ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.

In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in which peace is “increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost.”

Citing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/migration">the issue of migration</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-climate-dubai-un-c5cb4096202a117b34ca3d2d4a1b9e72">climate crises</a>&nbsp;and the “immoral” production of nuclear and conventional weapons, Francis delivered a list of the ills afflicting humanity and the increasing violation of international humanitarian law that allows them.

But Francis also listed smaller-scale issues that he said were threats to peace and human dignity, including surrogacy. He said the life of the unborn child must be protected and not “suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking.”

“I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs,” he said.

Saying a child is a gift and “never the basis of a commercial contract,” he called for a global ban on surrogacy "to prohibit this practice universally.”

Vatican teaching opposes in vitro fertilization, and Francis has previously voiced the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to surrogacy, or what he has called “uterus for rent." At the same time, however, the Vatican’s doctrine office has made clear that same-sex parents who resort to surrogacy can have their children baptized.

While commercial surrogacy contracts are common in the United States, including protections for the mothers, guarantees of independent legal representation and medical coverage, they are banned in parts of Europe, including Spain and Italy.

Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the threat to babies born to surrogate Ukrainian mothers, exposed the country’s thriving industry. Ukraine is one of the few countries that allow surrogacy for foreigners.

Critics say commercial surrogacy targets women who are poor and from vulnerable communities. Supporters say surrogacy gives women a chance to provide children to childless couples, and that commercial contracts protect both the surrogates and the intended parents.

On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quoted Francis' words in explaining why the Catholic Church teaches that surrogacy “is not morally permissible.”

"Instead, we should pray for, and work towards, a world that upholds the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance of life,” spokesperson Chieko Noguchi said.

In his geopolitical roundup, Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-russia-ukraine-war-vatican-imperial-b82bfb9185f0fc8062c43927a2b058b0">singled out Russia by name</a>&nbsp;in noting the “large-scale war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine." It marked an unusual break with Francis’ usual tendency to spare Moscow direct and public blame for the invasion when expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Francis was more balanced in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-israel-hostages-palestinian-prisoners-deal-cffb5f90396c4f410b6af8cd954df0dd">lament of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza,</a>&nbsp;condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel “and every instance of terrorism and extremism.” At the same time, he said the attack provoked a “strong Israeli military response” that had left thousands dead and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

He called for an immediate cease-fire, including in Lebanon, and the liberation of hostages held in Gaza, and reiterated the Holy See’s position seeking a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem.

— Lamented various humanitarian and refugee crises in Africa, and without naming names blasted military coups and elections in several African countries marked by “corruption, intimidation and violence.”

— Called for a “respectful diplomatic dialogue” with the Nicaraguan government to resolve what he called a “protracted crisis.” The government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-caribbean-nicaragua-daniel-ortega-a445a59fd605f8089c5e661cb66c2773">crackdown on the Catholic Church</a>&nbsp;has resulted in the detention of dozens of priests and bishops. The government has accused the church of aiding popular protests against his administration that he considered an attempted coup.

— Called for the resumption, as early as possible, of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-enriched-uranium-1ec34491e5500afdb6f7ed964790d8fa">Iran nuclear talks</a>&nbsp;“to ensure a safer future for all.” Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had increased the rate at which it is producing near-weapons-grade uranium, reversing a previous slowdown.

Francis also said that the “manufacturing” of nuclear weapons was just as immoral as the possession and use of them. Francis has already changed church teaching to include the possession of nuclear weapons as inadmissible, but on Monday he included the production of such weapons as part of his overall criticism of the weapons industry.

“Perhaps we need to realize more clearly that civilian victims are not ‘collateral damage’ (of war) but men and women, with names and surnames, who lost their lives,” he said. “They are children who are orphaned and deprived of their future.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603292366279.png" alt="Pope image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pope image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in which peace is “increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost.”Citing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/migration">the issue of migration</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-climate-dubai-un-c5cb4096202a117b34ca3d2d4a1b9e72">climate crises</a>&nbsp;and the “immoral” production of nuclear and conventional weapons, Francis delivered a list of the ills afflicting humanity and the increasing violation of international humanitarian law that allows them.But Francis also listed smaller-scale issues that he said were threats to peace and human dignity, including surrogacy. He said the life of the unborn child must be protected and not “suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking.”“I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs,” he said.Saying a child is a gift and “never the basis of a commercial contract,” he called for a global ban on surrogacy "to prohibit this practice universally.”Vatican teaching opposes in vitro fertilization, and Francis has previously voiced the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to surrogacy, or what he has called “uterus for rent." At the same time, however, the Vatican’s doctrine office has made clear that same-sex parents who resort to surrogacy can have their children baptized.While commercial surrogacy contracts are common in the United States, including protections for the mothers, guarantees of independent legal representation and medical coverage, they are banned in parts of Europe, including Spain and Italy.Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the threat to babies born to surrogate Ukrainian mothers, exposed the country’s thriving industry. Ukraine is one of the few countries that allow surrogacy for foreigners.Critics say commercial surrogacy targets women who are poor and from vulnerable communities. Supporters say surrogacy gives women a chance to provide children to childless couples, and that commercial contracts protect both the surrogates and the intended parents.On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quoted Francis' words in explaining why the Catholic Church teaches that surrogacy “is not morally permissible.”"Instead, we should pray for, and work towards, a world that upholds the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance of life,” spokesperson Chieko Noguchi said.In his geopolitical roundup, Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-russia-ukraine-war-vatican-imperial-b82bfb9185f0fc8062c43927a2b058b0">singled out Russia by name</a>&nbsp;in noting the “large-scale war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine." It marked an unusual break with Francis’ usual tendency to spare Moscow direct and public blame for the invasion when expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.Francis was more balanced in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-israel-hostages-palestinian-prisoners-deal-cffb5f90396c4f410b6af8cd954df0dd">lament of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza,</a>&nbsp;condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel “and every instance of terrorism and extremism.” At the same time, he said the attack provoked a “strong Israeli military response” that had left thousands dead and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.He called for an immediate cease-fire, including in Lebanon, and the liberation of hostages held in Gaza, and reiterated the Holy See’s position seeking a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem.In other comments, Francis:— Lamented various humanitarian and refugee crises in Africa, and without naming names blasted military coups and elections in several African countries marked by “corruption, intimidation and violence.”— Called for a “respectful diplomatic dialogue” with the Nicaraguan government to resolve what he called a “protracted crisis.” The government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-caribbean-nicaragua-daniel-ortega-a445a59fd605f8089c5e661cb66c2773">crackdown on the Catholic Church</a>&nbsp;has resulted in the detention of dozens of priests and bishops. The government has accused the church of aiding popular protests against his administration that he considered an attempted coup.— Called for the resumption, as early as possible, of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-enriched-uranium-1ec34491e5500afdb6f7ed964790d8fa">Iran nuclear talks</a>&nbsp;“to ensure a safer future for all.” Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had increased the rate at which it is producing near-weapons-grade uranium, reversing a previous slowdown.Francis also said that the “manufacturing” of nuclear weapons was just as immoral as the possession and use of them. Francis has already changed church teaching to include the possession of nuclear weapons as inadmissible, but on Monday he included the production of such weapons as part of his overall criticism of the weapons industry.“Perhaps we need to realize more clearly that civilian victims are not ‘collateral damage’ (of war) but men and women, with names and surnames, who lost their lives,” he said. “They are children who are orphaned and deprived of their future.”

Pope calls for a ban on surrogacy, calling It 'despicable'

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;-- Today, (Monday) Governor Jim Pillen called for a 40% reduction in state property taxes in 2024. He is asking the Nebraska Legislature as well as chambers of commerce to partner in achieving that goal, stating it is a necessity for all Nebraskans.

“Property taxes are so out of whack, you don’t even need to own property to be adversely affected,” said Gov. Pillen. “We need to do this for the countless Nebraskans who have worked, raised a family, and educated their kids here, by giving them the opportunity to retire in Nebraska. Our current property tax structure is taxing lifelong Nebraskans out of their homes – it is unacceptable.”

Addressing high property taxes is the Governor’s top priority during the current legislative session.

“In 2023, state property taxes exceeded $5 billion. In the last six years alone, property tax collections skyrocketed $1.3 billion. We need transformational property tax reform to get us down to around $3 billion annually,” said Gov. Pillen.

The Governor convened a 40-person workgroup in July to study the issue of property taxes and home valuations. The group, made up of state senators, representatives from the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln and Omaha chambers of commerce, agriculture industry groups and others, all agreed it was not enough to keep property taxes level. A significant reduction was required.

“Nebraska is already the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Gov. Pillen. “In order to stay competitive with other low tax states, we need to reduce property taxes by 40%. This reduction will drive economic growth through workforce and new business development.”

Gov. Pillen wants to work with the Legislature to determine the right path forward. He made clear that any plan would incorporate a hard cap on county and city spending. The state, he said, would be leading by example.

“We will reduce state spending by 3% this fiscal year, followed by another 6% in fiscal year 2025, while ensuring that state services improve through efficiencies and technology,” said Gov. Pillen.

Proposals also include front-loading property tax credits instead of requiring taxpayers to claim them, to further provide state aid to schools and reduce state spending. It would also require expanding the state’s tax base.

“Everything is on the table. We must ignite this discussion,” said Gov. Pillen. “We must be bold and courageous in our pursuit of property tax reform, because we owe it to all Nebraskans.”

By Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;-- Today, (Monday) Governor Jim Pillen called for a 40% reduction in state property taxes in 2024. He is asking the Nebraska Legislature as well as chambers of commerce to partner in achieving that goal, stating it is a necessity for all Nebraskans.“Property taxes are so out of whack, you don’t even need to own property to be adversely affected,” said Gov. Pillen. “We need to do this for the countless Nebraskans who have worked, raised a family, and educated their kids here, by giving them the opportunity to retire in Nebraska. Our current property tax structure is taxing lifelong Nebraskans out of their homes – it is unacceptable.”Addressing high property taxes is the Governor’s top priority during the current legislative session.“In 2023, state property taxes exceeded $5 billion. In the last six years alone, property tax collections skyrocketed $1.3 billion. We need transformational property tax reform to get us down to around $3 billion annually,” said Gov. Pillen.The Governor convened a 40-person workgroup in July to study the issue of property taxes and home valuations. The group, made up of state senators, representatives from the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln and Omaha chambers of commerce, agriculture industry groups and others, all agreed it was not enough to keep property taxes level. A significant reduction was required.“Nebraska is already the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Gov. Pillen. “In order to stay competitive with other low tax states, we need to reduce property taxes by 40%. This reduction will drive economic growth through workforce and new business development.”Gov. Pillen wants to work with the Legislature to determine the right path forward. He made clear that any plan would incorporate a hard cap on county and city spending. The state, he said, would be leading by example.“We will reduce state spending by 3% this fiscal year, followed by another 6% in fiscal year 2025, while ensuring that state services improve through efficiencies and technology,” said Gov. Pillen.Proposals also include front-loading property tax credits instead of requiring taxpayers to claim them, to further provide state aid to schools and reduce state spending. It would also require expanding the state’s tax base.“Everything is on the table. We must ignite this discussion,” said Gov. Pillen. “We must be bold and courageous in our pursuit of property tax reform, because we owe it to all Nebraskans.”

 Governor Pillen Calls for 40% Reduction in State Property Taxes   

NEW YORK (AP) — For nearly two decades, journalists, police detectives, FBI agents, lawyers and amateur sleuths have pried into the depraved world of Jeffrey Epstein.

Yet even after the release of thousands of pages of court records in recent days, some questions about the millionaire pedophile remain unanswered. The documents have gotten a lot of attention, but they shed little new light on the financier’s habitual sexual abuse of underage girls.

<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355835/giuffre-v-maxwell/">Click here </a>to read the documents released 1/8/24 (caution adult content)

More than anything, the public is still fascinated with the possibility that some of the rich and powerful men in Epstein's social circle were also involved in the abuse.

Here's a look at what we know — and what we don't — about Epstein and his crimes:

Epstein first began getting media attention in 2002 after news organizations, including The Associated Press, covered a trip to Africa by former President Bill Clinton, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker. The five-day tour of Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa was intended to draw attention to the fight against AIDS.

After the visit, New York magazine ran a profile of the man who provided the private jet for the trip: Jeffrey Epstein. The story portrayed him as an “international moneyman of mystery,” who cultivated relationships with Nobel Prize-winning scientists and diplomats but puzzled Wall Street insiders who couldn't figure out how a college dropout got so rich.

“Terrific guy,” Epstein's neighbor in both Florida and New York, Donald Trump, said in the story. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”

Those celebrity contacts made it big news when Epstein was arrested in 2006 over allegations that he had hired multiple teenage girls to give him sexualized massages at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

Two years later, prosecutors allowed Epstein to plead guilty to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program, then quietly started rebuilding his network of influential friends, with the help of his socialite former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.

After a series of Miami Herald stories about the plea bargain that deprived Epstein's victims of justice, federal prosecutors in New York revived the investigation and charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking.

When Epstein killed himself in jail, prosecutors charged Maxwell with facilitating his illicit sexual encounters and participating in some of the abuse. She was convicted and is serving a 20-year prison term.

In 2009, one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre, filed a lawsuit saying he had flown her around the world for sexual encounters with billionaires, politicians, royals and heads of state.

She initially kept the names of those men secret, but in later legal filings started providing names: Britain's Prince Andrew, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, the French modeling scout Jean Luc Brunel, the billionaire Glenn Dubin and the law professor Alan Dershowitz, who had represented Epstein.

Some details of Giuffre's allegations have changed over time. She initially said she was 15 when Epstein began to abuse her, but she later acknowledged that she met him the summer she turned 17.

In 2022, she withdrew her allegations against Dershowitz, saying she “may have made a mistake” in identifying him as one of her abusers. She said she “was very young at the time” and “it was a very stressful and traumatic environment.”

In one newspaper interview, for which Giuffre was paid $160,000, she described dancing with Prince Andrew at a club but said there was no sexual contact. Later, she said they had three sexual encounters. She said the newspaper had refused to print those allegations.

In another interview, she described riding in a helicopter with Bill Clinton and flirting with Donald Trump, but she later said in a deposition that those things hadn't happened and were mistakes by the reporter.

Giuffre's allegations have been investigated by the FBI. No charges have been brought based on her claims, but because of the attention generated by them Brunel was investigated in France and charged with raping other underage girls. He killed himself while awaiting trial.

Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor in 2020, Geoffrey Berman, sought to speak with Prince Andrew about matters related to Epstein, but the royal declined to be interviewed. Berman blasted Andrew at the time for falsely portraying himself to the public as eager to cooperate when he was actually dodging questions.

Andrew has repeatedly denied having sex with Giuffre and said he couldn’t recall ever meeting her, though a photograph appears to show them together, and a member of Epstein's household staff also testified about seeing the two at Epstein's home in New York.

Many of the documents unsealed in recent days involve efforts by Maxwell's lawyers to discredit Giuffre, and Giuffre's lawyers' efforts to gather evidence backing up her accounts.

The records released in the case have contained scant evidence of wrongdoing by famous figures, but testimony from multiple witnesses confirmed Giuffre's accounts of Epstein's sexual misconduct.

Any chance that Epstein himself might have been able to answer questions about his famous friends died with him at a federal detention center in Manhattan in August 2019.

The death, a month after he was arrested, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-a1ef16a612bd4130a18479c01bd72586">fueled conspiracy theories</a>. But multiple investigations, including an autopsy and FBI probe, have concluded Epstein died by suicide.

Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-department-of-justice-investigation-50c229b7953096f0301bfa1e7f0b7703">Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in a June report</a>&nbsp;that Epstein was able to take his own life because of “negligence, misconduct and outright job performance failures” within the jail.

The Metropolitan Correctional Center&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-7f6797153ee7fa391731af9cf7c93603">was shut down in 2021</a>&nbsp;amid concerns about squalid conditions, COVID-19, crumbling infrastructure and lingering questions about Epstein's death.

Overworked officers assigned to guard Epstein had failed to recognize he had amassed a surplus of bed linens. After a first suspected suicide attempt, jail officials left him alone and never assigned him a new cellmate.

On the night Epstein died, officers sat at desks just 15 feet (4.6 meters) from his cell, shopping online and snoozing instead of making required rounds every 30 minutes, prosecutors said.

The day before Epstein killed himself, a federal court unsealed about 2,000 pages of records in Giuffre's lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell — the same case involved in the records released in recent days.

That, combined with a lack of significant interpersonal connections and “the idea of potentially spending his life in prison were likely factors contributing to Mr. Epstein’s suicide,” prison officials wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">documents obtained by The Associated Press</a>.

Whether Epstein would have ever been keen to answer questions to clear up some of the mysteries surrounding his life is a different story. In a 2016 deposition in Giuffre’s lawsuit, he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

The document dump isn’t over yet. So far, 191 of the approximately 250 files that U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska authorized for release have been made public. Lawyers involved in the case are posting them to the docket on a rolling basis, as per the judge’s instructions.

Another batch is expected Monday, though there is little indication they will yield more than what has already been seen in the nearly 3,000 pages of deposition transcripts, legal memos, emails and other records made public since Wednesday.

Versions of many of those records had already been made public in past years, though with some sections blacked out for privacy reasons or to protect the identities of Epstein's victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704416234390.png" alt="FILE —&nbsp; A photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell&nbsp; shown during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York. While some previously sealed court records are indeed being made public, the great majority of the people whose names appear in those documents are not accused of any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE —&nbsp; A photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell&nbsp; shown during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York. While some previously sealed court records are indeed being made public, the great majority of the people whose names appear in those documents are not accused of any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — For nearly two decades, journalists, police detectives, FBI agents, lawyers and amateur sleuths have pried into the depraved world of Jeffrey Epstein.Yet even after the release of thousands of pages of court records in recent days, some questions about the millionaire pedophile remain unanswered. The documents have gotten a lot of attention, but they shed little new light on the financier’s habitual sexual abuse of underage girls.<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355835/giuffre-v-maxwell/">Click here </a>to read the documents released 1/8/24 (caution adult content)More than anything, the public is still fascinated with the possibility that some of the rich and powerful men in Epstein's social circle were also involved in the abuse.Here's a look at what we know — and what we don't — about Epstein and his crimes:JETSETTER TO CONVICTEpstein first began getting media attention in 2002 after news organizations, including The Associated Press, covered a trip to Africa by former President Bill Clinton, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker. The five-day tour of Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa was intended to draw attention to the fight against AIDS.After the visit, New York magazine ran a profile of the man who provided the private jet for the trip: Jeffrey Epstein. The story portrayed him as an “international moneyman of mystery,” who cultivated relationships with Nobel Prize-winning scientists and diplomats but puzzled Wall Street insiders who couldn't figure out how a college dropout got so rich.“Terrific guy,” Epstein's neighbor in both Florida and New York, Donald Trump, said in the story. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”Those celebrity contacts made it big news when Epstein was arrested in 2006 over allegations that he had hired multiple teenage girls to give him sexualized massages at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.Two years later, prosecutors allowed Epstein to plead guilty to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program, then quietly started rebuilding his network of influential friends, with the help of his socialite former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.After a series of Miami Herald stories about the plea bargain that deprived Epstein's victims of justice, federal prosecutors in New York revived the investigation and charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking.When Epstein killed himself in jail, prosecutors charged Maxwell with facilitating his illicit sexual encounters and participating in some of the abuse. She was convicted and is serving a 20-year prison term.WAS ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED?In 2009, one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre, filed a lawsuit saying he had flown her around the world for sexual encounters with billionaires, politicians, royals and heads of state.She initially kept the names of those men secret, but in later legal filings started providing names: Britain's Prince Andrew, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, the French modeling scout Jean Luc Brunel, the billionaire Glenn Dubin and the law professor Alan Dershowitz, who had represented Epstein.Some details of Giuffre's allegations have changed over time. She initially said she was 15 when Epstein began to abuse her, but she later acknowledged that she met him the summer she turned 17.In 2022, she withdrew her allegations against Dershowitz, saying she “may have made a mistake” in identifying him as one of her abusers. She said she “was very young at the time” and “it was a very stressful and traumatic environment.”In one newspaper interview, for which Giuffre was paid $160,000, she described dancing with Prince Andrew at a club but said there was no sexual contact. Later, she said they had three sexual encounters. She said the newspaper had refused to print those allegations.In another interview, she described riding in a helicopter with Bill Clinton and flirting with Donald Trump, but she later said in a deposition that those things hadn't happened and were mistakes by the reporter.Giuffre's allegations have been investigated by the FBI. No charges have been brought based on her claims, but because of the attention generated by them Brunel was investigated in France and charged with raping other underage girls. He killed himself while awaiting trial.Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor in 2020, Geoffrey Berman, sought to speak with Prince Andrew about matters related to Epstein, but the royal declined to be interviewed. Berman blasted Andrew at the time for falsely portraying himself to the public as eager to cooperate when he was actually dodging questions.Andrew has repeatedly denied having sex with Giuffre and said he couldn’t recall ever meeting her, though a photograph appears to show them together, and a member of Epstein's household staff also testified about seeing the two at Epstein's home in New York.Many of the documents unsealed in recent days involve efforts by Maxwell's lawyers to discredit Giuffre, and Giuffre's lawyers' efforts to gather evidence backing up her accounts.The records released in the case have contained scant evidence of wrongdoing by famous figures, but testimony from multiple witnesses confirmed Giuffre's accounts of Epstein's sexual misconduct.DEATH BEHIND BARSAny chance that Epstein himself might have been able to answer questions about his famous friends died with him at a federal detention center in Manhattan in August 2019.The death, a month after he was arrested, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-a1ef16a612bd4130a18479c01bd72586">fueled conspiracy theories</a>. But multiple investigations, including an autopsy and FBI probe, have concluded Epstein died by suicide.Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-department-of-justice-investigation-50c229b7953096f0301bfa1e7f0b7703">Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in a June report</a>&nbsp;that Epstein was able to take his own life because of “negligence, misconduct and outright job performance failures” within the jail.The Metropolitan Correctional Center&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-7f6797153ee7fa391731af9cf7c93603">was shut down in 2021</a>&nbsp;amid concerns about squalid conditions, COVID-19, crumbling infrastructure and lingering questions about Epstein's death.Overworked officers assigned to guard Epstein had failed to recognize he had amassed a surplus of bed linens. After a first suspected suicide attempt, jail officials left him alone and never assigned him a new cellmate.On the night Epstein died, officers sat at desks just 15 feet (4.6 meters) from his cell, shopping online and snoozing instead of making required rounds every 30 minutes, prosecutors said.The day before Epstein killed himself, a federal court unsealed about 2,000 pages of records in Giuffre's lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell — the same case involved in the records released in recent days.That, combined with a lack of significant interpersonal connections and “the idea of potentially spending his life in prison were likely factors contributing to Mr. Epstein’s suicide,” prison officials wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">documents obtained by The Associated Press</a>.Whether Epstein would have ever been keen to answer questions to clear up some of the mysteries surrounding his life is a different story. In a 2016 deposition in Giuffre’s lawsuit, he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.WHAT’S NEXTThe document dump isn’t over yet. So far, 191 of the approximately 250 files that U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska authorized for release have been made public. Lawyers involved in the case are posting them to the docket on a rolling basis, as per the judge’s instructions.Another batch is expected Monday, though there is little indication they will yield more than what has already been seen in the nearly 3,000 pages of deposition transcripts, legal memos, emails and other records made public since Wednesday.Versions of many of those records had already been made public in past years, though with some sections blacked out for privacy reasons or to protect the identities of Epstein's victims.

Read the batch of Epstein documents released Monday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Both the White House and Pentagon said Monday they would look into why President Joe Biden and other top officials weren’t informed for days that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">had been hospitalized</a>. A Pentagon spokesman pointed to one reason: A key staffer was out sick with the flu.

Even as the Biden administration pledged to look into what rules or procedures weren’t followed, it maintained its silence about why Austin has been hospitalized for a week. Some Republicans have demanded Austin’s resignation, but the Pentagon said he has no plans to step down.

Austin, 70, went to the hospital on Dec. 22 for what the Pentagon press secretary called an “elective procedure” but one serious enough that Austin temporarily transferred some of his authorities to his deputy, without telling her or other U.S. leaders why. He went home the following day.

He also transferred some of his authorities after experiencing severe pain and being taken back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by ambulance and put into intensive care on Jan. 1. The White House was not informed until Jan. 4.

Austin, who has resumed his duties, is no longer in intensive care. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said his prognosis is “good” but it is not known when he will be released from the hospital.

The failure to properly inform government and defense leaders will be the subject of what John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, called a “hotwash” to see if procedures need to be changed.

Kirby, speaking to reporters on Air Force One as Biden traveled to South Carolina, said there is an “expectation” among members of Biden’s Cabinet that if one of them is hospitalized, “that will be notified up the chain of command.”

Ryder acknowledged that he and other public affairs and defense aides were told Jan. 2 that Austin had been hospitalized but did not make it public and did not tell the military service leaders or the National Security Council until Jan. 4.

“I want to offer my apologies and my pledge to learn from this experience, and I will do everything I can to meet the standard that you expect from us," he said.

Ryder said staff in Austin’s front office will review notification procedures, including whether regulations, rules or laws were broken, and will take steps to improve the notification process. Those staff members, however, are among those who did not disclose the secretary's hospitalization.

In a statement issued Saturday evening, Austin took responsibility for the delays in notification.

“I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better,” he said, acknowledging the concerns about transparency. “But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”

Ryder provided some more detail on who knew about the hospitalization and when they were told.

He said when Austin was taken back to the hospital on Jan. 1 he “was conscious but in quite a bit of pain.” He spent that evening undergoing tests and evaluation. The next day, “due to the secretary’s condition and on the basis of medical advice,” some authorities were transferred to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, through a standard email notification that often does not provide the reason for transfer, Ryder said.

Hicks, who was in Puerto Rico, was not told the reason for the transfer of authorities until Jan. 4.

Ryder said Austin’s chief of staff, senior military adviser and Gen. CQ Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were notified of the defense secretary’s hospitalization on Jan. 2.

Ryder said the chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, did not inform the White House because she had the flu. He said Magsamen told Hicks on Jan. 4 and they began drafting a public statement and developing plans to notify government and congressional officials that day.

But the congressional notifications did not begin until the evening of Jan. 5, just minutes before the Pentagon issued its first public statement on Austin's status.

Asked who approved the U.S. military strike in Baghdad that killed a militia leader on Jan. 4, Ryder said it was pre-approved by Austin and the White House before Austin was hospitalized.

Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it a “serious incident” and said there needs to be accountability from the Pentagon.

“This lack of disclosure must never happen again," Reed said in a statement. "I am tracking the situation closely and the Department of Defense is well aware of my interest in any and all relevant information.”

Still, White House officials on Monday emphasized that Austin retains Biden's confidence. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden appreciated Austin's statement on Saturday, in which he took responsibility for the lack of transparency.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon released new details Sunday about Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lloyd-austin">Lloyd Austin's</a>&nbsp;continued hospitalization, saying he had a medical procedure Dec. 22, went home a day later and was admitted to intensive care Jan. 1 when he began experiencing severe pain.

The latest information came as members of both parties in Congress expressed sharp concerns about the secrecy of Austin's hospital stay and the fact that the president and other senior leaders were kept in the dark about it for days.

The statement, released by Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, did not, however, provide any details about the medical procedure or what actually happened on Monday to require Austin to be in intensive care at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Ryan said Austin was placed in the hospital’s intensive care unit "due to his medical needs, but then remained in that location in part due to hospital space considerations and privacy.”

The Pentagon’s failure to disclose Austin’s hospitalization, including to President Joe Biden, the National Security Council and top Pentagon leaders, for days reflects a stunning lack of transparency about his illness, how serious it was and when he may be released. Such secrecy, when the United States is juggling myriad national security crises, runs counter to normal practice with the president and other senior U.S. officials and Cabinet members.

Ryder said the National Security Council and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks were not notified until Thursday, Jan. 4, that Austin had been hospitalized since Jan. 1. Ryder said Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, was ill and “unable to make notifications before then.” He said she informed Hicks and the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on Thursday.

Once notified, Hicks began preparing statements to send to Congress and made plans to return to Washington. Hicks was in Puerto Rico on leave but had communications equipment with her to remain in contact and had already been tasked with some secretary-level duties on Tuesday.

The Pentagon did not say if Hicks was given an explanation on Tuesday for why she was assuming some of Austin’s duties, but temporary transfers of authority are not unusual and are often done without detailed explanations. Hicks decided not to return after she was informed that Austin would resume full control on Friday.

Biden was told of Austin's medical stay on Thursday by Sullivan, according to three people with knowledge of the hospitalization who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Austin, 70, remains hospitalized and officials have been unable to say how long he will be at Walter Reed. In his statement, Austin said he is on the mend and is looking forward to returning to the Pentagon soon, but he provided no other details about his ailment.

Sen. Roger Wicker, the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the episode erodes trust in the Biden administration and called on the department to provide lawmakers with a "full accounting of the facts immediately.”

“I am glad to hear Secretary Austin is in improved condition and I wish him a speedy recovery," Wicker said in a statement. “However, the fact remains that the Department of Defense deliberately withheld the Secretary of Defense’s medical condition for days. That is unacceptable.”

It's not just Republicans expressing alarm. In a joint statement, Reps. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Adam Smith, D-Wash., said they were “concerned with how the disclosure of the Secretary's condition was handled.”

Among the questions they had were what the medical procedure was and what the resulting complications were, how and when the delegation of his responsibilities was made, and the reason for the delay in notification to the president and lawmakers. Rogers is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Smith is the panel's top Democrat.

“Transparency is vitally important," said the two lawmakers. “Austin ”must provide these additional details on his health and the decision-making process that occurred in the past week as soon as possible."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced support for Austin at a news conference in Qatar on Sunday.

“He is an extraordinary leader in this country, in uniform and now out of uniform," Blinken said. “And it’s been a highlight of my service to be able to serve alongside him,.” He added: "I’m very much looking forward to see him fully recovered and working side by side in the year ahead.”

Ryder said Austin is able to do his full duties, has secure communications at Walter Reed, and is in contact with his senior team, getting updates and providing guidance. He said he doesn't know if Austin will do in-person briefings this coming week.

The Pentagon Press Association, which represents journalists who cover the Defense Department, sent a letter of protest on Friday evening, calling the delay in alerting the public “an outrage.”

“At a time when there are growing threats to U.S. military service members in the Middle East and the U.S. is playing key national security roles in the wars in Israel and Ukraine, it is particularly critical for the American public to be informed about the health status and decision-making ability of its top defense leader," the group said in its letter.

Other senior U.S. leaders have been much more transparent about hospital stays. When Attorney General Merrick Garland went in for a routine medical procedure in 2022, his office informed the public a week in advance and outlined how long he was expected to be out and when he would return to work.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702947351254.png" alt="Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III greets Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dec. 18, 2023. -photo Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III greets Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dec. 18, 2023. -photo Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Both the White House and Pentagon said Monday they would look into why President Joe Biden and other top officials weren’t informed for days that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">had been hospitalized</a>. A Pentagon spokesman pointed to one reason: A key staffer was out sick with the flu.Even as the Biden administration pledged to look into what rules or procedures weren’t followed, it maintained its silence about why Austin has been hospitalized for a week. Some Republicans have demanded Austin’s resignation, but the Pentagon said he has no plans to step down.Austin, 70, went to the hospital on Dec. 22 for what the Pentagon press secretary called an “elective procedure” but one serious enough that Austin temporarily transferred some of his authorities to his deputy, without telling her or other U.S. leaders why. He went home the following day.He also transferred some of his authorities after experiencing severe pain and being taken back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by ambulance and put into intensive care on Jan. 1. The White House was not informed until Jan. 4.Austin, who has resumed his duties, is no longer in intensive care. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said his prognosis is “good” but it is not known when he will be released from the hospital.The failure to properly inform government and defense leaders will be the subject of what John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, called a “hotwash” to see if procedures need to be changed.Kirby, speaking to reporters on Air Force One as Biden traveled to South Carolina, said there is an “expectation” among members of Biden’s Cabinet that if one of them is hospitalized, “that will be notified up the chain of command.”Ryder acknowledged that he and other public affairs and defense aides were told Jan. 2 that Austin had been hospitalized but did not make it public and did not tell the military service leaders or the National Security Council until Jan. 4.“I want to offer my apologies and my pledge to learn from this experience, and I will do everything I can to meet the standard that you expect from us," he said.Ryder said staff in Austin’s front office will review notification procedures, including whether regulations, rules or laws were broken, and will take steps to improve the notification process. Those staff members, however, are among those who did not disclose the secretary's hospitalization.In a statement issued Saturday evening, Austin took responsibility for the delays in notification.“I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better,” he said, acknowledging the concerns about transparency. “But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”Ryder provided some more detail on who knew about the hospitalization and when they were told.He said when Austin was taken back to the hospital on Jan. 1 he “was conscious but in quite a bit of pain.” He spent that evening undergoing tests and evaluation. The next day, “due to the secretary’s condition and on the basis of medical advice,” some authorities were transferred to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, through a standard email notification that often does not provide the reason for transfer, Ryder said.Hicks, who was in Puerto Rico, was not told the reason for the transfer of authorities until Jan. 4.Ryder said Austin’s chief of staff, senior military adviser and Gen. CQ Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were notified of the defense secretary’s hospitalization on Jan. 2.Ryder said the chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, did not inform the White House because she had the flu. He said Magsamen told Hicks on Jan. 4 and they began drafting a public statement and developing plans to notify government and congressional officials that day.But the congressional notifications did not begin until the evening of Jan. 5, just minutes before the Pentagon issued its first public statement on Austin's status.Asked who approved the U.S. military strike in Baghdad that killed a militia leader on Jan. 4, Ryder said it was pre-approved by Austin and the White House before Austin was hospitalized.Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it a “serious incident” and said there needs to be accountability from the Pentagon.“This lack of disclosure must never happen again," Reed said in a statement. "I am tracking the situation closely and the Department of Defense is well aware of my interest in any and all relevant information.”Still, White House officials on Monday emphasized that Austin retains Biden's confidence. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden appreciated Austin's statement on Saturday, in which he took responsibility for the lack of transparency.-------------WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon released new details Sunday about Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lloyd-austin">Lloyd Austin's</a>&nbsp;continued hospitalization, saying he had a medical procedure Dec. 22, went home a day later and was admitted to intensive care Jan. 1 when he began experiencing severe pain.The latest information came as members of both parties in Congress expressed sharp concerns about the secrecy of Austin's hospital stay and the fact that the president and other senior leaders were kept in the dark about it for days.The statement, released by Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, did not, however, provide any details about the medical procedure or what actually happened on Monday to require Austin to be in intensive care at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.Ryan said Austin was placed in the hospital’s intensive care unit "due to his medical needs, but then remained in that location in part due to hospital space considerations and privacy.”The Pentagon’s failure to disclose Austin’s hospitalization, including to President Joe Biden, the National Security Council and top Pentagon leaders, for days reflects a stunning lack of transparency about his illness, how serious it was and when he may be released. Such secrecy, when the United States is juggling myriad national security crises, runs counter to normal practice with the president and other senior U.S. officials and Cabinet members.Ryder said the National Security Council and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks were not notified until Thursday, Jan. 4, that Austin had been hospitalized since Jan. 1. Ryder said Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, was ill and “unable to make notifications before then.” He said she informed Hicks and the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on Thursday.Once notified, Hicks began preparing statements to send to Congress and made plans to return to Washington. Hicks was in Puerto Rico on leave but had communications equipment with her to remain in contact and had already been tasked with some secretary-level duties on Tuesday.The Pentagon did not say if Hicks was given an explanation on Tuesday for why she was assuming some of Austin’s duties, but temporary transfers of authority are not unusual and are often done without detailed explanations. Hicks decided not to return after she was informed that Austin would resume full control on Friday.Biden was told of Austin's medical stay on Thursday by Sullivan, according to three people with knowledge of the hospitalization who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.In a statement issued Saturday evening, Austin took responsibility for the delays in notification.“I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better,” he said, acknowledging the concerns about transparency. “But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”Austin, 70, remains hospitalized and officials have been unable to say how long he will be at Walter Reed. In his statement, Austin said he is on the mend and is looking forward to returning to the Pentagon soon, but he provided no other details about his ailment.Sen. Roger Wicker, the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the episode erodes trust in the Biden administration and called on the department to provide lawmakers with a "full accounting of the facts immediately.”“I am glad to hear Secretary Austin is in improved condition and I wish him a speedy recovery," Wicker said in a statement. “However, the fact remains that the Department of Defense deliberately withheld the Secretary of Defense’s medical condition for days. That is unacceptable.”It's not just Republicans expressing alarm. In a joint statement, Reps. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Adam Smith, D-Wash., said they were “concerned with how the disclosure of the Secretary's condition was handled.”Among the questions they had were what the medical procedure was and what the resulting complications were, how and when the delegation of his responsibilities was made, and the reason for the delay in notification to the president and lawmakers. Rogers is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Smith is the panel's top Democrat.“Transparency is vitally important," said the two lawmakers. “Austin ”must provide these additional details on his health and the decision-making process that occurred in the past week as soon as possible."Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced support for Austin at a news conference in Qatar on Sunday.“He is an extraordinary leader in this country, in uniform and now out of uniform," Blinken said. “And it’s been a highlight of my service to be able to serve alongside him,.” He added: "I’m very much looking forward to see him fully recovered and working side by side in the year ahead.”Ryder said Austin is able to do his full duties, has secure communications at Walter Reed, and is in contact with his senior team, getting updates and providing guidance. He said he doesn't know if Austin will do in-person briefings this coming week.The Pentagon Press Association, which represents journalists who cover the Defense Department, sent a letter of protest on Friday evening, calling the delay in alerting the public “an outrage.”“At a time when there are growing threats to U.S. military service members in the Middle East and the U.S. is playing key national security roles in the wars in Israel and Ukraine, it is particularly critical for the American public to be informed about the health status and decision-making ability of its top defense leader," the group said in its letter.Other senior U.S. leaders have been much more transparent about hospital stays. When Attorney General Merrick Garland went in for a routine medical procedure in 2022, his office informed the public a week in advance and outlined how long he was expected to be out and when he would return to work.

Defense Secretary's mysterious hospital stay under review

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A “highly impactful” winter storm is expected to dump as much as a foot of snow Monday across the country's midsection, where blizzard and winter storm warnings are in effect.

The storm has the potential to bring 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of snow to a broad area stretching from southeastern Colorado and western Kansas, through eastern Nebraska, large parts of Iowa, northern Missouri and northwestern Illinois, up toward the upper peninsula of Michigan, said Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

“So a very, very highly impactful event coming forward,” Oravec said.

There were widespread school closing across eastern Nebraska on Monday ahead of the storm, where forecasters predicted 5 to 8 inches (12 to 20 centimeters) of snow. The district that includes the state capital, Lincoln, is among those where students were told to stay home. Lines were long Sunday at a Target Store drive-up in Omaha as residents stocked up on milk, bread and booze ahead of the storm.

The National Weather Service office in Des Moines, Iowa, warned of the potential for “widespread heavy, possibly extreme, snowfall,” with snowfalls of up to 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38 centimeters), “significant impacts” to Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes, and possible whiteout conditions at times.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-caucuses-trump-haley-desantis-8455baa629589d77ea2b11a2f289fc8a">threatening weather has already affected campaigning</a>&nbsp;for Iowa’s Jan. 15 precinct caucuses, where the snow is expected to be followed by frigid temperatures that could drift below 0 degrees (-18 Celsius) by caucus day next week. It forced former President Donald Trump’s campaign to cancel multiple appearances by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who had been scheduled to court Iowa voters on Trump’s behalf Monday.

In South Dakota, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/paultenhaken/status/1744361692782329956">urged residents not to travel</a>&nbsp;Monday if they did not have to, and to give snowplows time and patience so they can clear the roads.

Much of western and southern Minnesota as well as west-central Wisconsin were also under winter storm warnings or advisories with snow accumulations of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) predicted.

In Wisconsin, cancellations were already starting Monday morning, with forecasts prompting the state Homeland Security Council to call off a Tuesday meeting in Madison. The council advises Gov. Tony Evers on security issues. The state’s capital city was under a winter storm warning until early Wednesday morning with as much as 9 inches (23 centimeters) of snow and 40 mph (64 kph) winds on tap.

Northwestern Illinois was also under a winter storm warning with forecasts calling or 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30 centimeters) of snow by early Wednesday morning. The Chicago area as well as Gary, Indiana, were under winter storm advisories, with forecasts calling for up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of snow by Tuesday evening and wind gusts of up to 30 mph (48 kph) in Chicago. Snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour during the day Tuesday, the weather service said.

The storm follows a separate storm that has moved off the East Coast after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-east-coast-snow-ice-0392ba73584cc71281acec9665f5c3df">dumping over a foot of snow Sunday</a>&nbsp;on parts of Pennsylvania, New York state and portions of New England, Oravec said.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A “highly impactful” winter storm is expected to dump as much as a foot of snow Monday across the country's midsection, where blizzard and winter storm warnings are in effect.The storm has the potential to bring 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of snow to a broad area stretching from southeastern Colorado and western Kansas, through eastern Nebraska, large parts of Iowa, northern Missouri and northwestern Illinois, up toward the upper peninsula of Michigan, said Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.“So a very, very highly impactful event coming forward,” Oravec said.There were widespread school closing across eastern Nebraska on Monday ahead of the storm, where forecasters predicted 5 to 8 inches (12 to 20 centimeters) of snow. The district that includes the state capital, Lincoln, is among those where students were told to stay home. Lines were long Sunday at a Target Store drive-up in Omaha as residents stocked up on milk, bread and booze ahead of the storm.The National Weather Service office in Des Moines, Iowa, warned of the potential for “widespread heavy, possibly extreme, snowfall,” with snowfalls of up to 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38 centimeters), “significant impacts” to Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes, and possible whiteout conditions at times.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-caucuses-trump-haley-desantis-8455baa629589d77ea2b11a2f289fc8a">threatening weather has already affected campaigning</a>&nbsp;for Iowa’s Jan. 15 precinct caucuses, where the snow is expected to be followed by frigid temperatures that could drift below 0 degrees (-18 Celsius) by caucus day next week. It forced former President Donald Trump’s campaign to cancel multiple appearances by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who had been scheduled to court Iowa voters on Trump’s behalf Monday.In South Dakota, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/paultenhaken/status/1744361692782329956">urged residents not to travel</a>&nbsp;Monday if they did not have to, and to give snowplows time and patience so they can clear the roads.Much of western and southern Minnesota as well as west-central Wisconsin were also under winter storm warnings or advisories with snow accumulations of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) predicted.In Wisconsin, cancellations were already starting Monday morning, with forecasts prompting the state Homeland Security Council to call off a Tuesday meeting in Madison. The council advises Gov. Tony Evers on security issues. The state’s capital city was under a winter storm warning until early Wednesday morning with as much as 9 inches (23 centimeters) of snow and 40 mph (64 kph) winds on tap.Northwestern Illinois was also under a winter storm warning with forecasts calling or 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30 centimeters) of snow by early Wednesday morning. The Chicago area as well as Gary, Indiana, were under winter storm advisories, with forecasts calling for up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of snow by Tuesday evening and wind gusts of up to 30 mph (48 kph) in Chicago. Snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour during the day Tuesday, the weather service said.The storm follows a separate storm that has moved off the East Coast after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-east-coast-snow-ice-0392ba73584cc71281acec9665f5c3df">dumping over a foot of snow Sunday</a>&nbsp;on parts of Pennsylvania, New York state and portions of New England, Oravec said.

A 'highly impactful' winter storm is bearing down on a large swath of the US midsection

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/08/its-scary-close-nebraska-lawmakers-react-to-ai-voice-clones-possible-regulations/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;As artificial intelligence continues to rapidly evolve, some Nebraska lawmakers are viewing a legislative or regulatory role over AI as a balancing act with the First Amendment.

State senators say AI brings opportunities for innovation but also dangers, such as misinformation or disinformation ahead of the 2024 election.

Lawmakers will likely have the opportunity during this year’s session to weigh at least one proposal to regulate AI.&nbsp;

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha plans to introduce legislation to address certain AI disclosures. His proposal would mirror a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/11/30/at-detroit-naacp-whitmer-signs-voting-rights-bills/">Michigan law</a>&nbsp;that requires disclosure of AI if used in political advertisements.

Michigan is the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/michigan-to-join-state-level-effort-to-regulate-ai-political-ads-as-federal-legislation-is-pending">fifth state</a>&nbsp;to enact a law regulating such content, or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.citizen.org/article/tracker-legislation-on-deepfakes-in-elections/">deepfakes</a>. The others are California, Minnesota, Texas and Washington. More states are considering legislation, as is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/12/congress-starts-trying-to-figure-out-how-to-set-ai-rules-of-the-road/">Congress</a>.

“As technology advances, we need to be sure that it is not abused and take reasonable steps as a state to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in campaigns,” Cavanaugh said in a text.

Unlike the Michigan legislation, which includes criminal penalties, Cavanaugh said his bill would carry civil penalties through the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

Seven Nebraska lawmakers agreed to review AI-generated clones of their voices as part of a UNL class project. They included State Sen. Beau Ballard, a Lincoln business owner, who said public policymakers are charged with tackling AI, but it won’t be easy.

“The wheels of government move slow,” Ballard said.

Ballard said AI could help with workforce or job development and that it has the potential to be both the most useful and most harmful technology “in probably the history of the world.”

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, an exercise instructor, substitute teacher and former engineering consultant, said lawmakers must consider how to craft bills when the technology “changes tomorrow.”

“You’re chasing something that is exponentially changing,” Hughes said.

State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, a clinical social worker and adjunct professor, said lawmakers must consider these moving pieces and engage with experts and stakeholders.

State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, a real estate agent with a broker’s license and a former teacher, said she’s played around with AI a couple of times and foresees benefits. But she said AI will require voters to do more verification of what lawmakers say.&nbsp;

“The way that our political atmosphere is today, you just don’t put anything past (someone),” Walz said.

Ballard, Hughes, Fredrickson, Walz and three other lawmakers — Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, Tom Brandt of Plymouth and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln — agreed to have their voices cloned to see the possibilities.&nbsp;

These “clones” mimicked past legislative speeches by the senators or were used to announce fake resignations, policy positions or other topics of the lawmakers’ choosing.

Hughes said one of her clips sounded exactly the way she would say it. Brandt, a farmer, said he would not have known his clip was AI-generated.

“I don’t think you could find anybody in today’s world that would know the difference,” Brandt said.

Conrad, an attorney and former executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska, said her cloned voice was “shocking” to her. She said the clone sounded a “bit more firm or resolute,” without certain pauses or breaks she tends to use. It was “far more advanced and nuanced” than she would have thought, she said.

This innovation, Hughes said, further complicates the ability to identify misinformation and disinformation.

“It’s scary close, and it’s only going to get better,” Hughes said.

Nebraska will soon join nearly every other state in offering an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49867">online video archive</a>&nbsp;of legislative proceedings. The archive will be created once closed captioning of such videos is available, or no later than the start of 2025. The Legislature’s Executive Board will determine the proper use of the recordings.

Nebraska Public Media already livestreams legislative floor debates and committee hearings.

Ballard, Bosn and Hughes reviewed their audio clips as a group. They said cadences, speed, inflections and the “feel” of a voice (robotic or generated) helped clue them into whether it was authentic.&nbsp;

Fredrickson said his cloned voice flow differed from his actual speech, though people are biologically wired to pick up on authenticity. It’s one area, he added, that AI has not yet “finessed.”

“It has a flavor of my voice, but it also doesn’t sound like me at all,” Fredrickson said. “It does sound like a Siri me.”

While the senators may know the sound of their own or their colleagues’ voices, they noted that constituents may not know. All seven said cloned material could confuse voters.

“For a constituent who has never heard me talk, for all they know my voice could sound like Adele’s,” Fredrickson said.

Brandt added that he has heard colleagues on the radio from time to time and thought the audio didn’t sound like them. As AI or similar tech progresses, he said, everyone may begin to doubt what they hear.

’Bosn, a stay-at-home mom and former deputy county attorney in Lancaster and Saunders Counties, said she’s wondered how AI could mpact her children. She has pondered safety parameters, such as in education, to prevent kids from looking up something they shouldn’t.

Walz, who taught fourth and fifth graders, also expressed concern that students could lose an emotional or human connection if they use AI too often in their education.

“I would never want my kids to lose that,” Walz said.

The New York Times has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/business/media/new-york-times-open-ai-microsoft-lawsuit.html">sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement</a>, further intensifying a challenge in how developers train AI models. The Times is asking for billions of dollars in damages and for companies to destroy any chatbot models or training data that use copyrighted material from The Times.

Around the country, some states have also looked to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://stateline.org/2023/10/05/what-is-artificial-intelligence-legislators-are-still-looking-for-a-definition/">define AI</a>&nbsp;in place of regulations. For example, North Dakota lawmakers legislated that “personhood” does not include AI.

Regulation can get tricky with free speech, though, Bosn said, as lawmakers want to advocate for and encourage speech while fostering educational opportunities for children to understand and grow.

“We have to use it as a tool, not a weapon,” Bosn said.

In elections, Ballard said research shows&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/why-negative-campaigning-works-and-how-fight-it">negative campaigning</a>&nbsp;can be more effective than positive campaigning. He and Bosn are running for election after being appointed in 2023.

Bosn said negative campaigning could be met with skepticism or caution among voters, which could help, but she questioned whether lawmakers want to be deciding what is proper.

Hughes, responding to Bosn, said she doesn’t know about all cases, “But doing a fake speech with my voice is improper.”

Bosn said the legal process for holding people accountable can be tricky because it’s time consuming and requires due process.

At the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/08/embracing-artificial-intelligence-in-the-workforce-starts-with-higher-education/">University of Nebraska at Omaha</a>, faculty have begun diving into AI use, including Victor Winter, Ph.D., a professor of computer science, who said recent advances in machine learning and underlying tech infrastructure have led to a “tipping point.”

Development is moving much faster, Winter explained, but AI use is not scary alone. It’s scary for what it could allow humans to do to others, Winter said, quoting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/hankgreen/posts/pfbid0gHjM18kFuNTQuu1MteTTFWLCoywqD1aKbmmsygwXmdcgek7bW5Cmt5JTGvfFvj4vl">Hank Green</a>, an American YouTuber who is half of the team for the educational “Crash Course” YouTube channel.

Cassie Mallette, an instructional designer at UNO, said comfort with AI comes from understanding it, such as experimenting. Mallette said she’s had students who were completely against AI —&nbsp;some who said it “freaked them out” —&nbsp;who later saw how it could be useful in some cases.

“It shouldn’t replace everything we do but should be used as a supplemental tool we can use,” Mallette said in a statement.

Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor of innovative and learning-centric initiatives at UNO, said new tools and technology open up possibilities for exploration, research, learning, training and productivity, with more on the horizon.

“While there will always be some who may use such technologies in a dishonest manner, we are far more excited about the opportunities they create,” Lindburg said in an email.

Brandt said AI will impact all industries and mirror other technological advancements.

For example, when he started farming, Brandt said, he used a six-row planter with markers that someone dropped and had to follow, visually, as best they could. He now has a 16-row planter that is driven automatically to sub-inch accuracy and communicates with satellites.

“It’s an amplification of the path we’ve been on ever since we started the computer age, and we don’t know where it’s going to take us,” Brandt said of AI.

Conrad cautioned that political speech is entitled to the “highest protection” in law and includes speech that is distasteful or hard to hear. She said lawmakers must proceed “very cautiously and very skeptically” before rushing in and crafting laws that could “chill speech.”

It’s all about the “right equilibrium,” she said.

“Popular speech doesn’t need protection,” Conrad said. “Unpopular speech does.”

Editor’s note: This article is based on information gathered for a graduate-level journalism course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The author worked last year as a reporting intern for the Nebraska Examiner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704723137932.png" alt=" Image created using Canva. (Courtesy of Cassie Mallette/University of Nebraska at Omaha)" />
 <figcaption> Image created using Canva. (Courtesy of Cassie Mallette/University of Nebraska at Omaha)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/08/its-scary-close-nebraska-lawmakers-react-to-ai-voice-clones-possible-regulations/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;As artificial intelligence continues to rapidly evolve, some Nebraska lawmakers are viewing a legislative or regulatory role over AI as a balancing act with the First Amendment.State senators say AI brings opportunities for innovation but also dangers, such as misinformation or disinformation ahead of the 2024 election.Lawmakers will likely have the opportunity during this year’s session to weigh at least one proposal to regulate AI.&nbsp;State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha plans to introduce legislation to address certain AI disclosures. His proposal would mirror a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/11/30/at-detroit-naacp-whitmer-signs-voting-rights-bills/">Michigan law</a>&nbsp;that requires disclosure of AI if used in political advertisements.Michigan is the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/michigan-to-join-state-level-effort-to-regulate-ai-political-ads-as-federal-legislation-is-pending">fifth state</a>&nbsp;to enact a law regulating such content, or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.citizen.org/article/tracker-legislation-on-deepfakes-in-elections/">deepfakes</a>. The others are California, Minnesota, Texas and Washington. More states are considering legislation, as is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/12/congress-starts-trying-to-figure-out-how-to-set-ai-rules-of-the-road/">Congress</a>.“As technology advances, we need to be sure that it is not abused and take reasonable steps as a state to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in campaigns,” Cavanaugh said in a text.Unlike the Michigan legislation, which includes criminal penalties, Cavanaugh said his bill would carry civil penalties through the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.<h2>‘Wheels of government move slow’</h2>Seven Nebraska lawmakers agreed to review AI-generated clones of their voices as part of a UNL class project. They included State Sen. Beau Ballard, a Lincoln business owner, who said public policymakers are charged with tackling AI, but it won’t be easy.“The wheels of government move slow,” Ballard said.Ballard said AI could help with workforce or job development and that it has the potential to be both the most useful and most harmful technology “in probably the history of the world.”State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, an exercise instructor, substitute teacher and former engineering consultant, said lawmakers must consider how to craft bills when the technology “changes tomorrow.”“You’re chasing something that is exponentially changing,” Hughes said.State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, a clinical social worker and adjunct professor, said lawmakers must consider these moving pieces and engage with experts and stakeholders.State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, a real estate agent with a broker’s license and a former teacher, said she’s played around with AI a couple of times and foresees benefits. But she said AI will require voters to do more verification of what lawmakers say.&nbsp;“The way that our political atmosphere is today, you just don’t put anything past (someone),” Walz said.<h2>‘It’s scary close’</h2>Ballard, Hughes, Fredrickson, Walz and three other lawmakers — Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, Tom Brandt of Plymouth and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln — agreed to have their voices cloned to see the possibilities.&nbsp;These “clones” mimicked past legislative speeches by the senators or were used to announce fake resignations, policy positions or other topics of the lawmakers’ choosing.Hughes said one of her clips sounded exactly the way she would say it. Brandt, a farmer, said he would not have known his clip was AI-generated.“I don’t think you could find anybody in today’s world that would know the difference,” Brandt said.Conrad, an attorney and former executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska, said her cloned voice was “shocking” to her. She said the clone sounded a “bit more firm or resolute,” without certain pauses or breaks she tends to use. It was “far more advanced and nuanced” than she would have thought, she said.This innovation, Hughes said, further complicates the ability to identify misinformation and disinformation.“It’s scary close, and it’s only going to get better,” Hughes said.Nebraska will soon join nearly every other state in offering an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49867">online video archive</a>&nbsp;of legislative proceedings. The archive will be created once closed captioning of such videos is available, or no later than the start of 2025. The Legislature’s Executive Board will determine the proper use of the recordings.Nebraska Public Media already livestreams legislative floor debates and committee hearings.<h2>‘A flavor of my voice’</h2>Ballard, Bosn and Hughes reviewed their audio clips as a group. They said cadences, speed, inflections and the “feel” of a voice (robotic or generated) helped clue them into whether it was authentic.&nbsp;Fredrickson said his cloned voice flow differed from his actual speech, though people are biologically wired to pick up on authenticity. It’s one area, he added, that AI has not yet “finessed.”“It has a flavor of my voice, but it also doesn’t sound like me at all,” Fredrickson said. “It does sound like a Siri me.”While the senators may know the sound of their own or their colleagues’ voices, they noted that constituents may not know. All seven said cloned material could confuse voters.“For a constituent who has never heard me talk, for all they know my voice could sound like Adele’s,” Fredrickson said.Brandt added that he has heard colleagues on the radio from time to time and thought the audio didn’t sound like them. As AI or similar tech progresses, he said, everyone may begin to doubt what they hear.<h2>‘We have to use it as a tool</h2>’Bosn, a stay-at-home mom and former deputy county attorney in Lancaster and Saunders Counties, said she’s wondered how AI could mpact her children. She has pondered safety parameters, such as in education, to prevent kids from looking up something they shouldn’t.Walz, who taught fourth and fifth graders, also expressed concern that students could lose an emotional or human connection if they use AI too often in their education.“I would never want my kids to lose that,” Walz said.The New York Times has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/business/media/new-york-times-open-ai-microsoft-lawsuit.html">sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement</a>, further intensifying a challenge in how developers train AI models. The Times is asking for billions of dollars in damages and for companies to destroy any chatbot models or training data that use copyrighted material from The Times.Around the country, some states have also looked to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://stateline.org/2023/10/05/what-is-artificial-intelligence-legislators-are-still-looking-for-a-definition/">define AI</a>&nbsp;in place of regulations. For example, North Dakota lawmakers legislated that “personhood” does not include AI.Regulation can get tricky with free speech, though, Bosn said, as lawmakers want to advocate for and encourage speech while fostering educational opportunities for children to understand and grow.“We have to use it as a tool, not a weapon,” Bosn said.<h2>What is ‘proper’ use?</h2>In elections, Ballard said research shows&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/why-negative-campaigning-works-and-how-fight-it">negative campaigning</a>&nbsp;can be more effective than positive campaigning. He and Bosn are running for election after being appointed in 2023.Bosn said negative campaigning could be met with skepticism or caution among voters, which could help, but she questioned whether lawmakers want to be deciding what is proper.Hughes, responding to Bosn, said she doesn’t know about all cases, “But doing a fake speech with my voice is improper.”Bosn said the legal process for holding people accountable can be tricky because it’s time consuming and requires due process.<h2>Past a ‘tipping point’</h2>At the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/08/embracing-artificial-intelligence-in-the-workforce-starts-with-higher-education/">University of Nebraska at Omaha</a>, faculty have begun diving into AI use, including Victor Winter, Ph.D., a professor of computer science, who said recent advances in machine learning and underlying tech infrastructure have led to a “tipping point.”Development is moving much faster, Winter explained, but AI use is not scary alone. It’s scary for what it could allow humans to do to others, Winter said, quoting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/hankgreen/posts/pfbid0gHjM18kFuNTQuu1MteTTFWLCoywqD1aKbmmsygwXmdcgek7bW5Cmt5JTGvfFvj4vl">Hank Green</a>, an American YouTuber who is half of the team for the educational “Crash Course” YouTube channel.Cassie Mallette, an instructional designer at UNO, said comfort with AI comes from understanding it, such as experimenting. Mallette said she’s had students who were completely against AI —&nbsp;some who said it “freaked them out” —&nbsp;who later saw how it could be useful in some cases.“It shouldn’t replace everything we do but should be used as a supplemental tool we can use,” Mallette said in a statement.Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor of innovative and learning-centric initiatives at UNO, said new tools and technology open up possibilities for exploration, research, learning, training and productivity, with more on the horizon.“While there will always be some who may use such technologies in a dishonest manner, we are far more excited about the opportunities they create,” Lindburg said in an email.<h2>Finding the ‘right equilibrium’</h2>Brandt said AI will impact all industries and mirror other technological advancements.For example, when he started farming, Brandt said, he used a six-row planter with markers that someone dropped and had to follow, visually, as best they could. He now has a 16-row planter that is driven automatically to sub-inch accuracy and communicates with satellites.“It’s an amplification of the path we’ve been on ever since we started the computer age, and we don’t know where it’s going to take us,” Brandt said of AI.Conrad cautioned that political speech is entitled to the “highest protection” in law and includes speech that is distasteful or hard to hear. She said lawmakers must proceed “very cautiously and very skeptically” before rushing in and crafting laws that could “chill speech.”It’s all about the “right equilibrium,” she said.“Popular speech doesn’t need protection,” Conrad said. “Unpopular speech does.”Editor’s note: This article is based on information gathered for a graduate-level journalism course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The author worked last year as a reporting intern for the Nebraska Examiner.

‘It’s scary close’: Nebraska lawmakers react to AI voice clones, possible regulations

Columbus, Neb.&nbsp;– Much of Nebraska got its first taste of snow over the holidays and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) wants to remind customers of the importance of safety during severe winter weather.

Severe winter storms with heavy amounts of snow, wind, or ice can impact powerlines and result in downed powerlines, downed power poles, and can cause power outages.

“If anyone were to come upon a downed powerline, they should stay clear of the area. Getting too close or touching a downed line could result in serious or fatal injuries,” says NPPD Vice-President of Energy Delivery Scott Walz. “Our crews are prepared and ready to respond to power outages during winter storms and will work to restore power to customers as quickly and as safely as possible.”

NPPD encourages customers to assemble a few items including a flashlight, extra batteries, a portable radio, at least one gallon of water, and a small supply of food, to access in case of a winter outage. It is also suggested that the refrigerator and freezer doors should be kept closed during an outage to keep food cold.

Customers with access to a generator that can be used during an outage, should make sure they are never used indoors and are installed by a licensed electrician. “Generators and grills should not be used in areas that don’t have sufficient ventilation, such as a garage,” adds NPPD Corporate Safety Manager Brad Palu. “It’s also important to make sure indoor fireplaces are properly maintained and ventilated to ensure no one in the home breathes in dangerous fumes or that the fire spreads outside the fireplace.”

Customers can find outage information using the “NPPD On the Go!” mobile app or by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nppd.com/outages-safety" target="_blank">nppd.com</a>.

By NPPDColumbus, Neb.&nbsp;– Much of Nebraska got its first taste of snow over the holidays and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) wants to remind customers of the importance of safety during severe winter weather.Severe winter storms with heavy amounts of snow, wind, or ice can impact powerlines and result in downed powerlines, downed power poles, and can cause power outages.“If anyone were to come upon a downed powerline, they should stay clear of the area. Getting too close or touching a downed line could result in serious or fatal injuries,” says NPPD Vice-President of Energy Delivery Scott Walz. “Our crews are prepared and ready to respond to power outages during winter storms and will work to restore power to customers as quickly and as safely as possible.”NPPD encourages customers to assemble a few items including a flashlight, extra batteries, a portable radio, at least one gallon of water, and a small supply of food, to access in case of a winter outage. It is also suggested that the refrigerator and freezer doors should be kept closed during an outage to keep food cold.Customers with access to a generator that can be used during an outage, should make sure they are never used indoors and are installed by a licensed electrician. “Generators and grills should not be used in areas that don’t have sufficient ventilation, such as a garage,” adds NPPD Corporate Safety Manager Brad Palu. “It’s also important to make sure indoor fireplaces are properly maintained and ventilated to ensure no one in the home breathes in dangerous fumes or that the fire spreads outside the fireplace.”Customers can find outage information using the “NPPD On the Go!” mobile app or by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nppd.com/outages-safety" target="_blank">nppd.com</a>.

NPPD message about Safety during severe winter weather

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hezbollah has struck an air traffic control base in northern Israel, the Israeli military said Sunday, and warned of “another war” with the Iran-backed militant group

The increase in fighting across the border with Lebanon as Israel battles Hamas militants in Gaza gave new urgency to U.S. diplomatic efforts as Secretary of State Antony Blinken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jordan-israel-gaza-hamas-war-59407385030f96c3cbdc219c80f692f5">prepared to visit Israel</a>&nbsp;on his latest Mideast tour.

“This is a conflict that could easily metastasize, causing even more insecurity and even more suffering,” Blinken told reporters after talks in Qatar, a key mediator. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-06-2024-4ea42d6459496468ae39258e31832011">escalation of cross-border fighting</a>&nbsp;between Israel and Hezbollah has complicated a U.S. push to prevent a regional conflict.

The Israeli military said Hezbollah fire hit the sensitive air traffic control base on Mount Meron on Saturday but air defenses were not affected because backup systems were in place. It said that no soldiers were hurt and all damage will be repaired.

Nonetheless, it was one of the most serious attacks by Hezbollah in the months of fighting that has accompanied Israel's war in Gaza and forced tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate communities near the Lebanese border.

Hezbollah described its rocket barrage as an “initial response” to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-03-2024-286d5fad24b8ddbbd2e1cb1bfbb306eb">targeted killing of a top Hamas leader</a>&nbsp;in a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut last week, which is presumed to have been carried out by Israel.

The Israeli military chief of staff, Lt. Col. Herzi Halevi, said military pressure on Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, was rising and it would either be effective “or we will get to another war.” Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari asserted that Israel’s focus on Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force was pushing it away from the border.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704675337845.png" alt="Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Middle East Sunday- State Department&nbsp; social media" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Middle East Sunday- State Department&nbsp; social media</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — Hezbollah has struck an air traffic control base in northern Israel, the Israeli military said Sunday, and warned of “another war” with the Iran-backed militant groupThe increase in fighting across the border with Lebanon as Israel battles Hamas militants in Gaza gave new urgency to U.S. diplomatic efforts as Secretary of State Antony Blinken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jordan-israel-gaza-hamas-war-59407385030f96c3cbdc219c80f692f5">prepared to visit Israel</a>&nbsp;on his latest Mideast tour.“This is a conflict that could easily metastasize, causing even more insecurity and even more suffering,” Blinken told reporters after talks in Qatar, a key mediator. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-06-2024-4ea42d6459496468ae39258e31832011">escalation of cross-border fighting</a>&nbsp;between Israel and Hezbollah has complicated a U.S. push to prevent a regional conflict.The Israeli military said Hezbollah fire hit the sensitive air traffic control base on Mount Meron on Saturday but air defenses were not affected because backup systems were in place. It said that no soldiers were hurt and all damage will be repaired.Nonetheless, it was one of the most serious attacks by Hezbollah in the months of fighting that has accompanied Israel's war in Gaza and forced tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate communities near the Lebanese border.Hezbollah described its rocket barrage as an “initial response” to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-03-2024-286d5fad24b8ddbbd2e1cb1bfbb306eb">targeted killing of a top Hamas leader</a>&nbsp;in a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut last week, which is presumed to have been carried out by Israel.The Israeli military chief of staff, Lt. Col. Herzi Halevi, said military pressure on Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, was rising and it would either be effective “or we will get to another war.” Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari asserted that Israel’s focus on Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force was pushing it away from the border.Israel has mostly sought to limit the fighting in its north.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-nasrallah-gaza-burkan-drones-07701a32f07c172bccbf6bc6a3086ce8">Hezbollah’s military capabilities</a>&nbsp;are far superior to those of Hamas. But Israeli leaders have said their patience is wearing thin, and that if the tensions cannot be resolved through diplomacy, they are prepared to use force.“I suggest that Hezbollah learn what Hamas has already learned in recent months: No terrorist is immune," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet. We are determined to defend our citizens and to return the residents of the north safely to their homes.”Lower-intensity fighting along Israel’s northern border broke out when Hezbollah began firing rockets shortly after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel</a>&nbsp;triggered the war in Gaza, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking some 250 people hostage. Hezbollah has said its attacks aim to ease pressure on Gaza.In a joint news briefing with Blinken, Qatar’s government acknowledged that the killing of the senior Hamas leader in Lebanon can affect the complicated negotiations for the potential release of more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza but “we are continuing our discussions with the parties and trying to achieve as soon as possible an agreement.”Inside Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war</a>&nbsp;against the militant group entered its fourth month Sunday.The Israeli military has signaled that it has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-03-2024-3b77b0c36bf2cd9922b7a484234bef5f">wrapped up major combat</a>&nbsp;in northern Gaza, saying it has completed dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure there. Now it presses its offensive in the south, where most of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-refugee-israel-palestinian-rafah-a7e14cc4d7029019f59183b3b0225975">squeezed into smaller areas</a>&nbsp;in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-21-2023-7d9718b32bf0d308c44c7c9e3c4e0deb">humanitarian disaster</a>&nbsp;while being pounded by Israeli airstrikes.Netanyahu insists the war will not end until the objectives of eliminating Hamas, getting Israel’s hostages returned and ensuring that Gaza won’t host a threat to Israel are met.Biden administration officials have urged Israel to wind down its blistering air and ground offensive and shift to more targeted attacks against Hamas leaders.More than 22,800 Palestinians have been killed and more than 58,000 wounded since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.</a>&nbsp;The death toll does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Health officials say about two-thirds of those killed have been women and minors.Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the group operates in heavily populated residential areas.An airstrike near the southern city of Rafah&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-journalist-killed-jazeera-86db4604dde19caa9c29366225a6648e">killed two journalists</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, including Hamza Dahdouh, the oldest son of Wael Dahdouh, Al Jazeera's chief correspondent in Gaza, according to the Qatari-owned Arabic-language channel and local medical officials. Al Jazeera broadcast footage of Dahdouh weeping and holding his son's hand. Israel's military had no immediate comment.Al Jazeera strongly condemned the killings and other “brutal attacks against journalists and their families” by Israeli forces. Dahdouh also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dahdouh-aljazeera-war-israel-palestinians-968a24495e1ce420dfe2f9257528c5c4">lost his wife, two children and a grandchild</a>&nbsp;in an Oct. 26 airstrike, and was wounded in an Israeli strike last month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-dahdouh-aljazeera-conflict-journalism-b17e6f5c5d987e4f834a0cc3fdc043de">killed a co-worker</a>.“The world is blind to what’s happening in the Gaza Strip,” he said, blinking back tears.Another airstrike hit a house between Khan Younis and the southern city of Rafah, killing at least seven people whose bodies were taken to the nearby European Gaza Hospital, according to an Associated Press journalist at the facility. One man hurried in carrying a baby, and later walked the blanket-wrapped child to the morgue.“Everything happening here is outside the realms of law, outside the realms of reason. Our brains can’t fully comprehend all this that is happening to us,” said a grieving relative, Inas Abu al-Najja, her quavering voice rising. Men worked the rubble with picks and bare hands.On Sunday, officials at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis received the bodies of 18 people, including 12 children, killed in an Israeli strike late Saturday on a home in the Khan Younis camp set up decades ago to house refugees from the 1948 war over Israel’s creation.Israeli forces pushed deeper into the central city of Deir al-Balah, where residents in several neighborhoods were warned that they must evacuate.The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders, known by the French acronym MSF, said it was evacuating its medical staff from Deir al-Balah's Al Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital.A bullet penetrated a wall of the hospital’s intensive care unit on Friday, and “drone attacks and sniper fire were just a few hundred meters from the hospital” over the past couple of days, said Carolina Lopez, the group’s emergency coordinator there. She said the hospital received between 150 and 200 wounded people daily in recent weeks.The International Rescue Committee and Medical Aid for Palestinians said they also were forced to withdraw from the hospital. “The amount of injuries being brought in over the last few days has been horrific,” surgeon Nick Maynard with the IRC medical team said.