OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An eastern Nebraska man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-nebraska-wildlife-omaha-climate-and-environment-bcb16ee7f28603d7933626d71e599381">who pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to threatening to kill a U.S. wildlife officer and brandishing a gun during a violent crime has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison.

Cody Cape, 24, of Blair, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to 117 months in prison, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/blair-man-gets-nearly-10-years-in-prison-for-threatening-to-kill-wildlife-officer/article_6e80b80c-3ac3-11ed-91f6-8fb93a34fce6.html#tracking-source=mp-news">Omaha World-Herald reported</a>. There is no parole in the federal system.

Prosecutors said Cape and a friend were cited for a hunting and fishing violation in October 2020 near the DeSoto Wildlife Refuge. The friend later told police that Cape drove by the home of the wildlife officer who had ticketed them and that Cape had forced the friend at gunpoint to drive by an area where he thought the officer might be. The friend also said Cape explained how he could use explosives to kill the officer and his family.

Blair police arrested Cape on Christmas night in 2020 during a traffic stop and said they found a handgun and bullets in Cape’s vehicle. A woman who was with Cape when he was arrested told police Cape had said he wanted to kill the wildlife officer, prosecutors said.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An eastern Nebraska man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-nebraska-wildlife-omaha-climate-and-environment-bcb16ee7f28603d7933626d71e599381">who pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to threatening to kill a U.S. wildlife officer and brandishing a gun during a violent crime has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison.Cody Cape, 24, of Blair, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to 117 months in prison, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/blair-man-gets-nearly-10-years-in-prison-for-threatening-to-kill-wildlife-officer/article_6e80b80c-3ac3-11ed-91f6-8fb93a34fce6.html#tracking-source=mp-news">Omaha World-Herald reported</a>. There is no parole in the federal system.Prosecutors said Cape and a friend were cited for a hunting and fishing violation in October 2020 near the DeSoto Wildlife Refuge. The friend later told police that Cape drove by the home of the wildlife officer who had ticketed them and that Cape had forced the friend at gunpoint to drive by an area where he thought the officer might be. The friend also said Cape explained how he could use explosives to kill the officer and his family.Blair police arrested Cape on Christmas night in 2020 during a traffic stop and said they found a handgun and bullets in Cape’s vehicle. A woman who was with Cape when he was arrested told police Cape had said he wanted to kill the wildlife officer, prosecutors said.

Nebraska man who threatened wildlife officer gets prison

By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves wants to head off an
increase in postal rates.

Graves, a Republican, co-sponsors legislation that would direct
the Postal Regulatory Commission to rethink the authority it gave the United
States Postal Service to raise rates.

“Americans are paying more for everything,” Graves tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “The last thing we need is higher postage rates,
particularly when the U.S. Postal Service; they actually posted a $60 billion
profit last quarter.”

Graves says the Postal Service has become profitable since
Congress lifted the requirement that it pre-fund retirement benefits.

The Postal Regulatory Commission recently removed the requirement
that the Postal Service only raise rates to adjust to inflation.

Graves signed on to legislation, entitled <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8781/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22ensuring+accurate+postal+rates%22%2C%22ensuring%22%2C%22accurate%22%2C%22postal%22%2C%22rates%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=6">Ensuring Accurate
Postal Rates Act</a>, which would repeal the move of the Postal Regulatory
Commission to allow the Postal Service to raise rates higher than the rate of
inflation.

“I think the Postal Service is just taking advantage of this
opportunity and they’re going in with these huge rate hikes to generate
capital,” Graves says. “It’s not needed at this point. They need to get their
act cleaned up and that’s what this bill is trying to do.”

Graves contends the Postal Service has taken advantage of the
change to raise rates in an effort to generate capital. Graves says the
legislation goes beyond just sending the Postal Service a message.

“Yes, it does,” Graves says. “It forces them to rethink this
postal hike that they are doing. We’ll take that authority back away from them
if we have to, but this is going to force them to go back to the table and
rethink that postal hike.”

The original sponsor of the legislation is Virginia
Congressman Gerald Connolly.

Graves so-sponsors the legislation along with fellow
Republican Jake LaTurner of Kansas as well as Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of
Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663945114449.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves wants to head off an
increase in postal rates.Graves, a Republican, co-sponsors legislation that would direct
the Postal Regulatory Commission to rethink the authority it gave the United
States Postal Service to raise rates.“Americans are paying more for everything,” Graves tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “The last thing we need is higher postage rates,
particularly when the U.S. Postal Service; they actually posted a $60 billion
profit last quarter.”Graves says the Postal Service has become profitable since
Congress lifted the requirement that it pre-fund retirement benefits.The Postal Regulatory Commission recently removed the requirement
that the Postal Service only raise rates to adjust to inflation.Graves signed on to legislation, entitled <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8781/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22ensuring+accurate+postal+rates%22%2C%22ensuring%22%2C%22accurate%22%2C%22postal%22%2C%22rates%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=6">Ensuring Accurate
Postal Rates Act</a>, which would repeal the move of the Postal Regulatory
Commission to allow the Postal Service to raise rates higher than the rate of
inflation. “I think the Postal Service is just taking advantage of this
opportunity and they’re going in with these huge rate hikes to generate
capital,” Graves says. “It’s not needed at this point. They need to get their
act cleaned up and that’s what this bill is trying to do.”Graves contends the Postal Service has taken advantage of the
change to raise rates in an effort to generate capital. Graves says the
legislation goes beyond just sending the Postal Service a message.“Yes, it does,” Graves says. “It forces them to rethink this
postal hike that they are doing. We’ll take that authority back away from them
if we have to, but this is going to force them to go back to the table and
rethink that postal hike.”The original sponsor of the legislation is Virginia
Congressman Gerald Connolly.Graves so-sponsors the legislation along with fellow
Republican Jake LaTurner of Kansas as well as Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of
Kansas City.

A move in Congress could cut off a hike in postal rates

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jordon R. Whipple, 28, of Bonesteel, South Dakota, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for involuntary manslaughter. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Whipple to 41 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Whipple will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

On August 16, 2020, Whipple, an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Tribe, was driving in Santee while under the influence of alcohol when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The passenger, a young mother from Santee, was killed as a result of the injuries she sustained during the accident.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department.

By United States AttorneyActing United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jordon R. Whipple, 28, of Bonesteel, South Dakota, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for involuntary manslaughter. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Whipple to 41 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Whipple will begin a three-year term of supervised release.On August 16, 2020, Whipple, an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Tribe, was driving in Santee while under the influence of alcohol when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The passenger, a young mother from Santee, was killed as a result of the injuries she sustained during the accident.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department.

South Dakota woman sentenced for manslaughter

News Release United States Attorney-Omaha

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Leonard C. Woodrum, Jr., 57, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 21, 2022, in federal&nbsp;court in Lincoln.&nbsp; United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Woodrum, Jr. to 240 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.&nbsp; Woodrum faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison due to a prior conviction for distribution of a controlled substance in Lancaster County District Court.&nbsp; The court also ordered the forfeiture of $16,865 related to the offense.&nbsp; After serving his sentence, Woodrum, Jr. will be placed on supervised release for 10 years.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;

On July 9, 2021, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle driven by Woodrum Jr. for a traffic violation in Lancaster County.&nbsp; While completing the traffic stop, the trooper did a K9 sniff of Woodrum’s vehicle, and the dog indicated to the presence of narcotics.&nbsp; The vehicle was searched.&nbsp; Methamphetamine was found in the trunk.&nbsp; A lab determined that there was a total of 1,437 grams of methamphetamine mixture seized from the vehicle.&nbsp; Some of that methamphetamine was tested for purity, and the lab determined that it contained at least 730 grams of actual methamphetamine.&nbsp; Cocaine, LSD, MDMA, numerous self-seal baggies, and several scales were also found in the vehicle.&nbsp; A total of $16,865 in cash was seized from Woodrum’s vehicle and his person.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln / Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574122756866.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release United States Attorney-OmahaActing United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Leonard C. Woodrum, Jr., 57, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 21, 2022, in federal&nbsp;court in Lincoln.&nbsp; United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Woodrum, Jr. to 240 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.&nbsp; Woodrum faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison due to a prior conviction for distribution of a controlled substance in Lancaster County District Court.&nbsp; The court also ordered the forfeiture of $16,865 related to the offense.&nbsp; After serving his sentence, Woodrum, Jr. will be placed on supervised release for 10 years.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;On July 9, 2021, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle driven by Woodrum Jr. for a traffic violation in Lancaster County.&nbsp; While completing the traffic stop, the trooper did a K9 sniff of Woodrum’s vehicle, and the dog indicated to the presence of narcotics.&nbsp; The vehicle was searched.&nbsp; Methamphetamine was found in the trunk.&nbsp; A lab determined that there was a total of 1,437 grams of methamphetamine mixture seized from the vehicle.&nbsp; Some of that methamphetamine was tested for purity, and the lab determined that it contained at least 730 grams of actual methamphetamine.&nbsp; Cocaine, LSD, MDMA, numerous self-seal baggies, and several scales were also found in the vehicle.&nbsp; A total of $16,865 in cash was seized from Woodrum’s vehicle and his person.This case was investigated by the Lincoln / Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

Lincoln man sentenced to 20 years on meth charges

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Cody A. Cape, 24, of Blair, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to a sentence of 117 months’ incarceration for Threatening to Murder a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Carrying and Using a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, Cape will serve a 3-year term of Supervised Release.&nbsp;

In October 2020, Cape was cited by a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Officer, for a fishing violation. Cape and his friend were subjects of an ongoing poaching investigation that was being investigated by the Officer. During the course of this investigation, Cape’s phone was seized pursuant to a search warrant.

On December 24, 2020, Cape was picked up by his friend and Cape directed his friend to drive to a specific location, which was the Officer’s personal residence in Blair. Cape then had his friend drive him to an apartment in Omaha where Cape retrieved a .45 caliber handgun and a rifle. Cape directed his friend to drive to the Desoto National Wildlife Refuge to look at the employee housing to see if the Officer was there. Cape’s friend refused. Cape placed his handgun on his lap and directed his friend to take him to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge. His friend was fearful and complied. The Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Nebraska – Iowa border. The main entrance to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is in Iowa.

On their return from Desoto National Wildlife Refuge, Cape discussed ways he planned to kill the Officer to include using C4, TNT, or dynamite. Cape discussed wiring explosives to the Officer’s USFWS vehicle or throwing explosives through a window into the Officer’s residence to kill the Officer and his family. His friend later contacted police to report what had happened and Cape’s statements.

Cape was located by Blair Police Department officers on December 25, 2020, and had a .45 caliber handgun in his vehicle. Cape was interviewed by FBI and USFWS officers and admitted to making statements about killing the Officer, although Cape claimed he was not serious. Cape stated he was under a lot of stress due to the Officer’s poaching investigation. When asked if he had made statements to kill the Officer, Cape stated “probably” and then went on to state, “I don’t know where the f### I’d get that s###.” When asked for clarification, Cape stated “C4.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Blair Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559820547211.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release United States Attorney-OmahaActing United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Cody A. Cape, 24, of Blair, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to a sentence of 117 months’ incarceration for Threatening to Murder a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Carrying and Using a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, Cape will serve a 3-year term of Supervised Release.&nbsp;In October 2020, Cape was cited by a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Officer, for a fishing violation. Cape and his friend were subjects of an ongoing poaching investigation that was being investigated by the Officer. During the course of this investigation, Cape’s phone was seized pursuant to a search warrant.On December 24, 2020, Cape was picked up by his friend and Cape directed his friend to drive to a specific location, which was the Officer’s personal residence in Blair. Cape then had his friend drive him to an apartment in Omaha where Cape retrieved a .45 caliber handgun and a rifle. Cape directed his friend to drive to the Desoto National Wildlife Refuge to look at the employee housing to see if the Officer was there. Cape’s friend refused. Cape placed his handgun on his lap and directed his friend to take him to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge. His friend was fearful and complied. The Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Nebraska – Iowa border. The main entrance to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is in Iowa.On their return from Desoto National Wildlife Refuge, Cape discussed ways he planned to kill the Officer to include using C4, TNT, or dynamite. Cape discussed wiring explosives to the Officer’s USFWS vehicle or throwing explosives through a window into the Officer’s residence to kill the Officer and his family. His friend later contacted police to report what had happened and Cape’s statements.Cape was located by Blair Police Department officers on December 25, 2020, and had a .45 caliber handgun in his vehicle. Cape was interviewed by FBI and USFWS officers and admitted to making statements about killing the Officer, although Cape claimed he was not serious. Cape stated he was under a lot of stress due to the Officer’s poaching investigation. When asked if he had made statements to kill the Officer, Cape stated “probably” and then went on to state, “I don’t know where the f### I’d get that s###.” When asked for clarification, Cape stated “C4.”This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Blair Police Department.

Blair man sentenced to prison for plot to kill federal wildlife officer

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday.

Held alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly">annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders</a>, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">called up a portion of its reserves</a>&nbsp;for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country would “use all means available to us” to defend itself if its territory is threatened.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">plans for referendums</a>&nbsp;in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia.

Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on “Russian territory,” Blinken warned.

“Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">7-month-long war</a>.

Instead, Lavrov repeated his country’s frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine’s east — one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion — and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia.

“What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting “to wear down and weaken Russia.”

“That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict,” said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become “an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security” and his country wouldn't accept it.

The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursday’s session had special stature.

“That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the group's famous horseshoe-shaped table.

“Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people,” Blinken added.

Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.

But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room — made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions.

In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine’s seat next to Russia’s. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot.

Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a “social distance” from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers.”

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear “the collective condemnation of this council.”

And in an interview with The Associated Press, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Lavrov's decision not to hear other speakers in person "a sign of insecurity."

In an undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy’s government on the rationale that “he’s a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.” Kuleba later chided Russia for the “inappropriate slang.”

Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the conflict</a>. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers.

The International Criminal Court&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/and%20sent%20teams%20to%20gather%20evidence.%20Other%20nations%20also%20are%20supporting%20investigation%20efforts%20by%20sending%20experts.%20The%20prosecutor%20hasn%E2%80%99t%20yet%20announced%20any%20charges%20linked%20to%20the%20conflict.">opened an investigation in March</a>&nbsp;into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he’s dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine.

Khan hasn’t yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed.

“The picture that I’ve seen so far is troubling indeed,” he said.

The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">announced the discovery of a mass burial site</a>&nbsp;near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council that the discovery prompted her country to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-business-criminal-investigations-bed8a5fac1dab4cfcdf45aed815ff510">hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha,</a>&nbsp;after a Russian withdrawal in late March.

There are “so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said.

Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones.

“Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized,” said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663880655086.png" alt="The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in Ukraine, Thursday-photo courtesy U.S. State Department" />
 <figcaption>The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in Ukraine, Thursday-photo courtesy U.S. State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday.Held alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly">annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders</a>, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">called up a portion of its reserves</a>&nbsp;for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country would “use all means available to us” to defend itself if its territory is threatened.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">plans for referendums</a>&nbsp;in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia.Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on “Russian territory,” Blinken warned.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663880635322.png" alt="Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Security Council meeting on Thursday-photo courtesy State Department" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Security Council meeting on Thursday-photo courtesy State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>“Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">7-month-long war</a>.Instead, Lavrov repeated his country’s frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine’s east — one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion — and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia.“What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting “to wear down and weaken Russia.”“That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict,” said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become “an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security” and his country wouldn't accept it.The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursday’s session had special stature.“That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the group's famous horseshoe-shaped table.“Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people,” Blinken added.Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room — made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions.In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine’s seat next to Russia’s. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot.Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a “social distance” from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers.”British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear “the collective condemnation of this council.”And in an interview with The Associated Press, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Lavrov's decision not to hear other speakers in person "a sign of insecurity."In an undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy’s government on the rationale that “he’s a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.” Kuleba later chided Russia for the “inappropriate slang.”Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the conflict</a>. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers.The International Criminal Court&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/and%20sent%20teams%20to%20gather%20evidence.%20Other%20nations%20also%20are%20supporting%20investigation%20efforts%20by%20sending%20experts.%20The%20prosecutor%20hasn%E2%80%99t%20yet%20announced%20any%20charges%20linked%20to%20the%20conflict.">opened an investigation in March</a>&nbsp;into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he’s dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine.Khan hasn’t yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed.“The picture that I’ve seen so far is troubling indeed,” he said.The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">announced the discovery of a mass burial site</a>&nbsp;near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured.French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council that the discovery prompted her country to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-business-criminal-investigations-bed8a5fac1dab4cfcdf45aed815ff510">hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha,</a>&nbsp;after a Russian withdrawal in late March.There are “so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said.Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones.“Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized,” said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia.___

US urges world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats

By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/beagles-rescued-from-virginia-dog-breeding-facility-get-the-star-treatment-in-d-c/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Now-famous beagles 
rescued from a breeding and research facility in Virginia were on 
Capitol Hill on Thursday as an animal welfare group and a California 
congressman pushed for legislation that would promote adoption of 
research animals.

“It’s unfortunate that animals are 
still allowed to be used in testing. That hopefully is going to go away 
very, very soon. But while it’s happening, we can do better,” said Rep. 
Tony Cárdenas.

The beagles came from a
 controversial Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County
 that shut down under pressure from federal regulators because of a 
string of animal welfare violations, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/beagle-breeding-facility-shutting-down-over-violations-will-be-allowed-to-sell-500-dogs/">the Virginia Mercury has reported.</a>&nbsp; Federal agents in May <a target="_blank" href="https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/012-Joint-Motion-to-Extend-TRO.pdf">seized hundreds of dogs and puppies</a> found to be “in acute distress.”

A judge in July <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/judge-approves-transfer-of-all-4000-remaining-beagles-at-breeding-facility-to-shelters-for-adoption/?eType=EmailBlastContent&amp;eId=44444444-4444-4444-4444-444444444444">approved a plan</a> to move 4,000 beagles from the facility to shelters for adoption, making national headlines. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-24/meghan-prince-harry-adopt-beagle-rescued-from-virginia-plant">One adopter turned out to be </a>Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who are now living in California.

On Thursday, several of the beagles 
were at the Capitol to get petted and shown off at a “meet and greet” 
and to help make a point about animal research.

Cárdenas, a California Democrat, introduced a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5726">bill</a>
 last October that would require any facility receiving funding from the
 National Institutes of Health to make “reasonable efforts” to adopt any
 dog, cat, or rabbit deemed suitable for adoption once that animal is no
 longer needed for biomedical and behavioral research.&nbsp;

The legislation has just four other 
co-sponsors, Joe Neguse of Colorado, Jimmy Panetta of California, Donald
 Payne Jr. of New Jersey and Dina Titus of Nevada.

When asked about the strategy for 
reaching the level of support the bill would need to clear the House and
 the Senate, Cárdenas told States Newsroom that he plans to push back on
 the medical research industry criticism that the measure is “too 
onerous.”&nbsp;

Cárdenas also hopes more of his colleagues will voice support for the legislation.&nbsp;

Monica Engebretson, North America 
campaign manager for Cruelty Free International, said 15 states require 
animal research facilities to offer dogs and cats they no longer want 
for adoption. But she believes a nationwide law is needed.&nbsp;

Engebretson said the group has had 
some success in the past getting policy changes enacted through the 
annual legislation that funds the NIH, which is headquartered in 
Bethesda, Maryland, and hopes to do so again with this current policy 
proposal.&nbsp;

The NIH’s website says that it’s 
“committed to continuing to develop non-animal model alternative 
methods,” though it notes “we are not at a point where alternative 
approaches can completely replace the use of animals at this time.”

“The alternatives simply cannot 
accurately replicate or model all the biologic and behavioral aspects of
 human disease,” NIH writes. “Until that time, animal models will remain
 integral for NIH-supported research.”

The NIH also has an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But neither its Public Health Service
 Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals or its Guide for 
the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals include any proposals or 
suggestions for whether cats, dogs and bunnies should be available for 
adoption after they are no longer needed.&nbsp;

The Office of Laboratory Animal 
Welfare notes on its website that it “supports the safety and protection
 of animals and reminds institutions that their policies must clarify 
the disposition of animals acquired for research once the research has 
ended, which may include adoption.” It also says it “will not assume 
legal or financial responsibility for any adoption program” of research 
animals.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663883738198.png" alt="A beagle rescued from the Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County, Virginia, appears at a Capitol Hill event on Sept. 22. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>A beagle rescued from the Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County, Virginia, appears at a Capitol Hill event on Sept. 22. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/beagles-rescued-from-virginia-dog-breeding-facility-get-the-star-treatment-in-d-c/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Now-famous beagles 
rescued from a breeding and research facility in Virginia were on 
Capitol Hill on Thursday as an animal welfare group and a California 
congressman pushed for legislation that would promote adoption of 
research animals.“It’s unfortunate that animals are 
still allowed to be used in testing. That hopefully is going to go away 
very, very soon. But while it’s happening, we can do better,” said Rep. 
Tony Cárdenas.The beagles came from a
 controversial Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County
 that shut down under pressure from federal regulators because of a 
string of animal welfare violations, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/beagle-breeding-facility-shutting-down-over-violations-will-be-allowed-to-sell-500-dogs/">the Virginia Mercury has reported.</a>&nbsp; Federal agents in May <a target="_blank" href="https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/012-Joint-Motion-to-Extend-TRO.pdf">seized hundreds of dogs and puppies</a> found to be “in acute distress.”A judge in July <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/judge-approves-transfer-of-all-4000-remaining-beagles-at-breeding-facility-to-shelters-for-adoption/?eType=EmailBlastContent&amp;eId=44444444-4444-4444-4444-444444444444">approved a plan</a> to move 4,000 beagles from the facility to shelters for adoption, making national headlines. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-24/meghan-prince-harry-adopt-beagle-rescued-from-virginia-plant">One adopter turned out to be </a>Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who are now living in California.On Thursday, several of the beagles 
were at the Capitol to get petted and shown off at a “meet and greet” 
and to help make a point about animal research.Cárdenas, a California Democrat, introduced a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5726">bill</a>
 last October that would require any facility receiving funding from the
 National Institutes of Health to make “reasonable efforts” to adopt any
 dog, cat, or rabbit deemed suitable for adoption once that animal is no
 longer needed for biomedical and behavioral research.&nbsp;The legislation has just four other 
co-sponsors, Joe Neguse of Colorado, Jimmy Panetta of California, Donald
 Payne Jr. of New Jersey and Dina Titus of Nevada.When asked about the strategy for 
reaching the level of support the bill would need to clear the House and
 the Senate, Cárdenas told States Newsroom that he plans to push back on
 the medical research industry criticism that the measure is “too 
onerous.”&nbsp;“I don’t buy that,” he said.Cárdenas also hopes more of his colleagues will voice support for the legislation.&nbsp;Monica Engebretson, North America 
campaign manager for Cruelty Free International, said 15 states require 
animal research facilities to offer dogs and cats they no longer want 
for adoption. But she believes a nationwide law is needed.&nbsp;Engebretson said the group has had 
some success in the past getting policy changes enacted through the 
annual legislation that funds the NIH, which is headquartered in 
Bethesda, Maryland, and hopes to do so again with this current policy 
proposal.&nbsp;The NIH’s website says that it’s 
“committed to continuing to develop non-animal model alternative 
methods,” though it notes “we are not at a point where alternative 
approaches can completely replace the use of animals at this time.”“The alternatives simply cannot 
accurately replicate or model all the biologic and behavioral aspects of
 human disease,” NIH writes. “Until that time, animal models will remain
 integral for NIH-supported research.”The NIH also has an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.&nbsp;&nbsp;But neither its Public Health Service
 Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals or its Guide for 
the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals include any proposals or 
suggestions for whether cats, dogs and bunnies should be available for 
adoption after they are no longer needed.&nbsp;The Office of Laboratory Animal 
Welfare notes on its website that it “supports the safety and protection
 of animals and reminds institutions that their policies must clarify 
the disposition of animals acquired for research once the research has 
ended, which may include adoption.” It also says it “will not assume 
legal or financial responsibility for any adoption program” of research 
animals.&nbsp;

Beagles rescued from dog-breeding facility get D.C. star treatment

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-work-ethic-educated-workforce-may-help-weather-possible-recession-economist-says/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska has weathered 
past recessions better than the rest of the country and might again, 
according to a leading state economist.

Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said Thursday that Nebraska’s high rates
 of workforce participation and education should help the state fend off
 the effects of high inflation and an economic downturn.

But Thompson offered a warning: “If the U.S. gets into a significant recession, we’ll get pulled in, too.”

He spoke Thursday morning at the fall policy summit of the Open Sky 
Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based nonprofit that analyzes state fiscal 
policies.

Thompson answered questions around the topic, “Inflation and What it Means for Our State and its Economy.”

He said that the nation as a whole has benefitted from a long-running
 abundance of workers, but that trend is changing as baby boomers age 
out of the workforce and as legal immigration has declined.

The shortage of labor and supplies, combined with a rapid, 
post-COVID-19 increase in demand, have been the main drivers of 
inflation, which is at 8.1% in the Midwest, according to Thompson.

Nebraskans have “good resumes,” he said. The state has a higher 
participation rate in the workforce and higher percentages of 
college-educated people than the national average. That, Thompson said, 
could help blunt the impact of a national recession here.

“Those are the kinds of people who are more likely to hold onto their
 jobs during a downturn and find new jobs more quickly,” he said.

Some analysts have predicted that the U.S. will have a “soft landing”
 from high inflation that won’t result in a recession that features 
widespread job layoffs.

But Thompson said it remains to be seen if the nation will fall into a
 recession or not, and whether there will be a soft or hard landing.

Right now, he said that low-income and working-class Nebraskans are 
hurting the most because of inflation. It might present an opportunity 
for tax cuts that help those hurting the most or for systematic changes 
in the state tax system, Thompson said.

He added that the state might want<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/30/nascent-nebraska-coalition-looks-to-immigration-related-solutions-to-help-remedy-labor-shortage/"> to look toward attracting more legal immigrants</a> to address its workforce shortage, which has left <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-businesses-report-great-difficulty-in-hiring-getting-applicants/">up to 52,000 jobs unfilled</a>.

“Maybe we can be known as the state that’s most welcoming to immigrants,” Thompson said.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-work-ethic-educated-workforce-may-help-weather-possible-recession-economist-says/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska has weathered 
past recessions better than the rest of the country and might again, 
according to a leading state economist.Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said Thursday that Nebraska’s high rates
 of workforce participation and education should help the state fend off
 the effects of high inflation and an economic downturn.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663877297675.png" alt="Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Courtesy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln)" />
 <figcaption>Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Courtesy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln)</figcaption>
 </figure>But Thompson offered a warning: “If the U.S. gets into a significant recession, we’ll get pulled in, too.”He spoke Thursday morning at the fall policy summit of the Open Sky 
Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based nonprofit that analyzes state fiscal 
policies.Thompson answered questions around the topic, “Inflation and What it Means for Our State and its Economy.”He said that the nation as a whole has benefitted from a long-running
 abundance of workers, but that trend is changing as baby boomers age 
out of the workforce and as legal immigration has declined.The shortage of labor and supplies, combined with a rapid, 
post-COVID-19 increase in demand, have been the main drivers of 
inflation, which is at 8.1% in the Midwest, according to Thompson.<h2>‘Good resumes’</h2>Nebraskans have “good resumes,” he said. The state has a higher 
participation rate in the workforce and higher percentages of 
college-educated people than the national average. That, Thompson said, 
could help blunt the impact of a national recession here.“Those are the kinds of people who are more likely to hold onto their
 jobs during a downturn and find new jobs more quickly,” he said.Some analysts have predicted that the U.S. will have a “soft landing”
 from high inflation that won’t result in a recession that features 
widespread job layoffs.But Thompson said it remains to be seen if the nation will fall into a
 recession or not, and whether there will be a soft or hard landing.<h2>Attract more immigrants</h2>Right now, he said that low-income and working-class Nebraskans are 
hurting the most because of inflation. It might present an opportunity 
for tax cuts that help those hurting the most or for systematic changes 
in the state tax system, Thompson said.He added that the state might want<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/30/nascent-nebraska-coalition-looks-to-immigration-related-solutions-to-help-remedy-labor-shortage/"> to look toward attracting more legal immigrants</a> to address its workforce shortage, which has left <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-businesses-report-great-difficulty-in-hiring-getting-applicants/">up to 52,000 jobs unfilled</a>.“Maybe we can be known as the state that’s most welcoming to immigrants,” Thompson said.

Recession-proof? Work ethic, educated workforce may help Neb.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/schuyler-nebraska-man-indicted-for-selling-fake-social-security-cards/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A 26-year-old Schuyler man has been indicted on federal charges of providing fake Social Security cards.

Werner Monterroso-Monterroso was named in a five-count indictment announced by Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In April, June and August of this year, federal officials allege that
 Monterroso-Monterroso provided fake Social Security cards and other 
false documentation to others.

He faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on some of the charges.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/schuyler-nebraska-man-indicted-for-selling-fake-social-security-cards/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A 26-year-old Schuyler man has been indicted on federal charges of providing fake Social Security cards.Werner Monterroso-Monterroso was named in a five-count indictment announced by Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.In April, June and August of this year, federal officials allege that
 Monterroso-Monterroso provided fake Social Security cards and other 
false documentation to others.He faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on some of the charges.

Schuyler man indicted for selling fake Social Security cards

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed legislation to overhaul the rules for certifying the results of a presidential election as lawmakers accelerate their response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection</a>&nbsp;and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to remain in power.

The bill, which is similar to bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-constitutions-congress-ba742c9f4c67c5189a6a6c9f8531721e">legislation moving through the Senate</a>, would overhaul an arcane 1800s-era statute known as the Electoral Count Act that governs, along with the U.S. Constitution, how states and Congress certify electors and declare presidential election winners.

While that process has long been routine and ceremonial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;and a group of his aides and lawyers unsuccessfully tried to exploit loopholes in the law in an attempt to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Democrats are pushing to pass the bill before the end of the year and ahead of the 2024 election cycle as Trump is considering another run.

While at least 10 GOP senators have signed on to the Senate version, the House vote fell mostly along party lines. House Republicans — most of whom are still aligned with Trump — argued that the legislation shouldn't be a priority and that it is a political vehicle for Democrats ahead of November's midterm elections.

The final vote was 229-203, with nine Republicans joining all Democrats in voting for the bill. None of the nine Republicans is returning to Congress next year.

The legislation would set new parameters around&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-electoral-vote-d27490021b4203087043df1939b82f8b">the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress</a>&nbsp;that happens every four years after a presidential election. The day turned violent last year after hundreds of Trump’s supporters interrupted the proceedings, broke into the building and threatened the lives of then-Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress. The rioters echoed Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud and wanted Pence to block Biden’s victory as he presided over the joint session.

The legislation intends to ensure that future Jan. 6 sessions are “as the constitution envisioned, a ministerial day,” said Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican who co-sponsored the legislation with House Administration Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. Both Cheney and Lofgren are also members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-2022-midterm-elections-biden-congress-a4cfc83415b2456e66c85f52e4de8543">House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack</a>.

Ahead of the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the legislation is necessary as there have been attempts in states across the country to change election laws to make it easier to nullify future results.

“Now we have a solemn duty to ensure that future efforts to undermine our elections cannot succeed,” Pelosi said.

The bill would clarify in the law that the vice president’s role presiding over the count is only ceremonial and that he or she cannot change the results. It also sets out that each state can only send one certified set of electors after Trump's allies had unsuccessfully tried to put together alternate slates of illegitimate pro-Trump electors in swing states where Biden won.

“This bill will make it harder to convince people that they have the right to overthrow an election,” Lofgren said.

The legislation would increase the threshold for individual lawmakers’ objections to any state's electoral votes, requiring a third of the House and a third of the Senate to object to trigger votes on the results in both chambers. Currently, only one lawmaker in the House and one lawmaker in the Senate has to object. The House bill would set out very narrow grounds for those objections, an attempt to thwart baseless or politically motivated challenges.

In addition, the bill would require courts to get involved if state or local officials want to delay a presidential vote or refuse to certify the results.

The House vote comes as the Senate is moving on a similar track with enough Republican support to virtually ensure passage before the end of the year. After months of talks, House Democrats introduced their legislation Monday and held the quick vote two days later in order to send the bill across the Capitol and start to resolve differences. A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation this summer and a Senate committee is expected to vote on it next week.

While the House bill is more expansive than the Senate version, the two bills cover similar ground and members in both chambers are optimistic that they can work out the differences. And despite the mostly party-line vote in the House, supporters are encouraged by the bipartisan effort in the Senate.

“Both sides have an incentive to want a set of clear rules, and this is an antiquated law that no one understands,” said Benjamin Ginsburg, a longtime GOP lawyer who consulted with lawmakers as they wrote the bill. “All parties benefit from clarity.”

House GOP leaders encouraged their members to vote against the legislation. They said the involvement of courts could drag out elections and said the bill would take rights away from states.

The bill is an “attempt to federalize our elections,” Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., said on the House floor. He argued that voters are more focused on the economy and other issues than elections law.

“In my area of Pennsylvania, nobody is talking about this," Reschenthaler said.

Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, Lofgren’s GOP counterpart on the House Administration Committee, said Democrats are “desperately trying to talk about their favorite topic, and that is former President Donald Trump."

Democrats said the bill was not only a response to Trump, but also a way to prevent objections and mischief from all candidates in the future.

“If you think that this legislation is an attack on President Trump, you simply haven’t read the legislation because there’s nothing in there attacking President Trump,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., another member of the Jan. 6 panel. “This is about reforming the Electoral Count Act so it works for the American people.”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., was blunter. He criticized Republicans who have defended Trump's actions that day and who have downplayed the seriousness of the former president's attempts to overturn the results of the election.

Hoyer called the Republican opposition a “rationalization of what I believe is treason. ... It was rationalized then, and sadly it is being rationalized now.”

The nine Republicans who voted in support of the legislation are all either retiring or were defeated for reelection in their GOP primaries this year. Eight of the nine voted for Trump's impeachment immediately after the insurrection.

The nine Republicans are Cheney and Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan, Peter Meijer of Michigan, Tom Rice of South Carolina, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, John Katko of New York and Chris Jacobs of New York.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663861836142.png" alt="The final vote was 229-203, with nine Republicans joining all Democrats in voting for the bill. None of the nine Republicans is returning to Congress next year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke prior to Wednesday's vote-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The final vote was 229-203, with nine Republicans joining all Democrats in voting for the bill. None of the nine Republicans is returning to Congress next year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke prior to Wednesday's vote-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed legislation to overhaul the rules for certifying the results of a presidential election as lawmakers accelerate their response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection</a>&nbsp;and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to remain in power.The bill, which is similar to bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-constitutions-congress-ba742c9f4c67c5189a6a6c9f8531721e">legislation moving through the Senate</a>, would overhaul an arcane 1800s-era statute known as the Electoral Count Act that governs, along with the U.S. Constitution, how states and Congress certify electors and declare presidential election winners.While that process has long been routine and ceremonial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;and a group of his aides and lawyers unsuccessfully tried to exploit loopholes in the law in an attempt to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Democrats are pushing to pass the bill before the end of the year and ahead of the 2024 election cycle as Trump is considering another run.While at least 10 GOP senators have signed on to the Senate version, the House vote fell mostly along party lines. House Republicans — most of whom are still aligned with Trump — argued that the legislation shouldn't be a priority and that it is a political vehicle for Democrats ahead of November's midterm elections.The final vote was 229-203, with nine Republicans joining all Democrats in voting for the bill. None of the nine Republicans is returning to Congress next year.The legislation would set new parameters around&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-electoral-vote-d27490021b4203087043df1939b82f8b">the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress</a>&nbsp;that happens every four years after a presidential election. The day turned violent last year after hundreds of Trump’s supporters interrupted the proceedings, broke into the building and threatened the lives of then-Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress. The rioters echoed Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud and wanted Pence to block Biden’s victory as he presided over the joint session.The legislation intends to ensure that future Jan. 6 sessions are “as the constitution envisioned, a ministerial day,” said Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican who co-sponsored the legislation with House Administration Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. Both Cheney and Lofgren are also members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-2022-midterm-elections-biden-congress-a4cfc83415b2456e66c85f52e4de8543">House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack</a>.Ahead of the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the legislation is necessary as there have been attempts in states across the country to change election laws to make it easier to nullify future results.“Now we have a solemn duty to ensure that future efforts to undermine our elections cannot succeed,” Pelosi said.The bill would clarify in the law that the vice president’s role presiding over the count is only ceremonial and that he or she cannot change the results. It also sets out that each state can only send one certified set of electors after Trump's allies had unsuccessfully tried to put together alternate slates of illegitimate pro-Trump electors in swing states where Biden won.“This bill will make it harder to convince people that they have the right to overthrow an election,” Lofgren said.The legislation would increase the threshold for individual lawmakers’ objections to any state's electoral votes, requiring a third of the House and a third of the Senate to object to trigger votes on the results in both chambers. Currently, only one lawmaker in the House and one lawmaker in the Senate has to object. The House bill would set out very narrow grounds for those objections, an attempt to thwart baseless or politically motivated challenges.In addition, the bill would require courts to get involved if state or local officials want to delay a presidential vote or refuse to certify the results.The House vote comes as the Senate is moving on a similar track with enough Republican support to virtually ensure passage before the end of the year. After months of talks, House Democrats introduced their legislation Monday and held the quick vote two days later in order to send the bill across the Capitol and start to resolve differences. A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation this summer and a Senate committee is expected to vote on it next week.While the House bill is more expansive than the Senate version, the two bills cover similar ground and members in both chambers are optimistic that they can work out the differences. And despite the mostly party-line vote in the House, supporters are encouraged by the bipartisan effort in the Senate.“Both sides have an incentive to want a set of clear rules, and this is an antiquated law that no one understands,” said Benjamin Ginsburg, a longtime GOP lawyer who consulted with lawmakers as they wrote the bill. “All parties benefit from clarity.”House GOP leaders encouraged their members to vote against the legislation. They said the involvement of courts could drag out elections and said the bill would take rights away from states.The bill is an “attempt to federalize our elections,” Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., said on the House floor. He argued that voters are more focused on the economy and other issues than elections law.“In my area of Pennsylvania, nobody is talking about this," Reschenthaler said.Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, Lofgren’s GOP counterpart on the House Administration Committee, said Democrats are “desperately trying to talk about their favorite topic, and that is former President Donald Trump."Democrats said the bill was not only a response to Trump, but also a way to prevent objections and mischief from all candidates in the future.“If you think that this legislation is an attack on President Trump, you simply haven’t read the legislation because there’s nothing in there attacking President Trump,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., another member of the Jan. 6 panel. “This is about reforming the Electoral Count Act so it works for the American people.”House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., was blunter. He criticized Republicans who have defended Trump's actions that day and who have downplayed the seriousness of the former president's attempts to overturn the results of the election.Hoyer called the Republican opposition a “rationalization of what I believe is treason. ... It was rationalized then, and sadly it is being rationalized now.”The nine Republicans who voted in support of the legislation are all either retiring or were defeated for reelection in their GOP primaries this year. Eight of the nine voted for Trump's impeachment immediately after the insurrection.The nine Republicans are Cheney and Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan, Peter Meijer of Michigan, Tom Rice of South Carolina, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, John Katko of New York and Chris Jacobs of New York.

House passes election law overhaul in response to Jan. 6

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/21/nebraskas-first-casino-expected-to-open-saturday-pending-likely-ok-of-license/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s first casino is expected to open Saturday 
morning in the Capital City, pending approval by the state gaming 
commission.

A temporary casino, located at the Lincoln Race Course Thoroughbred 
track, is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with more than 400 
slot machines ready to go.

“We have every expectation that we’ll get a license,” said Lance 
Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic wing of the 
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and operator of WarHorse.

In preparation for the opening, problem gamblers are being urged to file a “voluntary self-exclusion form” to bar their admission to the casino and the temptation to gamble.

“The power of this addiction is as 
intense as any addiction out there,” said Mike Sciandra, a Lincoln-based
 gambling counselor who is himself a recovering gambling addict.

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will meet Friday afternoon 
to consider final approval of the casino license of WarHorse Gaming 
Lincoln.

WarHorse has converted a simulcast/sports bar facility to accommodate
 433 slot machines while a $200 million casino and hotel complex is 
built around it, just off U.S. 77 in southwest Lincoln.

Construction will also begin soon on a second casino, at Omaha’s 
Horseman’s Park, but a temporary casino won’t be ready for occupancy 
until April or May, said Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen’s 
Benevolent and Protective Association.

Horsemen’s Park is a 28-year-old facility, McNally said, and must be 
almost torn down to accommodate construction around it. The temporary 
Omaha casino will be located in the infield of the racetrack, she said.

A third WarHorse casino project, at the former Atokad Park racetrack 
in South Sioux City, is “on the back burner,” according to Morgan, and 
will be pursued when the permanent casinos are completed in Lincoln and 
Omaha, which is expected in late 2024.

“We’re spending every penny and effort we have to develop these two,” Morgan said.

The permanent casinos will include table games, such as blackjack, as well as slot machines, officials said.

McNally projected that the Lincoln facility will generate about $5 
million a year in property tax relief for the City of Lincoln and 
Lancaster County. It’s been estimated that casino gambling, when fully 
implemented, could add $100 million statewide to a property tax relief 
program run by the state.

Also on Saturday, the Lincoln Race Course will be officially renamed 
“Legacy Downs,” which McNally said is in honor of the long-running 
Thoroughbred horse racing industry in the state.

Nebraska voters approved pari-mutual betting on horses back in 1934, 
and for decades, Nebraska was the only state that offered such gambling 
between Chicago and California.

McNally and Sciandra urged Nebraskans who are problem gamblers to 
register with the self-exclusion program, which is being operated 
through the state gaming commission.

Sciandra said several states, including Iowa, operate such 
registries, which allows a casino to bar entrance to someone who has a 
gambling problem. He said those who somehow get insideof a casino face 
forfeiting any winnings or being charged with criminal trespass.

“We want to make sure that the temptation isn’t there from the get-go,” Sciandra said of the self-exclusion registry.

In Iowa, between 8,000 and 10,000 people at any one time on are the 
“don’t admit” to casinos list, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming 
Commission. Sciandra said that generally, 1-2% of all gamblers have been
 diagnosed as addicts, with an additional 4-6% deemed problem gamblers.

To register, go to the <a target="_blank" href="https://racingcommission.nebraska.gov/responsible-gaming">racing commission’s website</a>.

Casino gambling was approved overwhelmingly by Nebraska voters in 2020, allowing them at licensed racetracks in the state.

The so-called “racinos” are envisioned at the state’s existing 
racetracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island, South Sioux City 
and Hastings. Other communities, such as Norfolk and Ogallala, have also
 expressed interest.

Before any new racinos are allowed, the State Racing and Gaming 
Commission must consider the impact of additional gambling on 
communities, horse racing and other gambling facilities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663853746273.png" alt="A $200 million casino is planned at the Lincoln Race Course by WarHorse, a subsidiary of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. (Courtesy of WarHorse) " />
 <figcaption>A $200 million casino is planned at the Lincoln Race Course by WarHorse, a subsidiary of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. (Courtesy of WarHorse) </figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/21/nebraskas-first-casino-expected-to-open-saturday-pending-likely-ok-of-license/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s first casino is expected to open Saturday 
morning in the Capital City, pending approval by the state gaming 
commission.A temporary casino, located at the Lincoln Race Course Thoroughbred 
track, is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with more than 400 
slot machines ready to go.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663853799192.png" alt="Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., parent company of WarHorse Gaming. (Courtesy of Ho-Chunk Inc.)" />
 <figcaption>Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., parent company of WarHorse Gaming. (Courtesy of Ho-Chunk Inc.)</figcaption>
 </figure>“We have every expectation that we’ll get a license,” said Lance 
Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic wing of the 
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and operator of WarHorse.In preparation for the opening, problem gamblers are being urged to file a “voluntary self-exclusion form” to bar their admission to the casino and the temptation to gamble.“The power of this addiction is as 
intense as any addiction out there,” said Mike Sciandra, a Lincoln-based
 gambling counselor who is himself a recovering gambling addict.The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will meet Friday afternoon 
to consider final approval of the casino license of WarHorse Gaming 
Lincoln.<h2>433 slot machines in temporary facility</h2>WarHorse has converted a simulcast/sports bar facility to accommodate
 433 slot machines while a $200 million casino and hotel complex is 
built around it, just off U.S. 77 in southwest Lincoln.Construction will also begin soon on a second casino, at Omaha’s 
Horseman’s Park, but a temporary casino won’t be ready for occupancy 
until April or May, said Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen’s 
Benevolent and Protective Association.Horsemen’s Park is a 28-year-old facility, McNally said, and must be 
almost torn down to accommodate construction around it. The temporary 
Omaha casino will be located in the infield of the racetrack, she said.A third WarHorse casino project, at the former Atokad Park racetrack 
in South Sioux City, is “on the back burner,” according to Morgan, and 
will be pursued when the permanent casinos are completed in Lincoln and 
Omaha, which is expected in late 2024.<h2>‘Spending every penny’</h2>“We’re spending every penny and effort we have to develop these two,” Morgan said.The permanent casinos will include table games, such as blackjack, as well as slot machines, officials said.McNally projected that the Lincoln facility will generate about $5 
million a year in property tax relief for the City of Lincoln and 
Lancaster County. It’s been estimated that casino gambling, when fully 
implemented, could add $100 million statewide to a property tax relief 
program run by the state.Also on Saturday, the Lincoln Race Course will be officially renamed 
“Legacy Downs,” which McNally said is in honor of the long-running 
Thoroughbred horse racing industry in the state.Nebraska voters approved pari-mutual betting on horses back in 1934, 
and for decades, Nebraska was the only state that offered such gambling 
between Chicago and California.<h2>Self-exclusion program</h2>McNally and Sciandra urged Nebraskans who are problem gamblers to 
register with the self-exclusion program, which is being operated 
through the state gaming commission.Sciandra said several states, including Iowa, operate such 
registries, which allows a casino to bar entrance to someone who has a 
gambling problem. He said those who somehow get insideof a casino face 
forfeiting any winnings or being charged with criminal trespass.“We want to make sure that the temptation isn’t there from the get-go,” Sciandra said of the self-exclusion registry.In Iowa, between 8,000 and 10,000 people at any one time on are the 
“don’t admit” to casinos list, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming 
Commission. Sciandra said that generally, 1-2% of all gamblers have been
 diagnosed as addicts, with an additional 4-6% deemed problem gamblers.To register, go to the <a target="_blank" href="https://racingcommission.nebraska.gov/responsible-gaming">racing commission’s website</a>.<h2>Voter approval in 2020</h2>Casino gambling was approved overwhelmingly by Nebraska voters in 2020, allowing them at licensed racetracks in the state.The so-called “racinos” are envisioned at the state’s existing 
racetracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island, South Sioux City 
and Hastings. Other communities, such as Norfolk and Ogallala, have also
 expressed interest.Before any new racinos are allowed, the State Racing and Gaming 
Commission must consider the impact of additional gambling on 
communities, horse racing and other gambling facilities.

Nebraska’s first casino to open Saturday, pending license

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">A last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;prevented a railroad strike for now, but many rail workers remain unhappy with working conditions, including some who protested outside their workplaces Wednesday ahead of votes to approve the new contracts.

Handfuls of workers gathered outside railyards across the country in pickets organized by a newly formed workers group separate from the 12 unions that negotiated the deals last week with the major U.S. freight railroads. The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the deals, just as the unions are trying to explain the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a">benefits they negotiated</a>&nbsp;to their roughly 115,000 members ahead of contract votes.

Fears about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">dire economic consequences</a>&nbsp;of a rail strike that could cripple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">all kinds of businesses</a>&nbsp;that rely on railroads to deliver raw materials and finished goods prompted the Biden administration to jump into the middle of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-kansas-city-southern-government-and-politics-8773238e61d632b59ddbba22175d0df2">contract talks last week</a>&nbsp;and urge both sides to reach an agreement. The contract talks included Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern and a number of other railroads, so the entire country would have been affected by a strike.

Nearly a dozen BNSF workers gathered near Minot, North Dakota, Wednesday with homemade signs declaring “We demand more!!” and “We will not back down.” Another group of a half dozen workers stood outside their worksite in Olathe, Kansas, with signs saying “Railroad greed driving inflation" and “Greedy railroads harming nations supply chain.”

Workers' concerns about time off and demanding attendance policies at the railroads took center stage in the negotiations. In the end, the unions that represent engineers and conductors secured a promise of three extra unpaid days off for workers to attend doctors' appointments without being penalized and improved scheduling of days off to go with the 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses that a special board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-transportation-strikes-ba718974eb14fcd615d606bfcdffb3d2">appointed</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommended</a>&nbsp;this summer for the five-year deals.

It remains to be seen whether those concessions are enough to get workers to vote for these deals. A branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-government-and-politics-87bc3c3e0120b8258557767576262d89">rejected a deal</a>&nbsp;last week that didn't include those extra days off, so they are back at the table now working on a new pact. Two smaller unions did approve their deals, but the nine other unions will be counting their votes at various times over the next two months.

The two biggest unions that held out the longest — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that represents engineers, and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors — aren't expected to report the results of their votes until mid November. Members of those unions are still waiting to see all the details of the deals that Biden announced last Thursday because lawyers are still finalizing everything before the full agreements get released.

That puts any potential for a strike out beyond the midterm elections, which mitigates the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-inflation-congress-cbc8eb5b29b817033d42204480b282da">political impact</a>&nbsp;of the talks for Biden and the Democrats. If any of the unions do reject their contracts, Congress could still be forced to step in.

Recently retired engineer Marilee Taylor, who left the railroad in Chicago after more than 30 years earlier this year when BNSF imposed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strictest attendance policy</a>&nbsp;in the industry, said she doesn't think the tentative agreements do enough to address the schedule and workload concerns after the major railroads eliminated nearly one-third of their workforces over the past six years. Unions say the railroads' strict policies make it hard to take any time off without a penalty.

“The issue remains we're working fatigued," said Taylor, who is active with the Railroad Workers United coalition that urged workers to go on strike. "The safety of ourselves, our coworkers and the people that we serve — whose communities we run through — are at risk .... These conditions are losing many, many workers who cannot maintain 90% of their every breathing moment in service or at the behest of the railroad.”

Norfolk Southern engineer Hugh Sawyer said it's hard to tell how many workers will ultimately vote for these deals because they might decide these agreements are the best they can get, although he said he's not hearing many people happy with them. Even if they remain frustrated, workers may not be willing to go on strike and risk having Congress intervene and impose a contract on them that could be worse than what the unions agreed to.

“We’re sick and tired of the way we’re treated out there,” said Sawyer, a 34-year veteran of the railroad who serves as treasurer of the Railroad Workers United group that includes workers from all the unions. “There's a lot of anger out there.”

One example of the schedule challenges rail workers face is that Sawyer just had outpatient surgery done earlier this week on one of his days off, but he has no idea when he'll be able to schedule an appointment to have the stitches removed from his head next week because he'll be on call then and doesn't know when he'll be working.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663174263824.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">A last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;prevented a railroad strike for now, but many rail workers remain unhappy with working conditions, including some who protested outside their workplaces Wednesday ahead of votes to approve the new contracts.Handfuls of workers gathered outside railyards across the country in pickets organized by a newly formed workers group separate from the 12 unions that negotiated the deals last week with the major U.S. freight railroads. The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the deals, just as the unions are trying to explain the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a">benefits they negotiated</a>&nbsp;to their roughly 115,000 members ahead of contract votes.Fears about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">dire economic consequences</a>&nbsp;of a rail strike that could cripple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">all kinds of businesses</a>&nbsp;that rely on railroads to deliver raw materials and finished goods prompted the Biden administration to jump into the middle of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-kansas-city-southern-government-and-politics-8773238e61d632b59ddbba22175d0df2">contract talks last week</a>&nbsp;and urge both sides to reach an agreement. The contract talks included Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern and a number of other railroads, so the entire country would have been affected by a strike.Nearly a dozen BNSF workers gathered near Minot, North Dakota, Wednesday with homemade signs declaring “We demand more!!” and “We will not back down.” Another group of a half dozen workers stood outside their worksite in Olathe, Kansas, with signs saying “Railroad greed driving inflation" and “Greedy railroads harming nations supply chain.”Workers' concerns about time off and demanding attendance policies at the railroads took center stage in the negotiations. In the end, the unions that represent engineers and conductors secured a promise of three extra unpaid days off for workers to attend doctors' appointments without being penalized and improved scheduling of days off to go with the 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses that a special board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-transportation-strikes-ba718974eb14fcd615d606bfcdffb3d2">appointed</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommended</a>&nbsp;this summer for the five-year deals.It remains to be seen whether those concessions are enough to get workers to vote for these deals. A branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-government-and-politics-87bc3c3e0120b8258557767576262d89">rejected a deal</a>&nbsp;last week that didn't include those extra days off, so they are back at the table now working on a new pact. Two smaller unions did approve their deals, but the nine other unions will be counting their votes at various times over the next two months.The two biggest unions that held out the longest — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that represents engineers, and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors — aren't expected to report the results of their votes until mid November. Members of those unions are still waiting to see all the details of the deals that Biden announced last Thursday because lawyers are still finalizing everything before the full agreements get released.That puts any potential for a strike out beyond the midterm elections, which mitigates the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-inflation-congress-cbc8eb5b29b817033d42204480b282da">political impact</a>&nbsp;of the talks for Biden and the Democrats. If any of the unions do reject their contracts, Congress could still be forced to step in.Recently retired engineer Marilee Taylor, who left the railroad in Chicago after more than 30 years earlier this year when BNSF imposed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strictest attendance policy</a>&nbsp;in the industry, said she doesn't think the tentative agreements do enough to address the schedule and workload concerns after the major railroads eliminated nearly one-third of their workforces over the past six years. Unions say the railroads' strict policies make it hard to take any time off without a penalty.“The issue remains we're working fatigued," said Taylor, who is active with the Railroad Workers United coalition that urged workers to go on strike. "The safety of ourselves, our coworkers and the people that we serve — whose communities we run through — are at risk .... These conditions are losing many, many workers who cannot maintain 90% of their every breathing moment in service or at the behest of the railroad.”Norfolk Southern engineer Hugh Sawyer said it's hard to tell how many workers will ultimately vote for these deals because they might decide these agreements are the best they can get, although he said he's not hearing many people happy with them. Even if they remain frustrated, workers may not be willing to go on strike and risk having Congress intervene and impose a contract on them that could be worse than what the unions agreed to.“We’re sick and tired of the way we’re treated out there,” said Sawyer, a 34-year veteran of the railroad who serves as treasurer of the Railroad Workers United group that includes workers from all the unions. “There's a lot of anger out there.”One example of the schedule challenges rail workers face is that Sawyer just had outpatient surgery done earlier this week on one of his days off, but he has no idea when he'll be able to schedule an appointment to have the stitches removed from his head next week because he'll be on call then and doesn't know when he'll be working.“It's just ridiculous,” he said.

Deal that prevented rail strike still needs worker support

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Two U.S. military veterans who disappeared three months ago while fighting Russia with Ukrainian forces were among 10 prisoners, including five British nationals, released by Russian-backed separatists as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-alabama-veterans-kharkiv-94bc7030832a892de71856fbb3f311af">Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27,</a>&nbsp;went missing in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border June 9. They had traveled to Ukraine on their own and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-middle-east-alabama-d5bd7856dd98d23ff1689cc632ecb14b">became friends because both are from Alabama</a>.

Their families announced their release in a joint statement from Dianna Shaw, an aunt of Drueke.

“They are safely in the custody of the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the states,” the statement said.

Shaw said both men have spoken with relatives and are in “pretty good shape,” according to an official with the U.S. embassy.

President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan welcomed the releases and thanked the governments of Ukraine and Saudi Arabia for their work to secure the detainees‘ freedom. “We look forward to our citizens being reunited with their families,” he said in a tweet.

In a later statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States “is appreciative of Ukraine including all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, in its negotiations" and thanked Saudi government partners for securing the release of the 10 prisoners, including the two Americans.

The Saudi embassy released a statement saying it helped secure the release of 10 prisoners from Morocco, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Croatia. Shaw confirmed that Drueke and Huynh were part of the group.

The United Kingdom said five British nationals had been released, and lawmaker Robert Jenrick said one of them was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-donetsk-57a664fe64f348818d1ab491afe111c7">Aiden Aslin, 28, who had been sentenced to death</a>&nbsp;after he was captured in eastern Ukraine.

“Aiden’s return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden’s loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aiden’s sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace,” Jenrick tweeted.

British Prime Minister Liz Truss heralded the news on social media.

“Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families,” she tweeted.

Moroccan media reported that the released prisoners included Brahim Saadoun, 21, who was sentenced to death in June after being accused of terrorism and trying to overturn the constitutional order. Captured by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine, the court claimed he was a mercenary, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-executions-50f449882abf772d49d599479287cb21">Saadoun’s father said he had enlisted in Ukraine’s regular army</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-veterans-8a2998adb5428530e98c13fc738548c5">Russian state television</a>&nbsp;had previously said Drueke and Huynh were being held by Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The U.S. does not recognize the sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and has no diplomatic relations with them, making it necessary for others to lead efforts to get the men released.

Drueke joined the Army at age 19 after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and he believed he could help Ukrainian fighters because of his training and experience with weapons, Shaw said previously. Drueke left in mid-April.

Druke's mother received a call from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning and an embassy worker handed the phone to the man, Shaw said.

“He got on the phone and said, ‘Hi mom, it’s your favorite child,’” she said.

Huynh moved to north Alabama two years ago from his native California and lives about 120 miles (193 kilometers) from Drueke. Before leaving for Europe, Huynh told his local newspaper,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.decaturdaily.com/news/morgan_county/hartselle/hartselle-man-leaving-friday-for-europe-to-join-ukrainian-foreign-legion/article_2f5663de-3cf8-5012-bf42-ba9ff47feb92.html">The Decatur Daily</a>, he couldn’t stop thinking about Russia’s invasion.

“I know it wasn’t my problem, but there was that gut feeling that I felt I had to do something,” Huynh told the paper. “Two weeks after the war began, it kept eating me up inside and it just felt wrong. I was losing sleep. ... All I could think about was the situation in Ukraine.”

Huynh told his fiance he wants a meal from McDonald's and a Pepsi-Cola when he returns home, Shaw said.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Two U.S. military veterans who disappeared three months ago while fighting Russia with Ukrainian forces were among 10 prisoners, including five British nationals, released by Russian-backed separatists as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-alabama-veterans-kharkiv-94bc7030832a892de71856fbb3f311af">Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27,</a>&nbsp;went missing in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border June 9. They had traveled to Ukraine on their own and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-middle-east-alabama-d5bd7856dd98d23ff1689cc632ecb14b">became friends because both are from Alabama</a>.Their families announced their release in a joint statement from Dianna Shaw, an aunt of Drueke.“They are safely in the custody of the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the states,” the statement said.Shaw said both men have spoken with relatives and are in “pretty good shape,” according to an official with the U.S. embassy.President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan welcomed the releases and thanked the governments of Ukraine and Saudi Arabia for their work to secure the detainees‘ freedom. “We look forward to our citizens being reunited with their families,” he said in a tweet.In a later statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States “is appreciative of Ukraine including all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, in its negotiations" and thanked Saudi government partners for securing the release of the 10 prisoners, including the two Americans.The Saudi embassy released a statement saying it helped secure the release of 10 prisoners from Morocco, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Croatia. Shaw confirmed that Drueke and Huynh were part of the group.The United Kingdom said five British nationals had been released, and lawmaker Robert Jenrick said one of them was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-donetsk-57a664fe64f348818d1ab491afe111c7">Aiden Aslin, 28, who had been sentenced to death</a>&nbsp;after he was captured in eastern Ukraine.“Aiden’s return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden’s loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aiden’s sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace,” Jenrick tweeted.British Prime Minister Liz Truss heralded the news on social media.“Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families,” she tweeted.Moroccan media reported that the released prisoners included Brahim Saadoun, 21, who was sentenced to death in June after being accused of terrorism and trying to overturn the constitutional order. Captured by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine, the court claimed he was a mercenary, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-executions-50f449882abf772d49d599479287cb21">Saadoun’s father said he had enlisted in Ukraine’s regular army</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-veterans-8a2998adb5428530e98c13fc738548c5">Russian state television</a>&nbsp;had previously said Drueke and Huynh were being held by Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The U.S. does not recognize the sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and has no diplomatic relations with them, making it necessary for others to lead efforts to get the men released.Drueke joined the Army at age 19 after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and he believed he could help Ukrainian fighters because of his training and experience with weapons, Shaw said previously. Drueke left in mid-April.Druke's mother received a call from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning and an embassy worker handed the phone to the man, Shaw said.“He got on the phone and said, ‘Hi mom, it’s your favorite child,’” she said.Huynh moved to north Alabama two years ago from his native California and lives about 120 miles (193 kilometers) from Drueke. Before leaving for Europe, Huynh told his local newspaper,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.decaturdaily.com/news/morgan_county/hartselle/hartselle-man-leaving-friday-for-europe-to-join-ukrainian-foreign-legion/article_2f5663de-3cf8-5012-bf42-ba9ff47feb92.html">The Decatur Daily</a>, he couldn’t stop thinking about Russia’s invasion.“I know it wasn’t my problem, but there was that gut feeling that I felt I had to do something,” Huynh told the paper. “Two weeks after the war began, it kept eating me up inside and it just felt wrong. I was losing sleep. ... All I could think about was the situation in Ukraine.”Huynh told his fiance he wants a meal from McDonald's and a Pepsi-Cola when he returns home, Shaw said.The two men bonded over their home state and were together when their unit came under heavy fire.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-alabama-veterans-tuscaloosa-f681daefd0a682a9fd6ae376f963e58c">Relatives spoke with Drueke several times by phone</a>&nbsp;while the two were being held.