&nbsp;U.S. Defense Secretary&nbsp;Pete Hegseth&nbsp;and&nbsp;Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Puerto Rico on Monday for an unexpected visit as the U.S. steps up its military operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean.

<p>&nbsp;U.S. Defense Secretary&nbsp;Pete Hegseth&nbsp;and&nbsp;Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Puerto Rico on Monday for an unexpected visit as the U.S. steps up its military operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome aboard the USS Iwo Jima <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> <a href="https://t.co/hx42HBSFez">pic.twitter.com/hx42HBSFez</a></p>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/1965133239158440203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">. <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a> aboard the USS Iwo Jima, addressing America’s WARRIORS:<br><br>“What you’re doing right now is NOT training.<br><br>This is a REAL-WORLD EXERCISE on behalf of the vital national interests of the United States of America—to end the POISONING of the American people.” <a href="https://t.co/euQHFPsIll">pic.twitter.com/euQHFPsIll</a></p>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/1965152057196957935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A message to our warfighters from the Secretary of War. <a href="https://t.co/UVbsvAuNmR">pic.twitter.com/UVbsvAuNmR</a></p>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1965177415455682691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

 US steps up military operations in the Caribbean

Trump admin is hosting state leadership conference, but political aides are likely to discuss redistricting, too

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jsalinas/">Juan Salinas II</a><br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN – A handful of Nebraska lawmakers are set to travel to Washington, D.C., this week for a “state leadership conference” at the White House’s invitation.&nbsp;

But, if what happened with delegations from other red states is an indication, another reason for the trip might be for President Donald Trump and his team to lay groundwork for asking another red state to redistrict congressional boundaries to Republican advantage before the 2026 election.&nbsp;

At least four Nebraska lawmakers confirmed with the Examiner that they are headed to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The official reason is the leadership conference&nbsp;organized by&nbsp;the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Nebraska and Iowa lawmakers are scheduled to “hear firsthand how President Trump is implementing the America First Agenda,” and how to “advance it at the state and local level.”

Late Monday afternoon, Gov. Jim Pillen’s office confirmed that it is aware of the meeting with lawmakers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The four-hour conference could be an&nbsp;opportunity for Trump’s team to discuss possible mid-decade redistricting with Nebraska lawmakers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-hill-leaders-381d5450-8a48-11f0-a469-2f028f32e283.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=emshare#story1" target="_blank">according to Axios</a>&nbsp;and other political news outlets. National politics website Punchbowl News had already reported Nebraska as a possible&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/06/nebraska-might-join-national-wildfire-of-mid-decade-redistricting/">target for such a redistricting push</a>. The Axios article mentioned Kansas as well.&nbsp;

The White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/26/indiana-redistricting-republicans-white-houe-trump-00527817" target="_blank">pressed Indiana lawmakers</a>&nbsp;about redistricting during a visit last month to the nation’s capital. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is widely expected to call a special session this fall, but he has said he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/12/indiana-redistricting-braun-gop-maps-trump-vance" target="_blank">hear first from statehouse leaders</a>&nbsp;whether they want to move forward with redistricting.

Last month, retiring Nebraska GOP U.S. Rep. Don Bacon confirmed to the Examiner that preliminary discussions had begun about the Legislature perhaps redrawing the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District to make it harder for Democrats to win.&nbsp;

While Republicans hold all of Nebraska’s congressional seats, political experts see the now open-seat 2nd District race as a possible pickup for Democrats in 2026.

After the most recent census, when the GOP-led majority in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature redrew the state’s congressional maps, it did so&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/new-congressional-map-would-give-gop-slight-advantage-in-ne-2" target="_blank">in a way that shored up</a>&nbsp;the 2nd District by swapping some Democratic-leaning residents in suburban Sarpy County with more reliably Republican residents of rural Saunders County. The changes helped maintain the swing district’s slight Republican lean.

The latest White House push in GOP-led states is part of a national redistricting tit for tat Trump helped start when Texas approved a new map designed to give the GOP up to five additional seats in the U.S. House in next year’s midterms.&nbsp;

California&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/california-redistricting-vote/" target="_blank">is trying to combat</a>&nbsp;Texas’s new map with potential changes of its own, as Californians could vote to&nbsp;suspend the state’s current congressional districts, which were drawn by an independent commission, and replace them with a map intended to help Democrats win back the five seats Texas swung the GOP’s way.

The Missouri statehouse also is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-08/missouri-house-redistricting-initiative-petition-tensions" target="_blank">moving toward a&nbsp;new congressional map</a>&nbsp;that targets its Kansas City-based seat, which could swing it from a heavily Democratic district into a GOP-leaning seat. Ohio is required to redraw its maps this year, which could help the GOP gain two or three seats. Florida recently&nbsp;announced&nbsp;<a href="https://news.wfsu.org/state-news/2025-08-07/florida-house-announces-congressional-redistricting-committee" target="_blank">a congressional redistricting committee</a>.&nbsp;

Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said redrawing districts is “on the table,” and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat leading a Democratic-led state, has said, “we are at war” earlier this year as she explores her own response to Texas.&nbsp;

The Nebraska Constitution requires redistricting legislation to come after each census, but the language doesn’t specify whether lawmakers can revisit the maps before the next census. Some have argued that language in the constitution will allow the Legislature to redistrict at different times. Others&nbsp;have argued any effort to redistrict mid-decade would face legal challenges.&nbsp;

Nebraska lawmakers might lack the numbers needed to make the change. A key indicator: Pillen&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/08/winner-take-all-bill-stalls-in-nebraska-legislature-a-blow-to-governor/">has failed to pressure</a>&nbsp;enough state lawmakers to alter how the state awards Electoral College votes for president, even with help from Trump, earlier this year. This, despite Republicans holding a thin supermajority.

Nebraska 1st District U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, a former speaker of the Legislature, told Axios he thinks Republican lawmakers lack the votes needed to get redistricting past a filibuster because they lacked the votes to pass the shift to winner-take-all from awarding some electoral votes by congressional district.

One Nebraska GOP state lawmaker questioned privately whether a mid-decade redistricting effort would have 25 votes. State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston has said he’s “not a big fan of changing the rules in the middle of the game.”

Examiner Reporter Zach Wendling contributed to this report.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756996833819.png" alt="White House courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>White House courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Trump admin is hosting state leadership conference, but political aides are likely to discuss redistricting, too</h2><p>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jsalinas/">Juan Salinas II</a><br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a></p><p>LINCOLN – A handful of Nebraska lawmakers are set to travel to Washington, D.C., this week for a “state leadership conference” at the White House’s invitation.&nbsp;</p><p>But, if what happened with delegations from other red states is an indication, another reason for the trip might be for President Donald Trump and his team to lay groundwork for asking another red state to redistrict congressional boundaries to Republican advantage before the 2026 election.&nbsp;</p><p>At least four Nebraska lawmakers confirmed with the Examiner that they are headed to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The official reason is the leadership conference&nbsp;organized by&nbsp;the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.</p><p>Nebraska and Iowa lawmakers are scheduled to “hear firsthand how President Trump is implementing the America First Agenda,” and how to “advance it at the state and local level.”</p><p>Late Monday afternoon, Gov. Jim Pillen’s office confirmed that it is aware of the meeting with lawmakers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The four-hour conference could be an&nbsp;opportunity for Trump’s team to discuss possible mid-decade redistricting with Nebraska lawmakers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-hill-leaders-381d5450-8a48-11f0-a469-2f028f32e283.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=emshare#story1" target="_blank">according to Axios</a>&nbsp;and other political news outlets. National politics website Punchbowl News had already reported Nebraska as a possible&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/06/nebraska-might-join-national-wildfire-of-mid-decade-redistricting/">target for such a redistricting push</a>. The Axios article mentioned Kansas as well.&nbsp;</p><p>The White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/26/indiana-redistricting-republicans-white-houe-trump-00527817" target="_blank">pressed Indiana lawmakers</a>&nbsp;about redistricting during a visit last month to the nation’s capital. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is widely expected to call a special session this fall, but he has said he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/12/indiana-redistricting-braun-gop-maps-trump-vance" target="_blank">hear first from statehouse leaders</a>&nbsp;whether they want to move forward with redistricting.</p><p>Last month, retiring Nebraska GOP U.S. Rep. Don Bacon confirmed to the Examiner that preliminary discussions had begun about the Legislature perhaps redrawing the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District to make it harder for Democrats to win.&nbsp;</p><p>While Republicans hold all of Nebraska’s congressional seats, political experts see the now open-seat 2nd District race as a possible pickup for Democrats in 2026.</p><p>After the most recent census, when the GOP-led majority in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature redrew the state’s congressional maps, it did so&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/new-congressional-map-would-give-gop-slight-advantage-in-ne-2" target="_blank">in a way that shored up</a>&nbsp;the 2nd District by swapping some Democratic-leaning residents in suburban Sarpy County with more reliably Republican residents of rural Saunders County. The changes helped maintain the swing district’s slight Republican lean.</p><p>The latest White House push in GOP-led states is part of a national redistricting tit for tat Trump helped start when Texas approved a new map designed to give the GOP up to five additional seats in the U.S. House in next year’s midterms.&nbsp;</p><p>California&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/california-redistricting-vote/" target="_blank">is trying to combat</a>&nbsp;Texas’s new map with potential changes of its own, as Californians could vote to&nbsp;suspend the state’s current congressional districts, which were drawn by an independent commission, and replace them with a map intended to help Democrats win back the five seats Texas swung the GOP’s way.</p><p>The Missouri statehouse also is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-08/missouri-house-redistricting-initiative-petition-tensions" target="_blank">moving toward a&nbsp;new congressional map</a>&nbsp;that targets its Kansas City-based seat, which could swing it from a heavily Democratic district into a GOP-leaning seat. Ohio is required to redraw its maps this year, which could help the GOP gain two or three seats. Florida recently&nbsp;announced&nbsp;<a href="https://news.wfsu.org/state-news/2025-08-07/florida-house-announces-congressional-redistricting-committee" target="_blank">a congressional redistricting committee</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said redrawing districts is “on the table,” and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat leading a Democratic-led state, has said, “we are at war” earlier this year as she explores her own response to Texas.&nbsp;</p><p>The Nebraska Constitution requires redistricting legislation to come after each census, but the language doesn’t specify whether lawmakers can revisit the maps before the next census. Some have argued that language in the constitution will allow the Legislature to redistrict at different times. Others&nbsp;have argued any effort to redistrict mid-decade would face legal challenges.&nbsp;</p><p>Nebraska lawmakers might lack the numbers needed to make the change. A key indicator: Pillen&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/08/winner-take-all-bill-stalls-in-nebraska-legislature-a-blow-to-governor/">has failed to pressure</a>&nbsp;enough state lawmakers to alter how the state awards Electoral College votes for president, even with help from Trump, earlier this year. This, despite Republicans holding a thin supermajority.</p><p>Nebraska 1st District U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, a former speaker of the Legislature, told Axios he thinks Republican lawmakers lack the votes needed to get redistricting past a filibuster because they lacked the votes to pass the shift to winner-take-all from awarding some electoral votes by congressional district.</p><p>One Nebraska GOP state lawmaker questioned privately whether a mid-decade redistricting effort would have 25 votes. State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston has said he’s “not a big fan of changing the rules in the middle of the game.”</p><p>Examiner Reporter Zach Wendling contributed to this report.</p>

White House may discuss mid-decade redistricting with Nebraska lawmakers

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704330351229.png" alt="Jeffrey Epstein- New York Sex offender registry" />
                        <figcaption>Jeffrey Epstein- New York Sex offender registry</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🚨HERE IT IS: We got Trump’s birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein that the President said doesn’t exist.<br><br>Trump talks about a “wonderful secret” the two of them shared. What is he hiding? Release the files! <a href="https://t.co/k2Mq8Hu3LY">pic.twitter.com/k2Mq8Hu3LY</a></p>&mdash; Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/1965125560016994708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Time for <a href="https://twitter.com/newscorp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@newscorp</a> to open that checkbook, it’s not his signature. DEFAMATION! <a href="https://t.co/O6iKk4SYF5">https://t.co/O6iKk4SYF5</a> <a href="https://t.co/T0wlp36P9h">pic.twitter.com/T0wlp36P9h</a></p>&mdash; Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TayFromCA/status/1965133529177878754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Donald Trump wrote a personalized note in Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book. He’s spent all summer lying about its existence.<br><br>We got a copy. Ranking Member <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRobertGarcia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepRobertGarcia</a> explains what we know and how we got here: <a href="https://t.co/PVbHaVWppw">pic.twitter.com/PVbHaVWppw</a></p>&mdash; Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/1965133235685298250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Read the suggestive letter to Epstein Dems says was signed by Trump

<i>September 4, 2025&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</i><i><b>Contact:</b>&nbsp;Amy Donato</i>

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Dustin Noble, 46, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 4, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Noble to 22 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Noble’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Noble was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $179,680. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, Noble forfeited multiple unlawfully taken wildlife taxidermy mounts, two crossbows, and several firearms. The Court also ordered that Noble shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for 25 years, and shall not conduct, assist, or associate with any fish or wildlife taxidermy activities or be present, or assist with taxidermy services for 10 years.

Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Noble provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021, while operating Noble Outdoors, a big game guiding business in North Platte. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.

The investigation determined Noble charged paying clients $1,200 to $4,000 depending upon the target species and conducted the guided hunts in at least Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties in Nebraska. During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and/or clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys. Noble employed various tactics and unlawful methods to increase the probability of locating, killing, and acquiring trophy wildlife including using specialized hunting equipment comprised of firearm sound suppressors and thermal optics; taking wildlife from upon or close to the road; taking wildlife during night-time or closed season hours; and hunting upon privately owned properties without the knowledge or permission of the landowner. Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season, are prohibited from shooting from or over a roadway, are authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and must have landowner permission to hunt on private property.

The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted by Noble during the course of the conspiracy with the vast majority occurring between 2018 and 2020. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.

Prior to his conduct in this case, Noble was subject to a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission investigation and was charged with 71 counts. He was ultimately convicted on 10 counts in Dawson County Court, Nebraska, in February 2014. As part of his sentencing, he was subject to a 10-year hunting, fishing, and trapping revocation in the State of Nebraska. The current state/federal investigation revealed extensive and ongoing hunting violations committed, aided, and directed by Noble while his hunting privileges were revoked from his prior state conviction.

Today’s sentencing marks the near conclusion of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients between 2015 and 2021. To date, 19 defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a more than $255,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.

United States Attorney Woods said, “This case demonstrates what state and federal law enforcement can accomplish when they join forces and unite in a common pursuit of justice.&nbsp; Wildlife resources should be fairly preserved for the enjoyment of all Nebraskans – both present and future.&nbsp; Noble’s destructive tactics and actions targeted Nebraska’s mule deer populations in a manner that jeopardized the ability of Nebraskans to continue to enjoy a lawful hunting experience in the future.&nbsp; The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to join with our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to ensure that Nebraska’s resources are protected and available to all its citizens equally.”

“This case is a powerful example of the continued collaboration between Nebraska Game and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Jeff Clauson, Chief of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.&nbsp; “Mr. Noble’s unscrupulous tactics targeting mature mule deer bucks for himself and paying clients or associates jeopardized herd health, strong genetics, breeding success, long-term population growth, and effectively stripped away seasons’ worth of hunting opportunity for the public and law-abiding hunting community.&nbsp;Holding wildlife violators accountable like those involved in this case, who demonstrate blatant disregard for game laws, is vital to conserving our state’s wildlife resources and preserving hunting opportunities Nebraskans&nbsp;cherish.”

“This outcome reflects&nbsp;our strong commitment to working with partner law enforcement and wildlife management agencies to protect our Nation’s vital natural resources,” said Assistant Director Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement.&nbsp; “The defendants demonstrated blatant disregard for the law and caused lasting harm to Nebraska’s mule deer populations.&nbsp; We remain steadfast in pursuing and apprehending those who profit from the illegal exploitation of our natural resources while undermining the legacy of ethical hunting.”&nbsp;

The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573580132637.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>September 4, 2025&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</i><i><b>Contact:</b>&nbsp;Amy Donato</i></p><p>United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Dustin Noble, 46, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 4, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Noble to 22 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Noble’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Noble was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $179,680. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, Noble forfeited multiple unlawfully taken wildlife taxidermy mounts, two crossbows, and several firearms. The Court also ordered that Noble shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for 25 years, and shall not conduct, assist, or associate with any fish or wildlife taxidermy activities or be present, or assist with taxidermy services for 10 years.</p><p>Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Noble provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021, while operating Noble Outdoors, a big game guiding business in North Platte. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697713759134.jpeg" alt="Dustin Noble - Safekeep US Marshall - October 18, 2023" />
                        <figcaption>Dustin Noble - Safekeep US Marshall - October 18, 2023</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The investigation determined Noble charged paying clients $1,200 to $4,000 depending upon the target species and conducted the guided hunts in at least Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties in Nebraska. During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and/or clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys. Noble employed various tactics and unlawful methods to increase the probability of locating, killing, and acquiring trophy wildlife including using specialized hunting equipment comprised of firearm sound suppressors and thermal optics; taking wildlife from upon or close to the road; taking wildlife during night-time or closed season hours; and hunting upon privately owned properties without the knowledge or permission of the landowner. Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season, are prohibited from shooting from or over a roadway, are authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and must have landowner permission to hunt on private property.</p><p>The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted by Noble during the course of the conspiracy with the vast majority occurring between 2018 and 2020. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.</p><p>Prior to his conduct in this case, Noble was subject to a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission investigation and was charged with 71 counts. He was ultimately convicted on 10 counts in Dawson County Court, Nebraska, in February 2014. As part of his sentencing, he was subject to a 10-year hunting, fishing, and trapping revocation in the State of Nebraska. The current state/federal investigation revealed extensive and ongoing hunting violations committed, aided, and directed by Noble while his hunting privileges were revoked from his prior state conviction.</p><p>Today’s sentencing marks the near conclusion of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients between 2015 and 2021. To date, 19 defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a more than $255,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.</p><p>United States Attorney Woods said, “This case demonstrates what state and federal law enforcement can accomplish when they join forces and unite in a common pursuit of justice.&nbsp; Wildlife resources should be fairly preserved for the enjoyment of all Nebraskans – both present and future.&nbsp; Noble’s destructive tactics and actions targeted Nebraska’s mule deer populations in a manner that jeopardized the ability of Nebraskans to continue to enjoy a lawful hunting experience in the future.&nbsp; The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to join with our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to ensure that Nebraska’s resources are protected and available to all its citizens equally.”</p><p>“This case is a powerful example of the continued collaboration between Nebraska Game and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Jeff Clauson, Chief of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.&nbsp; “Mr. Noble’s unscrupulous tactics targeting mature mule deer bucks for himself and paying clients or associates jeopardized herd health, strong genetics, breeding success, long-term population growth, and effectively stripped away seasons’ worth of hunting opportunity for the public and law-abiding hunting community.&nbsp;Holding wildlife violators accountable like those involved in this case, who demonstrate blatant disregard for game laws, is vital to conserving our state’s wildlife resources and preserving hunting opportunities Nebraskans&nbsp;cherish.”</p><p>“This outcome reflects&nbsp;our strong commitment to working with partner law enforcement and wildlife management agencies to protect our Nation’s vital natural resources,” said Assistant Director Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement.&nbsp; “The defendants demonstrated blatant disregard for the law and caused lasting harm to Nebraska’s mule deer populations.&nbsp; We remain steadfast in pursuing and apprehending those who profit from the illegal exploitation of our natural resources while undermining the legacy of ethical hunting.”&nbsp;</p><p>The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.</p>

Noble Outdoors Owner Sentenced for Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act Involving 114 Illegal Hunts

MAKING THE MOST OF SUMMER ANNUALS THIS FALL - Ben Beckman

As we move into fall, many producers may be looking at harvesting forage from summer annuals like sorghum-sudan or other large-stemmed crops. While these can provide a valuable feed source, making dry hay this time of year comes with some real challenges.

Cooler days and nights, heavy dew sets, and fewer daylight hours all slow the drying process. Add in thick stems and reduced sunlight intensity, and getting hay down to a safe storage moisture becomes difficult. Pushing hay harvest late into the season without good drying weather can increase the risk of mold, heating, or even spontaneous combustion in the stack.

If dry hay is still the goal, there are a few steps to improve curing. Mechanical conditioning, like crimping stems, can speed drying. Spreading hay into wide windrows helps capture more sunlight and airflow. And leaving a taller stubble gives the windrow space off the soil surface, reducing moisture wicking from the ground and allowing better air movement underneath.

Even with these adjustments, weather windows can still be tight. Alternatives such as silage or baleage may be a better fit when moisture is high and stems are slow to cure. Stockpiling growth for grazing later in the fall is another option that reduces harvest risk and provides valuable feed, though quality may drop as plants mature.

As you plan fall forage harvest, weigh the risks of slow drydown against the flexibility and feed quality benefits of ensiling or wrapping, or even stockpiling. A little planning now can help protect both forage quality and safety.

Irrigating alfalfa now through November until the soil freezes can protect plants and improve fall yields. However, adjust irrigation rates compared to in-season watering. During the hot growing season, alfalfa water usage may exceed 0.30 inch per day versus fall cooler days water usage dropping to 0.10 inch per day. As a perennial plant, alfalfa growth extends longer into the fall and does not have specific critical growth stages for water stress like most traditional annual crops. So, when moisture stressed, the plant will slow growth; go dormant; and then resume growth once conditions become favorable again. Generally, maximum alfalfa forage growth requires 5 to 6 inches of water per cutting.

The main advantage of fall irrigation is lower evaporation compared to summer; thus, improving irrigation efficiency. Further, most irrigated alfalfa fields never get much water stored below 4 feet depth although alfalfa plants can grow roots down 8 feet or more. Since roots will not grow through dry soil to reach wet soil, deep soil water storage reserves may be lacking if field soil wetting does not leach below 4 feet.

To reduce field compaction, pause irrigating 2-3 days before cutting the alfalfa; and irrigate again when alfalfa regrowth begins. Irrigation scheduling efficiency can be improved by using ET (evaporation &amp; transpiration) measurement gages or soil moisture monitoring.

Review your local NRD irrigation district water usage restrictions; since potential total supplemental water applications per year may have limits, and alfalfa usage could exceed irrigation allocations. Conversely, building deep stored water reserves in the fall can help your alfalfa next summer during rapid growth when it may be difficult to keep up with peak plant water usage demands.

Finally, some fields have lower water infiltration rates, so irrigating now through November may be the right time for building water reserves. Our UNL NebGuide, G1778, “Irrigation Management and Crop Characteristics of Alfalfa” provides more details at:&nbsp;<a href="https://cropwater.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://cropwater.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://water.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://water.unl.edu</a>

Timing the last fall alfalfa cutting can be a difficult thing to plan for and varies among growers. &nbsp;A balance between stand health, yield and quality must be maintained.

For much of the state first week of October is the average first killing frost (28°F) for alfalfa, so targeting Sep. 1 as the last alfalfa cutting would allow plants 6 weeks to store root carbohydrates prior to the killing frost.

This is important as last cutting timing decisions will potentially impact your crop’s winter survival and vigor next spring. For example, in five-cutting irrigated system, research has shown that the next spring first cutting yield will be lowered by approximately the same amount as the yield from a late-fall last cutting.

During dry weather, cutting schedules can be pushed back or more forage may be needed. In these cases, what may be the risk if these producers seek yet another cutting during this growing season?

If the first fall frost occurs earlier than normal, then winter injury is a risk. However, conditions vary from year to year; and plant winterizing generally begins about three weeks before the first frost date with the “ideal” being six weeks of uninterrupted growth in the fall to become well winterized.

Winter survival of later cuttings will improve with younger stands (except new stands); winterhardy varieties and disease-resistant varieties. For those needing extra cash or forage this fall, the higher dairy quality forage values may off-set the financial risk of needing to re-establish alfalfa stands next year which winterkill.

For most producers, the best strategy is to avoid harvesting alfalfa (Sep. 1 to Oct. 15) during the critical fall period 6 weeks before the first killing frost. This allows plants to enter winter with higher root carbohydrates.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745851907586.png" alt="Forage Minute - UNL Extension" />
                        <figcaption>Forage Minute - UNL Extension</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>MAKING THE MOST OF SUMMER ANNUALS THIS FALL - Ben Beckman</h2><p>As we move into fall, many producers may be looking at harvesting forage from summer annuals like sorghum-sudan or other large-stemmed crops. While these can provide a valuable feed source, making dry hay this time of year comes with some real challenges.</p><p>Cooler days and nights, heavy dew sets, and fewer daylight hours all slow the drying process. Add in thick stems and reduced sunlight intensity, and getting hay down to a safe storage moisture becomes difficult. Pushing hay harvest late into the season without good drying weather can increase the risk of mold, heating, or even spontaneous combustion in the stack.</p><p>If dry hay is still the goal, there are a few steps to improve curing. Mechanical conditioning, like crimping stems, can speed drying. Spreading hay into wide windrows helps capture more sunlight and airflow. And leaving a taller stubble gives the windrow space off the soil surface, reducing moisture wicking from the ground and allowing better air movement underneath.</p><p>Even with these adjustments, weather windows can still be tight. Alternatives such as silage or baleage may be a better fit when moisture is high and stems are slow to cure. Stockpiling growth for grazing later in the fall is another option that reduces harvest risk and provides valuable feed, though quality may drop as plants mature.</p><p>As you plan fall forage harvest, weigh the risks of slow drydown against the flexibility and feed quality benefits of ensiling or wrapping, or even stockpiling. A little planning now can help protect both forage quality and safety.</p><h2>FALL ALFALFA IRRIGATION - Todd Whitney</h2><p>Irrigating alfalfa now through November until the soil freezes can protect plants and improve fall yields. However, adjust irrigation rates compared to in-season watering. During the hot growing season, alfalfa water usage may exceed 0.30 inch per day versus fall cooler days water usage dropping to 0.10 inch per day. As a perennial plant, alfalfa growth extends longer into the fall and does not have specific critical growth stages for water stress like most traditional annual crops. So, when moisture stressed, the plant will slow growth; go dormant; and then resume growth once conditions become favorable again. Generally, maximum alfalfa forage growth requires 5 to 6 inches of water per cutting.</p><p>The main advantage of fall irrigation is lower evaporation compared to summer; thus, improving irrigation efficiency. Further, most irrigated alfalfa fields never get much water stored below 4 feet depth although alfalfa plants can grow roots down 8 feet or more. Since roots will not grow through dry soil to reach wet soil, deep soil water storage reserves may be lacking if field soil wetting does not leach below 4 feet.</p><p>To reduce field compaction, pause irrigating 2-3 days before cutting the alfalfa; and irrigate again when alfalfa regrowth begins. Irrigation scheduling efficiency can be improved by using ET (evaporation &amp; transpiration) measurement gages or soil moisture monitoring.</p><p>Review your local NRD irrigation district water usage restrictions; since potential total supplemental water applications per year may have limits, and alfalfa usage could exceed irrigation allocations. Conversely, building deep stored water reserves in the fall can help your alfalfa next summer during rapid growth when it may be difficult to keep up with peak plant water usage demands.</p><p>Finally, some fields have lower water infiltration rates, so irrigating now through November may be the right time for building water reserves. Our UNL NebGuide, G1778, “Irrigation Management and Crop Characteristics of Alfalfa” provides more details at:&nbsp;<a href="https://cropwater.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://cropwater.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://water.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://water.unl.edu</a></p><h2>&nbsp;LAST ALFALFA CUTTING - Ben Beckman</h2><p>Timing the last fall alfalfa cutting can be a difficult thing to plan for and varies among growers. &nbsp;A balance between stand health, yield and quality must be maintained.</p><p>For much of the state first week of October is the average first killing frost (28°F) for alfalfa, so targeting Sep. 1 as the last alfalfa cutting would allow plants 6 weeks to store root carbohydrates prior to the killing frost.</p><p>This is important as last cutting timing decisions will potentially impact your crop’s winter survival and vigor next spring. For example, in five-cutting irrigated system, research has shown that the next spring first cutting yield will be lowered by approximately the same amount as the yield from a late-fall last cutting.</p><p>During dry weather, cutting schedules can be pushed back or more forage may be needed. In these cases, what may be the risk if these producers seek yet another cutting during this growing season?</p><p>If the first fall frost occurs earlier than normal, then winter injury is a risk. However, conditions vary from year to year; and plant winterizing generally begins about three weeks before the first frost date with the “ideal” being six weeks of uninterrupted growth in the fall to become well winterized.</p><p>Winter survival of later cuttings will improve with younger stands (except new stands); winterhardy varieties and disease-resistant varieties. For those needing extra cash or forage this fall, the higher dairy quality forage values may off-set the financial risk of needing to re-establish alfalfa stands next year which winterkill.</p><p>For most producers, the best strategy is to avoid harvesting alfalfa (Sep. 1 to Oct. 15) during the critical fall period 6 weeks before the first killing frost. This allows plants to enter winter with higher root carbohydrates.</p>

UNL Extension: Forage Minute

Several states say pharmacists must continue providing shots.

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/schatlani/">Shalina Chatlani</a><br><a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

Several states, including Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York and Pennsylvania, announced last week that they would be breaking with restrictive eligibility policies unveiled last week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the newly approved COVID-19 vaccines for the fall season.

In New York, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Friday morning to authorize pharmacists to provide the shot to anyone who desires it for the next 30 days, which can be renewed.

“When they said that they are not going to be requiring COVID shots and other vaccinations for our families, I said, ‘No, here in New York we will make parents have the option.’ If you want your child to have a COVID shot, it should be available to you and it should be covered by insurance,” Hochul&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNiPowR3Kso" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;during a news conference Friday morning, where she signed the order.

“So what I’m doing now is signing an executive order, because extreme times call for extreme measures. And this is the power I have to use in the interim until we are able to have the legislature get back in January and pass legislation that mandates this.”

Previous FDA policy recommended that COVID-19 vaccine booster shots be made available to anyone 6 months or older regardless of their health status. But in August, the federal agency announced restrictions for the new shot.

The FDA limited access to the vaccines to people who are 65 and older and to younger people with at least one underlying health condition, such as asthma or obesity, that would put them at risk of developing a severe illness without a booster shot. Children are eligible only if a medical provider is consulted. Additionally, the Pfizer vaccine, one of the three that were approved, will no longer be available for any child under 5.

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote on social media platform&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecKennedy/status/1960742897201872969" target="_blank">X</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 27.

Other states are also taking measures to ensure more people can get access to the vaccines.

On Thursday, Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/coverage-for-vaccines-bulletin/download" target="_blank">ordered</a>&nbsp;health insurers in the state to continue covering the vaccine. The state also issued an order to allow pharmacies to continue providing shots to residents above the age of 5.

Massachusetts is “leading efforts to create a public health collaboration with states in New England and across the Northeast committed to safeguarding public health as the federal government backs away from its responsibilities,” the governor’s office said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-announces-immediate-steps-to-ensure-vaccine-availability-in-massachusetts-amid-trump-rfk-rollbacks" target="_blank">release</a>.

This week, the State Board of Pharmacy in Pennsylvania held a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/state-board-of-pharmacy-votes-to-protect-vaccine-access-across-p" target="_blank">special meeting</a>&nbsp;to vote to bypass federal vaccine recommendations and allow pharmacists to continue administering COVID-19 vaccines.

“Health care decisions should be up to individuals — not the federal government and certainly not RFK Jr. My Administration will continue to protect health care access for all Pennsylvanians,” Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/state-board-of-pharmacy-votes-to-protect-vaccine-access-across-p" target="_blank">said</a>.

<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-access-covid-19-vaccines/" target="_blank">Colorado</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://sourcenm.com/briefs/nm-board-of-pharmacy-expected-to-release-new-protocol-for-covid-19-vaccines-this-week/" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>&nbsp;took similar steps this week, with state officials signing public health orders asking state agencies to take steps necessary to require insurers to cover the vaccines and instructing pharmacists to provide the shots without a doctor’s note.

Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:schatlani@stateline.org">schatlani@stateline.org</a>.

<h2>Several states say pharmacists must continue providing shots.</h2><p>By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/schatlani/">Shalina Chatlani</a><br><a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a></p><p>Several states, including Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York and Pennsylvania, announced last week that they would be breaking with restrictive eligibility policies unveiled last week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the newly approved COVID-19 vaccines for the fall season.</p><p>In New York, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Friday morning to authorize pharmacists to provide the shot to anyone who desires it for the next 30 days, which can be renewed.</p><p>“When they said that they are not going to be requiring COVID shots and other vaccinations for our families, I said, ‘No, here in New York we will make parents have the option.’ If you want your child to have a COVID shot, it should be available to you and it should be covered by insurance,” Hochul&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNiPowR3Kso" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;during a news conference Friday morning, where she signed the order.</p><p>“So what I’m doing now is signing an executive order, because extreme times call for extreme measures. And this is the power I have to use in the interim until we are able to have the legislature get back in January and pass legislation that mandates this.”</p><p>Previous FDA policy recommended that COVID-19 vaccine booster shots be made available to anyone 6 months or older regardless of their health status. But in August, the federal agency announced restrictions for the new shot.</p><p>The FDA limited access to the vaccines to people who are 65 and older and to younger people with at least one underlying health condition, such as asthma or obesity, that would put them at risk of developing a severe illness without a booster shot. Children are eligible only if a medical provider is consulted. Additionally, the Pfizer vaccine, one of the three that were approved, will no longer be available for any child under 5.</p><p>“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote on social media platform&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecKennedy/status/1960742897201872969" target="_blank">X</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 27.</p><p>Other states are also taking measures to ensure more people can get access to the vaccines.</p><p>On Thursday, Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/coverage-for-vaccines-bulletin/download" target="_blank">ordered</a>&nbsp;health insurers in the state to continue covering the vaccine. The state also issued an order to allow pharmacies to continue providing shots to residents above the age of 5.</p><p>Massachusetts is “leading efforts to create a public health collaboration with states in New England and across the Northeast committed to safeguarding public health as the federal government backs away from its responsibilities,” the governor’s office said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-announces-immediate-steps-to-ensure-vaccine-availability-in-massachusetts-amid-trump-rfk-rollbacks" target="_blank">release</a>.</p><p>This week, the State Board of Pharmacy in Pennsylvania held a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/state-board-of-pharmacy-votes-to-protect-vaccine-access-across-p" target="_blank">special meeting</a>&nbsp;to vote to bypass federal vaccine recommendations and allow pharmacists to continue administering COVID-19 vaccines.</p><p>“Health care decisions should be up to individuals — not the federal government and certainly not RFK Jr. My Administration will continue to protect health care access for all Pennsylvanians,” Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/state-board-of-pharmacy-votes-to-protect-vaccine-access-across-p" target="_blank">said</a>.</p><p><a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-access-covid-19-vaccines/" target="_blank">Colorado</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://sourcenm.com/briefs/nm-board-of-pharmacy-expected-to-release-new-protocol-for-covid-19-vaccines-this-week/" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>&nbsp;took similar steps this week, with state officials signing public health orders asking state agencies to take steps necessary to require insurers to cover the vaccines and instructing pharmacists to provide the shots without a doctor’s note.</p><p>Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:schatlani@stateline.org">schatlani@stateline.org</a>.</p>

States break with FDA restrictions on COVID vaccines, ensuring broader access

Nebraska Corn Leaders to Connect with Farmers at Husker Harvest Days

BUTLER COUNTY —Three people avoided injury after an unusual accident that occurred just after 5p.m. Sunday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1943 Boeing Aircraft piloted by Ryan Stewart, 68, Benton, was on a short approach to the south facing runway at Stearman Field in Benton.&nbsp;

 The aircraft's landing gear struck a 2020 Toyota Corolla driven by Rebeca Rodriguez, 71, Benton, who was eastbound on Southwest 30th Street. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground and flip over on to its top.

The pilot, a passenger on plane and Rodriguez were not injured. The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757325450093.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BUTLER COUNTY —Three people avoided injury after an unusual accident that occurred just after 5p.m. Sunday in Butler County.</p><p>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1943 Boeing Aircraft piloted by Ryan Stewart, 68, Benton, was on a short approach to the south facing runway at Stearman Field in Benton.&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757325430779.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
                    </figure><p> The aircraft's landing gear struck a 2020 Toyota Corolla driven by Rebeca Rodriguez, 71, Benton, who was eastbound on Southwest 30th Street. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground and flip over on to its top.</p><p>The pilot, a passenger on plane and Rodriguez were not injured. The accident remains under investigation.</p>

Small plane clips car while landing at Kansas airport

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> arrives at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the U.S. Open Men’s Championship 🇺🇸🎾 <a href="https://t.co/riWkxXAYDr">pic.twitter.com/riWkxXAYDr</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1964747853601071372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is signing supporters hats at the U.S. Open 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/gXav5Ita2h">pic.twitter.com/gXav5Ita2h</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1964807955544756305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Donald Trump is in attendance at the US Open men&#39;s final. <a href="https://t.co/Tl6mpqFlcZ">pic.twitter.com/Tl6mpqFlcZ</a></p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1964761370416615585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">By no means do I intend to have anyone’s head explode🤯but THE KING👑OF QUEENS is back🎾 <a href="https://t.co/F01YG2XeaP">pic.twitter.com/F01YG2XeaP</a></p>&mdash; Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/1964831966060269986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cheers from the audience as President Donald J. Trump enters Arthur Ashe Stadium for the <a href="https://twitter.com/usopen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usopen</a> 🎾🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/TsXbMJZ59x">pic.twitter.com/TsXbMJZ59x</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964750248393490669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;There he is — the second sitting U.S. President to attend the <a href="https://twitter.com/usopen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usopen</a>.&quot; 🎾🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/K3aojqQODm">pic.twitter.com/K3aojqQODm</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964747849683308921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> takes his seat at the <a href="https://twitter.com/usopen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usopen</a> men&#39;s final 🎾 <a href="https://t.co/xtnRiHTx0C">pic.twitter.com/xtnRiHTx0C</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964759087700455869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Not every day that happens. Queens boy!” <a href="https://twitter.com/usopen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usopen</a> 🎾 <a href="https://t.co/V1Pn1ZzF5J">pic.twitter.com/V1Pn1ZzF5J</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964801620270854233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Trump at the U.S. Open final: Cheers, boos and long security lines

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/zachwendling/">Zach Wendling</a><br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Gov. Jim Pillen, a former regent, says Regent Elizabeth O’Connor should ‘reflect on whether she should remain in a position of public trust’ if allegations are true

OMAHA —&nbsp;A Nebraska state senator is taking the first steps toward pursuing impeachment proceedings against a University of Nebraska regent charged with driving drunk in a crash that caused serious injuries.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha confirmed Examiner reporting that she is exploring what the Nebraska Legislature needs to do to consider&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=III-17" target="_blank">articles of impeachment&nbsp;</a>against NU Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha.

Kauth confirmed Saturday that she has discussed her plans with the Governor’s Office and top legislative leadership.

“This is such a grotesque abuse of public trust that it needs to be addressed,” Kauth told the Nebraska Examiner on Saturday.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, who served as an NU regent between 2013 and 2023, including four years with O’Connor, told the Examiner that the charges against her are “extremely serious” while noting she remains innocent until proven guilty.

“If she knows the allegations against her to be true, I urge her to reflect on whether she should remain in a position of public trust,” Pillen said in a statement. “In any event, the question of impeachment is entrusted by our Constitution to the Legislature, and I respect the judgment of that body on this matter.”

Kauth is expected to announce her plans Sunday in her regular email to her constituents and supporters. Kauth is an influential lawmaker and committee chair, and her push marks the first legislative move toward removing O’Connor from office. Only the Legislature can do so if O’Connor doesn’t resign.

Authorities allege that O’Connor had a blood alcohol concentration of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-6,196" target="_blank">four times the legal limit</a>, or 0.321%, at the time of a May 21 crash in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/media/images/maps/2021/regents/omaha.pdf" target="_blank">O’Connor’s district</a>.

Kauth noted that a criminal trial could take time to resolve and said the Legislature should act now because lawmakers do not condone O’Connor’s alleged actions. Kauth said no one is above the law and that elected officials must be held to the highest standards.

Kauth added she is “appalled” that O’Connor has not resigned or made any indication she would resign for allegations Kauth called&nbsp;“absolutely inexcusable.” The senator called resigning the “honorable choice.”

“I’m willing to start the proceedings so we can make sure that at some point in time she is no longer representing the university,” Kauth said.

O’Connor, reelected in November to a second six-year term, has pleaded not guilty. Neither O’Connor nor her attorney had an immediate comment Saturday.

“My attorney has advised me of my rights, including the right to a jury trial; my right to confront accusers; to subpoena witnesses; to remain silent; to counsel; … and my right to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” O’Connor said in a May 28 filing in Douglas County District Court.

O’Connor, 35, is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/12/nu-regent-faces-felony-dui-charge-after-crash-that-could-jeopardize-her-office/">charged</a>&nbsp;with one&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-6,198#:~:text=60%2D6%2C198.,bodily%20injury%3B%20violation%3B%20penalty." target="_blank">Class IIIA felony alleging that she drove under the influence and caused serious injury</a>. A passenger in the opposing car suffered a broken back and pelvis, according to police and court records. Four others were in that car, including three young children. Both cars were totaled.

The father of the children injured in the crash started an online petition in recent weeks calling for O’Connor to lose her law license and resign as a regent after details of the case became public. As of Saturday, the petition had gathered nearly 800 signatures.

“These actions will not only hold her accountable but also serve as a firm reminder that such behavior is unacceptable for someone in her position,” the petition states.

Prosecutors filed charges against O’Connor July 30. Investigators transferred the case from the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, which normally handles felony charges, to the Omaha City Prosecutor’s Office because O’Connor, until early August, had worked as a deputy county attorney.

O’Connor and her attorney have yet to publicly discuss her fate as a regent. She has continued attending board meetings, including in June to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/19/regents-approve-5-tuition-increase-20-million-in-cuts-for-university-of-nebraska/#:~:text=By:%20Zach%20Wendling%20%2D%20June%2019%2C%202025%205:08%20pm&amp;text=LINCOLN%20%E2%80%94%20The%20University%20of%20Nebraska,%E2%80%9Cstate%2Daided%20budget.%E2%80%9D">approve the university’s budget</a>.&nbsp;

NU campuses are considering more than&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/04/nu-president-budget-cuts-incredibly-painful-but-necessary-for-university-survival/">$40 million in cuts</a>. Regents are set to vote on the reductions package by the end of the year.

Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=XV-2" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>, someone convicted of a felony&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=29-112" target="_blank">cannot hold public office</a>. Constitutional officers can only be removed from office via legislative impeachment if they don’t resign.

If the Legislature impeaches O’Connor or she resigns, Pillen would choose her successor.

Speaker John Arch of La Vista had no immediate comment.

The Legislature can impeach an officeholder via a legislative resolution, which can be brought during a regular or special session. In the past, such resolutions have always followed a legislative investigation.

Past investigations have followed the formation of a special investigatory committee, a designated group of lawmakers who would investigate the incident and recommend whether to impeach a state official. Legislative rules require such a committee to be established during a legislative session, yet the committee could work only while lawmakers are out of session.

Lawmakers adjourned in June for the year and are not set to return until January.

Another option: An existing legislative committee with jurisdiction — possibly the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee —&nbsp;could hold a public hearing on whether to pursue a legislative investigation. Both approaches could have subpoena power.

It would take 25 legislative votes to impeach, a simple majority. Nothing would prevent Kauth or another lawmaker from pursuing a vote for impeachment without first pursuing an investigation, but the Nebraska Supreme Court requires “clear and convincing” legislative evidence to convict on articles of impeachment.

Nebraska’s 49-member Legislature, which is officially nonpartisan, has 33 registered Republicans, 15 Democrats and one nonpartisan progressive.

If the Legislature impeaches a state official, that person is barred from performing official duties until the state’s high court weighs in. At least five of seven justices would need to agree.

The Nebraska Legislature last impeached a state official in 2006. Lawmakers passed&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1554" target="_blank">10 articles of impeachment</a>&nbsp;against then-NU Regent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/07/10/nebraska-regent-ousted" target="_blank">C. David Hergert</a>&nbsp;related to alleged campaign finance violations by a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1628" target="_blank">25-22 vote</a>. Six Supreme Court justices&nbsp;<a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/nebraska/supreme-court/2006/425-0.html" target="_blank">convicted Hergert</a>, removing and disqualifying him from public office.

O’Connor was elected in 2018 as the youngest regent ever, at 28 years old, and as one of just a handful of women to serve. She is a former University of Nebraska at Omaha student regent.

Regent Barbara Weitz of Omaha has defended O’Connor, saying the regent “takes responsibility for making a bad choice, but she’s also doing everything she can to make it right.” Weitz has described O’Connor as an “outstanding” regent who has NU’s best interests in mind.

“Of all the people I know who deserve second chances, she tops the list,” Weitz said previously.&nbsp;

The NU Board of Regents is officially nonpartisan but consists of 6 registered Republicans and 2 Democrats. Weitz and O’Connor are Democrats. Kauth and Pillen are Republicans.

Regents most often vote as one, and over the past seven years, across hundreds of votes, the board split 6-2 along party lines once. That was in April, when the regents amended NU bylaws to try to comply with an order from President Donald Trump’s administration against higher education diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Weitz and O’Connor&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/11/university-of-nebraska-regents-amend-bylaws-to-comply-with-federal-anti-dei-mandate/">opposed the changes</a>.

Kauth said O’Connor’s continued service risks an appearance that elected officials get a “free pass.” She said she is also concerned about the message to college students, that if they get drunk, “blitzed out of your mind and nearly kill someone” it could be seen as “no big deal.”

No state lawmaker believes a drunken driver should have more rights than injured victims facing a “cascading effect” of trauma, Kauth said. The senator said she would call for a Republican to resign if facing similar charges.

“Everyone has hard times,” Kauth said. “It does not excuse anyone from drinking and getting in a car, period.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757255826809.png" alt=" University of Nebraska Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha. Oct. 5, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
                        <figcaption> University of Nebraska Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha. Oct. 5, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/zachwendling/">Zach Wendling</a><br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a></p><h2>Gov. Jim Pillen, a former regent, says Regent Elizabeth O’Connor should ‘reflect on whether she should remain in a position of public trust’ if allegations are true</h2><p>OMAHA —&nbsp;A Nebraska state senator is taking the first steps toward pursuing impeachment proceedings against a University of Nebraska regent charged with driving drunk in a crash that caused serious injuries.</p><p>State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha confirmed Examiner reporting that she is exploring what the Nebraska Legislature needs to do to consider&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=III-17" target="_blank">articles of impeachment&nbsp;</a>against NU Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha.</p><p>Kauth confirmed Saturday that she has discussed her plans with the Governor’s Office and top legislative leadership.</p><p>“This is such a grotesque abuse of public trust that it needs to be addressed,” Kauth told the Nebraska Examiner on Saturday.</p><p>Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, who served as an NU regent between 2013 and 2023, including four years with O’Connor, told the Examiner that the charges against her are “extremely serious” while noting she remains innocent until proven guilty.</p><p>“If she knows the allegations against her to be true, I urge her to reflect on whether she should remain in a position of public trust,” Pillen said in a statement. “In any event, the question of impeachment is entrusted by our Constitution to the Legislature, and I respect the judgment of that body on this matter.”</p><h2>‘Willing to start the proceedings’</h2><p>Kauth is expected to announce her plans Sunday in her regular email to her constituents and supporters. Kauth is an influential lawmaker and committee chair, and her push marks the first legislative move toward removing O’Connor from office. Only the Legislature can do so if O’Connor doesn’t resign.</p><p>Authorities allege that O’Connor had a blood alcohol concentration of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-6,196" target="_blank">four times the legal limit</a>, or 0.321%, at the time of a May 21 crash in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/media/images/maps/2021/regents/omaha.pdf" target="_blank">O’Connor’s district</a>.</p><p>Kauth noted that a criminal trial could take time to resolve and said the Legislature should act now because lawmakers do not condone O’Connor’s alleged actions. Kauth said no one is above the law and that elected officials must be held to the highest standards.</p><p>Kauth added she is “appalled” that O’Connor has not resigned or made any indication she would resign for allegations Kauth called&nbsp;“absolutely inexcusable.” The senator called resigning the “honorable choice.”</p><p>“I’m willing to start the proceedings so we can make sure that at some point in time she is no longer representing the university,” Kauth said.</p><h2>Impact of a felony charge</h2><p>O’Connor, reelected in November to a second six-year term, has pleaded not guilty. Neither O’Connor nor her attorney had an immediate comment Saturday.</p><p>“My attorney has advised me of my rights, including the right to a jury trial; my right to confront accusers; to subpoena witnesses; to remain silent; to counsel; … and my right to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” O’Connor said in a May 28 filing in Douglas County District Court.</p><p>O’Connor, 35, is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/12/nu-regent-faces-felony-dui-charge-after-crash-that-could-jeopardize-her-office/">charged</a>&nbsp;with one&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-6,198#:~:text=60%2D6%2C198.,bodily%20injury%3B%20violation%3B%20penalty." target="_blank">Class IIIA felony alleging that she drove under the influence and caused serious injury</a>. A passenger in the opposing car suffered a broken back and pelvis, according to police and court records. Four others were in that car, including three young children. Both cars were totaled.</p><p>The father of the children injured in the crash started an online petition in recent weeks calling for O’Connor to lose her law license and resign as a regent after details of the case became public. As of Saturday, the petition had gathered nearly 800 signatures.</p><p>“These actions will not only hold her accountable but also serve as a firm reminder that such behavior is unacceptable for someone in her position,” the petition states.</p><p>Prosecutors filed charges against O’Connor July 30. Investigators transferred the case from the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, which normally handles felony charges, to the Omaha City Prosecutor’s Office because O’Connor, until early August, had worked as a deputy county attorney.</p><h2>Impact of a felony</h2><p>O’Connor and her attorney have yet to publicly discuss her fate as a regent. She has continued attending board meetings, including in June to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/19/regents-approve-5-tuition-increase-20-million-in-cuts-for-university-of-nebraska/#:~:text=By:%20Zach%20Wendling%20%2D%20June%2019%2C%202025%205:08%20pm&amp;text=LINCOLN%20%E2%80%94%20The%20University%20of%20Nebraska,%E2%80%9Cstate%2Daided%20budget.%E2%80%9D">approve the university’s budget</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>NU campuses are considering more than&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/04/nu-president-budget-cuts-incredibly-painful-but-necessary-for-university-survival/">$40 million in cuts</a>. Regents are set to vote on the reductions package by the end of the year.</p><p>Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=XV-2" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>, someone convicted of a felony&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=29-112" target="_blank">cannot hold public office</a>. Constitutional officers can only be removed from office via legislative impeachment if they don’t resign.</p><p>If the Legislature impeaches O’Connor or she resigns, Pillen would choose her successor.</p><p>Speaker John Arch of La Vista had no immediate comment.</p><h2>Impeachment steps</h2><p>The Legislature can impeach an officeholder via a legislative resolution, which can be brought during a regular or special session. In the past, such resolutions have always followed a legislative investigation.</p><p>Past investigations have followed the formation of a special investigatory committee, a designated group of lawmakers who would investigate the incident and recommend whether to impeach a state official. Legislative rules require such a committee to be established during a legislative session, yet the committee could work only while lawmakers are out of session.</p><p>Lawmakers adjourned in June for the year and are not set to return until January.</p><p>Another option: An existing legislative committee with jurisdiction — possibly the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee —&nbsp;could hold a public hearing on whether to pursue a legislative investigation. Both approaches could have subpoena power.</p><p>It would take 25 legislative votes to impeach, a simple majority. Nothing would prevent Kauth or another lawmaker from pursuing a vote for impeachment without first pursuing an investigation, but the Nebraska Supreme Court requires “clear and convincing” legislative evidence to convict on articles of impeachment.</p><p>Nebraska’s 49-member Legislature, which is officially nonpartisan, has 33 registered Republicans, 15 Democrats and one nonpartisan progressive.</p><p>If the Legislature impeaches a state official, that person is barred from performing official duties until the state’s high court weighs in. At least five of seven justices would need to agree.</p><p>The Nebraska Legislature last impeached a state official in 2006. Lawmakers passed&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1554" target="_blank">10 articles of impeachment</a>&nbsp;against then-NU Regent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/07/10/nebraska-regent-ousted" target="_blank">C. David Hergert</a>&nbsp;related to alleged campaign finance violations by a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1628" target="_blank">25-22 vote</a>. Six Supreme Court justices&nbsp;<a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/nebraska/supreme-court/2006/425-0.html" target="_blank">convicted Hergert</a>, removing and disqualifying him from public office.</p><h2>‘Second chances’</h2><p>O’Connor was elected in 2018 as the youngest regent ever, at 28 years old, and as one of just a handful of women to serve. She is a former University of Nebraska at Omaha student regent.</p><p>Regent Barbara Weitz of Omaha has defended O’Connor, saying the regent “takes responsibility for making a bad choice, but she’s also doing everything she can to make it right.” Weitz has described O’Connor as an “outstanding” regent who has NU’s best interests in mind.</p><p>“Of all the people I know who deserve second chances, she tops the list,” Weitz said previously.&nbsp;</p><p>The NU Board of Regents is officially nonpartisan but consists of 6 registered Republicans and 2 Democrats. Weitz and O’Connor are Democrats. Kauth and Pillen are Republicans.</p><p>Regents most often vote as one, and over the past seven years, across hundreds of votes, the board split 6-2 along party lines once. That was in April, when the regents amended NU bylaws to try to comply with an order from President Donald Trump’s administration against higher education diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Weitz and O’Connor&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/11/university-of-nebraska-regents-amend-bylaws-to-comply-with-federal-anti-dei-mandate/">opposed the changes</a>.</p><h2>Message of continued service</h2><p>Kauth said O’Connor’s continued service risks an appearance that elected officials get a “free pass.” She said she is also concerned about the message to college students, that if they get drunk, “blitzed out of your mind and nearly kill someone” it could be seen as “no big deal.”</p><p>No state lawmaker believes a drunken driver should have more rights than injured victims facing a “cascading effect” of trauma, Kauth said. The senator said she would call for a Republican to resign if facing similar charges.</p><p>“Everyone has hard times,” Kauth said. “It does not excuse anyone from drinking and getting in a car, period.</p>

State Sen. Kauth takes steps toward impeaching NU regent

Two tickets, sold in Missouri and Texas, matched all six numbers in Saturdayk night’s Powerball® drawing and will split a $1.787 billion jackpot, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

The winning numbers in the Saturday, Sept. 6 Powerball drawing were white balls 11, 23, 44, 61, 62, and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.

With final ticket sales, the Powerball jackpot came in at $1.787 billion – making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won, trailing only the world-record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in California on Nov. 7, 2022.

“Congratulations to our newest Powerball jackpot winners and the Missouri Lottery and Texas Lottery for selling the winning tickets,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Each $2 ticket sold during this Powerball jackpot run gave players a chance at the prize, while also supporting vital public programs and services in their communities — and that’s worth celebrating!”

Each ticket holder will have the choice between an annuitized prize of $893.5 million or a lump sum payment of $410.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If a winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as cash prizes are also awarded for matching the red Powerball or other numbers in the winning combination.

More than 9.9 million tickets won cash prizes in last night’s Powerball drawing.

Nationwide, 18 tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The $1 million-winning tickets were sold in California (2), Colorado, Florida, Illinois (2), Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York (2), Ohio (2), Oregon, Texas (2) and West Virginia. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

Two tickets matched all five white balls and increased their winnings to $2 million each, by including the Power Play® option for $1 more at purchase. The $2 million-winning tickets were sold in Kansas and Texas.

There were also 232 tickets that won $50,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB) and 90 tickets that won $100,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB + Power Play).

In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets in Florida and Maine won $500,000 each after matching all five black balls. Double Play® is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to play their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are held after each Powerball drawing.

Last night’s Powerball drawing was the 42nd drawing since the jackpot was previously won in California on May 31, 2025 - setting a new game record for the longest jackpot run.

For the next drawing on Monday night, the Powerball jackpot resets to $20 million. The 10X Power Play® multiplier will be available for play since the advertised jackpot is below $150 million.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

<p>Two tickets, sold in Missouri and Texas, matched all six numbers in Saturdayk night’s Powerball® drawing and will split a $1.787 billion jackpot, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.</p><p>The winning numbers in the Saturday, Sept. 6 Powerball drawing were white balls 11, 23, 44, 61, 62, and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.</p><p>With final ticket sales, the Powerball jackpot came in at $1.787 billion – making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won, trailing only the world-record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in California on Nov. 7, 2022.</p><p>“Congratulations to our newest Powerball jackpot winners and the Missouri Lottery and Texas Lottery for selling the winning tickets,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Each $2 ticket sold during this Powerball jackpot run gave players a chance at the prize, while also supporting vital public programs and services in their communities — and that’s worth celebrating!”</p><p>Each ticket holder will have the choice between an annuitized prize of $893.5 million or a lump sum payment of $410.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If a winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.</p><p>U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as cash prizes are also awarded for matching the red Powerball or other numbers in the winning combination.</p><p>More than 9.9 million tickets won cash prizes in last night’s Powerball drawing.</p><p>Nationwide, 18 tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The $1 million-winning tickets were sold in California (2), Colorado, Florida, Illinois (2), Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York (2), Ohio (2), Oregon, Texas (2) and West Virginia. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.</p><p>Two tickets matched all five white balls and increased their winnings to $2 million each, by including the Power Play® option for $1 more at purchase. The $2 million-winning tickets were sold in Kansas and Texas.</p><p>There were also 232 tickets that won $50,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB) and 90 tickets that won $100,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB + Power Play).</p><p>In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets in Florida and Maine won $500,000 each after matching all five black balls. Double Play® is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to play their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are held after each Powerball drawing.</p><p>Last night’s Powerball drawing was the 42nd drawing since the jackpot was previously won in California on May 31, 2025 - setting a new game record for the longest jackpot run.</p><p>For the next drawing on Monday night, the Powerball jackpot resets to $20 million. The 10X Power Play® multiplier will be available for play since the advertised jackpot is below $150 million.</p><p>Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.</p><p>Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.</p><p>The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.</p><p>Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots</p><ol>
                        <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li><li>$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA</li>
                    </ol>

Two Powerball lottery players will split estimated $1.8 billion jackpot

&nbsp;President Trump hosted a dinner Friday night for GOP members of Congress in the new “Rose Garden Club.”

<p>&nbsp;President Trump hosted a dinner Friday night for GOP members of Congress in the new “Rose Garden Club.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GRAND OPENING: Rose Garden Club 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/VJe97CondZ">pic.twitter.com/VJe97CondZ</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964155026323980414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Grand Opening of the Rose Garden Club at the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a> <a href="https://t.co/BLdk8obft2">pic.twitter.com/BLdk8obft2</a></p>&mdash; Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevenCheung47/status/1964146753394925915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757171663358.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Rose Garden Club 🌹🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/A3voNntmpy">pic.twitter.com/A3voNntmpy</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1964335225640481014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The grand opening of the new Rose Garden Club at the White House last night was epic. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> for his hospitality &amp; visionary leadership. <a href="https://t.co/eoTJu8EMNZ">pic.twitter.com/eoTJu8EMNZ</a></p>&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1964306857368952927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Last night at the White House we celebrated the grand opening of the Rose Garden Club. I was honored to offer a prayer for our nation, with <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a> sharing a great photo of me praying over <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realdonaldtrump</a>. A special night, thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>. <a href="https://t.co/5f45VgDTop">pic.twitter.com/5f45VgDTop</a></p>&mdash; Sen. James Lankford (@SenatorLankford) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorLankford/status/1964328662766944410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

See photos of White House dinner at new ‘Rose Garden Club’

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 (QUANTICO, VA.) — The Nebraska State Patrol is proud to announce

that Captain Dean Riedel has graduated from the 295th session of the FBI National Academy.

The FBI National Academy is a ten-week program to provide advanced training for law

enforcement leaders from around the world. Captain Riedel’s class included 254 leaders from

agencies covering 49 states and the District of Columbia, along with six military organizations

Captain Riedel and his academy class took part in a graduation ceremony Thursday at the

National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. FBI Director Kash Patel delivered remarks.

“Congratulations, FBINA 295! Leadership development and ongoing education are top priorities

at the Nebraska State Patrol. We are incredibly proud of Captain Riedel for achieving this

exceptional milestone in his career,” said Colonel Bryan Waugh, Superintendent of the Nebraska

State Patrol. “I am confident that Captain Riedel will continue to succeed and provide authentic

leadership, contributing to the success and safety of troopers and staff across our entire agency.

Thank you to Captain Riedel’s family for your sacrifice during this time away. We appreciate it.”

Participation in the FBI National Academy is by invitation only, through a nomination process.

Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers are offered the opportunity to participate.

“Leadership is essential in professional law enforcement, and I am once again reminded of and

confident in the first-class leaders at NSP,” said Colonel Waugh. “Special thanks to FBI Director

Kash Patel and FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel for their ongoing support

and partnership with state and local law enforcement to ensure safe communities across

Captain Riedel is a 24-year veteran of the Nebraska State Patrol. He currently serves as the

commander of patrol operations in Troop C, covering central Nebraska. 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757100153835.jpeg" alt="Dean Riedel FBINA" />
                        <figcaption>Dean Riedel FBINA</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>For Immediate Release</i></p><p>SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 (QUANTICO, VA.) — The Nebraska State Patrol is proud to announce</p><p>that Captain Dean Riedel has graduated from the 295th session of the FBI National Academy.</p><p>The FBI National Academy is a ten-week program to provide advanced training for law</p><p>enforcement leaders from around the world. Captain Riedel’s class included 254 leaders from</p><p>agencies covering 49 states and the District of Columbia, along with six military organizations</p><p>and agencies from 20 countries.</p><p>Captain Riedel and his academy class took part in a graduation ceremony Thursday at the</p><p>National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. FBI Director Kash Patel delivered remarks.</p><p>“Congratulations, FBINA 295! Leadership development and ongoing education are top priorities</p><p>at the Nebraska State Patrol. We are incredibly proud of Captain Riedel for achieving this</p><p>exceptional milestone in his career,” said Colonel Bryan Waugh, Superintendent of the Nebraska</p><p>State Patrol. “I am confident that Captain Riedel will continue to succeed and provide authentic</p><p>leadership, contributing to the success and safety of troopers and staff across our entire agency.</p><p>Thank you to Captain Riedel’s family for your sacrifice during this time away. We appreciate it.”</p><p>Participation in the FBI National Academy is by invitation only, through a nomination process.</p><p>Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers are offered the opportunity to participate.</p><p>“Leadership is essential in professional law enforcement, and I am once again reminded of and</p><p>confident in the first-class leaders at NSP,” said Colonel Waugh. “Special thanks to FBI Director</p><p>Kash Patel and FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel for their ongoing support</p><p>and partnership with state and local law enforcement to ensure safe communities across</p><p>Nebraska and the United States.”</p><p>Captain Riedel is a 24-year veteran of the Nebraska State Patrol. He currently serves as the</p><p>commander of patrol operations in Troop C, covering central Nebraska. </p>

Captain Dean Riedel Graduates from FBI National Academy

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress began searching for compromise on a short-term government funding bill Wednesday, with just a few weeks left to broker a deal before a possible shutdown.

Fresh off their August recess, congressional leaders and members of the Appropriations Committee appealed for bipartisanship from the other side while admitting they are far from a final agreement.&nbsp;

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declined to say during a press conference whether he will negotiate a stopgap spending bill with Democrats, or use the go-at-it-alone approach that succeeded in March.&nbsp;

“Republicans are committed to keeping the government open, and unfortunately, it seems like not all Democrats agree with that, and they’re beginning to apply the government shutdown pressure,” Johnson said. “But I want you to remember one thing: All but one House Democrat voted to shut down the government in March, and we expect, sadly, that that may happen again.”

Johnson said he was open to negotiations with Democratic leaders as long as they “are willing to work with us and think responsibly about how we can spend less than we did last year.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said during an afternoon press conference that Democrats want GOP leaders to negotiate the stopgap spending bill across party lines.&nbsp;

“The bottom line is very simple: We Democrats want a bipartisan bill and we are pushing the Republicans very hard to do it,” Schumer said. “We’re on our front foot. We’re unified.”&nbsp;

Schumer, who took considerable flak&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signs-stopgap-spending-bill-law-following-us-senate-passage" target="_blank">for helping Republicans limit debate</a>&nbsp;on a partisan stopgap bill in March, said “it’s much different than last time.”&nbsp;

Pressed by several reporters about what Democrats would help move through the Senate this time around, Schumer said: “We are willing to sit down and negotiate a bipartisan proposal with significant Democratic input. So far, they are not.”

The House and Senate are supposed to complete work on the dozen annual government funding bills by the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1 but that hasn’t happened for decades, so lawmakers rely on a stopgap spending bill to keep federal departments and agencies running on autopilot for a couple months.&nbsp;

That measure, sometimes called a continuing resolution, is intended to give lawmakers a bit more time to complete bipartisan House-Senate negotiations on the full-year appropriations bills, though Congress used three CRs to fund the government this fiscal year instead of getting its work done.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he expects lawmakers will need to approve a stopgap spending bill “for some time into the foreseeable future,” but that discussions are ongoing about how long it will last and what else might be added.&nbsp;

“My hope would be that whatever that CR looks like, that it is clean and that it enables us to buy some time to get a regular appropriations process done,” Thune said. “I still think the best way to fund the government is through the appropriations process.”

President Donald Trump said from the Oval Office earlier in the day that he expects Republicans will vote for a stopgap spending bill but he didn’t address how it would get through the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster, which requires bipartisanship.&nbsp;

“I think the Republicans will vote for an extension,” Trump said. “We won’t have any Democrat votes.”&nbsp;

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., told reporters he hopes to negotiate final versions of three full-year bills with the Senate before the end of the month.

Lawmakers would then use a stopgap spending bill to keep the departments and agencies covered in the other nine bills flat funded for a couple of months until the two chambers can reach final agreement on the spending levels and policy within those measures.&nbsp;

“We’re talking about relatively modest bills and bills where there is either broad agreement, like MilCon-VA, or LegBranch and Ag,” Cole said. “We’re not talking about major bills. You can’t really do that until you have a topline and we don’t have a topline.”

The Agriculture-FDA, Legislative Branch and Military Construction-VA spending bills are generally easier to negotiate than some of the other full-year measures, like Defense, Homeland Security and Labor-Health and Human Services-Education.&nbsp;

Cole said when House and Senate leaders begin negotiating a total spending level for all of the bills, or topline, is “above my paygrade.”

“I’m ready to do it at any time if they want to empower us, otherwise the leadership on both sides and the president have to” figure that out, Cole said.

The House and Senate are supposed to start off the annual government funding process in the spring by reaching bipartisan agreement on how much in total spending to spread throughout the dozen appropriations bills.&nbsp;

Those talks haven’t even started for fiscal 2026, which is slated to begin Oct. 1.&nbsp;

Instead, the House and Senate Appropriations committees have separately decided how much to spend and written vastly different versions of the bills.&nbsp;

The 12 bills that have been released by the GOP-led House committee are partisan, while the eight bills released by the Senate panel have received broad bipartisan support in committee.&nbsp;

Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she’s spoken with Cole a couple of times about the three-bills-plus-stopgap strategy and supports the concept.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757020412274.png" alt=" U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., takes questions from reporters during a press conference in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. Also pictured, from left to right, are Ohio Republican Rep. Dave Taylor; Majority Whip Tom Emmer R-Minn.; co-founders of Patriot Industries Sarah and Tom Click; Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.; and Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)" />
                        <figcaption> U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., takes questions from reporters during a press conference in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. Also pictured, from left to right, are Ohio Republican Rep. Dave Taylor; Majority Whip Tom Emmer R-Minn.; co-founders of Patriot Industries Sarah and Tom Click; Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.; and Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — Members of Congress began searching for compromise on a short-term government funding bill Wednesday, with just a few weeks left to broker a deal before a possible shutdown.</p><p>Fresh off their August recess, congressional leaders and members of the Appropriations Committee appealed for bipartisanship from the other side while admitting they are far from a final agreement.&nbsp;</p><p>Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declined to say during a press conference whether he will negotiate a stopgap spending bill with Democrats, or use the go-at-it-alone approach that succeeded in March.&nbsp;</p><p>“Republicans are committed to keeping the government open, and unfortunately, it seems like not all Democrats agree with that, and they’re beginning to apply the government shutdown pressure,” Johnson said. “But I want you to remember one thing: All but one House Democrat voted to shut down the government in March, and we expect, sadly, that that may happen again.”</p><p>Johnson said he was open to negotiations with Democratic leaders as long as they “are willing to work with us and think responsibly about how we can spend less than we did last year.”</p><p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said during an afternoon press conference that Democrats want GOP leaders to negotiate the stopgap spending bill across party lines.&nbsp;</p><p>“The bottom line is very simple: We Democrats want a bipartisan bill and we are pushing the Republicans very hard to do it,” Schumer said. “We’re on our front foot. We’re unified.”&nbsp;</p><p>Schumer, who took considerable flak&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signs-stopgap-spending-bill-law-following-us-senate-passage" target="_blank">for helping Republicans limit debate</a>&nbsp;on a partisan stopgap bill in March, said “it’s much different than last time.”&nbsp;</p><p>Pressed by several reporters about what Democrats would help move through the Senate this time around, Schumer said: “We are willing to sit down and negotiate a bipartisan proposal with significant Democratic input. So far, they are not.”</p><h2>Spending running on autopilot</h2><p>The House and Senate are supposed to complete work on the dozen annual government funding bills by the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1 but that hasn’t happened for decades, so lawmakers rely on a stopgap spending bill to keep federal departments and agencies running on autopilot for a couple months.&nbsp;</p><p>That measure, sometimes called a continuing resolution, is intended to give lawmakers a bit more time to complete bipartisan House-Senate negotiations on the full-year appropriations bills, though Congress used three CRs to fund the government this fiscal year instead of getting its work done.&nbsp;</p><p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he expects lawmakers will need to approve a stopgap spending bill “for some time into the foreseeable future,” but that discussions are ongoing about how long it will last and what else might be added.&nbsp;</p><p>“My hope would be that whatever that CR looks like, that it is clean and that it enables us to buy some time to get a regular appropriations process done,” Thune said. “I still think the best way to fund the government is through the appropriations process.”</p><p>President Donald Trump said from the Oval Office earlier in the day that he expects Republicans will vote for a stopgap spending bill but he didn’t address how it would get through the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster, which requires bipartisanship.&nbsp;</p><p>“I think the Republicans will vote for an extension,” Trump said. “We won’t have any Democrat votes.”&nbsp;</p><h2>Three spending bills seen as possible</h2><p>House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., told reporters he hopes to negotiate final versions of three full-year bills with the Senate before the end of the month.</p><p>Lawmakers would then use a stopgap spending bill to keep the departments and agencies covered in the other nine bills flat funded for a couple of months until the two chambers can reach final agreement on the spending levels and policy within those measures.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’re talking about relatively modest bills and bills where there is either broad agreement, like MilCon-VA, or LegBranch and Ag,” Cole said. “We’re not talking about major bills. You can’t really do that until you have a topline and we don’t have a topline.”</p><p>The Agriculture-FDA, Legislative Branch and Military Construction-VA spending bills are generally easier to negotiate than some of the other full-year measures, like Defense, Homeland Security and Labor-Health and Human Services-Education.&nbsp;</p><p>Cole said when House and Senate leaders begin negotiating a total spending level for all of the bills, or topline, is “above my paygrade.”</p><p>“I’m ready to do it at any time if they want to empower us, otherwise the leadership on both sides and the president have to” figure that out, Cole said.</p><p>The House and Senate are supposed to start off the annual government funding process in the spring by reaching bipartisan agreement on how much in total spending to spread throughout the dozen appropriations bills.&nbsp;</p><p>Those talks haven’t even started for fiscal 2026, which is slated to begin Oct. 1.&nbsp;</p><p>Instead, the House and Senate Appropriations committees have separately decided how much to spend and written vastly different versions of the bills.&nbsp;</p><h2>House and Senate at odds</h2><p>The 12 bills that have been released by the GOP-led House committee are partisan, while the eight bills released by the Senate panel have received broad bipartisan support in committee.&nbsp;</p><p>Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she’s spoken with Cole a couple of times about the three-bills-plus-stopgap strategy and supports the concept.&nbsp;</p><p>“I have and I agree with that approach,” Collins said.</p><p>Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, said any stopgap bill “needs to be a real bipartisan compromise.”</p><p>“For the last few months we have shown a bipartisan way forward on the Appropriations Committee,” Murray said. “Democrats have shown that we are willing to work in good faith to write bipartisan funding bills that protect investments in education, life-saving research and a lot more.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’ve already passed eight out of the committee and three on the floor: MilCon-VA, Ag and LegBranch. As part of a bipartisan short-term CR, I support conferencing those three bills and passing them with the short-term CR for the remaining nine bills.”</p><p>House Appropriations ranking member Rosa DeLauro said “the best case scenario for us is to move forward.”&nbsp;</p><p>“No gimmicks, no riders, let’s clear the decks,” the Connecticut Democrat said. “Talk about how we get Republican priorities, Democratic priorities.”&nbsp;</p><h2>Negotiations ‘for weeks now’</h2><p>House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said “there’s a chance” to wrap up negotiations between the two chambers on final versions of some of the full-year government spending bills before the end of the month.&nbsp;</p><p>“It might not be all 12, but a few of them for sure,” Scalise said. “So let’s give the appropriators that opportunity to keep negotiating. They’ve already been having negotiations for weeks now — Tom Cole and a lot of his counterparts. I have faith they can hopefully get a lot of things done.”</p><p>Scalise, R-La., said he plans to reserve floor time later this month to&nbsp; ensure whatever spending bill gets written is “the top priority.”</p><p>Rep. Robert Aderholt, chairman of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said he thinks most people agree there’s going to be some sort of stopgap given all 12 of the annual bills aren’t close to becoming law.</p><p>The Alabama Republican said this feat is “almost impossible” given the short number of legislative days left before the shutdown deadline.&nbsp;</p><p>“The solution, of course, obviously, or the only alternative, would be to have a CR, but I think the shorter the CR, the better,” he said, noting that the measure would have to be “long enough that you can have negotiations, but short enough that it doesn’t drag out until Christmas and that … we’re up here at Christmas doing an omnibus or something like that, which everybody wants to avoid.”&nbsp;</p><p>Congress has often bundled the final, conferenced versions of the dozen bills together into a sweeping omnibus package at the end of the year to ensure quick floor votes, though GOP leaders have tried to get away from that practice in recent years.&nbsp;</p><p>Rep. Chuck Edwards, a North Carolina Republican who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, said that while he hopes a stopgap spending bill is “not necessary,” the panel is “certainly prepared to put together a short-term CR if that’s what’s required to avoid a shutdown.”</p>