United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Christopher Ferretti and Shereece Dendy-Sanders will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.&nbsp; AUSAs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the District of Nebraska, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; United States Attorney Lehr said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.&nbsp; Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.&nbsp; The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.&nbsp; The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.&nbsp; The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.&nbsp; It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.&nbsp; The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; United States Attorney Lehr stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.&nbsp; We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.&nbsp; In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.&nbsp; They can be reached by the public at (402) 661-3700.”

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.&nbsp; The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (402) 493-8688.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at&nbsp;<a href="https://civilrights.justice.gov/" target="_blank">https://civilrights.justice.gov/</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 800-253-3931.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; United States Attorney Lehr said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.&nbsp; It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.&nbsp; State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

United States Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Christopher Ferretti and Shereece Dendy-Sanders will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.&nbsp; AUSAs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the District of Nebraska, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; United States Attorney Lehr said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.&nbsp; Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.&nbsp; The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.&nbsp; The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.&nbsp; The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.&nbsp; It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.&nbsp; The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; United States Attorney Lehr stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.&nbsp; We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.&nbsp; In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.&nbsp; They can be reached by the public at (402) 661-3700.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.&nbsp; The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (402) 493-8688.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at&nbsp;<a href="https://civilrights.justice.gov/" target="_blank">https://civilrights.justice.gov/</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 800-253-3931.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; United States Attorney Lehr said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.&nbsp; It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.&nbsp; State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

U.S. Attorney Announces District Election Officers

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/florida-tells-ne-national-guard-never-mind-on-hurricane-aid/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The Nebraska National Guard mission to help Florida after Hurricane Milton ended shortly after it started.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced Tuesday that the emergency response operation was canceled on Saturday after Florida officials assessed storm damage.

The 150 soldiers and airmen from units throughout the state, all volunteers, had been ordered to duty by Pillen last week and were to arrive in Florida by vehicles this past weekend. The mission was in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request by the State of Florida for a Guard general service support company in anticipation of damage expected by Milton.

The Nebraska soldiers and airmen returned to Nebraska this weekend, according to a news release. They were processed and released on Monday.

Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska adjutant general, thanked the troops for their willingness to support the mission.&nbsp;

“Fortunately, the damage caused by Hurricane Milton was not as catastrophic as was first feared,” he said. “However, the willingness of our Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen to put their lives on hold and volunteer to support their neighbors in Florida says a tremendous amount about these individuals and their commitment to remaining ready and agile when disasters strike.”

Also released from service in Florida on Sunday was the 16-person mutual aid team from the Omaha Public Power District.

The OPPD team left Omaha more than two weeks ago to provide power restoration support in hurricane-ravaged parts of the Southeast.

The group left Nebraska Sept. 28 and began service with Appalachian Power, helping to restore power in West Virginia and Virginia after Hurricane Helene. The team then headed to Orlando to help with Hurricane Milton, and was released Sunday from service with the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC).

“Fortunately, the extent of damage and power outages for OUC were less than had been expected, and their work wrapped up after about three days,” said an OPPD media release.

Yet another group, from the Nebraska Public Power District, also was released Sunday from mutual aid service in Florida.

That 15-person team from throughout Nebraska previously was helping in Augusta, Georgia, and was given the OK by OUC to leave Florida on Sunday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729092114096.jpeg" alt="Nebraska Public Power District crews working in Florida. (Courtesy of NPPD)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Public Power District crews working in Florida. (Courtesy of NPPD)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/florida-tells-ne-national-guard-never-mind-on-hurricane-aid/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The Nebraska National Guard mission to help Florida after Hurricane Milton ended shortly after it started.Gov. Jim Pillen announced Tuesday that the emergency response operation was canceled on Saturday after Florida officials assessed storm damage.The 150 soldiers and airmen from units throughout the state, all volunteers, had been ordered to duty by Pillen last week and were to arrive in Florida by vehicles this past weekend. The mission was in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request by the State of Florida for a Guard general service support company in anticipation of damage expected by Milton.The Nebraska soldiers and airmen returned to Nebraska this weekend, according to a news release. They were processed and released on Monday.Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska adjutant general, thanked the troops for their willingness to support the mission.&nbsp;“Fortunately, the damage caused by Hurricane Milton was not as catastrophic as was first feared,” he said. “However, the willingness of our Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen to put their lives on hold and volunteer to support their neighbors in Florida says a tremendous amount about these individuals and their commitment to remaining ready and agile when disasters strike.”Also released from service in Florida on Sunday was the 16-person mutual aid team from the Omaha Public Power District.The OPPD team left Omaha more than two weeks ago to provide power restoration support in hurricane-ravaged parts of the Southeast.The group left Nebraska Sept. 28 and began service with Appalachian Power, helping to restore power in West Virginia and Virginia after Hurricane Helene. The team then headed to Orlando to help with Hurricane Milton, and was released Sunday from service with the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC).“Fortunately, the extent of damage and power outages for OUC were less than had been expected, and their work wrapped up after about three days,” said an OPPD media release.Yet another group, from the Nebraska Public Power District, also was released Sunday from mutual aid service in Florida.That 15-person team from throughout Nebraska previously was helping in Augusta, Georgia, and was given the OK by OUC to leave Florida on Sunday.&nbsp;

Florida tells NE National Guard never mind on hurricane aid

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/15/hearings-on-competing-nebraska-abortion-initiatives-mirror-campaign/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s dueling ballot initiatives on abortion had separate hearings Tuesday at the Capitol, with the testimony largely echoing the campaign fight between the sponsors.

Advocates for additional abortion restrictions spoke in support of&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2024/2024%20Ballot%20Measures%20Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Initiative 434</a>, which would allow no abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy, with some exceptions.

Critics of the restrictions amendment&nbsp;said it was designed to leave the Nebraska Legislature the option of limiting abortion more than the amendment calls for, up to and including a total ban.

Abortion-rights advocates supported&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2024/2024%20Ballot%20Measures%20Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Initiative 439</a>, which would put a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as defined by a treating health care practitioner.

Critics of the abortion-rights measure argued it would leave too much room for midwives and doulas to decide viability, decisions they said were best left to doctors. They said this would allow abortions late into a pregnancy.&nbsp;

The local stakes are high. Nebraska is the first state to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/13/dueling-abortion-measures-make-ballot-nebraska-supreme-court-decides/">competing abortion amendments on the same ballot</a>&nbsp;in the time since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has said that if voters pass both abortion-related amendments, the one with the most votes will be incorporated into the constitution.

Evnen’s office hosted Tuesday’s hearings, a step required by law for all voter-driven initiatives that reach the ballot. Each hearing drew more than 30 people, supporters and opponents.

Dr. Catherine Brooks, a neonatologist, and supporter of the restrictions amendment, Initiative 434, argued that only doctors should be allowed to decide fetal viability.&nbsp;

She also argued that the current state ban on abortion, passed in 2023, is enough. Nebraska law allows abortions up until 12 weeks gestational age, with exceptions after that for the life of the mother and for rape and incest.

Brooks and others have backed stricter bans proposed in recent years, which they said would have saved young lives.

She said the restrictions amendment is modeled after the ban the Legislature passed in 2023. It sets a similar ceiling on abortion after the first trimester, at about 12-14 weeks, but it sets no floor.

“Women deserve clear, compassionate and scientific standards of care,” Brooks said. “Initiative 439 (the abortion-rights amendment) … requires no such training and opens the door to non-physicians… This is simply unsafe.”

Dr. Kim Coleman, a pediatric specialist, backed the abortion-rights amendment. She said Initiative 439 would give doctors more leeway to do what is medically necessary for pregnant women with less government interference.

Coleman described herself as a “Christian, pro-life doctor.” She said the ban after the first trimester called for in the restrictions amendment would increase women’s suffering.

She said specialists in her field try to save babies. She said she understands and has compassion for the people advocating on the other side.&nbsp;

But she said bans like Nebraska’s current law do not always let women facing fetal anomalies get treated until their health is threatened.

“Any of you in this room or your loved one may be faced with the heartbreaking news that a child you are carrying cannot survive,” Coleman said. “Your body might be at risk.”

Supporters of both amendments accused those behind the competing initiative of distorting the truth about the opposing initiative and extolled the virtues of their preferred amendment.

Dr. Elizabeth Weedin, an Omaha obstetrician, said she and her fellow doctors are tired of activists and politicians stretching the truth and&nbsp; “stoking confusion.” She said the abortion-rights amendment would get politicians out of a private decision and that the abortion-restrictions amendment would make the existing ban harder to work around.

Dr. Richard French, a Hastings internist, argued that abortion-restrictions amendment was better. He said it would preserve other state legal restrictions on abortion and keep Nebraska from expanding access to abortion.&nbsp;

One testifier told the crowd they would face God’s judgment. Both offered examples of women who have been harmed by existing law or who they said might be harmed if the competing amendment passed.&nbsp;

Allie Berry of Protect Our Rights, the group behind Initiative 439, said the current ban harms women.

Gabriel Cloutier of Lincoln spoke about nearly losing his mother to an ectopic pregnancy.&nbsp;

“We thought it was just a bad stomach ache,” Cloutier said. “How many other sons and daughters might lose their mothers like this?”

Nikki Shasserre of Protect Women and Children, the group behind Initiative 434, said women’s health would be risked by letting non-doctors decide viability.

Part of each hearing detoured into who is funding the campaigns. Supporters of the restrictions amendment argued that abortion supporters from out of state back the abortion-rights amendment.

Supporters of the abortion-rights amendment pointed to $4 million in donations from family members of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., helping the restrictions amendment,.

Rebecca Schwend, a mother of five from Lincoln, said she prefers the restrictions amendment because it would preserve other existing state limits on abortion, including parental consent laws for minors.

Erin Feichtinger of the Women’s Fund of Omaha backs the abortion-rights amendment. She said sex assault victims should not be forced to discuss what happened to them to be able to access reproductive care.&nbsp;

Initiative 434, from Protect Women and Children

What the language says:&nbsp;Article I of the Nebraska Constitution shall be amended by adding a new section 31 that states as follows: Except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters.

What it would do:&nbsp;Put into the state constitution a maximum limit or cap on how long into a pregnancy an abortion could be legal. It would outlaw most abortions after the first trimester. Most medical experts set that timing between 12 and 14 weeks gestational age. Lawmakers could not revert, for instance, to the state’s former 20-week ban.

What it might cause:&nbsp;The language of this amendment would allow the Legislature to restrict abortion further. Lawmakers were a single vote away in 2023 from passing a ban tied to when an ultrasound can detect fetal cardiac activity, at about six weeks. The filibuster that prevented that measure’s passage could be changed.

Common criticisms:&nbsp;Some have argued that the amendment language is confusing on purpose and that some organizers seek to convince signers that it would protect Nebraska’s current law when it would not. Nebraska currently restricts abortion to 12 weeks gestational age, or about 10 weeks after conception.&nbsp;

Notable supporters:&nbsp;Nebraska Catholic Conference, Nebraska Right to Life, Nebraska Family Alliance, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, Sandhills Publishing owner Tom Peed and his son and fellow business owner Shawn Peed.

What the language says:&nbsp;Article I of the Nebraska Constitution shall be amended by adding a new section 31 as shown: All persons shall have a fundamental right to abortion until fetal viability, or when needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient, without interference from the state or its political subdivisions. Fetal viability means the point in pregnancy when in the professional judgment of the patient’s treating health care practitioner, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus’ sustained survival outside of the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.

What it would do:&nbsp;Codify the right to an abortion in the Nebraska Constitution similar to how the U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973, before the court overturned Roe with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health case in 2022. Most medical experts set the age of fetal viability between 22 and 24 weeks gestation.&nbsp;

What it might cause:&nbsp;Any state restrictions or laws passed on abortion-related care since Roe could be overturned by the courts, and no new state restrictions could be passed. This could jeopardize parts of state law addressing abortion-related care, including the state requirement that women be shown an ultrasound before having an abortion and the requirement that parents be notified if a minor is pursuing an abortion.

Common criticisms:&nbsp;Some worry that abortion-care clinics and providers could use the law to allow abortions later than 22-24 weeks by discounting fetal viability. They argue the flexibility of interpretation would rest almost entirely with medical providers. Others question whether a mandated 24-hour waiting period before having an abortion could be put at risk.

Notable supporters:&nbsp;Planned Parenthood, ACLU Nebraska, Nebraska Appleseed Action, I Be Black Girl, Women’s Fund of Omaha, former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle, University of Nebraska Regent Barbara Weitz and her daughter, nonprofit president Katie Weitz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729085116231.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Wayne Bena listens to testifiers for and against Nebraska’s competing abortion ballot measures. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Wayne Bena listens to testifiers for and against Nebraska’s competing abortion ballot measures. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/15/hearings-on-competing-nebraska-abortion-initiatives-mirror-campaign/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s dueling ballot initiatives on abortion had separate hearings Tuesday at the Capitol, with the testimony largely echoing the campaign fight between the sponsors.Advocates for additional abortion restrictions spoke in support of&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2024/2024%20Ballot%20Measures%20Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Initiative 434</a>, which would allow no abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy, with some exceptions.Critics of the restrictions amendment&nbsp;said it was designed to leave the Nebraska Legislature the option of limiting abortion more than the amendment calls for, up to and including a total ban.Abortion-rights advocates supported&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2024/2024%20Ballot%20Measures%20Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Initiative 439</a>, which would put a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as defined by a treating health care practitioner.Critics of the abortion-rights measure argued it would leave too much room for midwives and doulas to decide viability, decisions they said were best left to doctors. They said this would allow abortions late into a pregnancy.&nbsp;<h2>High stakes in ballot fight</h2>The local stakes are high. Nebraska is the first state to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/13/dueling-abortion-measures-make-ballot-nebraska-supreme-court-decides/">competing abortion amendments on the same ballot</a>&nbsp;in the time since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has said that if voters pass both abortion-related amendments, the one with the most votes will be incorporated into the constitution.Evnen’s office hosted Tuesday’s hearings, a step required by law for all voter-driven initiatives that reach the ballot. Each hearing drew more than 30 people, supporters and opponents.Dr. Catherine Brooks, a neonatologist, and supporter of the restrictions amendment, Initiative 434, argued that only doctors should be allowed to decide fetal viability.&nbsp;She also argued that the current state ban on abortion, passed in 2023, is enough. Nebraska law allows abortions up until 12 weeks gestational age, with exceptions after that for the life of the mother and for rape and incest.Brooks and others have backed stricter bans proposed in recent years, which they said would have saved young lives.She said the restrictions amendment is modeled after the ban the Legislature passed in 2023. It sets a similar ceiling on abortion after the first trimester, at about 12-14 weeks, but it sets no floor.“Women deserve clear, compassionate and scientific standards of care,” Brooks said. “Initiative 439 (the abortion-rights amendment) … requires no such training and opens the door to non-physicians… This is simply unsafe.”Dr. Kim Coleman, a pediatric specialist, backed the abortion-rights amendment. She said Initiative 439 would give doctors more leeway to do what is medically necessary for pregnant women with less government interference.Coleman described herself as a “Christian, pro-life doctor.” She said the ban after the first trimester called for in the restrictions amendment would increase women’s suffering.She said specialists in her field try to save babies. She said she understands and has compassion for the people advocating on the other side.&nbsp;But she said bans like Nebraska’s current law do not always let women facing fetal anomalies get treated until their health is threatened.“Any of you in this room or your loved one may be faced with the heartbreaking news that a child you are carrying cannot survive,” Coleman said. “Your body might be at risk.”<h2>Fight over consequences</h2>Supporters of both amendments accused those behind the competing initiative of distorting the truth about the opposing initiative and extolled the virtues of their preferred amendment.Dr. Elizabeth Weedin, an Omaha obstetrician, said she and her fellow doctors are tired of activists and politicians stretching the truth and&nbsp; “stoking confusion.” She said the abortion-rights amendment would get politicians out of a private decision and that the abortion-restrictions amendment would make the existing ban harder to work around.Dr. Richard French, a Hastings internist, argued that abortion-restrictions amendment was better. He said it would preserve other state legal restrictions on abortion and keep Nebraska from expanding access to abortion.&nbsp;One testifier told the crowd they would face God’s judgment. Both offered examples of women who have been harmed by existing law or who they said might be harmed if the competing amendment passed.&nbsp;Allie Berry of Protect Our Rights, the group behind Initiative 439, said the current ban harms women.Gabriel Cloutier of Lincoln spoke about nearly losing his mother to an ectopic pregnancy.&nbsp;“We thought it was just a bad stomach ache,” Cloutier said. “How many other sons and daughters might lose their mothers like this?”Nikki Shasserre of Protect Women and Children, the group behind Initiative 434, said women’s health would be risked by letting non-doctors decide viability.Part of each hearing detoured into who is funding the campaigns. Supporters of the restrictions amendment argued that abortion supporters from out of state back the abortion-rights amendment.Supporters of the abortion-rights amendment pointed to $4 million in donations from family members of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., helping the restrictions amendment,.Rebecca Schwend, a mother of five from Lincoln, said she prefers the restrictions amendment because it would preserve other existing state limits on abortion, including parental consent laws for minors.Erin Feichtinger of the Women’s Fund of Omaha backs the abortion-rights amendment. She said sex assault victims should not be forced to discuss what happened to them to be able to access reproductive care.&nbsp;<h2>Initiative 434, from Protect Women and Children</h2>Abortion-restrictions amendmentWhat the language says:&nbsp;Article I of the Nebraska Constitution shall be amended by adding a new section 31 that states as follows: Except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters.What it would do:&nbsp;Put into the state constitution a maximum limit or cap on how long into a pregnancy an abortion could be legal. It would outlaw most abortions after the first trimester. Most medical experts set that timing between 12 and 14 weeks gestational age. Lawmakers could not revert, for instance, to the state’s former 20-week ban.What it might cause:&nbsp;The language of this amendment would allow the Legislature to restrict abortion further. Lawmakers were a single vote away in 2023 from passing a ban tied to when an ultrasound can detect fetal cardiac activity, at about six weeks. The filibuster that prevented that measure’s passage could be changed.Common criticisms:&nbsp;Some have argued that the amendment language is confusing on purpose and that some organizers seek to convince signers that it would protect Nebraska’s current law when it would not. Nebraska currently restricts abortion to 12 weeks gestational age, or about 10 weeks after conception.&nbsp;Notable supporters:&nbsp;Nebraska Catholic Conference, Nebraska Right to Life, Nebraska Family Alliance, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, Sandhills Publishing owner Tom Peed and his son and fellow business owner Shawn Peed.<h2>Initiative 439, from Protect Our Rights</h2>Abortion-rights amendmentWhat the language says:&nbsp;Article I of the Nebraska Constitution shall be amended by adding a new section 31 as shown: All persons shall have a fundamental right to abortion until fetal viability, or when needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient, without interference from the state or its political subdivisions. Fetal viability means the point in pregnancy when in the professional judgment of the patient’s treating health care practitioner, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus’ sustained survival outside of the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.What it would do:&nbsp;Codify the right to an abortion in the Nebraska Constitution similar to how the U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973, before the court overturned Roe with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health case in 2022. Most medical experts set the age of fetal viability between 22 and 24 weeks gestation.&nbsp;What it might cause:&nbsp;Any state restrictions or laws passed on abortion-related care since Roe could be overturned by the courts, and no new state restrictions could be passed. This could jeopardize parts of state law addressing abortion-related care, including the state requirement that women be shown an ultrasound before having an abortion and the requirement that parents be notified if a minor is pursuing an abortion.Common criticisms:&nbsp;Some worry that abortion-care clinics and providers could use the law to allow abortions later than 22-24 weeks by discounting fetal viability. They argue the flexibility of interpretation would rest almost entirely with medical providers. Others question whether a mandated 24-hour waiting period before having an abortion could be put at risk.Notable supporters:&nbsp;Planned Parenthood, ACLU Nebraska, Nebraska Appleseed Action, I Be Black Girl, Women’s Fund of Omaha, former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle, University of Nebraska Regent Barbara Weitz and her daughter, nonprofit president Katie Weitz.

Hearings on competing Nebraska abortion initiatives mirror campaign

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Janousek as director for the Division of Behavioral Health in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The appointment is effective Oct. 21 at an annual salary of $175,000.

Dr. Janousek has been the deputy director of clinical excellence within the Division of Behavioral Health since Oct. 2022. Prior to joining the state, he was a neuropsychologist at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln and was previously vice president of quality and compliance at Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Janousek received his Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.

In describing his vision for expanding behavioral health care in Nebraska, Dr. Janousek said he is committed to creating more access points, without diminishing quality of care.

“We need more crisis and community-based service options across our state, and we need to address those barriers which make it difficult for individuals to engage with the public behavioral health system,” said Dr. Janousek.

Acknowledging the state’s critical need for behavioral health and substance use supports, Gov. Pillen said he was excited about having Dr. Janousek take on this lead role. He also commended the work of Tony Green, who has been serving as interim director for the Division of Behavioral Health, while the search for a permanent director was ongoing.

“Over the years, Director Green has led several divisions on an interim basis for DHHS. He has been a steady presence in the agency, and I deeply appreciate his commitment to state public service,” said Gov. Pillen.

Director Green is currently director for the Division of Developmental Disabilities. His annual salary will become $195,000 on Oct. 21.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Janousek as director for the Division of Behavioral Health in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The appointment is effective Oct. 21 at an annual salary of $175,000.Dr. Janousek has been the deputy director of clinical excellence within the Division of Behavioral Health since Oct. 2022. Prior to joining the state, he was a neuropsychologist at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln and was previously vice president of quality and compliance at Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Janousek received his Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.In describing his vision for expanding behavioral health care in Nebraska, Dr. Janousek said he is committed to creating more access points, without diminishing quality of care.“We need more crisis and community-based service options across our state, and we need to address those barriers which make it difficult for individuals to engage with the public behavioral health system,” said Dr. Janousek.Acknowledging the state’s critical need for behavioral health and substance use supports, Gov. Pillen said he was excited about having Dr. Janousek take on this lead role. He also commended the work of Tony Green, who has been serving as interim director for the Division of Behavioral Health, while the search for a permanent director was ongoing.“Over the years, Director Green has led several divisions on an interim basis for DHHS. He has been a steady presence in the agency, and I deeply appreciate his commitment to state public service,” said Gov. Pillen.Director Green is currently director for the Division of Developmental Disabilities. His annual salary will become $195,000 on Oct. 21.

Gov. Pillen Appoints Dr. Janousek as Director of Behavioral Health

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/16/nebraska-supreme-court-restores-lb-20-and-lets-people-with-felony-pasts-register-to-vote/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen was wrong to stop registering voters under a new state law eliminating the two-year wait for people who have served a sentence for a felony conviction.

The court did not decide the constitutional question raised by Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers — which branch of state government has the authority to set the timing of when people who have served a sentence for a felony conviction can vote.

Evnen and Hilgers, in an advisory legal opinion that Evnen cited in deciding to ignore Legislative Bill 20, argued that only the executive branch’s Pardons Board that they and Gov. Jim Pillen serve on can constitutionally restore a person’s civil rights.

Lawyers from ACLU Nebraska, arguing on behalf of Civic Nebraska and two Nebraskans prepared to register to vote, argued that the Legislature has case law and past practice on its side in setting the timing of when someone can legally vote.

One of them is Gregory Spung of Omaha, a plaintiff in the case, who plans to register as a nonpartisan voter. He had registered online before Evnen’s decision and retracted it after Evnen’s decision. He said in a statement that he was “ecstatic.”

For so long, I was uncertain if my voice would truly count under this law. Today’s decision reaffirms the fundamental principle that every vote matters.

“For so long, I was uncertain if my voice would truly count under this law,” Spung said. “Today’s decision reaffirms the fundamental principle that every vote matters. It’s a victory not just for me, but for thousands of Nebraskans.”

The other plaintiff, Jeremy Jonak of Wood River, who plans to register as a Republican, said the decision lifted “a weight off my shoulders” and that of other Nebraskans who had been waiting. He said people had earned a second chance.

“The truth is most of us are just trying to live our lives and leave the past behind us,” Jonak said. “Thanks to this decision, we get to have a say as part of our communities.”

Neither Evnen nor Hilgers had an immediate comment Wednesday. An Evnen spokeswoman said a press release was coming Wednesday afternoon. A Hilgers spokeswoman said they were reviewing the ruling and would have a statement soon.

The narrower ruling means the court could not find five justices who agree on the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of LB 20 or its predecessor, LB 53 from 2005. LB 53 had restored voting rights two years after serving a criminal sentence.

Under Nebraska’s constitution, it takes five justices to declare a law unconstitutional. Because the court did not rule the law unconstitutional, Evnen and Hilgers are likely out of time to stop registrations for the Nov. 5 general election, now less than three weeks away.&nbsp;

The court essentially took the simplest of the arguments ACLU lawyer Jane Seu made during oral arguments in late August: that Evnen and Hilgers should have known that the law of the land is the law of the land until a court rules it unconstitutional.&nbsp;

The ruling means the thousands of people that voting rights advocates said were poised to be newly registered will get their chance, if advocates can execute a plan they discussed to let people know they can now register to vote this fall.

“Given the sheer scale of disenfranchisement that this decision corrects, there is no question that it will be remembered as one of our state’s most consequential voting rights decisions,” she said in a statement Wednesday.

RISE, a re-entry program for incarcerated Nebraskans and others in the justice system, has said more than 7,000 people could be newly eligible to vote. Several have discussed the importance of being able to participate fully as key to re-entry efforts.

Thousands more who were also in limbo after Evnen’s move got the reassurance that their voting rights are still sound, the people who had waited two years under the 2005 law and had already registered to vote — and in many cases voted previously.

The time to register voters is tight. Friday is the last day for Nebraskans to register to vote by mail or online for the 2024 general election. The deadline for registering in-person at a county elections office is Oct. 25.

Civic Nebraska, part of a group trying to organize and register voters in time, the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, said partners would be calling, texting and reaching out to voters to make sure they know of the ruling and their rights.

“From now on, every eligible voter in our state can exercise their constitutional right to participate in our democratic system,” said Steve Smith, a spokesman for Civic Nebraska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729088637285.jpeg" alt=" Gregory Spung of Douglas County during an earlier event talked about how excited he was to be able to vote thanks to Legislative Bill 20, the new law in Nebraska that let people with felony convictions vote after serving their sentence. Wednesday, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed that law. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Gregory Spung of Douglas County during an earlier event talked about how excited he was to be able to vote thanks to Legislative Bill 20, the new law in Nebraska that let people with felony convictions vote after serving their sentence. Wednesday, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed that law. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/16/nebraska-supreme-court-restores-lb-20-and-lets-people-with-felony-pasts-register-to-vote/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen was wrong to stop registering voters under a new state law eliminating the two-year wait for people who have served a sentence for a felony conviction.The court did not decide the constitutional question raised by Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers — which branch of state government has the authority to set the timing of when people who have served a sentence for a felony conviction can vote.Evnen and Hilgers, in an advisory legal opinion that Evnen cited in deciding to ignore Legislative Bill 20, argued that only the executive branch’s Pardons Board that they and Gov. Jim Pillen serve on can constitutionally restore a person’s civil rights.Lawyers from ACLU Nebraska, arguing on behalf of Civic Nebraska and two Nebraskans prepared to register to vote, argued that the Legislature has case law and past practice on its side in setting the timing of when someone can legally vote.One of them is Gregory Spung of Omaha, a plaintiff in the case, who plans to register as a nonpartisan voter. He had registered online before Evnen’s decision and retracted it after Evnen’s decision. He said in a statement that he was “ecstatic.”For so long, I was uncertain if my voice would truly count under this law. Today’s decision reaffirms the fundamental principle that every vote matters.– Gregory Spung, plaintiff“For so long, I was uncertain if my voice would truly count under this law,” Spung said. “Today’s decision reaffirms the fundamental principle that every vote matters. It’s a victory not just for me, but for thousands of Nebraskans.”The other plaintiff, Jeremy Jonak of Wood River, who plans to register as a Republican, said the decision lifted “a weight off my shoulders” and that of other Nebraskans who had been waiting. He said people had earned a second chance.“The truth is most of us are just trying to live our lives and leave the past behind us,” Jonak said. “Thanks to this decision, we get to have a say as part of our communities.”Neither Evnen nor Hilgers had an immediate comment Wednesday. An Evnen spokeswoman said a press release was coming Wednesday afternoon. A Hilgers spokeswoman said they were reviewing the ruling and would have a statement soon.The narrower ruling means the court could not find five justices who agree on the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of LB 20 or its predecessor, LB 53 from 2005. LB 53 had restored voting rights two years after serving a criminal sentence.Under Nebraska’s constitution, it takes five justices to declare a law unconstitutional. Because the court did not rule the law unconstitutional, Evnen and Hilgers are likely out of time to stop registrations for the Nov. 5 general election, now less than three weeks away.&nbsp;The court essentially took the simplest of the arguments ACLU lawyer Jane Seu made during oral arguments in late August: that Evnen and Hilgers should have known that the law of the land is the law of the land until a court rules it unconstitutional.&nbsp;The ruling means the thousands of people that voting rights advocates said were poised to be newly registered will get their chance, if advocates can execute a plan they discussed to let people know they can now register to vote this fall.Seu called it “justice.”“Given the sheer scale of disenfranchisement that this decision corrects, there is no question that it will be remembered as one of our state’s most consequential voting rights decisions,” she said in a statement Wednesday.RISE, a re-entry program for incarcerated Nebraskans and others in the justice system, has said more than 7,000 people could be newly eligible to vote. Several have discussed the importance of being able to participate fully as key to re-entry efforts.Thousands more who were also in limbo after Evnen’s move got the reassurance that their voting rights are still sound, the people who had waited two years under the 2005 law and had already registered to vote — and in many cases voted previously.The time to register voters is tight. Friday is the last day for Nebraskans to register to vote by mail or online for the 2024 general election. The deadline for registering in-person at a county elections office is Oct. 25.Civic Nebraska, part of a group trying to organize and register voters in time, the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, said partners would be calling, texting and reaching out to voters to make sure they know of the ruling and their rights.“From now on, every eligible voter in our state can exercise their constitutional right to participate in our democratic system,” said Steve Smith, a spokesman for Civic Nebraska.

Nebraska Supreme Court restores LB 20 and lets people with felony pasts register to vote

People across Nebraska are encouraged to read the work of a Nebraskan —and then talk about it with their friends and neighbors.&nbsp;The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific&nbsp;(Revell, 2023) by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee is the 2025 One Book One Nebraska selection.

The Long March Home&nbsp;is a historical fiction novel inspired by true stories of friendship, sacrifice, and hope on the Bataan Death March.

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Marcus Brotherton is a&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;bestselling author and coauthor, with five&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;bestsellers, seven national bestsellers, and four books have been optioned for movies. He was born in British Columbia and earned degrees at Multnomah University in Portland and Biola University in Los Angeles. He currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children.

Tosca Lee is the award-winning and&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;bestselling author of twelve books. Those awards include three International Book Awards, and a Nebraska Book Award for her thriller&nbsp;The Line Between&nbsp;and its sequel&nbsp;A Single Light.&nbsp;She received her B.A. from Smith College and currently lives in Nebraska with her husband, three of four children still at home, and her 160-lb. German Shepherd, Timber.

Libraries across Nebraska will join other literary and cultural organizations in planning book discussions, activities, and events that will encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book. Support materials to assist with local reading/discussion activities will be available after January 1, 2025 at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://onebook.nebraska.gov/">http://onebook.nebraska.gov</a>. Updates and activity listings will be posted on the One Book One Nebraska Facebook page at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/onebookonenebraska">http://www.facebook.com/onebookonenebraska</a>.

2025 will mark the twenty-first year of the One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. The Nebraska Center for the Book invites recommendations for One Book One Nebraska book selection year-round at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/obon-nomination.asp">http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/obon-nomination.asp</a>.

One Book One Nebraska is sponsored by Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska, and Nebraska Library Commission. The Nebraska Center for the Book brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at and supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

One Book One NebraskaPeople across Nebraska are encouraged to read the work of a Nebraskan —and then talk about it with their friends and neighbors.&nbsp;The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific&nbsp;(Revell, 2023) by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee is the 2025 One Book One Nebraska selection.The Long March Home&nbsp;is a historical fiction novel inspired by true stories of friendship, sacrifice, and hope on the Bataan Death March.From the Inside Cover:Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.Marcus Brotherton is a&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;bestselling author and coauthor, with five&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;bestsellers, seven national bestsellers, and four books have been optioned for movies. He was born in British Columbia and earned degrees at Multnomah University in Portland and Biola University in Los Angeles. He currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children.Tosca Lee is the award-winning and&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;bestselling author of twelve books. Those awards include three International Book Awards, and a Nebraska Book Award for her thriller&nbsp;The Line Between&nbsp;and its sequel&nbsp;A Single Light.&nbsp;She received her B.A. from Smith College and currently lives in Nebraska with her husband, three of four children still at home, and her 160-lb. German Shepherd, Timber.Libraries across Nebraska will join other literary and cultural organizations in planning book discussions, activities, and events that will encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book. Support materials to assist with local reading/discussion activities will be available after January 1, 2025 at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://onebook.nebraska.gov/">http://onebook.nebraska.gov</a>. Updates and activity listings will be posted on the One Book One Nebraska Facebook page at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/onebookonenebraska">http://www.facebook.com/onebookonenebraska</a>.2025 will mark the twenty-first year of the One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. The Nebraska Center for the Book invites recommendations for One Book One Nebraska book selection year-round at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/obon-nomination.asp">http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/obon-nomination.asp</a>.One Book One Nebraska is sponsored by Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska, and Nebraska Library Commission. The Nebraska Center for the Book brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at and supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific Chosen as 2025 One Book One Nebraska

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-supreme-court-to-issue-ruling-wednesday-on-post-felony-voting-case/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Supreme Court will weigh in Wednesday on whether the Legislature has the authority to change the timing of when people with felony convictions get back their right to vote.

The court took the unusual step Tuesday of announcing a midweek opinion. Justices usually issue opinions on Fridays. But, as voting rights advocates pointed out&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/10/advocates-hope-nebraska-supreme-court-rules-soon-on-future-of-felony-voting-law/">in a recent letter</a>, Friday is the last day for Nebraskans to register to vote by mail or online.

The deadline for registering in-person is Oct. 25.

Thousands of Nebraskans are waiting to hear whether they can register to vote now under Legislative Bill 20, a new state law that eliminated a two-year wait to vote after serving a felony sentence.

Those people are in legal limbo because Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined Gov. Jim Pillen in interpreting LB 20 and its predecessor from 2005, LB 53, as constitutional overreach by the legislative branch.

Those three executives — who serve together as the Nebraska Pardons Board — argue that only the executive branch via the Pardons Board has the authority to restore a Nebraskan’s civil rights under the state Constitution, including voting rights.

The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition sued them, arguing that a bipartisan group of state senators in the Nebraska Legislature have the authority to decide the timing of when people regain their voting rights, based on case law and nearly two decades of LB 53 being law.

Justices&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/28/nebraska-supreme-court-hears-arguments-on-felon-voting-law/">heard oral arguments</a>&nbsp;on the case in late August. Attorneys for ACLU Nebraska and the Attorney General’s Office sparred about whether the Legislature overstepped its authority.

The discussion also questioned whether the Secretary of State overstepped by acting administratively to stop people from registering based on the new law after Hilgers issued an advisory opinion arguing LB 20 and LB 53 were potentially unconstitutional.&nbsp;

RISE, a re-entry program for incarcerated Nebraskans and others involved in the justice system, has argued that more than 7,000 Nebraskans could see their voting rights restored. Civic Nebraska and others say hundreds are ready to register.

“We are grateful that the Court is releasing a midweek decision to provide clarity for tens of thousands of Nebraskans who are eager to vote in this election,” Civic Nebraska said in a statement after hearing of the pending opinion.&nbsp;

Voting rights advocates have said they have teams of volunteers ready to help people register if the court decides LB 20 is the law of the land. Evnen, the state’s top election official, has said he will follow the court’s ruling.&nbsp;

Neither Evnen nor Hilgers had any immediate comment Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728935679756.jpeg" alt="TJ King of Black and Pink (top right, pink shirt), speaks to a North Omaha gathering of voting rights advocates. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner" />
 <figcaption>TJ King of Black and Pink (top right, pink shirt), speaks to a North Omaha gathering of voting rights advocates. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-supreme-court-to-issue-ruling-wednesday-on-post-felony-voting-case/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The Nebraska Supreme Court will weigh in Wednesday on whether the Legislature has the authority to change the timing of when people with felony convictions get back their right to vote.The court took the unusual step Tuesday of announcing a midweek opinion. Justices usually issue opinions on Fridays. But, as voting rights advocates pointed out&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/10/advocates-hope-nebraska-supreme-court-rules-soon-on-future-of-felony-voting-law/">in a recent letter</a>, Friday is the last day for Nebraskans to register to vote by mail or online.The deadline for registering in-person is Oct. 25.Thousands of Nebraskans are waiting to hear whether they can register to vote now under Legislative Bill 20, a new state law that eliminated a two-year wait to vote after serving a felony sentence.Those people are in legal limbo because Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined Gov. Jim Pillen in interpreting LB 20 and its predecessor from 2005, LB 53, as constitutional overreach by the legislative branch.Those three executives — who serve together as the Nebraska Pardons Board — argue that only the executive branch via the Pardons Board has the authority to restore a Nebraskan’s civil rights under the state Constitution, including voting rights.The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition sued them, arguing that a bipartisan group of state senators in the Nebraska Legislature have the authority to decide the timing of when people regain their voting rights, based on case law and nearly two decades of LB 53 being law.Justices&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/28/nebraska-supreme-court-hears-arguments-on-felon-voting-law/">heard oral arguments</a>&nbsp;on the case in late August. Attorneys for ACLU Nebraska and the Attorney General’s Office sparred about whether the Legislature overstepped its authority.The discussion also questioned whether the Secretary of State overstepped by acting administratively to stop people from registering based on the new law after Hilgers issued an advisory opinion arguing LB 20 and LB 53 were potentially unconstitutional.&nbsp;RISE, a re-entry program for incarcerated Nebraskans and others involved in the justice system, has argued that more than 7,000 Nebraskans could see their voting rights restored. Civic Nebraska and others say hundreds are ready to register.“We are grateful that the Court is releasing a midweek decision to provide clarity for tens of thousands of Nebraskans who are eager to vote in this election,” Civic Nebraska said in a statement after hearing of the pending opinion.&nbsp;Voting rights advocates have said they have teams of volunteers ready to help people register if the court decides LB 20 is the law of the land. Evnen, the state’s top election official, has said he will follow the court’s ruling.&nbsp;Neither Evnen nor Hilgers had any immediate comment Tuesday.

Nebraska Supreme Court to issue ruling Wednesday on post-felony voting case

Shelton, Neb. -&nbsp;The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding a death, explosion and fire at a rural cabin south of Shelton, NE.&nbsp; On October 15, 2024&nbsp;Shelton firefighters and law enforcement were called to a fire south of Shelton, NE on the south side of the Platte River.&nbsp; The incident was reported at 5:22 AM; the exact time of the explosion / fire is unknown.

While on scene the body of a probable adult male was found deceased inside the cabin remains.&nbsp; The investigation into the cause of fire and death of the individual is ongoing.&nbsp; No other occupants were believed to in the cabin at the time of explosion.&nbsp; The cabin was destroyed.&nbsp; From preliminary investigation, foul play is not suspected.&nbsp; The identity of the victim has not been confirmed and investigation continues.&nbsp; The Buffalo County Attorney’s Office has ordered an autopsy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Shelton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and deputies were assisted by members of the Wood River and Gibbon Volunteer Fire Departments, Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Buffalo County Sheriff's OfficeShelton, Neb. -&nbsp;The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding a death, explosion and fire at a rural cabin south of Shelton, NE.&nbsp; On October 15, 2024&nbsp;Shelton firefighters and law enforcement were called to a fire south of Shelton, NE on the south side of the Platte River.&nbsp; The incident was reported at 5:22 AM; the exact time of the explosion / fire is unknown.While on scene the body of a probable adult male was found deceased inside the cabin remains.&nbsp; The investigation into the cause of fire and death of the individual is ongoing.&nbsp; No other occupants were believed to in the cabin at the time of explosion.&nbsp; The cabin was destroyed.&nbsp; From preliminary investigation, foul play is not suspected.&nbsp; The identity of the victim has not been confirmed and investigation continues.&nbsp; The Buffalo County Attorney’s Office has ordered an autopsy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Shelton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and deputies were assisted by members of the Wood River and Gibbon Volunteer Fire Departments, Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.&nbsp; &nbsp;

One killed in cabin fire/explosion in Central Nebraska early Tuesday morning

October 15, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Lincoln man in connection with the crash that killed Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett earlier this year. Tony Pierce, 50, was arrested for felony motor vehicle homicide.

The crash occurred in the evening of Friday, April 12. Officer Ross Bartlett’s patrol vehicle was struck while he was performing a traffic stop on Highway 77 in northern Lancaster County, approximately one mile south of Ceresco. The Nebraska State Patrol has conducted a complete crash reconstruction.

<a>During the traffic stop, Bartlett’s patrol vehicle and a Nissan Altima were both parked on the shoulder of Highway 77. Both drivers were seated in their vehicles when a southbound Ford F-150 struck Bartlett’s patrol vehicle from the rear, causing it to hit the Nissan.</a>

Officer Bartlett died that evening from injuries suffered in the crash. The driver of the Nissan, Ke’vion Hill, 27, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at Bryan Health West Campus. The driver of the Ford, Tony Pierce, 50, was not seriously injured.

As a result of the crash investigation, troopers suspect phone use was a factor in the crash. In cooperation with the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office, Tony Pierce turned himself in to troopers this morning and was cited for felony motor vehicle homicide.

Troopers also completed the investigation Officer Bartlett had started with the traffic stop. Ke’vion Hill has been cited for driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce. He was arrested and lodged in Douglas County Jail for an unrelated warrant.

Officer Ross Bartlett had served with Ceresco PD since 2017. He was also an investigator with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and served as a volunteer firefighter for Ceresco. Prior to those assignments, he served with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Police Department, and Newman Grove Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729016310311.png" alt="Tony J Pierce (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Tony J Pierce (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolOctober 15, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Lincoln man in connection with the crash that killed Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett earlier this year. Tony Pierce, 50, was arrested for felony motor vehicle homicide.The crash occurred in the evening of Friday, April 12. Officer Ross Bartlett’s patrol vehicle was struck while he was performing a traffic stop on Highway 77 in northern Lancaster County, approximately one mile south of Ceresco. The Nebraska State Patrol has conducted a complete crash reconstruction.<a>During the traffic stop, Bartlett’s patrol vehicle and a Nissan Altima were both parked on the shoulder of Highway 77. Both drivers were seated in their vehicles when a southbound Ford F-150 struck Bartlett’s patrol vehicle from the rear, causing it to hit the Nissan.</a>Officer Bartlett died that evening from injuries suffered in the crash. The driver of the Nissan, Ke’vion Hill, 27, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at Bryan Health West Campus. The driver of the Ford, Tony Pierce, 50, was not seriously injured.As a result of the crash investigation, troopers suspect phone use was a factor in the crash. In cooperation with the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office, Tony Pierce turned himself in to troopers this morning and was cited for felony motor vehicle homicide.Troopers also completed the investigation Officer Bartlett had started with the traffic stop. Ke’vion Hill has been cited for driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce. He was arrested and lodged in Douglas County Jail for an unrelated warrant.Officer Ross Bartlett had served with Ceresco PD since 2017. He was also an investigator with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and served as a volunteer firefighter for Ceresco. Prior to those assignments, he served with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Police Department, and Newman Grove Police Department.

 Arrest Made for Crash that Killed Officer Ross Bartlett

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/13/new-fischer-poll-others-show-her-u-s-senate-race-with-osborn-remains-tight/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer has released a campaign poll partly aimed at assuring donors and outside groups that she has found ways to blunt the momentum of her challenger, nonpartisan Dan Osborn.

The Fischer poll’s findings, released Friday, largely mirror months of polling for the Osborn campaign and others showing a Senate race closer than expected. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats roughly 2-to-1 in the state, outside of unaligned voters, a slice of the electorate that nearly matches the number of Democrats.

The Fischer poll&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/fa5dee058d0477c2bd8e5887f/files/0e6d315e-f56c-1281-a71d-5cf027541036/Fischer_for_US_Senate_Oct_5_8_Survey_MEMO.pdf" target="_blank">shows her leading Osborn</a>&nbsp;48%-42%, with 10% undecided. That’s just beyond the survey’s 4% margin of error. Friday was the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/19/fischer-trump-lead-statewide-in-fischers-new-nebraska-poll/">first time since July</a>&nbsp;that her camp has released an internal poll. That one had Fischer ahead 50%-24%.

“We expect this positive trend to continue as time goes on and more Nebraskans learn that Dan Osborn isn’t an independent,” said Derek Oden, a Fischer campaign spokesman. “We still have work to do, and we’re running hard, but this is a good sign.”

Fischer’s new poll of 600 likely voters by phone, text and web was done Oct. 5-8 by Torchlight Strategies. Its release came a week after Osborn’s campaign highlighted four polls showing him&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CDkU_yl-JR4l-te9AU_0LFCCloSqIN-x/view" target="_blank">narrowly leading the race</a>, each within the margin of error.

Osborn’s most recent campaign poll of 558 likely voters, conducted Sept. 20-23, indicated him leading 45%-44%, with 11% undecided. It was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a2cca672-f0d1-45ca-be33-b1cdcc8324e1" target="_blank">conducted by SurveyUSA</a>&nbsp;using cell phones, landlines and the web. The survey listed a 4.8% margin of error.

Another poll the Osborn camp touted surveyed 400 people online Sept. 27-Oct. 1. It was done by The Independent Center, which targets unaligned voters. It found Osborn leading Fischer 47%-42%, with 10% undecided. It listed a 4.9% margin of error.

A poll of 895 likely voters&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L65fj6WFZoUqsNdzV6NGg9lcLNAb413S/view" target="_blank">done by Change Research</a>&nbsp;found Osborn leading 46%-43%, with 10% undecided. That online-only poll had a 3.5% margin of error. All of the Senate polls reviewed by the Examiner showed similarly close results.

“Deb Fischer’s party bosses and corporate sponsors are panicking about this race, spending millions of dollars to smear Dan Osborn and bail out Fischer’s failing campaign,” said Dustin Wahl, an Osborn campaign spokesman. “But Dan has a grassroots movement behind him … and that’s not going to be stopped by smear ads.”

Ratings services have taken note, shifting the race in recent weeks from variations of safe Republican to something more akin to likely Republican, which is how the Cook Political Report lists the race, joining a race in red-leaning battleground Florida.

Five-Thirty-Eight, the Disney/ABC owned polling aggregator and interpreter, rates Nebraska’s Senate race between Fischer and Osborn as&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/senate/2024/nebraska/general/" target="_blank">within 1.5 percentage points</a>, among the closest races in the country outside politically divided states.

Osborn has called his unaffilliated campaign an experiment to see whether Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisans are more willing to work together to break the cycle of sameness in Washington without a party label.

Fischer and her supporters have argued that Osborn is a Democrat in sheep’s clothing, which Osborn says is not true. He has been a registered nonpartisan since at least 2004, according to Douglas County and state election records.

They point to comments in interviews and social media likes that they say paint a man who is ideologically more aligned with the left than the right and say his effort not to take sides in the 2024 presidential race is a gimmick. He says it’s not.

Local political consultants and academics who have spoken with the Examiner about the race said that Fischer is still likely to win the race but that it is unexpectedly close enough that she could lose.

University of Nebraska at Omaha political scientist Randall Adkins has told the Examiner and others that the race is closer than he would have expected and more competitive than it ought to be given the state’s heavy right-leaning partisan bent.

Because of this, the race is drawing major outside spending for Fischer, including a rare joint investment by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which typically spends money in swing states, not states the GOP considers safe.

Among them is Ending Spending, a super PAC tied to conservative mega-donors Marlene and Joe Ricketts, the parents of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb. The Super PAC last helped Fischer reach the Senate in 2012, during a brutal three-way GOP primary.

Ending Spending has reserved nearly $1.4 million on television ads to run Oct. 9-22 against Osborn, including one attacking his unwillingness to say which party he would align with in Congress. The ad argues he would align with Democrats and calls him “deceptive.”

Brian Baker, a spokesman for Ending Spending, said the group was “proud to support” Fischer. He called her a respected voice on national security and agriculture, given her background and work.

He said Osborn is backed by “Democratic dark money groups.”

Outside groups are also spending millions on Osborn’s behalf. Osborn’s campaign has been critical of Fischer’s record, including her ties to corporate donors, which he compared to NASCAR sponsors for race car drivers.

Osborn has declined to take money from corporate political action committees. But outside donors are investing in the race, including some donations Fischer and other Republicans have criticized from the progressive Sixteen Thirty Fund.

As of the last federal filing deadline this summer, Osborn’s bid had been supported by about $5.3 million in outside spending,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail/2024?cmte=C00489856&amp;tab=donors_all" target="_blank">according to OpenSecrets.org</a>, which tracks campaign spending. Fischer’s bid had been aided by more than $1.2 million.

Like most incumbents, Fischer has had an edge in traditional fundraising. She had raised $6.2 million as of June 30 and had nearly $3 million in cash on hand. Osborn had raised $1.6 million and had $650,000 in cash on hand. Updated filings are coming.

Osborn made his name as a former union leader who led a 2021 strike against Kellogg’s seeking better pay and benefits. Some on the right, including Republicans in Omaha city government, have criticized him for putting the plant’s future at risk.

The company has announced plans to close the plant, though the union says it is working with corporate leaders to find a way to save local jobs. Union leaders have said Osborn is not to blame for the company’s decision and that the factory is profitable.

He hosted a rally with United Autoworkers President Shawn Fain in Lincoln on Saturday. The group endorsed him, along with other unions he worked with as a steamfitter and a local labor leader. Fischer has the endorsements of local fire and law enforcement unions.

Fischer attacked Osborn Oct. 3 as a threat to Republican control of the Senate. Republicans are hoping to pick up seats in Montana and West Virginia to flip control of the Senate.

Fischer is a two-term U.S. senator who had said she would only run for two terms. She has told the Examiner she decided to run for a third term because she has learned that seniority matters in the Senate and that her seniority is helping Nebraska.

She says her work on national security and infrastructure have made a difference in improving Offutt Air Force Base and Eppley Airfield. Osborn says that Fischer mainly helps big businesses and that the Senate needs more working people like him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729003596514.jpeg" alt=" U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., faces nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn in Nebraska’s Senate race this fall. (Candidate photos courtesy of their campaigns. Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., faces nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn in Nebraska’s Senate race this fall. (Candidate photos courtesy of their campaigns. Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/13/new-fischer-poll-others-show-her-u-s-senate-race-with-osborn-remains-tight/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer has released a campaign poll partly aimed at assuring donors and outside groups that she has found ways to blunt the momentum of her challenger, nonpartisan Dan Osborn.The Fischer poll’s findings, released Friday, largely mirror months of polling for the Osborn campaign and others showing a Senate race closer than expected. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats roughly 2-to-1 in the state, outside of unaligned voters, a slice of the electorate that nearly matches the number of Democrats.The Fischer poll&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/fa5dee058d0477c2bd8e5887f/files/0e6d315e-f56c-1281-a71d-5cf027541036/Fischer_for_US_Senate_Oct_5_8_Survey_MEMO.pdf" target="_blank">shows her leading Osborn</a>&nbsp;48%-42%, with 10% undecided. That’s just beyond the survey’s 4% margin of error. Friday was the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/19/fischer-trump-lead-statewide-in-fischers-new-nebraska-poll/">first time since July</a>&nbsp;that her camp has released an internal poll. That one had Fischer ahead 50%-24%.“We expect this positive trend to continue as time goes on and more Nebraskans learn that Dan Osborn isn’t an independent,” said Derek Oden, a Fischer campaign spokesman. “We still have work to do, and we’re running hard, but this is a good sign.”Fischer’s new poll of 600 likely voters by phone, text and web was done Oct. 5-8 by Torchlight Strategies. Its release came a week after Osborn’s campaign highlighted four polls showing him&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CDkU_yl-JR4l-te9AU_0LFCCloSqIN-x/view" target="_blank">narrowly leading the race</a>, each within the margin of error.<h2>Osborn touts polls showing him leading</h2>Osborn’s most recent campaign poll of 558 likely voters, conducted Sept. 20-23, indicated him leading 45%-44%, with 11% undecided. It was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a2cca672-f0d1-45ca-be33-b1cdcc8324e1" target="_blank">conducted by SurveyUSA</a>&nbsp;using cell phones, landlines and the web. The survey listed a 4.8% margin of error.Another poll the Osborn camp touted surveyed 400 people online Sept. 27-Oct. 1. It was done by The Independent Center, which targets unaligned voters. It found Osborn leading Fischer 47%-42%, with 10% undecided. It listed a 4.9% margin of error.A poll of 895 likely voters&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L65fj6WFZoUqsNdzV6NGg9lcLNAb413S/view" target="_blank">done by Change Research</a>&nbsp;found Osborn leading 46%-43%, with 10% undecided. That online-only poll had a 3.5% margin of error. All of the Senate polls reviewed by the Examiner showed similarly close results.“Deb Fischer’s party bosses and corporate sponsors are panicking about this race, spending millions of dollars to smear Dan Osborn and bail out Fischer’s failing campaign,” said Dustin Wahl, an Osborn campaign spokesman. “But Dan has a grassroots movement behind him … and that’s not going to be stopped by smear ads.”<h2>Race tighter than most expected</h2>Ratings services have taken note, shifting the race in recent weeks from variations of safe Republican to something more akin to likely Republican, which is how the Cook Political Report lists the race, joining a race in red-leaning battleground Florida.Five-Thirty-Eight, the Disney/ABC owned polling aggregator and interpreter, rates Nebraska’s Senate race between Fischer and Osborn as&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/senate/2024/nebraska/general/" target="_blank">within 1.5 percentage points</a>, among the closest races in the country outside politically divided states.Osborn has called his unaffilliated campaign an experiment to see whether Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisans are more willing to work together to break the cycle of sameness in Washington without a party label.Fischer and her supporters have argued that Osborn is a Democrat in sheep’s clothing, which Osborn says is not true. He has been a registered nonpartisan since at least 2004, according to Douglas County and state election records.They point to comments in interviews and social media likes that they say paint a man who is ideologically more aligned with the left than the right and say his effort not to take sides in the 2024 presidential race is a gimmick. He says it’s not.Local political consultants and academics who have spoken with the Examiner about the race said that Fischer is still likely to win the race but that it is unexpectedly close enough that she could lose.University of Nebraska at Omaha political scientist Randall Adkins has told the Examiner and others that the race is closer than he would have expected and more competitive than it ought to be given the state’s heavy right-leaning partisan bent.<h2>Major outside spending</h2>Because of this, the race is drawing major outside spending for Fischer, including a rare joint investment by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which typically spends money in swing states, not states the GOP considers safe.Among them is Ending Spending, a super PAC tied to conservative mega-donors Marlene and Joe Ricketts, the parents of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb. The Super PAC last helped Fischer reach the Senate in 2012, during a brutal three-way GOP primary.Ending Spending has reserved nearly $1.4 million on television ads to run Oct. 9-22 against Osborn, including one attacking his unwillingness to say which party he would align with in Congress. The ad argues he would align with Democrats and calls him “deceptive.”Brian Baker, a spokesman for Ending Spending, said the group was “proud to support” Fischer. He called her a respected voice on national security and agriculture, given her background and work.He said Osborn is backed by “Democratic dark money groups.”Outside groups are also spending millions on Osborn’s behalf. Osborn’s campaign has been critical of Fischer’s record, including her ties to corporate donors, which he compared to NASCAR sponsors for race car drivers.Osborn has declined to take money from corporate political action committees. But outside donors are investing in the race, including some donations Fischer and other Republicans have criticized from the progressive Sixteen Thirty Fund.As of the last federal filing deadline this summer, Osborn’s bid had been supported by about $5.3 million in outside spending,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail/2024?cmte=C00489856&amp;tab=donors_all" target="_blank">according to OpenSecrets.org</a>, which tracks campaign spending. Fischer’s bid had been aided by more than $1.2 million.Like most incumbents, Fischer has had an edge in traditional fundraising. She had raised $6.2 million as of June 30 and had nearly $3 million in cash on hand. Osborn had raised $1.6 million and had $650,000 in cash on hand. Updated filings are coming.Osborn made his name as a former union leader who led a 2021 strike against Kellogg’s seeking better pay and benefits. Some on the right, including Republicans in Omaha city government, have criticized him for putting the plant’s future at risk.The company has announced plans to close the plant, though the union says it is working with corporate leaders to find a way to save local jobs. Union leaders have said Osborn is not to blame for the company’s decision and that the factory is profitable.He hosted a rally with United Autoworkers President Shawn Fain in Lincoln on Saturday. The group endorsed him, along with other unions he worked with as a steamfitter and a local labor leader. Fischer has the endorsements of local fire and law enforcement unions.Fischer attacked Osborn Oct. 3 as a threat to Republican control of the Senate. Republicans are hoping to pick up seats in Montana and West Virginia to flip control of the Senate.Fischer is a two-term U.S. senator who had said she would only run for two terms. She has told the Examiner she decided to run for a third term because she has learned that seniority matters in the Senate and that her seniority is helping Nebraska.She says her work on national security and infrastructure have made a difference in improving Offutt Air Force Base and Eppley Airfield. Osborn says that Fischer mainly helps big businesses and that the Senate needs more working people like him.

New Fischer poll, others show her U.S. Senate race with Osborn remains tight

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

As former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris sprint to the November finish line, one sprawling policy area has largely fallen out of the spotlight — education.

Though the respective GOP and Democratic presidential candidates have spent comparatively more time campaigning on issues such as immigration, foreign policy and the economy, their ideas surrounding K-12 and higher education vastly differ.

Trump’s education platform vows to “save American education,” with a focus on parental rights, universal school choice and a fight for “patriotic education” in schools.

“By increasing access to school choice, empowering parents to have a voice in their child’s education, and supporting good teachers, President Trump will improve academic excellence for all students,” Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign national press secretary, said in a statement to States Newsroom.

Trump “believes students should be taught reading, writing, and math in the classroom — not gender, sex and race like the Biden Administration is pushing on our public school system,” Leavitt added.

Meanwhile, the Harris campaign has largely focused on the education investments brought by the Biden-Harris administration and building on those efforts if she is elected.

“Over the past four years, the Administration has made unprecedented investments in education, including the single-largest investment in K-12 education in history, which Vice President Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass,” Mia Ehrenberg, a campaign spokesperson, told States Newsroom.

Ehrenberg said that while Harris and her running mate, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, “will build on those investments and continue fighting until every student has the support and the resources they need to thrive, Republicans led by Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda want to cut billions from local K-12 schools and eliminate the Department of Education, undermining America’s students and schools.”

Harris has repeatedly knocked the Heritage Foundation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf" target="_blank">Project 2025</a>&nbsp;— a sweeping conservative agenda that includes education policy proposals like eliminating Head Start, ending time-based and occupation-based student loan forgiveness and barring teachers from using a student’s preferred pronouns different from their “biological sex” without written permission from a parent or guardian.

Trump has fiercely disavowed Project 2025, although some former members of his administration crafted the blueprint.

Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zxfnqj_3XQ" target="_blank">called for shutting down</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Department of Education and said he wants to “move education back to the states.” The department is not the main funding source for K-12 schools, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/state-and-local-finance-initiative/state-and-local-backgrounders/elementary-and-secondary-education-expenditures" target="_blank">state and local governments</a>&nbsp;allocate much of those dollars.

In contrast, Harris said at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/lets-fight-it-harris-vows-chart-new-way-forward-defeat-trump" target="_blank">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;in August that “we are not going to let him eliminate the Department of Education that funds our public schools.”

Living wage for school staff; parental bill of rights

Trump’s education plan calls for creating a “new credentialing body to certify teachers who embrace patriotic values, and understand that their job is not to indoctrinate children, but to educate them.”

He also wants to implement funding boosts for schools that “abolish teacher tenure” for grades K-12 and adopt “merit pay,” establish the direct election of school principals by parents and “drastically cut” the number of school administrators.

In contrast, the&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FINAL-MASTER-PLATFORM.pdf" target="_blank">Democratic Party’s 2024 platform</a>&nbsp;calls for recruiting “more new teachers, paraprofessionals and school related personnel, and education support professionals, with the option for some to even start training in high school.”

The platform also aims to help “school-support staff to advance in their own careers with a living wage” and improve working conditions for teachers.

Trump also wants to give funding boosts to schools that adopt a “Parental Bill of Rights that includes complete curriculum transparency, and a form of universal school choice.”

He’s threatening to cut federal funding for schools that teach the primarily collegiate academic subject known as “critical race theory,” gender ideology or “other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.”

The Democrats’ platform opposes “the use of private-school vouchers, tuition tax credits, opportunity scholarships, and other schemes that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from public education,” adding that “public tax dollars should never be used to discriminate.”

Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/much-attacked-final-title-ix-rule-goes-effect-while-still-blocked-26-states" target="_blank">released a final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;extending federal protections for LGBTQ+ students.

The updated regulations took effect Aug. 1, but a slew of GOP-led states challenged the measure. The legal battles have created a policy patchwork and weakened the administration’s vision for the final rule.

The updated regulations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-roll-back-betsy-devos-title-ix-rules" target="_blank">roll back Title IX changes</a>&nbsp;made under the Trump administration and then-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>As former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris sprint to the November finish line, one sprawling policy area has largely fallen out of the spotlight — education.Though the respective GOP and Democratic presidential candidates have spent comparatively more time campaigning on issues such as immigration, foreign policy and the economy, their ideas surrounding K-12 and higher education vastly differ.Trump’s education platform vows to “save American education,” with a focus on parental rights, universal school choice and a fight for “patriotic education” in schools.“By increasing access to school choice, empowering parents to have a voice in their child’s education, and supporting good teachers, President Trump will improve academic excellence for all students,” Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign national press secretary, said in a statement to States Newsroom.Trump “believes students should be taught reading, writing, and math in the classroom — not gender, sex and race like the Biden Administration is pushing on our public school system,” Leavitt added.Meanwhile, the Harris campaign has largely focused on the education investments brought by the Biden-Harris administration and building on those efforts if she is elected.“Over the past four years, the Administration has made unprecedented investments in education, including the single-largest investment in K-12 education in history, which Vice President Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass,” Mia Ehrenberg, a campaign spokesperson, told States Newsroom.Ehrenberg said that while Harris and her running mate, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, “will build on those investments and continue fighting until every student has the support and the resources they need to thrive, Republicans led by Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda want to cut billions from local K-12 schools and eliminate the Department of Education, undermining America’s students and schools.”Harris has repeatedly knocked the Heritage Foundation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf" target="_blank">Project 2025</a>&nbsp;— a sweeping conservative agenda that includes education policy proposals like eliminating Head Start, ending time-based and occupation-based student loan forgiveness and barring teachers from using a student’s preferred pronouns different from their “biological sex” without written permission from a parent or guardian.Trump has fiercely disavowed Project 2025, although some former members of his administration crafted the blueprint.<h2>Closing the U.S. Department of Education</h2>Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zxfnqj_3XQ" target="_blank">called for shutting down</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Department of Education and said he wants to “move education back to the states.” The department is not the main funding source for K-12 schools, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/state-and-local-finance-initiative/state-and-local-backgrounders/elementary-and-secondary-education-expenditures" target="_blank">state and local governments</a>&nbsp;allocate much of those dollars.In contrast, Harris said at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/lets-fight-it-harris-vows-chart-new-way-forward-defeat-trump" target="_blank">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;in August that “we are not going to let him eliminate the Department of Education that funds our public schools.”<h2>Living wage for school staff; parental bill of rights</h2>Trump’s education plan calls for creating a “new credentialing body to certify teachers who embrace patriotic values, and understand that their job is not to indoctrinate children, but to educate them.”He also wants to implement funding boosts for schools that “abolish teacher tenure” for grades K-12 and adopt “merit pay,” establish the direct election of school principals by parents and “drastically cut” the number of school administrators.In contrast, the&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FINAL-MASTER-PLATFORM.pdf" target="_blank">Democratic Party’s 2024 platform</a>&nbsp;calls for recruiting “more new teachers, paraprofessionals and school related personnel, and education support professionals, with the option for some to even start training in high school.”The platform also aims to help “school-support staff to advance in their own careers with a living wage” and improve working conditions for teachers.Trump also wants to give funding boosts to schools that adopt a “Parental Bill of Rights that includes complete curriculum transparency, and a form of universal school choice.”He’s threatening to cut federal funding for schools that teach the primarily collegiate academic subject known as “critical race theory,” gender ideology or “other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.”The Democrats’ platform opposes “the use of private-school vouchers, tuition tax credits, opportunity scholarships, and other schemes that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from public education,” adding that “public tax dollars should never be used to discriminate.”<h2>Title IX&nbsp;</h2>Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/much-attacked-final-title-ix-rule-goes-effect-while-still-blocked-26-states" target="_blank">released a final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;extending federal protections for LGBTQ+ students.The updated regulations took effect Aug. 1, but a slew of GOP-led states challenged the measure. The legal battles have created a policy patchwork and weakened the administration’s vision for the final rule.The updated regulations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-roll-back-betsy-devos-title-ix-rules" target="_blank">roll back Title IX changes</a>&nbsp;made under the Trump administration and then-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.Trump vowed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qU5EDho3qs" target="_blank">terminate the updated regulations</a>&nbsp;on his first day back in office if reelected.<h2>Student debt and higher education&nbsp;</h2>Harris has repeatedly touted the administration’s record on student loan forgiveness, including nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/biden-harris-administration-approves-additional-12-billion-student-debt" target="_blank">$170 billion</a>&nbsp;in student debt relief for almost 5 million borrowers.The administration’s most recent student loan repayment initiative came to a grinding halt in August after the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bidens-newest-student-loan-repayment-plan-temporarily-blocked-supreme-court" target="_blank">U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked</a>&nbsp;the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan.Although little is mentioned about education in Harris’&nbsp;<a href="https://kamalaharris.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Policy_Book_Economic-Opportunity.pdf" target="_blank">extensive economic plan</a>, the proposal makes clear that the veep will “continue working to end the unreasonable burden of student loan debt and fight to make higher education more affordable, so that college can be a ticket to the middle class.”She also plans to cut four-year degree requirements for half a million federal jobs.Trump — who dubbed the Biden-Harris administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-speech-political-rally-racine-wisconsin-june-18-2024/" target="_blank">student loan forgiveness efforts</a>&nbsp;as “not even legal” — sought to repeal the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program during his administration.His education platform also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/agenda47-the-american-academy" target="_blank">calls for endowing</a>&nbsp;the “American Academy,” a free, online university.Trump said he will endow the new institution through the “billions and billions of dollars that we will collect by taxing, fining, and suing excessively large private university endowments.”