By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-no-1-in-labor-force-participation-rate-no-2-in-low-unemployment-rate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

&nbsp;OMAHA — Nebraska’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 2.1%, according to the latest Labor Department data, and is tied with North Dakota for being the second lowest in the country.

The Husker state also stands out on 
another economic indicator: Nebraska’s labor force participation rate 
reported for March was the highest in the nation, at 69.5%.

While a relatively high rate of 
working-age people in the labor force is not new to the state, economist
 Eric Thompson said the two indicators reinforce the tough task of 
filling job openings.&nbsp;

“It does suggest the challenging 
environment for finding workers,” said Thompson, director of the Bureau 
of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The data points are part of the monthly update by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Thompson said Nebraska, Iowa, 
Minnesota and North and South Dakota typically are near the top of the 
pack when it comes to the share of people participating in the labor 
force. He called it an upper Midwest phenomenon that has prompted debate
 about the reasons why.

One contributing factor, Thompson 
said, is that Nebraskans work late into their lives. Maybe it’s 
cultural, he said. Or maybe there’s a bit less temptation to forego work
 when there are no beaches or mountains nearby.

“There’s a lot of back and forth on that issue,” he said.

According to the latest Labor 
Department monthly update, North Dakota followed Nebraska in labor 
participation rate, at 69.3%. Iowa reported 68.2% and Minnesota, 68%.

For unemployment rates, also 
seasonally adjusted, South Dakota had the national low, 1.9%. Nevada had
 the highest, 5.5%. The national rate was 3.5%.

In Nebraska, the 2.1% unemployment rate for March compared to February’s 2.3%.

“March saw an increase in employed workers of nearly 3,000,” said State Labor Commissioner John Albin.

Unemployment rate counts are based on
 an employment status survey conducted by the Census Bureau. Individuals
 who are claiming unemployment benefits as well as individuals who are 
not claiming benefits can be counted as unemployed, depending on how 
they respond to the survey.

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

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-no-1-in-labor-force-participation-rate-no-2-in-low-unemployment-rate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>&nbsp;OMAHA — Nebraska’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 2.1%, according to the latest Labor Department data, and is tied with North Dakota for being the second lowest in the country.The Husker state also stands out on 
another economic indicator: Nebraska’s labor force participation rate 
reported for March was the highest in the nation, at 69.5%.While a relatively high rate of 
working-age people in the labor force is not new to the state, economist
 Eric Thompson said the two indicators reinforce the tough task of 
filling job openings.&nbsp;“It does suggest the challenging 
environment for finding workers,” said Thompson, director of the Bureau 
of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.The data points are part of the monthly update by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Thompson said Nebraska, Iowa, 
Minnesota and North and South Dakota typically are near the top of the 
pack when it comes to the share of people participating in the labor 
force. He called it an upper Midwest phenomenon that has prompted debate
 about the reasons why.One contributing factor, Thompson 
said, is that Nebraskans work late into their lives. Maybe it’s 
cultural, he said. Or maybe there’s a bit less temptation to forego work
 when there are no beaches or mountains nearby.“There’s a lot of back and forth on that issue,” he said.According to the latest Labor 
Department monthly update, North Dakota followed Nebraska in labor 
participation rate, at 69.3%. Iowa reported 68.2% and Minnesota, 68%.For unemployment rates, also 
seasonally adjusted, South Dakota had the national low, 1.9%. Nevada had
 the highest, 5.5%. The national rate was 3.5%.In Nebraska, the 2.1% unemployment rate for March compared to February’s 2.3%.“March saw an increase in employed workers of nearly 3,000,” said State Labor Commissioner John Albin.Unemployment rate counts are based on
 an employment status survey conducted by the Census Bureau. Individuals
 who are claiming unemployment benefits as well as individuals who are 
not claiming benefits can be counted as unemployed, depending on how 
they respond to the survey.Those who are not working and not 
seeking work are not considered part of the labor force and are not 
included in the unemployment rate calculation.

Nebraska No. 1 in labor force participation, No. 2 in jobless rate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Older Americans and people with weak immune systems can get an extra COVID-19 booster dose this spring.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on a more flexible booster schedule for people who remain at the highest risk from COVID-19 — giving them the choice of a second “bivalent” Pfizer or Moderna booster, the most up-to-date formula.

“Many in the population are experiencing vaccine fatigue but there is a subset who are eager to receive additional doses,” CDC’s Dr. Sara Oliver told an agency advisory panel that expressed support for the change.

The move came a day after the Food and Drug Administration took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone. From now on, anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it’s a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get an updated version rather than the outdated original shots.

Anyone who’s gotten their original vaccinations but hasn’t had an updated booster yet can still get one. Only 42% of Americans 65 and older — and just 20% of all adults — have gotten one of those updated boosters since September.

People 65 or older who already had one Pfizer or Moderna updated booster can roll up their sleeves again as long as it’s been at least four months since that last shot.

The schedule is a little different for people with weak immune systems. Most can choose a second Pfizer or Moderna updated booster at least two months after their first. Under the latest FDA and CDC guidelines, they also could get additional doses if and when their physician decides they need one.

Older adults continue to have the highest rates of hospitalization from COVID-19, even as cases have declined. But a frail 85-year-old may want another booster right away while a robust 65-year-old may not see the need — or might instead time another shot for peak protection ahead of a summer vacation or other special event.

CDC officials stressed there’s even more variety among immune-compromised patients, from people with only mild impairment to those trying to replenish immunity that grueling cancer treatment knocked out.

The changes put the U.S. in line with Britain and Canada, which also are offering certain vulnerable populations a spring shot. It’s a reasonable choice, Dr. Matthew Laurens, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said before the announcement.

“We do have vaccines that are available to protect against these severe consequences, so why not use them?” he said. “They don’t do any good just sitting on a shelf.”

WILL YOUNGER, HEALTHIER PEOPLE GET A FALL DOSE?

Stay tuned. The FDA will hold a public meeting in June to consider if the vaccine recipe needs more adjusting to better match the latest coronavirus strains — just like it adjusts flu vaccines every year. And part of that discussion will be whether younger, healthier people also need a booster.

The updated Pfizer and Moderna shots being used now target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions, which have been replaced by an ever-changing list of omicron descendants. Still, while protection against mild infections is short-lived, those updated doses continue to do a good job fighting severe disease and death even against the newest variants.

TOTS ARE LEAST LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED YET

CDC’s advisers were dismayed at how few of the youngest children are vaccinated. Just 6% of 2- to 4-year-olds have gotten their initial COVID-19 shots and 4.5% of those younger than 2. Far fewer got an updated booster.

The FDA’s new rules mean tots under 5 who’ve never been vaccinated can get the most up-to-date formula – two Moderna shots or three of the Pfizer-BioNTech version. Unvaccinated 5-year-olds can get two Moderna doses or a single Pfizer shot. And tots already fully or partially vaccinated may get a bivalent shot or two depending on their vaccination history.

Novavax makes a more traditional type of COVID-19 vaccine, and its original formula remains available for people who don’t want the Pfizer or Moderna option. Novavax also is getting ready in case FDA urges a fall update, by manufacturing several additional formulas. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday cleared another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older Americans and people with weak immune systems.

The Food and Drug Administration also took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone, saying that anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it's a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get the newest formula, not the original shots.

The FDA said those 65 or older can opt to roll up their sleeves again for another booster as long as it's been at least four months since their first dose of the so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-omicron-booster-shot-227514678d25a99b65b7ee092735fb03">bivalent vaccine</a>&nbsp;that targets omicron strains.

And most people who are immune-compromised also can choose that extra spring booster at least two months after their first, with additional doses in the future at the discretion of their physician, the agency said.

If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signs off, those spring boosters could begin within days. The CDC's advisers are set to meet Wednesday.

“COVID-19 remains a very real risk for many people,” FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said.

It's too soon to know if younger, healthy people will eventually be offered yet another shot but the extra dose for the most vulnerable is one of several steps FDA is taking to simplify COVID-19 vaccinations going forward.

COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives but protection wanes over time and as new, more contagious variants have popped up. So last fall, Pfizer and Moderna rolled out updated “bivalent” boosters that added protection against omicron strains then circulating to the original vaccine recipe. Tuesday, the FDA said that updated formula will be used for anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. For unvaccinated adults, that means one combo shot would replace having to get several doses of the original vaccine first.

Anyone who's gotten their original vaccinations but hasn't had an updated booster yet can still get one. Only 42% of Americans 65 and older — and just 20% of all adults — have gotten one of those updated boosters since September. “Those individuals certainly could go out and get a bivalent booster now to improve their protection,” Marks said.

For many Americans, COVID-19 has become less of a health fear and more of an inconvenience, and masking, routine testing and other precautions have largely fallen by the wayside. But at least 250 people in the U.S. a day still die from COVID-19, and high-risk Americans who last got a dose in the fall have anxiously wondered when they could get&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-immunizations-us-food-and-drug-administration-business-covid-6fe66fb4b7c9ac6568fb055544b13e20">another.</a>

Letting seniors and the immune-compromised get an extra booster dose puts the U.S. in line with Britain and Canada, which also are offering certain vulnerable populations a spring shot. It’s a reasonable choice, said Dr. Matthew Laurens of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

“We do have vaccines that are available to protect against these severe consequences, so why not use them?” he said. “They don’t do any good just sitting on a shelf."

The updated Pfizer and Moderna shots being used now target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions, which have been replaced by an ever-changing list of omicron descendants. Still, while protection against mild infections is short-lived, those updated doses continue to do a good job fighting severe disease and death even against the newest variants, Marks said.

Whether the recipe gets adjusted again or not, Tuesday's move “is essentially preparing to have a simpler, more straightforward way of going about vaccinating people," he said. “It’s essentially a single dose of the appropriately strained vaccine as we move into the fall and winter months.”

Millions of U.S. children still haven't gotten their initial COVID-19 vaccinations but Tuesday's step means they, too, can get the most updated version of the shots. Tots ages 6 months through 5 years who are unvaccinated can choose two Moderna shots or three of the Pfizer-BioNTech version. Children who are 5 years old can get two Moderna doses or a single Pfizer shot.

Children already fully or partially vaccinated with the original Pfizer or Moderna shots may get a bivalent vaccine, but how many doses will depend on their vaccination history, the FDA said.

Novavax makes a more traditional type of COVID-19 vaccine, and its original formula remains available for people who don't want the Pfizer or Moderna option. Novavax said Tuesday it also is getting ready in case FDA urges a fall update, by manufacturing several additional formulas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634902668202.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Moderna" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Moderna</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Older Americans and people with weak immune systems can get an extra COVID-19 booster dose this spring.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on a more flexible booster schedule for people who remain at the highest risk from COVID-19 — giving them the choice of a second “bivalent” Pfizer or Moderna booster, the most up-to-date formula.“Many in the population are experiencing vaccine fatigue but there is a subset who are eager to receive additional doses,” CDC’s Dr. Sara Oliver told an agency advisory panel that expressed support for the change.The move came a day after the Food and Drug Administration took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone. From now on, anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it’s a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get an updated version rather than the outdated original shots.Here are some things to know:WHO NEEDS A BOOSTER?Anyone who’s gotten their original vaccinations but hasn’t had an updated booster yet can still get one. Only 42% of Americans 65 and older — and just 20% of all adults — have gotten one of those updated boosters since September.WHO CAN GET A SECOND UPDATED BOOSTER?People 65 or older who already had one Pfizer or Moderna updated booster can roll up their sleeves again as long as it’s been at least four months since that last shot.The schedule is a little different for people with weak immune systems. Most can choose a second Pfizer or Moderna updated booster at least two months after their first. Under the latest FDA and CDC guidelines, they also could get additional doses if and when their physician decides they need one.WHY THE EXTRA LEEWAY?Older adults continue to have the highest rates of hospitalization from COVID-19, even as cases have declined. But a frail 85-year-old may want another booster right away while a robust 65-year-old may not see the need — or might instead time another shot for peak protection ahead of a summer vacation or other special event.CDC officials stressed there’s even more variety among immune-compromised patients, from people with only mild impairment to those trying to replenish immunity that grueling cancer treatment knocked out.The changes put the U.S. in line with Britain and Canada, which also are offering certain vulnerable populations a spring shot. It’s a reasonable choice, Dr. Matthew Laurens, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said before the announcement.“We do have vaccines that are available to protect against these severe consequences, so why not use them?” he said. “They don’t do any good just sitting on a shelf.”WILL YOUNGER, HEALTHIER PEOPLE GET A FALL DOSE?Stay tuned. The FDA will hold a public meeting in June to consider if the vaccine recipe needs more adjusting to better match the latest coronavirus strains — just like it adjusts flu vaccines every year. And part of that discussion will be whether younger, healthier people also need a booster.The updated Pfizer and Moderna shots being used now target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions, which have been replaced by an ever-changing list of omicron descendants. Still, while protection against mild infections is short-lived, those updated doses continue to do a good job fighting severe disease and death even against the newest variants.TOTS ARE LEAST LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED YETCDC’s advisers were dismayed at how few of the youngest children are vaccinated. Just 6% of 2- to 4-year-olds have gotten their initial COVID-19 shots and 4.5% of those younger than 2. Far fewer got an updated booster.The FDA’s new rules mean tots under 5 who’ve never been vaccinated can get the most up-to-date formula – two Moderna shots or three of the Pfizer-BioNTech version. Unvaccinated 5-year-olds can get two Moderna doses or a single Pfizer shot. And tots already fully or partially vaccinated may get a bivalent shot or two depending on their vaccination history.WHAT ABOUT THE NOVAVAX VACCINE?Novavax makes a more traditional type of COVID-19 vaccine, and its original formula remains available for people who don’t want the Pfizer or Moderna option. Novavax also is getting ready in case FDA urges a fall update, by manufacturing several additional formulas. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.----------------WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday cleared another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older Americans and people with weak immune systems.The Food and Drug Administration also took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone, saying that anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it's a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get the newest formula, not the original shots.The FDA said those 65 or older can opt to roll up their sleeves again for another booster as long as it's been at least four months since their first dose of the so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-omicron-booster-shot-227514678d25a99b65b7ee092735fb03">bivalent vaccine</a>&nbsp;that targets omicron strains.And most people who are immune-compromised also can choose that extra spring booster at least two months after their first, with additional doses in the future at the discretion of their physician, the agency said.If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signs off, those spring boosters could begin within days. The CDC's advisers are set to meet Wednesday.“COVID-19 remains a very real risk for many people,” FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said.It's too soon to know if younger, healthy people will eventually be offered yet another shot but the extra dose for the most vulnerable is one of several steps FDA is taking to simplify COVID-19 vaccinations going forward.Here are some things to know:ONE FORMULA FOR PFIZER AND MODERNA SHOTSCOVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives but protection wanes over time and as new, more contagious variants have popped up. So last fall, Pfizer and Moderna rolled out updated “bivalent” boosters that added protection against omicron strains then circulating to the original vaccine recipe. Tuesday, the FDA said that updated formula will be used for anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. For unvaccinated adults, that means one combo shot would replace having to get several doses of the original vaccine first.WHO NEEDS A BOOSTER?Anyone who's gotten their original vaccinations but hasn't had an updated booster yet can still get one. Only 42% of Americans 65 and older — and just 20% of all adults — have gotten one of those updated boosters since September. “Those individuals certainly could go out and get a bivalent booster now to improve their protection,” Marks said.SOME PEOPLE ARE AT HIGHER RISKFor many Americans, COVID-19 has become less of a health fear and more of an inconvenience, and masking, routine testing and other precautions have largely fallen by the wayside. But at least 250 people in the U.S. a day still die from COVID-19, and high-risk Americans who last got a dose in the fall have anxiously wondered when they could get&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-immunizations-us-food-and-drug-administration-business-covid-6fe66fb4b7c9ac6568fb055544b13e20">another.</a>Letting seniors and the immune-compromised get an extra booster dose puts the U.S. in line with Britain and Canada, which also are offering certain vulnerable populations a spring shot. It’s a reasonable choice, said Dr. Matthew Laurens of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.“We do have vaccines that are available to protect against these severe consequences, so why not use them?” he said. “They don’t do any good just sitting on a shelf."WILL YOUNGER, HEALTHIER PEOPLE GET A FALL DOSE?Stay tuned. The FDA will hold a public meeting in June to consider if the vaccine recipe needs more adjusting to better match the latest coronavirus strains — just like it adjusts flu vaccines every year. And part of that discussion will be whether younger, healthier people also need a booster.The updated Pfizer and Moderna shots being used now target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions, which have been replaced by an ever-changing list of omicron descendants. Still, while protection against mild infections is short-lived, those updated doses continue to do a good job fighting severe disease and death even against the newest variants, Marks said.Whether the recipe gets adjusted again or not, Tuesday's move “is essentially preparing to have a simpler, more straightforward way of going about vaccinating people," he said. “It’s essentially a single dose of the appropriately strained vaccine as we move into the fall and winter months.”TWEAKS TO CHILD SHOTS, TOOMillions of U.S. children still haven't gotten their initial COVID-19 vaccinations but Tuesday's step means they, too, can get the most updated version of the shots. Tots ages 6 months through 5 years who are unvaccinated can choose two Moderna shots or three of the Pfizer-BioNTech version. Children who are 5 years old can get two Moderna doses or a single Pfizer shot.Children already fully or partially vaccinated with the original Pfizer or Moderna shots may get a bivalent vaccine, but how many doses will depend on their vaccination history, the FDA said.WHAT ABOUT THE NOVAVAX VACCINE?Novavax makes a more traditional type of COVID-19 vaccine, and its original formula remains available for people who don't want the Pfizer or Moderna option. Novavax said Tuesday it also is getting ready in case FDA urges a fall update, by manufacturing several additional formulas.

CDC: Extra COVID booster now open to some at high-risk

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/new-report-sets-off-alarm-about-nurse-shortage-and-patient-care-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA
 — Nebraska is on pace to be short 5,435 nurses by 2025, according to a 
new study urging state investment in education, recruitment and 
retention.

Burnout, an aging nursing population 
and insufficient training funds are contributing to the struggle to fill
 positions and setting off an alarm about patient care, said the report 
by a trio of health care entities.

The three are the Nebraska Hospital 
Association, Nebraska Rural Health Association and Nebraska Health Care 
Workforce Collaborative.

“Our hospitals in Nebraska face 
tremendous pressure when it comes to recruiting and retaining a stable 
and healthy workforce,” said NHA president Jeremy Nordquist. “This 
report highlights the significant gaps in nursing across the state, 
especially in the areas of behavioral health and critical care.”

Citing findings of the report, State 
Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston has introduced a measure to increase spending
 on clinical training sites for nurses. The amendment to a multifaceted 
Health and Human Services bill asks for a total of $6 million over two 
fiscal years.

The hospital association said the 
ongoing nurse shortage not only affects the state’s physical health, but
 also hurts the economy because people and businesses won’t settle or 
stay in communities without good care.

Staffing shortages also have driven 
up wages, the NHA said, and have led hospitals to invest “significant” 
resources to recruit and retain staff.

“In the face of an ongoing pandemic, 
such investments in labor have only exacerbated hospitals’ existing 
financial hardships — with over one-third of hospitals projected to be 
in the red by year’s end,” the report said.

Also by year’s end, the report’s authors projected a median operating margin that’s about 10% below pre-pandemic levels.

The upshot will be fundamental shifts in health care delivery that include widespread telemedicine options, the report said.

Other highlights of the “Nebraska Nursing Workforce Shortage” report:&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682521129215.png" alt="Hands-on learning at the University of Nebraska Medical College, northern division, in Norfolk, Nebraska. (Courtesy of the University of Nebraska)" />
 <figcaption>Hands-on learning at the University of Nebraska Medical College, northern division, in Norfolk, Nebraska. (Courtesy of the University of Nebraska)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/new-report-sets-off-alarm-about-nurse-shortage-and-patient-care-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA
 — Nebraska is on pace to be short 5,435 nurses by 2025, according to a 
new study urging state investment in education, recruitment and 
retention.Burnout, an aging nursing population 
and insufficient training funds are contributing to the struggle to fill
 positions and setting off an alarm about patient care, said the report 
by a trio of health care entities.The three are the Nebraska Hospital 
Association, Nebraska Rural Health Association and Nebraska Health Care 
Workforce Collaborative.“Our hospitals in Nebraska face 
tremendous pressure when it comes to recruiting and retaining a stable 
and healthy workforce,” said NHA president Jeremy Nordquist. “This 
report highlights the significant gaps in nursing across the state, 
especially in the areas of behavioral health and critical care.”Citing findings of the report, State 
Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston has introduced a measure to increase spending
 on clinical training sites for nurses. The amendment to a multifaceted 
Health and Human Services bill asks for a total of $6 million over two 
fiscal years.The hospital association said the 
ongoing nurse shortage not only affects the state’s physical health, but
 also hurts the economy because people and businesses won’t settle or 
stay in communities without good care.Staffing shortages also have driven 
up wages, the NHA said, and have led hospitals to invest “significant” 
resources to recruit and retain staff.“In the face of an ongoing pandemic, 
such investments in labor have only exacerbated hospitals’ existing 
financial hardships — with over one-third of hospitals projected to be 
in the red by year’s end,” the report said.Also by year’s end, the report’s authors projected a median operating margin that’s about 10% below pre-pandemic levels.The upshot will be fundamental shifts in health care delivery that include widespread telemedicine options, the report said.Other highlights of the “Nebraska Nursing Workforce Shortage” report:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Of
 Nebraska’s 93 counties, 73 have less than the national average ratio of
 registered nurses to patients; and 66 counties have been deemed 
medically underserved.</li><li>Nine counties have no registered nurses.</li><li>About
 3 in 10 health care workers considered leaving their profession, and 
about 6 in 10 said pandemic-related stress had harmed their mental 
health, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation/Washington Post poll.</li><li>Nationally,
 69% of nursing schools reported that even after receiving qualified 
applications, students were rejected due to insufficient availability of
 clinical sites.</li><li>A
 top challenge for health care staffing shortages, according to a nurse 
survey by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, was 
“emotional health and well-being of staff.”</li>
 </ul>

New report sounds alarm about Nebraska nurse shortage

By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/25/gov-jim-pillen-signs-bill-for-concealed-carry-of-handguns-without-permit-or-training/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday celebrated signing a bill to allow Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns legally without a state permit or state-mandated gun safety training.

<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49710">Legislative Bill 77</a>, the long-fought proposal championed by State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/19/nebraska-gives-final-passage-to-concealed-carry-of-handguns-without-permit-or-training/">passed</a>
 April 19 on a 33-14 vote. The new law will strip the authority of 
officials in Omaha and Lincoln to enforce stricter city gun ordinances.

LB 77 will become law about three months after the Legislature adjourns, which is currently scheduled for June 9.

“It’s an incredible day for Nebraska,” Pillen said, because approving Brewer’s proposal affirms the Nebraska Constitution.

“With the signing of this bill into 
law, we do justice to the constitutional promise,” Pillen said. 
“Promises made, promises kept.”

Brewer, who has sought passage of 
such a bill throughout his seven years in office, celebrated “Second 
Amendment-loving people” in Nebraska and his colleagues for sticking 
with him on the proposal.

“They knew what right was and they 
knew that we had to get the Constitution back to where it should be and 
give the rights back that should have never been taken away in the first
 place,” Brewer said.

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a freshman senator who has led <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/02/proponents-of-gun-rights-push-back-on-criticism-of-concealed-carry-bill/">opposition</a> to Brewer’s bill, indicated Tuesday that the fight on the issue is not over just yet.

“It’s not talking about just concealed handguns,” Raybould said. “It’s expansive, and it preempts a lot of our laws.”

Raybould sought legal guidance from 
Attorney General Mike Hilgers about the implementation of the bill but 
was turned down after the bill passed.

On April 12, a week before the bill 
was scheduled for final debate, Raybould requested an opinion from the 
Attorney General’s Office on how the bill should be implemented, 
specifically in the City of Lincoln.

The request included four questions workshopped with Lincoln officials:

Raybould also asked Speaker John Arch
 that day to delay the final reading of LB 77 until Hilgers issued an 
opinion so lawmakers could “take the information under consideration 
prior to voting on the bill.”

In an April 21 letter to Raybould, 
Hilgers denied her request, saying legislators may request opinions 
“which pertain only to pending or proposed legislation.” That was last 
Friday, two days after final passage of the bill. Pillen had not signed 
the measure yet, however, and he still could have vetoed the bill, 
sending it back to the Legislature.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the attorney general said Tuesday their office was unaware of future debate timing.

“Our office expedited the request and seven days was not sufficient 
time to issue the opinion,” the spokesperson said. “Our office was not 
made aware of scheduling of final reading until the day before debate.”

Raybould said she questioned this 
delay because Brewer had pursued such a bill for seven years, so there 
should already be a “vast knowledge” within the attorney general’s 
reach.

Raybould said Hilgers should have at least informed her that an opinion would not be ready.

Raybould said that the City of 
Lincoln needs answers on how to best implement the policy and that 
Hilgers’ response was “certainly disrespectful” to the Legislature.

Before being elected attorney 
general, Hilgers served as a state senator for six years, just down the 
hall from his new office. In 2017, as a senator, Hilgers introduced a <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=30678">bill</a> regarding the regulation of firearms by counties, cities or villages; LB 77 borrows language from that proposal.

Raybould said Hilgers is required by 
law to issue opinions requested by various governmental agencies, 
including the Legislature.

“Because they don’t have the answers 
to these really legitimate questions,” Raybould said of Lincoln 
officials, “I guess they’ll leave it up to their own discretion and 
interpretation.”

Raybould said the opinion request 
timeline calls into question whether the proposal was “pending” and 
whether the three-month delay in LB 77 going into effect means it is 
still “pending.”

Raybould said she and former State 
Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln had discussed their concerns with LB 77 
together prior to Geist’s April 6 resignation. Geist had voted for the 
bill in its first round of debate but voted “present” in the second 
round on March 28. Her successor, State Sen. Carolyn Bosn, voted for the
 bill on final passage.

Geist told the Examiner on Tuesday 
that she had considered seeking an opinion from the Attorney General’s 
Office based on her concerns but didn’t follow through because her 
request would be “null and void” should she leave the Legislature.

The Attorney General’s Office is required to defend the state’s laws if they face legal challenges.&nbsp;

Brewer expressed confidence in the 
bill’s constitutionality because, over the past seven years, he said, he
 and his staff have looked at “every nook and cranny” and every angle. 
The bill is also written in line with similar measures in other states.

Dick Clark, legal counsel for the 
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which Brewer 
chairs, said the answer would be “yes” to all of Raybould’s questions 
except the final one, about carrying a concealed weapon on public 
transportation.&nbsp;

Clark, who previously lobbied for gun
 and accessory legislation, said businesses or publicly controlled 
organizations could still prohibit weapons and LB 77 does not preempt 
laws prohibiting weapons in prisons, jails or courthouse buildings. He 
said buildings must have conspicuous signage at each entrance.&nbsp;

One of the main changes with LB 77, Clark said, is amending the law to apply generally and not just to permit holders.

It would be difficult to prohibit 
weapons at an open-air park, for example, while a location such as 
Sunken Gardens in Lincoln that has set entrances would be different, 
according to Clark.

Regarding public transportation, 
Clark said there is less clarity on whether a vehicle counts as a “place
 or premises,” as outlined in the bill. Food trucks or mobile hair 
salons are premises, “so it wouldn’t be unprecedented to have four 
wheels under your premises,” he added.

LB 77 is among the first major proposals approved during Pillen’s first year in office.

“This bill is just the first step of 
what is going to be a historic legislative session,” Pillen said. “We’re
 just getting started.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682520963516.png" alt="Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signs State Sen. Tom Brewer’s proposal to allow concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Brewer, at left, and nearly half of Nebraska’s state senators joined the signing. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signs State Sen. Tom Brewer’s proposal to allow concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Brewer, at left, and nearly half of Nebraska’s state senators joined the signing. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/25/gov-jim-pillen-signs-bill-for-concealed-carry-of-handguns-without-permit-or-training/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday celebrated signing a bill to allow Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns legally without a state permit or state-mandated gun safety training.<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49710">Legislative Bill 77</a>, the long-fought proposal championed by State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/19/nebraska-gives-final-passage-to-concealed-carry-of-handguns-without-permit-or-training/">passed</a>
 April 19 on a 33-14 vote. The new law will strip the authority of 
officials in Omaha and Lincoln to enforce stricter city gun ordinances.LB 77 will become law about three months after the Legislature adjourns, which is currently scheduled for June 9.“It’s an incredible day for Nebraska,” Pillen said, because approving Brewer’s proposal affirms the Nebraska Constitution.“With the signing of this bill into 
law, we do justice to the constitutional promise,” Pillen said. 
“Promises made, promises kept.”Brewer, who has sought passage of 
such a bill throughout his seven years in office, celebrated “Second 
Amendment-loving people” in Nebraska and his colleagues for sticking 
with him on the proposal.“They knew what right was and they 
knew that we had to get the Constitution back to where it should be and 
give the rights back that should have never been taken away in the first
 place,” Brewer said.<h2>Vows to continue opposition</h2>State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a freshman senator who has led <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/02/proponents-of-gun-rights-push-back-on-criticism-of-concealed-carry-bill/">opposition</a> to Brewer’s bill, indicated Tuesday that the fight on the issue is not over just yet.“It’s not talking about just concealed handguns,” Raybould said. “It’s expansive, and it preempts a lot of our laws.”Raybould sought legal guidance from 
Attorney General Mike Hilgers about the implementation of the bill but 
was turned down after the bill passed.On April 12, a week before the bill 
was scheduled for final debate, Raybould requested an opinion from the 
Attorney General’s Office on how the bill should be implemented, 
specifically in the City of Lincoln.The request included four questions workshopped with Lincoln officials:<ul>
 <li>Would
 a city or other political subdivision have the ability to prohibit 
concealed handguns in publicly controlled or jointly owned property?</li><li>Would
 a city or other political subdivisions have the ability to prohibit 
other concealed weapons or firearms on publicly controlled or jointly 
owned property?</li><li>Would
 a city or other political subdivisions have the ability to prohibit 
openly carried weapons or firearms on publicly controlled or jointly 
owned property?</li><li>Would
 a city or other political subdivisions have the ability to prohibit 
concealed handguns or weapons on public transportation?</li>
 </ul>Raybould also asked Speaker John Arch
 that day to delay the final reading of LB 77 until Hilgers issued an 
opinion so lawmakers could “take the information under consideration 
prior to voting on the bill.”In an April 21 letter to Raybould, 
Hilgers denied her request, saying legislators may request opinions 
“which pertain only to pending or proposed legislation.” That was last 
Friday, two days after final passage of the bill. Pillen had not signed 
the measure yet, however, and he still could have vetoed the bill, 
sending it back to the Legislature.In a statement, a spokesperson for the attorney general said Tuesday their office was unaware of future debate timing.“Our office expedited the request and seven days was not sufficient 
time to issue the opinion,” the spokesperson said. “Our office was not 
made aware of scheduling of final reading until the day before debate.”Raybould said she questioned this 
delay because Brewer had pursued such a bill for seven years, so there 
should already be a “vast knowledge” within the attorney general’s 
reach.Raybould said Hilgers should have at least informed her that an opinion would not be ready.<h2>‘Certainly disrespectful’</h2>Raybould said that the City of 
Lincoln needs answers on how to best implement the policy and that 
Hilgers’ response was “certainly disrespectful” to the Legislature.Before being elected attorney 
general, Hilgers served as a state senator for six years, just down the 
hall from his new office. In 2017, as a senator, Hilgers introduced a <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=30678">bill</a> regarding the regulation of firearms by counties, cities or villages; LB 77 borrows language from that proposal.Raybould said Hilgers is required by 
law to issue opinions requested by various governmental agencies, 
including the Legislature.“Because they don’t have the answers 
to these really legitimate questions,” Raybould said of Lincoln 
officials, “I guess they’ll leave it up to their own discretion and 
interpretation.”Raybould said the opinion request 
timeline calls into question whether the proposal was “pending” and 
whether the three-month delay in LB 77 going into effect means it is 
still “pending.”Raybould said she and former State 
Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln had discussed their concerns with LB 77 
together prior to Geist’s April 6 resignation. Geist had voted for the 
bill in its first round of debate but voted “present” in the second 
round on March 28. Her successor, State Sen. Carolyn Bosn, voted for the
 bill on final passage.Geist told the Examiner on Tuesday 
that she had considered seeking an opinion from the Attorney General’s 
Office based on her concerns but didn’t follow through because her 
request would be “null and void” should she leave the Legislature.The Attorney General’s Office is required to defend the state’s laws if they face legal challenges.&nbsp;Brewer expressed confidence in the 
bill’s constitutionality because, over the past seven years, he said, he
 and his staff have looked at “every nook and cranny” and every angle. 
The bill is also written in line with similar measures in other states.<h2>Legal counsel analysis</h2>Dick Clark, legal counsel for the 
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which Brewer 
chairs, said the answer would be “yes” to all of Raybould’s questions 
except the final one, about carrying a concealed weapon on public 
transportation.&nbsp;Clark, who previously lobbied for gun
 and accessory legislation, said businesses or publicly controlled 
organizations could still prohibit weapons and LB 77 does not preempt 
laws prohibiting weapons in prisons, jails or courthouse buildings. He 
said buildings must have conspicuous signage at each entrance.&nbsp;One of the main changes with LB 77, Clark said, is amending the law to apply generally and not just to permit holders.It would be difficult to prohibit 
weapons at an open-air park, for example, while a location such as 
Sunken Gardens in Lincoln that has set entrances would be different, 
according to Clark.Regarding public transportation, 
Clark said there is less clarity on whether a vehicle counts as a “place
 or premises,” as outlined in the bill. Food trucks or mobile hair 
salons are premises, “so it wouldn’t be unprecedented to have four 
wheels under your premises,” he added.LB 77 is among the first major proposals approved during Pillen’s first year in office.“This bill is just the first step of 
what is going to be a historic legislative session,” Pillen said. “We’re
 just getting started.”

Nebraska governor signs no-permit concealed carry bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A ground assault by the Taliban killed the Islamic State militant who spearheaded the August 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-bombings-kabul-taliban-80dde38aa7c28451b2dc55b466e31228">suicide bombing at the Kabul airport</a>&nbsp;that left 13 U.S. troops and about 170 Afghans dead during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Initially, neither the U.S. — nor apparently the Taliban — were aware that the mastermind was dead. He was killed during a series of battles early this month in southern Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Islamic State group’s affiliate, according to several officials.

But in the past few days, U.S. intelligence confirmed “with high confidence” that the Islamic State leader had been killed, a senior administration official said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

Over the weekend, the U.S. military began to inform the parents of the 11 Marines, the sailor and the soldier who were killed in the blast at Abbey Gate, and they shared the information in a private group messaging chat. The father of one of the Marines said the death of his son's killer brings little comfort.

“Whatever happens, it’s not going to bring Taylor back and I understand that,” Darin Hoover, the father of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, said in a phone call with The Associated Press. “About the only thing his mom and I can do now is be an advocate for him. All we want is the truth. And we’re not getting it. That’s the frustrating part.”

Hoover said he and his son’s mother, Kelly Henson, have spent the past year and a half grieving his death and praying for accountability from the Biden administration for the handling of the withdrawal.

He added that the Marines provided only limited information to him and did not identify the Islamic State leader or give the circumstances of his death. U.S. officials declined to provide many details because of sensitivities in the intelligence gathering.

The administration official said it was their “moral responsibility” to let the victims’ families know that the “mastermind” and “person most responsible for the airport attack” had been taken off the battlefield. The official added that intelligence officials determined that the leader had “remained a key plotter and overseer” for the group.

Several officials said the U.S. played no role in the killing and did not coordinate at all with the Taliban. The administration official called the Taliban action “significant” and said the U.S. only learned of the operation through its “over the horizon” intelligence capabilities.

Hoover is among a group of 12 Gold Star families that have kept in touch since the bombing, supporting one another and sharing information through the messaging chat. The chat was created by Cheryl Rex, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, who died in the blast.

Rex, who has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal, told the AP it was through the chat group that they were informed late Monday about the killing as they awaited official confirmation from U.S. military officials.

The fallen service members were among those screening the thousands of Afghans frantically trying on Aug. 26, 2021, to get onto one of the crowded flights out of the country after the brutal Taliban takeover. The scene of desperation quickly turned into one of horror when a suicide bomber attacked. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.

The blast at Abbey Gate came hours after Western officials warned of a major attack, urging people to leave the airport. But that advice went largely unheeded by Afghans desperate to escape the country in the last few days of an American-led evacuation before the U.S. officially ended its 20-year presence.

The Afghanistan-based offshoot of the Islamic State — called Islamic State-Khorasan — has up to 4,000 members and is the Taliban’s most bitter enemy and top military threat. The group has continued to carry out attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, especially against the country’s minority groups.

After the Trump administration reached a 2020 deal with the Taliban to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the Biden administration followed through on that agreement in 2021, there had been hope in Washington that the Taliban’s desire for international recognition and assistance for the country’s impoverished population might moderate their behavior.

But relations between the U.S. and the Taliban have deteriorated further since they imposed draconian new measures banning girls from school and excluding women from working for international aid and health agencies.

However, a line of communication still exists between the two sides, led by the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Tom West. West’s contacts are primarily with Taliban officials in Kabul and not with the group’s more ideological wing based in Kandahar.

The U.S. decision to withdraw all troops fueled the swift collapse of the Afghan government and military, which the U.S. had supported for nearly two decades, and the return to power of the Taliban. In the aftermath, President Joe Biden directed that a broad review examine “every aspect of this from top to bottom” and it was released earlier this month.

The Biden administration in the publicly released version of the review largely laid blame on President Donald Trump for the deadly and chaotic 2021 withdrawal, which was punctuated by the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate.

News of the killing came on the same day that Biden formally announced he will seek a second term as president, offering a reminder of one of the most difficult chapters of his presidency. The disastrous drawdown was, at the time, the biggest crisis that the relatively new administration had faced. It left sharp questions about Biden and his team’s competence and experience — the twin pillars central to his campaign for the White House.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday the U.S. has “made clear to the Taliban that it is their responsibility to ensure that they give no safe haven to terrorists,” whether from al-Qaida or the Islamic State.

“We have made good on the President’s pledge to establish an over-the-horizon capacity to monitor potential terrorist threats, not only from in Afghanistan but elsewhere around the world where that threat has metastasized as we have done in Somalia and Syria,” Kirby said in a statement.

Yet Rex said the administration has not done enough to take responsibility for what happened at Abbey Gate.

"I feel like this is the administration trying to get the pressure off of them for accountability by saying that we’re holding ISIS accountable for our kids’ death,” Rex said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630691600635.png" alt="U.S. Army soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division escort evacuees to buses at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan in August of 2021 -photo courtesy U.S. Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Army soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division escort evacuees to buses at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan in August of 2021 -photo courtesy U.S. Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A ground assault by the Taliban killed the Islamic State militant who spearheaded the August 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-bombings-kabul-taliban-80dde38aa7c28451b2dc55b466e31228">suicide bombing at the Kabul airport</a>&nbsp;that left 13 U.S. troops and about 170 Afghans dead during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, U.S. officials said Tuesday.Initially, neither the U.S. — nor apparently the Taliban — were aware that the mastermind was dead. He was killed during a series of battles early this month in southern Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Islamic State group’s affiliate, according to several officials.But in the past few days, U.S. intelligence confirmed “with high confidence” that the Islamic State leader had been killed, a senior administration official said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.Over the weekend, the U.S. military began to inform the parents of the 11 Marines, the sailor and the soldier who were killed in the blast at Abbey Gate, and they shared the information in a private group messaging chat. The father of one of the Marines said the death of his son's killer brings little comfort.“Whatever happens, it’s not going to bring Taylor back and I understand that,” Darin Hoover, the father of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, said in a phone call with The Associated Press. “About the only thing his mom and I can do now is be an advocate for him. All we want is the truth. And we’re not getting it. That’s the frustrating part.”Hoover said he and his son’s mother, Kelly Henson, have spent the past year and a half grieving his death and praying for accountability from the Biden administration for the handling of the withdrawal.He added that the Marines provided only limited information to him and did not identify the Islamic State leader or give the circumstances of his death. U.S. officials declined to provide many details because of sensitivities in the intelligence gathering.The administration official said it was their “moral responsibility” to let the victims’ families know that the “mastermind” and “person most responsible for the airport attack” had been taken off the battlefield. The official added that intelligence officials determined that the leader had “remained a key plotter and overseer” for the group.Several officials said the U.S. played no role in the killing and did not coordinate at all with the Taliban. The administration official called the Taliban action “significant” and said the U.S. only learned of the operation through its “over the horizon” intelligence capabilities.Hoover is among a group of 12 Gold Star families that have kept in touch since the bombing, supporting one another and sharing information through the messaging chat. The chat was created by Cheryl Rex, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, who died in the blast.Rex, who has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal, told the AP it was through the chat group that they were informed late Monday about the killing as they awaited official confirmation from U.S. military officials.The fallen service members were among those screening the thousands of Afghans frantically trying on Aug. 26, 2021, to get onto one of the crowded flights out of the country after the brutal Taliban takeover. The scene of desperation quickly turned into one of horror when a suicide bomber attacked. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.The blast at Abbey Gate came hours after Western officials warned of a major attack, urging people to leave the airport. But that advice went largely unheeded by Afghans desperate to escape the country in the last few days of an American-led evacuation before the U.S. officially ended its 20-year presence.The Afghanistan-based offshoot of the Islamic State — called Islamic State-Khorasan — has up to 4,000 members and is the Taliban’s most bitter enemy and top military threat. The group has continued to carry out attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, especially against the country’s minority groups.After the Trump administration reached a 2020 deal with the Taliban to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the Biden administration followed through on that agreement in 2021, there had been hope in Washington that the Taliban’s desire for international recognition and assistance for the country’s impoverished population might moderate their behavior.But relations between the U.S. and the Taliban have deteriorated further since they imposed draconian new measures banning girls from school and excluding women from working for international aid and health agencies.However, a line of communication still exists between the two sides, led by the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Tom West. West’s contacts are primarily with Taliban officials in Kabul and not with the group’s more ideological wing based in Kandahar.The U.S. decision to withdraw all troops fueled the swift collapse of the Afghan government and military, which the U.S. had supported for nearly two decades, and the return to power of the Taliban. In the aftermath, President Joe Biden directed that a broad review examine “every aspect of this from top to bottom” and it was released earlier this month.The Biden administration in the publicly released version of the review largely laid blame on President Donald Trump for the deadly and chaotic 2021 withdrawal, which was punctuated by the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate.News of the killing came on the same day that Biden formally announced he will seek a second term as president, offering a reminder of one of the most difficult chapters of his presidency. The disastrous drawdown was, at the time, the biggest crisis that the relatively new administration had faced. It left sharp questions about Biden and his team’s competence and experience — the twin pillars central to his campaign for the White House.White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday the U.S. has “made clear to the Taliban that it is their responsibility to ensure that they give no safe haven to terrorists,” whether from al-Qaida or the Islamic State.“We have made good on the President’s pledge to establish an over-the-horizon capacity to monitor potential terrorist threats, not only from in Afghanistan but elsewhere around the world where that threat has metastasized as we have done in Somalia and Syria,” Kirby said in a statement.Yet Rex said the administration has not done enough to take responsibility for what happened at Abbey Gate."I feel like this is the administration trying to get the pressure off of them for accountability by saying that we’re holding ISIS accountable for our kids’ death,” Rex said.

Terrorist behind bombing that killed 13 U.S. Service members is dead

DENVER (AP) — Sitting in front of a hulking red tractor, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making Colorado the first state to ensure farmers can fix their own tractors and combines with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/farm-equipment-repairs-d5ea466725328d965a85a62130503d49">“right to repair” law</a>&nbsp;— which compels manufacturers to provide the necessary manuals, tools, parts and software.

Colorado, home to high desert ranches and sweeping farms on the low-and-level plains, took the lead on the issue following a nationwide outcry from farmers that manufacturers, such as John Deere, blocked them from making fixes and forced them to wait precious days for an official servicer to arrive — waits that imperiled profits.

While their increasingly high-tech tractors or combines sit impotent, a hailstorm could decimate a crop or a farmer could miss the ideal planting window, farmers said.

“Farmers have had to wait three or four weeks to get repairs done to equipment when they can do repairs themselves. That’s just unfathomable,” said Bill Midcap, whose son is a fifth-generation rancher on Colorado's eastern plains.

Lawmakers in at least 10 other states have introduced similar legislation, including in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Vermont.

Colorado has taken the lead, but Democratic Rep. Brianna Titone, the bill's sponsor, and Dan Waldvogle, director of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, said it's a potential launch pad for other states and even at the federal level where discussions about similar legislation are already underway.

At the signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon, under a light drizzle of rain, Polis said: “This bill will save farmers and ranchers time and money and support the free market in repair” before exclaiming, “first in the nation!”

Behind the governor and arrayed farmers and lawmakers sat a red Steiger 370 tractor owned by a farmer named Danny Wood. Wood's tractor has flown an American flag reading “Farmers First,” and it been one of two of his machines to break down, requiring long waits before servicers arrived to enter a few lines of computer code or make a fix Wood could have made himself.

Polis and Titone climbed inside the tractor for a photo as the ceremony ended.

Polis signed the bill after the legislation advanced through long committee hearings, having been propelled forward mostly by Democrats even though a Republican lawmaker co-sponsored the bill. The proposal left GOP lawmakers stuck between their farming constituents pleading for the ability to repair their equipment and the manufacturers who vehemently opposed it.

Manufacturers and dealerships raised concerns that providing tools and information to farmers would allow equipment owners to illegally crank up the horsepower and bypass emissions controls — putting operator safety and the environment at risk.

They also argued that the law would expose companies’ trade secrets. Republican Rep. Richard Holtorf, a farmer himself, further worried that it would push dealerships out of business, especially in rural parts of the state.

The bill’s proponents acknowledged that the legislation could make it easier for operators to modify horsepower and emissions controls. But they argued that farmers are already able to tinker with their machines, and doing so would remain illegal.

The law falls into the broader “right to repair” campaign, which has picked up steam across the country and applies to a range of products, from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-apple-inc-smartphones-afb6e6603bdb5c0bb510de5b4c685f69">iPhones</a>&nbsp;to hospital ventilators. Independent mechanics and car owners have access to tools and parts because of a 2014 memorandum of understanding signed by the automotive industry.

Two years ago, President Joe Biden directed the Federal Trade Commission to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-business-government-and-politics-7e5d6c82ee4f1b66fd4c3b78d1ddd18e">beef up its right-to-repair enforcement</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625596705829.png" alt="Lawmakers in at least 10 other states have introduced similar legislation-file photo" />
 <figcaption>Lawmakers in at least 10 other states have introduced similar legislation-file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — Sitting in front of a hulking red tractor, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making Colorado the first state to ensure farmers can fix their own tractors and combines with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/farm-equipment-repairs-d5ea466725328d965a85a62130503d49">“right to repair” law</a>&nbsp;— which compels manufacturers to provide the necessary manuals, tools, parts and software.Colorado, home to high desert ranches and sweeping farms on the low-and-level plains, took the lead on the issue following a nationwide outcry from farmers that manufacturers, such as John Deere, blocked them from making fixes and forced them to wait precious days for an official servicer to arrive — waits that imperiled profits.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682461813370.png" alt="Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making Colorado the first state to ensure farmers can fix their own tractors and combines- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making Colorado the first state to ensure farmers can fix their own tractors and combines- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>While their increasingly high-tech tractors or combines sit impotent, a hailstorm could decimate a crop or a farmer could miss the ideal planting window, farmers said.“Farmers have had to wait three or four weeks to get repairs done to equipment when they can do repairs themselves. That’s just unfathomable,” said Bill Midcap, whose son is a fifth-generation rancher on Colorado's eastern plains.Lawmakers in at least 10 other states have introduced similar legislation, including in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Vermont.Colorado has taken the lead, but Democratic Rep. Brianna Titone, the bill's sponsor, and Dan Waldvogle, director of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, said it's a potential launch pad for other states and even at the federal level where discussions about similar legislation are already underway.At the signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon, under a light drizzle of rain, Polis said: “This bill will save farmers and ranchers time and money and support the free market in repair” before exclaiming, “first in the nation!”Behind the governor and arrayed farmers and lawmakers sat a red Steiger 370 tractor owned by a farmer named Danny Wood. Wood's tractor has flown an American flag reading “Farmers First,” and it been one of two of his machines to break down, requiring long waits before servicers arrived to enter a few lines of computer code or make a fix Wood could have made himself.Polis and Titone climbed inside the tractor for a photo as the ceremony ended.Polis signed the bill after the legislation advanced through long committee hearings, having been propelled forward mostly by Democrats even though a Republican lawmaker co-sponsored the bill. The proposal left GOP lawmakers stuck between their farming constituents pleading for the ability to repair their equipment and the manufacturers who vehemently opposed it.Manufacturers and dealerships raised concerns that providing tools and information to farmers would allow equipment owners to illegally crank up the horsepower and bypass emissions controls — putting operator safety and the environment at risk.They also argued that the law would expose companies’ trade secrets. Republican Rep. Richard Holtorf, a farmer himself, further worried that it would push dealerships out of business, especially in rural parts of the state.The bill’s proponents acknowledged that the legislation could make it easier for operators to modify horsepower and emissions controls. But they argued that farmers are already able to tinker with their machines, and doing so would remain illegal.The law falls into the broader “right to repair” campaign, which has picked up steam across the country and applies to a range of products, from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-apple-inc-smartphones-afb6e6603bdb5c0bb510de5b4c685f69">iPhones</a>&nbsp;to hospital ventilators. Independent mechanics and car owners have access to tools and parts because of a 2014 memorandum of understanding signed by the automotive industry.Two years ago, President Joe Biden directed the Federal Trade Commission to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-business-government-and-politics-7e5d6c82ee4f1b66fd4c3b78d1ddd18e">beef up its right-to-repair enforcement</a>.

State is 1st to pass ‘right to repair’ for farmers

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/dumbbell-ranch-operation-in-nebraska-sandhills-poised-for-next-chapter/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — After less than a month on the market, the Nebraska Sandhills ranch with the quirky name and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/03/dumbbell-in-nebraska-sandhills-gains-spotlight-with-sheer-size-storied-past/">storied past</a>&nbsp;is poised to be purchased by a Colorado family.

The owners of the Dumbbell Ranch in the Hyannis area have a preliminary agreement with the potential buyer. And a member of the family that has had an ownership interest in the 15,500-acre property for more than a century said she is happy.

Anne Anderson Bennett of the Red Oak, Iowa area, said her family had hoped to pass on the Dumbbell legacy to a family, as opposed to a corporation or big entity. If all goes as hoped, she said, the Anderson Family trust this summer will turn the reins over to the Colorado ranching family, which had been wanting to relocate its operation to the Sandhills.

The asking price for the Dumbbell was $16.7 million, and Bennett said she was pleased with the price offered. She declined to provide too many details until the deal is officially sealed.

“It is bittersweet,” she said, as the Dumbbell has been a part of her family since 1913. “But I am so excited that a family is going to be able to continue the tradition. I think they will be a fabulous asset for the community.”

Bennett said she hadn’t met the family yet, but knew that there had been multiple offers on the ranch operation in the few weeks since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hallhall.com/property-for-sale/nebraska/dumbbell-ranch/a095d00002U10JQ/">marketing</a>&nbsp;began.

The Dumbbell attracted attention from local and outside interests, in large part because of its size and storied past. Valentine area broker Mark Johnson of Hall and Hall, which marketed the ranch, said he was a bit taken aback by the widespread response.&nbsp;

“It really was the right time,”&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/03/dumbbell-in-nebraska-sandhills-gains-spotlight-with-sheer-size-storied-past/">Bennett told the Nebrask</a>a Examiner in early April about putting the Dumbbell operation up for sale. At 57, she is getting married again. Her only brother has a separate career in Colorado.

Younger generations of Andersons, namely Bennett’s daughters, who are in their 20s, had more pressing interests than continuing the ranch ties.

On Monday, Bennett was busy helping to write high school graduation announcements for her stepson and was working on plans for her nuptials.

“I’m relieved,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the interest.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680554659570.png" alt="The Dumbbell Ranch spans about 15,500 acres, mostly in Nebraska’s Cherry County, known as the nation’s “top cow county.” (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)" />
 <figcaption>The Dumbbell Ranch spans about 15,500 acres, mostly in Nebraska’s Cherry County, known as the nation’s “top cow county.” (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/dumbbell-ranch-operation-in-nebraska-sandhills-poised-for-next-chapter/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — After less than a month on the market, the Nebraska Sandhills ranch with the quirky name and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/03/dumbbell-in-nebraska-sandhills-gains-spotlight-with-sheer-size-storied-past/">storied past</a>&nbsp;is poised to be purchased by a Colorado family.The owners of the Dumbbell Ranch in the Hyannis area have a preliminary agreement with the potential buyer. And a member of the family that has had an ownership interest in the 15,500-acre property for more than a century said she is happy.Anne Anderson Bennett of the Red Oak, Iowa area, said her family had hoped to pass on the Dumbbell legacy to a family, as opposed to a corporation or big entity. If all goes as hoped, she said, the Anderson Family trust this summer will turn the reins over to the Colorado ranching family, which had been wanting to relocate its operation to the Sandhills.The asking price for the Dumbbell was $16.7 million, and Bennett said she was pleased with the price offered. She declined to provide too many details until the deal is officially sealed.“It is bittersweet,” she said, as the Dumbbell has been a part of her family since 1913. “But I am so excited that a family is going to be able to continue the tradition. I think they will be a fabulous asset for the community.”Bennett said she hadn’t met the family yet, but knew that there had been multiple offers on the ranch operation in the few weeks since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hallhall.com/property-for-sale/nebraska/dumbbell-ranch/a095d00002U10JQ/">marketing</a>&nbsp;began.The Dumbbell attracted attention from local and outside interests, in large part because of its size and storied past. Valentine area broker Mark Johnson of Hall and Hall, which marketed the ranch, said he was a bit taken aback by the widespread response.&nbsp;“It really was the right time,”&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/03/dumbbell-in-nebraska-sandhills-gains-spotlight-with-sheer-size-storied-past/">Bennett told the Nebrask</a>a Examiner in early April about putting the Dumbbell operation up for sale. At 57, she is getting married again. Her only brother has a separate career in Colorado.Younger generations of Andersons, namely Bennett’s daughters, who are in their 20s, had more pressing interests than continuing the ranch ties.On Monday, Bennett was busy helping to write high school graduation announcements for her stepson and was working on plans for her nuptials.“I’m relieved,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the interest.”

Massive Dumbbell Ranch in Nebraska Sandhills poised for next chapter

WOOODSON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 10a.m. Monday in Woodson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Freightliner semi driven by Gregory Lewis, 63, Leon, was eastbound on 80th Road a half mile east of Navajo Road southeast of Yates Center in southeast Kansas.

The driver failed to yield at a stop sign before crossing the railroad tracks. 

A Union Pacific train split the semi truck and trailer.&nbsp; The accident caused the derailment of approximately two dozen rail cars and five locomotives, according to Union Pacific spokesman Mike Jaixen. Most of the derailed cars were empty, but some were carrying cottonseed, plastic pellets, tall oil and fertilizer. 

EMS transported Lewis to Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola. The Union Pacific employees on board the train were not injured. Lewis was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Pacific crews are clearing the derailed cars and preparing to repair and reopen the tracks. The incident is still under investigation, according to Union Pacific.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682436884774.png" alt="Photo Woodson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Woodson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WOOODSON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 10a.m. Monday in Woodson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Freightliner semi driven by Gregory Lewis, 63, Leon, was eastbound on 80th Road a half mile east of Navajo Road southeast of Yates Center in southeast Kansas.The driver failed to yield at a stop sign before crossing the railroad tracks. A Union Pacific train split the semi truck and trailer.&nbsp; The accident caused the derailment of approximately two dozen rail cars and five locomotives, according to Union Pacific spokesman Mike Jaixen. Most of the derailed cars were empty, but some were carrying cottonseed, plastic pellets, tall oil and fertilizer. EMS transported Lewis to Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola. The Union Pacific employees on board the train were not injured. Lewis was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.Pacific crews are clearing the derailed cars and preparing to repair and reopen the tracks. The incident is still under investigation, according to Union Pacific.

Cars, locomotives derailed after train, semi crash in Kansas

WASHINGTON —On Monday at the White House, the Bidens honored the 2023 Teachers of the Year including Renee Jones of Lincoln High School for their excellence in teaching and commitment to students’ learning. 

Below are remarks by President Biden and the First Lady at the 2023 National State Teachers of the Year Celebration.

You know, it meant so much to me getting some time with all of you today. And I loved hearing about the moments that bring you joy and laughter and about your challenges as well. Because, hey, we’ve all been there, haven’t we?

This job isn’t always easy, but it matters. And the Biden-Harris administration understands that.

I always knew that Joe would be a great education President. (Applause.) Because he’s seen how hard you work and how much you help our students. And that’s why he’s done so much to support better pay and loan forgiveness. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thank you, Joe! Thank you!

THE FIRST LADY: (Laughs.) It’s why he put a public-school educator in charge of the Department of Education. (Applause.)

So we’re here to take a moment on one of the biggest stages in the world, the White House, to say that teachers change lives. (Applause.)

And I think that message matters more than ever. Because lately, when I turn on the TV, I see pundits and politicians talking about our profession. I hear them attacking our public schools, distorting the truth about what we do, and saying that parents and teachers are at odds.

But that’s not what I’ve seen. As I’ve traveled this country, I’ve visited some pretty amazing programs where parents and teachers are working hand in hand to help kids overcome challenges and make our schools better for everyone.

There’s no divide between those who love our students and those who teach them — because we all do both. (Applause.)

Parents know that we are our children’s first teachers. And educators know that this isn’t just a job that we walk away from at 3:15. (Laughter and applause.) When we’re caring for our own kids, we’re thinking about someone else’s children too.

We chose this path out of love for what we do and who we teach.

Parents and educators are partners. And we, together — we know what our students need.

They need kindness and respect. They need grace and the chance to make mistakes. They need room to explore this world, to be curious and surprised and disappointed and triumphant. They need to know that they are valued and safe.

And parents can’t always do that alone. Parents don’t want to do that alone.

Every day, they put a piece of their hearts on that school bus, send their kids to school, trusting, hoping that someone will listen when they can’t; answer questions and ignite imaginations; and Band-Aid scrapes when, you know, they aren’t there to do it themselves.

You fulfill that hope every single day. (Applause.) Yes, thank you. (Applause.)

And with their parents’ love and your guidance, with the faith and the fortitude of their community behind them, students grow into the people they dream of becoming. Together, you shape and shepherd their lives.

My grandmother was a teacher in a small town in New Jersey.

THE FIRST LADY: (Laughs.) Over th- — there she is, New Jers- — (laughter) —

And she loved her work, and her students loved her in return. And just like you might see in the movies, she used to call her students to class with a big brass bell. And when she died, she didn’t leave behind a big, giant estate. But what I inherited from her, what I still have to this day, is that bell.

And I sometimes think about how her legacy resonated into the world like waves of sound, changing those who heard its ring.

And I think of every student who she taught, you know, and wonder what amazing things they grew up to do. Perhaps they are doctors or architects or scientists. And, of course, there’s at least one teacher.

Today, all of you ring your own bell, pulling each person you teach into a harmony that never ends.

Right now, someone out there is a better thinker because of you. Someone is standing a little taller because you helped her find the confidence that she needed. Someone is working a little harder because you pushed him to try. Someone is kinder because you showed her what that meant. And someone is braver because you helped him find his courage.

Never stop ringing that bell. Never forget that, student by student, the lives you change go on to change the world.

Thank you. (Applause.) (Audience stands up.) Oh, thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you.

And now, I’m proud to introduce someone who has answered her call with passion, persistence, and pride: the 2023 National Teacher of the Year, Rebecka Peterson. (Applause.)

MS. PETERSON: Thank you, Dr. Biden. It’s such a tremendous honor to be recognized by a First Lady who champions the profession as one of us. You exhibit for the nation the dedication we all feel for this profession.

And thank you, Secretary Cardona, for keeping teachers at the center of your work.