M/V Tavvishi reported damage but has continued  underway. The second missile was successfully destroyed by a coalition ship. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. 

Separately, Iranian terrorists&nbsp; launched one ballistic missile and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Norderney, an Antigua and Barbados flagged, German owned and operated cargo ship. M/V Norderney reported damage but has continued underway. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. 

Additionally, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one drone over the Gulf of Aden. Later, US forces successfully destroyed two Houthi land attack cruise missiles (LACM) and one missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702740562018.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —Iranian-backed Houthis terrorists launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden over the weekend, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. One missile struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned and operated container ship. M/V Tavvishi reported damage but has continued underway. The second missile was successfully destroyed by a coalition ship. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. Separately, Iranian terrorists&nbsp; launched one ballistic missile and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Norderney, an Antigua and Barbados flagged, German owned and operated cargo ship. M/V Norderney reported damage but has continued underway. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. Additionally, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one drone over the Gulf of Aden. Later, US forces successfully destroyed two Houthi land attack cruise missiles (LACM) and one missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Iran-backed terrorist's missiles damage ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden

By JULIE APPLEBY&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>

A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results.

It’s the latest in a long-running saga involving Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics, which will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/magellan-diagnostics-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-42-million-resolve-criminal-charges">pay $42 million in penalties</a>, according to the Department of Justice.

While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/magellan_fact_sheet_20211203_ADA_v2.pdf">as late as 2021</a>. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for “potentially tens of thousands” of children and other patients.

Doctors don’t consider any level of lead in the blood to be safe, especially for children. Several U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with widespread lead contamination of their water supplies in the last two decades, making accurate tests critical for public health.

It’s possible faulty Magellan kits were used to test children for lead exposure into the early 2020s, based on the recall in 2021. Here’s what parents should know.

The inaccurate results came from three Magellan devices: LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II, and LeadCare Plus. One, the LeadCare II, uses finger-stick samples primarily and accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the U.S. from 2013 to 2017, according to the Justice Department. It was often used in physician offices to check children’s lead levels.

The other two could also be used with blood drawn from a vein and may have been more common in labs than doctor’s offices. The company “first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results – specifically, lead test results that were falsely low” in June 2013 while seeking regulatory clearance to sell the product, the DOJ said. But it did not disclose that information and went on to market the tests, according to the settlement.

The agency said 2013 testing indicated the same flaw affected the LeadCare II device. A 2021 recall included most of all three types of test kits distributed since October 27, 2020.

The company said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.magellandx.com/resources/magellan-diagnostics-announces-voluntary-resolution-of-federal-investigation/">press release</a>&nbsp;announcing the resolution that “the underlying issues that affected the results of some of Magellan’s products from 2013 to 2018 have been fully and effectively remediated,” and that the tests it currently sells are safe.

Children are often tested during pediatrician visits at age 1 and again at age 2. Elevated lead levels can put kids at risk of developmental delay, lower IQ, and other problems. And symptoms, such as stomachache, poor appetite, or irritability, may not appear until high levels are reached.

Falsely low test results could mean parents and physicians were unaware of the problem.

That’s a concern because treatment for lead poisoning is, initially, mainly preventive. Results showing elevated levels should prompt parents and health officials to determine the sources of lead and take steps to prevent continued lead intake, said Janine Kerr, health educator with the Virginia Department of Health’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/">Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program</a>.

Children can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, including by drinking water contaminated with lead from old pipes, such as in Flint and Washington; ingesting lead-based paint flakes often found in older homes; or, as reported recently, eating some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023">brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce.</a>

“Parents can contact their child’s pediatrician to determine if their child had a blood lead test with a LeadCare device” and discuss whether a repeat blood lead test is needed, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.mountsinai.org/maida-p-galvez">Maida Galvez</a>, a pediatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

During an earlier recall of some Magellan devices, in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-americans-about-risk-inaccurate-results-certain-lead-tests">recommended that patients be retested</a>&nbsp;if they were pregnant, nursing, or children younger than 6 and had a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter as determined by a Magellan device from a venous blood draw.

The 2021 recall of Magellan devices recommended retesting children whose results were less than the current CDC reference level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Many of those tests were of the finger-stick variety.

Kerr, at the Virginia health department, said her agency has not had many calls about that recall.

The finger-stick tests “are not that widely used in Virginia,” said Kerr, adding that “we did get a lot of questions about the applesauce recall.”

In any case, she said, the “best course of action for parents is to talk with a health care provider.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717934001181.png" alt=" From left, a lead pipe, a corroded steel pipe, and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate (Photo courtesy Environmental Protection Agency)." />
 <figcaption> From left, a lead pipe, a corroded steel pipe, and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate (Photo courtesy Environmental Protection Agency).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JULIE APPLEBY&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results.It’s the latest in a long-running saga involving Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics, which will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/magellan-diagnostics-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-42-million-resolve-criminal-charges">pay $42 million in penalties</a>, according to the Department of Justice.While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/magellan_fact_sheet_20211203_ADA_v2.pdf">as late as 2021</a>. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for “potentially tens of thousands” of children and other patients.Doctors don’t consider any level of lead in the blood to be safe, especially for children. Several U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with widespread lead contamination of their water supplies in the last two decades, making accurate tests critical for public health.It’s possible faulty Magellan kits were used to test children for lead exposure into the early 2020s, based on the recall in 2021. Here’s what parents should know.<h2>What tests were affected?</h2>The inaccurate results came from three Magellan devices: LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II, and LeadCare Plus. One, the LeadCare II, uses finger-stick samples primarily and accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the U.S. from 2013 to 2017, according to the Justice Department. It was often used in physician offices to check children’s lead levels.The other two could also be used with blood drawn from a vein and may have been more common in labs than doctor’s offices. The company “first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results – specifically, lead test results that were falsely low” in June 2013 while seeking regulatory clearance to sell the product, the DOJ said. But it did not disclose that information and went on to market the tests, according to the settlement.The agency said 2013 testing indicated the same flaw affected the LeadCare II device. A 2021 recall included most of all three types of test kits distributed since October 27, 2020.The company said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.magellandx.com/resources/magellan-diagnostics-announces-voluntary-resolution-of-federal-investigation/">press release</a>&nbsp;announcing the resolution that “the underlying issues that affected the results of some of Magellan’s products from 2013 to 2018 have been fully and effectively remediated,” and that the tests it currently sells are safe.<h2>What does a falsely low result mean?</h2>Children are often tested during pediatrician visits at age 1 and again at age 2. Elevated lead levels can put kids at risk of developmental delay, lower IQ, and other problems. And symptoms, such as stomachache, poor appetite, or irritability, may not appear until high levels are reached.Falsely low test results could mean parents and physicians were unaware of the problem.That’s a concern because treatment for lead poisoning is, initially, mainly preventive. Results showing elevated levels should prompt parents and health officials to determine the sources of lead and take steps to prevent continued lead intake, said Janine Kerr, health educator with the Virginia Department of Health’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/">Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program</a>.Children can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, including by drinking water contaminated with lead from old pipes, such as in Flint and Washington; ingesting lead-based paint flakes often found in older homes; or, as reported recently, eating some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023">brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce.</a><h2>What should parents do now?</h2>“Parents can contact their child’s pediatrician to determine if their child had a blood lead test with a LeadCare device” and discuss whether a repeat blood lead test is needed, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.mountsinai.org/maida-p-galvez">Maida Galvez</a>, a pediatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.During an earlier recall of some Magellan devices, in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-americans-about-risk-inaccurate-results-certain-lead-tests">recommended that patients be retested</a>&nbsp;if they were pregnant, nursing, or children younger than 6 and had a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter as determined by a Magellan device from a venous blood draw.The 2021 recall of Magellan devices recommended retesting children whose results were less than the current CDC reference level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Many of those tests were of the finger-stick variety.Kerr, at the Virginia health department, said her agency has not had many calls about that recall.The finger-stick tests “are not that widely used in Virginia,” said Kerr, adding that “we did get a lot of questions about the applesauce recall.”In any case, she said, the “best course of action for parents is to talk with a health care provider.”<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

Thousands of children got tested for lead with faulty devices: What parents should know

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– ﻿Governor Jim Pillen traveled Wednesday to Del Rio, Texas, to see troops he deployed to assist in securing America’s southern border. He was joined by Speaker John Arch, Senator Tom Brewer, chairman of the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, and Major General Craig Strong, Adjutant General for the Nebraska National Guard.

The daylong visit was spent with National Guard airmen and soldiers who have been deployed to the Del Rio area since early April. The group of about 35 troops will be there until late June/early July, on active-duty status supporting the Texas National Guard.

Gov. Pillen has been steadfast in his support to combat the humanitarian and national security crisis at border, saying that the situation is one that impacts every state, including Nebraska. &nbsp;As recently as May 31, more than 512,300 illegal immigrants have been apprehended with more than 43,400 criminal arrests, resulting in at least 38,200 felony charges. More than 487 million lethal doses of fentanyl have been seized.

“Nebraska’s commitment has been critical to this mission,” said Gov. Pillen. “These Nebraska troops are helping to stop the influx of criminals, weapons, drugs and human trafficking into our country and state. Every state is a border state, so Nebraska must meet its duty to secure our country.”

The Governor’s comments come on the heels of an executive order issued by President Joe Biden this week, setting daily caps on the number of illegal immigrants allowed asylum in the United States, which the Governor described as, “too little, too late.”

During his visit with Nebraska troops, Gov. Pillen thanked them for answering the call to volunteer for this mission.

“They have taken time out of their normal work and family lives to take on a challenge that is important to our nation,” said Gov. Pillen. “I join fellow Nebraskans in sharing our gratitude for their service.”

Guard members have been working side-by-side with the Texas National Guard, manning various posts along the border. Gov. Pillen and his party spent time with the troops at their base camp and then toured operational areas by vehicle. Earlier this year, 10 troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol deployed to the El Paso area for two weeks in April and worked in partnership with Texas state law enforcement in support of their efforts to secure the border.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717759921145.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy Photo)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– ﻿Governor Jim Pillen traveled Wednesday to Del Rio, Texas, to see troops he deployed to assist in securing America’s southern border. He was joined by Speaker John Arch, Senator Tom Brewer, chairman of the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, and Major General Craig Strong, Adjutant General for the Nebraska National Guard.The daylong visit was spent with National Guard airmen and soldiers who have been deployed to the Del Rio area since early April. The group of about 35 troops will be there until late June/early July, on active-duty status supporting the Texas National Guard.Gov. Pillen has been steadfast in his support to combat the humanitarian and national security crisis at border, saying that the situation is one that impacts every state, including Nebraska. &nbsp;As recently as May 31, more than 512,300 illegal immigrants have been apprehended with more than 43,400 criminal arrests, resulting in at least 38,200 felony charges. More than 487 million lethal doses of fentanyl have been seized.“Nebraska’s commitment has been critical to this mission,” said Gov. Pillen. “These Nebraska troops are helping to stop the influx of criminals, weapons, drugs and human trafficking into our country and state. Every state is a border state, so Nebraska must meet its duty to secure our country.”The Governor’s comments come on the heels of an executive order issued by President Joe Biden this week, setting daily caps on the number of illegal immigrants allowed asylum in the United States, which the Governor described as, “too little, too late.”During his visit with Nebraska troops, Gov. Pillen thanked them for answering the call to volunteer for this mission.“They have taken time out of their normal work and family lives to take on a challenge that is important to our nation,” said Gov. Pillen. “I join fellow Nebraskans in sharing our gratitude for their service.”Guard members have been working side-by-side with the Texas National Guard, manning various posts along the border. Gov. Pillen and his party spent time with the troops at their base camp and then toured operational areas by vehicle. Earlier this year, 10 troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol deployed to the El Paso area for two weeks in April and worked in partnership with Texas state law enforcement in support of their efforts to secure the border.

Gov. Pillen and Senators Visit Deployed Troops at Border

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Author/141690/joseph-clark/">Joseph Clark</a>, Department of Defense

U.S. forces are expected in the coming days to resume delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza via the Defense Department's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier, a senior military official said Friday.

Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, said U.S. troops have successfully reattached the temporary causeway to the beach in Gaza with the assistance of Israel Defense Force engineers following a a weather-related break in the pier.&nbsp;

"To be sure, this method of delivering aid from the sea to the people of Gaza has already proved to be effective," Cooper said. "During its previous weeklong period of operation, the temporary pier delivered 1,000 metric tons of aid — more than 2 million pounds — to the people of Gaza."&nbsp;

The U.S. halted the flow of aid using the sea corridor last month after high sea caused damage to a portion of the temporary pier, forcing crews to remove the pier from its anchor point on the Gaza coastline. &nbsp;

The pier was relocated temporarily to the Port of Ashdod, Israel, where it underwent repairs. The pier was successfully reattached to the anchor point in Gaza earlier today. &nbsp;

"Weather has always been a factor in military operations, and, as we do around the world every day, we will adjust to the weather as required," Cooper said. "I personally, and I think we as a command, could not be prouder of the exceptional work by our soldiers and sailors who have done a simply superb job in just getting the pier back on mission in very short order."&nbsp;

Cooper also highlighted the "exceptional" partnership between U.S. &nbsp;Israeli forces, which provided the necessary support to ensure the safe emplacement of the pier to the Gaza beach. &nbsp;

"They remain completely supportive of our effort to increase the volume of aid into Gaza," Cooper said. "We also continue to enjoy the support of the international community."&nbsp;

The effort, led by the U.S. Agency for International Development, is being carried out as part of broader efforts by the United States and international partners to surge assistance to Palestinians.&nbsp;

Soldiers from the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, and sailors from Naval Beach Group 1 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, were tapped to deploy the JLOTS capability after President Joe Biden called on the military to conduct an emergency operation during his State of the Union address.&nbsp;

Delivering the capability involved a complex choreography of logistics support and landing crafts that carry the equipment used to construct the approximately 1,800-foot causeway comprised of modular, floating sections linked together. &nbsp;

The units also constructed a roll-on, roll-off discharge facility that is 72 feet wide by 270 feet long. The discharge facility will remain far off Gaza's shore and enable cargo ships to offload aid shipments at sea before they’re transported to shore. &nbsp;&nbsp;

bout 1,000 soldiers and sailors are involved in the operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The U.S. is also working closely with international donors who first ship aid into Cyprus where it is screened and packaged before being loaded onto ships to be transported to the temporary pier.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

From the pier, the aid is offloaded into a marshaling area before being distributed farther into Gaza by humanitarian organizations.&nbsp;

Officials emphasized that no U.S. boots are on the ground in Gaza as part of the operation, and the safety of U.S. forces is the top priority. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to operating the pier, the U.S. has stood up coordination cells to ensure operations are carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Those coordination efforts continued while the pier underwent repairs.&nbsp;

Before the pause in operations, the pier accounted for the second highest volume of aid entering Gaza from any crossing and about 30% of the total aid delivered during that period.

Cooper said the U.S. and international partners expect to increase the volume of humanitarian assistance provided through the sea corridor above previous levels once the pier operations resume. &nbsp;

"Thousands of tons of aid are in various stages in the pipeline for delivery," Cooper said. "And, clearly, our international partners have seen the previous, positive effect that the pier has [had] on the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and they remain committed to its continued success."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717793166176.png" alt="A soldier assigned to the Army’s 86th Engineer Dive Detachment, 20th Engineer Brigade, welds the bow ramp of a landing craft utility vessel as part of repair operations for the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier at the Port of Ashdod, Israel, May 14, 2024." />
 <figcaption>A soldier assigned to the Army’s 86th Engineer Dive Detachment, 20th Engineer Brigade, welds the bow ramp of a landing craft utility vessel as part of repair operations for the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier at the Port of Ashdod, Israel, May 14, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Author/141690/joseph-clark/">Joseph Clark</a>, Department of DefenseU.S. forces are expected in the coming days to resume delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza via the Defense Department's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier, a senior military official said Friday.Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, said U.S. troops have successfully reattached the temporary causeway to the beach in Gaza with the assistance of Israel Defense Force engineers following a a weather-related break in the pier.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717793045172.png" alt="U.S. soldiers, sailors and Israeli Defense Forces emplace the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the Gaza coast, May 16- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>U.S. soldiers, sailors and Israeli Defense Forces emplace the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the Gaza coast, May 16- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"To be sure, this method of delivering aid from the sea to the people of Gaza has already proved to be effective," Cooper said. "During its previous weeklong period of operation, the temporary pier delivered 1,000 metric tons of aid — more than 2 million pounds — to the people of Gaza."&nbsp;The U.S. halted the flow of aid using the sea corridor last month after high sea caused damage to a portion of the temporary pier, forcing crews to remove the pier from its anchor point on the Gaza coastline. &nbsp;The pier was relocated temporarily to the Port of Ashdod, Israel, where it underwent repairs. The pier was successfully reattached to the anchor point in Gaza earlier today. &nbsp;"Weather has always been a factor in military operations, and, as we do around the world every day, we will adjust to the weather as required," Cooper said. "I personally, and I think we as a command, could not be prouder of the exceptional work by our soldiers and sailors who have done a simply superb job in just getting the pier back on mission in very short order."&nbsp;Cooper also highlighted the "exceptional" partnership between U.S. &nbsp;Israeli forces, which provided the necessary support to ensure the safe emplacement of the pier to the Gaza beach. &nbsp;"They remain completely supportive of our effort to increase the volume of aid into Gaza," Cooper said. "We also continue to enjoy the support of the international community."&nbsp;The effort, led by the U.S. Agency for International Development, is being carried out as part of broader efforts by the United States and international partners to surge assistance to Palestinians.&nbsp;Soldiers from the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, and sailors from Naval Beach Group 1 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, were tapped to deploy the JLOTS capability after President Joe Biden called on the military to conduct an emergency operation during his State of the Union address.&nbsp;Delivering the capability involved a complex choreography of logistics support and landing crafts that carry the equipment used to construct the approximately 1,800-foot causeway comprised of modular, floating sections linked together. &nbsp;The units also constructed a roll-on, roll-off discharge facility that is 72 feet wide by 270 feet long. The discharge facility will remain far off Gaza's shore and enable cargo ships to offload aid shipments at sea before they’re transported to shore. &nbsp;&nbsp;bout 1,000 soldiers and sailors are involved in the operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The U.S. is also working closely with international donors who first ship aid into Cyprus where it is screened and packaged before being loaded onto ships to be transported to the temporary pier.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From the pier, the aid is offloaded into a marshaling area before being distributed farther into Gaza by humanitarian organizations.&nbsp;Officials emphasized that no U.S. boots are on the ground in Gaza as part of the operation, and the safety of U.S. forces is the top priority. &nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to operating the pier, the U.S. has stood up coordination cells to ensure operations are carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those coordination efforts continued while the pier underwent repairs.&nbsp;Before the pause in operations, the pier accounted for the second highest volume of aid entering Gaza from any crossing and about 30% of the total aid delivered during that period.Cooper said the U.S. and international partners expect to increase the volume of humanitarian assistance provided through the sea corridor above previous levels once the pier operations resume. &nbsp;"Thousands of tons of aid are in various stages in the pipeline for delivery," Cooper said. "And, clearly, our international partners have seen the previous, positive effect that the pier has [had] on the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and they remain committed to its continued success."

US military’s Gaza pier has been repaired, aid deliveries to resume soon

ARVADA, Colo. —Four people were injured in a small plane crash into the front yard of a home near Denver.

&nbsp;The single-engine Beechcraft V35A Bonanza took off from Centennial Airport, according to Cassie Pearce, spokesperson for Jefferson County public affairs. The aircraft went down just after 9:30 a.m.&nbsp;in the area of Oberon and Carr Streets.

EMS transported two adults and two juveniles to local hospitals.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717787992525.jpeg" alt="Photo Arvada Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Arvada Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ARVADA, Colo. —Four people were injured in a small plane crash into the front yard of a home near Denver.&nbsp;The single-engine Beechcraft V35A Bonanza took off from Centennial Airport, according to Cassie Pearce, spokesperson for Jefferson County public affairs. The aircraft went down just after 9:30 a.m.&nbsp;in the area of Oberon and Carr Streets.EMS transported two adults and two juveniles to local hospitals.The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

4 injured after small plane crash into front yard of Colo. home

PENNINGTON COUNTY, S.D. -&nbsp;The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service have confirmed plague as the cause of a prairie dog die off in Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and the greater Conata-Badlands ecosystem in South Dakota, based on a test result received last month, according to a statement from the U.S. National Park Service.&nbsp;

The risk to humans remains low, however, plague is concerning. The disease has not been detected in Conata Basin since 2009, when it was responsible for killing more than 80 percent of the remaining population of black-footed ferrets, one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

Plague is a non-native bacterial disease that occurs in rodents and their fleas throughout the western United States. It was introduced into the U.S. from rats aboard ships in the early 1900’s and has since become endemic through the western U.S. Approximately seven human cases occur every year, primarily in the southwestern U.S. and California. 

Most cases are transmitted through the bite of an infected flea, but humans can also be infected through contact with infected rodents, including animal carcasses, or by breathing infectious particles from an infected animal, sick pet, or sick human. South Dakota has never reported a human plague case, although cases in rodents such as prairie dogs were first reported in 2005.&nbsp;

Symptoms usually begin 2-6 days after exposure and include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, as well as painful swelling at the site of a flea bite and the nearest lymph node. Symptoms can progress to blood infection and severe respiratory illness if not treated promptly. 

Plague can be treated with antibiotics but can be fatal if treatment is delayed. Although rare, infections acquired by breathing in infectious bacteria develop symptoms within 1-3 days and are most often fatal if not treated shortly after the onset of symptoms.&nbsp;Plague is a rare disease but is a risk throughout much of the western United States. Plague can be prevented by practicing the following recommendations:

“We are concerned about the impacts to the black-footed ferret population and are taking necessary action to protect this important keystone species,” said Eric Veach, Superintendent of Badlands National Park. “Extensive conservation efforts in 2009 to manage the spread of plague were able to preserve a black-footed ferret population in the Conata-Badlands ecosystem, where the largest free-ranging black-footed ferret population in the world now resides.” The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and conservation partners are working to apply emergency flea control agents to stop the further spread of plague and to monitor for plague activity in the Conata-Badlands ecosystem to protect the black-footed ferret population and reduce any risks to human health. Additionally, black-footed ferrets are captured and vaccinated against plague.&nbsp;Additional information about plague can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/plague">www.cdc.gov/plague</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717761194780.png" alt="Photo courtesy Badlands National Park" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Badlands National Park</figcaption>
 </figure>PENNINGTON COUNTY, S.D. -&nbsp;The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service have confirmed plague as the cause of a prairie dog die off in Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and the greater Conata-Badlands ecosystem in South Dakota, based on a test result received last month, according to a statement from the U.S. National Park Service.&nbsp;The risk to humans remains low, however, plague is concerning. The disease has not been detected in Conata Basin since 2009, when it was responsible for killing more than 80 percent of the remaining population of black-footed ferrets, one of the most endangered mammals in the world.Plague is a non-native bacterial disease that occurs in rodents and their fleas throughout the western United States. It was introduced into the U.S. from rats aboard ships in the early 1900’s and has since become endemic through the western U.S. Approximately seven human cases occur every year, primarily in the southwestern U.S. and California. Most cases are transmitted through the bite of an infected flea, but humans can also be infected through contact with infected rodents, including animal carcasses, or by breathing infectious particles from an infected animal, sick pet, or sick human. South Dakota has never reported a human plague case, although cases in rodents such as prairie dogs were first reported in 2005.&nbsp;Symptoms usually begin 2-6 days after exposure and include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, as well as painful swelling at the site of a flea bite and the nearest lymph node. Symptoms can progress to blood infection and severe respiratory illness if not treated promptly. Plague can be treated with antibiotics but can be fatal if treatment is delayed. Although rare, infections acquired by breathing in infectious bacteria develop symptoms within 1-3 days and are most often fatal if not treated shortly after the onset of symptoms.&nbsp;Plague is a rare disease but is a risk throughout much of the western United States. Plague can be prevented by practicing the following recommendations:<ul>
 <li>Avoid contact with rodents and their fleas and burrows.</li><li>Wear insect repellent when working or recreating outdoors. Wear long pants tucked into socks and closed-toe shoes.</li><li>Never touch or approach a sick or dead animal, and never feed wildlife.-Do not pitch tents near rodent burrows.</li><li>Keep pets leashed and current on a flea and tick preventative.</li><li>Know the signs and symptoms of plague. If you develop fever, chills, swelling at the site of an insect bite or nearby lymph node, seek medical care immediately and inform your doctor you may have been exposed to plague.</li>
 </ul>“We are concerned about the impacts to the black-footed ferret population and are taking necessary action to protect this important keystone species,” said Eric Veach, Superintendent of Badlands National Park. “Extensive conservation efforts in 2009 to manage the spread of plague were able to preserve a black-footed ferret population in the Conata-Badlands ecosystem, where the largest free-ranging black-footed ferret population in the world now resides.” The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and conservation partners are working to apply emergency flea control agents to stop the further spread of plague and to monitor for plague activity in the Conata-Badlands ecosystem to protect the black-footed ferret population and reduce any risks to human health. Additionally, black-footed ferrets are captured and vaccinated against plague.&nbsp;Additional information about plague can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/plague">www.cdc.gov/plague</a>.

Park Service: Plague confirmed in Badlands area prairie dogs

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/online-grocery-shopping-is-option-in-women-infants-and-children-wic-nutrition-program/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — It started as a pilot project earlier this year, and now participants in Nebraska’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program are able to order grocery items online.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with WIC counterparts in Minnesota and Iowa, was awarded a subgrant from the Center for Nutrition and Health Impact to implement the online ordering program.

Nebraska officials said they started piloting online ordering at one Hy-Vee store in Lincoln this March. In May, the pilot project was expanded to Hy-Vee locations across Nebraska that offer online pickup service.

The Nebraska WIC program serves about 35,000 financially qualified people across Nebraska each month, said Charity Menefee, director of the DHHS division of public health.&nbsp;

“This online ordering component to our WIC program will increase access to nutritious foods for children and families to support a bright and promising future,” she said.

The program aims to create an equitable shopping experience for participants, reducing stigma associated with using WIC benefits and overcoming transportation and time constraint barriers, according to a project statement.

For more information about the Nebraska WIC program, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.GfuENRT80eFcHB0yCoTjpqnMDRrLWblbZqMJUxfWAj2CuiQDosuBrOQABOmLu94JRmao_KcqCxNa05K5oDg3JLT1-2BJ7gzHl3toFs2LWgEpeKNAIwVAQCJvCzc7bIgaLn6INSdgDnaJLnz6QN3wBhz5IcdZyQqV75Zs-2BfRmmy-2Bj-2Fxc2rvNsROdwLs7wljjov2iOG-2FEiAuCGKz6Ty8xdMG2zZU1SSOeYBGqQsuIeVDgjF6ambXO1joBqgyMEx04-2FWupFbaVtqEBuG8Tty-2FIaRuQ419Dts-2Fszl-2BBSBlHRzEefBAMqrd-2F7xYbQB1-2BH-2FuAuD-2B6li3JU54AluT2PQebsDpkeqOPnH7hXPhVzlg4GQN6S3-2F77l-2FkCKbN1W-2BFQgwyZiuA5R5Py1WsTWDW57wYKEwLRFou2NEe6JCvKB2GDFTHU3jsp5hdqwkl4zVYT6IrQiyYeb-2BB7JuGA2ZHXs2JXKN-2Fny41ow-3D-3D">https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/WIC.aspx</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717698089270.jpeg" alt=" (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)" />
 <figcaption> (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/online-grocery-shopping-is-option-in-women-infants-and-children-wic-nutrition-program/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — It started as a pilot project earlier this year, and now participants in Nebraska’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program are able to order grocery items online.The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with WIC counterparts in Minnesota and Iowa, was awarded a subgrant from the Center for Nutrition and Health Impact to implement the online ordering program.Nebraska officials said they started piloting online ordering at one Hy-Vee store in Lincoln this March. In May, the pilot project was expanded to Hy-Vee locations across Nebraska that offer online pickup service.The Nebraska WIC program serves about 35,000 financially qualified people across Nebraska each month, said Charity Menefee, director of the DHHS division of public health.&nbsp;“This online ordering component to our WIC program will increase access to nutritious foods for children and families to support a bright and promising future,” she said.The program aims to create an equitable shopping experience for participants, reducing stigma associated with using WIC benefits and overcoming transportation and time constraint barriers, according to a project statement.For more information about the Nebraska WIC program, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.GfuENRT80eFcHB0yCoTjpqnMDRrLWblbZqMJUxfWAj2CuiQDosuBrOQABOmLu94JRmao_KcqCxNa05K5oDg3JLT1-2BJ7gzHl3toFs2LWgEpeKNAIwVAQCJvCzc7bIgaLn6INSdgDnaJLnz6QN3wBhz5IcdZyQqV75Zs-2BfRmmy-2Bj-2Fxc2rvNsROdwLs7wljjov2iOG-2FEiAuCGKz6Ty8xdMG2zZU1SSOeYBGqQsuIeVDgjF6ambXO1joBqgyMEx04-2FWupFbaVtqEBuG8Tty-2FIaRuQ419Dts-2Fszl-2BBSBlHRzEefBAMqrd-2F7xYbQB1-2BH-2FuAuD-2B6li3JU54AluT2PQebsDpkeqOPnH7hXPhVzlg4GQN6S3-2F77l-2FkCKbN1W-2BFQgwyZiuA5R5Py1WsTWDW57wYKEwLRFou2NEe6JCvKB2GDFTHU3jsp5hdqwkl4zVYT6IrQiyYeb-2BB7JuGA2ZHXs2JXKN-2Fny41ow-3D-3D">https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/WIC.aspx</a>.

Online grocery shopping is option in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program

LINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters in November 2024, announced today that they have qualified 38 counties, to meet the state's&nbsp;requirement of collecting 5% of the voters' signatures in at least 38 Nebraska counties.

“We made the counties our main focus because they require a great deal of time and resources that cannot wait until the last minute. We have the counties, but we have an urgent need to collect bulk signatures. There is no doubt we are farther ahead than in past petition drives, but still have a tremendous push to gather over 30,000 signatures on each petition over the next 27 days to assure we are successful,” said Crista Eggers, NMM’s campaign manager.

Unlike most other campaigns, NMM has not had the millions of dollars in funding, and has driven this campaign mostly grassroots. They have until July 3, 2024 to gather 87,000 valid signatures on each petition, as well as additional overage they need.&nbsp;

“There is no doubt Nebraskans want to see this on the ballot, so we need them to step up and help make that happen. My personal ask, not as a campaign manager, but as a mother, is that people would react as if their child’s life depends on it and go sign; because for many of us, our child’s life really does depend on it,” said Eggers.

NMM is calling for voters to find a location to sign, which they can do in Omaha and Lincoln at Wine, Beer and Spirits weekdays from 4pm-close, and during open hours all weekend. For other signing locations and more information, go&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs" target="_blank">nmm2024.org/</a>

Crista EggersLINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters in November 2024, announced today that they have qualified 38 counties, to meet the state's&nbsp;requirement of collecting 5% of the voters' signatures in at least 38 Nebraska counties.“We made the counties our main focus because they require a great deal of time and resources that cannot wait until the last minute. We have the counties, but we have an urgent need to collect bulk signatures. There is no doubt we are farther ahead than in past petition drives, but still have a tremendous push to gather over 30,000 signatures on each petition over the next 27 days to assure we are successful,” said Crista Eggers, NMM’s campaign manager.Unlike most other campaigns, NMM has not had the millions of dollars in funding, and has driven this campaign mostly grassroots. They have until July 3, 2024 to gather 87,000 valid signatures on each petition, as well as additional overage they need.&nbsp;“There is no doubt Nebraskans want to see this on the ballot, so we need them to step up and help make that happen. My personal ask, not as a campaign manager, but as a mother, is that people would react as if their child’s life depends on it and go sign; because for many of us, our child’s life really does depend on it,” said Eggers.NMM is calling for voters to find a location to sign, which they can do in Omaha and Lincoln at Wine, Beer and Spirits weekdays from 4pm-close, and during open hours all weekend. For other signing locations and more information, go&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs" target="_blank">nmm2024.org/</a>

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: We Urgently Need Nebraskans To Act Now

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/06/millions-of-dollars-unclaimed-in-last-years-child-food-aid-program-with-days-before-expiration/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska families have yet to claim as much as $6.6 million in grocery assistance that was issued last year in a child-focused food program — and only days remain to tap the funds before they revert to the federal government.

The amount left on the table is from a federal program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to help feed low-income youths during the time they were not in school.&nbsp;

Known as P-EBT, or Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, the program is a predecessor to the similar but separate Summer EBT program that has drawn<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/29/advocates-issue-final-plea-to-governor-to-participate-in-new-summer-lunch-program/">&nbsp;extensive attention</a>&nbsp;in Nebraska because Gov. Jim Pillen declined, at first, to accept the federal food aid for kids.&nbsp;

Here’s the status of last year’s funding, according to public records obtained from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: Nearly $17 million in federal food aid benefits were issued in September 2023 for the P-EBT program. About 140,000 eligible Nebraska youths were each to have received $120 loaded onto wallet-sized plastic “electronic benefit transfer” cards.

Such cards are used essentially like debit cards to pay for food at participating grocery stores.&nbsp;

As of the end of April, state records show that $6.6 million had yet to be accessed or spent. That equates to about 55,000 students not having used their cards.

If cards are not activated within 274 days from when they were issued, the benefits are expunged. The bulk of Nebraska’s 2023 summer P-EBT cards were issued on Sept. 12 and Sept. 14, DHHS said, so the funds expire on June 14 and June 16, respectively.

A small portion of cards were issued Sept. 28, and those expire June 30.

The 274-day count restarts whenever a family makes a purchase. So if a family made a purchase this week, they’d have more time to spend the remainder of the benefits issued to the card, DHHS said.

Reasons as to why the free grocery aid has been left unclaimed can range from families’ lack of awareness or understanding, to cards being sent to former addresses, to families choosing not to participate, say those familiar with the program.

“That is a pretty high percentage. It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”

– Eric Savaiano, Nebraska Appleseed economic justice manager, food and nutrition access

Nebraska DHHS spokesman Jeff Powell said in a statement that the state agency can’t speculate as to why families haven’t used the funds issued to them. But he added: “The amount of unspent benefits is not out of the ordinary for federal benefits such as these.”

He said the department “is reaching out to households whose benefits are potentially being expunged.” The statement did not elaborate on the type of outreach, or what the results have been so far.&nbsp;

To bring awareness to the federal pandemic-era program, Powell said, DHHS had issued press releases and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/PEBT.aspx">created a page</a>&nbsp;on its website. Information included eligibility and frequently asked questions. He said schools also provided information to eligible families.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the program aimed to provide benefits to children eligible for free and reduced-price meals through their school who lost access to food due to school closures and adjusted schedules.

Kids who receive SNAP benefits or other public assistance were to see the pandemic grocery aid added to existing EBT cards. Other eligible households that don’t receive that kind of public assistance were to receive a card via the U.S. Postal Service.

The amount of unclaimed 2023 EBT benefits surprised even Eric Savaiano of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://neappleseed.org/">Nebraska Appleseed</a>, who works with food and nutrition initiatives. He and Appleseed helped lead an effort this year to bring awareness to Nebraskans about the Summer EBT program.

“That is a pretty high percentage,” Savaiano said of funds unclaimed from the pandemic grocery aid. “It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”

Savaiano suspects the primary reason for not using the grocery aid is unawareness, though some might choose not to participate. He said a slice of families, for instance, might have received a card because they are in a “community eligibility provision” school site, where free and reduced lunches are based on community needs and not necessarily individual household income.

State Sen. Jen Day, who led a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/20/gov-pillen-decides-ne-wont-opt-into-new-18-million-child-nutrition-program/">letter-writing campaign</a>&nbsp;among lawmakers to urge Nebraska’s participation in the 2024 Summer EBT program, agreed with DHHS that unspent benefits are typical in public assistance programs.

But she hopes the state continues to seek better efficiency in reaching those in need, including families whose first language is not English.

“We have to work on streamlining and becoming more efficient with the application process,” she said.

Indeed, unclaimed funds in the previous youth-focused pandemic grocery aid program provides useful lessons for this summer’s EBT program, which was recently launched, says David Rubel, a New York City-based consultant&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/04/02/pandemic-food/">who has looked into pandemic EBT use</a>&nbsp;and unexpended funds in other states as well as Nebraska.

Rubel sought public records from several states, including Nebraska. His research also showed&nbsp; that in summer 2022, about 30% of the grocery aid cards issued to Nebraska residents expired, leaving millions of dollars unspent. That unused portion of cards was a higher share than in the five other states he looked into that year.

This year, Nebraska was among the first states to start issuing benefits for the Summer EBT 2024 program. Participating families in the current program have 122 days to spend the full amount of $120 per child. Any money not spent on Day 123 is to be automatically removed.

Given the large number of families that have not used previous benefits, Rubel recommends that states undertake publicity campaigns to ensure maximum usage and to underscore the 122-day spend-or-lose rule. He said school districts are key since they typically have text, email and most current family contact information.

Said Rubel: “Summer-EBT — with a potential $21 million for struggling Nebraska families — is an opportunity to right the ship.”

In the<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/06/once-controversial-summer-ebt-food-program-for-low-income-ne-kids-set-for-rollout/">&nbsp;current Summer EBT program</a>, DHHS estimates that 175,000 students or 80,000 households will be eligible to receive the grocery benefits.

Eligible families will receive $40 per child per month, or a total of $120 per child, for the summer period.

DHHS has created a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx">Summer EBT website</a>&nbsp;page that contains “a wealth of information,” said Powell. The outreach plan includes social media campaigns, press releases and information for additional resources as part of Pillen’s “Nebraska Solution” plan.

He said that eligible families should also receive a letter from the Nebraska Department of Education about participation. So far this summer, Powell said, DHHS has issued benefits to 130,148 eligible children.

“Continued issuances are planned throughout the summer for additional children determined eligible for the program,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717697973355.jpeg" alt=" (Alyssa Schukar for Feeding America)" />
 <figcaption> (Alyssa Schukar for Feeding America)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/06/millions-of-dollars-unclaimed-in-last-years-child-food-aid-program-with-days-before-expiration/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska families have yet to claim as much as $6.6 million in grocery assistance that was issued last year in a child-focused food program — and only days remain to tap the funds before they revert to the federal government.The amount left on the table is from a federal program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to help feed low-income youths during the time they were not in school.&nbsp;Known as P-EBT, or Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, the program is a predecessor to the similar but separate Summer EBT program that has drawn<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/29/advocates-issue-final-plea-to-governor-to-participate-in-new-summer-lunch-program/">&nbsp;extensive attention</a>&nbsp;in Nebraska because Gov. Jim Pillen declined, at first, to accept the federal food aid for kids.&nbsp;<h2>Expiration looms</h2>Here’s the status of last year’s funding, according to public records obtained from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: Nearly $17 million in federal food aid benefits were issued in September 2023 for the P-EBT program. About 140,000 eligible Nebraska youths were each to have received $120 loaded onto wallet-sized plastic “electronic benefit transfer” cards.Such cards are used essentially like debit cards to pay for food at participating grocery stores.&nbsp;As of the end of April, state records show that $6.6 million had yet to be accessed or spent. That equates to about 55,000 students not having used their cards.An expiration date looms.&nbsp;If cards are not activated within 274 days from when they were issued, the benefits are expunged. The bulk of Nebraska’s 2023 summer P-EBT cards were issued on Sept. 12 and Sept. 14, DHHS said, so the funds expire on June 14 and June 16, respectively.A small portion of cards were issued Sept. 28, and those expire June 30.The 274-day count restarts whenever a family makes a purchase. So if a family made a purchase this week, they’d have more time to spend the remainder of the benefits issued to the card, DHHS said.<h2>Why not tapped?</h2>Reasons as to why the free grocery aid has been left unclaimed can range from families’ lack of awareness or understanding, to cards being sent to former addresses, to families choosing not to participate, say those familiar with the program.“That is a pretty high percentage. It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”– Eric Savaiano, Nebraska Appleseed economic justice manager, food and nutrition accessNebraska DHHS spokesman Jeff Powell said in a statement that the state agency can’t speculate as to why families haven’t used the funds issued to them. But he added: “The amount of unspent benefits is not out of the ordinary for federal benefits such as these.”He said the department “is reaching out to households whose benefits are potentially being expunged.” The statement did not elaborate on the type of outreach, or what the results have been so far.&nbsp;To bring awareness to the federal pandemic-era program, Powell said, DHHS had issued press releases and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/PEBT.aspx">created a page</a>&nbsp;on its website. Information included eligibility and frequently asked questions. He said schools also provided information to eligible families.Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the program aimed to provide benefits to children eligible for free and reduced-price meals through their school who lost access to food due to school closures and adjusted schedules.Kids who receive SNAP benefits or other public assistance were to see the pandemic grocery aid added to existing EBT cards. Other eligible households that don’t receive that kind of public assistance were to receive a card via the U.S. Postal Service.<h2>Shocking</h2>The amount of unclaimed 2023 EBT benefits surprised even Eric Savaiano of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://neappleseed.org/">Nebraska Appleseed</a>, who works with food and nutrition initiatives. He and Appleseed helped lead an effort this year to bring awareness to Nebraskans about the Summer EBT program.“That is a pretty high percentage,” Savaiano said of funds unclaimed from the pandemic grocery aid. “It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”Savaiano suspects the primary reason for not using the grocery aid is unawareness, though some might choose not to participate. He said a slice of families, for instance, might have received a card because they are in a “community eligibility provision” school site, where free and reduced lunches are based on community needs and not necessarily individual household income.State Sen. Jen Day, who led a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/20/gov-pillen-decides-ne-wont-opt-into-new-18-million-child-nutrition-program/">letter-writing campaign</a>&nbsp;among lawmakers to urge Nebraska’s participation in the 2024 Summer EBT program, agreed with DHHS that unspent benefits are typical in public assistance programs.But she hopes the state continues to seek better efficiency in reaching those in need, including families whose first language is not English.“We have to work on streamlining and becoming more efficient with the application process,” she said.<h2>Other states</h2>Indeed, unclaimed funds in the previous youth-focused pandemic grocery aid program provides useful lessons for this summer’s EBT program, which was recently launched, says David Rubel, a New York City-based consultant&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/04/02/pandemic-food/">who has looked into pandemic EBT use</a>&nbsp;and unexpended funds in other states as well as Nebraska.Rubel sought public records from several states, including Nebraska. His research also showed&nbsp; that in summer 2022, about 30% of the grocery aid cards issued to Nebraska residents expired, leaving millions of dollars unspent. That unused portion of cards was a higher share than in the five other states he looked into that year.This year, Nebraska was among the first states to start issuing benefits for the Summer EBT 2024 program. Participating families in the current program have 122 days to spend the full amount of $120 per child. Any money not spent on Day 123 is to be automatically removed.Given the large number of families that have not used previous benefits, Rubel recommends that states undertake publicity campaigns to ensure maximum usage and to underscore the 122-day spend-or-lose rule. He said school districts are key since they typically have text, email and most current family contact information.Said Rubel: “Summer-EBT — with a potential $21 million for struggling Nebraska families — is an opportunity to right the ship.”<h2>Current Summer EBT program</h2>In the<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/06/once-controversial-summer-ebt-food-program-for-low-income-ne-kids-set-for-rollout/">&nbsp;current Summer EBT program</a>, DHHS estimates that 175,000 students or 80,000 households will be eligible to receive the grocery benefits.Eligible families will receive $40 per child per month, or a total of $120 per child, for the summer period.DHHS has created a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx">Summer EBT website</a>&nbsp;page that contains “a wealth of information,” said Powell. The outreach plan includes social media campaigns, press releases and information for additional resources as part of Pillen’s “Nebraska Solution” plan.He said that eligible families should also receive a letter from the Nebraska Department of Education about participation. So far this summer, Powell said, DHHS has issued benefits to 130,148 eligible children.“Continued issuances are planned throughout the summer for additional children determined eligible for the program,” he said.

Millions of dollars unclaimed in last year’s child food aid program, with days before expiration

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-wins-case-against-ticket-scam-promising-access-to-former-huskers/">Nebraska Examine</a>r

LINCOLN — Some Nebraska football fans will pay handsomely to ramp up the game day experience at Memorial Stadium. But they don’t like paying big bucks for the promise of getting great seats and rubbing elbows with a former Husker and then sitting solo, getting bad seats or no seats at all.

That’s why the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-sues-private-husker-ticket-package-seller-on-behalf-of-wronged-donors/">last year sued</a>&nbsp;entertainment group Nfluence and Kenneth Jason McCants of Memphis, Neb., alleging that more than 50 people paid $1,000 or more and did not receive the experience they were sold.&nbsp;

This week, Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson ordered McCants, the owner of Nfluence and its only known representative, to pay $339,338.18 in fines, restitution and court costs for violating state consumer protection laws.

“For all 63 purchases, defendants failed to provide consumers with the Nebraska Game Day Experience as represented,” the judge wrote. “Defendants thus committed 63 separate violations of the Consumer Protection Act.”

The judge ruled that McCants and his group never gave the proceeds to charity as represented, adding 63 violations of Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices. It held McCants responsible, saying he had produced deceptive advertisements.

The group’s pitch, starting in 2022, was the opportunity to purchase luxury suite tickets, access to a former Husker football player and online validation from the player in the form of a social media photo or post.

For a time, the group got a promo boost from former Nebraska defensive lineman Adam Carriker. He later said online that he had been duped. Attorney General Mike Hilgers said such “scams” were tricking Nebraskans into buying fake tickets.

“Nebraska football plays an integral part in the lives of many Nebraskans,” Hilgers said in a statement. “This fraud preyed on Nebraskans’ love of the Cornhuskers and their passion to help others in need. We are grateful for the Court’s order, which will send a message to other would-be fraudsters. If any money is recovered, our office will prioritize returning funds to consumers harmed by the fraud.”

Nelson ruled that the evidence “indicates that Kenneth Jason McCants was the sole owner and only authorized person on the bank account,” and that he spent sales proceeds on Disneyland tickets, purchases in Hawaii and streaming services.

McCants owes a combined $87,000 in restitution to 63 victims. And he will pay $2,000 apiece for each violation of the two consumer protection laws, totaling $252,000 in fines.

He did not appear in court for the May 23 hearing on the state’s motion for a default judgment. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday by phone or email.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717687315312.jpeg" alt=" Fans cheer on the Huskers at Memorial Stadium. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Fans cheer on the Huskers at Memorial Stadium. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-wins-case-against-ticket-scam-promising-access-to-former-huskers/">Nebraska Examine</a>rLINCOLN — Some Nebraska football fans will pay handsomely to ramp up the game day experience at Memorial Stadium. But they don’t like paying big bucks for the promise of getting great seats and rubbing elbows with a former Husker and then sitting solo, getting bad seats or no seats at all.That’s why the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-sues-private-husker-ticket-package-seller-on-behalf-of-wronged-donors/">last year sued</a>&nbsp;entertainment group Nfluence and Kenneth Jason McCants of Memphis, Neb., alleging that more than 50 people paid $1,000 or more and did not receive the experience they were sold.&nbsp;This week, Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson ordered McCants, the owner of Nfluence and its only known representative, to pay $339,338.18 in fines, restitution and court costs for violating state consumer protection laws.“For all 63 purchases, defendants failed to provide consumers with the Nebraska Game Day Experience as represented,” the judge wrote. “Defendants thus committed 63 separate violations of the Consumer Protection Act.”<h2>Charities didn’t get money</h2>The judge ruled that McCants and his group never gave the proceeds to charity as represented, adding 63 violations of Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices. It held McCants responsible, saying he had produced deceptive advertisements.The group’s pitch, starting in 2022, was the opportunity to purchase luxury suite tickets, access to a former Husker football player and online validation from the player in the form of a social media photo or post.For a time, the group got a promo boost from former Nebraska defensive lineman Adam Carriker. He later said online that he had been duped. Attorney General Mike Hilgers said such “scams” were tricking Nebraskans into buying fake tickets.“Nebraska football plays an integral part in the lives of many Nebraskans,” Hilgers said in a statement. “This fraud preyed on Nebraskans’ love of the Cornhuskers and their passion to help others in need. We are grateful for the Court’s order, which will send a message to other would-be fraudsters. If any money is recovered, our office will prioritize returning funds to consumers harmed by the fraud.”<h2>Much of the money was spent</h2>Nelson ruled that the evidence “indicates that Kenneth Jason McCants was the sole owner and only authorized person on the bank account,” and that he spent sales proceeds on Disneyland tickets, purchases in Hawaii and streaming services.McCants owes a combined $87,000 in restitution to 63 victims. And he will pay $2,000 apiece for each violation of the two consumer protection laws, totaling $252,000 in fines.He did not appear in court for the May 23 hearing on the state’s motion for a default judgment. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday by phone or email.

Nebraska AG wins case against ticket scam promising access to former Huskers

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lankford.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GOE24385.pdf" target="_blank">resolution</a>&nbsp;to keep nursing homes open.

Their resolution of disapproval would overturn a Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) rule mandating unrealistic staffing standards for long-term care facilities. If the rule is not stopped, it could force thousands of nursing homes to shut their doors.

Senator Fischer has fought against this rule since it was proposed in September 2023. That month, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1a09e69b-4995-4d6b-be4f-735c046161f5/09.15.23-letter-to-cms-on-ltc-proposed-rule.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to the CMS administrator opposing the rule. In December, Senator Fischer introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/12/fischer-legislation-to-protect-rural-seniors-access-to-care-halt-damaging-medicare-staffing-rule" target="_blank">Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act</a>&nbsp;to stop the CMS rule from being finalized.

“This mandate will force nursing homes to turn away patients or shut down for good if they don’t hire more registered nurses. But hiring more nurses simply isn’t possible in many areas of the country, including Nebraska’s rural communities. Our bill would reverse this rule and protect seniors’ access to care,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.

“Oklahomans shouldn’t lose access to health care because of overly broad&nbsp;and unrealistic&nbsp;rules from Washington, D.C. The Biden administration’s staffing requirements won’t fix workforce shortage problems&nbsp;or solve care quality problems, but they will make it even harder for seniors in rural areas to get care&nbsp;in their own communities.&nbsp;Our seniors deserve high-quality care. Instead of expecting a vague blanket policy to solve nuanced problems, CMS should work with Congress to ensure quality care while also ensuring patients are not displaced due to arbitrary mandates.&nbsp;I am leading the fight to prevent&nbsp;one-size-fits-all&nbsp;requirements from forcing rural nursing homes in Oklahoma to close,”&nbsp;said Senator Lankford.

“LeadingAge and our nonprofit and mission-driven members — many of whom have served their communities for decades and even centuries — share the goal of ensuring quality care. Mandates, as we’ve said repeatedly to Congress, to the administration, and to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are not the right approach to achieving it. We need real policy solutions and investments, not mandates. As part of our aggressive, multi-faceted approach, drawing on every available tool — legislative, legal, and regulatory — to both address the fundamental issue of building the long-term care workforce and halt the regulation’s implementation, we support the CRA resolution’s introduction in the Senate. We thank Senators Lankford and Manchin for their leadership on it,”&nbsp;said President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan of LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit aging services providers.

Senators Fischer and Lankford introduced today’s resolution with a bipartisan group of 29 colleagues: U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Jim&nbsp;Risch&nbsp;(R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Bill Hagerty&nbsp;(R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Boozman&nbsp;(R-Ark.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve&nbsp;Daines&nbsp;(R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Barrasso&nbsp;(R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John&nbsp;Hoeven&nbsp;(R-N.D.).Background&nbsp;

On September 1, 2023, CMS proposed a rule mandating new minimum staffing standards for long-term care (LTC) facilities. According to CMS, 75 percent of nursing homes will have to increase staffing to comply with these standards. The standards will be even harder to meet in the rural areas of states like Nebraska, which already face historic staffing shortages.

In September, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure opposing the staffing rule.

In December, Senator Fischer introduced the Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act to stop the rule from being finalized.

Despite bipartisan opposition, the CMS staffing rule was finalized last month. It will go into effect this summer if it is not overturned.

Office of U.S. Senator Deb FischerWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lankford.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GOE24385.pdf" target="_blank">resolution</a>&nbsp;to keep nursing homes open.Their resolution of disapproval would overturn a Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) rule mandating unrealistic staffing standards for long-term care facilities. If the rule is not stopped, it could force thousands of nursing homes to shut their doors.Senator Fischer has fought against this rule since it was proposed in September 2023. That month, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1a09e69b-4995-4d6b-be4f-735c046161f5/09.15.23-letter-to-cms-on-ltc-proposed-rule.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to the CMS administrator opposing the rule. In December, Senator Fischer introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/12/fischer-legislation-to-protect-rural-seniors-access-to-care-halt-damaging-medicare-staffing-rule" target="_blank">Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act</a>&nbsp;to stop the CMS rule from being finalized.“This mandate will force nursing homes to turn away patients or shut down for good if they don’t hire more registered nurses. But hiring more nurses simply isn’t possible in many areas of the country, including Nebraska’s rural communities. Our bill would reverse this rule and protect seniors’ access to care,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.“Oklahomans shouldn’t lose access to health care because of overly broad&nbsp;and unrealistic&nbsp;rules from Washington, D.C. The Biden administration’s staffing requirements won’t fix workforce shortage problems&nbsp;or solve care quality problems, but they will make it even harder for seniors in rural areas to get care&nbsp;in their own communities.&nbsp;Our seniors deserve high-quality care. Instead of expecting a vague blanket policy to solve nuanced problems, CMS should work with Congress to ensure quality care while also ensuring patients are not displaced due to arbitrary mandates.&nbsp;I am leading the fight to prevent&nbsp;one-size-fits-all&nbsp;requirements from forcing rural nursing homes in Oklahoma to close,”&nbsp;said Senator Lankford.“LeadingAge and our nonprofit and mission-driven members — many of whom have served their communities for decades and even centuries — share the goal of ensuring quality care. Mandates, as we’ve said repeatedly to Congress, to the administration, and to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are not the right approach to achieving it. We need real policy solutions and investments, not mandates. As part of our aggressive, multi-faceted approach, drawing on every available tool — legislative, legal, and regulatory — to both address the fundamental issue of building the long-term care workforce and halt the regulation’s implementation, we support the CRA resolution’s introduction in the Senate. We thank Senators Lankford and Manchin for their leadership on it,”&nbsp;said President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan of LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit aging services providers.Senators Fischer and Lankford introduced today’s resolution with a bipartisan group of 29 colleagues: U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Jim&nbsp;Risch&nbsp;(R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Bill Hagerty&nbsp;(R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Boozman&nbsp;(R-Ark.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve&nbsp;Daines&nbsp;(R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Barrasso&nbsp;(R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John&nbsp;Hoeven&nbsp;(R-N.D.).Background&nbsp;On September 1, 2023, CMS proposed a rule mandating new minimum staffing standards for long-term care (LTC) facilities. According to CMS, 75 percent of nursing homes will have to increase staffing to comply with these standards. The standards will be even harder to meet in the rural areas of states like Nebraska, which already face historic staffing shortages.In September, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure opposing the staffing rule.In December, Senator Fischer introduced the Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act to stop the rule from being finalized.Despite bipartisan opposition, the CMS staffing rule was finalized last month. It will go into effect this summer if it is not overturned.

   Fischer Bill Would Overturn Rule Endangering Rural Nursing Homes

Eighty years ago, on the shores of Normandy, the course of history was forever changed. D-Day is the turning point of the Second World War, and thus, a major turning point in both world and human history.

The events of June 6, 1944, set in motion a series of actions that resulted in the Allied victory in Europe just under a year later, in May of 1945.

Eighty years ago, on the shores of Normandy, the course of history was forever changed. D-Day is the turning point of the Second World War, and thus, a major turning point in both world and human history.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IoXxto2ZLS4?si=vKbORkvJUdpuM3XB&amp;start=2743" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The events of June 6, 1944, set in motion a series of actions that resulted in the Allied victory in Europe just under a year later, in May of 1945.

🎥 Ceremonies Commemorating 80th Anniversary of D-Day

On June 4 at approximately 12:30 p.m. the Dawes County Sheriff's Office and the Dawes County Attorney/Coroner were dispatched to rural Dawes County to investigate the unattended death of 24-year-old Charles Rath.&nbsp;

"After a review of the scene, the evidence recovered on the scene, interviews with witnesses and a review of testing results; death by self-inflicted gunshot wound is the preliminary determination for cause of death," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;

By Panhandle PostOn June 4 at approximately 12:30 p.m. the Dawes County Sheriff's Office and the Dawes County Attorney/Coroner were dispatched to rural Dawes County to investigate the unattended death of 24-year-old Charles Rath.&nbsp;"After a review of the scene, the evidence recovered on the scene, interviews with witnesses and a review of testing results; death by self-inflicted gunshot wound is the preliminary determination for cause of death," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;

Dawes County authorities investigate unattended death

JUNE 5, 2024 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol removed from the road 47 impaired drivers during a statewide campaign to begin the summer travel season.

The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign ran from May 20 through June 2. During the effort, troopers and dispatchers worked overtime to keep Nebraska roadways safe as summer travel ramped up around Memorial Day Weekend.

During the two-week campaign, troopers made 47 arrests for driving under the influence. Troopers also issued citations for speeding (955, including 43 for 100 MPH or more), no seat belt (40), improper child restraint (12), driving under suspension (87), open alcohol container (24), and minor in possession of alcohol (21). Troopers also assisted 439 motorists in need of help during the campaign.

Throughout the summer months, NSP encourages all travelers to practice safe driving on Nebraska roadways. Always drive sober, follow posted speed limits, eliminate distractions, and make your seat belt click. Any motorists in need of help can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher.

The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJUNE 5, 2024 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol removed from the road 47 impaired drivers during a statewide campaign to begin the summer travel season.The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign ran from May 20 through June 2. During the effort, troopers and dispatchers worked overtime to keep Nebraska roadways safe as summer travel ramped up around Memorial Day Weekend.During the two-week campaign, troopers made 47 arrests for driving under the influence. Troopers also issued citations for speeding (955, including 43 for 100 MPH or more), no seat belt (40), improper child restraint (12), driving under suspension (87), open alcohol container (24), and minor in possession of alcohol (21). Troopers also assisted 439 motorists in need of help during the campaign.Throughout the summer months, NSP encourages all travelers to practice safe driving on Nebraska roadways. Always drive sober, follow posted speed limits, eliminate distractions, and make your seat belt click. Any motorists in need of help can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher.The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Troopers Arrest 47 Impaired Drivers as Summer Travel Season Begins

The Sheriff's Office has placed several trail cameras around Beaver City near reported sightings and will have personnel randomly using thermal imaging in and around town to monitor as well as have a deputy posted in town for a few days for a quick response. 

We must remind residents that only Law Enforcement (Sheriff's Office or Game &amp; Parks) are authorized to dispatch the animal with certain criteria being met.  Anybody that believes they have relevant information  or a sighting needs to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately. 

We encourage residents to continue with normal activities but be a little more observant of their surroundings for the time being.  Our agency and others will continue to monitor the situation and provide information as it becomes available. 

    Sheriff’s office has received credible reports of sightings of an adult mountain lion with cubs in the North West part of Beaver City.  Sheriff’s office is taking measures with game and parks and the area federal trapper to ensure the safety of the Beaver City residents.

    If you see this animal in Beaver City, do not approach, but please do with most detail possible call the Sheriff’s office or 911 to report it’s exact location and activity.  

    Residents are encouraged to keep pets and children in view and be aware of your surroundings if you are out walking or other outdoor activities.  As information becomes available, we will share it with you as soon as possible.

Furnas County Sheriff's OfficeThe Sheriff's Office has placed several trail cameras around Beaver City near reported sightings and will have personnel randomly using thermal imaging in and around town to monitor as well as have a deputy posted in town for a few days for a quick response. We must remind residents that only Law Enforcement (Sheriff's Office or Game &amp; Parks) are authorized to dispatch the animal with certain criteria being met. Anybody that believes they have relevant information or a sighting needs to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately. We encourage residents to continue with normal activities but be a little more observant of their surroundings for the time being. Our agency and others will continue to monitor the situation and provide information as it becomes available. June 4,2024 Sheriff’s office has received credible reports of sightings of an adult mountain lion with cubs in the North West part of Beaver City. Sheriff’s office is taking measures with game and parks and the area federal trapper to ensure the safety of the Beaver City residents. If you see this animal in Beaver City, do not approach, but please do with most detail possible call the Sheriff’s office or 911 to report it’s exact location and activity. Residents are encouraged to keep pets and children in view and be aware of your surroundings if you are out walking or other outdoor activities. As information becomes available, we will share it with you as soon as possible.

Adult mountain lion and cubs have been spotted in Beaver City

KEARNEY – Tom and Sonja Kropp came from different worlds.

He’s a Nebraska sports legend, an Aurora native who’s widely considered one of the greatest athletes in state history.

“I grew up in an athletic family. My dad was a coach, so sports were everything for us,” said Tom, a member of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, National High School Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame and University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sonja was born and raised in Leuven, Belgium, a city about 20 miles east of Brussels. She speaks four different languages and prefers a good book over the big game.

“She never got too involved with basketball, and I never got too involved with her job,” Tom said with a smile.

“He probably still doesn’t know what my dissertation was about,” Sonja quickly added with a laugh.

Despite their differences, the Kropps are soulmates and best friends. “I can’t imagine life without him,” Sonja said.

They’ve been married for nearly 41 years, with most of that time spent at UNK.

The 1971 Nebraska State High School Athlete of the Year, Tom came to campus later that year to play basketball and football at UNK, known then as Kearney State College. He earned All-American honors in both sports and was twice named Nebraska State College Athlete of the Year.

Tom led the Lopers to a pair of NAIA national basketball tournaments while averaging 20.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game during his UNK career. He still holds the single-game scoring record with 51 points against Central Missouri in 1974.

A fullback and linebacker on the football team, Tom was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League, Washington Bullets of the National Basketball Association and Denver Nuggets of the American Basketball Association. He spent two seasons in the NBA before returning to UNK to earn his master’s degree, then played professionally in Belgium for four years.

She was working for a travel agency owned by the same person who owned the professional basketball team there. He invited Sonja and a friend to come watch a game and, as she puts it, “We didn’t have anything better to do.”

Sonja and Tom met that night and started dating.

When his playing career ended a few years later, they had a decision to make.

“It was either get married or we weren’t going to see each other,” Tom explained.

Obviously, they chose the first option and tied the knot in July 1983. Sonja agreed to relocate to the U.S. and the couple moved to Kearney in August of that year.

“Because we were so much in love, that was an easy decision for me,” she said.

Back at UNK, Tom became an assistant men’s basketball and track coach and accepted a part-time teaching position in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences.

Sonja enrolled as a student at UNK and completed her bachelor’s degree before continuing her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned a master’s degree and doctorate from UNL, and Tom received his doctorate there.

In 1990, Tom was elevated to co-head coach with fellow UNK Hall of Famer Jerry Hueser and Sonja started her teaching career in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/modern-languages/index.php">UNK Department of Modern Languages</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717599151023.jpeg" alt="Tom and Sonja Kropp both retired from UNK at the end of the spring semester. He was an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences and she was an associate professor in the Department of Modern Languages." />
 <figcaption>Tom and Sonja Kropp both retired from UNK at the end of the spring semester. He was an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences and she was an associate professor in the Department of Modern Languages.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER ELLYSONUNK CommunicationsKEARNEY – Tom and Sonja Kropp came from different worlds.He’s a Nebraska sports legend, an Aurora native who’s widely considered one of the greatest athletes in state history.“I grew up in an athletic family. My dad was a coach, so sports were everything for us,” said Tom, a member of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, National High School Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame and University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame.Sonja was born and raised in Leuven, Belgium, a city about 20 miles east of Brussels. She speaks four different languages and prefers a good book over the big game.“She never got too involved with basketball, and I never got too involved with her job,” Tom said with a smile.“He probably still doesn’t know what my dissertation was about,” Sonja quickly added with a laugh.Despite their differences, the Kropps are soulmates and best friends. “I can’t imagine life without him,” Sonja said.They’ve been married for nearly 41 years, with most of that time spent at UNK.<h2>CAMPUS CONNECTIONS</h2>The 1971 Nebraska State High School Athlete of the Year, Tom came to campus later that year to play basketball and football at UNK, known then as Kearney State College. He earned All-American honors in both sports and was twice named Nebraska State College Athlete of the Year.Tom led the Lopers to a pair of NAIA national basketball tournaments while averaging 20.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game during his UNK career. He still holds the single-game scoring record with 51 points against Central Missouri in 1974.A fullback and linebacker on the football team, Tom was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League, Washington Bullets of the National Basketball Association and Denver Nuggets of the American Basketball Association. He spent two seasons in the NBA before returning to UNK to earn his master’s degree, then played professionally in Belgium for four years.That’s where he met Sonja.She was working for a travel agency owned by the same person who owned the professional basketball team there. He invited Sonja and a friend to come watch a game and, as she puts it, “We didn’t have anything better to do.”Sonja and Tom met that night and started dating.When his playing career ended a few years later, they had a decision to make.“It was either get married or we weren’t going to see each other,” Tom explained.Obviously, they chose the first option and tied the knot in July 1983. Sonja agreed to relocate to the U.S. and the couple moved to Kearney in August of that year.“Because we were so much in love, that was an easy decision for me,” she said.Back at UNK, Tom became an assistant men’s basketball and track coach and accepted a part-time teaching position in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences.Sonja enrolled as a student at UNK and completed her bachelor’s degree before continuing her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned a master’s degree and doctorate from UNL, and Tom received his doctorate there.In 1990, Tom was elevated to co-head coach with fellow UNK Hall of Famer Jerry Hueser and Sonja started her teaching career in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/modern-languages/index.php">UNK Department of Modern Languages</a>.Tom’s time with UNK men’s basketball covered more than 30 seasons, including 25 as a co-head coach or head coach. His 482 wins rank second in school history, and he took the Lopers to 11 NCAA Division II national tournaments.When he retired from coaching in June 2015, Tom transitioned into a full-time faculty position in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/hperls/index.php">Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences</a>, where he taught courses such as Introduction to Sports Management, Basketball Theory and Sports Psychology and reached the rank of assistant professor.“My teaching has meant as much to me as my coaching did. I look at them as equal,” he said. “I have as much pride in myself as a teacher as I did as a coach. My students meant as much to me as my athletes. It was an easy transition for me from coaching to teaching because I loved the relationships with my athletes but then I had the same relationships with my students.”Sonja looks at her career the same way. As an associate professor, she taught students about the French language, literature, culture and history, using her own background to create close connections and help them view the world differently.“In anything I teach, it’s not about remembering that person, that writer or that text,” she said. “It’s about what I’ve been able to share with them that is universal and that they can take with them in the rest of their life. That, to me, is the most important thing, that I’ve somehow been able to contribute to their future in some way.”<h2>NEW CHAPTER</h2>Although the Kropps had opportunities to leave UNK, nothing ever beat what they had here.“We’d look at the other job, then we’d come back and compare that to Kearney, and Kearney always seemed to win out,” Tom said.“We were always happy here,” Sonja added.They both use words like fulfilling and rewarding to describe their careers.“The people are what kept us here,” Tom said. “The relationships I had with the people I worked with, my students and my athletes stood out more than anything else by far.”Sonja agreed, calling Thomas Hall her “home.”“The relationships with my colleagues and students made it so much fun that you wouldn’t want to do anything else,” the former department chair said.One of those students was their daughter Dominique, who graduated from UNK in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and sports administration. She’s currently a faculty member in the Department of Sport Science and Management at Xavier University.As for Tom and Sonja, they both retired at the end of the spring semester after more than 70 years of combined service to UNK. The couple recently moved to Lincoln to be closer to family and a larger airport that makes those trips back to Belgium much easier.“As much as I will miss the beginning of the semester and the new books and the new faces and the new notes and all that, we don’t have to live that routine anymore,” Sonja said. “We can travel when we want, and we’re still young enough for a new chapter in our lives.”Since they’ll only be two hours from Kearney, it won’t be difficult to drive back for Loper athletic events.“Now we’re retired, so we can go to games together,” a smirking Sonja said to Tom. “You’ll have to start explaining them to me.”