LINCOLN, NE - Governor Jim Pillen has issued a statement regarding the departure of Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts, as well as a "call to action" to the NU Board of Regents.

"The University of Nebraska has existed as an institution for more than a century and a half. If it has immeasurably bigger than any one person. But leadership matters, and the long-term success of our university depends immensely on having committed public servants as its leaders.

I am deeply disappointed by Trev Albert's decision to leave so soon after restating his commitment to Nebraska and I don't fully understand or know his reasons why. I do know that the time reflecting on the failures of University leadership, which led to his decision, must come later. Now is the time to act.

this morning, I am issuing a call to action to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. It has been 206 days since Ted Carter announced his departure as president. It is unacceptable that the University's elected leaders have failed during this time to appoint permanent leadership. It is imperative that they act urgently and decisively to end this uncertainty. Without any delay, they should support interim President Chris Kabourek's efforts to immediately appoint a new athletic director."

Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE - Governor Jim Pillen has issued a statement regarding the departure of Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts, as well as a "call to action" to the NU Board of Regents.His full statement below:"The University of Nebraska has existed as an institution for more than a century and a half. If it has immeasurably bigger than any one person. But leadership matters, and the long-term success of our university depends immensely on having committed public servants as its leaders.I am deeply disappointed by Trev Albert's decision to leave so soon after restating his commitment to Nebraska and I don't fully understand or know his reasons why. I do know that the time reflecting on the failures of University leadership, which led to his decision, must come later. Now is the time to act.this morning, I am issuing a call to action to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. It has been 206 days since Ted Carter announced his departure as president. It is unacceptable that the University's elected leaders have failed during this time to appoint permanent leadership. It is imperative that they act urgently and decisively to end this uncertainty. Without any delay, they should support interim President Chris Kabourek's efforts to immediately appoint a new athletic director."

Gov. Pillen Issues "Call to Action" Following AD Alberts Announced Departure

HOUSTON (AP) —SpaceX’s mega rocket blasted off on another test flight Thursday and made it farther than two previous attempts, but the spacecraft was lost as it descended back to Earth.

The company said it lost contact with the spacecraft as it neared its goal, a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, about an hour after liftoff from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border.

T<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85">wo test flights</a>&nbsp;last year both ended in explosions minutes after liftoff.

Starship, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-musk-starship-launch-test-flight-11de145e989e0534b6399640bc437b8e">biggest and most powerful rocket ever built</a>, headed out over the Gulf of Mexico after launch Thursday. Minutes later, the booster separated seamlessly from the spaceship and splashed down into the gulf and the spacecraft continued eastward. No people or satellites were on board.

An hour later, SpaceX commentators said contact had been lost with the spacecraft.

“The ship has been lost. So no splashdown today,” said SpaceX's Dan Huot. "But again, it’s incredible to see how much further we got this time around.”

Earlier during the flight, SpaceX's Elon Musk had congratulated his team.“SpaceX has come a long way,” Musk said via X, former Twitter. The rocket company was founded exactly 22 years ago Thursday.

The rocket and futuristic-looking spacecraft towers 397 feet (121 meters), easily exceeding NASA’s past and present moon rockets.

NASA watched with keen interest: The space agency needs Starship to succeed in order to land&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-moon-landings-artemis-delay-23e425d490c0c9e65ae774ec2e00f090">astronauts on the moon</a>&nbsp;in the next two or so years. This new crop of moonwalkers — the first since last century’s Apollo program — will descend to the lunar surface in a Starship, at least the first couple times.

HOUSTON (AP)—SpaceX’s mega rocket blasted off on another test flight Thursday, this time with the spacecraft reaching enough speed to coast toward its finish line halfway around the world.

It outperformed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85">previous two test flights,</a>&nbsp;which both ended in explosions minutes after liftoff.

Starship, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-musk-starship-launch-test-flight-11de145e989e0534b6399640bc437b8e">biggest and most powerful rocket ever built</a>, soared from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border before it headed out over the Gulf of Mexico. No people or satellites were on board.

Minutes later, the booster separated seamlessly from the spaceship and splashed down into the gulf. The spacecraft continued eastward for a planned hourlong flight and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

SpaceX's Elon Musk congratulated his team.“SpaceX has come a long way,” Musk said via X, former Twitter. The rocket company was founded exactly 22 years ago Thursday.

HOUSTON (AP) —SpaceX’s mega rocket blasted off on another test flight Thursday and made it farther than two previous attempts, but the spacecraft was lost as it descended back to Earth.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At ~5000 tons, Starship is the largest flying object ever made <a href="https://t.co/r5kzjpbD9B">https://t.co/r5kzjpbD9B</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1768271790596395399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The company said it lost contact with the spacecraft as it neared its goal, a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, about an hour after liftoff from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border.T<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85">wo test flights</a>&nbsp;last year both ended in explosions minutes after liftoff.Starship, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-musk-starship-launch-test-flight-11de145e989e0534b6399640bc437b8e">biggest and most powerful rocket ever built</a>, headed out over the Gulf of Mexico after launch Thursday. Minutes later, the booster separated seamlessly from the spaceship and splashed down into the gulf and the spacecraft continued eastward. No people or satellites were on board.An hour later, SpaceX commentators said contact had been lost with the spacecraft.“The ship has been lost. So no splashdown today,” said SpaceX's Dan Huot. "But again, it’s incredible to see how much further we got this time around.”Earlier during the flight, SpaceX's Elon Musk had congratulated his team.“SpaceX has come a long way,” Musk said via X, former Twitter. The rocket company was founded exactly 22 years ago Thursday.The rocket and futuristic-looking spacecraft towers 397 feet (121 meters), easily exceeding NASA’s past and present moon rockets.NASA watched with keen interest: The space agency needs Starship to succeed in order to land&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-moon-landings-artemis-delay-23e425d490c0c9e65ae774ec2e00f090">astronauts on the moon</a>&nbsp;in the next two or so years. This new crop of moonwalkers — the first since last century’s Apollo program — will descend to the lunar surface in a Starship, at least the first couple times.---------------HOUSTON (AP)—SpaceX’s mega rocket blasted off on another test flight Thursday, this time with the spacecraft reaching enough speed to coast toward its finish line halfway around the world.It outperformed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85">previous two test flights,</a>&nbsp;which both ended in explosions minutes after liftoff.Starship, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-musk-starship-launch-test-flight-11de145e989e0534b6399640bc437b8e">biggest and most powerful rocket ever built</a>, soared from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border before it headed out over the Gulf of Mexico. No people or satellites were on board.Minutes later, the booster separated seamlessly from the spaceship and splashed down into the gulf. The spacecraft continued eastward for a planned hourlong flight and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.The rocket and futuristic-looking spacecraft towers 397 feet (121 meters), easily exceeding NASA’s past and present moon rockets.SpaceX's Elon Musk congratulated his team.“SpaceX has come a long way,” Musk said via X, former Twitter. The rocket company was founded exactly 22 years ago Thursday.NASA watched with keen interest: The space agency needs Starship to succeed in order to land&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-moon-landings-artemis-delay-23e425d490c0c9e65ae774ec2e00f090">astronauts on the moon</a>&nbsp;in the next two or so years. This new crop of moonwalkers — the first since last century’s Apollo program — will descend to the lunar surface in a Starship, at least the first couple times.___

🎥SpaceX: World's most powerful rocket lost during test flight

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/13/senators-give-first-round-approval-for-state-budget-adjustments-with-few-changes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — State lawmakers gave first-round approval Wednesday to the mid-biennium budget bill that made few changes from the spending proposals of Gov. Jim Pillen.

The budget calls for a spending increase of 3.1%, which is slightly higher than the 2% increase called for by the governor because of an unexpected, $94 million increase in state aid to K-12 schools.

The “good news,” according to State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, the chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, is that $904 million will be left in the state’s cash reserve fund at the end of the two-year budget in June 2025, and the budget should show excess funds of nearly $575 million.

During two days of floor debate, however, there were several complaints about spending cuts for services for the developmentally disabled and<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/27/behavioral-health-care-providers-call-15-million-sweep-of-their-funds-wrong-headed/">&nbsp; those with mental illnesses</a>&nbsp;— services that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/12/advocates-for-developmentally-disabled-rally-for-more-than-good-enough-for-you-funding/">advocates maintain are already underfunded.</a>

Projections show spending exceeds revenue

Concerns were also raised about whether the state can sustain the deep cuts in state income taxes passed a year ago, but there was also talk of amendments during second-round debate.

State budget figures indicate that the excess $575 million in cash will shrink to $68.5 million at the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year, as the reduction in income tax revenue takes effect.

Last year, state lawmakers passed a law to gradually reduce the state’s top income tax rate from 6.84% in 2023 to 3.99% by tax year 2027.

It would reduce state revenues by a projected $863 million by fiscal year 2027-28.

State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont expressed concern that the budget report issued by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee shows state spending exceeding revenue in the next three fiscal years.

Clements said while that was true and that the situation could “only last for a short time,” the state has $904 million in its cash reserve fund, and he said the economy and tax revenue are projected to increase after 2027, when the income tax cut is fully implemented.

Concerns about the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.openskypolicy.org/three-things-to-know-about-budget-proposal">sustainability of the income tax cuts</a>&nbsp;have also &nbsp;been raised by the OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank that monitors state tax and fiscal policies.

OpenSky Director Rebecca Firestone said Wednesday other states that have enacted tax cuts don’t have “a great track record” of sparking economic growth.

She said concerns about the sustainability of the tax cuts are heightened further by the proposal to “sweep” $244 million from state agency reserves to provide initial funding for the governor’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/14/despite-pushback-pillen-remains-committed-to-property-tax-relief-plan/">proposed 40% property tax reduction</a>. That would leave those funds unavailable to cover a state budget shortfall.

“It really reinforces the concern about the financial sustainability of the tax cuts,” Firestone said.

Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh raised questions about the hundreds of job vacancies at the state’s largest agency, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and whether the agency was planning to save money by not filling the 1,000-plus unfilled jobs.

During the debate, both Clements and Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said that discussions were continuing about whether to restore some funding for some programs. Advocates for improved services for the developmentally disabled have said they will press for more funding during second-round debate.

Senators had to invoke cloture to shut off debate on the budget. They then voted 39-4 to advance the budget measure, Legislative Bill 1412, from first-round debate.

Debate on the bill containing the funds sweeps, or cash transfers, began late Wednesday and is scheduled to continue Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710422835154.jpeg" alt=" The Nebraska State Capitol’s west entrance. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> The Nebraska State Capitol’s west entrance. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/13/senators-give-first-round-approval-for-state-budget-adjustments-with-few-changes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — State lawmakers gave first-round approval Wednesday to the mid-biennium budget bill that made few changes from the spending proposals of Gov. Jim Pillen.The budget calls for a spending increase of 3.1%, which is slightly higher than the 2% increase called for by the governor because of an unexpected, $94 million increase in state aid to K-12 schools.The “good news,” according to State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, the chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, is that $904 million will be left in the state’s cash reserve fund at the end of the two-year budget in June 2025, and the budget should show excess funds of nearly $575 million.During two days of floor debate, however, there were several complaints about spending cuts for services for the developmentally disabled and<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/27/behavioral-health-care-providers-call-15-million-sweep-of-their-funds-wrong-headed/">&nbsp; those with mental illnesses</a>&nbsp;— services that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/12/advocates-for-developmentally-disabled-rally-for-more-than-good-enough-for-you-funding/">advocates maintain are already underfunded.</a><h2>Projections show spending exceeds revenue</h2>Concerns were also raised about whether the state can sustain the deep cuts in state income taxes passed a year ago, but there was also talk of amendments during second-round debate.State budget figures indicate that the excess $575 million in cash will shrink to $68.5 million at the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year, as the reduction in income tax revenue takes effect.<h2>Impact of tax rate cut</h2>Last year, state lawmakers passed a law to gradually reduce the state’s top income tax rate from 6.84% in 2023 to 3.99% by tax year 2027.It would reduce state revenues by a projected $863 million by fiscal year 2027-28.State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont expressed concern that the budget report issued by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee shows state spending exceeding revenue in the next three fiscal years.Clements said while that was true and that the situation could “only last for a short time,” the state has $904 million in its cash reserve fund, and he said the economy and tax revenue are projected to increase after 2027, when the income tax cut is fully implemented.<h2>‘We expect a turnaround’</h2>Concerns about the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.openskypolicy.org/three-things-to-know-about-budget-proposal">sustainability of the income tax cuts</a>&nbsp;have also &nbsp;been raised by the OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank that monitors state tax and fiscal policies.OpenSky Director Rebecca Firestone said Wednesday other states that have enacted tax cuts don’t have “a great track record” of sparking economic growth.She said concerns about the sustainability of the tax cuts are heightened further by the proposal to “sweep” $244 million from state agency reserves to provide initial funding for the governor’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/14/despite-pushback-pillen-remains-committed-to-property-tax-relief-plan/">proposed 40% property tax reduction</a>. That would leave those funds unavailable to cover a state budget shortfall.“It really reinforces the concern about the financial sustainability of the tax cuts,” Firestone said.Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh raised questions about the hundreds of job vacancies at the state’s largest agency, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and whether the agency was planning to save money by not filling the 1,000-plus unfilled jobs.<h2>Discussions continue</h2>During the debate, both Clements and Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said that discussions were continuing about whether to restore some funding for some programs. Advocates for improved services for the developmentally disabled have said they will press for more funding during second-round debate.Senators had to invoke cloture to shut off debate on the budget. They then voted 39-4 to advance the budget measure, Legislative Bill 1412, from first-round debate.Debate on the bill containing the funds sweeps, or cash transfers, began late Wednesday and is scheduled to continue Thursday.

Senators give first-round approval for state budget adjustments with few changes

OMAHA, NE — On Wednesday, the Platte Institute
 proudly hosted a press conference to celebrate the recent signing into law of LB 16, groundbreaking legislation that represents a significant leap forward in professional licensing reform in Nebraska. The event, held at the Nebraska State Capitol, brought
 together a distinguished group of speakers and attendees, including Senator Danielle Conrad, the bill's sponsor and other co-sponsors, as well as representatives from RISE Nebraska, the ACLU of Nebraska, the Institute for Justice, and the Nebraska Interior
 Designers.&nbsp;


Dr. Laura Ebke, Senior Fellow at the Platte Institute, represented the Platte
 Institute at the event, articulating the transformative impact LB 16 will have on Nebraska's workforce development and economic growth. "Today, we stand at the threshold of a new era for professional licensing in Nebraska. LB 16 not only streamlines the process
 for recognizing out-of-state professional licenses but also ensures that those with discharged criminal records have a fair chance to pursue their careers. This law is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to remove unnecessary barriers
 to opportunity," stated Dr. Ebke.&nbsp;


Senator Danielle Conrad highlighted the bipartisan support that was crucial to
 the bill's success, expressing gratitude to her colleagues and the diverse coalition of supporters. "I’m so grateful to this incredible, diverse set of state leaders who stepped forward to help pass LB 16 this year.&nbsp;LB 16 is a comprehensive rewrite of our
 occupational licensure reform law in Nebraska. This helps to address our state's pressing needs when it comes to both workforce development and second chance employment," said Senator Conrad.&nbsp;


Representatives from RISE Nebraska, the ACLU of Nebraska, the Institute for Justice,
 and the Nebraska Interior Designers also spoke, each emphasizing the positive implications of LB 16 for their respective communities. They celebrated the law's potential to enhance professional mobility, promote fairness in licensing, and foster a more inclusive
 economy.&nbsp;


Unable to attend the event but also supportive of LB 16 was the Nebraska State
 Council of Electrical Workers. Their president Jon Nebel, said in a statement provided to Platte Institute, “LB 16 is landmark legislation that was carefully crafted over multiple years. This legislation provides licensure avenues for individuals coming from
 states with limited credentialling programs by recognizing federal standards in apprenticeship programs. Universal recognition may not be nationwide in all occupations but today Nebraska sets a standard that every state can use as a template for skilled trade
 growth. We are proud to have contributed to this effort that will without a doubt allow more skilled individuals to work in Nebraska.”&nbsp;


As LB 16 takes effect, the Platte Institute remains dedicated to its mission of
 advancing policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity across the state.&nbsp;

For more information about the press conference, to obtain audio from the event,
 or to learn more about the impact of LB 16, please contact Ryan Kopsa at (402) 366-4432 or via email at <a href="mailto:rkopsa@platteinstitute.org" target="_blank">rkopsa@platteinstitute.org</a>.&nbsp;


The Platte Institute advances policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity
 in Nebraska. By advocating for reforms that promote economic freedom, the Institute aims to ensure prosperity for all Nebraskans. Visit PlatteInstitute.org for more insights and information.&nbsp;

Platte InstituteOMAHA, NE — On Wednesday, the Platte Institute
 proudly hosted a press conference to celebrate the recent signing into law of LB 16, groundbreaking legislation that represents a significant leap forward in professional licensing reform in Nebraska. The event, held at the Nebraska State Capitol, brought
 together a distinguished group of speakers and attendees, including Senator Danielle Conrad, the bill's sponsor and other co-sponsors, as well as representatives from RISE Nebraska, the ACLU of Nebraska, the Institute for Justice, and the Nebraska Interior
 Designers.&nbsp;
Dr. Laura Ebke, Senior Fellow at the Platte Institute, represented the Platte
 Institute at the event, articulating the transformative impact LB 16 will have on Nebraska's workforce development and economic growth. "Today, we stand at the threshold of a new era for professional licensing in Nebraska. LB 16 not only streamlines the process
 for recognizing out-of-state professional licenses but also ensures that those with discharged criminal records have a fair chance to pursue their careers. This law is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to remove unnecessary barriers
 to opportunity," stated Dr. Ebke.&nbsp;
Senator Danielle Conrad highlighted the bipartisan support that was crucial to
 the bill's success, expressing gratitude to her colleagues and the diverse coalition of supporters. "I’m so grateful to this incredible, diverse set of state leaders who stepped forward to help pass LB 16 this year.&nbsp;LB 16 is a comprehensive rewrite of our
 occupational licensure reform law in Nebraska. This helps to address our state's pressing needs when it comes to both workforce development and second chance employment," said Senator Conrad.&nbsp;
Representatives from RISE Nebraska, the ACLU of Nebraska, the Institute for Justice,
 and the Nebraska Interior Designers also spoke, each emphasizing the positive implications of LB 16 for their respective communities. They celebrated the law's potential to enhance professional mobility, promote fairness in licensing, and foster a more inclusive
 economy.&nbsp;
Unable to attend the event but also supportive of LB 16 was the Nebraska State
 Council of Electrical Workers. Their president Jon Nebel, said in a statement provided to Platte Institute, “LB 16 is landmark legislation that was carefully crafted over multiple years. This legislation provides licensure avenues for individuals coming from
 states with limited credentialling programs by recognizing federal standards in apprenticeship programs. Universal recognition may not be nationwide in all occupations but today Nebraska sets a standard that every state can use as a template for skilled trade
 growth. We are proud to have contributed to this effort that will without a doubt allow more skilled individuals to work in Nebraska.”&nbsp;
As LB 16 takes effect, the Platte Institute remains dedicated to its mission of
 advancing policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity across the state.&nbsp;
For more information about the press conference, to obtain audio from the event,
 or to learn more about the impact of LB 16, please contact Ryan Kopsa at (402) 366-4432 or via email at <a href="mailto:rkopsa@platteinstitute.org" target="_blank">rkopsa@platteinstitute.org</a>.&nbsp;
The Platte Institute advances policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity
 in Nebraska. By advocating for reforms that promote economic freedom, the Institute aims to ensure prosperity for all Nebraskans. Visit PlatteInstitute.org for more insights and information.&nbsp;

Platte Institute Hosts Celebratory Press Conference for the Enactment of LB 16 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-bill-divest-5b5a685e8f1e19d22182d62526bf19b8">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell its stake, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company's current ownership structure is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">a national security threat</a>.

The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear.

TikTok, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-biden-bytedance-china-2acbaeb71e8bb0c6341f2bc55ba33e80">more than 170 million American users</a>, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.

The lawmakers contend that ByteDance is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-bytedance-user-data-d257d98125f69ac80f983e6067a84911">beholden to the Chinese government</a>, which could demand access to the data of TikTok’s consumers in the U.S. any time it wants. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering.

“We have given TikTok a clear choice,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. “Separate from your parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the CCP (the Chinese Communist Party), and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. The choice is TikTok's.”

House passage of the bill is only the first step. The Senate would also need to pass the measure for it to become law, and lawmakers in that chamber indicated it would undergo a thorough review. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he'll have to consult with relevant committee chairs to determine the bill's path.

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;has said if Congress passes the measure, he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-tiktok-ban-house-china-aaa884d8c974f0a35856af5ee6aa4e99">sign it</a>.

The House vote is the latest example of increased tensions between China and the U.S. By targeting TikTok, lawmakers are tackling what they see as a grave threat to America's national security — but also singling out a platform popular with millions of people, many of whom skew younger, just months before an election.

In a video posted on Wednesday evening, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said that the company has invested to keep user data safe and the TikTok platform free from outside manipulation. If passed, he said the bill would give more power to a handful of other social companies.

“We will not stop fighting and advocating for you. We will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights, to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you,” Chew said in his message to the app’s users.

In anticipation of the vote, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, accused Washington of resorting to political tools when U.S. businesses fail to compete. He said the effort would disrupt normal business operations and undermine investor confidence "and will eventually backfire on the U.S. itself.”

Overall, 197 Republican lawmakers voted for the measure and 15 against. On the Democratic side, 155 voted for the bill and 50 against.

Some Republican opponents of the bill said the U.S. should warn consumers if there are data privacy and propaganda concerns, but the final choice should be left with consumers.

“The answer to authoritarianism is not more authoritarianism,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif. “The answer to CCP-style propaganda is not CCP-style oppression. Let us slow down before we blunder down this very steep and slippery slope.”

Democrats also warned of the impact a ban would have on users in the U.S., including entrepreneurs and business owners. One of the no votes came from Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee.

“One of the key differences between us and those adversaries is the fact that they shut down newspapers, broadcast stations, and social media platforms. We do not,” Himes said. “We trust our citizens to be worthy of their democracy. We do not trust our government to decide what information they may or may not see.”

The day before the House vote, top national security officials in the Biden administration held a closed-door briefing with lawmakers to discuss TikTok and the national security implications. Lawmakers are balancing those security concerns against a desire not to limit free speech online.

“What we've tried to do here is be very thoughtful and deliberate about the need to force a divestiture of TikTok without granting any authority to the executive branch to regulate content or go after any American company,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, the bill's author, as he emerged from the briefing.

TikTok has long denied that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if it is asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities.

Republican leaders moved quickly to bring up the bill after its introduction last week by Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill. A House committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bill-support-congress-china-data-f1ec5b720bb68884c6423c62f314dcff">approved the legislation</a>&nbsp;unanimously, on a 50-0 vote, even after their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users demanding they drop the effort. Some offices even shut off their phones because of the onslaught. Supporters of the bill said the effort backfired.

“(It) provided members a preview of how the platform could be weaponized to inject disinformation into our system,” Gallagher said.

Lawmakers in both parties are anxious to confront China on a range of issues. The House formed a special committee to focus on China-related issues. And Schumer directed committee chairs to begin working with Republicans on a bipartisan China competition bill.

Schumer is likely to feel some pressure from within his own party to move on the TikTok legislation. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner announced after the House vote that he would work to “get this bill passed through the Senate and signed into law.”

In a joint statement with Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the top Republican on the intelligence panel, Warner said that “we are united in our concern about the national security threat posed by TikTok — a platform with enormous power to influence and divide Americans whose parent company ByteDance remains legally required to do the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party.”

Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, who chairs another panel with jurisdiction on the issue, said she would "try to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties.”

Roughly 30 TikTok influencers and others who traveled with them spoke out against the bill on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. They chanted phrases like “Keep TikTok” ahead of the vote. They also held signs that read “TikTok changed my life for the better” and “TikTok helped me grow my business.”

Dan Salinger, a Sacramento, California-based TikTok creator in attendance, said he started creating content on the app during the COVID-19 pandemic purely out of boredom. But since then his account, which features videos about his life and his father, who suffers from dementia, has grown in popularity. Today, he has 2 million followers on the app.

“I’m actually appalled for many reasons,” Salinger said. “The speed with which they’re pushing this bill through does not give enough time for Americans to voice their concerns and opinions.”

Former President Donald Trump has spoken out against the House effort, but his vice president, Mike Pence, is urging Schumer to bring the House bill to a vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708714541315.png" alt="Image from President Biden's TikTok account" />
 <figcaption>Image from President Biden's TikTok account</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-bill-divest-5b5a685e8f1e19d22182d62526bf19b8">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell its stake, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company's current ownership structure is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">a national security threat</a>.The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear.TikTok, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-biden-bytedance-china-2acbaeb71e8bb0c6341f2bc55ba33e80">more than 170 million American users</a>, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.The lawmakers contend that ByteDance is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-bytedance-user-data-d257d98125f69ac80f983e6067a84911">beholden to the Chinese government</a>, which could demand access to the data of TikTok’s consumers in the U.S. any time it wants. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering.“We have given TikTok a clear choice,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. “Separate from your parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the CCP (the Chinese Communist Party), and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. The choice is TikTok's.”House passage of the bill is only the first step. The Senate would also need to pass the measure for it to become law, and lawmakers in that chamber indicated it would undergo a thorough review. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he'll have to consult with relevant committee chairs to determine the bill's path.President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;has said if Congress passes the measure, he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-tiktok-ban-house-china-aaa884d8c974f0a35856af5ee6aa4e99">sign it</a>.The House vote is the latest example of increased tensions between China and the U.S. By targeting TikTok, lawmakers are tackling what they see as a grave threat to America's national security — but also singling out a platform popular with millions of people, many of whom skew younger, just months before an election.In a video posted on Wednesday evening, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said that the company has invested to keep user data safe and the TikTok platform free from outside manipulation. If passed, he said the bill would give more power to a handful of other social companies.“We will not stop fighting and advocating for you. We will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights, to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you,” Chew said in his message to the app’s users.In anticipation of the vote, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, accused Washington of resorting to political tools when U.S. businesses fail to compete. He said the effort would disrupt normal business operations and undermine investor confidence "and will eventually backfire on the U.S. itself.”Overall, 197 Republican lawmakers voted for the measure and 15 against. On the Democratic side, 155 voted for the bill and 50 against.Some Republican opponents of the bill said the U.S. should warn consumers if there are data privacy and propaganda concerns, but the final choice should be left with consumers.“The answer to authoritarianism is not more authoritarianism,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif. “The answer to CCP-style propaganda is not CCP-style oppression. Let us slow down before we blunder down this very steep and slippery slope.”Democrats also warned of the impact a ban would have on users in the U.S., including entrepreneurs and business owners. One of the no votes came from Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee.“One of the key differences between us and those adversaries is the fact that they shut down newspapers, broadcast stations, and social media platforms. We do not,” Himes said. “We trust our citizens to be worthy of their democracy. We do not trust our government to decide what information they may or may not see.”The day before the House vote, top national security officials in the Biden administration held a closed-door briefing with lawmakers to discuss TikTok and the national security implications. Lawmakers are balancing those security concerns against a desire not to limit free speech online.“What we've tried to do here is be very thoughtful and deliberate about the need to force a divestiture of TikTok without granting any authority to the executive branch to regulate content or go after any American company,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, the bill's author, as he emerged from the briefing.TikTok has long denied that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if it is asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities.Republican leaders moved quickly to bring up the bill after its introduction last week by Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill. A House committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bill-support-congress-china-data-f1ec5b720bb68884c6423c62f314dcff">approved the legislation</a>&nbsp;unanimously, on a 50-0 vote, even after their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users demanding they drop the effort. Some offices even shut off their phones because of the onslaught. Supporters of the bill said the effort backfired.“(It) provided members a preview of how the platform could be weaponized to inject disinformation into our system,” Gallagher said.Lawmakers in both parties are anxious to confront China on a range of issues. The House formed a special committee to focus on China-related issues. And Schumer directed committee chairs to begin working with Republicans on a bipartisan China competition bill.Schumer is likely to feel some pressure from within his own party to move on the TikTok legislation. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner announced after the House vote that he would work to “get this bill passed through the Senate and signed into law.”In a joint statement with Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the top Republican on the intelligence panel, Warner said that “we are united in our concern about the national security threat posed by TikTok — a platform with enormous power to influence and divide Americans whose parent company ByteDance remains legally required to do the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party.”Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, who chairs another panel with jurisdiction on the issue, said she would "try to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties.”Roughly 30 TikTok influencers and others who traveled with them spoke out against the bill on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. They chanted phrases like “Keep TikTok” ahead of the vote. They also held signs that read “TikTok changed my life for the better” and “TikTok helped me grow my business.”Dan Salinger, a Sacramento, California-based TikTok creator in attendance, said he started creating content on the app during the COVID-19 pandemic purely out of boredom. But since then his account, which features videos about his life and his father, who suffers from dementia, has grown in popularity. Today, he has 2 million followers on the app.“I’m actually appalled for many reasons,” Salinger said. “The speed with which they’re pushing this bill through does not give enough time for Americans to voice their concerns and opinions.”Former President Donald Trump has spoken out against the House effort, but his vice president, Mike Pence, is urging Schumer to bring the House bill to a vote.

China warns a TikTok ban would 'backfire on the U.S.'

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man from Gary, Indiana, could face up to 100 years in prison after pleading guilty to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-93c9f1f061126bbb83f285e05684def8">shooting that badly wounded</a>&nbsp;an Omaha police officer.

Kenya Jenkins, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree assault of an officer and use of a firearm to commit a felony. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed three other charges, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-courts/omaha-man-pleads-guilty-to-2021-shooting-of-police-officer-at-westroads-mall/article_6308867a-e0ae-11ee-ac71-bf4e06a137f9.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">Omaha World-Herald</a>&nbsp;reported.

The shooting happened in March 2021 after Jenkins was detained by a loss prevention officer at Westroads Mall who accused him of shoplifting a pack of T-shirts. Officer Jeffrey Wittstruck responded and was trying to put Jenkins in handcuffs when a struggle began.

During the struggle, Jenkins pulled out a gun and shot Wittstruck four times, hitting the officer in the face and neck.

Jenkins fled in a stolen BMW, leading officers on a chase that reached 140 mph (225 kph) that ended in Lincoln, Nebraska.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man from Gary, Indiana, could face up to 100 years in prison after pleading guilty to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-93c9f1f061126bbb83f285e05684def8">shooting that badly wounded</a>&nbsp;an Omaha police officer.Kenya Jenkins, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree assault of an officer and use of a firearm to commit a felony. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed three other charges, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-courts/omaha-man-pleads-guilty-to-2021-shooting-of-police-officer-at-westroads-mall/article_6308867a-e0ae-11ee-ac71-bf4e06a137f9.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">Omaha World-Herald</a>&nbsp;reported.The shooting happened in March 2021 after Jenkins was detained by a loss prevention officer at Westroads Mall who accused him of shoplifting a pack of T-shirts. Officer Jeffrey Wittstruck responded and was trying to put Jenkins in handcuffs when a struggle began.During the struggle, Jenkins pulled out a gun and shot Wittstruck four times, hitting the officer in the face and neck.Jenkins fled in a stolen BMW, leading officers on a chase that reached 140 mph (225 kph) that ended in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Man pleads guilty to a shooting that badly wounded Omaha police officer

WASHINGTON (AP) —Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;plans to announce a running mate for his independent presidential campaign on March 26 in Oakland, California, his campaign said Tuesday.

The campaign did not say whom Kennedy will pick, but he told The New York Times this week that NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura are among the frontrunners.

Kennedy is making an unusually early announcement because of ballot access rules in many states that require independent candidates to name their vice presidential nominees before they can begin the process. Ballot access for independent candidates is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor, with rules varying vastly across states.

Kennedy's father was attorney general for the candidate's uncle, President John F. Kennedy. He began his presidential campaign as a primary challenge to Democratic President Joe Biden but later changed gears to run as an independent. His bid for the presidency, along with his embrace of conspiracy theories and views on vaccines that aren't supported by scientific consensus, have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-joe-biden-2024-democrat-super-bowl-e4dee4be456e643be11735c6e4029377">angered</a>&nbsp;many of his famous relatives.

Kennedy is a lawyer and environmental activist who has found a loyal following among people who believe vaccines are harmful. He's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/politics/election-2024-0000018ca126d7a5a79da57ef5030000">energized supporters</a>&nbsp;alienated from the political system and distrustful of the government, corporations and media.

Candidates from outside the Republican and Democratic parties rarely make a splash, if they can make the ballot to begin with. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whos-running-for-president-2024-f3555069195ad71e466646f826dad779">third-party candidates</a>&nbsp;don’t usually carry a famous last name like Kennedy’s, or his existing network of supporters.

Rodgers, the longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback who now plays for the New York Jets, shares Kennedy’s distrust of vaccine mandates and, like Kennedy, is a fixture on anti-establishment podcasts. Ventura, a former professional wrestler, shocked observers when he won the race for Minnesota governor as an independent candidate in 1998.

WASHINGTON (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/politics/election-2024-0000018ca126d7a5a79da57ef5030000">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;is having conversations with vice presidential candidates as he gets closer to announcing his running mate for his independent presidential bid.

Kennedy told The New York Times that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/aaron-rodgers">NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers</a>&nbsp;and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura are at the top of his list. Stefanie Spear, a campaign spokesperson, confirmed the Times report and said there are other names on Kennedy's short list.

Kennedy, a scion of one of the nation's most prominent political families, has focused on getting access to the ballot, an expensive and time-consuming process that he has said will require him to collect more than a million signatures in a state-by-state effort.

Many states require independent candidates to name a running mate before they can seek access to the ballot, a factor driving the early push for Kennedy to make a pick. Major party candidates generally don't pick vice presidential nominees until closer to their summer conventions.

Kennedy is a lawyer and environmental activist who has become a leading figure in the movement that rejects the scientific consensus around vaccines. and a vocal critic of the public health establishment.

After originally running as a Democrat, he refocused his efforts around an independent campaign last year, spooking loyalists of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, who worry he'll pick up supporters who would otherwise back one of the major party candidates.

Rodgers, the longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback who now plays for the New York Jets, shares Kennedy's distrust of vaccine mandates and, like Kennedy, is a fixture on anti-establishment podcasts. Ventura, a former professional wrestler, shocked observers when he won the race for Minnesota governor as an independent candidate in 1998.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696873934428.png" alt="Kennedy is making an unusually early announcement because of ballot access rules in many states that require independent candidates to name their vice presidential nominees before they can begin the process.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kennedy is making an unusually early announcement because of ballot access rules in many states that require independent candidates to name their vice presidential nominees before they can begin the process.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;plans to announce a running mate for his independent presidential campaign on March 26 in Oakland, California, his campaign said Tuesday.The campaign did not say whom Kennedy will pick, but he told The New York Times this week that NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura are among the frontrunners.Kennedy is making an unusually early announcement because of ballot access rules in many states that require independent candidates to name their vice presidential nominees before they can begin the process. Ballot access for independent candidates is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor, with rules varying vastly across states.Kennedy's father was attorney general for the candidate's uncle, President John F. Kennedy. He began his presidential campaign as a primary challenge to Democratic President Joe Biden but later changed gears to run as an independent. His bid for the presidency, along with his embrace of conspiracy theories and views on vaccines that aren't supported by scientific consensus, have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-joe-biden-2024-democrat-super-bowl-e4dee4be456e643be11735c6e4029377">angered</a>&nbsp;many of his famous relatives.Kennedy is a lawyer and environmental activist who has found a loyal following among people who believe vaccines are harmful. He's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/politics/election-2024-0000018ca126d7a5a79da57ef5030000">energized supporters</a>&nbsp;alienated from the political system and distrustful of the government, corporations and media.Candidates from outside the Republican and Democratic parties rarely make a splash, if they can make the ballot to begin with. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whos-running-for-president-2024-f3555069195ad71e466646f826dad779">third-party candidates</a>&nbsp;don’t usually carry a famous last name like Kennedy’s, or his existing network of supporters.Rodgers, the longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback who now plays for the New York Jets, shares Kennedy’s distrust of vaccine mandates and, like Kennedy, is a fixture on anti-establishment podcasts. Ventura, a former professional wrestler, shocked observers when he won the race for Minnesota governor as an independent candidate in 1998.-----------------------WASHINGTON (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/politics/election-2024-0000018ca126d7a5a79da57ef5030000">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;is having conversations with vice presidential candidates as he gets closer to announcing his running mate for his independent presidential bid.Kennedy told The New York Times that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/aaron-rodgers">NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers</a>&nbsp;and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura are at the top of his list. Stefanie Spear, a campaign spokesperson, confirmed the Times report and said there are other names on Kennedy's short list.Kennedy, a scion of one of the nation's most prominent political families, has focused on getting access to the ballot, an expensive and time-consuming process that he has said will require him to collect more than a million signatures in a state-by-state effort.Many states require independent candidates to name a running mate before they can seek access to the ballot, a factor driving the early push for Kennedy to make a pick. Major party candidates generally don't pick vice presidential nominees until closer to their summer conventions.Kennedy is a lawyer and environmental activist who has become a leading figure in the movement that rejects the scientific consensus around vaccines. and a vocal critic of the public health establishment.After originally running as a Democrat, he refocused his efforts around an independent campaign last year, spooking loyalists of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, who worry he'll pick up supporters who would otherwise back one of the major party candidates.Rodgers, the longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback who now plays for the New York Jets, shares Kennedy's distrust of vaccine mandates and, like Kennedy, is a fixture on anti-establishment podcasts. Ventura, a former professional wrestler, shocked observers when he won the race for Minnesota governor as an independent candidate in 1998.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. forced to name vice presidential running mate early

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the retirement of Jim Macy, director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). His last day will be April 19.

Gov. Pillen thanked Dir. Macy for his nine years of public service and wished him well in all future endeavors.

Thad Fineran will serve as interim director of NDEE starting April 1. He is currently chief of staff to Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard. Fineran will continue as interim director until Gov. Pillen makes a permanent appointment. A national recruitment firm has been enlisted to conduct the search for a new director.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the retirement of Jim Macy, director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). His last day will be April 19.Gov. Pillen thanked Dir. Macy for his nine years of public service and wished him well in all future endeavors.Thad Fineran will serve as interim director of NDEE starting April 1. He is currently chief of staff to Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard. Fineran will continue as interim director until Gov. Pillen makes a permanent appointment. A national recruitment firm has been enlisted to conduct the search for a new director.

NDEE Director Jim Macy Retires from State Government next month

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Dollar Tree will close nearly 1,000 stores and swung to a surprise fourth quarter loss as the discount retailer took a related $1.07 billion goodwill impairment charge.

Shares tumbled 15% before the opening bell Wednesday.

Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year and 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores over the next several years.

Dollar Tree&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a315fcf8a1264ed7bb38ede89611202f">acquired Family Dollar for more than $8 billion</a>&nbsp;almost a decade ago after a bidding war with rival Dollar General, but it has had difficulty absorbing the chain.

“This dramatic cull is the coup de grâce in the rather botched acquisition of the Family Dollar chain, which has caused Dollar Tree nothing but hassle since it was completed back in 2015,” wrote Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData. “Basically, almost ten years on, Dollar Tree is still sifting through the mess it inherited and has not been able to completely turn around,” Saunders said.

Saunders said in an emailed statement that nearly 12% of current Family Dollar stores will be closing over the next three years.

For the three months ended Feb. 3, Dollar Tree lost $1.71 billion, or $7.85 per share. A year earlier the Chesapeake, Virginia, company earned $452.2 million, or $2.04 per share.

Stripping out certain items, earnings were $2.55 per share, which is still short of the per-share earnings of $2.67 expected on Wall Street, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research.

Revenue climbed to $8.64 billion from $7.72 billion, a bit below Wall Street’s estimate of $8.67 billion.

Dollar Tree has been attracting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-consumers-price-gouging-spending-economy-999e81e2f869a0151e2ee6bbb63370af">consumers</a>&nbsp;that have been stung by inflation as they seek to cut spending. During the quarter, sales at Dollar Tree stores open at least a year climbed 6.3%, with traffic up 7.1%. While more shoppers were heading to stores, they were closely watching how much they spent, with average ticket down 0.7%.

At Family Dollar, sales at stores open at least a year slipped 1.2%. Traffic edged up 0.7%, but average ticket fell 2%.

For fiscal 2024, Dollar Tree anticipates earnings between $6.70 and $7.30 per share. Revenue is expected in a range of $31 billion to $32 billion.

Analysts polled by FactSet expect full-year earnings of $7.04 on revenue of $31.68 billion.

Dollar Tree expects first-quarter earnings of $1.33 to $1.48 per share on revenue in a range of $7.6 billion to $7.9 billion.

Wall Street anticipates first-quarter earnings of $1.70 on revenue of $7.68 billion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710339881014.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —Dollar Tree will close nearly 1,000 stores and swung to a surprise fourth quarter loss as the discount retailer took a related $1.07 billion goodwill impairment charge.Shares tumbled 15% before the opening bell Wednesday.Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year and 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores over the next several years.Dollar Tree&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a315fcf8a1264ed7bb38ede89611202f">acquired Family Dollar for more than $8 billion</a>&nbsp;almost a decade ago after a bidding war with rival Dollar General, but it has had difficulty absorbing the chain.“This dramatic cull is the coup de grâce in the rather botched acquisition of the Family Dollar chain, which has caused Dollar Tree nothing but hassle since it was completed back in 2015,” wrote Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData. “Basically, almost ten years on, Dollar Tree is still sifting through the mess it inherited and has not been able to completely turn around,” Saunders said.Saunders said in an emailed statement that nearly 12% of current Family Dollar stores will be closing over the next three years.For the three months ended Feb. 3, Dollar Tree lost $1.71 billion, or $7.85 per share. A year earlier the Chesapeake, Virginia, company earned $452.2 million, or $2.04 per share.Stripping out certain items, earnings were $2.55 per share, which is still short of the per-share earnings of $2.67 expected on Wall Street, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research.Revenue climbed to $8.64 billion from $7.72 billion, a bit below Wall Street’s estimate of $8.67 billion.Dollar Tree has been attracting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-consumers-price-gouging-spending-economy-999e81e2f869a0151e2ee6bbb63370af">consumers</a>&nbsp;that have been stung by inflation as they seek to cut spending. During the quarter, sales at Dollar Tree stores open at least a year climbed 6.3%, with traffic up 7.1%. While more shoppers were heading to stores, they were closely watching how much they spent, with average ticket down 0.7%.At Family Dollar, sales at stores open at least a year slipped 1.2%. Traffic edged up 0.7%, but average ticket fell 2%.For fiscal 2024, Dollar Tree anticipates earnings between $6.70 and $7.30 per share. Revenue is expected in a range of $31 billion to $32 billion.Analysts polled by FactSet expect full-year earnings of $7.04 on revenue of $31.68 billion.Dollar Tree expects first-quarter earnings of $1.33 to $1.48 per share on revenue in a range of $7.6 billion to $7.9 billion.Wall Street anticipates first-quarter earnings of $1.70 on revenue of $7.68 billion.

Dollar Tree, Family Dollar to close nearly 1,000 stores

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement upon the Nebraska Legislature taking up a vote to override LB 307, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt. The body voted to sustain the Governor’s veto, 27-20.

“I appreciate that state senators took the time to evaluate LB 307 and took due notice of concerns that caused me to veto the bill. We need to invest in less harmful ways to combat drug usage and disease transmission that are in line with Nebraska values. I look forward to working with our state senators on those strategies in the next session.”

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement upon the Nebraska Legislature taking up a vote to override LB 307, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt. The body voted to sustain the Governor’s veto, 27-20.“I appreciate that state senators took the time to evaluate LB 307 and took due notice of concerns that caused me to veto the bill. We need to invest in less harmful ways to combat drug usage and disease transmission that are in line with Nebraska values. I look forward to working with our state senators on those strategies in the next session.”

Gov. Pillen Statement to Sustained Veto on LB 307

MOSCOW (AP) —President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened, issuing another blunt warning to the West just days before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-election-ukraine-war-crackdown-dfd4d290bf6a08192eb53068e08f0783">an election</a>&nbsp;in which he’s all but certain to secure another six-year term.

The Russian leader has repeatedly talked about his readiness to use nuclear weapons since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The most recent such threat came in his state-of-the-nation address last month, when he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-state-nation-ukraine-war-security-b7f3e66caf093f405f8bbc278d9ca581">warned the West</a>&nbsp;that deepening its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine would risk a nuclear war.

Asked in an interview with Russian state television released early Wednesday if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin responded that there has been no need for that. He also noted that he doesn’t think that the world is heading for a nuclear war, describing U.S. President Joe Biden as a veteran politician who fully understands the possible dangers of escalation.

Still, the remarks appeared to be a message to the West that he's prepared to use all means to protect his gains in Ukraine.

Putin said that in line with the country’s security doctrine, Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons in case of a threat to “the existence of the Russian state, our sovereignty and independence.”

“All that is written in our strategy, we haven’t changed it,” he said.

In an apparent reference to NATO allies that support Kyiv, he also declared that “the nations that say they have no red lines regarding Russia should realize that Russia won’t have any red lines regarding them either.”

Lithuania's foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, recently lamented that the West too often constrains itself with self-imposed “red lines” regarding Russia. He also welcomed a comment by French President Emmanuel Macron that the possibility of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paris-conference-support-ukraine-zelenskyy-c458a1df3f9a7626128cdeb84050d469">Western troops being sent to Ukraine</a>&nbsp;couldn't be ruled out.

In the wake of recent battlefield gains, Putin argued that Ukraine and its Western allies will eventually have to accept a deal to end the war on Russian terms.

“It shouldn't be a break for the enemy to rearm, but a serious talk involving the guarantees of security for the Russian Federation,” he said.

Putin said that a recent spike in Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia is part of efforts to derail the country's three-day presidential election, which starts Friday and which he's set to win by a landslide, given his near total crackdown on dissent and tight control over Russia's political system.

Russian authorities reported another major attack by Ukrainian drones early Wednesday. The Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 58 drones over six regions. One of the drones hit an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, injuring at least two people and sparking a fire. Another was downed as it was approaching a refinery near St. Petersburg.

Ukraine, meanwhile, reported more Russian attacks early Wednesday.

A Russian strike killed two people and wounded another five in the town of Myrnohrad in the eastern region of Donetsk, about 30 kilometers (about 20 miles) from the front line, according to Gov. Vadym Filashkin. Local rescuers managed to pull a 13-year-old girl out of the rubble of an apartment building.

A five-story building in the northern city of Sumy was struck by a drone launched from Russia overnight, killing two people and wounding eight, according to the regional administration.

In Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown, the death toll from a Russian missile attack the previous night rose to five, Gov. Serhii Lysak said. He said that 43 people were wounded in Kryvyi Rih, including 12 children, the youngest a 2-month-old infant.

“Every day our cities and villages suffer similar attacks. Every day Ukraine loses people because of Russian evil,” Zelenskyy said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="File photo (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)" />
 <figcaption>File photo (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) —President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened, issuing another blunt warning to the West just days before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-election-ukraine-war-crackdown-dfd4d290bf6a08192eb53068e08f0783">an election</a>&nbsp;in which he’s all but certain to secure another six-year term.The Russian leader has repeatedly talked about his readiness to use nuclear weapons since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The most recent such threat came in his state-of-the-nation address last month, when he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-state-nation-ukraine-war-security-b7f3e66caf093f405f8bbc278d9ca581">warned the West</a>&nbsp;that deepening its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine would risk a nuclear war.Asked in an interview with Russian state television released early Wednesday if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin responded that there has been no need for that. He also noted that he doesn’t think that the world is heading for a nuclear war, describing U.S. President Joe Biden as a veteran politician who fully understands the possible dangers of escalation.Still, the remarks appeared to be a message to the West that he's prepared to use all means to protect his gains in Ukraine.Putin said that in line with the country’s security doctrine, Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons in case of a threat to “the existence of the Russian state, our sovereignty and independence.”“All that is written in our strategy, we haven’t changed it,” he said.In an apparent reference to NATO allies that support Kyiv, he also declared that “the nations that say they have no red lines regarding Russia should realize that Russia won’t have any red lines regarding them either.”Lithuania's foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, recently lamented that the West too often constrains itself with self-imposed “red lines” regarding Russia. He also welcomed a comment by French President Emmanuel Macron that the possibility of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paris-conference-support-ukraine-zelenskyy-c458a1df3f9a7626128cdeb84050d469">Western troops being sent to Ukraine</a>&nbsp;couldn't be ruled out.In the wake of recent battlefield gains, Putin argued that Ukraine and its Western allies will eventually have to accept a deal to end the war on Russian terms.“It shouldn't be a break for the enemy to rearm, but a serious talk involving the guarantees of security for the Russian Federation,” he said.Putin said that a recent spike in Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia is part of efforts to derail the country's three-day presidential election, which starts Friday and which he's set to win by a landslide, given his near total crackdown on dissent and tight control over Russia's political system.Russian authorities reported another major attack by Ukrainian drones early Wednesday. The Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 58 drones over six regions. One of the drones hit an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, injuring at least two people and sparking a fire. Another was downed as it was approaching a refinery near St. Petersburg.Ukraine, meanwhile, reported more Russian attacks early Wednesday.A Russian strike killed two people and wounded another five in the town of Myrnohrad in the eastern region of Donetsk, about 30 kilometers (about 20 miles) from the front line, according to Gov. Vadym Filashkin. Local rescuers managed to pull a 13-year-old girl out of the rubble of an apartment building.A five-story building in the northern city of Sumy was struck by a drone launched from Russia overnight, killing two people and wounding eight, according to the regional administration.In Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown, the death toll from a Russian missile attack the previous night rose to five, Gov. Serhii Lysak said. He said that 43 people were wounded in Kryvyi Rih, including 12 children, the youngest a 2-month-old infant.“Every day our cities and villages suffer similar attacks. Every day Ukraine loses people because of Russian evil,” Zelenskyy said.

Putin warns again that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ranked-fifth-in-the-nation-for-low-unemployment-rate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s latest available 2.5% unemployment rate remained steady compared to the month before, while the nation’s clocked in at 3.7%, according to data released Monday.

Nationally, Nebraska was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm">ranked fifth among states</a>&nbsp;for low unemployment, behind North Dakota, which had a 1.9% rate; South Dakota, 2.1%; and Maryland and Vermont, both 2.3%.

The latest data, which is seasonally adjusted,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dol.nebraska.gov/infolink">tracked activity in January.</a>&nbsp;The Labor Bureau’s release was delayed due to the annual benchmarking revision process. February data is to be released later this month.

For January, the state’s 2.5% unemployment rate was unchanged from the revised rate a month previously, but it was up from the 2.1% rate recorded a year ago in January.

Meanwhile, the national seasonally adjusted and preliminary 3.7% unemployment rate for January also was reported to be unchanged from December, but it was up from 3.4% the previous January.

Nebraska Labor Commissioner John Albin said the state’s labor force — which includes all people 16 and older who are either working or actively looking for work —&nbsp;grew by about 5,111 in the year from January 2023 to January 2024 to about 1.05 million people.

“The number of employed workers increased by 1,019 over the year,” he said.

The number of filled nonfarm jobs was 1.038 million in January, down about 23,840 over the month before, the state’s media release reported. Private industries with the most month-to-month growth turned up to be those tied to financial and information services.

The counts of employed and unemployed in the labor force are based on a Census Bureau survey regarding employment status. Individuals who are claiming unemployment benefits, as well as those who are not claiming them, can be counted as unemployed based on their response to the survey.

Those who are not working and are not seeking work are not considered part of the labor force and aren’t included in the unemployment calculation.

Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ranked-fifth-in-the-nation-for-low-unemployment-rate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s latest available 2.5% unemployment rate remained steady compared to the month before, while the nation’s clocked in at 3.7%, according to data released Monday.Nationally, Nebraska was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm">ranked fifth among states</a>&nbsp;for low unemployment, behind North Dakota, which had a 1.9% rate; South Dakota, 2.1%; and Maryland and Vermont, both 2.3%.The latest data, which is seasonally adjusted,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dol.nebraska.gov/infolink">tracked activity in January.</a>&nbsp;The Labor Bureau’s release was delayed due to the annual benchmarking revision process. February data is to be released later this month.For January, the state’s 2.5% unemployment rate was unchanged from the revised rate a month previously, but it was up from the 2.1% rate recorded a year ago in January.Meanwhile, the national seasonally adjusted and preliminary 3.7% unemployment rate for January also was reported to be unchanged from December, but it was up from 3.4% the previous January.Nebraska Labor Commissioner John Albin said the state’s labor force — which includes all people 16 and older who are either working or actively looking for work —&nbsp;grew by about 5,111 in the year from January 2023 to January 2024 to about 1.05 million people.“The number of employed workers increased by 1,019 over the year,” he said.The number of filled nonfarm jobs was 1.038 million in January, down about 23,840 over the month before, the state’s media release reported. Private industries with the most month-to-month growth turned up to be those tied to financial and information services.The counts of employed and unemployed in the labor force are based on a Census Bureau survey regarding employment status. Individuals who are claiming unemployment benefits, as well as those who are not claiming them, can be counted as unemployed based on their response to the survey.Those who are not working and are not seeking work are not considered part of the labor force and aren’t included in the unemployment calculation.

Nebraska ranked fifth in the nation for low unemployment rate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-bill-divest-5b5a685e8f1e19d22182d62526bf19b8">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company's current ownership structure is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">a national security threat</a>.

TikTok, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-biden-bytedance-china-2acbaeb71e8bb0c6341f2bc55ba33e80">more than 150 million American users</a>, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.

The House vote is poised to open a new front in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-government-and-politics-f0f56ec111d85e5f70fe27bb5002e93f">the long-running feud between lawmakers and the tech industry</a>. Members of Congress have long been critical of tech platforms and their expansive influence, often clashing with executives over industry practices. But by targeting TikTok, lawmakers are singling out a platform popular with millions of people, many of whom skew younger, just months before an election.

Opposition to the bill was also bipartisan. Some Republicans said the U.S. should warn consumers if there are data privacy and propaganda concerns, while some Democrats voiced concerns about the impact a ban would have on its millions of users in the U.S., many of which are entrepreneurs and business owners.

Ahead of the House vote, a top national security official in the Biden administration held a closed-door briefing Tuesday with lawmakers to discuss TikTok and the national security implications. Lawmakers are balancing those security concerns against a desire not to limit free speech online.

TikTok has long denied that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if it is asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities. The platform has about 170 million users in the U.S.

The security briefing seemed to change few minds, instead solidifying the views of both sides.

“We have a national security obligation to prevent America's most strategic adversary from being so involved in our lives,” said Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y.

But Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said no information has been shared with him that convinces him TikTok is a national security threat. “My opinion, leaving that briefing, has not changed at all,” he said.

“This idea that we're going to ban, essentially, entrepreneurs, small business owners, the main way how young people actually communicate with each other is to me insane,” Garcia said.

“Not a single thing that we heard in today's classified briefing was unique to TikTok. It was things that happen on every single social media platform,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif.

Republican leaders have moved quickly to bring up the bill after its introduction last week. A House committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bill-support-congress-china-data-f1ec5b720bb68884c6423c62f314dcff">approved</a>&nbsp;the legislation unanimously, on a 50-vote, even after their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users demanding they drop the effort. Some offices even shut off their phones because of the onslaught.

Senators are expressing an openness to the bill but suggested they don’t want to rush ahead.

“It is not for me a redeeming quality that you’re moving very fast in technology because the history shows you make a lot of mistakes,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

In pushing ahead with the legislation, House Republicans are also creating rare daylight between themselves and former President Donald Trump as he seeks another term in the White House.

Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-biden-facebook-cnbc-tik-tok-72768a92439de45b38e88cc255504ab5">voiced opposition</a>&nbsp;to the effort. He said Monday that he still believes TikTok poses a national security risk but is opposed to banning the hugely popular app because doing so would help its rival, Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss.

As president, Trump attempted to ban TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/global-trade-ap-top-news-politics-asia-business-719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8">through an executive order</a>&nbsp;that called “the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People’s Republic of China (China)” a threat to “the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States.” The courts, however,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-a526c144fad9f0ebc37bf2d49a97740a">blocked the action</a>&nbsp;after TikTok sued, arguing such actions would violate free speech and due process rights.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710340791449.png" alt="View of the House floor as the final TikTok bill vote count is announced-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>View of the House floor as the final TikTok bill vote count is announced-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-bill-divest-5b5a685e8f1e19d22182d62526bf19b8">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company's current ownership structure is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">a national security threat</a>.The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear.TikTok, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-biden-bytedance-china-2acbaeb71e8bb0c6341f2bc55ba33e80">more than 150 million American users</a>, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.The lawmakers contend that ByteDance is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-bytedance-user-data-d257d98125f69ac80f983e6067a84911">beholden to the Chinese government</a>, which could demand access to the data of TikTok’s consumers in the U.S. any time it wants. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering.“We have given TikTok a clear choice,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. “Separate from your parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the CCP (the Chinese Communist Party), and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. The choice is TikTok's.”House passage of the bill is only the first step. The Senate would also need to pass the measure for it to become law, and lawmakers in that chamber indicated it would undergo a thorough review. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he'll have to consult with relevant committee chairs to determine the bill's path.President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;has said if Congress passes the measure, he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-tiktok-ban-house-china-aaa884d8c974f0a35856af5ee6aa4e99">sign it</a>.The House vote is poised to open a new front in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-government-and-politics-f0f56ec111d85e5f70fe27bb5002e93f">the long-running feud between lawmakers and the tech industry</a>. Members of Congress have long been critical of tech platforms and their expansive influence, often clashing with executives over industry practices. But by targeting TikTok, lawmakers are singling out a platform popular with millions of people, many of whom skew younger, just months before an election.Opposition to the bill was also bipartisan. Some Republicans said the U.S. should warn consumers if there are data privacy and propaganda concerns, while some Democrats voiced concerns about the impact a ban would have on its millions of users in the U.S., many of which are entrepreneurs and business owners.“The answer to authoritarianism is not more authoritarianism,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif. “The answer to CCP-style propaganda is not CCP-style oppression. Let us slow down before we blunder down this very steep and slippery slope.”Ahead of the House vote, a top national security official in the Biden administration held a closed-door briefing Tuesday with lawmakers to discuss TikTok and the national security implications. Lawmakers are balancing those security concerns against a desire not to limit free speech online.“What we've tried to do here is be very thoughtful and deliberate about the need to force a divestiture of TikTok without granting any authority to the executive branch to regulate content or go after any American company,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, the bill's author, as he emerged from the briefing.TikTok has long denied that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if it is asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities. The platform has about 170 million users in the U.S.The security briefing seemed to change few minds, instead solidifying the views of both sides.“We have a national security obligation to prevent America's most strategic adversary from being so involved in our lives,” said Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y.But Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said no information has been shared with him that convinces him TikTok is a national security threat. “My opinion, leaving that briefing, has not changed at all,” he said.“This idea that we're going to ban, essentially, entrepreneurs, small business owners, the main way how young people actually communicate with each other is to me insane,” Garcia said.“Not a single thing that we heard in today's classified briefing was unique to TikTok. It was things that happen on every single social media platform,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif.Republican leaders have moved quickly to bring up the bill after its introduction last week. A House committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bill-support-congress-china-data-f1ec5b720bb68884c6423c62f314dcff">approved</a>&nbsp;the legislation unanimously, on a 50-vote, even after their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users demanding they drop the effort. Some offices even shut off their phones because of the onslaught.Lawmakers in both parties are anxious to confront China on a range of issues. The House formed a special committee to focus on China-related issues. And Schumer directed committee chairs to begin working with Republicans on a bipartisan China competition bill.Senators are expressing an openness to the bill but suggested they don’t want to rush ahead.“It is not for me a redeeming quality that you’re moving very fast in technology because the history shows you make a lot of mistakes,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.In pushing ahead with the legislation, House Republicans are also creating rare daylight between themselves and former President Donald Trump as he seeks another term in the White House.Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-biden-facebook-cnbc-tik-tok-72768a92439de45b38e88cc255504ab5">voiced opposition</a>&nbsp;to the effort. He said Monday that he still believes TikTok poses a national security risk but is opposed to banning the hugely popular app because doing so would help its rival, Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss.As president, Trump attempted to ban TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/global-trade-ap-top-news-politics-asia-business-719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8">through an executive order</a>&nbsp;that called “the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People’s Republic of China (China)” a threat to “the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States.” The courts, however,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-a526c144fad9f0ebc37bf2d49a97740a">blocked the action</a>&nbsp;after TikTok sued, arguing such actions would violate free speech and due process rights.

House passes bill that would lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner doesn't sell

LINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen has approved regulations governing nonsurgical pharmaceutical gender altering treatments for individuals under nineteen years of age.

"Nebraska’s kids are our future. They deserve the opportunity to grow up and develop to their full, God-given potential,” said Gov. Pillen. “As a state, we must protect children from making potentially irreversible and regrettable decisions – decisions for which they may not completely understand the consequences. I extend my appreciation to the Legislature for the passage of LB 574 and to those at DHHS who worked swiftly and thoroughly to ensure completion of these important regulations.”

The Let Them Grow Act, LB 574 (2023), requires the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) chief medical officer (CMO) to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations governing nonsurgical pharmaceutical gender altering treatments for individuals under nineteen years of age. This includes establishing&nbsp;specific criteria, obligations, or conditions regulating the administration, prescribing, delivery, sale, or use of puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, or both.&nbsp;The&nbsp;regulations must include:

A patient is exempt from these requirements if:

The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State’s Office today, and they will take effect in five days.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen has approved regulations governing nonsurgical pharmaceutical gender altering treatments for individuals under nineteen years of age."Nebraska’s kids are our future. They deserve the opportunity to grow up and develop to their full, God-given potential,” said Gov. Pillen. “As a state, we must protect children from making potentially irreversible and regrettable decisions – decisions for which they may not completely understand the consequences. I extend my appreciation to the Legislature for the passage of LB 574 and to those at DHHS who worked swiftly and thoroughly to ensure completion of these important regulations.”The Let Them Grow Act, LB 574 (2023), requires the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) chief medical officer (CMO) to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations governing nonsurgical pharmaceutical gender altering treatments for individuals under nineteen years of age. This includes establishing&nbsp;specific criteria, obligations, or conditions regulating the administration, prescribing, delivery, sale, or use of puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, or both.&nbsp;The&nbsp;regulations must include:<ol>
 <li>The minimum number of gender-identity-focused therapeutic hours required prior to an individual receiving puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, or both;</li><li>Patient advisory requirements necessary for a health care practitioner to obtain informed patient consent;</li><li>Patient medical record documentation requirements to ensure compliance with the act; and</li><li>A minimum waiting period between the time the health care practitioner obtains informed patient consent and the administration, prescribing, or delivery of puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, or both to such patient.</li>
 </ol>The adopted regulations include:<ul>
 <li>The requirement that a patient receive a minimum of 40 gender-identity-focused contact hours of therapeutic treatment prior to receiving the prescribed medications;</li><li>Required procedures for obtaining and documenting a patient’s informed consent for treatment;</li><li>A minimum waiting period of seven calendar days between the informed patient consent and the time the drugs or hormones are prescribed, administered or delivered to the patient;</li><li>Requirements related to the labeling, administration of, and delivery of the puberty-blocking drugs and/or cross-sex hormones;</li><li>The requirement that a patient under the age of majority must receive at least one therapeutic contact hour every 90 days while the drugs or hormones are being administered to evaluate ongoing effects on the patient’s mental health;</li><li>Patient medial record documentation requirements for prescribing practitioners; and</li><li>The requirement that a health care practitioner obtain three hours of continuing education prior to prescribing drugs or cross-sex hormones.</li>
 </ul>A patient is exempt from these requirements if:<ul>
 <li>The patient began receiving the prescribed medication prior to October 1, 2023;</li><li>The medication is not being prescribed for the treatment of gender nonconformity or gender dysphoria</li><li>The patient has reached the age of 19.</li>
 </ul>The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State’s Office today, and they will take effect in five days.

 Gov. Pillen Approves LB 574 Regulations on Nonsurgical, Gender Altering Treatments

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have officially secured the requisite numbers of delegates to be considered their parties' presumptive nominees.

It was a foreseeable outcome. Biden faced token opposition in the Democratic primary. Several high-profile Republicans ran against Trump but didn't come close to knocking him off course in his third straight Republican bid.

Here is a look at what that means, what's changed, and what still needs to happen before Biden and Trump can drop “presumptive” and just be their parties' official standard-bearers:

‘Presumptive nominee:’ What does it mean?

The Associated Press only uses the “presumptive nominee” designation once a candidate has captured the number of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-election-2024-delegate-tracker">delegates needed</a>&nbsp;to win a majority vote at the national party convention this summer. For Republicans, that number this year is 1.215. On the Democratic side of things, it's 1,968.

The marker essentially ends the presidential primary season, though both Biden and Trump have been largely focusing their energies on each other for months already.

Do the political parties function any differently?

Generally, the national Democratic and Republican parties start coordinating directly with their presumptive nominees once their status is clear, although there have been some exceptions.

Last week, the Republican National Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-national-committee-trump-whatley-legal-fees-53402f8e8ac845db3cf4ab82c882ea74">ushered in new leadership</a>&nbsp;handpicked by Trump, in the form of a new chairman, co-chair and party chief of staff. Trump's installed leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-national-committee-trump-staffing-cuts-46bc8afcc152aecfd471161a59b74005">then moved to fire dozens of RNC staff</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710295653190.png" alt="File photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>File photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have officially secured the requisite numbers of delegates to be considered their parties' presumptive nominees.It was a foreseeable outcome. Biden faced token opposition in the Democratic primary. Several high-profile Republicans ran against Trump but didn't come close to knocking him off course in his third straight Republican bid.Here is a look at what that means, what's changed, and what still needs to happen before Biden and Trump can drop “presumptive” and just be their parties' official standard-bearers:‘Presumptive nominee:’ What does it mean?The Associated Press only uses the “presumptive nominee” designation once a candidate has captured the number of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-election-2024-delegate-tracker">delegates needed</a>&nbsp;to win a majority vote at the national party convention this summer. For Republicans, that number this year is 1.215. On the Democratic side of things, it's 1,968.The marker essentially ends the presidential primary season, though both Biden and Trump have been largely focusing their energies on each other for months already.Do the political parties function any differently?Sort of.Generally, the national Democratic and Republican parties start coordinating directly with their presumptive nominees once their status is clear, although there have been some exceptions.Last week, the Republican National Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-national-committee-trump-whatley-legal-fees-53402f8e8ac845db3cf4ab82c882ea74">ushered in new leadership</a>&nbsp;handpicked by Trump, in the form of a new chairman, co-chair and party chief of staff. Trump's installed leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-national-committee-trump-staffing-cuts-46bc8afcc152aecfd471161a59b74005">then moved to fire dozens of RNC staff</a>.After Trump won both the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary — but still faced GOP opponents — an RNC member who is a longtime Trump ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rnc-trump-presumptive-nominee-haley-2024-campaign-74c529ab8d3804622276f8e197cd3a5c">floated a resolution</a>&nbsp;that would have allowed the party to consider him its “presumptive nominee” and allowed some of that coordination earlier.Trump actually spoke out against the measure — although he said it likely would have succeeded — which was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-haley-rnc-republican-mcdaniel-99230edb3e2f5c41dc7ceb11a8a0ba6a">ultimately withdrawn</a>.As for the Democratic National Committee, Biden is the de facto leader of the party, although any official leadership changes have to go through structured channels. During the 2020 campaign, the DNC shuffled its leadership and entered into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dedbc5ec18de9e503c56f0a7de45fba7">joint fundraising agreement</a>&nbsp;with Biden in April, even though the candidate didn’t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb261be1a4ca285b9422b2f6b93d8d75">clinch the Democratic nomination</a>&nbsp;until June.When do presumptive nominees become official?<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presidential-candidates-2024-301db5ce310cafc97025682b39ceac6e">A presidential candidate</a>&nbsp;doesn’t officially become the Republican or Democratic nominee until winning the vote on the floor of the nominating convention, which takes place this summer. Delegates' casting of votes is mostly a ceremonial procedure, but it hasn’t always been this way.Decades ago, presidential candidates might have run in primaries and caucuses, but the eventual nominees weren’t known until delegates and party bosses hashed things out themselves at the conventions.----------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;clinched their parties' presidential nominations Tuesday with decisive victories in a slate of low-profile primaries, setting up a general election rematch that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-campaign-democrats-republicans-440088966619e68dbf89f745788bb372">many voters do not want</a>.The outcome of contests across Georgia, Mississippi and Washington state was never in doubt. Neither Biden, a Democrat, nor Trump, a Republican, faced major opposition. But the magnitude of their wins gave each man the delegate majority he needed to claim his party's nomination at the summertime national conventions.Not even halfway through the presidential primary calendar, Tuesday marked a crystalizing moment for a nation uneasy with its choices in 2024.There is no longer any doubt that the fall election will feature a rematch between two flawed and unpopular presidents. At 81, Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history, while the 77-year-old Trump is facing decades in prison as a defendant in four criminal cases. Their rematch — the first featuring two U.S. presidents since 1912 — will almost certainly deepen the nation’s searing political and cultural divides over the eight-month grind that lies ahead.In a statement, Biden celebrated the nomination while casting Trump as a serious threat to democracy.Trump, Biden said, “is running a campaign of resentment, revenge, and retribution that threatens the very idea of America.”He continued, “I am honored that the broad coalition of voters representing the rich diversity of the Democratic Party across the country have put their faith in me once again to lead our party — and our country — in a moment when the threat Trump poses is greater than ever.”Trump, in a video posted on social media, celebrated what he called “a great day of victory.”“But now we have to get back to work because we have the worst president in the history of our country,” Trump said of Biden. “So, we're not going to take time to celebrate. We'll celebrate in eight months when the election is over."Both candidates dominated Tuesday's primaries in swing-state Georgia, deep-red Mississippi and Democratic-leaning Washington. Trump also won Hawaii's Republican caucus.Despite their tough talk, the road ahead will not be easy for either presumptive nominee.Trump is facing 91 felony counts in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictments-election-january-6-classified-documents-5cb04868bb1cdf91c19eafdb882af8c0">four criminal cases</a>&nbsp;involving his handling of classified documents and his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, among other alleged crimes. He’s also facing increasingly pointed questions about his policy plans and relationships with some of the world's most dangerous dictators. Trump met privately on Friday with Hungarian Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-orban-hungary-conservatives-autocrats-biden-97d6998f747d3543f2f1df069b0f9165">Viktor Orbán</a>, who has rolled back democracy in his country.Biden, who would be 86 years old at the end of his next term, is working to assure a skeptical electorate that he’s still physically and mentally able to thrive in the world’s most important job. Voters in both parties are unhappy with his handling of immigration and inflation.And he's dealing with additional dissension within his party’s progressive base, furious that he hasn’t done more to stop&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel’s war against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. Activists and religious leaders in Washington encouraged Democrats to vote “uncommitted” to signal their outrage.In Seattle, 26-year-old voter Bella Rivera said they hoped their “uncommitted” vote would would serve as a wakeup call for the Democratic party.“If you really want our votes, if you want to win this election, you’re going to have to show a little bit more either support of Palestinian liberation — that’s something that’s very important to us — and ceasing funds to Israel,” said Rivera, a preschool teacher who uses they/them pronouns.Almost 3,000 miles away in Georgia, retiree Donna Graham said she would have preferred another Republican nominee over Trump, but she said there's no way she'd ever vote for Biden in the general election.“He wasn’t my first choice, but he’s the next best thing,” Graham said of Trump. “It’s sad that it’s the same old matchup as four years ago."___