By&nbsp;Colorado Air National Guard Public Affairs

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo.–The 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, will conduct a readiness exercise at Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Scottsbluff, Nebraska,<a>&nbsp;Sept. 22-25, 2022.</a>

Wing personnel will conduct 24-hour training operations in a simulated combat environment, meaning the local community can anticipate an increase in flight activity and noise level during this period to include evening flying operations.

“We have been preparing for this very important exercise over the past several months and plan to continue honing our warfighting skills in late September as we serve our state and nation,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Southard, commander, 140th Wing.

This multi-day exercise is designed to establish a learning environment for Airmen to exercise their plans and procedures for upcoming deployments in an ever-evolving operational environment.

Southard said that the community’s patience and understanding of these necessary training activities is greatly appreciated. The training gained from these exercises will significantly improve the 140th Wing’s ability to prepare and respond to mission-essential functions carried out every day in support of national security.

The wing’s real-world mission and emergency response capability will not be affected and will take priority over exercise actions.

By&nbsp;Colorado Air National Guard Public AffairsBUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo.–The 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, will conduct a readiness exercise at Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Scottsbluff, Nebraska,<a>&nbsp;Sept. 22-25, 2022.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663614565315.jpeg" alt="U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Annalisa Neal, Crew Chief, 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, prepares to launch an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft in support of a joint operations training mission with the 101st F-18 Hornet Training Squadron at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, Aug. 3, 2022, San Diego, California. The 140th Wing is comprised of over 1,600 people who support multiple operational missions and are headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Amanda Geiger)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Annalisa Neal, Crew Chief, 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, prepares to launch an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft in support of a joint operations training mission with the 101st F-18 Hornet Training Squadron at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, Aug. 3, 2022, San Diego, California. The 140th Wing is comprised of over 1,600 people who support multiple operational missions and are headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Amanda Geiger)</figcaption>
 </figure>Wing personnel will conduct 24-hour training operations in a simulated combat environment, meaning the local community can anticipate an increase in flight activity and noise level during this period to include evening flying operations.“We have been preparing for this very important exercise over the past several months and plan to continue honing our warfighting skills in late September as we serve our state and nation,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Southard, commander, 140th Wing.This multi-day exercise is designed to establish a learning environment for Airmen to exercise their plans and procedures for upcoming deployments in an ever-evolving operational environment.Southard said that the community’s patience and understanding of these necessary training activities is greatly appreciated. The training gained from these exercises will significantly improve the 140th Wing’s ability to prepare and respond to mission-essential functions carried out every day in support of national security.The wing’s real-world mission and emergency response capability will not be affected and will take priority over exercise actions.

Colorado ANG to conduct major readiness exercise in Scottsbluff at WNRA

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 9/19/22

SPEARFISH, S.D. – &nbsp;One person died Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle crash south of Spearfish.

The name of the person involved has not yet been released pending notification of family members. &nbsp;

Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHRCI motorcycle was westbound on U.S. Highway 14A when it entered the curve and left the roadway to the left.

The 43-year-old male driver was thrown from the motorcycle and later died at a Spearfish hospital. He was not wearing a helmet.

South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.

The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

By South Dakota Highway PatrolSPEARFISH, S.D. – &nbsp;One person died Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle crash south of Spearfish.The name of the person involved has not yet been released pending notification of family members. &nbsp;Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHRCI motorcycle was westbound on U.S. Highway 14A when it entered the curve and left the roadway to the left.The 43-year-old male driver was thrown from the motorcycle and later died at a Spearfish hospital. He was not wearing a helmet.South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

1 person killed in motorcycle crash near Spearfish 

The United Way of Western Nebraska has announced the winners for this year’s United Way Duck Draw.

By United Way of Western NebraskaThe United Way of Western Nebraska has announced the winners for this year’s United Way Duck Draw.<figure>
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United Way announces 'Duck Draw' winners 

P202200817 08:08 FIRE : FIRE 100 BLOCK CODY AVENUE/ FULLY ENGULFED MOTORCYCLE/ NO INJURIES/ INFORMATIONAL CASE TAKEN Closed - Resolved

P202200818 08:47 THEFT : THEFT 700 block of Potash/Stolen mountain bike/ investigation is ongoing Inactive - Case Suspended

P202200819 15:57 WARRANT : ARREST 1600 W. 3RD STREET/ TIP REGARDING INDIVIDUAL WITH WARRANT/ WARRANT CONFIRMED AND ARREST MADE Closed - Resolved

P202200820 18:05 BITE : ANIMAL BITE Officers responded to BBGH referencing a dog bite that had occurred in the 1200 block of Big Horn Ave. Animal quarantined. Closed - Resolved

P202200826 19:53 DRUGS : DRUGS Officers were searching a residence for a subject with an arrest warrant on the 400 block of Hudson Ave. While conducting the search, multiple articles of drug paraphernalia found, seized, and marked for destruction. Closed - Resolved

P202200821 08:30 JUV : JUVENILE officers responded to Richard Circle in reference to a juvenile making threats with a knife/ Juvenile was taken into custody/ charges recommended Closed - Charges Recommended

P202200822 12:15 WARRANT : ARREST 200 E. 5TH STREET/ INDIVIDUAL LOCATED WITH ARREST WARRANT/ CRIMINAL MISCHIEF $0-$500/ WARRANT CONFIRMED AND INDIVIDUAL PLACED UNDER ARREST Closed - Resolved

P202200823 12:50 WARRANT : ARREST 200 E. 5TH ST./ INDIVIDUAL WITH A WARRANT LOCATED/ DISTROBUTION OF NARCOTICS; POSS. DEADLY WEAPON; DOM. ASSAULT; STRANGULATION; CHILD ABUSE; HABITUAL CRIMINAL/ INDIVIDUAL ARRESTED/ RESIDENCE OWNER CITED FOR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA Closed - Charges Recommended

P202200825 14:37 JUV : JUVENILE Officers responded to the 700 block of Dakota for a suspect with a warrant. The suspect attempted to flee on foot; however, officers were able to apprehend him. Suspect was arrested for the warrant and new charges were recommended. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202200830 18:42 WELFARE : WELFARE Report of a run away adult female. Investigation is on going Open - Under Investigation

P202200827 23:13 THEFT : THEFT Officer responded to the 1000 Block of Potash Ave. reference theft of a bicycle. Case is under investigation. Open - Under Investigation

P202200828 05:41 TRAFFIC STOP : Traffic stop initiated for speeding on the 100 block of west 3rd St. Upon contact with the driver it was discovered the vehicle was uninsured. Charges recommended for no proof of insurance. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202200829 18:27 WARRANT : ARREST Officers contacted a male that had an active Box Butte County Arrest Warrant near 7th Street and Niobrara Ave. While other information was confirmed, the male requested to give he's female partner a hug, the male took off running and fled the scene. Further charges recommended. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202200831 14:11 INTAKE : INTAKE DHHS intake was sent to APD // Does not meet definition // Follow up was conducted // Closed - Resolved

P202200832 19:31 INTAKE : INTAKE It was reported to DHHS that an older male had a stroke and has since had difficulties with normal tasks. The concern is that the male might not be able to care for himself. Under investigation. Open - Under Investigation

P202200833 21:21 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : Officers responded to the Alliance High School parking lot in reference to a hit-and-run accident. During the investigation it was concluded that the damage tot he vehicle was caused by another individual. Under investigation. Open - Under Investigation

P202200834 16:11 INTAKE : INTAKE DHHS intake regarding a 3 year old juvenile. Intake was classified as does not meet definition by DHHS. Open - Under Investigation

P202200835 22:26 DISTURBANCE : Responded to the 600 block of Sweetwater Avenue about a male attempting to break into the residence. Upon arrival the male was gone and located in the yard to the north. The male broke locks on the shed and attempted to gain entry and was unsuccessful. The male was arrested on charges of Stalking, Disturbing the Peace, and Criminal Mischief. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202200836 01:04 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer initiated a traffic stop on a Chrysler vehicle due to the safety glass violation on the 300 block of West 3rd Street. The driver was investigated for DUI and taken into custody. Closed - Charges Recommended

By Alliance Police Department09/11/22P202200817 08:08 FIRE : FIRE 100 BLOCK CODY AVENUE/ FULLY ENGULFED MOTORCYCLE/ NO INJURIES/ INFORMATIONAL CASE TAKEN Closed - ResolvedP202200818 08:47 THEFT : THEFT 700 block of Potash/Stolen mountain bike/ investigation is ongoing Inactive - Case SuspendedP202200819 15:57 WARRANT : ARREST 1600 W. 3RD STREET/ TIP REGARDING INDIVIDUAL WITH WARRANT/ WARRANT CONFIRMED AND ARREST MADE Closed - Resolved09/11/22 Total: 309/12/22P202200820 18:05 BITE : ANIMAL BITE Officers responded to BBGH referencing a dog bite that had occurred in the 1200 block of Big Horn Ave. Animal quarantined. Closed - ResolvedP202200826 19:53 DRUGS : DRUGS Officers were searching a residence for a subject with an arrest warrant on the 400 block of Hudson Ave. While conducting the search, multiple articles of drug paraphernalia found, seized, and marked for destruction. Closed - Resolved09/12/22 Total: 209/13/22P202200821 08:30 JUV : JUVENILE officers responded to Richard Circle in reference to a juvenile making threats with a knife/ Juvenile was taken into custody/ charges recommended Closed - Charges RecommendedP202200822 12:15 WARRANT : ARREST 200 E. 5TH STREET/ INDIVIDUAL LOCATED WITH ARREST WARRANT/ CRIMINAL MISCHIEF $0-$500/ WARRANT CONFIRMED AND INDIVIDUAL PLACED UNDER ARREST Closed - ResolvedP202200823 12:50 WARRANT : ARREST 200 E. 5TH ST./ INDIVIDUAL WITH A WARRANT LOCATED/ DISTROBUTION OF NARCOTICS; POSS. DEADLY WEAPON; DOM. ASSAULT; STRANGULATION; CHILD ABUSE; HABITUAL CRIMINAL/ INDIVIDUAL ARRESTED/ RESIDENCE OWNER CITED FOR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA Closed - Charges RecommendedP202200825 14:37 JUV : JUVENILE Officers responded to the 700 block of Dakota for a suspect with a warrant. The suspect attempted to flee on foot; however, officers were able to apprehend him. Suspect was arrested for the warrant and new charges were recommended. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202200830 18:42 WELFARE : WELFARE Report of a run away adult female. Investigation is on going Open - Under InvestigationP202200827 23:13 THEFT : THEFT Officer responded to the 1000 Block of Potash Ave. reference theft of a bicycle. Case is under investigation. Open - Under Investigation09/13/22 Total: 609/14/22P202200828 05:41 TRAFFIC STOP : Traffic stop initiated for speeding on the 100 block of west 3rd St. Upon contact with the driver it was discovered the vehicle was uninsured. Charges recommended for no proof of insurance. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202200829 18:27 WARRANT : ARREST Officers contacted a male that had an active Box Butte County Arrest Warrant near 7th Street and Niobrara Ave. While other information was confirmed, the male requested to give he's female partner a hug, the male took off running and fled the scene. Further charges recommended. Closed - Charges Recommended09/14/22 Total: 209/15/22P202200831 14:11 INTAKE : INTAKE DHHS intake was sent to APD // Does not meet definition // Follow up was conducted // Closed - ResolvedP202200832 19:31 INTAKE : INTAKE It was reported to DHHS that an older male had a stroke and has since had difficulties with normal tasks. The concern is that the male might not be able to care for himself. Under investigation. Open - Under InvestigationP202200833 21:21 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : Officers responded to the Alliance High School parking lot in reference to a hit-and-run accident. During the investigation it was concluded that the damage tot he vehicle was caused by another individual. Under investigation. Open - Under Investigation09/15/22 Total: 309/16/22P202200834 16:11 INTAKE : INTAKE DHHS intake regarding a 3 year old juvenile. Intake was classified as does not meet definition by DHHS. Open - Under InvestigationP202200835 22:26 DISTURBANCE : Responded to the 600 block of Sweetwater Avenue about a male attempting to break into the residence. Upon arrival the male was gone and located in the yard to the north. The male broke locks on the shed and attempted to gain entry and was unsuccessful. The male was arrested on charges of Stalking, Disturbing the Peace, and Criminal Mischief. Closed - Charges Recommended09/16/22 Total: 209/17/22P202200836 01:04 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer initiated a traffic stop on a Chrysler vehicle due to the safety glass violation on the 300 block of West 3rd Street. The driver was investigated for DUI and taken into custody. Closed - Charges Recommended09/17/22 Total: 1Total Records: 19

Alliance Police Department: The media report 

By Kyren Gibson, Carnegie Arts Center

Carnegie is pleased to announce the arrival of the new exhibits&nbsp;The Ways of the West by Valentine Artist David Dorsey along with the show&nbsp;Cowboy Starter Pack&nbsp;by leather craftsman Joe Roberts of Alliance, Ne. The exhibits will both be on display in the Garwood and Skala upper galleries. They will be on display from September 20th&nbsp;through October 29th.&nbsp; Dorsey’s painted and drawn depictions of western life will be complimented by the three-dimensional leather artistry of Joe Roberts. This is truly an exhibit that celebrates the western heritage and tradition of our region.

David Dorsey Bio:&nbsp;Art has always played a huge part in my life. Ever since I was little, drawing and painting have been something that I have always done. In fact, I cannot remember a time when I was not intrigued by artists and the work they created. That aspect has not changed, I am still mesmerized by new styles of art that I have not seen before. I will never learn all that I want to in this lifetime, about painting and drawing, and I truly believe this is a good thing. We should never cease to learn, no matter what our age. &nbsp;I am drawn to the land and the individuals that call these vast plains home. I can think of no finer calling than to raise livestock to feed this great nation, and the daily pursuit of being stewards of the land. These people, strong men, and women are truly what intrigue me as an artist. Each face has a story to tell, and their lives are so interwoven with the land that they call home. It is a never-ending tale of beautiful landscapes and hardworking people that give me constant inspiration to capture images of the west, both past and present. I feel fortunate to be able to put brush to canvas and freeze a moment in time. Sometimes the simplest things in our daily routines can be the most beautiful. A horse and rider going through a sea of grass or riding through a water hole formed after a heavy rain, are truly the simple and yet magical images that I love to paint. I have recently been exploring the use of charcoal on linen canvas, as well as incorporation of acrylic washes with it. It is a new direction for me, and I think that as an artist it is our duty to explore new ways, and avenues to create. There will always be something new to discover and explore artistically.&nbsp;

Joe Roberts Bio: As a kid growing up, I loved watching westerns with my dad. Seeing the horses, saddles, and gear always intrigued me. So, when I was eight, I got my first experience working leather in Cub Scouts. Fast forward a few years, after suffering a traumatic brain injury, leather was a way for me to pass the time while enduring a long recovery. During that time, I began making smaller items and selling them. It wasn’t until about eight years ago I began pursing leather working as a career. I’ve always been interested in the cowboy/western arts. I feel as a craftsman I should always be looking to improve upon some of the old ways of craftsmanship and not try and reinvent them. For me I want the preserve the history of making cowboy and horse gear and the methods used a hundred years ago.&nbsp;

Last but certainly not least, we want to remind folks that photographer Kathleen Ann’s exhibit,&nbsp;Showcasing Nature’s Beauty, is on display in the Studio gallery until October 15th. Kathleen Ann’s work depicts Nebraskan and South Dakotan landscapes and wildlife, as well as some fun images of Carhenge taken from a whole new perspective.

For more images of David Dorsey and Joe Roberts work remember to check out Carnegie’s Facebook and Instagram page where daily pictures and videos of the exhibit will be posted. For information on our artists as well as details on upcoming events and classes, visit, (<a href="https://www.carnegieartscenter.com/" target="_blank">https://www.carnegieartscenter.com</a>

As always, we want to thank the incredible local businesses that support arts opportunities for our community. Thank you to our September business sponsors Cover-Jones Motor Co., Nebraska State Bank, and Western Valley Irrigation as well as our October Sponsors JM &amp; Associates, Sam n Loui’s Pizzeria, Twila and James Conley.  We also want to thank our generous grantors who provide operational funding, the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Last but certainly not least, we want to thank our grantors that make free and reduced cost art classes available through educational grant support. Thank you, DF Dillon Foundation, Snow Redfern Foundation, Mission Store, CA Story Foundation, Kimmel Foundation, United Way Foundation, and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

By Kyren Gibson, Carnegie Arts CenterCarnegie is pleased to announce the arrival of the new exhibits&nbsp;The Ways of the West by Valentine Artist David Dorsey along with the show&nbsp;Cowboy Starter Pack&nbsp;by leather craftsman Joe Roberts of Alliance, Ne. The exhibits will both be on display in the Garwood and Skala upper galleries. They will be on display from September 20th&nbsp;through October 29th.&nbsp; Dorsey’s painted and drawn depictions of western life will be complimented by the three-dimensional leather artistry of Joe Roberts. This is truly an exhibit that celebrates the western heritage and tradition of our region.David Dorsey Bio:&nbsp;Art has always played a huge part in my life. Ever since I was little, drawing and painting have been something that I have always done. In fact, I cannot remember a time when I was not intrigued by artists and the work they created. That aspect has not changed, I am still mesmerized by new styles of art that I have not seen before. I will never learn all that I want to in this lifetime, about painting and drawing, and I truly believe this is a good thing. We should never cease to learn, no matter what our age. &nbsp;I am drawn to the land and the individuals that call these vast plains home. I can think of no finer calling than to raise livestock to feed this great nation, and the daily pursuit of being stewards of the land. These people, strong men, and women are truly what intrigue me as an artist. Each face has a story to tell, and their lives are so interwoven with the land that they call home. It is a never-ending tale of beautiful landscapes and hardworking people that give me constant inspiration to capture images of the west, both past and present. I feel fortunate to be able to put brush to canvas and freeze a moment in time. Sometimes the simplest things in our daily routines can be the most beautiful. A horse and rider going through a sea of grass or riding through a water hole formed after a heavy rain, are truly the simple and yet magical images that I love to paint. I have recently been exploring the use of charcoal on linen canvas, as well as incorporation of acrylic washes with it. It is a new direction for me, and I think that as an artist it is our duty to explore new ways, and avenues to create. There will always be something new to discover and explore artistically.&nbsp;Joe Roberts Bio: As a kid growing up, I loved watching westerns with my dad. Seeing the horses, saddles, and gear always intrigued me. So, when I was eight, I got my first experience working leather in Cub Scouts. Fast forward a few years, after suffering a traumatic brain injury, leather was a way for me to pass the time while enduring a long recovery. During that time, I began making smaller items and selling them. It wasn’t until about eight years ago I began pursing leather working as a career. I’ve always been interested in the cowboy/western arts. I feel as a craftsman I should always be looking to improve upon some of the old ways of craftsmanship and not try and reinvent them. For me I want the preserve the history of making cowboy and horse gear and the methods used a hundred years ago.&nbsp;Last but certainly not least, we want to remind folks that photographer Kathleen Ann’s exhibit,&nbsp;Showcasing Nature’s Beauty, is on display in the Studio gallery until October 15th. Kathleen Ann’s work depicts Nebraskan and South Dakotan landscapes and wildlife, as well as some fun images of Carhenge taken from a whole new perspective.For more images of David Dorsey and Joe Roberts work remember to check out Carnegie’s Facebook and Instagram page where daily pictures and videos of the exhibit will be posted. For information on our artists as well as details on upcoming events and classes, visit, (<a href="https://www.carnegieartscenter.com/" target="_blank">https://www.carnegieartscenter.com</a>As always, we want to thank the incredible local businesses that support arts opportunities for our community. Thank you to our September business sponsors Cover-Jones Motor Co., Nebraska State Bank, and Western Valley Irrigation as well as our October Sponsors JM &amp; Associates, Sam n Loui’s Pizzeria, Twila and James Conley. We also want to thank our generous grantors who provide operational funding, the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Last but certainly not least, we want to thank our grantors that make free and reduced cost art classes available through educational grant support. Thank you, DF Dillon Foundation, Snow Redfern Foundation, Mission Store, CA Story Foundation, Kimmel Foundation, United Way Foundation, and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Carnegie welcomes 'The Ways of the West', 'Cowboy Starter Pack' exhibits

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by two Omaha women who sought to have both their names listed as parents on their children’s birth certificates, saying the request conflicts with state law.

Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post said in his ruling last month dismissing the lawsuit that state law requires birth certificates to acknowledge paternity. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services policy also requires that parents listed on birth certificates be the biological parents of the child, he said.

The Nebraska chapter of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-omaha-health-lawsuits-discrimination-b37f0464a45f9fb9ce015156ad2dc9da">American Civil Liberties Union sued the state last year</a>&nbsp;on behalf of Erin Porterfield and Kristin Williams. They said the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services repeatedly denied their request to amend one son's birth certificate in their effort to get full legal recognition as parents of both their sons — one born to each woman conceived through a sperm donor.

Porterfield and Williams were in a romantic partnership from 2000 to 2013 — two years before same-sex marriage was legalized in Nebraska. Porterfield gave birth to their first son in 2002, and Williams gave birth to their second son in 2005 before their romantic relationship ended in 2013. But both women continue to share parenting duties.

In their lawsuit, the women said that state officials treat unmarried, same-sex couples differently than unmarried, opposite-sex couples, violating their due process and equal protection rights.

The women argued in their lawsuit that listing them both is critical because it could affect their children’s eligibility for government benefits, should something happen to one of them. They also accused the state of sexual discrimination because it allows men to voluntarily acknowledge that they are parents to get onto a birth certificate, but doesn’t allow women to do so.

“Our sons are our entire world and we want to make sure we’re doing right by them,” Porterfield said when the lawsuit was filed. “Our boys have a right to the security of having both parents on their birth certificates, a required document in so many life changes and decisions. That’s why this matters to us.”

But Judge Post said the women failed to identify “a single court that has adopted their constitutional arguments.”

“The court certainly understands why plaintiffs seek a policy change,” Post wrote. “But that policy decision is for the Legislature, not this court.”

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by two Omaha women who sought to have both their names listed as parents on their children’s birth certificates, saying the request conflicts with state law.Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post said in his ruling last month dismissing the lawsuit that state law requires birth certificates to acknowledge paternity. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services policy also requires that parents listed on birth certificates be the biological parents of the child, he said.The Nebraska chapter of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-omaha-health-lawsuits-discrimination-b37f0464a45f9fb9ce015156ad2dc9da">American Civil Liberties Union sued the state last year</a>&nbsp;on behalf of Erin Porterfield and Kristin Williams. They said the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services repeatedly denied their request to amend one son's birth certificate in their effort to get full legal recognition as parents of both their sons — one born to each woman conceived through a sperm donor.Porterfield and Williams were in a romantic partnership from 2000 to 2013 — two years before same-sex marriage was legalized in Nebraska. Porterfield gave birth to their first son in 2002, and Williams gave birth to their second son in 2005 before their romantic relationship ended in 2013. But both women continue to share parenting duties.In their lawsuit, the women said that state officials treat unmarried, same-sex couples differently than unmarried, opposite-sex couples, violating their due process and equal protection rights.The women argued in their lawsuit that listing them both is critical because it could affect their children’s eligibility for government benefits, should something happen to one of them. They also accused the state of sexual discrimination because it allows men to voluntarily acknowledge that they are parents to get onto a birth certificate, but doesn’t allow women to do so.“Our sons are our entire world and we want to make sure we’re doing right by them,” Porterfield said when the lawsuit was filed. “Our boys have a right to the security of having both parents on their birth certificates, a required document in so many life changes and decisions. That’s why this matters to us.”But Judge Post said the women failed to identify “a single court that has adopted their constitutional arguments.”“The court certainly understands why plaintiffs seek a policy change,” Post wrote. “But that policy decision is for the Legislature, not this court.”

Nebraska judge: Birth certificates can't name 2 mothers

CHADRON – In an illustrated lecture Sept. 27 British author Alan Wilkinson will reveal how a road trip to Nebraska 30 years ago led him to discover Nebraska, its people, and its writers. The free, public 7 p.m. reading from Lost and Found in Nebraska is at the Bean Broker on West Second Street.

Wilkinson will tell how he came to be the only person now alive to have read Mari Sandoz’s unpublished novel, The Ungirt Runner, a clearly recognizable as a doorway to her masterpiece, Old Jules.

Wilkinson has re-visited Sandoz country many times, intending to eventually write a book about his heroine. In 2011, he even spent six months alone in a hunting lodge by the banks of the Niobrara River to experience the landscape as Sandoz did. He recorded an account of his time there in The Red House on the Niobrara.

However, it wasn’t until 2019 he found time to write extensively about his heroine. When he did, his first task was to locate the unpublished manuscript. He made inquiries at the University of Nebraska Lincoln archive, also at the Sandoz Center, but came up empty.

Finally, through mutual acquaintances, Wilkinson was able to locate and read the manuscript and take notes at Caroline Sandoz Pifer’s ranch near Gordon in 1993. He discusses the experience in a July 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://alanwilkinson.blog/2022/07/finally-the-missing-link-unlocks-the-story/" target="_blank">blog</a>&nbsp;entry.

“What I had in front of me was clearly an apprentice writer’s attempt to describe her young life, and – I can state this with conviction – to put on record her every grievance against her (fictionalized) father and mother. It was an exorcism: intemperate, angry, occasionally incoherent. And there was no mistaking the true identity of the fictional characters, nor of the home they inhabited. It was the Old Jules homestead alongside the upper Niobrara,” Wilkinson wrote.

When he sat down to write about Sandoz, he had 20 pages of notes from that day. To his surprise, the book that emerged was not a scholarly study of Sandoz’ life, but rather a work of fiction in which she played a minor, but significant, role.

Drawing on his extensive experience of the Sandhills landscape, its people, and Sandoz, Wilkinson’s novel is about loss and reconciliation that bring together an exiled son of the Panhandle and an academic on a mission (not unlike his own). Together, the two make some significant discoveries about their own lives and Sandoz’s.

By CSC COLLEGE RELATIONSCHADRON – In an illustrated lecture Sept. 27 British author Alan Wilkinson will reveal how a road trip to Nebraska 30 years ago led him to discover Nebraska, its people, and its writers. The free, public 7 p.m. reading from Lost and Found in Nebraska is at the Bean Broker on West Second Street.Wilkinson will tell how he came to be the only person now alive to have read Mari Sandoz’s unpublished novel, The Ungirt Runner, a clearly recognizable as a doorway to her masterpiece, Old Jules.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663550510319.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wilkinson has re-visited Sandoz country many times, intending to eventually write a book about his heroine. In 2011, he even spent six months alone in a hunting lodge by the banks of the Niobrara River to experience the landscape as Sandoz did. He recorded an account of his time there in The Red House on the Niobrara.However, it wasn’t until 2019 he found time to write extensively about his heroine. When he did, his first task was to locate the unpublished manuscript. He made inquiries at the University of Nebraska Lincoln archive, also at the Sandoz Center, but came up empty.Finally, through mutual acquaintances, Wilkinson was able to locate and read the manuscript and take notes at Caroline Sandoz Pifer’s ranch near Gordon in 1993. He discusses the experience in a July 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://alanwilkinson.blog/2022/07/finally-the-missing-link-unlocks-the-story/" target="_blank">blog</a>&nbsp;entry.“What I had in front of me was clearly an apprentice writer’s attempt to describe her young life, and – I can state this with conviction – to put on record her every grievance against her (fictionalized) father and mother. It was an exorcism: intemperate, angry, occasionally incoherent. And there was no mistaking the true identity of the fictional characters, nor of the home they inhabited. It was the Old Jules homestead alongside the upper Niobrara,” Wilkinson wrote.When he sat down to write about Sandoz, he had 20 pages of notes from that day. To his surprise, the book that emerged was not a scholarly study of Sandoz’ life, but rather a work of fiction in which she played a minor, but significant, role.Drawing on his extensive experience of the Sandhills landscape, its people, and Sandoz, Wilkinson’s novel is about loss and reconciliation that bring together an exiled son of the Panhandle and an academic on a mission (not unlike his own). Together, the two make some significant discoveries about their own lives and Sandoz’s.

Sandoz Center sponsors speaker Sept. 27 in Chadron

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem asked a state ethics board to dismiss a complaint against her without a public hearing and to seal off certain records, documents released Friday by the state’s Government Accountability Board show.

The Republican governor, who is widely seen as eyeing a 2024 White House bid, argued in an April motion that the state's attorney general, a fellow Republican who filed the complaint, was out for political retribution and should be removed from the complaint. Noem had pushed former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg to resign and later for his impeachment over his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jason-ravnsborg-south-dakota-impeachments-e5d62c76eedecf4c9290fecd821496aa">involvement in a fatal car crash</a>.

The attorney general's complaint was sparked by a report from The Associated Press last year that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-discrimination-kristi-noem-south-dakota-age-discrimination-7942a78d5545205dff41a696ef9fc251">Noem had taken a hands-on role in a state agency.</a>&nbsp;Shortly after the agency moved to deny her daughter, Kassidy Peters, a real estate appraiser license in July of 2020, Noem held a meeting with Peters and key decision-makers in her licensure. Days after the meeting, Peters signed an agreement that gave her another opportunity to meet the licensing requirements.

The South Dakota Legislature's audit committee, controlled by Republicans, unanimously approved a report in May&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-kristi-noem-south-dakota-cd98c18117ab97c598e3618d15e4aa8b">that found Noem's daughter got preferential treatment.</a>

The records released Friday provided some new insight into an inquiry that the Government Accountability Board has conducted mostly in secret for nearly a year. The three retired judges who evaluated the ethics complaint unanimously found last month that there was enough evidence for them to believe that Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-south-dakota-sd-state-wire-1c5fb7828aba13ad4f6467b76554c022">“engaged in misconduct"</a>&nbsp;by committing malfeasance and a conflict of interest.

The board has said “appropriate action” would be taken against Noem, though it didn’t specify the action. It's also not clear whether Noem will request a contested case hearing before the board to publicly defend herself against the allegations.

Neither her office nor her campaign said Friday whether she will proceed to a public hearing. She has continued to publicly insist that she did nothing wrong.

The records show that Noem, in a 29-page motion to the board, launched a range of arguments for dismissing the complaint. Her attorney, Lisa Prostrollo, mocked Ravnsborg's allegations as “nonsensical," a “political attack” and based on “far-fetched conspiracy theories.”

The motion argues Noem's daughter joined the July 2020 meeting to provide her perspective as an applicant and attempts to defend how that was appropriate while she was facing a denial of her license. Government ethics experts have said the timing and circumstances of the meeting created a clear conflict of interest for the governor.

Noem's attorney argued that the Government Accountability Board did not have the constitutional power to act against the governor or evaluate the complaint against her. And the lawyer suggested that Ravnsborg, who had been forced from office, be removed from the complaint and replaced with the deputy attorney general who was overseeing the office at the time.

The board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-cabinet-kristi-noem-south-dakota-government-and-politics-a310ea71e9685410c618a3a67068978b">in August denied</a>&nbsp;Noem's motion. However, it did appear to later pay some heed to Noem's requests. It dismissed two of Ravnsborg's allegations that she misused public funds, and sealed off certain records from being released.

Ravnbsorg suggested that the board launch a full investigation into the episode by hiring a Minneapolis law firm. However, the board appears ready to settle the matter. It closed the complaint and has so far kept it a secret what “action” it may take against the governor, though it has suggested the complaint could be reopened later.

The secrecy of the board's potential action against the governor has prompted some criticism from government ethics experts who say the board should be transparent.

“I would hope that they would make public their plan of action as soon as possible,” Karen Soli, a former Democratic state lawmaker who helped create the board, told the AP last month.

Noem also made a motion to strike certain documents from the record, but it is not clear what those records were because the board did not release that motion. The board's attorney, Mark Haigh, said the motion was not released because it contained the list of redacted records.

The board previously voted to redact records that “contain privileged information” related to a state fund for paying litigation. The agency's former director, Sherry Bren, received a $200,000 payment from the fund to settle an age discrimination complaint she filed after Labor Secretary Marcia Hultman pressured her to retire in December of 2020.

Meanwhile, the board has sent a separate complaint to Mark Vargo, the attorney general who Noem appointed to replace Ravnsborg, to investigate her use of state airplanes. Ravnsborg alleged that her use of the state-owned plane to fly to political events and escort family members around the state violated a state law that only allows the aircraft to be used for state business.

Vargo's office said Friday that, “to avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” he has requested Hughes County State's Attorney Jessica LaMie to oversee the Division of Criminal Investigation's work and make any charging decisions.

By Associated PressSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem asked a state ethics board to dismiss a complaint against her without a public hearing and to seal off certain records, documents released Friday by the state’s Government Accountability Board show.The Republican governor, who is widely seen as eyeing a 2024 White House bid, argued in an April motion that the state's attorney general, a fellow Republican who filed the complaint, was out for political retribution and should be removed from the complaint. Noem had pushed former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg to resign and later for his impeachment over his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jason-ravnsborg-south-dakota-impeachments-e5d62c76eedecf4c9290fecd821496aa">involvement in a fatal car crash</a>.The attorney general's complaint was sparked by a report from The Associated Press last year that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-discrimination-kristi-noem-south-dakota-age-discrimination-7942a78d5545205dff41a696ef9fc251">Noem had taken a hands-on role in a state agency.</a>&nbsp;Shortly after the agency moved to deny her daughter, Kassidy Peters, a real estate appraiser license in July of 2020, Noem held a meeting with Peters and key decision-makers in her licensure. Days after the meeting, Peters signed an agreement that gave her another opportunity to meet the licensing requirements.The South Dakota Legislature's audit committee, controlled by Republicans, unanimously approved a report in May&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-kristi-noem-south-dakota-cd98c18117ab97c598e3618d15e4aa8b">that found Noem's daughter got preferential treatment.</a>The records released Friday provided some new insight into an inquiry that the Government Accountability Board has conducted mostly in secret for nearly a year. The three retired judges who evaluated the ethics complaint unanimously found last month that there was enough evidence for them to believe that Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-south-dakota-sd-state-wire-1c5fb7828aba13ad4f6467b76554c022">“engaged in misconduct"</a>&nbsp;by committing malfeasance and a conflict of interest.The board has said “appropriate action” would be taken against Noem, though it didn’t specify the action. It's also not clear whether Noem will request a contested case hearing before the board to publicly defend herself against the allegations.Neither her office nor her campaign said Friday whether she will proceed to a public hearing. She has continued to publicly insist that she did nothing wrong.The records show that Noem, in a 29-page motion to the board, launched a range of arguments for dismissing the complaint. Her attorney, Lisa Prostrollo, mocked Ravnsborg's allegations as “nonsensical," a “political attack” and based on “far-fetched conspiracy theories.”The motion argues Noem's daughter joined the July 2020 meeting to provide her perspective as an applicant and attempts to defend how that was appropriate while she was facing a denial of her license. Government ethics experts have said the timing and circumstances of the meeting created a clear conflict of interest for the governor.Noem's attorney argued that the Government Accountability Board did not have the constitutional power to act against the governor or evaluate the complaint against her. And the lawyer suggested that Ravnsborg, who had been forced from office, be removed from the complaint and replaced with the deputy attorney general who was overseeing the office at the time.The board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-cabinet-kristi-noem-south-dakota-government-and-politics-a310ea71e9685410c618a3a67068978b">in August denied</a>&nbsp;Noem's motion. However, it did appear to later pay some heed to Noem's requests. It dismissed two of Ravnsborg's allegations that she misused public funds, and sealed off certain records from being released.Ravnbsorg suggested that the board launch a full investigation into the episode by hiring a Minneapolis law firm. However, the board appears ready to settle the matter. It closed the complaint and has so far kept it a secret what “action” it may take against the governor, though it has suggested the complaint could be reopened later.The secrecy of the board's potential action against the governor has prompted some criticism from government ethics experts who say the board should be transparent.“I would hope that they would make public their plan of action as soon as possible,” Karen Soli, a former Democratic state lawmaker who helped create the board, told the AP last month.Noem also made a motion to strike certain documents from the record, but it is not clear what those records were because the board did not release that motion. The board's attorney, Mark Haigh, said the motion was not released because it contained the list of redacted records.The board previously voted to redact records that “contain privileged information” related to a state fund for paying litigation. The agency's former director, Sherry Bren, received a $200,000 payment from the fund to settle an age discrimination complaint she filed after Labor Secretary Marcia Hultman pressured her to retire in December of 2020.Meanwhile, the board has sent a separate complaint to Mark Vargo, the attorney general who Noem appointed to replace Ravnsborg, to investigate her use of state airplanes. Ravnsborg alleged that her use of the state-owned plane to fly to political events and escort family members around the state violated a state law that only allows the aircraft to be used for state business.Vargo's office said Friday that, “to avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” he has requested Hughes County State's Attorney Jessica LaMie to oversee the Division of Criminal Investigation's work and make any charging decisions.

Gov. Kristi Noem tried to avoid ethics hearing, seal records

Alliance- The Monday Morning Sports Injury Clinic at Box Butte General Hospital will be up and running this Monday, September 19 from 8am- noon! This clinic is hosted by Greater Nebraska Medical and Surgical Services’ Dr. Brian Shelmadine.

“This clinic is meant to be mainly for injured athletes or acute injuries of the arms or legs,” Dr. Shelmadine said. Potential patients can call 308-762-7244 (option 2) and leave a message over the weekend, or call Monday morning. Referrals are accepted if the athlete was seen in the Emergency Room, by a Physical Therapist, or their Primary Care Provider.

Some typical sports-related injuries treated at the Monday Morning Sports Injury Clinic: Foot and ankle injuries Knee injuries Back and spine injuries Concussions (sports-related only) Shoulder injuries Elbow, wrist and hand injuries

BBGH CEO Lori Mazanec added, “The commitment to our area student athletes continues with the addition of the Sports Injury Clinic. This is another opportunity to return to play sooner with the expertise and service from Dr. Shelmadine.”

Box Butte General Hospital is the successor of St. Joseph Hospital, serving the healthcare needs of Box Butte County and the surrounding area since 1976. BBGH is a non-profit facility, dedicated to serving the needs of residents and visitors alike. Box Butte General Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission, the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare since 1951.

BBGH is a Critical Access Hospital with 25-beds for all patient types- acute, observation, swing, intensive care, etc.- with a staff of over 275 employees providing a variety of services. Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

By BBGHAlliance- The Monday Morning Sports Injury Clinic at Box Butte General Hospital will be up and running this Monday, September 19 from 8am- noon! This clinic is hosted by Greater Nebraska Medical and Surgical Services’ Dr. Brian Shelmadine.“This clinic is meant to be mainly for injured athletes or acute injuries of the arms or legs,” Dr. Shelmadine said. Potential patients can call 308-762-7244 (option 2) and leave a message over the weekend, or call Monday morning. Referrals are accepted if the athlete was seen in the Emergency Room, by a Physical Therapist, or their Primary Care Provider.Some typical sports-related injuries treated at the Monday Morning Sports Injury Clinic: Foot and ankle injuries Knee injuries Back and spine injuries Concussions (sports-related only) Shoulder injuries Elbow, wrist and hand injuriesBBGH CEO Lori Mazanec added, “The commitment to our area student athletes continues with the addition of the Sports Injury Clinic. This is another opportunity to return to play sooner with the expertise and service from Dr. Shelmadine.”Box Butte General Hospital is the successor of St. Joseph Hospital, serving the healthcare needs of Box Butte County and the surrounding area since 1976. BBGH is a non-profit facility, dedicated to serving the needs of residents and visitors alike. Box Butte General Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission, the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare since 1951.BBGH is a Critical Access Hospital with 25-beds for all patient types- acute, observation, swing, intensive care, etc.- with a staff of over 275 employees providing a variety of services. Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

'Monday Morning Sports Injury Clinic' to be held at BBGH in Alliance

By&nbsp;Jewel Cave National Monument

Custer, SD – Jewel Cave National Monument will be modifying its operations for late season visitation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beginning the week of Sunday, September 25, the visitor center will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The hours of visitor center operation will modify again the week of October 23rd, open Wednesdays-Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed Sundays-Tuesdays.&nbsp;

Jewel Cave’s Wild Caving Tour and Historic Lantern Tour ended for the season last week, and the Historic Area will close for the season on Saturday, September 24. Scenic and Discovery Tours will continue to be offered throughout the off-season. These will be available to book in advance on recreation.gov, with limited walk-up tours being available if staffing allows. Hikers will also have access to the one-quarter-mile Roof Trail and 3.5-mile Canyons Trail.&nbsp;&nbsp;Visitors are also able to use the picnic areas near the visitor center throughout the week.&nbsp;

The monument partners with the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association, which operates a Park Store inside the visitor center.&nbsp;&nbsp;The store will also remain open on the same schedule as the visitor center and provides visitors with multiple products and services to complement their visit.&nbsp;

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/jeca" target="_blank">www.nps.gov/jeca</a>, as well as on social media through Facebook at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/JewelCaveNPS/" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/JewelCaveNPS/</a>&nbsp;and Instagram at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.instagram.com/jewelcavenps" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/jewelcavenps</a>.&nbsp;

By&nbsp;Jewel Cave National MonumentCuster, SD – Jewel Cave National Monument will be modifying its operations for late season visitation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beginning the week of Sunday, September 25, the visitor center will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The hours of visitor center operation will modify again the week of October 23rd, open Wednesdays-Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed Sundays-Tuesdays.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663347141783.jpeg" alt="Five cavers standing and sitting in a large rock cavern.&nbsp;NPS Photo" />
 <figcaption>Five cavers standing and sitting in a large rock cavern.&nbsp;NPS Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Jewel Cave’s Wild Caving Tour and Historic Lantern Tour ended for the season last week, and the Historic Area will close for the season on Saturday, September 24. Scenic and Discovery Tours will continue to be offered throughout the off-season. These will be available to book in advance on recreation.gov, with limited walk-up tours being available if staffing allows. Hikers will also have access to the one-quarter-mile Roof Trail and 3.5-mile Canyons Trail.&nbsp;&nbsp;Visitors are also able to use the picnic areas near the visitor center throughout the week.&nbsp;The monument partners with the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association, which operates a Park Store inside the visitor center.&nbsp;&nbsp;The store will also remain open on the same schedule as the visitor center and provides visitors with multiple products and services to complement their visit.&nbsp;Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/jeca" target="_blank">www.nps.gov/jeca</a>, as well as on social media through Facebook at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/JewelCaveNPS/" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/JewelCaveNPS/</a>&nbsp;and Instagram at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.instagram.com/jewelcavenps" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/jewelcavenps</a>.&nbsp;

Jewel Cave adjusts for late season visitation 

Hunters may begin donating deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program at seven processor locations around the state.

The participating meat processors are: Amherst – Belschner Custom Meats; Norfolk – R&amp;M Meats; North Platte – Kelley’s Custom Pack; Table Rock – Den’s Country Meats; Franklin – Franklin Locker; Ulysses – The Butchery; and Lindsay – Melcher’s Locker.

Due to staffing difficulties, many processors are not accepting deer this year, so hunters should call to check availability before hunting. This includes non-HHH processors.

Hunters pay no processing costs for deer accepted by processors for this donation-driven program.&nbsp;

The HHH program is funded solely by tax-deductible contributions. Ground venison is distributed by charitable organizations to Nebraskans in need. Hunters should first talk with processors but may keep antlers, head and cape and donate the rest of the deer. Processors accept only whole deer in good condition to ensure a good yield of pure ground venison.

Learn more about the program and how to support it at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0ODcxODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lk91dGRvb3JOZWJyYXNrYS5vcmcvSEhIIn0.kKnC-Kgk9Kwj48GECcXeSLkJwPX5Vy-QzsKWxwU775E/s/497221906/br/143781451310-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/HHH</a>&nbsp;or contact program coordinator Jamalee Scaggs at 402 471-5430 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Jamalee.Scaggs@nebraska.gov" target="_blank">jamalee.scaggs@nebraska.gov</a>.

By Nebraska Game and ParksHunters may begin donating deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program at seven processor locations around the state.The participating meat processors are: Amherst – Belschner Custom Meats; Norfolk – R&amp;M Meats; North Platte – Kelley’s Custom Pack; Table Rock – Den’s Country Meats; Franklin – Franklin Locker; Ulysses – The Butchery; and Lindsay – Melcher’s Locker.Due to staffing difficulties, many processors are not accepting deer this year, so hunters should call to check availability before hunting. This includes non-HHH processors.Hunters pay no processing costs for deer accepted by processors for this donation-driven program.&nbsp;The HHH program is funded solely by tax-deductible contributions. Ground venison is distributed by charitable organizations to Nebraskans in need. Hunters should first talk with processors but may keep antlers, head and cape and donate the rest of the deer. Processors accept only whole deer in good condition to ensure a good yield of pure ground venison.Learn more about the program and how to support it at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0ODcxODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lk91dGRvb3JOZWJyYXNrYS5vcmcvSEhIIn0.kKnC-Kgk9Kwj48GECcXeSLkJwPX5Vy-QzsKWxwU775E/s/497221906/br/143781451310-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/HHH</a>&nbsp;or contact program coordinator Jamalee Scaggs at 402 471-5430 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Jamalee.Scaggs@nebraska.gov" target="_blank">jamalee.scaggs@nebraska.gov</a>.

Hunters Helping the Hungry meat processors accepting deer donations

Anglers at both ends of the state will benefit from improved fisheries after the recent completion of two Aquatic Habitat Projects at Nebraska state parks.

Fort Robinson State Park and Summit Reservoir State Recreation Area both saw work to improve water quality and access.

In the west, the North Grable Pond at Fort Robinson was deepened, an outlet structure replaced, and a kayak launch installed.&nbsp;

A covered fishing pier and in-lake fish habitat structures also were built within casting distance of the pier; anglers will benefit from this enhanced shoreline access.

This project complements previous lake renovations at the park, including at the South Grable, Middle Grable, Ice House and Cherry Creek ponds.

In the northeast, sediment was removed from the water quality basins at both inlets into Summit Lake. These basins were added during a previous Aquatic Habitat Project 20 years ago at the lake but require maintenance and upkeep to protect the main lake.

Gravel fish-habitat structures also were placed along the shoreline, a kayak launch installed, and maintenance completed on the boat ramp and fishing jetties.&nbsp;

Summit Lake is a 190-acre lake with bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and walleye. Current drought conditions combined with the recent renovation means the lake level is currently low. Boaters are encouraged to cautious when launching boats.

Anglers at Fort Robinson will find good fishing at the renovated ponds that include cold- and warm-water fish, including smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegills, channel catfish, crappie, yellow perch, and three of the four Trout Slam species. Those hoping to complete the Trout Slam can fish for brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout at ponds there, and brown trout reside in streams nearby. Discover how to participate at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MTYuNjM4MzM5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL291dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvYXF1YXRpY2hhYml0YXRwcm9ncmFtLyJ9.Z6GGnuhUS1xgYnpUFEuCtItFX8iGt6IwmaxRYU3cljw/s/1372948182/br/144170562674-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/troutslam.</a>

For more information about individual water bodies, read the Nebraska Fishing Guide at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MTYuNjM4MzM5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL291dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvZ3VpZGVzIn0.qWrOb3VX8gh4_phsfA39MMF75lXFd4-Vh-wrJ58_Zkk/s/1372948182/br/144170562674-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/Guides</a>.

Funding for both of these projects was provided by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Aquatic Habitat and Angler Access Fund and Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration.

The Aquatic Habitat Program turned 25 in 2022. Funded by anglers, it was the first of its kind in the nation when implemented. The program works to enhance aquatic ecosystems by implementing restoration techniques in-lake and in the watersheds that feed them. In addition to improving aquatic habitat and water quality, the program also works vigorously to improve boat and bank angler access at Nebraska waterbodies.

Learn more about the Aquatic Habitat Program at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MTYuNjM4MzM5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL291dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvYXF1YXRpY2hhYml0YXRwcm9ncmFtLyJ9.fvlyEm2Xr-3n4zjQ10f_Cmpi7NuggKDXbWIlSpr-iNE/s/1372948182/br/144170562674-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/AquaticHabitatProgram</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663416872133.jpeg" alt="The newly renovated North Grabel Pond at Fort Robinson State Park slowly takes in water from the other two ponds in the system. The photo was captured Sept. 16, shortly after the project's completion. | Justin Haag, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission" />
 <figcaption>The newly renovated North Grabel Pond at Fort Robinson State Park slowly takes in water from the other two ponds in the system. The photo was captured Sept. 16, shortly after the project's completion. | Justin Haag, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>Anglers at both ends of the state will benefit from improved fisheries after the recent completion of two Aquatic Habitat Projects at Nebraska state parks.Fort Robinson State Park and Summit Reservoir State Recreation Area both saw work to improve water quality and access.In the west, the North Grable Pond at Fort Robinson was deepened, an outlet structure replaced, and a kayak launch installed.&nbsp;A covered fishing pier and in-lake fish habitat structures also were built within casting distance of the pier; anglers will benefit from this enhanced shoreline access.This project complements previous lake renovations at the park, including at the South Grable, Middle Grable, Ice House and Cherry Creek ponds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663416926264.jpeg" alt="An aerial photo shows Summit Lake State Recreation Area and a sediment dam in the upper end of the west arm of the lake. The lake's sediment basins recently were cleared to improve water quality in the lake. | Eric Fowler, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission" />
 <figcaption>An aerial photo shows Summit Lake State Recreation Area and a sediment dam in the upper end of the west arm of the lake. The lake's sediment basins recently were cleared to improve water quality in the lake. | Eric Fowler, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>In the northeast, sediment was removed from the water quality basins at both inlets into Summit Lake. These basins were added during a previous Aquatic Habitat Project 20 years ago at the lake but require maintenance and upkeep to protect the main lake.Gravel fish-habitat structures also were placed along the shoreline, a kayak launch installed, and maintenance completed on the boat ramp and fishing jetties.&nbsp;Summit Lake is a 190-acre lake with bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and walleye. Current drought conditions combined with the recent renovation means the lake level is currently low. Boaters are encouraged to cautious when launching boats.Anglers at Fort Robinson will find good fishing at the renovated ponds that include cold- and warm-water fish, including smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegills, channel catfish, crappie, yellow perch, and three of the four Trout Slam species. Those hoping to complete the Trout Slam can fish for brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout at ponds there, and brown trout reside in streams nearby. Discover how to participate at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MTYuNjM4MzM5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL291dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvYXF1YXRpY2hhYml0YXRwcm9ncmFtLyJ9.Z6GGnuhUS1xgYnpUFEuCtItFX8iGt6IwmaxRYU3cljw/s/1372948182/br/144170562674-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/troutslam.</a>For more information about individual water bodies, read the Nebraska Fishing Guide at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MTYuNjM4MzM5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL291dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvZ3VpZGVzIn0.qWrOb3VX8gh4_phsfA39MMF75lXFd4-Vh-wrJ58_Zkk/s/1372948182/br/144170562674-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/Guides</a>.Funding for both of these projects was provided by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Aquatic Habitat and Angler Access Fund and Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration.The Aquatic Habitat Program turned 25 in 2022. Funded by anglers, it was the first of its kind in the nation when implemented. The program works to enhance aquatic ecosystems by implementing restoration techniques in-lake and in the watersheds that feed them. In addition to improving aquatic habitat and water quality, the program also works vigorously to improve boat and bank angler access at Nebraska waterbodies.Learn more about the Aquatic Habitat Program at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MTYuNjM4MzM5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL291dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvYXF1YXRpY2hhYml0YXRwcm9ncmFtLyJ9.fvlyEm2Xr-3n4zjQ10f_Cmpi7NuggKDXbWIlSpr-iNE/s/1372948182/br/144170562674-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/AquaticHabitatProgram</a>.

Anglers will benefit from completed aquatic projects at Fort Rob, Summit

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Friday that he has selected an interim director to run Nebraska’s prison system when current director Scott Frakes steps down next month.

Ricketts said in a news release that Diane Sabatka-Rine will serve as interim director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Sabatka-Rine has been with the department nearly 40 years and has served as warden of the Nebraska State Penitentiary, Lincoln Correctional Center and the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center. She is currently chief of operations, overseeing deputy directors for the divisions of prisons, programs, administrative services and industries.

Sabatka-Rine will take over the top prisons post starting Oct. 8 — the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prisons-nebraska-pete-ricketts-0c2628d29b5aaf19f8b24a8f70004563">day after Frakes leaves</a>.

Ricketts also named Doug Hohbein as interim State Fire Marshal.. He’ll take over Oct. 15 for the Chris Cantrell, who also announced his resignation earlier this month.

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663362250573.png" alt="Sabatka-Rine" />
 <figcaption>Sabatka-Rine</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Friday that he has selected an interim director to run Nebraska’s prison system when current director Scott Frakes steps down next month.Ricketts said in a news release that Diane Sabatka-Rine will serve as interim director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.Sabatka-Rine has been with the department nearly 40 years and has served as warden of the Nebraska State Penitentiary, Lincoln Correctional Center and the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center. She is currently chief of operations, overseeing deputy directors for the divisions of prisons, programs, administrative services and industries.Sabatka-Rine will take over the top prisons post starting Oct. 8 — the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prisons-nebraska-pete-ricketts-0c2628d29b5aaf19f8b24a8f70004563">day after Frakes leaves</a>.Ricketts also named Doug Hohbein as interim State Fire Marshal.. He’ll take over Oct. 15 for the Chris Cantrell, who also announced his resignation earlier this month.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_4g-KLmtTrHZpbSTiPG5vhh3dpc3I0J77sjVupgvEFZVnasEASBhY32l_LbK2D6vceTj-k3V7DY39pgEqezJ0WgnUZ4EffuVjq-Ff8aV78E-ehMNP2sRZm6E4xGuU79ij1bE1fO-khT1p2AaYFa9BjXqJEHXzkIDSGoXpf1CwG2RgO4WXvhlxP" alt="" />
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Ricketts selects interim Nebraska prisons director

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rail companies and their workers reached a tentative agreement Thursday to avert a nationwide strike that could have shut down the nation's freight trains and devastated the economy less than two months before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm elections.</a>

President Joe Biden announced the deal, which emerged from a marathon 20-hour negotiating session at the Labor Department and came just one day before the threatened walkout.

“This agreement is validation of what I’ve always believed — unions and management can work together ... for the benefit of everyone,” Biden said at the White House.

The deal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">which includes a 24% pay raise</a>, will go to union members for a vote after a cooling-off period of several weeks.

The threat of a shutdown carried&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-inflation-congress-cbc8eb5b29b817033d42204480b282da">political risks for Biden</a>, a Democrat who believes unions built the middle class. But he also knew a rail strike could pose grave economic risks ahead of the midterms, when majorities in both chambers of Congress, key governorships and scores of important state offices will be up for grabs.

Biden made a key phone call Wednesday evening to Labor Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-marty-walsh-boston-coronavirus-pandemic-b3bb089eb2253b7f78057893d215835f">Marty Walsh</a>&nbsp;as negotiators were talking and being offered Italian food for dinner, according to White House officials who insisted on anonymity to discuss the conversations.

On speakerphone, the president urged both sides to get a deal done and to consider the harm that a shutdown would inflict on families, farmers and businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-strikes-b92e7c6dd6d3b117eda351f9674f6479">,</a>&nbsp;the officials said.

One union had to wake up its board to move forward on the agreement, which involved 50 calls from White House officials to organized labor officials.

Joined in the Oval Office by business and union leaders, a beaming Biden joked that he was surprised everyone was “still standing” after the late night and that they should be “home in bed.”

A strike would also have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-strikes-b92e7c6dd6d3b117eda351f9674f6479">disrupted passenger traffic</a>&nbsp;as well as freight, because Amtrak and many commuter railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Amtrak canceled all of its long-distance trains ahead of the strike deadline and was working to restore full service.

The five-year deal, retroactive to 2020, also includes $5,000 in bonuses. The railroads agreed to ease their strict attendance policies to address union concerns about working conditions.

Railroad workers will now be able to take unpaid days off for doctor’s appointments without being penalized, and they won't be penalized if they are hospitalized. Previously, workers would lose points under the attendance systems at BNSF and Union Pacific railways, and they could be disciplined if they lost all their points.

The talks also included Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and the U.S. operations of Canadian National.

The unions that represent conductors and engineers who drive the trains pressed hard for changes in the attendance rules, and they said the deal sets a precedent that ensures they will be able to negotiate such rules in the future.

Kelly Pettus, who is married to an engineer in Atlanta, said she wanted more details about the attendance policy.

Earlier this year, her husband had to leave work when their 2-year-old daughter ended up in the emergency room with the flu. He spent the entire time worrying about the penalty involved in taking a single day off.

“You can’t just call and say your baby is in hospital,” Pettus said.

Hugh Sawyer, an engineer in the Atlanta area, said the pay raise was long overdue and did not completely make up for the regular cost-of-living increases that he lost several years ago.

“It’s something to build on,” Sawyer said of the deal.

The president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Dennis Pierce, predicted that workers will ultimately support the deal if they look logically at all the gains, including the fact that the unions again fought off proposals to cut locomotive crews down from two people to one.

But if workers vote angry, the outcome is harder to predict.

“I think it is going to dramatically change the way these jobs look,” he said.

Victor Chen, a sociologist at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies labor, said concerns about working conditions have increasingly become a priority for unions and their workers.

“At a certain point, good wages just aren’t enough to make up for the toll these sorts of working conditions impose on workers,” Chen said. “The companies need to treat workers like human beings, rather than just inputs in a business process.”

The railroad unions pointed to workload and attendance rules after the major railroads cut nearly one-third of their workforce — some 45,000 jobs — over the past six years.

The rail industry has aggressively cut costs everywhere and shifted its operations to rely more on fewer, longer trains that use fewer locomotives and fewer employees. The unions said the remaining workers, particularly engineers and conductors, were on call 24-7 because of jobs cuts and could hardly take any time off under strict attendance rules.

Unions had an advantage at the bargaining table because of the tight labor market and ongoing service problems on the railroads, Chen said.

Shippers have complained loudly this year about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-omaha-7824a3d4042a757755ea76f55e51f641">delays and poor service</a>&nbsp;as railroads struggled to hire quickly enough to handle a surge in demand as the economy emerged from the pandemic. The shipping problems gave rail workers extra leverage.

Newly hired CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said he hopes the new deal helps the railroad hire and retain more employees to address the service problems.

"Now we can move our conversation into how do we work together to grow the business and better serve our customers,” he said.

Union activism has surged under Biden, as seen in a 56% increase in petitions for union representation with the National Labor Relations Board so far this fiscal year, including prominent organizing efforts at Starbucks, Amazon and other companies.

Before the deal was reached, business groups including the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce predicted that a rail strike would be an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">“economic disaster.”</a>

The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would cost the economy more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">$2 billion a day</a>&nbsp;and force many businesses to scale back or cease production and consider layoffs.

With the economy still recovering from the pandemic's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-prices-inflation-542f50c1fc779ae75d9574b9703fb4fa">supply chain disruptions</a>, the president’s goal was to keep all parties talking so a deal could be reached.

Biden also knew a stoppage could worsen the dynamics that fueled soaring inflation and created a political headache for the party in power.

He confronted the same kind of predicament faced by Theodore Roosevelt in 1902 with coal and Harry Truman in 1952 with steel — how does a president balance the needs of labor and business in doing what’s best for the nation?

Railways were so important during World War I that Woodrow Wilson temporarily nationalized the industry to keep goods flowing and prevent strikes.

So the administration jumped into the middle of the talks. Biden and cabinet officials called both sides, and the labor secretary participated directly in negotiations.

It was clear the effort had paid off when Biden announced the deal, calling it “an important win for our economy and the American people.”

By Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Rail companies and their workers reached a tentative agreement Thursday to avert a nationwide strike that could have shut down the nation's freight trains and devastated the economy less than two months before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm elections.</a>President Joe Biden announced the deal, which emerged from a marathon 20-hour negotiating session at the Labor Department and came just one day before the threatened walkout.“This agreement is validation of what I’ve always believed — unions and management can work together ... for the benefit of everyone,” Biden said at the White House.The deal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">which includes a 24% pay raise</a>, will go to union members for a vote after a cooling-off period of several weeks.The threat of a shutdown carried&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-inflation-congress-cbc8eb5b29b817033d42204480b282da">political risks for Biden</a>, a Democrat who believes unions built the middle class. But he also knew a rail strike could pose grave economic risks ahead of the midterms, when majorities in both chambers of Congress, key governorships and scores of important state offices will be up for grabs.Biden made a key phone call Wednesday evening to Labor Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-marty-walsh-boston-coronavirus-pandemic-b3bb089eb2253b7f78057893d215835f">Marty Walsh</a>&nbsp;as negotiators were talking and being offered Italian food for dinner, according to White House officials who insisted on anonymity to discuss the conversations.On speakerphone, the president urged both sides to get a deal done and to consider the harm that a shutdown would inflict on families, farmers and businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-strikes-b92e7c6dd6d3b117eda351f9674f6479">,</a>&nbsp;the officials said.One union had to wake up its board to move forward on the agreement, which involved 50 calls from White House officials to organized labor officials.Joined in the Oval Office by business and union leaders, a beaming Biden joked that he was surprised everyone was “still standing” after the late night and that they should be “home in bed.”A strike would also have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-strikes-b92e7c6dd6d3b117eda351f9674f6479">disrupted passenger traffic</a>&nbsp;as well as freight, because Amtrak and many commuter railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Amtrak canceled all of its long-distance trains ahead of the strike deadline and was working to restore full service.The five-year deal, retroactive to 2020, also includes $5,000 in bonuses. The railroads agreed to ease their strict attendance policies to address union concerns about working conditions.Railroad workers will now be able to take unpaid days off for doctor’s appointments without being penalized, and they won't be penalized if they are hospitalized. Previously, workers would lose points under the attendance systems at BNSF and Union Pacific railways, and they could be disciplined if they lost all their points.The talks also included Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and the U.S. operations of Canadian National.The unions that represent conductors and engineers who drive the trains pressed hard for changes in the attendance rules, and they said the deal sets a precedent that ensures they will be able to negotiate such rules in the future.Kelly Pettus, who is married to an engineer in Atlanta, said she wanted more details about the attendance policy.Earlier this year, her husband had to leave work when their 2-year-old daughter ended up in the emergency room with the flu. He spent the entire time worrying about the penalty involved in taking a single day off.“You can’t just call and say your baby is in hospital,” Pettus said.Hugh Sawyer, an engineer in the Atlanta area, said the pay raise was long overdue and did not completely make up for the regular cost-of-living increases that he lost several years ago.“It’s something to build on,” Sawyer said of the deal.The president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Dennis Pierce, predicted that workers will ultimately support the deal if they look logically at all the gains, including the fact that the unions again fought off proposals to cut locomotive crews down from two people to one.But if workers vote angry, the outcome is harder to predict.“I think it is going to dramatically change the way these jobs look,” he said.Victor Chen, a sociologist at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies labor, said concerns about working conditions have increasingly become a priority for unions and their workers.“At a certain point, good wages just aren’t enough to make up for the toll these sorts of working conditions impose on workers,” Chen said. “The companies need to treat workers like human beings, rather than just inputs in a business process.”The railroad unions pointed to workload and attendance rules after the major railroads cut nearly one-third of their workforce — some 45,000 jobs — over the past six years.The rail industry has aggressively cut costs everywhere and shifted its operations to rely more on fewer, longer trains that use fewer locomotives and fewer employees. The unions said the remaining workers, particularly engineers and conductors, were on call 24-7 because of jobs cuts and could hardly take any time off under strict attendance rules.Unions had an advantage at the bargaining table because of the tight labor market and ongoing service problems on the railroads, Chen said.Shippers have complained loudly this year about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-omaha-7824a3d4042a757755ea76f55e51f641">delays and poor service</a>&nbsp;as railroads struggled to hire quickly enough to handle a surge in demand as the economy emerged from the pandemic. The shipping problems gave rail workers extra leverage.Newly hired CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said he hopes the new deal helps the railroad hire and retain more employees to address the service problems."Now we can move our conversation into how do we work together to grow the business and better serve our customers,” he said.Union activism has surged under Biden, as seen in a 56% increase in petitions for union representation with the National Labor Relations Board so far this fiscal year, including prominent organizing efforts at Starbucks, Amazon and other companies.Before the deal was reached, business groups including the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce predicted that a rail strike would be an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">“economic disaster.”</a>The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would cost the economy more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">$2 billion a day</a>&nbsp;and force many businesses to scale back or cease production and consider layoffs.With the economy still recovering from the pandemic's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-prices-inflation-542f50c1fc779ae75d9574b9703fb4fa">supply chain disruptions</a>, the president’s goal was to keep all parties talking so a deal could be reached.Biden also knew a stoppage could worsen the dynamics that fueled soaring inflation and created a political headache for the party in power.He confronted the same kind of predicament faced by Theodore Roosevelt in 1902 with coal and Harry Truman in 1952 with steel — how does a president balance the needs of labor and business in doing what’s best for the nation?Railways were so important during World War I that Woodrow Wilson temporarily nationalized the industry to keep goods flowing and prevent strikes.So the administration jumped into the middle of the talks. Biden and cabinet officials called both sides, and the labor secretary participated directly in negotiations.It was clear the effort had paid off when Biden announced the deal, calling it “an important win for our economy and the American people.”

Tentative labor deal averts threat of nationwide rail strike

Autumn in Alliance festival will be held Sept. 23 - 25.

There will be lots of live music everyday, bounce houses, games, food, a chili-cinnamon roll cook-off on Saturday, free hot dogs on Sunday and more.&nbsp;

By Panhandle Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663346141439.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663346152984.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663346164344.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Autumn in Alliance festival will be held Sept. 23 - 25.There will be lots of live music everyday, bounce houses, games, food, a chili-cinnamon roll cook-off on Saturday, free hot dogs on Sunday and more.&nbsp;

'Autumn in Alliance' festival to be held in Alliance

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 9/16/22

News Release Nebraska Library Commission

Since mid-May, more than 100 Nebraska libraries have been carrying out summer reading programs that have allowed patrons of all ages to log their reading progress.

As of August 3, 2022, readers have logged: 1,381,624 minutes read 12,153 books completed

The Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Regional Library Systems have worked to engage more than 100 libraries in summer reading programs through an innovative reading app called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.readerzone.com/" target="_blank">Reader Zone</a>. These programs consist of participants of all ages with the majority being kindergarten through 6th&nbsp;grade.

Success in 2022 follows similar reading success for Nebraska readers in 2020 and 2021.&nbsp; Each of those years also saw more than one million minutes of reading logged by Nebraskans in summer reading programs.

“We are excited to have another successful summer reading season in Nebraska libraries and we thank all our hard-working librarians and our wonderful patrons for their dedication to literacy and reading,” said Denise Harders, Director of the Central Plains Library System. “Our libraries will continue to offer Nebraskans quality programs that can build positive reading habits for readers of all ages”.

Nebraska libraries offer ongoing reading programs like “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” for young children and many compelling programs for teens and adults. These programs are free to Nebraskans in every corner of the state.

“Seeing Nebraska readers reach a third summer in a row of more than 1 million minutes demonstrates that there are many dedicated public librarians and engaged families throughout the state.&nbsp;Students will return to school in the fall with their hard-earned reading skills sharpened and ready to learn,” Jake Ball, creator of Reader Zone.

Reader Zone is a web-based reading program and app that helps organizations build and deploy meaningful reading programs.&nbsp;Reader Zone offers a mobile app that makes participation in reading programs simple and rewarding for readers of all ages.

The Nebraska Regional Library Systems consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. Systems provide access to improved library services by facilitating cooperation among all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663344197906.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>News Release Nebraska Library CommissionSince mid-May, more than 100 Nebraska libraries have been carrying out summer reading programs that have allowed patrons of all ages to log their reading progress. As of August 3, 2022, readers have logged: 1,381,624 minutes read 12,153 books completed131,179 pages readThe Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Regional Library Systems have worked to engage more than 100 libraries in summer reading programs through an innovative reading app called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.readerzone.com/" target="_blank">Reader Zone</a>. These programs consist of participants of all ages with the majority being kindergarten through 6th&nbsp;grade.Success in 2022 follows similar reading success for Nebraska readers in 2020 and 2021.&nbsp; Each of those years also saw more than one million minutes of reading logged by Nebraskans in summer reading programs.“We are excited to have another successful summer reading season in Nebraska libraries and we thank all our hard-working librarians and our wonderful patrons for their dedication to literacy and reading,” said Denise Harders, Director of the Central Plains Library System. “Our libraries will continue to offer Nebraskans quality programs that can build positive reading habits for readers of all ages”.Nebraska libraries offer ongoing reading programs like “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” for young children and many compelling programs for teens and adults. These programs are free to Nebraskans in every corner of the state.“Seeing Nebraska readers reach a third summer in a row of more than 1 million minutes demonstrates that there are many dedicated public librarians and engaged families throughout the state.&nbsp;Students will return to school in the fall with their hard-earned reading skills sharpened and ready to learn,” Jake Ball, creator of Reader Zone.Reader Zone is a web-based reading program and app that helps organizations build and deploy meaningful reading programs.&nbsp;Reader Zone offers a mobile app that makes participation in reading programs simple and rewarding for readers of all ages.The Nebraska Regional Library Systems consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. Systems provide access to improved library services by facilitating cooperation among all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_4g-KLmtTrHZpbSTiPG5vhh3dpc3I0J77sjVupgvEFZVnasEASBhY32l_LbK2D6vceTj-k3V7DY39pgEqezJ0WgnUZ4EffuVjq-Ff8aV78E-ehMNP2sRZm6E4xGuU79ij1bE1fO-khT1p2AaYFa9BjXqJEHXzkIDSGoXpf1CwG2RgO4WXvhlxP" alt="" />
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Nebraska libraries report 1,381,624 minutes of reading in Summer 2022

Today Kalin Krohe spoke with Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts about his upcoming town hall meetings in Alliance and Ogallala, expansion of high-speed broadband access, protection of Nebraska’s water resources, his thoughts on the Panhandle wildfire and more.&nbsp;

To learn more about the town hall meetings click <a href="https://panhandlepost.com/posts/b7965d22-edcb-4339-bea4-0077902636ce">HERE</a>

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Gov. Ricketts talks about town halls in Alliance, Ogallala" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=495i8-12c604d-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5"></iframe></div>Today Kalin Krohe spoke with Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts about his upcoming town hall meetings in Alliance and Ogallala, expansion of high-speed broadband access, protection of Nebraska’s water resources, his thoughts on the Panhandle wildfire and more.&nbsp;To learn more about the town hall meetings click <a href="https://panhandlepost.com/posts/b7965d22-edcb-4339-bea4-0077902636ce">HERE</a>

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