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https://www.kfornow.com/immigrant-welcoming-and-belonging-plan-released/
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Lincoln, NE (March 31, 2022) The City of Lincoln and Lancaster County today released a new community plan on the role that new Americans will continue to play in local and regional growth. The Welcoming & Belonging Strategic Plan to guide the successful integration of immigrants and refugees into the region includes six key action steps to provide:
“This plan that we are releasing today underscores the vital role that new Americans have played and will continue to play in the economic success and cultural vibrancy of our community,” said Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. “This collaborative work strongly aligns with our One Lincoln initiative to create a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging for every Lincoln resident.”
“For decades, Immigrants have contributed to the cultural vibrancy and economic prosperity of our community,” said Christa Yoakum, Lancaster County Commissioner. “Today, people who are immigrants and refugees build our homes, provide medical services and care for our loved ones, work in our manufacturing and in food production and most of all, they are our neighbors. And we want our neighbors to put down deep roots in our community. Implementing the actions steps outlined in the Welcoming & Belonging Strategic Plan are necessary to shape a more supportive, safe, and successful community for all of us.”
The Welcoming &Belonging Strategic Plan is available at lincoln.ne.gov/onelincoln. It grew out of Lincoln-Lancaster County being selected as one of 19 localities for the Gateways for Growth Challenge in 2020. That program provided the community with access to research support and technical assistance from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America to improve immigrant integration. The plan was developed over the past year with input from community members, immigrants, refugees, stakeholders, and local organizations.
“We are excited to see a tangible, comprehensive strategy come as the result of months of planning and stakeholder engagement,” said Mo Kantner, Director of State and Local Initiatives at the American Immigration Council. “Lancaster County and the City of Lincoln continue to show a clear commitment to ensuring the region is welcoming and inclusive for all, and the local community and economy will reap those benefits.”
“The efforts by the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County to combine data with a strategic plan demonstrate its commitment to taking a comprehensive, community-driven approach to immigrant inclusion,” said Molly Hilligoss, Network Director of Welcoming America. “By harnessing the full talents and potential of immigrant residents, the entire community benefits.”
The Welcoming &Belonging Strategic Plan was released in conjunction with a new report, New Americans in Lancaster County. It was released by New American Economy (now the American Immigration Council) in partnership /with the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County. The report is included as an appendix to the plan, and it findings include the following:
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20220401
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https://www.kfornow.com/backyard-farmer-celebrates-70-years/
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(KFOR NEWS April 1, 2022) Each spring, the annual return of “Backyard Farmer” to the airwaves is as eagerly anticipated as the return of Sandhill cranes to Central Platte waters. The show has been a shared Nebraska experience for generations, featuring practical lawn and gardening advice leavened by lighthearted fun. This year, it celebrates its 70th anniversary.
The show, produced by Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Public Media, retains the same basic format now as when, on June 1, 1953, grainy images of University of Nebraska faculty members appeared on Lincoln-area TV screens during the show’s debut broadcast.
In the familiar setup, a host directs viewer questions to a four-member panel of specialists, usually from Nebraska Extension, in entomology, horticulture, plant pathology, and turfgrass and weeds.
Viewer questions not surprisingly run the gamut: Can I treat this mold growing on my tomato plants? How can I thicken up the grass in these thin spots in my yard? Any suggestions on how I might save this visibly stressed tree? What can I do to stop the outdoor critters that keep chomping on my vegetables?
The program, which has long been characterized as the longest-running locally produced program in the country, will be saluted statewide in April by a gubernatorial proclamation declaring Backyard Farmer Week.
The show is scripted in order for it to move along and end on time, but that still leaves plenty of opportunity for the panelists’ interactions and a certain unpredictability. That down-to-earth aspect has long connected with viewers as the scientific element blends with the human element, said Kim Todd, host of the program since 2004.
“The fact that we make mistakes, forget to say something, mispronounce words, talk with our hands, and refer to off-air and personal experiences to illustrate our points makes us very human,” said Todd, associate professor of agronomy and horticulture and extension landscape specialist. “And since we rotate panelists, those interactions and comments change weekly. Our viewers establish personal connections with us simply by watching the show, and when we meet and greet at live events, they don’t see anyone different — albeit a couple of us are a little shorter in person than when sitting in the studio.”
That sense of connection extends to viewers across the country, noted John Cariotto, a master gardener in Lincoln who coordinates care for the “Backyard Farmer” Garden and Turf Garden on East Campus. He also is one of the volunteers taking viewer phone calls during the show.
“‘Backyard Farmer’ is on the air, but it’s also on the internet,” he said, “so people from all over the world can watch ‘Backyard Farmer.’ We get calls mostly from the viewing area, which includes people from South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and even Colorado and Wyoming.”
But he’s also gotten calls from well outside the Midwest.
“I’ve talked to people from Georgia and other places in the South,” he said. “So the impact of ‘Backyard Farmer’ reaches far beyond the borders of the state of Nebraska. And I imagine that there are people who know Kim Todd and Roch (Gaussoin) and Dennis (Ferraro) and Sarah (Browning) and all of those folks who are on the air.”
Along with its relatable appeal, “Backyard Farmer” offers important practical advice, say Nebraska residents who have participated in Nebraska Extension’s Master Gardener program.
“As a master gardener, the information I glean from the show further solidifies what I have learned,” said Elaine Pile, a Gering resident. “The show gives easily understood material to all viewers, whether they are beginners or seasoned gardeners. The presenters are aware of the varied climate and growing conditions in Nebraska, which is extremely important to viewers as they ask questions.”
The information presented by the panelists, she said, “can be trusted and is unbiased.”
“Backyard Farmer” started out on KFOR-TV (now KOLN/KGIN). In 1955, the program moved to Nebraska Educational Television channel 12, which was located in the basement of the Temple Building on City Campus. Key figures in launching the program to early prominence were George Round, director of university relations and longtime host of the program, and producer Jack McBride, a pioneering leader in Nebraska public television.
The inaugural broadcast in August 1953 featured the kind of relaxed banter that quickly became a familiar part of the show, as Round joked straight away with horticulturalist Wayne Whitney. Whitney, who would appear on the show through 1976, long stood out as a colorful character, blending serious advice with wry comments, and writing and drawing on a board to accompany panelists’ explanations. Viewers came to know his oft-used phrase that plants need “tender loving care.”
Gardeners need to appreciate the nutrient value of manure, Whitley often noted. After a viewer called in and said a cow had eaten all the foliage off her favorite bush, Whitney shared his advice: Turn the cow around.
The human element has long provided an enduring connection with viewers. On a 1987 live program at the Nebraska State Fair, plant pathologist David Wysong sampled hot peppers and discovered that one contained super-heat that nearly left him melting on-air. On the same show, horticulturalist Don Steinegger explained how to judge whether a watermelon is ripe. He was not keen on the thumping method. Entomologist Fred Baxendale loved to bring insects onto the program and show them off. The little creatures, he regularly noted, are “part of nature’s wondrous pageantry.”
Over the years, “Backyard Farmer” has made a special effort to include features from around the state, and the show’s panel has regularly traveled the state to meet directly with Nebraskans.
“‘Backyard Farmer’ is revered among Nebraska gardeners because of the timely, expert advice shared through the panel, as well as the special features and segments,” said James H. Locklear, director of conservation at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha. “And it’s wonderful how different parts of the state are highlighted and celebrated through the on-the-road features, whether the BYF panel is broadcasting from a location away from Lincoln, or when an interesting gardener or landscaping project is profiled.”
The show’s hosts have long noted that the dedication of volunteers is one of the main ingredients that have contributed to Backyard Farmer’s success. The volunteers’ work also includes helping with the “Backyard Farmer” Garden on East Campus. During warm-weather months, the garden receives a steady stream of visitors through scheduled tours and impromptu visits, said Lincoln master gardener Cariotto.
In recent years, an ironic result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to boost the show’s viewership dramatically as people turned toward alternative uses of their spare time. Since March 2020, the numbers for the “Backyard Farmer” YouTube channel have soared to more than 10 million views.
Just as one generation of the show’s panelists has passed the duties to the next generation of extension specialists, so “Backyard Farmer” itself has been a shared experience across generations of Nebraskans.
“We hear from our loyal viewers about how they watched the show with their parents or grandparents,” Todd said, “and we get questions from young parents on behalf of their small children, or from adult children who have moved to a different state.”
That ongoing interaction demonstrates the program’s continuing relevance for viewers. Above all, Todd said, “it is instilling in the people who will care for this planet and one another an appreciation for the wonder and complexity of gardening.”
The 70th season of “Backyard Farmer” premieres at 7 p.m. central time April 7 on Nebraska Public Media. The show airs Thursdays through September and repeats at 10 a.m., on Saturdays on Nebraska Public Media and at 4 p.m. Sundays and 5 p.m. Mondays on Create.
READ MORE: Portion Of Adams Street To Close April 4th
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https://www.kfornow.com/nebraska-advances-1m-for-study-of-troubled-ethanol-plant/
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(KFOR NEWS April 1, 2022) LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska could spend up to $1 million to study the long-term health and environmental consequences of a troubled ethanol plant under a bill advanced Thursday by lawmakers.
The proposal by state Sen. Carol Blood, of Bellevue, would allow University of Nebraska researchers to continue existing work around the AltEn plant near Mead, about 37 miles west of Omaha.
The plant has a long history of environmental problems and has drawn complaints from Mead residents since shortly after it opened in 2015.
The plant was created to process old, pesticide-laced seed corn that is unsuitable for use as an animal feed supplement.
READ MORE: Immigrant Welcoming And Belonging Plan Released
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https://www.kfornow.com/portion-of-adams-street-to-close-april-4th/
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(KFOR NEWS April 1, 2022) Beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, April 4th, Adams Street between North 11th and North 14th streets will be closed for Black Hills Energy meter relocation work.
Access to homes will be maintained when possible. Sidewalks will be closed. This work is scheduled to be completed by Saturday, April 9th.
Digital signs will alert traffic to upcoming work and closures. Travelers are encouraged to seek an alternate route and exercise caution around the work zone. Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) appreciates the public’s patience during this work.
LTU project dates are subject to change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances.
READ MORE: Nebraska Advances $1M For Study Of Troubled Ethanol Plant
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20220401
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https://www.kfornow.com/special-election-to-be-held-june-28th/
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(KFOR NEWS April 1, 2022) A special election to fill the Nebraska First Congressional District vacancy will be held on June 28, 2022. The date was announced Friday morning by Governor Ricketts. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives effective March 31, 2022, creating the vacancy.
Secretary of State Bob Evnen, delivered a letter to the Governor Thursday recommending the June 28 date. The letter also provided other dates and details in the event based upon a June 28th special election date.
Secretary of State pointed out First Congressional District voters will be participating in three elections this year…“the statewide primary on May 10, the First Congressional District special election on June 28, and the statewide general election November 8, 2022.
Nebraska’s First Congressional District is comprised of Butler, Cass, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Lancaster, Madison, Platte, Seward, and Stanton counties, and parts of Sarpy and Polk counties.
April 22 is the deadline for submission of candidate names and filings fees by the Republican and Democratic parties for the special election ballot. The same deadline applies to persons who wish to appear on the ballot by petition. Two thousand valid signatures must be submitted by the deadline by anyone who wishes to petition onto the special election ballot.
As in the primary and general elections, voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots at the polls on June 28 or to cast ballots early. Applicable early voting and registration dates are listed in the attached letter.
For more information visit the Secretary of State’s website https://sos.nebraska.gov/
READ MORE: “Backyard Farmer” Celebrates 70 Years
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20220401
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https://www.kfornow.com/cdc-public-health-determination-and-termination-of-title-42-order/
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Today, following a thorough reassessment, the CDC Director is issuing a Public Health Determination and terminating <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cdcresponse/laws-regulations.html">an Order</a> under 42 U.S.C. §§ 265, 268 and 42 C.F.R. § 71.40 (i.e., “Title 42”), suspending the right to introduce migrants into the United States.
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20220401
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https://www.kfornow.com/judge-upholds-ghislaine-maxwells-sex-trafficking-conviction/
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NEW YORK (AP) – A judge has declined to throw out Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking conviction, despite a juror’s failure to disclose he’d been a victim of childhood sexual abuse.
U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan on Friday refused to order a new trial for Maxwell, who was convicted in December of helping the American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein abuse several teenage girls.
The judge ruled weeks after questioning the juror, who said he never intentionally answered a question about sex abuse wrong on a questionnaire before the trial began.
Defense lawyers potentially could have objected to his presence on the jury.
Maxwell says she’s innocent.
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20220401
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https://www.kfornow.com/number-of-hospitalized-covid-patients-in-u-s-hits-record-low/
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NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, offering a much needed break to health care workers and patients alike following the omicron surge.
The number of patients hospitalized with the coronavirus has fallen more than 90% in more than two months, and some hospitals are going days without a single COVID-19 patient in the ICU for the first time since early 2020.
The freed up beds are expected to help U.S. hospitals retain exhausted staff, treat non-COVID-19 patients more quickly and cut down on inflated costs.
More family members can visit loved ones.
And doctors hope to see a correction to the slide in pediatric visits, yearly checkups and cancer screenings
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20220401
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https://www.kfornow.com/press-secretary-psaki-wont-confirm-shes-leaving-white-house/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – White House press secretary Jen Psaki isn’t confirming reports that she’ll soon take a TV job at MSNBC.
She says she’s focused on her job as President Joe Biden’s chief spokesperson.
Questioned about reports that she will leave the White House in May to work for MSNBC, Psaki said at her briefing Friday that “I have nothing to confirm about my length of public service or planned service or anything about consideration about next plans.”
The Axios news site reported Friday that Psaki is in talks to join MSNBC after she leaves the White House in May.
MSNBC did not respond to requests for comment.
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https://www.kfornow.com/registration-begins-april-4-for-swimming-lessons-swim-dive-teams/
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Lincoln, NE (April 1, 2022) Registration begins at 9 a.m., Monday, April 4 for Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department swimming lessons and swim/dive team league. Registration is available online at lincoln.ne.gov/pools or at the Aquatics Office, second floor, 1225 “F” St.
Swim and dive league is for youth ages 6 to 18. Enrollment is limited to 100 per team, and early registration is suggested. Registration is $71 for either team. Registering a child for both teams is an additional $25. There is a $5 discount for each additional child in either team.
Swim teams are planned at Ballard, Eden, Highlands, Irvingdale, Star City Shores, University Place and Woods Pools. Dive teams are planned at Eden, Irvingdale, University Place and Woods Pools. Practice begins June 6. The season ends with the All-City Meets on July 21 (dive team), July 23 (swim team).
Parker’s Swim Lessons is a multi-week swimming program taught at Arnold Heights, Ballard, Eden, Highlands, Irvingdale, Star City Shores, University Place and Woods Pools. Registration is $60 per child. Sessions and times vary by location. Not all locations offer all levels or times. Visit lincoln.ne.gov/pools for pool schedules or call the Aquatics Office at 402-441-7960. Sessions include:
Need-based scholarships are available to qualified families for leagues and lessons. For more information contact the Aquatics Office at 402-441-7960.
City pools are open May 28 through August 14. Locations and phone numbers are as follows:
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https://www.kfornow.com/three-big-drug-cargoes-intercepted-along-i-80-corridor/
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APRIL 1, 2022 (GRAND ISLAND, NEB.) — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested three people after locating numerous controlled substances during traffic stops in various parts of Nebraska this week.
Tuesday at approximately 11:20 a.m., a trooper contacted the driver of a GMC Sierra at the Kearney Rest Area, at mile marker 269 of I-80. During the encounter, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 2 pounds of cocaine, concealed inside the center console. The driver, Dionicio Sandoval Alvarez, 31, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was arrested for possession of cocaine – more than 140 grams, possession with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp. He was lodged in Buffalo County Jail.
At approximately 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, a trooper observed a Nissan Quest speeding on I-80 near Waco, at mile marker 360. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 222 pounds of marijuana, concealed in duffel bags in the cargo area of the van. The driver, Rigoberto Prado Barajas, 23, of Patterson, California, was arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp. He was lodged in York County Jail.
Thursday, at approximately 11:45 a.m., a trooper observed a Chevrolet minivan speeding on Highway 30 in Shelton. During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 61 pounds of marijuana, over 750 THC vape cartridges, over 100 syringes of suspected ketamine, 2 pounds of marijuana wax, 24 dosage units of LSD, over 380 packages of THC edibles, and smaller amounts of cocaine, ketamine, DMT, ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms and chocolate bars, amphetamine, unknown pills, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. The driver, Kelly Scheel, 48, of Salem, Oregon, was arrested for several drug offenses. He was lodged in Buffalo County Jail.
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https://www.kfornow.com/us-added-431000-jobs-in-march-in-sign-of-economic-health/
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(AP) — America’s employers extended a streak of robust hiring in March, adding 431,000 jobs in a sign of the economy’s resilience in the face of a still-destructive pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine and the highest inflation in 40 years.
The government’s report Friday showed that last month’s job growth helped shrink the unemployment rate to 3.6%. That’s the lowest rate since the pandemic erupted two years ago and just above the half-century low of 3.5% that was reached two years ago.
Despite the inflation surge, persistent supply bottlenecks, damage from COVID-19 and now a war in Europe, employers have added at least 400,000 jobs for 11 straight months. In its report, the government also sharply revised up its estimate of hiring in January and February by a combined 95,000 jobs.
The job growth in March, though solid, was the lowest since September and slightly below what economists had expected. Still, Vincent Reinhart, chief economist at Dreyfus and Mellon, said the numbers show that “the U.S. economy continues to have underlying momentum and that firms are taking workers when they can.″
The March report sketched a bright picture of the job market, with steady hiring and rising wages. Average hourly pay has risen a strong 5.6% over the past 12 months, welcome news for employees across the economy. For leisure and hospitality workers, including people who work in hotels, restaurants and bars, average pay has jumped 11.8% from a year earlier — “a clear sign that employers are desperate for staff,” said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, which advocates for better pay and conditions for service employees.
For most workers, though, pay raises aren’t keeping up with the spike in inflation that has put the Federal Reserve on track to raise rates multiple times, perhaps aggressively, in the coming months. Those rate hikes will result in costlier loans for many consumers and businesses. In the meantime, worker pay raises, a response in many cases to labor shortages, are themselves feeding the economy’s inflation pressures.
The steady job growth has failed to buoy President Joe Biden’s flagging popularity, with the gains overshadowed in the public’s mind by chronically high inflation. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine driving oil and gasoline prices higher, Biden has announced plans to release a million barrels of oil daily from the U.S. strategic reserve for the next six months.
Since the pandemic struck in 2020, many Americans have remained on the sidelines of the job market, a trend that has contributed to the worker shortage in many industries. But in an encouraging sign for the economy, 418,000 people began looking for a job in March, and many found one. Over the past year, 3.8 million people have rejoined the labor force, meaning they now either have a job or are looking for one.
Across the economy, hiring gains were widespread last month. Restaurants and bars added 61,000 jobs, retailers 49,000, manufacturers 38,000 and hotels 25,000. Construction jobs rose by 19,000 and have now returned to their pre-pandemic level.
Some economists sounded a note of caution, though, suggesting that the prospect of much higher borrowing rates engineered by the Fed will inevitably slow the job market and the overall economy.
“We continue to expect that the Federal Reserve will move rates up expeditiously to counter surging inflation, and that this report only adds more urgency to their plans to do so,” said Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association.
For now, the job market continues to rebound from the coronavirus recession. Fueled by generous federal aid, savings amassed during the pandemic and ultra-low borrowing rates orchestrated by the Fed, U.S. consumers have spent so fast that many factories, warehouses, shipping companies and ports have failed to keep pace with their customer demand. Supply chains have snarled, forcing up prices.
The proportion of Americans who are either working or looking for work — the so-called labor force participation rate — ticked up to 62.4% last month, the highest since the early days of the pandemic in March 2020. Even so, the participation rate remains a full percentage point below its pre-pandemic level, limiting the pool of potential job applicants employers can choose from. Many Americans remain on the sidelines because of lingering health concerns and trouble finding childcare.
“You can’t keep adding 400,000 workers a month without running out of workers,″ said Reinhart, a former high-ranking Fed economist.
Reinhart said he expects higher interest rates, on top of the expiration of government aid, to eventually slow hiring to “a more sustainable” pace.
“The bad news,” he said, “is we haven’t yet recovered the pre-pandemic level of employment, and it will take longer” to get there.
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh suggested Friday that the streak of hiring gains may be “sustainable for a little while″ but that “the key to us going forward″ would be drawing more Americans back to the job market.
Karen Fichuk, CEO of the staffing company Randstad North America, noted that the economy now has a record 1.7 job openings for every unemployed person.
“Even if you get all the unemployed workers back, it still leaves a gap,” she said. “We need to attract people back into the workforce.’’
In particular, Fichuk said, businesses need to draw more women back by, for example, offering flexible hours and childcare centers or stipends for childcare expenses.
It’s unclear how long the economy can maintain its momentum of the past year, especially as high inflation pinches family budgets and the Fed’s rate hikes slow economic activity. Hourly pay, adjusted for higher consumer prices, fell 2.6% in February from a year earlier — the 11th straight month in which inflation has outpaced year-over-year wage growth. According to AAA, average gasoline prices, at $4.23 a gallon, are up a dizzying 47% from a year ago.
At the same time, the job market has kept hurtling ahead. Employers posted a near-record 11.3 million positions in February. Nearly 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs, a sign of confidence that they could find something better.
At Threshold Brands, a company in Newport Beach, California, that operates eight brands specializing in home services and repair, franchisees are struggling to hire fast enough to keep up with orders.
“If they could just add more people, they could meet all that demand,” said Hagan Kappler, the company’s CEO. “They’re having to turn business away.’’
Some businesses are trying novel ways to hire and retain employees. InHome Therapy in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, needs highly skilled physical, occupational and speech therapists to treat patients in their homes. Besides paying therapist salaries of $90,000 to $120,000 a year, InHome provides company cars and helps employees repay student loans.
“They longer they stay with us,” said CEO Matt Murphy, “the more of their student loans we’ll help them pay back.”
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https://www.kfornow.com/volunteers-needed-for-rose-garden-cleanup-april-9/
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Lincoln, NE (April 1, 2022) Lincoln Parks and Recreation invites residents to volunteer for a rose garden maintenance project Saturday, April 9. Volunteers should arrive at 1 p.m. at the Hamann Rose Garden, just southeast of the South 27 Street and Capitol Parkway intersection and west of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.
Staff from the Public Gardens Section will teach volunteers the proper spring pruning and maintenance techniques for various types of roses including hybrid teas, miniature roses, climbing roses, and shrub roses. Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate gardening clothing and bring, pruners, loppers and leather gloves. A limited number of tools also will be available.
To register, contact Zac Halley at [email protected] or 402-326-9045. For more information Lincoln parks and gardens, visit parks.lincoln.ne.gov.
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20220401
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https://www.kfornow.com/i-80-roadwork-between-lincoln-and-greenwood-interchange-starts-april-3/
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(KOLN Lincoln NE April 2, 2022) Weather permitting, work will begin April 3, on I-80 between Lincoln (Exit 405) and the Greenwood Interchange (Exit 420), according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
Iowa Civil Contracting Inc., of Victor, Iowa, is the contractor for the project. Work includes pavement repairs, crack and joint sealing, and new pavement markings throughout the project. Work on this project will take place at night, from 8:00 p.m. through 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
Traffic will be maintained with reduced speeds and lane closures. Anticipated completion is summer 2022.
Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.
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20220403
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https://www.kfornow.com/nebraska-passing-on-aid-likely-to-benefit-renters-in-lincoln-and-omaha/
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(WOWT Omaha NE April 2, 2022) Nebraska’s most populated areas stand to gain more rental assistance funds even as the governor declines to apply for additional federal aid that would be available to all Nebraskans.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Treasury outlined how it will reallocate funds not applied for, distributing them to areas that are running out of funds and those demonstrating the greatest need — but also prioritizing keeping those funds in the same state as much as possible.
This means that because Omaha and Lincoln were able to apply separately for the federal rental assistance funds, the state’s urban populations stand to benefit from Gov. Pete Ricketts’ inaction on the second round of funding.
The government’s $46 billion rent relief program helped about 1.36 million renters. A report from Eviction Lab found it had a big impact on low-income and Black neighborhoods in particular, with those areas showing the largest reduction in eviction filings last year.
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20220403
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https://www.kfornow.com/nebraska-high-school-sports-hall-of-fame-announces-2022-inductees/
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LINCOLN (Apr. 3, 2022 – KFOR) The Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame has announced the 20 individuals who will be inducted into the hall of fame later this year.
The induction ceremony will be held on Sept. 25, 2022 at Lincoln East High School.
This year’s inductees are:
Athletes:
Dominique Kelley – Lincoln Northeast (2007)
Bruce Benedict – Millard (1973)
Chris Bober – Omaha South (1995)
Alex Henery – Omaha Burke (2006)
Niles Paul – Omaha North (2007)
K.C. Cowgill – Grand Island Central Catholic (2002)
Phyllis (DeBuhr) Mazour – Beatrice (1984)
Amber (Hegge) Cunningham – Crofton (2007)
Michele (Shoemaker) Meyer – Ansley (1990)
Fran ten (Bensel) Benne – Arapahoe (1988)
Kristi Woodard – Bellevue West (2002)
Neil Unterseher – Lincoln High (1958)
Coaches:
Darrel Hoffman – Beatrice
Arnie Johnson – Albion
Gaylen Kamrath – David City
Jody Rhodes – Paxton
Dan Sorge – Shickley
Contributors:
Karen Hand – Lincoln
Buck Mahoney – Kearney
Officials:
Ann Schroeder – Lincoln
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20220404
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https://www.kfornow.com/college-baseball-creighton-continues-to-roll-with-sweep-of-the-citadel/
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OMAHA–(CU Athletics Apr. 3)–Creighton Baseball won for the 11th time in the last 12 games with an 8-3 win over The Citadel to complete a weekend sweep over the Bulldogs.
The Bluejays (15-7) have now won 11 straight games inside Charles Schwab Field Omaha dating to last season, a park record.
Freshman catcher Hogan Helligso had two hits, two runs and drove home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to lead the Bluejay offense, which also saw Alan Roden go 3-for-4 with two RBI and Jared Wegner go 2-for-3 and launch his third home run in the past two days.
The Bluejay offense supported another strong outing by their pitching staff. Cade Lommel threw 5.1 innings of one-run ball in his longest start of the year before giving way to Tommy Lamb. Lamb induced a line drive double play to escape the sixth inning before Daniel Hammond needed just 10 pitches to retire three batters in the seventh.
Neither team scored in the first three frames before The Citadel’s (17-10) Ryan McCarthy homered to right to lead off the top of the fourth inning. But for the third time in as many days, The Citadel could not hold onto the lead against the host Bluejays.
CU tied the game in the fifth inning when Helligso singled, moved to second on a groundout and scored on Wegner’s single to left.
The Bulldogs ran into a pair of outs in the sixth inning. Tilo Skole reached on a bunt single but was cut down trying to advance to third on McCarthy’s single to left. After another single from Noah Mitchell put men on the corners with one out and ended Lommel’s day, Lamb came on and escaped any damage when first baseman Alan Roden snagged a line drive off the bat of Cole Simpson and stepped on first to double off Mitchell.
After a pair of Bluejays reached in the bottom of the sixth inning, CU went ahead when Helligso’s blooper dropped just behind second base for a double that plated Brant Voth, ending the day for Bulldog starter Ben Hutchins. Andrew Meggs was walked by reliever Tyler Dunn before Roden doubled down the right field line to extend the CU lead to 4-1. After a walk to Wegner ended Dunn’s afternoon, Nolan Sailors singled against reliever George Derrick Floyd to score a pair and make it 6-1.
The Citadel scored twice against CU’s Paul Bergstrom in the eighth inning and brought the tying runner to the plate with one out after a two-run single by McCarthy before Bergstrom wiggled out of the jam with CU ahead 6-3.
Creighton tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth as Roden doubled and scored on Wegner’s team-high sixth homer of the season.
Bluejay closer Tommy Steier needed just 14 pitches to retire the Bulldogs in the ninth to procure the sweep.
Creighton returns to action on Tuesday at 6 p.m. when it visits Kansas State. That game will air on ESPN+.
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https://www.kfornow.com/crash-sunday-evening-sends-motorcyclist-to-the-hospital/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 4)–One person was hurt after a collision between a motorcycle and car near downtown Lincoln on Sunday evening. Police Sgt. Steve Wiese tells KFOR News both the motorcycle and car were southbound on 11th Street between “G” and “F” Streets.
“The motorcyclist went, apparently, to go around the sedan as the sedan was making a U-turn on the street,” Wiese said.
Upon impact, the motorcyclist was thrown off the motorcycle. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and was taken to a Lincoln hospital in critical but stable condition. Wiese says alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash.
No citations have been issued yet.
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https://www.kfornow.com/fire-heavily-damages-northeast-lincoln-home/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 4)–The exact cause of a fire that left $220,000 worth of damage to a home and garage Sunday afternoon off of 62nd and Judson remains under investigation.
LFR says the fire did originate from a vehicle in the garage and spread to the kitchen. One person was hurt and taken to a Lincoln hospital. Their condition isn’t known.
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https://www.kfornow.com/husker-baseball-nebraska-sweeps-ohio-state-in-weekend-series/
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COLUMBUS, OH–(NU Athletics Apr. 3)–The Nebraska Baseball team clinched the series sweep over Ohio State with a 17-5 win at Bill Davis Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska (12-14, 4-2 Big Ten) scored a season-high 17 runs on 16 hits, while the Buckeyes had five runs on 11 hits and committed an error. The Husker offense hit 10-of-19 (.526) and scored 13 of its 17 runs with two outs on Sunday, while the Nebraska defense turned three double plays in the victory.
Dawson McCarville pitched four innings in his seventh start this season, allowing three runs on six hits and recording two strikeouts and walks. Jaxon Jelkin moved to 1-1 on the year after tossing two shutout innings with one hit. Mason Ornelas threw two innings, while Chandler Benson pitched the final inning.
Brice Matthews went 3-for-5 at the plate with pair of RBI and runs to extend his on-base streak to 20 games. Max Anderson was 3-for-7 with two RBI and two runs, while Cam Chick was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with five walks and a team-high four runs. Chick’s five walks ties a school record, joining Jim Bailey (vs. Chicago State, March 16, 1999) and Tom Novak (vs. Denver College, April 18, 1949) in the record books.
Luke Sartori went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, four RBI and three runs on the day. Garrett Anglim and Efry Cervantes also had two hits in the win. Sartori’s grand slam in the top of the ninth gave Nebraska a grand slam in back-to-back games for the first time since Kash Kalkowksi and Kale Kiser vs. Washington and Missouri State on Feb. 19-20, 2011.
Nebraska went to work early, scoring a pair of runs on two hits in the first inning. Wimmers stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs and knocked a two-RBI single back up the middle to plate Chick and Anderson.
Ohio State responded quickly with three runs on three hits in the bottom half of the first. An RBI single up the middle by Tyler Pettorini broke open the scoring for the Buckeyes, while Colton Bauer tacked on two more with a two-RBI single to center.
Jack Steil led off the fourth reaching on a hit by pitch and advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and a balk. Steil scored from third after an RBI groundout by Matthews to tie the game at three, before Everitt lifted a two-RBI double to right center, scoring Chick and Anderson to give the Big Red a 5-3 lead.
A fielder’s choice and walk put Sartori and Steil on first and second, before back-to-back two-out RBI singles by Matthews and Chick plated both Huskers stretched the lead to 7-3 for Nebraska in the fifth.
The Huskers added three runs on two hits in the seventh to blow the game open with a 10-3 advantage. Nebraska loaded the bases with no outs to start the inning and got its eighth run of the game after Anderson’s RBI groundout to the shortstop scored Sartori. The Big Red reached a double-digit run total for the sixth time this season after Anglim drilled a two-RBI double down the left field line to score Matthews and Chick.
Ohio State scored its final two runs in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run homer to right by Trey Lipsey.
The Huskers unloaded seven runs on seven hits in the top of the ninth to clinch the 17-5 rout of the Buckeyes. Anderson and Cervantes had RBI singles and Everitt knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice, before Sartori smacked his first home run as a Husker with a no-doubt grand slam over the fence in left.
Nebraska ventures to Omaha on Wednesday, April 6 to take on the Mavericks at Tal Anderson Field. First pitch between the Huskers and Mavericks is set for 6:30 p.m.
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https://www.kfornow.com/husker-softball-nebraska-sweeps-rutgers-behind-kinneys-pitching-and-hitting/
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LINCOLN–(NU Athletics Apr. 3)–Kaylin Kinney pitched the complete game shutout while adding a home run and four RBIs to power the Nebraska softball team to a 9-0 five-inning victory over Rutgers to claim the weekend series at Bowlin Stadium.
Kinney (1-1) held the Scarlet Knights to one hit, striking out four and walking one. On offense, the sophomore was 2-for-2 including a three-run homer in the bottom of the second to help NU take an early lead. While Kinney’s blast got the offense started, Mya Felder hit a two-run homer to start a five-run third inning. Cam Ybarra added two RBIs for Nebraska (25-9, 5-0 Big Ten), which picked up its 10th consecutive win.
Ashley Hitchcock (9-11) took the loss for Rutgers, which fell to 23-15 (1-5 Big Ten) on the season after losing to the Huskers. Hitchcock allowed five runs and five hits in 2.0 innings.
After a scoreless first inning, the Huskers went up three in the second inning. With two outs, Peyton Glatter singled to left field. Caitynn Neal reached first after being hit by a pitch. Kaylin Kinney smashed a three-run homer for her third home run of the season to make it 3-0.
Nebraska extended its lead with five runs in the third. Sydney Gray led off with a single to right field followed by a two-run homer from Mya Felder over the left-center field fence. Ava Bredwell reached first on an error followed by Peyton Glatter reaching after being hit by a pitch. With one out, Kaylin Kinney singled to right field, scoring Bredwell. Billie Andrews was walked to load the bases. Cam Ybarra singled to left field, scoring two, to extend the lead to 8-0.
The Big Red added one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, singles from Mya Felder and Abbie Squier put a runner in scoring position. Ava Bredwell reached on a fielder’s choice while an error on the throw scored Camyl Armendariz (who was pinch running for Felder). The Huskers went into the fifth inning ahead, 9-0.
Two strikeouts and a line out for the Scarlet Knights sealed the 9-0 run-rule victory for the Huskers.
Nebraska travels to East Lansing, Mich., next weekend to take on the Michigan State Spartans in a three-game series. Game one is set for Friday, April 8 at 5 p.m. (CT). On Saturday, NU will face MSU at 1 p.m. (CT). The third and final game will be on Sunday, April 10 at 12 p.m. (CT).
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https://www.kfornow.com/arrest-made-in-connection-with-sacramento-mass-shooting/
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento police announced an arrest Monday connected to the shooting that killed six people and wounded a dozen others in the heart of California’s capital as at least two shooters fired more than 100 rounds and people ran for their lives.
Police said they booked Dandrae Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three homes in the area.
The arrest came as the six victims killed were identified in the shooting that occurred Sunday at about 2 a.m. as bars were closing and patrons filled the streets near the state Capitol.
The Sacramento County coroner identified the three women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men killed were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and Devazia Turner, 29.
The burst of rapid-fire gunshots sent people running in terror in the neighborhood just a few blocks from Golden One Arena, where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings held a moment of silence for the victims before their game Sunday night.
Detectives were trying to determine if a stolen handgun found at the crime scene was connected to the shooting, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. She pleaded with the public to share videos and other evidence that could lead to the killers.
“The scale of violence that just happened in our city is unprecedented during my 27 years here,” Lester told reporters during a news conference at police headquarters. “We are shocked and heartbroken by this tragedy.”
Martin was not arrested for any homicide-related charge, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said.
“The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence,” Schubert said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case.”
He was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in Sacramento Superior Court on Tuesday, according to jail records. His criminal record was not disclosed but records showed he was also wanted on a misdemeanor warrant by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in Southern California.
It was not immediately clear whether Martin had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday.
At the scene where the chaos erupted, streets were reopened Monday and police tape had been removed.
On sidewalks where video had shown victims writhing in pain, memorials began to grow with candles, balloons, flowers and stuffed animals paying tribute to the lives lost. One balloon had a message on it saying in part: “You will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. Nothing will ever be the same.”
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and other city officials decried escalating violence in the city while also urging people to keep coming downtown for events like NBA games and performances of the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
“We can never accept it as normal and we never will,” Steinberg said of the shooting. “But we also have to live our lives.”
The gunfire erupted just after a fight broke out on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars and police said they were investigating whether the altercation was connected to the shooting. Video from witnesses posted on social media showed rapid gunfire for at least 45 seconds as people screamed and ran for cover.
The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.
From her window on the fourth floor of the hotel, 18-year-old Kelsey Schar said she saw a man running while firing a gun. She could see flashes from the weapon in the darkness as people ran for cover.
Schar’s friend, Madalyn Woodward, said she saw a girl who appeared to have been shot in the arm lying on the ground. Security guards from a nearby nightclub rushed to help the girl with what looked like napkins to try to stanch the bleeding.
Sunday’s violence was the third time in the U.S. this year that at least six people have been killed in a mass shooting, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. And it was the second mass shooting in Sacramento in the last five weeks.
President Joe Biden called for action on gun crimes in a statement Sunday.
“Today, America once again mourns for another community devastated by gun violence,” Biden said. “But we must do more than mourn; we must act.”
On Feb. 28, a father killed his three daughters, a chaperone and himself in a Sacramento church during a weekly supervised visitation. David Mora, 39, was armed with a homemade semiautomatic rifle-style weapon, even though he was under a restraining order that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.
The crime scene Sunday sprawled across two city blocks, closing off a large swath of the city’s downtown. Bodies remained on the pavement throughout the day as Lester said investigators worked to process a “really complex and complicated scene” to make sure investigators gathered all the evidence they could to “see the perpetrators of this crime brought to justice.”
Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, who represents the area, said she’s fielded too many phone calls reporting violence in her district during her 15 months in office. She cried at a news conference as she told reporters that the latest phone call woke her up at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
“I’m heartbroken and I’m outraged,” she said. “Our community deserves better than this.”
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https://www.kfornow.com/city-council-approves-new-human-resources-director-for-city-county/
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Lincoln, NE (April 4, 2022) The City Council has approved Barb McIntyre of Lincoln as the next Director of the Human Resources Department for the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County. McIntyre has a 20-year career in human resources leadership. She will take over the post next Monday, April 11. McIntyre replaces Doug McDaniel, who served in the role for a decade and retired in February.
“We said the next Director of the Human Resources Department should possess a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to inclusive excellence,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “Barb McIntyre demonstrated all of these qualities and rose to the top of an excellent field of candidates identified through a robust national search for this very important role.”
McIntyre has served as Director of Human Resources for the Nebraska Department of Transportation since 2020. Previously, she was the Chief Human Resources Officer with JEO Consulting Group for four years and a Director of Human Resources at Ameritas for 11 years. McIntyre has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Doane University and a master’s degree in human resources from Troy University. She is certified as a Classification Compensation Professional (CCP), a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and a Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).
“Organizations are about people and organizations with the best people achieve outstanding accomplishments,” McIntyre said. “I believe the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County are great organizations and have an unparalleled capability to make a positive impact through their people.”
“During her participation in the search process, Barb articulated a vision for supporting and developing a workforce that provides critical services to our community members,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “I look forward to working alongside her and our partners in Lancaster County that rely on our HR team to do just that.”
“The County Board is extremely impressed with Barb’s extensive and comprehensive human resources career in both the private and public sector,” said Deb Schorr, Chair of the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners. “Her track record of successfully implementing talent acquisition strategies, including simplifying the application process, will be vital to the recruitment of qualified applicants in the current market and to furthering Lancaster County’s mission to create a diverse workforce. The County Board looks forward to the energy, experience, and forward-looking approaches that Barb will bring to the City and the County.”
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https://www.kfornow.com/coroner-ids-6-people-killed-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities in California’s capital city on Monday identified the six people killed in Sacramento’s mass shooting as police searched for at least two shooters who opened fire in a crowd as bar patrons filled the streets at closing time on the outskirts of the city’s entertainment district.
The Sacramento County coroner identifed the three women who were killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three male victims were identified as Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and Devazia Turner, 29. One of the victims had been identified Sunday.
The sound of rapid-fire gunshots at about 2 a.m. sent people running in terror. Twelve people were wounded in the neighborhood anchored by the Golden One Arena that hosts concerts and the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. The team’s home game against the Golden State Warriors went on as scheduled Sunday night and began with a moment of silence for the victims.
Police Chief Kathy Lester revealed few details from the investigation and pleaded with the public to share videos and other evidence that could lead to the killers.
“The scale of violence that just happened in our city is unprecedented during my 27 years here,” Lester told reporters during a news conference at police headquarters. “We are shocked and heartbroken by this tragedy. But we are also resolved as an agency to find those responsible and to secure justice for the victims and the families.”
Small memorials with candles, balloons and flowers were placed Monday morning near the crime scene. One balloon had a message on it saying in part: “You will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. Nothing will ever be the same.”
Streets were reopened to car and foot traffic and police tape had been removed. Aside from a handful of TV cameras, there was little indication on the downtown block of the previous day’s bloodshed.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and other city officials decried escalating violence in the city while also urging people to keep coming downtown for events like NBA games and performances of the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
“We can never accept it as normal and we never will,” Steinberg said of the shooting. “But we also have to live our lives.”
The gunfire erupted just after a fight broke out on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars and police said they were investigating whether the altercation was connected to the shooting. Video from witnesses posted on social media showed rapid gunfire for at least 45 seconds as people screamed and ran for cover.
The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.
From her window on the fourth floor of the hotel, 18-year-old Kelsey Schar said she saw a man running while firing a gun. She could see flashes from the weapon in the darkness as people ran for cover.
Schar’s friend, Madalyn Woodward, said she saw a girl who appeared to have been shot in the arm lying on the ground. Security guards from a nearby nightclub rushed to help the girl with what looked like napkins to try to stanch the bleeding.
Police found a stolen handgun and were investigating if it was used in the shooting. The dead included three men and three women. Authorities were still working to notify family members, and had publicly identified only one victim as of late Sunday, 38-year-old Sergio Harris, without providing a cause of death. Of the 12 wounded, at least four had critical injuries, according to the Sacramento Fire Department.
Sunday’s violence was the third time in the U.S. this year that at least six people have been killed in a mass shooting, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. And it was the second mass shooting in Sacramento in the last five weeks.
President Joe Biden called for action on gun crimes in a statement Sunday.
“Today, America once again mourns for another community devastated by gun violence,” Biden said. “But we must do more than mourn; we must act.”
On Feb. 28, a father killed his three daughters, a chaperone and himself in a Sacramento church during a weekly supervised visitation. David Mora, 39, was armed with a homemade semiautomatic rifle-style weapon, even though he was under a restraining order that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.
The crime scene Sunday sprawled across two city blocks, closing off a large swath of the city’s downtown. Bodies remained on the pavement throughout the day as Lester said investigators worked to process a “really complex and complicated scene” to make sure investigators gathered all the evidence they could to “see the perpetrators of this crime brought to justice.”
Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, who represents the area, said she’s fielded too many phone calls reporting violence in her district during her 15 months in office. She cried at a news conference as she told reporters that the latest phone call woke her up at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
“I’m heartbroken and I’m outraged,” she said. “Our community deserves better than this.”
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https://www.kfornow.com/democratic-gop-senate-bargainers-reach-10-billion-covid-agreement/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – The top Democratic and Republican Senate negotiators say they have reached agreement on a slimmed-down $10 billion package for countering COVID-19.
But the measure has dropped all funding to help nations abroad combat the pandemic.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York says the deal will give the government “the tools we need” to continue battling the disease.
Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah is trumpeting budget savings in the measure that he says mean it “will not cost the American people a single additional dollar.”
The deal is also drawing support from President Joe Biden.
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https://www.kfornow.com/husker-football-frost-stresses-consistency-ahead-of-spring-game/
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LINCOLN–(NU Athletics Apr. 4)–Nebraska Head Football Coach Scott Frost met with members of the media following Monday’s spring practice. Frost opened with recapping spring football.
“We have gotten a lot better at a lot of things,” Frost said. “There is still some things I am not happy with that need to get cleaned up. That is spring ball in a nutshell. I did not think the offense had a great day today. We just need to execute a little bit better. We are doing some simple things a lot better. Spring has been fun. There has been a lot of guys bringing good energy. We are missing quite a few guys that are going to be key contributors and it will be nice to have them back but I think a lot of guys got better over the course of spring.”
Frost was asked what he wants to see from the quarterbacks during the spring game.
“Consistency,” he said. “We are doing some really good things at times. In this league you are not going to score a lot unless you can be consistent and sustain some drives and create some big plays along the way. To get opportunities for big plays you have to be consistent and keep moving the chains and I think that is really important in the Big Ten.”
He talked about the benefits of hosting recruits for the spring game.
“Any chance we get to get recruits on campus is a win for us,” Frost said. “I think we are scheduled to have quite a few good ones here Saturday so we are looking forward to it. It turns it into almost a fall game day where we have to host some guys on unofficial visits and some visitors and that makes it exciting. We love our fans and the enthusiasm around Husker football and we want recruits to get to see that as many times as possible.”
The Huskers will continue their spring practice on Wednesday. The annual red-white spring game is set for April, 9 at 1 p.m. (CT) with national television coverage by the Big Ten Network.
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https://www.kfornow.com/parks-department-employee-receives-mayors-award-of-excellence/
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Lincoln, NE (April 4, 2022) Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today presented the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for October 2021 to Planning Assistant Sara Hartzell from the Parks and Recreation Department. The awards recognize City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to Lincoln.
Hartzell was nominated by Parks and Recreation Facilities and Operations Manager J.J. Yost and Director Lynn Johnson in the categories of productivity and customer relations for her work between October 2020 and May 2021 developing the User Experience Master Plan for Wilderness Park. The goal of the plan is to make the 31 miles of trails in the 1,475-acre park more accessible.
While the pandemic made traditional community engagement processes unavailable, the nominators said Hartzell worked through email, Zoom, surveys and interactive web-based maps to engage the community and involve residents in the process. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board adopted the plan in May 2021, and the first phase of improvements identified in the plan are in progress.
The nominators wrote that Hartzell’s willingness to lead development of the plan with an in-house team saved about $75,000 in consulting fees. They wrote, “Through Sara’s extensive knowledge of the park and her relationships, she was able to lead an in-depth process of exploring challenges and opportunities to make Wilderness Park more user-friendly and accessible. The master plan is appealing and engaging and is anticipated to result in greater use of the park as a unique natural resource in Lincoln and Lancaster County.”
The other categories in which employees can be nominated are valor, safety, and loss prevention. Consideration also can be given to nominations that demonstrate self-initiated accomplishments or those completed outside of the nominee’s job description. All City employees are eligible for the award except for elected and appointed officials.
Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates, and the public. Nomination forms are available at lincoln.ne.gov/awardofexcellence or from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Human Resources Department, which oversees the awards program.
All nominations are considered by the Mayor’s Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $50 gift certificate, a day off with pay and a certificate. All monthly winners and nominees are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $250 gift certificate, two days off with pay and a plaque.
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https://www.kfornow.com/republicans-murkowski-romney-and-collins-to-support-judge-jackson-for-supreme-court/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney say they will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s “historic nomination” to the Supreme Court, bolstering bipartisan support for the first Black woman to be nominated for the job.
The senators announced their decisions Monday ahead of a procedural Senate vote to advance the nomination.
They join Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine who has also said she will support Jackson. Jackson, a federal appellate court judge, was nominated by President Joe Biden to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.
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https://www.kfornow.com/senate-panel-deadlocks-on-supreme-court-nominee-judge-jackson-confirmation-remains-on-track/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate Judiciary Committee has deadlocked on whether to send Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor.
But President Joe Biden’s nominee is still on track to be confirmed this week as the first Black woman on the high court.
The committee’s tie vote Monday was expected.
But it was still a blow to Democrats who had hoped for a bipartisan process and the first time the committee has deadlocked on a Supreme Court nomination in three decades.
Democrats are aiming to confirm her by the end of the week as the first Black woman on the court.
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https://www.kfornow.com/democrats-nominate-pansing-brooks-for-open-congressional-seat/
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LINCOLN, NE (April 5, 2022) –The Nebraska Democratic Party named State Senator Patty Pansing Brooks as its nominee for the special election June 28 to fill the open First District congressional seat in Congress.
The seat is open following the resignation of Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Fortenberry’s term. Pansing Brooks is also a candidate for the seat in the May 10 primary election. The winners of those primaries will go on to the general election in November.
Pansing Brooks gave the following statement today in a news conference following Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb’s announcement of the nomination.
Statement
“Thank you so much Jane, and thanks to all the members of the State Democratic Party Executive Committee for the nomination for this special election to serve out Congressman Fortenberry’s current term.
As we have seen, this entire election cycle has been anything but usual.When I entered the race for Congress, I set out a plan to win in November.And while our race continues through the May 10 primary and on to November for a full-term, it is also clear that we need representation now to heal the wounds that have led to this vacant congressional seat.
So I accept this nomination for the Special Election with full determination and commitment to fill the vacant seat in CD1.
I accept it with the same enthusiasm I had as I led efforts to create Lincoln’s first urban park, renovate Centennial Mall between our Capitol and the University and pass the 2007 bond issue to improve every school in every zip code in Lincoln.
I accept it with the same enthusiasm I had in the Nebraska Legislature where I successfully persuaded colleagues to pass over 56 of my bills to protect working families, veterans, children and our most vulnerable neighbors.
I accept it because:
Inflation is hurting working families and small businesses.
We must lower prescription drug prices and lower premiums under the Affordable Care Act.
We must stop corporations who are price gouging,
And we must continue to release petroleum reserves.
We must have paid family and medical leave because workers should not have to choose between coming to work sick or staying home without pay. We must pass legislation to increase access to child care because lack of adequate child care costs Nebraskans $745 million per year, according to the First Five Institute.
And we must make investments in infrastructure like roads, bridges, airports and rural high-speed Internet Broadband, which are critical to our communities and local economies.
And we must ensure that Nebraska keeps young people in our State by expanding affordable housing, investing in career and technical education and creating a welcoming environment for all people, regardless of race, geography, gender or whom you love.
So I accept this nomination for the Special Election because there is too much at stake to sit on the sidelines. Thank you again to the leaders of the Nebraska Democratic Party for this nomination. Now on to June and on to November!”
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https://www.kfornow.com/farm-bureau-endorses-flood-in-1st-district-congressional-race/
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LINCOLN, NEB. (April 5, 2022) – State Sen. Mike Flood has been endorsed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC). Flood is seeking to serve the First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Based on the results of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s grassroots selection process, which involves gathering input from local County Farm Bureaus across the state, Flood demonstrates his understanding of agriculture and its impact on our economy, according to Sherry Vinton, chair of the NEFB-PAC.
“It is clear our members believe Mike Flood is the right person to represent the First Congressional District. We are proud to offer him our endorsement and support as he seeks to represent Nebraskans in Congress,” said Vinton.
The NEFB-PAC endorsements are based on candidate’s positions on agriculture and rural issues and recommendations from district evaluation committees.
“Mike has a vast amount of experience serving as a current state senator and serving from 2005 to 2013, in which he also served as Speaker of the Legislature. This makes him a great candidate to represent Nebraska in the First Congressional District. Mike is a businessman and understands the important role agriculture plays in Nebraska’s economy,” said Vinton.
Flood has been a strong advocate for Farm Bureau priorities such as tax reform, working to expand broadband and e-connectivity, as well as growing opportunities for economic development in rural areas.
“Mike will work every day for Nebraska families to protect their freedoms, grow our economy, cut taxes, and reduce federal overreach. He will fight to make sure Congress reflects our Nebraska values,” said Vinton.
Flood’s proven leadership as a former Speaker of the Legislature and current state senator makes him well qualified to serve on the national stage representing Nebraska’s First Congressional District.
“We’re pleased to support Mike as he seeks to serve those in Nebraska’s First Congressional District. We look forward to working with him for the betterment of Nebraska and the nation,” said Vinton.
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https://www.kfornow.com/former-president-obama-returns-to-the-white-housefor-a-day/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – Former President Barack Obama has returned to the White House – for a few hours, to celebrate the 12th anniversary of his signature health care law.
The Affordable Care Act, known for years as “Obamacare,” is now part of the fabric of the American health care system, and President Joe Biden hopes to extend its reach to many more people.
Obama said Tuesday the ACA was the “high point” of his time as president.
He said the law did what it was supposed to do, providing health insurance coverage to 30 million people.
Biden says the law shows “hope leads to change” in a play on Obama’s “hope and change” campaign slogan.
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https://www.kfornow.com/lfr-gets-quick-knock-down-of-balcony-fire-at-southeast-lincoln-apartment/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 5)–A fire on a lower level balcony of a southeast Lincoln was quickly knocked down by LFR crews early Tuesday morning.
Firefighters were called just before 5am to an apartment in the 5800 block of Lillibridge. The fire under control and knocked down in about 15 minutes. The entire building had to be evacuated as a precaution. Red Cross is helping people of the one unit where the fire originated to relocate temporarily.
No reports of any injuries and what caused the fire remains under investigation.
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https://www.kfornow.com/lincoln-first-graders-wheelchair-returned-after-being-taken-before-school-monday/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 5)–An update to a story that we brought to you Tuesday morning from KFOR’s media partner, 10/11 Now.
A Lincoln first-grader’s wheelchair was returned Tuesday around 7:15am to her family’s home near 33rd and “N” Street. A Facebook post from the mother, Melissa Eusterwiemann, said the wheelchair was returned just in time for Lily’s school field trip.
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LINCOLN–(10/11 Now Apr. 4)–A Lincoln mother and her daughter are hoping that someone returns the girl’s wheelchair, which was taken from their home on Monday morning before the school bus arrived.
Melissa Eusterwiemann told KFOR’s media partner, 10/11 Now, that between 8:10am and 8:40am Monday, the wheelchair for her daughter, Lily, had disappeared. Each Monday morning, Eusterwiemann sets out Lily’s wheelchair to be picked up by the school bus and take her to Randolph Elementary School. The wheelchair was gone as Lily was about to board the bus.
Eusterwiemann said Lily’s purple, kid-sized wheelchair was made to specifically accommodate lily back in 2017. She said it cost around $5,000.
“It’s just sad to me because this is something that she needs to help her get around in school and be active and be like her peers at school and now she’s not,” Eusterwiemann said.
For now, the mother and daughter are holding out hope that the wheelchair will turn up or someone will return it. If it isn’t returned in a few days, they will start the process of getting Lily a new wheelchair. Lily is still able to get around using her walker for now.
Eusterwiemann said if someone has the wheelchair, they can return it no questions asked.
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https://www.kfornow.com/pillen-picks-running-mate/
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LINCOLN, NE (April 5, 2022) – Republican candidate for governor Jim Pillen today announced Joe Kelly as his running mate, as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Kelly, a career prosecutor, brings decades of law enforcement and public service experience to the ticket.
“Joe Kelly has dedicated his career to enforcing our laws, pursuing justice, and serving the people of Nebraska,” said Pillen. “As his friend for over 40 years, I know Joe to be a leader of the highest integrity who gets results and always puts service before self. I can think of no better governing partner to help me lead our great state and pursue our conservative agenda.”
“Jim Pillen has a clear, principled, conservative vision for our state’s future, and he has the skill and experience to make it a reality,” said Kelly. “I’m honored to serve as his running mate, and I’m excited to get to work.”
After the announcement, Kelly was asked whether he is comfortable with Pillen’s decision not to participate in debates.
“It’s the perfect fit for him because Jim Pillen, shaking a hand or looking somebody in the eye gives a much better chance of a vote coming his way than Jim Pillen with a lot of other candidates saying essentially the same thing on a stage.”
Kelly dismissed recent charges by Pillen’s opponent, Charles Herbster, that Pillen has employed illegal aliens to work on his hog farms.
“Jim and Pillen Family Farms have done way more than is required by law to assure that they’re doing this legally, and that they don’t do any of those things that have been alleged. There’s just no truth to those matters.”
Joseph P. “Joe” Kelly has served as a Deputy, Chief Deputy, and Lancaster County Attorney, U.S. Attorney, and currently serves as Criminal Bureau Chief in the Office of the Attorney General of Nebraska.
Kelly and his wife, Susan, a teacher at Pius X High School, are the parents of two adult children, Shannon and Tom, and live in Lincoln. Kelly grew up in Lexington. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his juris doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Kelly will complete his duties in the Office of the Attorney General on Friday and will begin an unpaid leave of absence to join the Pillen campaign full time.
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https://www.kfornow.com/reports-ivanka-trump-set-to-testify-before-jan-6-panel/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – Ivanka Trump is scheduled to testify before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection.
That’s according to three people familiar with the matter.
Her decision to cooperate is a significant development for the committee, which has been trying to secure an interview with her since late January.
Lawmakers have said they want to discuss what Ivanka Trump knew about her father’s efforts to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject the results of the 2020 election.
Her husband, Jared Kushner, testified to the same panel last week.
Her testimony will be private.
Public hearings are expected to begin this summer.
The people who disclosed her interview were granted anonymity to discuss it.
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https://www.kfornow.com/u-s-pulls-gsks-covid-drug-because-it-doesnt-work-against-new-variant/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. regulators say GlaxoSmithKline’s COVID-19 antibody drug should no longer be used because it is likely ineffective against the latest version of the virus that accounts for most cases.
The Food and Drug Administration announced the decision after federal scientists said the BA.2 omicron variant now accounts for more than 70% of COVID-19 cases.
Previously the FDA had restricted the drug’s use in several regions where the variant was quickly spreading. Glaxo’s drug is the latest antibody medication to be sideline by the mutating coronavirus.
The FDA action leaves only one antibody drug on the market that is believed to work against the new omicron subvariant.
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https://www.kfornow.com/ukraines-leader-to-brief-top-un-body-on-alleged-massacres/
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BUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s president planned to address the U.N.’s most powerful body on Tuesday after even more grisly evidence emerged of civilian massacres in areas that Russian forces recently withdrew from. Western nations expelled dozens more of Moscow’s diplomats and proposed further sanctions as part of efforts to punish Russia for what they say are war crimes.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech to the Security Council will be rich with symbolism, but the invitation and other displays of Western support are unlikely to alter the situation on the ground. He says his forces desperately need more powerful weaponry, some of which the West has been reluctant to give. Russia’s veto guarantees the body will take no action, and it was unclear whether its representatives would even remain in the chamber for the video address.
The head of NATO, meanwhile, warned that Russia is regrouping its forces in order to deploy them to eastern and southern Ukraine for a “crucial phase of the war,” and said that more “atrocities” may come to light as Russian troops continue to pull back in the north.
“When and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I’m afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.
Ukrainian officials said the bodies of at least 410 civilians have been found in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces and that a “torture chamber” was discovered in the town called Bucha, from which some of the grimmest details have emerged.
Police and other investigators walked the silent streets of Bucha on Tuesday, taking notes on bodies that residents showed them. Survivors who hid in their homes during the monthlong Russian occupation of the town, many of them past middle age, wandered past charred tanks and jagged window panes with plastic bags of food and other humanitarian aid. Red Cross workers checked in on intact homes.
Associated Press journalists in the town have counted dozens of corpses in civilian clothes. Many appeared to have been shot at close range, and some had their hands bound or their flesh burned. A mass grave in a churchyard held bodies wrapped in plastic.
High-resolution satellite imagery by commercial provider Maxar Technologies, meanwhile, showed that many of the bodies had been lying in the open for weeks, during the time that Russian forces were in the town. The New York Times first reported on the images showing the dead.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the images from Bucha revealed “a deliberate campaign to kill, to torture, to rape, to commit atrocities.” He told journalists the reports were “more than credible” and reinforce the determination of countries around the world to hold those responsible to account and to support Ukraine.
“Only non-humans are capable of this,” said Angelica Chernomor, a refugee from Kyiv who crossed into Poland with her two children, and who had seen the photos from Bucha. “Even if people live under a totalitarian regime, they must retain feelings, dignity, but they do not.”
Chernomor is among the more than 4 million Ukrainians who have fled the country in the wake of the Feb. 24 invasion. More than 7 million more people have been displaced inside Ukraine, the U.N. migration agency estimates.
Russia has rejected allegations of atrocities, with officials repeatedly saying without evidence that the scenes were faked. Moscow said it would speak about Bucha at the U.N. on Tuesday, indicating its representatives will attend at least part of the meeting.
Russia has sought to refute similar accusations against its forces in the past by accusing its enemies of forging photos and video, and of using so-called crisis actors. Western officials and independent reporters say Russia spreads disinformation to mask its actions.
As Western leaders condemned the killings in Bucha, Italy, Spain and Denmark expelled dozens of Russian diplomats on Tuesday, following moves by Germany and France. Hundreds of Russian diplomats have been sent home since the start of the invasion, many accused of being spies.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the expulsions a “short-sighted” measure that would complicate communication and warned they would be met with “reciprocal steps.”
In another show of support, the European Union’s executive branch proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia, in what would be the first sanctions from the bloc targeting the country’s lucrative energy industry over the war. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who plans to travel to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy this week, linked the ban on coal imports, worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year, to the “heinous crimes” around Kyiv.
The 27-nation EU has been a steadfast backer of Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24 and has already pushed through four rounds of sanctions — but Ukrainians officials have begged for more.
Just hours before the latest proposal was announced, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that to prevent “new Buchas” the West must impose the “mother of all sanctions” — on Russian oil and gas. “A few months of tightening your belts are worth thousands of saved lives,” he said.
But Western nations are divided over how far to go. Some are calling for a boycott of Russian oil and gas imports, while Germany and others fear that such a move could plunge the continent into a severe economic crisis. And countries from the NATO alliance have refused to hand over some of the most powerful weaponry Zelenskyy has asked for, like fighter jets.
Their provision of other weapons and equipment has been credited with helping Ukraine mount a stiffer than expected resistance to Russia’s overwhelming firepower. That resistance stopped Russian forces from overrunning the capital and other cities, and many troops have now withdrawn from areas around Kyiv.
But Western and Ukrainian officials say Russia is merely regrouping for another offensive.
“Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine,” said Stoltenberg, the head of NATO. “We expect a further push in the eastern and southern Ukraine to try to take the entire Donbas and to create a land bridge” to the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas have been fighting Ukrainian troops for the last eight years.
Stoltenberg insisted the alliance will stand ready to help Ukraine with military equipment, a day after Zelenskyy appealed for more weaponry.
The Ukrainian military says that, in the Donbas, Russia is focused on seizing the cities of Popasna and Rubizhne in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the Azov Sea port of Mariupol, which has seen weeks of heavy fighting at a staggering cost to the city and its residents.
The Ukrainian governor of Luhansk on Tuesday urged residents to stay inside, shut windows and doors, and prepare wet face masks after a Russian strike hit a storage tank holding nitric acid near Rubizhne, which the Russians have been trying to seize. The Russian military has not commented on the alleged strike, and it could not be independently verified.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, meanwhile, said seven humanitarian corridors will be open on Tuesday, including from besieged Mariupol, where 1,500 civilians were able to escape in private vehicles on Monday, as well as the Russian-controlled Berdyansk.
But it was not immediately clear whether Russia has agreed to halt the fighting along the corridors. Previous efforts to bring civilians to safety through humanitarian corridors have failed because of renewed fighting.
An international Red Cross team gave up on entering Mariupol at least for Tuesday, after several days of trying to deliver aid to the besieged city and help escort civilians out.
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https://www.kfornow.com/attorney-general-merrick-garland-test-positive-for-covid-19/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – Attorney General Merrick Garland has tested positive for COVID-19 and will quarantine at home for five days.
Garland is the second Cabinet official to announce a positive test result on Wednesday.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo also tested positive for the virus using an at-home antigen test.
The announcement from the Justice Department comes hours after Garland held a news conference in Washington, standing side-by-side with the deputy attorney general, FBI director and other Justice Department officials.
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https://www.kfornow.com/former-president-trump-advisors-held-in-contempt-of-congress-in-jan-6-probe/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – The House has voted to hold former Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino in contempt of Congress over their months-long refusal to comply with subpoenas from the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The near-party-line 220-203 vote will send the criminal referrals for Navarro and Scavino to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.
They are the latest members of former President Donald Trump’s inner circle to face legal jeopardy as the select committee continues its probe.
Navarro cited executive privilege when declining to testify to the committee.
A lawyer for Scavino did not return multiple messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.
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https://www.kfornow.com/nebraska-lawmakers-fail-to-override-governors-denial-of-rental-aid/
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LINCOLN–(AP April 5)–Nebraska lawmakers have failed to overrule Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill that would have forced him to apply for $120 million in federal pandemic rental assistance, leaving the state as the only one to flat-out refuse the aid.
Supporters in the one-house Legislature fell one vote short Tuesday of the 30 they needed to overcome the Republican governor’s rejection of the money. Lawmakers who pushed for Nebraska to seek the extra aid say it makes no sense to turn away the money.
Ricketts and other critics argue that Nebraska still has $30 million in unspent money from an earlier round of federal aid.
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https://www.kfornow.com/no-charges-filed-in-no-knock-warrant-killing-of-amir-locke/
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors declined to file charges Wednesday against a Minneapolis police SWAT team officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing an early morning no-knock search warrant in a downtown apartment in February.
Locke, 22, who was Black, was staying on a couch in the apartment when authorities entered it on Feb. 2 without knocking as part of an investigation into a homicide in neighboring St. Paul.
His parents have said that from what they saw of the police body camera footage, it appeared that their son was startled awake. His mother, Karen Wells, has called his death “an execution.” Their attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Locke, who was not named in the warrant, was shot seconds after authorities say he pointed a gun in the direction of officers. Locke’s family has questioned that. The body camera footage shows Locke holding a gun before he was shot.
Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman, whose offices reviewed the case, said they determined that Officer Mark Hanneman was justified in firing his weapon.
“There is insufficient admissible evidence to file criminal charges in this case. Specifically, the State would be unable to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt any of the elements of Minnesota’s use-of-deadly-force statute that authorizes the use of force by Officer Hanneman,” Ellison and Freeman said in a joint statement.
Locke’s death came as three former Minneapolis police officers were on trial in federal court in St. Paul in George Floyd’s killing. It sparked protests and a reexamination of no-knock search warrants. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced an immediate moratorium on such warrants, and on Tuesday, he formalized a new policy that will take effect Friday requiring officers to knock and wait before entering a residence. Some lawmakers also have been pushing for a statewide ban on no-knock warrants, except in rare circumstances.
“Amir Locke is a victim,” Ellison and Freeman said. “This tragedy may not have occurred absent the no-knock warrant used in this case.
In their applications for search warrants of the Minneapolis apartment and other locations, authorities said a no-knock warrant was necessary to protect the public and officers as they looked for guns, drugs and clothing worn by people suspected in a violent killing. Authorities asked that officers be allowed to conduct the search without knocking, and outside the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., because the suspects being sought in the Jan. 10 killing of Otis Elder had a history of violence.
Locke was killed seconds after the SWAT team entered the apartment where his family said he was staying. Body camera video shows an officer using a key to unlock the door and enter, followed by at least four officers in uniform and protective vests, time-stamped at about 6:48 a.m. As they enter, they repeatedly shout, “Police, search warrant!” They also shout “Hands!” and “Get on the ground!”
The video shows an officer kicking a sectional sofa, and Locke is seen wrapped in a comforter, holding a pistol. Three shots are heard and the video ends.
Ellison and Freeman said the case shows that no-knock warrants are “highly risky” and can pose “significant dangers” to people who aren’t engaged in criminal activity.
“Local, state, and federal policy makers should seriously weigh the benefits of no-knock warrants, which are dangerous for both law enforcement and the public alike. Other cities, like Saint Paul, and some states, have ended the use of no-knock warrants entirely,” they said.
While Locke was not named in the warrant, his 17-year-old cousin, Mekhi Camden Speed, was named and has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in Elder’s killing.
The search warrants were carried out as part of an investigation into Elder’s death. Elder, a 38-year-old father, was found shot and laying in the street in what police believe was an apparent robbery. Drugs and money were found in Elder’s SUV, according to court documents.
The police department hired Hanneman in 2015. City records show there were three complaints made about him and that all were closed without him being disciplined, but they give no details. Data on the website of the citizen group Communities United Against Police Brutality shows a fourth complaint, in 2018, that remains open. No details were given.
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https://www.kfornow.com/peoples-city-mission-holding-diaper-and-baby-wipes-drive-for-ukraine/
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Lincoln, NE (April 6, 2022) The Peoples City Mission is teaming up with Convoy of Hope to provide some much-needed items to the people of Ukraine. Specifically, they are collecting diapers and baby wipes, which their workers in Ukraine indicate people are in most desperate need of at the moment.
Convoy of Hope is a large international relief agency with warehouses in Poland as well as distribution centers in Ukraine itself. As it so happens the Peoples City Mission has an ongoing relationship with Convoy of Hope. For the last several years they have been donating bulk items to PCM’s Help Center that have been given away to struggling people in Lincoln. “This is a good time to reciprocate” according to a statement from the Mission.
They are sending a truck to Lincoln on April 22nd to pick up whatever amount of diapers and baby wipes are collected. So, the Mission is making a plea for people to go out and purchase a box of diapers or baby wipes and bring them to the PCM Help Center at 6800 P street (right behind East Park Theaters), or to their shelter at 110 Q St. They can also be purchased from the Amazon Wish List, which can be found at the bottom of their website at pcmlincoln.org, and they will be sent for this drive. The PCM appeal concluded by saying “This is a wonderful chance to help some women and small children going through some very horrific situations right now.”
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https://www.kfornow.com/abortion-ban-bill-falls-short-in-cloture-vote-from-nebraska-lawmakers/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 7)–A bill that would have made abortion illegal in Nebraska after the first trimester and beyond failed to advance and appears to be done for the Legislative session.
State lawmakers on Wednesday evening voted 31-15 in a cloture vote, falling short by two votes of the 33 needed to advance the measure. The bill would have hinged on a major decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that could come this summer.
If the bill advanced and had passed, Nebraska would have become the 14th state nationally to enact a so-called trigger law. Supporters of the measure say it would ensure that Nebraska is among the first states to outlaw abortion if the court overturns Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that allowed the procedure.
Opponents say the measure is an intrusion on women’s ability to make personal medical decisions.
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https://www.kfornow.com/husker-baseball-late-rally-falls-short-in-loss-to-omaha/
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OMAHA–(NU Athletics Apr. 6)–The Nebraska baseball team scored four runs in the eighth and loaded the bases in the ninth but couldn’t plate the tying run in a 6-5 loss at Omaha on Wednesday night at Tal Anderson Field.
Nebraska (12-15, 4-2 Big Ten) scored five runs on nine hits and had one error, while the Mavericks (12-14, 4-2 Summit League) totaled six runs on eight hits and three errors.
Drew Christo fell to 0-1 on the year after allowing three runs on four hits in two innings. Jackson Brockett allowed one run on one hit and struck out two in 2.1 innings of relief. CJ Hood threw 0.2 innings in relief, while Tyler Martin, Mason Ornelas and Emmett Olson pitched one inning apiece.
Max Anderson went 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and two walks. Josh Caron was 2-for-4 with a walk and Colby Gomes was 1-for-2 with a three-run homer in the eighth.
The Huskers threatened in the first after a two-out double by Anderson and a walk to Griffin Everitt, before Garrett Anglim laced a single to left field where Anderson was thrown out in a play at the plate.
Omaha jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first after an RBI single by Mike Boeve and a two-RBI double from Eddie Satisky.
The Huskers put the first two runners on in the third after Cam Chick reached on a fielding error and Anderson was walked. Everitt followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice that allowed Chick to score from second. Anderson looked to be safe on the play after the Omaha shortstop hopped over second base and dropped the ball but was called out on the play.
The Mavericks added a run to the lead in the fifth after Noah Greise lifted a sacrifice fly to left with the bases loaded. RBI doubles by Hurdle in the sixth and Jack Lombardi in the seventh stretched the Maverick lead to 6-1.
Nebraska stormed back with four runs on three hits and a Maverick error to get within 6-5 in the top of the eighth. Anderson led off the inning with double and scored on the throwing error after Caron reached on an infield single to the shortstop. Luke Sartori drew a walk to put two runners on, before Gomes unleashed a three-run shot to left to make it a one-run game.
After Olson sat down the Mavericks in order in the bottom of the eighth, the Huskers looked to rally in the top of the ninth to plate the tying run. Anderson led off with a walk and Everitt singled to right to put runners on first and second with no outs. A groundout to the pitcher by Anglim advanced the tying run to third and go-ahead run to second with one out. Caron drew a full-count walk to load the bases, before the next two batters were retired on strikeouts with a full count to end the game.
Nebraska returns to conference action this weekend, hosting Rutgers for a three-game series at Hawks Field on Friday-Sunday, April 8-10. Friday and Sunday’s games will be broadcast on B1G+, while Saturday’s game is set for a 3:17 p.m. first pitch on BTN.
Nebraska scored four runs in the eighth and loaded the bases in the ninth but couldn’t plate the tying run in a 6-5 loss at Omaha on Wednesday night at Tal Anderson Field.
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https://www.kfornow.com/police-say-missing-child-has-been-found-safe-and-sound/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 7)–A 12-year-old Lincoln girl has been found and has safely been reunited with her family. Lincoln Police made that statement late Wednesday night.
10:33pm Wednesday
Lincoln, NE (April 6, 2022) The Lincoln Police Department is requesting assistance in locating Emyrikal Williams.
Emyrikal is 12 years of age, 5 ft tall, 110 lbs, with brown hair, and brown eyes, wearing a maroon sweatshirt, floral t-shirt, and gray sweatpants. She was last seen near 4th and Blue Flame.
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https://www.kfornow.com/warrant-out-for-lincoln-man-involved-in-car-train-crash-in-march/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 7)–A 31-year-old Lincoln man is being sought by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, after he and two others fled the scene of a car/train crash near Waverly on March 13.
A warrant was issued for Deanthony McGuire, after deputies found personal belongings to McGuire and two other men inside the car they were in, according to a court affidavit. According to the Journal Star, McGuire has been charged with a felony for failing to stop and render aid in a serious injury crash.
The crash happened during the evening of March 13 near 120th and Highway 6, where one passenger suffered a head injury that required 20 stitches. That man was treated at a Council Bluffs hospital, after his parents picked up from a gas station in Waverly. Both parents contacted the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office the next day.
The man told investigators they left the scene because McGuire previously had four warrants out for his arrest.
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https://www.kfornow.com/husker-football-joseph-shares-focus-on-competitiveness-and-timing-for-spring-game/
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LINCOLN–(NU Athletics Apr. 6)–Nebraska football wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph met with members of the media following Wednesday’s spring practice. Joseph discussed what fans should expect during the spring game.
“Everything we do around here we are competitive,” Joseph said. “Everything we do we are going to compete so it is going to be competitive.”
Joseph expressed what he wants to see out of the receivers during the spring game.
“We want to see it crispy,” Joseph said. “We want to see the timing. Like I said before it is hard when you are playing with four or five quarterbacks and when you are playing with 10 to 12 receivers so the timing might not be there all the time but you want to see the best timing that we can get on Saturday. That is what we are looking for.”
Joseph was asked what it would be like being back in Memorial Stadium this weekend.
“I did not even think about that,” Joseph said. “I think it is going to be a little weird walking back in there after probably what 30 years but I think once the ball kicks off the focus will get towards the game. You have to appreciate being back. You have to appreciate being back in Lincoln. Every day that you are here you appreciate it so I think going in there is going to be a little different but I will be fine.”
Joseph talked about the work that is needed after the game on Saturday.
“We have a lot of work to do and they understand that. I understand that,” Joseph said. “You can not say hey spring football. I love the spring I really do but at the end of the day they are not going to count that spring game in October. They are going to start counting when we play Northwestern. So after this spring game we put this to rest and we have to have a really good summer. We talked about having a great summer and just working. We are still getting to know each other now. They are still feeling me out and I am still feeling them out and getting to know my players. I think this summer is going to be really important for us.”
The annual red-white spring game is set for April 9 at 1 p.m. (CT) with national television coverage by the Big Ten Network.
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20220407
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https://www.kfornow.com/high-winds-cause-driving-hazards/
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Lincoln, NE (April 7, 2022) A High Wind Warning and a blowing dust advisory made conditions less than ideal for drivers across much of Nebraska today.
Winds up to 65 miles per hour were clocked during the Noon Hour in Hastings. Northwest wind gusts from 35 to 45 mph were common throughout the eastern two thirds of the State.
The State Patrol reported that several semi trucks were blown off Interstate 80 in Central Nebraska during the day.
The wind advisory is scheduled to end at 9 P.M. Thursday. The Weather Service recommended that any driver encountering blowing dust that obscures vision pull off the highway at the next safe opportunity and wait for the conditions to pass.
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20220408
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https://www.kfornow.com/nancy-pelosi-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tested positive for COVID-19, a day after appearing unmasked at a White House event with President Joe Biden.
Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic, her spokesman Drew Hammill said Thursday in a tweet. He said she had tested negative earlier in the week.
“The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided,” Hammill said.
Pelosi will “quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly,” he said.
The 82-year-old Democratic leader’s announcement came ahead of her weekly press appearance on Capitol Hill, which was abruptly called off. The House is set to start a two week spring recess.
Pelosi also postponed a planned congressional delegation trip to Asia she was scheduled to lead.
Washington has experienced a rush of new COVID-19 cases as restrictions have lifted and more events and gatherings are happening across Washington, D.C.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced positive tests. The officials were among more than a dozen attendees of the Saturday night Gridiron Club dinner to test positive for the virus. Pelosi did not attend the dinner, her spokesman said.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also announced Thursday that she tested positive for COVID-19 and would “work at home while following isolation protocols.”
Several lawmakers have announced positive test results and are isolating.
The Capitol reopened last week to some public tours for the first time since it was shuttered two years ago with the onset of the pandemic.
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20220408
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https://www.kfornow.com/new-yorks-attorney-general-asks-court-to-hold-former-president-trump-in-contempt/
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NEW YORK (AP) – New York’s attorney general has asked a court to hold former President Donald Trump in contempt and fine him $10,000 per day for failing to comply with a subpoena for documents in her ongoing civil investigation into his business practices.
Attorney General Letitia James argued in court papers Thursday that Trump should be fined “a sum sufficient to coerce his compliance” after he missed a March 31 court-imposed deadline to turn over the documents.
Trump is in the process of appealing a February court ruling forcing him to answer questions under oath in the civil investigation but has not appealed a ruling establishing the deadline for him to provide documents, James said.
A message seeking comment was left with Trump’s lawyer.
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20220408
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https://www.kfornow.com/pillen-to-campaign-against-legislative-abortion-foes/
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COLUMBUS, NE (April 7, 2022)– Republican candidate for governor Jim Pillen says he will work with pro-life voters to unseat pro-abortion State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Wendy DeBoer. Both are up for election in this year’s elections, and both voted yesterday against a trigger bill that would have banned abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
“Last night, the legislature failed the people of Nebraska in voting to keep abortion legal,” said Pillen. “Abortion is murder and as a pro-life state the majority of Nebraskans recognize that we need to outlaw it. State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Wendy DeBoer, who voted against the bill, are up for election in 2022. I will be working with pro-life Nebraskans in their districts to vote them out of office this November. We need courageous Nebraska senators who will stand up for life.”
Asked to be more specific about how he would work to unseat the two, Pillen’s campaign spokesman John Gage said “all options are on the table”. He added “One part of the strategy will be to use our campaign’s grassroots network of 1,000 pro-life warriors that have pledged support to the campaign and will work to hold legislators across the state responsible for their votes.”
Commenting on Pillen’s statement, Senator Wendy DeBoer said ““I will continue to fight for Legislative District 10 by focusing on job creation, access to affordable healthcare, and tax relief for the middle-class. I’m curious to know Jim Pillen’s thoughts on the middle-class tax cut that the legislature denied to over 50% of Nebraska families this week. I’m available anytime after April 20th and invite Jim to debate these issues.”
Later in the day Thursday, Pillen also criticized the endorsement of one of his Republican opponents, Brett Lindstrom, by the Nebraska State Education Association.
Pillen called the NSEA “a radical leftist teachers union.” He added “Lindstrom has a liberal voting record and now the support of the liberal NSEA, a left-wing Nebraska organization that supports CRT, gender ideology, and mask mandates. No conservative should accept the endorsement of the NSEA.”
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20220408
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https://www.kfornow.com/senate-clears-way-for-jacksons-supreme-court-confirmation/
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate cleared the way Thursday for a final vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, preparing to endorse the Black woman on the high court and giving President Joe Biden a bipartisan endorsement for his historic pick.
A 53-47 vote to cut off debate Thursday morning came hours before Jackson’s expected confirmation.
The White House said Vice President Kamala Harris would be present to preside, though her tie-breaking vote won’t be necessary. Three Republican senators have said they will support Jackson, who would replace Justice Stephen Breyer when he retires this summer.
While the vote will be far from the overwhelming bipartisan confirmations for Breyer and other justices in decades past, it will still be a significant bipartisan accomplishment for Biden in the narrow 50-50 Senate after GOP senators aggressively worked to paint Jackson as too liberal and soft on crime.
“It will be a joyous day,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as he announced Thursday’s vote late Wednesday evening. “Joyous for the Senate, joyous for the Supreme Court, joyous for America.”
Jackson, a 51 year-old federal appeals court judge, would be just the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, and the sixth woman. She would join two other women, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, on the liberal side of a 6-3 conservative court. With Justice Amy Coney Barrett sitting at the other end of the bench, four of the nine justices would be women for the first time in history.
After a bruising hearing in which Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee aggressively interrogated Jackson on her sentencing record, three GOP senators came out and said they would support her. The statements from Maine Sen. Susan Collins, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney all said the same thing — they might not always agree with Jackson, but they found her to be enormously well qualified for the job.
Collins and Murkowski both decried the increasingly partisan confirmation process, which Collins called “broken” and Murkowski called “corrosive” and “more detached from reality by the year.”
Biden, a veteran of a more bipartisan Senate, said from the beginning that he wanted support from both parties for his history-making nominee, and he invited Republicans to the White House as he made his decision. It was an attempted reset from three brutal Supreme Court battles during President Donald Trump’s presidency, when Democrats vociferously opposed the nominees, and from the end of President Barack Obama’s, when Republicans blocked Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland from getting a vote.
Before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, Jackson said her life was shaped by her parents’ experiences with racial segregation and civil rights laws that were enacted a decade before she was born.
With her parents and family sitting behind her, she told the panel that her “path was clearer” than theirs as a Black American. Jackson attended Harvard University, served as a public defender, worked at a private law firm and was appointed as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission in addition to her nine years on the federal bench.
“I have been a judge for nearly a decade now, and I take that responsibility and my duty to be independent very seriously,” Jackson said. “I decide cases from a neutral posture. I evaluate the facts, and I interpret and apply the law to the facts of the case before me, without fear or favor, consistent with my judicial oath.”
Once sworn in, Jackson would be the second youngest member of the court after Barrett, 50. She would join a court on which no one is yet 75, the first time that has happened in nearly 30 years.
Jackson’s first term will be marked by cases involving race, both in college admissions and voting rights. She has pledged to sit out the court’s consideration of Harvard’s admissions program since she is a member of its board of overseers. But the court could split off a second case involving a challenge to the University of North Carolina’s admissions process, which might allow her to weigh in on the issue.
Republicans spent the hearings interrogating her sentencing record on the federal bench, including the sentences she handed down in child pornography cases, which they argued were too light. Jackson pushed back on the GOP narrative, declaring that “nothing could be further from the truth” and explaining her reasoning in detail. Democrats said she was in line with other judges in her decisions.
The GOP questioning in the Judiciary committee stuck for many Republicans, though, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said in a floor speech Wednesday that Jackson “never got tough once in this area.”
Democrats criticized the Republicans’ questioning.
“You could try and create a straw man here, but it does not hold,” said New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker at the committee’s vote earlier this week. The panel deadlocked on the nomination 11-11, but the Senate voted to discharge it from committee and moved ahead with her confirmation.
In an impassioned moment during the hearings last month, Booker, who is also Black, told Jackson that he felt emotional watching her testify. He said he saw “my ancestors and yours” in her image.
“But don’t worry, my sister,” Booker said. “Don’t worry. God has got you. And how do I know that? Because you’re here, and I know what it’s taken for you to sit in that seat.”
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https://www.kfornow.com/cheers-for-jackson-as-biden-declares-moment-of-real-change/
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Tearfully embracing a history-making moment for the nation, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said Friday her confirmation as the first Black woman to the Supreme Court showed the progress of America, declaring, ″We’ve made it — all of us..”
Jackson delivered emotional remarks on the sunny White House South Lawn a day after the Senate approved her nomination, saying, it was a moment the entire country could be proud of.
“We have come a long way toward perfecting our union,” she said. “In my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
She added: “It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But we’ve made it. We’ve made it, all of us.”
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20220409
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https://www.kfornow.com/farmers-market-coupons-available-for-eligible-seniors/
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Lincoln, NE (April 8, 2022) Qualifying Lancaster County residents age 60 and over are encouraged to apply for coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. The coupons, available through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), are good for fruits, vegetables, honey and fresh-cut herbs. The coupons will be distributed through a random drawing based on the number of coupons available for Lancaster County.
In-person sign up events will be held on the following dates and times:
Gross income cannot exceed $25,142 for a single-person household or $33,874 for a two-person household. The maximum benefit per household, per season is $48. Once selected, residents may authorize someone to purchase produce on their behalf, providing they complete a proxy form.
Coupons will be distributed to the selected recipients beginning June 1, and they are valid through October. Participants must re-apply every year, and coupons are never guaranteed. Selected applicants will be given information on how to pick up their coupons.
The SFMNP is administered by the Department of Agriculture in Nebraska. Local area agencies on aging are responsible for distributing the coupons.
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20220409
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https://www.kfornow.com/fire-chief-killed-in-crash-during-fire-response/
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APRIL 8, 2022 (ARAPAHOE, NEB.) — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a fatality crash that occurred on Highway 283 Thursday afternoon, during response to the large fire southeast of Elwood. Both vehicles involved were assisting in the fire response.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:10 p.m., when a Ford Expedition, driven by Phelps County Emergency Manager Justin Norris, with passenger Darren Krull, Chief of the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department, was struck head on by a truck hauling water, approximately eight miles north of Arapahoe on Highway 283.
Chief Krull, 54, of Elwood, passed away at the scene. Norris, 40, of Holdrege, was transported to the hospital in Cambridge with life-threatening injuries. He was then transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney in stable condition. He has since been transferred to a hospital in Omaha. He remains in stable condition as of this morning.
The driver of the water truck, Andries Van Aswegan, 28, of Arapahoe, was not injured in the crash. The fire and smoke in the area had created zero-visibility conditions on the roadway at the time of the crash.
“Our hearts are with all involved in this tragic crash, as well as those affected by the fire,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Please keep the firefighters, farmers, emergency managers, law enforcement officers, volunteers, and all others involved in this fire response in your thoughts today.”
The crash remains under investigation.
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20220409
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https://www.kfornow.com/idaho-supreme-court-temporarily-blocks-new-abortion-law/
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BOISE, Idaho (AP) – The Idaho Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a new state law that would ban abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and allow it to be enforced through lawsuits.
Idaho last month had become the first state to enact a law modeled after the Texas statute banning abortions after about six weeks.
The ruling from Idaho’s high court in a lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood means the new law won’t go into effect as planned on April 22.
Republican Gov. Brad Little signed into law the measure that would’ve allowed people who would have been family members to sue a doctor who performs an abortion after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo.
Little said he had concerns about whether the law was constitutional.
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20220409
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https://www.kfornow.com/police-are-investigating-larcenies-from-mailboxes-drop-boxes-across-lincoln/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 8)–Police are investigating a rash of larcenies from drop boxes for rental checks and residential mailboxes across Lincoln between Sunday and Thursday.
Sgt. Chris Vollmer says in one residential mailbox larceny case, a witness saw a white male, between 30 and 50-years-old with facial hair, driving a black mid-2000s model sedan with 39-county plates. It’s unclear if that person is tied to the other cases. No arrests have been made.
Listed below are the cases that remain under investigation.
Thefts of rent checks at drop off boxes
Tuesday, April 5 10:30am-3600 block of North 1st Street 10:47am-2700 block of North 70th Street 12:35pm-3100 block of South 72nd Street
Wednesday, April 6 11:49am-5300 block of “R” Street 3:31pm-5600 block of South 31st Street
Thursday, April 7 10:35am-900 block of Roanoke Court 11:37am-900 block of Roanoke Court
Thefts from Residential Mailboxes
Sunday, April 3 Four cases between 7:19pm and 8:12pm-1000 block of “G” Street
Monday, April 4 2:37pm-200 block of Prestwick Drive
Tuesday, April 5 9:25am-5200 block of Cooper Avenue
Thursday, April 7 3:15pm-3000 block of Kucera Drive-witness saw a white male, between 30 to 50 years of age with facial hair, drive a black mid-2000s model four-door sedan with 39 county plates. No information yet connecting this person to the other cases.
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20220409
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https://www.kfornow.com/proud-boy-leader-pleads-guilty-to-his-role-on-january-6th/
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WASHINGTON (AP) – A North Carolina man has become the second member of the Proud Boys to plead guilty to conspiring with other members of the extremist group to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote.
Charles Donohoe pleaded guilty Friday to charges of conspiracy and assaulting federal officers during an appearance in federal court in Washington.
The indictment against Donohoe and other members of extremist groups, like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, have been a focus of the Justice Department’s sprawling investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.
The 34-year-old Donohoe has close ties to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio.
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20220409
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https://www.kfornow.com/strike-kills-50-at-ukraine-rail-station-crowded-with-people/
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A missile hit a train station where thousands of people had flocked to flee in eastern Ukraine, killing 50 people Friday, Ukrainian authorities said, while warning they expect to find more evidence of war crimes in areas abandoned by Russian troops.
Photos from the scene showed bodies covered with tarps on the ground and the remnants of a rocket with the words “For the children” painted on it in Russian. About 4,000 civilians were in and around the station, the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor-general said, adding that most were women and children heeding calls to leave the area before Russia launches a full-scale offensive in the country’s east.
The Russian Defense Ministry denied attacking the station in Kramatorsk, a city in Ukraine’s contested Donbas region, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders accused Russia’s military of deliberately targeting a location where only civilians were assembled.
“The inhuman Russians are not changing their methods. Without the strength or courage to stand up to us on the battlefield, they are cynically destroying the civilian population,” the president said on social media. “This is an evil without limits. And if it is not punished, then it will never stop.”
Britain’s Defense Minister Ben Wallace denounced the attack, saying “the striking of civilians and critical infrastructure is a war crime.”
“These were precision missiles aimed at people trying to seek humanitarian shelter,” Wallace said.
Pavlo Kyrylenko, the regional governor of Donetsk, which lies in the Donbas, said that 50 people were killed, including five children, and many dozens more were wounded.
“The people just wanted to get away for evacuation,” Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said while visiting Bucha, a town north of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, where journalists and returning Ukrainians discovered scores of bodies on streets and in mass graves after Russian troops withdrew.
Venediktova spoke as workers pulled corpses from a mass grave near a church under spitting rain. Black body bags were laid out in rows in the mud. None of the dead were Russians, she said. Most of them had been shot. The prosecutor general’s office is investigating the deaths, and other mass casualties involving civilians, as possible war crimes.
After failing to take Ukraine’s capital and withdrawing from northern Ukraine, Russia has shifted its focus to the Donbas, a mostly Russian-speaking, industrial region in eastern Ukraine where Moscow-backed rebels have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years and control some areas. The train station is located in government-controlled territory. Ukrainian officials warned residents this week to leave as soon as possible for safer parts of the country and said they and Russia had agreed to establish multiple evacuation routes in the east.
One analyst said only Russia would have a reason to attack civilian railway infrastructure in the Donbas, and that Ukraine would not deliberately kill its own civilians in “a war of survival.”
“The Ukrainian military is desperately trying to reinforce units in the area … and the railway stations in that area in Ukrainian-held territory are critical for movement of equipment and people,” said Justin Bronk, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.
Elsewhere in the Donbas, the governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai, said Russia was concentrating equipment and troops and increasing shelling and bombing to aid their advance.
“We sense the end of preparations for that massive breakthrough, for that great battle which will happen here around us, in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions,” he said in a televised address.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said horrors worse than the ones in Bucha already had surfaced in Borodyanka, another settlement outside the capital.
“And what will happen when the world learns the whole truth about what the Russian troops did in Mariupol?” Zelenskyy said late Thursday, referring to the besieged southern port that has seen some of the greatest suffering during Russia’s invasion. “There, on every street, is what the world saw in Bucha and other towns in the Kyiv region….The same cruelty. The same terrible crimes.”
The prosecutor general also expressed concern about the death toll in Borodyanka, where the process of retrieving bodies from shelled and collapsed buildings has just begun. Twenty-six bodies were found Thursday from the ruins of just two buildings, Venediktova said.
“We don’t know what’s under these houses,” she said, estimating it could take two weeks to find out.
Spurred by reports that Russian forces committed atrocities in areas surrounding the capital, NATO nations agreed to increase their supply of arms after Ukraine’s foreign minister pleaded for weapons from the alliance and other sympathetic countries to help face down an expected offensive in the east.
Ukrainian and several Western leaders have blamed the massacres on Moscow’s troops. The weekly magazine Der Spiegel reported Germany’s foreign intelligence agency intercepted radio messages among Russian soldiers discussing killings of civilians. Russia has falsely claimed that the scenes in Bucha were staged.
In a rare acknowledgment of the war’s cost to Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged to British broadcaster Sky News on Thursday that the country has suffered significant military causalities, calling it a “tragedy.”
On Friday he told reporters that his reference to troop losses was based on the most recent Russian Defense Ministry numbers, which reported March 25 that 1,351 Russian troops had been killed in Ukraine. NATO has estimated Russia’s casualties to be several times higher.
In anticipation of intensified attacks by Russian forces, hundreds of Ukrainians fled villages in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions that were either under attack or occupied.
Marina Morozova and her husband fled from Kherson, the first major city to fall to the Russians.
“They are waiting for a big battle. We saw shells that did not explode. It was horrifying,” she said.
Morozova, 69, said only Russian television and radio was available. The Russians handed out humanitarian aid, she said, and filmed the distribution.
The United Nations estimates that more than 4.3 million people have fled Ukraine since the war began and that more than 12 million people are stranded in areas under attack.
On Thursday, a day after Russian forces began shelling their village in the southern Mykolaiv region, Sergei Dubovienko, 52, drove north in his small blue Lada with his wife and mother-in-law to Bashtanka, where they sought shelter in a church.
“They started destroying the houses and everything” in Pavlo-Marianovka, he said. “Then the tanks appeared from the forest. We thought that in the morning there would be shelling again, so I decided to leave.”
Two top European Union officials and the prime minister of Slovakia traveled to Kyiv on Friday, looking to shore up the EU’s support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Eduard Heger said he, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell brought trade and humanitarian aid proposals for Zelenskyy and his government.
Heger also announced that his country has donated its Soviet-era S-300 air defense system to Ukraine. Later, Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said the U.S. would deploy a Patriot air defense system to Slovakia for as long as needed, a precondition for Ukraine to get the S-300 long-range air missile system.
Zelenskyy had mentioned the S-300s by name when he spoke to U.S. lawmakers by video in March, appealing for anti-air systems that would allow Ukraine to “close the skies” to Russian warplanes and missiles.
Western nations have stepped up sanctions against Russia following the reports of atrocities near Kyiv. A day after the United States imposed sanctions on President Vladimir Putin’s two adult daughters, the European Union and Britain followed suit Friday.
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https://www.kfornow.com/union-claims-unl-contractors-using-off-the-books-laborers/
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Lincoln, NE (April 8, 2022) Members of the Carpenter’s Union confronted the University of Nebraska Board of Regents today, claiming that contractors on three UN-L projects are using under the table workers.
“They’re working for cash, under the table, without payroll taxes, without work comp, or unemployment insurance being paid, as well as State and Federal taxes being paid as well.”
Felicia Hilton of Des Moines, Iowa, a representative of the Carpenter’s Union, said such labor is currently working on three UN-L projects.
“Mabel Lee Hall, it’s happening at the new Athletic Center, and it’s happening at Barkley memorial right now.”
She told the Regents those contractors are committing tax fraud, and exposing taxpayers to big risks.
“When workers get injured on the project they then fall on the taxpayer of Nebraska’s dime when they go on to public health care.”
Regents Chairman Bob Phares responded to the complaint.
“I would like to insure our visitors that are here today, that have expressed some concern about this area, that we will take a good look at your concerns and move forward with this project.”
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https://www.kfornow.com/will-smith-gets-10-year-oscars-ban-over-chris-rock-slap/
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The motion picture academy on Friday banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years following his slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.
The move comes after a meeting of the academy’s Board of Governors to discuss a response to Smith’s actions.
The academy in a statement called Smith’s actions “unacceptable and harmful.”
Smith pre-emptively resigned from the academy last week during the run-up to the meeting and said he would accept any punishment the academy handed down.
“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Smith said in a statement.
The academy also apologized for its handling of the situation and allowing Smith to stay and accept his best actor award.
“During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this, we are sorry,” the academy said. “This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented. ”
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https://www.kfornow.com/three-new-covid-deaths-from-january-reported/
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(KFOR Lincoln NE April 9, 2022) The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department today received reports for three deaths that occurred in January 2022. All three were men and none was hospitalized. One was in his 30s and vaccinated, and two were unvaccinated – one in his 50s and one in his 60s. The total number of deaths is now 436.
At-home Test Kits Available:
At-home test kits are available in the main lobby of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD), 3131 ”O” St., during regular business hours. Test kits are also available at all Lincoln City Library locations.
At-Home Test Reporting:
Lancaster County residents can report results of their at-home COVID-19 tests to the Health Department and receive helpful quarantine and isolation information. The form is available at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov in the testing section of the website, just below the risk dial. All information is confidential. People who require assistance in completing the form may call LLCHD at 402-441-8006 for assistance.
Vaccinations administered:
Vaccinations:
Those experiencing some of the most severe outcomes from COVID-19 are unvaccinated. LLCHD strongly urges everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated or boosted. Vaccination helps prevent severe illness, saves lives, and slows further spread of the virus. Residents age 5 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine, and those age 12 and older are eligible for a booster dose. Find a clinic near you at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Walk-ins are welcome or schedule an appointment. Residents can also find a local pharmacy offering vaccinations at vaccines.gov or by texting their ZIP code to 438829. Those who do not have online access or who need assistance with registration or scheduling may call LLCHD at 402-441-4200 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
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20220410
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https://www.kfornow.com/various-street-projects-begin-april-11th/
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(KFOR Lincoln NE April 9, 2022) Beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, April 11, Adams Street between North Ninth and North 11th streets will be closed for Black Hills Energy meter relocation work. Access to homes will be maintained when possible. Sidewalks will be closed. This work is scheduled to be completed by Saturday, April 16.
Beginning Monday, April 11, portions of West “O” Street between First Street and Sun Valley Boulevard will close for bridge and pavement repairs. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be diverted into the south lanes while repairs are completed in the north lanes. Traffic pattern changes will occur as work progresses. The project is scheduled to be completed in late August. The sidewalk across the bridge will remain open during the project. The Salt Creek Levee Trail under the bridge may have temporary closures.
Beginning Monday, April 11, Holdrege Street between North 96th and North 112th streets will be closed for a Lincoln Water Systems water main expansion project. The recommended detour is North 84th Street to “O” Street to North 148th Street. Access to homes will be maintained throughout the work. The project is scheduled to be completed in early October.
Beginning Monday, April 11, West “A” Street between Southwest 24th and Southwest 27th streets will close each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for utility relocation work. The street will reopen during morning and evening rush hours. Access to homes will be maintained. This work is scheduled to be completed by Saturday, April 16. The recommended detour is Coddington Avenue to West Van Dorn to Southwest 40th Street to West “A” Street. StarTran bus stops at Northwest Eighth and West “A” streets, and Folsom Street between West “A” and West “B” streets will be closed.
For more information on StarTran routes and detours, visit transit.lincoln.ne.gov or call 402-476-1234.
For more information on this work, contact Greg Stohs, LTU, at 402-416-5147 or [email protected]. For more information on the West “A” Street Improvement Project, visit lincoln.ne.gov/westa. Current information on street closures is available at lincoln.ne.gov/closures or through the Waze mobile app.
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https://www.kfornow.com/burglar-breaks-into-t-mobile-store-in-south-lincoln/
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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) -Lincoln Police responded to a commercial burglary at a T-Mobile Store located on 2820 Pine Lake Road on Sunday.
According to LPD, officers responded to an alarm at the store at around 2:35 a.m. When officers arrived, they found that the glass front door was shattered.
LPD said there was approximately $200 in damage and that an unspecified amount of electronic items kept in the store was stolen.
The suspect currently remains unknown. This incident remains under investigation.
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https://www.kfornow.com/husker-athletes-will-be-paid-for-top-grades/
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The Nebraska Athletic Department will continue its commitment to Husker student-athletes by developing the N-Vest Nebraska program beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.
N-Vest Nebraska will reward Husker scholarship student-athletes for academic performance, success toward graduation and retention. Nebraska student-athletes who meet the established academic benchmarks will receive $5,980 per year for their academic achievement.
“We are very proud of our rich history of academic achievement at Nebraska, including leading the nation in Academic All-Americans and ranking among the Big Ten leaders in graduation rates,” Nebraska Vice Chancellor, Director of Athletics Trev Alberts said. “N-Vest Nebraska will continue our long-standing tradition of supporting Husker student-athletes at the highest level. We look forward to being able to reward our student-athletes financially for their hard work and success in the classroom.”
The N-Vest Nebraska program is expected to provide approximately $3 million in additional financial support to Nebraska student-athletes beginning in 2022-23. College athletic departments are allowed to provide their student-athletes up to $5,980 per year following the Supreme Court decision in the NCAA v. Alston case.
Just this past Friday, the University of Minnesota announced a similar program. Until then, Wisconsin had been the only Big 10 School to institute the practice. Nebraska becomes the 24th of the 130 Football Bowl Subdivision Schools to do so.
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https://www.kfornow.com/nebraska-republicans-name-flood-their-candidate-in-june-28-special-election/
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Lincoln, Nebraska – The Nebraska Republican Party (NEGOP) has named State Senator Mike Flood of Norfolk to serve as its nominee for the 1st Congressional District Special Election on June 28th.
“Congratulations to Senator Mike Flood on receiving the Nebraska Republican Party’s nomination for the 1st Congressional District special election on June 28th. Mike brings broad experience both as a legislator and business owner. He is pro-life, a strong fiscal conservative, an advocate for rural Nebraska, and he will help build a better life for the next generation of Nebraskans,” said NEGOP Chairman Dan Welch.
“I’m honored to be my party’s nominee to serve our district and advance our conservative values in Congress,” said Flood. “Together, we’re going to win the May 10th primary, the June 28th special election, and the general election in November. We’re going to keep this seat red, help fire Nancy Pelosi as speaker, and restore a check on Joe Biden and his disastrous administration.”
Governor Pete Ricketts called a special election following former Congressman Jeff Fortenberry’s resignation.
Earlier, the Nebraska Democratic Party tapped State Senator Patty Pansing Brooks to be their candidate in the Special Election.
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https://www.kfornow.com/2909110-2/
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(KFOR NEWS April 11, 2022) On Friday, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools announced that Dawes Middle Schools was awarded the 2022 Inspire School of the Year Award to students and staff during a special assembly.
“One of the best parts of being a superintendent is celebrating the success of staff and students,” said Steve Joel, LPS superintendent, during the surprise announcement. “Dawes Middle School staff have worked extremely hard to help students achieve and create a positive culture here at Dawes; and principal Miller has worked to increase staff input and leadership, and also listens to student voices to build a positive culture. It is clear that Dawes Middle School values the lived experiences of all Dawes community members, and sees those experiences as strengths.”
To be considered for the Inspire School of the Year award, principals must detail the initiatives that have led to accomplishing considerable progress toward their school improvement plan. A selection committee comprised of community members, LPS District Office staff and the Foundation Board of Directors select the school that had the most significant impact on the students, staff, faculty and the community.
“Dawes’ focus on building and strengthening their school community culture is evident in all that they do,” stated Wendy Van, president of the Foundation for LPS. “The improvements in student engagement in the last year and a half are a direct result of that effort and should be applauded.”
As part of the award, Dawes Middle School will also receive a check for $5,000 to use on any upcoming project of their choice. Funding for the award was provided by Allstate.
Principal Liz Miller told the crowd, “We’ve been named the Inspire School of the year because of you and because of our community. Students, Dawes is a success because of your energy, engagement and willingness to share your voices with us. Staff, Dawes is being honored because of you and your relentless hard work.”
In addition to awarding Inspire School of the Year, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools also surprised one student and one staff member from each school with an Inspire Award. Each Inspire Award recipient was selected by their school principal for regularly going above and beyond, taking initiative and are a positive inspiration to others.
You can see a list of all the student and staff honorees at these links:
Student Inspire Award Winners
Staff Inspire Award Winners
READ MORE: Additional Traffic Changes Planned For Lincoln South Beltway
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https://www.kfornow.com/additional-traffic-changes-planned-for-lincoln-south-beltway/
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(KFOR NEWS April 11, 2022) Weather permitting, beginning April 13th, South 54th Street, between Saltillo Road and Bennet Road will reopen to traffic.
Also beginning April 13th, South 38th Street between Saltillo Road and Bennet Road will be closed for construction of the Lincoln South Beltway, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). Local access will be maintained.
Information regarding the Lincoln South Beltway can be found on the project website, ndot.info/LSB. The NDOT also encourages the public to follow the latest project updates at www.facebook.com/NebraskaDOT/ and ndot.info/TweetLSB.
Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near construction zones, to follow marked detours and buckle up.
READ MORE: Hy-Vee And Local First Responders GiveAway 250 Hams In Lincoln
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https://www.kfornow.com/hy-vee-and-local-first-responders-giveaway-250-hams-in-lincoln/
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(KFOR NEWS April 11, 2022) As part of its annual One Step Hams for the Holidays campaign, Hy-Vee employees and local first responders will distribute 250 Hormel® Cure 81® hams on Tuesday, April 12, beginning at 4 p.m. and concluding at 5 p.m. The event, which benefits families in need, will be held at the Southwood Lutheran Church.
Now in its fifth year, Hams for the Holidays is a collaborative effort with Hormel Foods to help provide hunger relief in communities served by Hy-Vee stores. This location is one of 19 stops that Hy-Vee is making across 10 states to deliver a total of 7,400 hams.
The event continues until 7 p.m. or until all hams are distributed, whichever occurs first. In order to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines, hams will be safely loaded into vehicles using a contactless drive-thru method to minimize physical contact.
This year’s Hams for the Holidays campaign kicks off Hy-Vee’s “Food Bank Fridays” initiative to raise funds to help supply local food banks. The campaign will run daily at Hy-Vee’s more than 285 stores for the next several months. Customers are invited to go in-store or visit Hy-VeeAislesOnline.com to make a $1 or $5 donation to go toward their local, Feeding America-affiliated food bank.
READ MORE: Nebraska Republicans Name Flood Their Candidate In June 28th Special Election
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https://www.kfornow.com/constitutional-carry-bill-will-not-pass-this-year/
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Lincoln, NE (April 11, 2022) A bill that would have allowed most people to carry concealed handguns without a permit died when Nebraska state lawmakers derailed the proposal after hearing concerns from law enforcement officials.
The bill would have made Nebraska the 26th state to adopt so-called constitutional carry legislation. Supporters fell two votes short of the 33-vote supermajority needed to overcome a filibuster led by opponents, which prevents lawmakers from advancing it this year. The Nebraska bill won initial approval last month but stalled Monday on the second of three required votes in the waning days of the legislative session.
The sponsor of LB 773, Senator Tom Brewer of Gordon, was clearly frustrated. He suggested that some Senators who had indicated they would vote for the bill had switched their votes.
“There are a number of people in this body I trusted, for a number of reasons. I have made a mistake in so trusting some of them.”
Brewer indicated that, in his two remaining years in the legislature, that he would return the favor.
“There is an old native tradition, called ‘taking coup with your enemies’. I believe before this day is over I will have some to add to that list.”
Brewer said the bill was important to him personally.
“I have given six years of my life, and my priority bill on this, and you better believe that I will have a long and clear memory. So, you guys hide behind those things you think are going to protect you because that’s the reason you’re going to vote against something that you never wanted to vote for in the first place.”
Brewer said he would introduce the bill again next year.
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https://www.kfornow.com/philadelphia-reinstates-indoor-mask-mandate/
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Philadelphia is reinstating its indoor mask mandate after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections.
The city’s top health official said Monday COVID-19 cases have risen more than 50% in 10 days.
That’s the threshold at which the city’s guidelines call for people to wear masks indoors.
The city is reporting more than 140 cases per day, a fraction of what it saw at the height of the omicron surge.
The city’s health official says the recent increase indicates the city might be at the beginning of a new wave.
Philadelphia is the first major U.S. city to go back to requiring masks since cases declined at the beginning of the year.
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https://www.kfornow.com/president-biden-aims-at-ghost-gun-violence-with-new-federal-rule/
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday took fresh aim at ghost guns, the privately made firearms without serial numbers that are increasingly cropping up in violent crimes, as he struggles to break past gun-control opposition to address firearm deaths.
Speaking at the White House, Biden highlighted the Justice Department’s work to finalize new regulations to crack down on ghost guns, and announced the nomination of Steve Dettelbach, who served as a U.S. attorney in Ohio from 2009 to 2016, to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“Law enforcement is sounding the alarm,” Biden said of ghost guns, briefly holding one up for cameras to see in the Rose Garden. “Our communities are paying the price.”
He promised the new regulations would save lives.
Still, the announcement on guns highlights the limits of Biden’s influence to push a sweeping congressional overhaul of the nation’s firearm laws in response to both a recent surge in violent crime and continued mass shootings. Congress has deadlocked on legislative proposals to reform gun laws for a decade, and executive actions have faced stiff headwinds in federal courts — even as the Democratic base has grown more vocal in calling on Biden to take more consequential action.
Dettelbach’s confirmation, too, is likely to be an uphill battle. Biden had to withdraw the nomination of his first ATF nominee, gun-control advocate David Chipman, after it stalled for months because of opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in the Senate.
Both Republican and Democratic administrations have failed to get nominees for the ATF position through the politically fraught process since the director’s position was made confirmable in 2006. Since then, only one nominee, former U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones, has been confirmed. Jones made it through the Senate in 2013 but only after a six-month struggle. Jones was acting director when President Barack Obama nominated him in January 2013.
The Biden administration’s plan on guns was first reported by Politico.
For nearly a year, the ghost gun rule has been making its way through the federal regulation process. Gun safety groups and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for the Justice Department to finish the rule for months. It will probably be met with heavy resistance from gun groups and draw litigation in the coming weeks.
Gun Owners of America vowed that it would immediately fight the rule.
“Just as we opposed the Trump Administration’s arbitrary ban on bump stocks, GOA will also sue Biden’s ATF to halt the implementation of this rule,” Aidan Johnston, the group’s director of federal affairs said in a statement. The group believes the rule violates the U.S. Constitution and several federal laws.
But gun safety advocacy groups, like Everytown for Gun Safety, which pushed the federal government for years to take action on ghost guns, applauded Biden’s moves and insisted that both Dettelbach’s appointment and the finalized rule will help combat gun violence.
“Ghost guns look like a gun, they shoot like a gun, and they kill like a gun, but up until now they haven’t been regulated like a gun,” said John Feinblatt, Everytown’s president.
Christian Heyne, the vice president of policy at Brady, another gun control group, said Dettelbach was “an unimpeachable public servant who has spent a career using the levers of government to hold negligent or nefarious actors accountable.”
Justice Department statistics show that nearly 24,000 ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes and reported to the government from 2016 to 2020. It is hard to say how many are circulating on the streets, in part because in many cases police departments don’t contact the government about the guns because they can’t be traced.
The new rule changes the current definition of a firearm under federal law to include unfinished parts, like the frame of a handgun or the receiver of a long gun. It says those parts must be licensed and include serial numbers. Manufacturers must also run background checks before a sale — as they do with other commercially made firearms. The requirement applies regardless of how the firearm was made, meaning it includes ghost guns made from individual parts, kits, or by 3D-printers.
Federally licensed firearms dealers must retain key records until they shut down their business or licensed activity and then transfer the records to ATF as they are currently required to do at the end of licensed activity. Previously, these dealers were permitted to destroy most records after 20 years, making it harder for law enforcement to trace firearms found at crime scenes.
“A year ago this week standing here with many of you, I instructed the attorney general to write a regulation that would rein in the proliferation of ghost guns because I was having trouble getting anything passed in the Congress,” Biden said.
The rule goes into effect 120 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register
For years, federal officials have been sounding the alarm about an increasing black market for homemade, military-style semi-automatic rifles and handguns. As well as turning up more frequently at crime scenes, ghost guns have been increasingly encountered when federal agents buy guns in undercover operations from gang members and other criminals.
Some states, like California, have enacted laws in recent years to require serial numbers to be stamped on ghost guns.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who was attending Monday’s event at the White House, applauded the move and pointed to a serious uptick in ghost guns being found by police. Police in Philadelphia have seen nearly a 500% increase in the number of ghost guns recovered in the past two years, Shapiro said. And just last week, a police officer there was shot by a ghost gun-wielding 18-year-old, who police said had also shot three others.
“This loophole has caused our nation countless lives,” Shapiro said in an interview. “Today is a critically important step to close that loophole.”
He said the move is likely to help drive down violence and aid both police and prosecutors in bringing their cases. The rule is also likely to help bring down the number of people who shouldn’t be purchasing firearms before a gun lands in their hand, he said.
“There are two challenges: One, criminals can easily buy them without going through a background check. And two, they are unserialized and untraceable.”
The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver, a part typically made of metal or polymer. An unfinished receiver — sometimes referred to as an “80-percent receiver” — can be legally bought online with no serial numbers or other markings on it, no license required.
Police across the country have been reporting spikes in ghost guns being recovered by officers. The New York Police Department, for example, said officers found 131 firearms without serial numbers since January.
A gunman who killed his wife and four others in Northern California in 2017 had been prohibited from owning firearms, but he built his own to skirt the court order before his rampage. And in 2019, a teenager used a homemade handgun to fatally shoot two classmates and wound three others at a school in suburban Los Angeles.
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https://www.kfornow.com/mayor-presents-award-of-excellence-to-two-police-investigators/
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Lincoln, NE (April 11, 2022) Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today presented the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for November 2021 to Lincoln Police Department Investigators Timothy Cronin and Matthew Franken. The awards were presented at the beginning of the weekly City Council meeting. The awards recognize City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to Lincoln.
Cronin and Franken were nominated by Sergeant Mike Ripley in the category of productivity for their work on the fatal shooting of a Lincoln woman. Multiple suspects had unlawfully entered the victim’s home and restrained her children. The victim was shot when she responded to the commotion. After photos from the home video surveillance system were released to the public, suspects were identified, located and arrested. The 2 1/2-year investigation resulted in five convictions, and all the individuals responsible are serving lengthy prison terms.
“The amount of dedication and professionalism shown by Investigator Franken and Investigator Cronin was crucial to the successful outcome of this case, and also provided closure to the children and other family members who still suffer from the trauma of this event,” Ripley wrote.
The other categories in which employees can be nominated are customer relations, valor, safety, and loss prevention. Consideration also may be given to nominations that demonstrate self-initiated accomplishments or those completed outside of the nominee’s job description. All City employees are eligible for the award except for elected and appointed officials.
Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates, and the public. Nomination forms are available at lincoln.ne.gov/awardofexcellence or from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Human Resources Department, which oversees the awards program.
All nominations are considered by the Mayor’s Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $50 gift certificate, a day off with pay and a certificate. All monthly winners and nominees are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $250 gift certificate, two days off with pay and a plaque.
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https://www.kfornow.com/troopers-wrap-up-distracted-driving-initiative/
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APRIL 11, 2022 (LINCOLN, NEB.) — The Nebraska State Patrol has completed a week-long enforcement and education effort focused on distracted driving. The U Drive. U Text. U Pay. initiative was part of a nationwide effort during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
“April is set aside to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, but our troopers’ educational efforts continue year-round,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We urge all drivers to make safety their priority, eliminate distractions, and keep their focus on the road.”
During the effort, which ran from April 4 through April 10, troopers arrested 19 motorists for driving under the influence and issued citations for speeding (292), no seat belt (11), improper child restraint (5), open alcohol container (16), minor in possession (6), driving under suspension (29), no proof of insurance (26), and use of a handheld wireless communication device (1). Troopers also performed 312 motorist assists throughout the week.
This effort was made possible thanks in part to a grant for $14,160 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office. The Nebraska Department of Transportation offers resources to educate young drivers on the dangers of distracted driving. To learn more, visit the Buckle Up Phone Down page on the NDOT website.
Troopers are also available to give educational presentations to young drivers throughout the state. To request a presentation or safety demonstration, contact your local troop area Community Service Officer. Contact information is available at the NSP website.
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https://www.kfornow.com/officials-say-south-central-nebraska-wildfire-about-half-contained/
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(KFOR NEWS April 12, 2022) EDISON, Neb. (AP) – State officials say a wildfire in southern Nebraska that destroyed some homes and produced thick smoke that led to the traffic death of an area fire chief has been about half contained.
The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post Sunday the fire, which consumed some 35,000 acres, was 50% contained. The agency said there will be a decrease in the number of firefighters over the coming days as containment of the fire progresses. The blaze started Thursday after a dead tree was blown into a power line, with strong winds and dry conditions fueling its spread in Gosper and Furnas counties.
On Monday, Governor Ricketts traveled to Holdrege to meet with local officials about the needs of landowners and first responders as they look toward a long road of recovery. Top of mind was impacted infrastructure and the scarcity of available resources to replace what was damaged in the fire.
KNOP in North Platte reports following that meeting, Governor Ricketts and emergency management leadership traveled to Arapahoe to speak with fire chiefs, Brian Sisson and Wesley Hock who were in charge of the overall response to the fire.
READ MORE: Mayor Presents Award Of Excellence To Two Police Investigators
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https://www.kfornow.com/cdc-media-telebriefing-2020-std-surveillance-report/
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Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will discuss the 2020 STD Surveillance Report.
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https://www.kfornow.com/gun-stolen-from-lincoln-mans-vehicle-outside-his-home/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 12)–A .45 caliber handgun, the holster and two gun magazines were stolen from a man’s vehicle at his northwest Lincoln home over the weekend.
Police Captain Todd Kocian says it happened in the 300 block of Oregon Trail, sometime between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. The owner is a 66-year-old man and indicated that someone got inside and took the gun, along with the magazines and holster for a $725 loss.
Captain Kocian says the owner thought the vehicle was locked and there are no signs of a forced entry.
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https://www.kfornow.com/man-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-roommate-with-a-knife/
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LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 12)–An argument between roommates on Monday leads to threats being made.
Lincoln Police say 37-year-old Matthew Stinson allegedly threatened his 51-year-old roommate with a knife before leaving their home in the 500 block of South 25th Street. Police showed up and later found Stinson walking, where he was arrested for terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
A pocketknife was found on Stinson. No one was hurt.
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https://www.kfornow.com/nebraska-athletic-department-partners-with-altius-sports-partners-for-nil-program/
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LINCOLN–(NU Athletics Apr. 12)–Nebraska Athletics has partnered with leading name, image and likeness advisory and education firm Altius Sports Partners (Altius) to bolster the school’s NIL program. The Altius NIL launch platform includes ongoing guidance, assessment of departmental initiatives, corporate partner strategies, as well as comprehensive and customized educational services benefitting all internal and external Nebraska stakeholders as the NIL space continues to change.
“We are committed at Nebraska to do everything we can to support the ability of our student-athletes to maximize name, image and likeness opportunities. I am excited to add Altius as a partner to assist us in the NIL realm,” said Nebraska Director of Athletics Trev Alberts. “Their expertise, guidance and creativity will be an important component of Nebraska being a national leader in the area of name, image and likeness.”
Key elements of the partnership include strategic guidance on overall NIL policy and the development of corporate partnership strategy as well as consultation on emerging opportunities to empower Nebraska’s more than 600 student-athletes across 24 sports. The team at Altius will also help student-athletes, coaches and administrators through best-in-class NIL education from top experts in all related areas including group licensing, marketing, branding, financial literacy and recruiting.
An official partner of leading collegiate athletic departments and sports properties, the team at Altius specializes in developing and managing comprehensive programs related to NIL. Through its industry expertise, range of services and intellectual resources, the firm’s education-centered approach includes establishing strategic vision and collaborative planning which helps all stakeholders traverse the structural change and succeed in the rapidly changing intercollegiate sports environment.
“Nebraska is investing in the maximum level of support, education and resources to help its athletes and other stakeholders successfully navigate NIL. We are proud to partner with the Huskers and bolster their efforts to prepare and thrive as a leader in the ongoing evolution of collegiate athletics,” said Altius Sports Vice President, Collegiate Partnerships Andrew Donovan.
Nebraska has long been a leader in college athletics, establishing a history of success athletically and academically. Nebraska owns 29 national championships in its history, including five football national championships and five in volleyball. Nebraska is also a national leader in academic awards, leading the nation with 347 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, and boasting a nation-leading 18 NCAA Today’s Top Ten Award recipients.
Supported by operational leadership and a best-in-class client services team, the Altius cross-disciplinary network of partners and advisory team members includes:
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https://www.kfornow.com/new-data-suggest-stds-continued-to-increase-during-first-year-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/
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Reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States decreased during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but most resurged by the end of that year.
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https://www.kfornow.com/us-inflation-jumped-8-5-in-past-year-highest-since-1981/
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation soared over the past year at its fastest pace in more than 40 years, with costs for food, gasoline, housing and other necessities squeezing American consumers and wiping out the pay raises that many people have received.
The Labor Department said Tuesday that its consumer price index jumped 8.5% in March from 12 months earlier — the biggest year-over-year increase since December 1981. Prices have been driven up by bottlenecked supply chains, robust consumer demand and disruptions to global food and energy markets worsened by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The government’s report also showed that inflation rose 1.2% from February to March, up from a 0.8% increase from January to February.
The March inflation numbers were the first to capture the full surge in gasoline prices that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Moscow’s brutal attacks have triggered far-reaching Western sanctions against the Russian economy and have disrupted global food and energy markets. According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of gasoline — $4.10 — is up 43% from a year ago, though it has fallen back in the past couple of weeks.
The escalation of energy prices has led to higher transportation costs for the shipment of goods and components across the economy, which, in turn, has contributed to higher prices for consumers.
The latest evidence of accelerating prices will solidify expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates aggressively in the coming months to try to slow borrowing and spending and tame inflation. The financial markets now foresee much steeper rate hikes this year than Fed officials had signaled as recently as last month.
Even before Russia’s war further spurred price increases, robust consumer spending, steady pay raises and chronic supply shortages had sent U.S. consumer inflation to its highest level in four decades. In addition, housing costs, which make up about a third of the consumer price index, have escalated, a trend that seems unlikely to reverse anytime soon.
Economists point out that as the economy has emerged from the depths of the pandemic, consumers have been gradually broadening their spending beyond goods to include more services. A result is that high inflation, which at first had reflected mainly a shortage of goods — from cars and furniture to electronics and sports equipment — has been emerging in services, too, like travel, health care and entertainment.
The expected fast pace of the Fed’s rate increases will make loans sharply more expensive for consumers and businesses. Mortgage rates, in particular, though not directly influenced by the Fed, have rocketed higher in recent weeks, making home buying more expensive. Many economists say they worry that the Fed has waited too long to begin raising rates and might end up acting so aggressively as to trigger a recession.
For now, the economy as a whole remains solid, with unemployment near 50-year lows and job openings near record highs. Still, rocketing inflation, with its impact on Americans’ daily lives, is posing a political threat to President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies as they seek to keep control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
Economists generally express doubt that even the sharp rate hikes that are expected from the Fed will manage to reduce inflation anywhere near the central bank’s 2% annual target by the end of this year. Tilley, Wilmington Trust economist, said he expects year-over-year consumer inflation to still be 4.5% by the end of 2020. Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he had forecast a much lower 3% rate.
Inflation, which had been largely under control for four decades, began to accelerate last spring as the U.S. and global economies rebounded with unexpected speed and strength from the brief but devastating coronavirus recession that began in the spring of 2020.
The recovery, fueled by huge infusions of government spending and super-low interest rates, caught businesses by surprise, forcing them to scramble to meet surging customer demand. Factories, ports and freight yards struggled to keep up, leading to chronic shipping delays and price spikes.
Critics also blame, in part, the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion March 2021 stimulus program, which included $1,400 relief checks for most households, for helping overheat an already sizzling economy.
Many Americans have been receiving pay increases, but the pace of inflation has more than wiped out those gains for most people. In February, after accounting for inflation, average hourly wages fell 2.5% from a year earlier. It was the 11th straight monthly drop in inflation-adjusted wages.
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https://www.kfornow.com/iconic-comedian-gilbert-gottfried-dies-at-67/
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LOS ANGELES, Ca. – Iconic comedian Gilbert Gottfried has died.
In a statement from his family, the comic with the legendary voice, passed after a long battle with an illness.
He first came to national attention with frequent appearances on MTV in its early days and as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live” in the 1980s.
Gottfried also did voice work for children’s television and movies, most famously playing the parrot Iago in Disney’s “Aladdin.”
He was 67.
pic.twitter.com/STHhfpVSKU — Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 12, 2022
pic.twitter.com/STHhfpVSKU
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 12, 2022
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https://www.kfornow.com/survey-focuses-on-downtown-streetscapes/
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Lincoln, NE (April 12, 2022) The public is invited to participate in an online survey at downtowncorridorslincoln.com. The purpose is to share ideas for the upcoming renovation of streetscapes along downtown Lincoln’s major street corridors. The City is seeking input from downtown business owners, employees, and residents as well as the general public about improvements along these streets:
The survey is part of the planning process for the streetscape improvement project originally identified in the 2018 Downtown Master Plan. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department, the City Urban Development Department, and the Downtown Lincoln Association are looking at opportunities to improve the appearance, safety and connectivity of the streetscapes and to potentially leverage additional private reinvestment in the area.
In addition to the survey, public open houses are planned this summer and fall. The renovation plan is expected to be complete in late 2022.
For more information, contact Collin Christopher, Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department, at [email protected] or 402-441-6370. For more information about the project, visit downtowncorridorslincoln.com.
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https://www.kfornow.com/community-learning-centers-receive-grants/
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Lincoln, NE (April 12, 2022) Students at 18 sites across the state, including five in Lincoln, will have more access to services and activities to meet developmental and academic needs during afterschool and summer hours. The State Board of Education has approved 12 federal grants worth more than $930,000 for 21st Century Community Learning Center programs.
Activities at the sites are aligned to the school day and include homework help and tutoring, physical activity, the arts, community service, choices for hands-on learning activities, positive youth development, and leadership. School buildings receiving a grant must have at least 40% of students eligible to receive free or reduced priced lunch.
The following Continuation five-year grants were awarded:
During the 2021-22 school year, there were 150 sites in 40 Nebraska communities funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which is funded under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended.
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https://www.kfornow.com/health-department-to-offer-second-booster-doses/
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Lincoln, NE (April 12, 2022) The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) will offer second booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine at two large-scale vaccination clinics at Pinnacle Bank Arena:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently approved additional Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster doses for those age 50 and older and those age 12 and over with weakened immune systems.
“Booster doses help people maintain strong protection against COVID-19,” said Pat Lopez, Health Director. “The BA.2 variant is becoming more common across the nation and in Nebraska, and we don’t yet know whether this variant could cause a small uptick or a larger surge. Having a high level of immunity against the virus in our community helps us be better prepared if there are future outbreaks.”
LLCHD is contacting vaccine recipients who fall within the current recommendations to schedule second booster dose appointments. Walk-ins are also welcome at the arena clinics. Residents may also schedule appointments at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Masks are required at LLCHD vaccination clinics.
Both arena clinics will offer first and second doses for those age 5 and older, first booster doses for those age 12 and older, and second booster doses for those who are eligible.
LLCHD is also offering second booster doses by appointment only at its COVID-19 vaccination clinics at 3131 “O” Street. To find upcoming clinics and schedule an appointment, visit at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Second booster doses are also available at some local pharmacies, and more information is available at vaccines.gov.
The following are CDC second booster dose recommendations:
Pfizer and Moderna second booster doses may be given four months after receiving a first booster dose.
According to the CDC, those most likely to benefit from the additional protection of a second booster dose are people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults – especially those with underlying medical conditions – and people with weakened immune systems. People in these groups should talk to their health care providers if they have questions about getting a second booster dose.
A first booster dose also remains critical in helping protect people from severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. CDC data shows that during the recent Omicron surge, those who were boosted were 21-times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were unvaccinated, and 7-times less likely to be hospitalized.
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https://www.kfornow.com/severe-weather-sweeps-through-the-area/
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Tornado Warning for Lancaster County has expired. Severe Weather lingers in the area. Stay tuned to KFOR for the latest information and updates.
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https://www.kfornow.com/2909308-2/
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(KFOR NEWS April 13, 2021) (NEWSWEEK-Jon Jackson) Most Americans now call the COVID-19 pandemic either a “manageable” problem or “not a problem at all,” according to a poll released Tuesday. Meanwhile, only 9 percent referred to the pandemic as a “serious crisis.”
The Axios/Ipsos poll for the outlets’ joint Coronavirus Index found more Americans said they are returning to activities that they enjoyed before the pandemic hit. The survey results suggested a return to normalcy for many Americans, though the respondents were not directly asked if their attitudes were affected by “pandemic fatigue” or because they felt safer due to vaccines and declining rates of infections.
The publication of the poll comes as health data showed COVID cases are increasing in some areas of the country. On Monday, the city of Philadelphia announced it will reinstate an indoor mask mandate after a 50% increase in reported COVID-19 cases over the course of 10 days. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that it is watching cases of two new sub-variants of the highly transmissible Omicron strain that could potentially cause more of a case uptick.
The poll also found that 44% of Americans said they still wear a mask outside their homes “at least sometimes,” while 34% said they had practiced social distancing in the past week.
Meanwhile, 65% of the survey respondents said they had gone out to eat in the past week, and 66 percent said they had visited friends or family.
Support for businesses requiring proof of vaccination also declined. In early February, a similar Axios/Ipsos poll found that 51% of people said they supported businesses mandating proof of vaccination from customers before they were allowed to enter stores or restaurants. Now, only 36% said they support businesses requiring that proof.
Americans are also less likely to say they support their state or local governments requiring masks in all public places. 44% said they back the requirement in the new survey, down from 50% last month.
READ MORE: LPS And Teachers Agree To New Contract
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https://www.kfornow.com/county-engineer-announces-funding-for-south-68th-street-firth-road-to-stagecoach-road/
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(KFOR NEWS April 13, 2022) The Lancaster County Engineering Department announces $5.3 million in Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding and $3.9 million in Lincoln metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) funding for South 68th Street from Stagecoach Road to Firth Road.
Lancaster County Engineer Pam Dingman said in a release that the $9.2 million in funding, coupled with the $1.0 million that Lancaster County Commissioners placed in reserve funds last year, will go a long way to funding the nearly $10.8 million proposed project, which will consist of intersection and roadway improvements.
The Lancaster County Engineering Team has been studying this corridor since 2018.
The current configuration of South 68th Street consists of two 11’ drive lanes and no earth or paved shoulders. In addition, the intersections in this corridor do not have turn lanes. There are many types of crashes in this corridor, including run-off the road, rear end, and sideswipes. Increased traffic on South 68th Street has created an amplified risk to safety for the traveling public.
The 68th Street corridor is home to the Norris School District’s Campus. South 68th Street has, many school permit drivers and increased traffic with local growth. This has created many dangerous situations for young drivers and others in this busy corridor. The Norris School District and the traveling public have continued to request that improvements be made to this very important corridor in Lancaster County.
Lancaster County Engineering Department expects that construction could start as early as 2025.
Thursday at 1:00 PM, this project will appear on the MPO Technical Committee Agenda for approval in the 2022-2025 Lincoln/Lancaster County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Additional approval votes will be needed at the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Commission and the MPO Officials Committee.
The Lancaster County Engineer’s website has a complete listing of bridges and roads currently closed in Lancaster County. For more information, please visit the website at https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/207/County-Engineer or call 402-441-7681.
READ MORE: LPS And Teachers Agree To New Contract
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https://www.kfornow.com/epa-announces-plan-to-protect-endangered-species-and-support-sustainable-agriculture/
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(KFOR NEWS April 13, 2022) LENEXA, KAN. (APRIL 12, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its first-ever comprehensive workplan to address the decades-old challenge of protecting endangered species from pesticides. The plan establishes four overall strategies and dozens of actions to adopt those protections while providing farmers, public health authorities, and others with access to pesticides:
Tuesday’s released workplan also sets a new vision for a successful ESA-FIFRA program that focuses on protecting species under the ESA, while minimizing regulatory impacts to pesticide users, supporting the development of safer technologies to control pests, completing timely FIFRA decisions, and collaborating with other agencies and stakeholders on implementing the plan.
Read the workplan.
Learn more about EPA’s work to protection endangered species from pesticides.
READ MORE: Health Department To Offer Second Booster Doses
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https://www.kfornow.com/lps-and-teachers-agree-to-new-contract/
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(KFOR NEWS April 13, 2022) The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education and the Lincoln Education Association have reached a contract agreement with teachers for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
For the 2022-23 year, the tentative agreement approved by a vote of LEA members provides a total compensation package increase of 4.11%. The tentative agreement includes the district’s contribution for increases with health insurance, retirement, Social Security and an across-the-board increase of $1,250 along with movement on the pay schedule for a total increase of approximately $1,740-$3,248 for the year depending on the staff member’s placement on the salary schedule.
For the 2023-24 year, the tentative agreement approved by a vote of LEA members provides a total compensation package increase of 3.65%. The tentative agreement includes the district’s contribution for increases with health insurance, retirement, Social Security and an across-the-board increase of $1,055 and movement on the pay schedule for a total increase of approximately $1,545-$4,108 for the year depending on the staff member’s placement on the salary schedule.
The Board voted to approve the negotiated agreement at Tuesday evening’s meeting.
READ MORE: Community Learning Centers Receive Grants
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