By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/07/massive-tire-pile-is-no-more-village-of-alvo-and-new-recycler-look-ahead/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN – A massive pile of scrap
 tires in a small Nebraska village, which had posed both a dangerous 
fire threat and a breeding ground for mosquitos, has been cleaned up.

Regulators with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy 
affirmed recently that the huge pile of scrap tires — as high as 20 feet
 tall and containing hundreds of thousands of tires — had been removed 
at a recycling facility in Alvo, a village of 130 people between Omaha 
and Lincoln.

“We spent an obscene amount of money, but we made a 
commitment to clean it up,” said Pete Langer, who took over the business
 from an ailing father a year ago.

He said that nearly 5,000 tons of scrap tires were shredded and 
removed over the past year, which was more than had been estimated to 
have piled up at the facility.

Jim Macy, director of the NDEE, said the case shows that when the 
agency uses its enforcement authority, in conjunction with “willing 
people who want to do the right thing,” you can get facilities cleaned 
up and back in compliance.

The Alvo recycling facility, operated by B-Rose Tire Recycling and 
its affiliate, LAL Enterprises, had been the subject of months of 
complaints, as well as orders from the NDEE and State Fire Marshall’s 
Office to clean it up.

At one point, the pile of scrap tires had grown to more than twice 
its allowable limit of 160,000 “passenger tire equivalents,” a 
calculation of the car, truck and tractor tires.

A year ago, the operation still hadn’t sufficiently reduced the size 
of the pile. Langer said that his father, Larry, the former owner, 
suffered from cancer, which was the main reason the process of shredding
 the tires and hauling them off to a landfill got so far behind.

Pete Langer, who owns a recycling/diesel truck repair business based 
in Scottsbluff, said he appreciated that the NDEE was willing to work 
with him after seeing that he was making progress in removing the tires.

Now, he said, scrap tires that the business collects are quickly shredded for transport to the landfill.

The NDEE, during a site visit in May, confirmed that all the waste tires “have been removed.”

“It’s cleaned up like you wouldn’t believe,” said Chris Juilfs, the chairman of the Alvo Village Board.

Langer said he’s still deciding how to use the site in the future as 
part of his Langer Industrial Services, which has operations in Lincoln,
 Scottsbluff, Colby and Hays, Kansas, and Torrington, Wyoming,

It’s possible that the scrap tires might be used to generate electricity in Wyoming, he said, where such use is permitted.

Alvo has been jolted by a series of problems. Alvo’s village clerk 
pleaded guilty four years ago to embezzling $105,000 in town funds. Two 
years ago, criminal charges were filed against the fire chief, accusing 
him of using $18,000 in fire department money for personal expenses.

Juilfs said that the village is making progress in climbing out of 
debt, and is expected to get some restitution soon for some of the 
stolen funds.

“We’re moving forward,” he said. “By next year, we will have money to make improvements to our roads and our water system.”

The NDEE, which by law seeks to obtain voluntary compliance with 
regulations before seeking fines or sanctions, continues to work on a 
higher profile, clean-up project — to get contaminated waste removed 
from the site of the former AltEn ethanol plant near Mead. It has been 
working with an environmental firm hired by a group of seed corn 
companies to accomplish that.

The facility, unlike other ethanol plants, had utilized expired seed 
corn coated in pesticides to produce ethanol, leaving behind a reeking 
byproduct and pesticide residues that have been found in nearby streams 
and at least one home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662569813766.png" alt="A pile of scrap tires, pictured here in July 2021, once stretched over a large portion of a scrap yard in Alvo (courtesy Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy)" />
 <figcaption>A pile of scrap tires, pictured here in July 2021, once stretched over a large portion of a scrap yard in Alvo (courtesy Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/07/massive-tire-pile-is-no-more-village-of-alvo-and-new-recycler-look-ahead/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN – A massive pile of scrap
 tires in a small Nebraska village, which had posed both a dangerous 
fire threat and a breeding ground for mosquitos, has been cleaned up.Regulators with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy 
affirmed recently that the huge pile of scrap tires — as high as 20 feet
 tall and containing hundreds of thousands of tires — had been removed 
at a recycling facility in Alvo, a village of 130 people between Omaha 
and Lincoln.“We spent an obscene amount of money, but we made a 
commitment to clean it up,” said Pete Langer, who took over the business
 from an ailing father a year ago.<h2>5,000 tons removed</h2>He said that nearly 5,000 tons of scrap tires were shredded and 
removed over the past year, which was more than had been estimated to 
have piled up at the facility.Jim Macy, director of the NDEE, said the case shows that when the 
agency uses its enforcement authority, in conjunction with “willing 
people who want to do the right thing,” you can get facilities cleaned 
up and back in compliance.The Alvo recycling facility, operated by B-Rose Tire Recycling and 
its affiliate, LAL Enterprises, had been the subject of months of 
complaints, as well as orders from the NDEE and State Fire Marshall’s 
Office to clean it up.<h2>Twice allowable size</h2>At one point, the pile of scrap tires had grown to more than twice 
its allowable limit of 160,000 “passenger tire equivalents,” a 
calculation of the car, truck and tractor tires.A year ago, the operation still hadn’t sufficiently reduced the size 
of the pile. Langer said that his father, Larry, the former owner, 
suffered from cancer, which was the main reason the process of shredding
 the tires and hauling them off to a landfill got so far behind.Pete Langer, who owns a recycling/diesel truck repair business based 
in Scottsbluff, said he appreciated that the NDEE was willing to work 
with him after seeing that he was making progress in removing the tires.Now, he said, scrap tires that the business collects are quickly shredded for transport to the landfill.<h2>Site visit in May</h2>The NDEE, during a site visit in May, confirmed that all the waste tires “have been removed.”“It’s cleaned up like you wouldn’t believe,” said Chris Juilfs, the chairman of the Alvo Village Board.Langer said he’s still deciding how to use the site in the future as 
part of his Langer Industrial Services, which has operations in Lincoln,
 Scottsbluff, Colby and Hays, Kansas, and Torrington, Wyoming,<h2>Tires for energy</h2>It’s possible that the scrap tires might be used to generate electricity in Wyoming, he said, where such use is permitted.Alvo has been jolted by a series of problems. Alvo’s village clerk 
pleaded guilty four years ago to embezzling $105,000 in town funds. Two 
years ago, criminal charges were filed against the fire chief, accusing 
him of using $18,000 in fire department money for personal expenses.Juilfs said that the village is making progress in climbing out of 
debt, and is expected to get some restitution soon for some of the 
stolen funds.“We’re moving forward,” he said. “By next year, we will have money to make improvements to our roads and our water system.”The NDEE, which by law seeks to obtain voluntary compliance with 
regulations before seeking fines or sanctions, continues to work on a 
higher profile, clean-up project — to get contaminated waste removed 
from the site of the former AltEn ethanol plant near Mead. It has been 
working with an environmental firm hired by a group of seed corn 
companies to accomplish that.The facility, unlike other ethanol plants, had utilized expired seed 
corn coated in pesticides to produce ethanol, leaving behind a reeking 
byproduct and pesticide residues that have been found in nearby streams 
and at least one home.

Massive eastern Nebraska tire pile is no more

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico state district court judge on Tuesday disqualified county commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin from holding public office for engaging in insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The judgment from state District Court Judge Francis Mathew permanently bars Griffin from federal and local public office. It arrived amid a spate of lawsuits aimed at sidelining political candidates and elected officials linked to the Capitol riots.

Griffin was previously convicted in federal court of a misdemeanor for entering Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, without going inside the building. He was sentenced to 14 days and given credit for time served.

The new ruling immediately removes Griffin from his position as a commissioner in Otero County in southern New Mexico. He also is barred from serving as a presidential elector.

“Mr. Griffin aided the insurrection even though he did not personally engage in violence,” Mathew wrote. “By joining the mob and trespassing on restricted Capitol grounds, Mr. Griffin contributed to delaying Congress’s election-certification proceedings.”

Griffin said he was notified of his removal from office by Otero County staff, who prevented him from accessing his work computer and office space at a county building in Alamogordo.

Griffin, who served as his own legal counsel at a two-day bench trial in August, called the ruling a “total disgrace” that disenfranchises his constituents in Otero County.

“The actions that are being taken are, I believe, perfect evidence of the tyranny that we’re right now living under,” Griffin said. “The left continues to speak about democracy being under attack, but is this democracy? Whenever you’re removed from office by the civil courts by the opinion of a liberal judge.”

A flurry of similar lawsuits around the country are seeking to punish politicians who took part in Jan. 6 under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-north-carolina-elections-5544cab86d8a2190a44460d5cae36828">provisions of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution</a>, which holds that anyone who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution can be barred from office for engaging in insurrection or rebellion.

The provisions were put in place shortly after the Civil War.

“It was written to deal with former Confederates ... and it’s basically been dormant ever since with one or two odd exceptions,” said Gerard Magliocca, a professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. “There was nothing else that could be described as an insurrection against the Constitution until Jan. 6.”

At trial, Griffin invoked free speech guarantees in his defense and argued that removing him from office would cut against the will of the people and set a “dangerous precedent.” Elected in 2018, Griffin withstood a recall vote last year but isn’t running for reelection or other office in November.

Mathew wrote that Griffin’s arguments “disregard that the Constitution itself reflects the will of the people.”

Griffin “overlooks that his own insurrectionary conduct on January 6 sought to subvert the results of a free and fair election, which would have disenfranchised millions of voters.”

The lawsuit against Griffin was brought by three plaintiffs in New Mexico with assistance from the Washington-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Supportive briefs were filed by the NAACP and progressive watchdog group Common Cause. A federal court declined a recent request to take up the case.

Tuesday’s judgment is “a historic win for accountability for the January 6th insurrection and the efforts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power in the United States,” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics President Noah Bookbinder said in a statement.

Griffin, a Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20Georgia,%20a%20federal%20judge%20allowed%20a%2014th%20Amendment%20challenge%20against%20Rep.%20Marjorie%20Taylor%20Green%20to%20continue,%20but%20a%20state%20administrative%20law%20judge%20found%20there%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20sufficient%20evidence%20to%20back%20voters%E2%80%99%20claims%20that%20she%20had%20engaged%20in%20insurrection,%20and%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Brad%20Raffensperger%20said%20Greene%20was%20qualified%20to%20run.%20She%20also%20won%20her%20primary.%20The%20Georgia%20Supreme%20Court%20upheld%20that%20decision%20last%20week.%20The%20federal%20appeal%20is%20pending." target="_blank">forged a group of rodeo acquaintances</a>&nbsp;in 2019 into the promotional group called Cowboys for Trump that staged horseback parades to spread President Donald Trump’s conservative message about gun rights, immigration controls and abortion restrictions.

This year, Griffin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20Georgia,%20a%20federal%20judge%20allowed%20a%2014th%20Amendment%20challenge%20against%20Rep.%20Marjorie%20Taylor%20Green%20to%20continue,%20but%20a%20state%20administrative%20law%20judge%20found%20there%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20sufficient%20evidence%20to%20back%20voters%E2%80%99%20claims%20that%20she%20had%20engaged%20in%20insurrection,%20and%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Brad%20Raffensperger%20said%20Greene%20was%20qualified%20to%20run.%20She%20also%20won%20her%20primary.%20The%20Georgia%20Supreme%20Court%20upheld%20that%20decision%20last%20week.%20The%20federal%20appeal%20is%20pending." target="_blank">voted twice as a county commissioner against certifying</a>&nbsp;New Mexico’s June 7 primary election, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20Georgia,%20a%20federal%20judge%20allowed%20a%2014th%20Amendment%20challenge%20against%20Rep.%20Marjorie%20Taylor%20Green%20to%20continue,%20but%20a%20state%20administrative%20law%20judge%20found%20there%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20sufficient%20evidence%20to%20back%20voters%E2%80%99%20claims%20that%20she%20had%20engaged%20in%20insurrection,%20and%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Brad%20Raffensperger%20said%20Greene%20was%20qualified%20to%20run.%20She%20also%20won%20her%20primary.%20The%20Georgia%20Supreme%20Court%20upheld%20that%20decision%20last%20week.%20The%20federal%20appeal%20is%20pending." target="_blank">standoff over election integrity</a>&nbsp;fueled by conspiracy theories about the security of voting equipment in the Republican-dominated county.

Two other commissioners eventually agreed to certify, but Griffin cast the lone dissenting vote while acknowledging that he had no specific basis for questioning the results of the election — attributing his decision to “my gut feeling and my own intuition.”

Griffin is among a dozen people charged in the Jan. 6 riot that had either held public office or ran for a government leadership post in the two and a half years before the attack. Of those, seven have been convicted of crimes for their participation.

Unlike Griffin, the members of Congress targeted for disqualification were neither charged nor convicted of crimes associated with the Capitol riot.

In Georgia, a federal judge allowed a 14th Amendment challenge against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green to advance, but a state administrative law judge found there wasn’t sufficient evidence to back voters’ claims that she had engaged in insurrection, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Greene was qualified to run.

Greene won her primary, and the Georgia Supreme Court upheld the decision last week to leave her on the ballot. The federal appeal is pending.

In North Carolina, a federal judge blocked the state elections board from formally examining whether U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who spoke at the rally that preceded the riot, should remain on the state’s May 17 primary ballot.

Cawthorn narrowly lost that election, and later in May a federal appeals court reversed the lower court decision. The panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the trial judge got it wrong when he ruled that an 1872 law that removed office-holding disqualifications from most ex-Confederates also exempted current members of Congress like Cawthorn. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed as moot because Cawthorn isn’t on the November ballot.

Arizona state courts have kept U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs and a state legislator on the ballot amid efforts to disqualify them. A judge agreed in April with the lawmakers that Congress created no enforcement mechanism for the 14th Amendment, barring a criminal conviction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662516267888.png" alt=" Couy Griffin photo courtesy Cowboys For Trump Facebook" />
 <figcaption> Couy Griffin photo courtesy Cowboys For Trump Facebook</figcaption>
 </figure>SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico state district court judge on Tuesday disqualified county commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin from holding public office for engaging in insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.The judgment from state District Court Judge Francis Mathew permanently bars Griffin from federal and local public office. It arrived amid a spate of lawsuits aimed at sidelining political candidates and elected officials linked to the Capitol riots.Griffin was previously convicted in federal court of a misdemeanor for entering Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, without going inside the building. He was sentenced to 14 days and given credit for time served.The new ruling immediately removes Griffin from his position as a commissioner in Otero County in southern New Mexico. He also is barred from serving as a presidential elector.“Mr. Griffin aided the insurrection even though he did not personally engage in violence,” Mathew wrote. “By joining the mob and trespassing on restricted Capitol grounds, Mr. Griffin contributed to delaying Congress’s election-certification proceedings.”Griffin said he was notified of his removal from office by Otero County staff, who prevented him from accessing his work computer and office space at a county building in Alamogordo.Griffin, who served as his own legal counsel at a two-day bench trial in August, called the ruling a “total disgrace” that disenfranchises his constituents in Otero County.“The actions that are being taken are, I believe, perfect evidence of the tyranny that we’re right now living under,” Griffin said. “The left continues to speak about democracy being under attack, but is this democracy? Whenever you’re removed from office by the civil courts by the opinion of a liberal judge.”A flurry of similar lawsuits around the country are seeking to punish politicians who took part in Jan. 6 under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-north-carolina-elections-5544cab86d8a2190a44460d5cae36828">provisions of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution</a>, which holds that anyone who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution can be barred from office for engaging in insurrection or rebellion.The provisions were put in place shortly after the Civil War.“It was written to deal with former Confederates ... and it’s basically been dormant ever since with one or two odd exceptions,” said Gerard Magliocca, a professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. “There was nothing else that could be described as an insurrection against the Constitution until Jan. 6.”At trial, Griffin invoked free speech guarantees in his defense and argued that removing him from office would cut against the will of the people and set a “dangerous precedent.” Elected in 2018, Griffin withstood a recall vote last year but isn’t running for reelection or other office in November.Mathew wrote that Griffin’s arguments “disregard that the Constitution itself reflects the will of the people.”Griffin “overlooks that his own insurrectionary conduct on January 6 sought to subvert the results of a free and fair election, which would have disenfranchised millions of voters.”The lawsuit against Griffin was brought by three plaintiffs in New Mexico with assistance from the Washington-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Supportive briefs were filed by the NAACP and progressive watchdog group Common Cause. A federal court declined a recent request to take up the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654808700580.png" alt="Griffin is among a dozen people charged in the Jan. 6 riot that had either held public office or ran for a government leadership post in the two and a half years before the attack. Of those, seven have been convicted of crimes for their participation.-Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Griffin is among a dozen people charged in the Jan. 6 riot that had either held public office or ran for a government leadership post in the two and a half years before the attack. Of those, seven have been convicted of crimes for their participation.-Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Tuesday’s judgment is “a historic win for accountability for the January 6th insurrection and the efforts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power in the United States,” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics President Noah Bookbinder said in a statement.Griffin, a Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20Georgia,%20a%20federal%20judge%20allowed%20a%2014th%20Amendment%20challenge%20against%20Rep.%20Marjorie%20Taylor%20Green%20to%20continue,%20but%20a%20state%20administrative%20law%20judge%20found%20there%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20sufficient%20evidence%20to%20back%20voters%E2%80%99%20claims%20that%20she%20had%20engaged%20in%20insurrection,%20and%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Brad%20Raffensperger%20said%20Greene%20was%20qualified%20to%20run.%20She%20also%20won%20her%20primary.%20The%20Georgia%20Supreme%20Court%20upheld%20that%20decision%20last%20week.%20The%20federal%20appeal%20is%20pending." target="_blank">forged a group of rodeo acquaintances</a>&nbsp;in 2019 into the promotional group called Cowboys for Trump that staged horseback parades to spread President Donald Trump’s conservative message about gun rights, immigration controls and abortion restrictions.This year, Griffin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20Georgia,%20a%20federal%20judge%20allowed%20a%2014th%20Amendment%20challenge%20against%20Rep.%20Marjorie%20Taylor%20Green%20to%20continue,%20but%20a%20state%20administrative%20law%20judge%20found%20there%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20sufficient%20evidence%20to%20back%20voters%E2%80%99%20claims%20that%20she%20had%20engaged%20in%20insurrection,%20and%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Brad%20Raffensperger%20said%20Greene%20was%20qualified%20to%20run.%20She%20also%20won%20her%20primary.%20The%20Georgia%20Supreme%20Court%20upheld%20that%20decision%20last%20week.%20The%20federal%20appeal%20is%20pending." target="_blank">voted twice as a county commissioner against certifying</a>&nbsp;New Mexico’s June 7 primary election, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20Georgia,%20a%20federal%20judge%20allowed%20a%2014th%20Amendment%20challenge%20against%20Rep.%20Marjorie%20Taylor%20Green%20to%20continue,%20but%20a%20state%20administrative%20law%20judge%20found%20there%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20sufficient%20evidence%20to%20back%20voters%E2%80%99%20claims%20that%20she%20had%20engaged%20in%20insurrection,%20and%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Brad%20Raffensperger%20said%20Greene%20was%20qualified%20to%20run.%20She%20also%20won%20her%20primary.%20The%20Georgia%20Supreme%20Court%20upheld%20that%20decision%20last%20week.%20The%20federal%20appeal%20is%20pending." target="_blank">standoff over election integrity</a>&nbsp;fueled by conspiracy theories about the security of voting equipment in the Republican-dominated county.Two other commissioners eventually agreed to certify, but Griffin cast the lone dissenting vote while acknowledging that he had no specific basis for questioning the results of the election — attributing his decision to “my gut feeling and my own intuition.”Griffin is among a dozen people charged in the Jan. 6 riot that had either held public office or ran for a government leadership post in the two and a half years before the attack. Of those, seven have been convicted of crimes for their participation.Unlike Griffin, the members of Congress targeted for disqualification were neither charged nor convicted of crimes associated with the Capitol riot.In Georgia, a federal judge allowed a 14th Amendment challenge against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green to advance, but a state administrative law judge found there wasn’t sufficient evidence to back voters’ claims that she had engaged in insurrection, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Greene was qualified to run.Greene won her primary, and the Georgia Supreme Court upheld the decision last week to leave her on the ballot. The federal appeal is pending.In North Carolina, a federal judge blocked the state elections board from formally examining whether U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who spoke at the rally that preceded the riot, should remain on the state’s May 17 primary ballot.Cawthorn narrowly lost that election, and later in May a federal appeals court reversed the lower court decision. The panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the trial judge got it wrong when he ruled that an 1872 law that removed office-holding disqualifications from most ex-Confederates also exempted current members of Congress like Cawthorn. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed as moot because Cawthorn isn’t on the November ballot.Arizona state courts have kept U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs and a state legislator on the ballot amid efforts to disqualify them. A judge agreed in April with the lawmakers that Congress created no enforcement mechanism for the 14th Amendment, barring a criminal conviction.___

First time 14th amendment used to disqualify official from office 

BARTON COUNTY — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Great Bend Police Department on Tuesday announced new evidence in the unsolved double murder of 79-year-old Mary Drake and 24-year-old Mandi Alexander, that occurred at the Dolly Madison Bakery, 1004 Harrison, in Great Bend on Sept. 4, 2002.&nbsp;

After 20 years, the KBI reported Tuesday it has found new DNA evidence on a sample collected from the body of one of the victims.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/b71f6fd9-f340-4839-bd6a-9eb7b0f92322">RELATED: 20 years later: Memories of life before, after Dolly Madison murders</a>

KBI agents and detectives from the Great Bend Police Department have collected numerous DNA samples for comparison to the DNA discovered, and will continue with these efforts in order to possibly make an arrest.&nbsp;

A witness described seeing a white male — 6-foot-1 or 6-foot-2, 175 pounds with collar-length light brown to blond hair and a slight beard — walking away from the front door of the bakery.&nbsp;

A bakery delivery driver found the victims at approximately 8 p.m. on the day of the murders. Alexander worked at the bakery and Drake was a customer.

According to a media release from the KBI, forensics scientists and special agents completed a review of all the physical evidence collected in the investigation. They reassessed the potential for additional results by using current forensic technologies, especially those that have had significant advancements in the years since the murders.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is offering a $17,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for the deaths of Mandi Alexander and Mary Drake.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662488188603.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Great Bend Police Department on Tuesday announced new evidence in the unsolved double murder of 79-year-old Mary Drake and 24-year-old Mandi Alexander, that occurred at the Dolly Madison Bakery, 1004 Harrison, in Great Bend on Sept. 4, 2002.&nbsp;After 20 years, the KBI reported Tuesday it has found new DNA evidence on a sample collected from the body of one of the victims.<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/b71f6fd9-f340-4839-bd6a-9eb7b0f92322">RELATED: 20 years later: Memories of life before, after Dolly Madison murders</a>KBI agents and detectives from the Great Bend Police Department have collected numerous DNA samples for comparison to the DNA discovered, and will continue with these efforts in order to possibly make an arrest.&nbsp;A witness described seeing a white male — 6-foot-1 or 6-foot-2, 175 pounds with collar-length light brown to blond hair and a slight beard — walking away from the front door of the bakery.&nbsp;A bakery delivery driver found the victims at approximately 8 p.m. on the day of the murders. Alexander worked at the bakery and Drake was a customer.According to a media release from the KBI, forensics scientists and special agents completed a review of all the physical evidence collected in the investigation. They reassessed the potential for additional results by using current forensic technologies, especially those that have had significant advancements in the years since the murders.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is offering a $17,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for the deaths of Mandi Alexander and Mary Drake.

KBI: New evidence in 20-year-old Kansas murder case

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-tree-program-celebrates-100-million-trees-and-shrubs-planted/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A 50-year-old program that annually distributes hundreds of
 thousands of tree and shrub seedlings celebrated a milestone recently, 
planting a tree at the Nebraska State Capitol to represent that 100 
million trees and shrubs have been put in the ground.

The Conservation Tree Program, run by Nebraska’s Natural Resources 
Districts since 1972, distributes the trees and shrubs for wind breaks, 
erosion control, wildlife habitat and other conservation purposes.

Officials estimated that the 100 millionth tree was planted this 
spring and that, all told, 50 trees and shrubs per Nebraska resident 
have been planted through the program across the state.

“Nebraska has a proud history of planting trees and putting the 100 
millionth tree in the ground reflects Nebraskans’ willingness to invest 
in the future,” said Dr. Orval Gigstad, president of the Nebraska 
Association of Resources Districts.

Nebraska was once known as the “Tree Planters State” due to its commitment to establish trees on the mostly tree-less prairie.

A majority of the NRD conservation trees come from a nursery at the U.S. Forest Service’s Bessey Nursery in Halsey.

The trees and shrubs are sold in bundles — the NRDs take orders 
between November and March, then distribute the trees and shrubs in 
April in time for planting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662495632166.png" alt="A ceremonial 100 millionth tree was planted Friday on the grounds of the Nebraska State Capitol to commemorate the work of the state’s Natural Resources Districts to get trees and shrubs planted for wildlife habitat and erosion control. (Courtesy Nebraska Association of Resources Districts)" />
 <figcaption>A ceremonial 100 millionth tree was planted Friday on the grounds of the Nebraska State Capitol to commemorate the work of the state’s Natural Resources Districts to get trees and shrubs planted for wildlife habitat and erosion control. (Courtesy Nebraska Association of Resources Districts)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-tree-program-celebrates-100-million-trees-and-shrubs-planted/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A 50-year-old program that annually distributes hundreds of
 thousands of tree and shrub seedlings celebrated a milestone recently, 
planting a tree at the Nebraska State Capitol to represent that 100 
million trees and shrubs have been put in the ground.The Conservation Tree Program, run by Nebraska’s Natural Resources 
Districts since 1972, distributes the trees and shrubs for wind breaks, 
erosion control, wildlife habitat and other conservation purposes.Officials estimated that the 100 millionth tree was planted this 
spring and that, all told, 50 trees and shrubs per Nebraska resident 
have been planted through the program across the state.“Nebraska has a proud history of planting trees and putting the 100 
millionth tree in the ground reflects Nebraskans’ willingness to invest 
in the future,” said Dr. Orval Gigstad, president of the Nebraska 
Association of Resources Districts.Nebraska was once known as the “Tree Planters State” due to its commitment to establish trees on the mostly tree-less prairie.A majority of the NRD conservation trees come from a nursery at the U.S. Forest Service’s Bessey Nursery in Halsey.The trees and shrubs are sold in bundles — the NRDs take orders 
between November and March, then distribute the trees and shrubs in 
April in time for planting.

Neb. tree program celebrates 100M trees and shrubs planted

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX,—Law enforcement authorities found massive quantities of fentanyl coming into the United State over the Labor Day weekend.

On Sunday, Custom and Border Protection Officers at the Nogales Port of entry seized over&nbsp;47,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills, according to a social media report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

In addition, agents seized 186,000 blue fentanyl pills, and 6.5 pounds of meth. The drugs were hidden in a floor compartment of a vehicle.

Later that day, officers seized 84 pounds of meth concealed in the gas tank of a vehicle.

On Saturday, officers at the same port of entry seized 35,000 fentanyl pills that were found in the air intake of a motorcycle. They later located 2,300 multi-color fentanyl pills, 15,000 dark blue fentanyl pills, 12,000 traditional blue fentanyl pills and 87.50 pounds of meth in a pickup, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Police urged the public not to buy and take pills from unknown sources because the chances it contains fentanyl is very high.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662482404271.png" alt="Photo U.S. Customs and Border Protection" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Customs and Border Protection</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX,—Law enforcement authorities found massive quantities of fentanyl coming into the United State over the Labor Day weekend.On Sunday, Custom and Border Protection Officers at the Nogales Port of entry seized over&nbsp;47,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills, according to a social media report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In addition, agents seized 186,000 blue fentanyl pills, and 6.5 pounds of meth. The drugs were hidden in a floor compartment of a vehicle.Later that day, officers seized 84 pounds of meth concealed in the gas tank of a vehicle.On Saturday, officers at the same port of entry seized 35,000 fentanyl pills that were found in the air intake of a motorcycle. They later located 2,300 multi-color fentanyl pills, 15,000 dark blue fentanyl pills, 12,000 traditional blue fentanyl pills and 87.50 pounds of meth in a pickup, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.Police urged the public not to buy and take pills from unknown sources because the chances it contains fentanyl is very high.

Officials warn against rainbow fentanyl pills targeting young people

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/06/minimum-wage-voter-id-petitions-qualify-for-nebraskas-november-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Nebraskans will vote this
 fall on a pair of petitions, one that could increase the minimum wage 
to $15 by 2026 and another that could require a photo ID to cast 
ballots.

The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office said Tuesday that both 
petition efforts secured enough valid signatures from Nebraska voters to
 get on November’s general election ballot.

The Legislature added a third item to the ballot, Legislative 
Resolution 283CA. It would allow airports to use money they raise to 
incentivize commercial air service to the airport.



	The petition to legalize medical marijuana did not secure enough 
signatures from enough parts of Nebraska to get onto the ballot this 
year. Organizers have said they’re trying again.

Sponsors of the Raise the Wage campaign celebrated ballot access as a
 milestone for a years-long effort to increase Nebraska’s $9 an hour 
minimum wage to $15 by 2026 and then index that raise to the cost of 
living.

They argued that inflation has hit 150,000 low-income Nebraskans the 
hardest. One in 5 workers who would benefit from the increase are 
parents, Raise the Wage Nebraska said.

“The reality is that the cost of groceries, housing, and basics have 
gone up for years, and the minimum wage hasn’t kept up,” said Nancy 
Williams, president and CEO of No More Empty Pots.



	The minimum wage effort turned in 97,245 signatures validated by county
 election officials, including the required 5% from registered voters in
 38 counties, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. They secured
 more than 5% in 44 counties.

Voter ID petition sponsors, including State Sen. Julie Slama of 
Dunbar, marked another step in a decade-plus process that has seen 
previous efforts to pass a constitutional amendment filibustered or 
defeated.

Organizers said they were working on a press release and would have a comment soon.

The Voter ID petition required signatures from 10% of registered 
voters in Nebraska because it aims to change the state 
constitution.&nbsp;Citizens for Voter ID secured 136,458 valid signatures, 
exceeding the required 5% in 76 of the state’s 93 counties, election 
officials said.

Cover image courtesy Nebraska Examiner

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/06/minimum-wage-voter-id-petitions-qualify-for-nebraskas-november-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Nebraskans will vote this
 fall on a pair of petitions, one that could increase the minimum wage 
to $15 by 2026 and another that could require a photo ID to cast 
ballots.The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office said Tuesday that both 
petition efforts secured enough valid signatures from Nebraska voters to
 get on November’s general election ballot.The Legislature added a third item to the ballot, Legislative 
Resolution 283CA. It would allow airports to use money they raise to 
incentivize commercial air service to the airport.<h2>Medical marijuana failed</h2>

	The petition to legalize medical marijuana did not secure enough 
signatures from enough parts of Nebraska to get onto the ballot this 
year. Organizers have said they’re trying again.Sponsors of the Raise the Wage campaign celebrated ballot access as a
 milestone for a years-long effort to increase Nebraska’s $9 an hour 
minimum wage to $15 by 2026 and then index that raise to the cost of 
living.They argued that inflation has hit 150,000 low-income Nebraskans the 
hardest. One in 5 workers who would benefit from the increase are 
parents, Raise the Wage Nebraska said.“The reality is that the cost of groceries, housing, and basics have 
gone up for years, and the minimum wage hasn’t kept up,” said Nancy 
Williams, president and CEO of No More Empty Pots.<h2>Qualified in 44 counties</h2>

	The minimum wage effort turned in 97,245 signatures validated by county
 election officials, including the required 5% from registered voters in
 38 counties, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. They secured
 more than 5% in 44 counties.Voter ID petition sponsors, including State Sen. Julie Slama of 
Dunbar, marked another step in a decade-plus process that has seen 
previous efforts to pass a constitutional amendment filibustered or 
defeated.Organizers said they were working on a press release and would have a comment soon.The Voter ID petition required signatures from 10% of registered 
voters in Nebraska because it aims to change the state 
constitution.&nbsp;Citizens for Voter ID secured 136,458 valid signatures, 
exceeding the required 5% in 76 of the state’s 93 counties, election 
officials said.Cover image courtesy Nebraska Examiner

Minimum wage, voter ID on November ballot in Nebraska

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/06/prairie-preservationists-mourn-loss-of-virgin-prairie-at-google-data-center-site/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

“Anybody can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie.” — Willa Cather

OMAHA — A prairie in bloom has a special attraction for biologists like Tom Bragg and Glenn Pollock.

Both can tell stories of being chased
 off a small, private plot of virgin prairie they had individually spied
 while driving along State Street in northwest Omaha.

“The guy who owned it was very 
grumpy, and he’d run people off,” said Pollock, a retired Omaha medical 
technician who has helped manage prairie plots in the metro area for 30 
years.&nbsp;

But these days, these two prairie proponents are in mourning.

That 5-acre prairie plot along State 
Street, which had been harvested for its hay for decades, was bulldozed 
away about a year ago as part of Google’s plan to build a $750 million 
data center just west of Nebraska Highway 133.

Bragg, a University of Nebraska at 
Omaha professor who specializes in prairie ecosystems and manages UNO’s 
525-acre Glacier Creek Preserve, said there’s a special kind of sadness 
when one of Nebraska’s few remaining, never-plowed prairies is lost.

Tallgrass prairie covered 170 million acres

Tallgrass prairies once covered 170 million acres of the Great 
Plains, including most of eastern Nebraska. But farming and development 
have taken out an estimated 98% to 99% of it, leaving only small 
remnants in what was an ocean of grass.

In the Omaha area, only about eight virgin prairie plots remain, compared to about 22 in 1980, said Bragg and Pollock.

Prairies, Pollock said, are “just flat-out beautiful.”

“It’s part of our natural history, our heritage,” he said. “We’re just throwing away the pieces.”

“It’s gone,” Bragg said of the State Street prairie.&nbsp;“It was not in the best spot (near development sites). It was not too surprising that someone did it in.”

But what most disappoints Bragg and Pollock is that the City of Omaha
 has guidelines to protect virgin prairie and, in this case, those 
guidelines weren’t followed.

The City of Omaha’s Master Plan calls
 for “effective measures” to protect “natural features” from 
destruction, features such as ravines, wetlands, Missouri River bluffs 
and prairies.

The plan, more of a guideline than an
 edict, calls for mitigation if a woodland, wetland or virgin prairie is
 to be removed by development. In the case of virgin prairie, two acres 
of such prairie should be replaced for every acre removed.

But Eric Englund, Omaha’s assistant city planner, said the existence 
of a native prairie never came up during discussions in which he was 
present over the Google project, which was a well-kept secret <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/21/google-announces-nebraska-growth-plan-that-includes-new-northwest-omaha-data-center/">until it was announced in April by Mayor Stothert and other officials.</a>

The prairie, Englund said, was identified on a map kept by the City 
Parks Department. But for some reason, it did not come up, he said, 
during the approval process of the Google project.

“I don’t know if it was missed, or if it was agreed that mitigation of the prairie was not necessary,” he said.

While mitigation for removal of wetlands and trees is regularly done 
as part of development agreements, Englund said this is the first time 
in his 16 years with the city that a virgin prairie was involved.

He said he has had some brief conversations with representatives of 
Google about the loss of the prairie plot, but at this point, after the 
city has already approved the development plan, there is no intention of
 requiring the company to replace it.

“If they want to recreate some prairie, that’s up to them,” Englund said.

“The city dropped the ball,” Pollock said.

Both Pollack and Bragg don’t exactly blame Google for the 
destruction, since they may not have been aware they they were scraping 
away virgin prairie.

But they are frustrated that saving the prairie wasn’t considered, 
and wonder why the giant tech company, which touts itself as using 
carbon-free energy and seeking a sustainable future, didn’t do its own 
inventory of the land it purchased — before the bulldozers moved in.

“They should have had a biologist go to look at a site to see what they bought,” Pollock said.&nbsp;

When emailed several questions and asked to comment, Google spokesman
 Devon Smiley responded with one sentence: “We have been working closely
 with our local partners in Omaha to determine a suitable plan.”

Both Bragg and Pollock have been involved in saving prairie plots elsewhere in the metro area.

Bragg worked with the city to preserve one virgin prairie, the 
Bauermeister Prairie at Zorinsky Lake. He also worked on the Bluestem 
Prairie Preserve near 168th and Blondo Streets, which has portions of 
that were virgin prairie.

Bragg has also worked to transform farmland back into prairie at 
UNO’s Glacier Creek Preserve, at 144th and State Streets, which features
 a restored barn that hosts concerts, art shows and meetings.

Pollock helps manage several prairie areas, including the Audubon 
Prairie, near 72nd Street and McKinley Road, of which is half virgin 
prairie. He also helps manage virgin prairie at the Cuming City Cemetery
 near Blair and at Vincent Bluff State Preserve in Council Bluffs.

We can learn a lot about surviving drought and dry weather from 
prairie plants, he said. The deep-rooted prairie plants are the main 
reason Nebraska has such rich soils, he added.

Pollock said he’s not interested in requiring Google to mitigate the 
loss of the prairie, although something similar occurred voluntarily in 
the past.

When Google first built a data center in Council Bluffs 15 years ago,
 workers removed dirt from the sensitive Loess Hills bluffs nearby, he 
said, which raised concerns from conservationists.

Not much happened until a $20,000 check arrived in the mailbox of one
 of those who protested, Pollock said, written out to the Loess Hills 
Preservation Society.

The money, he said, was a big help in restoring and cleaning up the site of the Vincent Bluff Preserve.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662472619600.png" alt="A prairie in spring brings a diversity of grasses and flowering plants. (Courtesy of Tom Bragg)" />
 <figcaption>A prairie in spring brings a diversity of grasses and flowering plants. (Courtesy of Tom Bragg)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/06/prairie-preservationists-mourn-loss-of-virgin-prairie-at-google-data-center-site/">Nebraska Examiner</a>“Anybody can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie.” — Willa CatherOMAHA — A prairie in bloom has a special attraction for biologists like Tom Bragg and Glenn Pollock.Both can tell stories of being chased
 off a small, private plot of virgin prairie they had individually spied
 while driving along State Street in northwest Omaha.“The guy who owned it was very 
grumpy, and he’d run people off,” said Pollock, a retired Omaha medical 
technician who has helped manage prairie plots in the metro area for 30 
years.&nbsp;But these days, these two prairie proponents are in mourning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662472682956.jpeg" alt="A pile of dirt (in the background) is all that remains of a small plot of virgin prairie in northwest Omaha, along State Street just west of Nebraska Highway 133. (Courtesy Tom Bragg)" />
 <figcaption>A pile of dirt (in the background) is all that remains of a small plot of virgin prairie in northwest Omaha, along State Street just west of Nebraska Highway 133. (Courtesy Tom Bragg)</figcaption>
 </figure>That 5-acre prairie plot along State 
Street, which had been harvested for its hay for decades, was bulldozed 
away about a year ago as part of Google’s plan to build a $750 million 
data center just west of Nebraska Highway 133.Bragg, a University of Nebraska at 
Omaha professor who specializes in prairie ecosystems and manages UNO’s 
525-acre Glacier Creek Preserve, said there’s a special kind of sadness 
when one of Nebraska’s few remaining, never-plowed prairies is lost.<h2>Tallgrass prairie covered 170 million acres</h2>Tallgrass prairies once covered 170 million acres of the Great 
Plains, including most of eastern Nebraska. But farming and development 
have taken out an estimated 98% to 99% of it, leaving only small 
remnants in what was an ocean of grass.In the Omaha area, only about eight virgin prairie plots remain, compared to about 22 in 1980, said Bragg and Pollock.Prairies, Pollock said, are “just flat-out beautiful.”“It’s part of our natural history, our heritage,” he said. “We’re just throwing away the pieces.”“It’s gone,” Bragg said of the State Street prairie.&nbsp;“It was not in the best spot (near development sites). It was not too surprising that someone did it in.”But what most disappoints Bragg and Pollock is that the City of Omaha
 has guidelines to protect virgin prairie and, in this case, those 
guidelines weren’t followed.<h2>Master plan calls for protection</h2>The City of Omaha’s Master Plan calls
 for “effective measures” to protect “natural features” from 
destruction, features such as ravines, wetlands, Missouri River bluffs 
and prairies.The plan, more of a guideline than an
 edict, calls for mitigation if a woodland, wetland or virgin prairie is
 to be removed by development. In the case of virgin prairie, two acres 
of such prairie should be replaced for every acre removed.But Eric Englund, Omaha’s assistant city planner, said the existence 
of a native prairie never came up during discussions in which he was 
present over the Google project, which was a well-kept secret <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/21/google-announces-nebraska-growth-plan-that-includes-new-northwest-omaha-data-center/">until it was announced in April by Mayor Stothert and other officials.</a>The prairie, Englund said, was identified on a map kept by the City 
Parks Department. But for some reason, it did not come up, he said, 
during the approval process of the Google project.<h2>‘Don’t know if it was missed’</h2>“I don’t know if it was missed, or if it was agreed that mitigation of the prairie was not necessary,” he said.While mitigation for removal of wetlands and trees is regularly done 
as part of development agreements, Englund said this is the first time 
in his 16 years with the city that a virgin prairie was involved.He said he has had some brief conversations with representatives of 
Google about the loss of the prairie plot, but at this point, after the 
city has already approved the development plan, there is no intention of
 requiring the company to replace it.“If they want to recreate some prairie, that’s up to them,” Englund said.“The city dropped the ball,” Pollock said.Both Pollack and Bragg don’t exactly blame Google for the 
destruction, since they may not have been aware they they were scraping 
away virgin prairie.But they are frustrated that saving the prairie wasn’t considered, 
and wonder why the giant tech company, which touts itself as using 
carbon-free energy and seeking a sustainable future, didn’t do its own 
inventory of the land it purchased — before the bulldozers moved in.“They should have had a biologist go to look at a site to see what they bought,” Pollock said.&nbsp;<h2>Google working with ‘local partners’</h2>When emailed several questions and asked to comment, Google spokesman
 Devon Smiley responded with one sentence: “We have been working closely
 with our local partners in Omaha to determine a suitable plan.”Both Bragg and Pollock have been involved in saving prairie plots elsewhere in the metro area.Bragg worked with the city to preserve one virgin prairie, the 
Bauermeister Prairie at Zorinsky Lake. He also worked on the Bluestem 
Prairie Preserve near 168th and Blondo Streets, which has portions of 
that were virgin prairie.Bragg has also worked to transform farmland back into prairie at 
UNO’s Glacier Creek Preserve, at 144th and State Streets, which features
 a restored barn that hosts concerts, art shows and meetings.Pollock helps manage several prairie areas, including the Audubon 
Prairie, near 72nd Street and McKinley Road, of which is half virgin 
prairie. He also helps manage virgin prairie at the Cuming City Cemetery
 near Blair and at Vincent Bluff State Preserve in Council Bluffs.<h2>Can learn from prairie</h2>We can learn a lot about surviving drought and dry weather from 
prairie plants, he said. The deep-rooted prairie plants are the main 
reason Nebraska has such rich soils, he added.Pollock said he’s not interested in requiring Google to mitigate the 
loss of the prairie, although something similar occurred voluntarily in 
the past.When Google first built a data center in Council Bluffs 15 years ago,
 workers removed dirt from the sensitive Loess Hills bluffs nearby, he 
said, which raised concerns from conservationists.Not much happened until a $20,000 check arrived in the mailbox of one
 of those who protested, Pollock said, written out to the Loess Hills 
Preservation Society.The money, he said, was a big help in restoring and cleaning up the site of the Vincent Bluff Preserve.

Preservationists mourn loss of virgin prairie at Google data center site

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-lincoln-ranked-as-third-best-state-capital-for-living-in-u-s/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — An online financial advice 
firm is ranking Lincoln as the nation’s third best state capital to live
 in, right behind Pierre, South Dakota, and Madison, Wisconsin.

SmartAsset.com rated state capitals 
on a variety of factors, including estimated cost of living, 
unemployment rate, income growth, and high school graduation rate.

&nbsp;Lincoln ranked highest for employment and education as well as for affordability, according to SmartAsset.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Lincoln
 tied for the fifth-lowest June 2022 unemployment rate of 2.4% and had 
the 14th-highest high school graduation rate, 93%.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Nebraska’s
 Capital City also had the 14th-lowest annual cost of living ($23,419) 
and the 15th-lowest down payment-to-income ratio at 60%.

&nbsp;Dover, Delaware was ranked as the worst state capital, with the worst education and employment score among the capitals.

&nbsp;Interestingly,
 Denver, Colorado ranked as the fourth worst state capitol, getting low 
scores for affordability and leisure and safety.

&nbsp;SmartAsset
 said that with so many people moving to new locations, it made sense to
 assess which state capitals would be most attractive.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-lincoln-ranked-as-third-best-state-capital-for-living-in-u-s/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — An online financial advice 
firm is ranking Lincoln as the nation’s third best state capital to live
 in, right behind Pierre, South Dakota, and Madison, Wisconsin.SmartAsset.com rated state capitals 
on a variety of factors, including estimated cost of living, 
unemployment rate, income growth, and high school graduation rate.&nbsp;Lincoln ranked highest for employment and education as well as for affordability, according to SmartAsset.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lincoln
 tied for the fifth-lowest June 2022 unemployment rate of 2.4% and had 
the 14th-highest high school graduation rate, 93%.&nbsp;&nbsp;Nebraska’s
 Capital City also had the 14th-lowest annual cost of living ($23,419) 
and the 15th-lowest down payment-to-income ratio at 60%.&nbsp;Dover, Delaware was ranked as the worst state capital, with the worst education and employment score among the capitals.&nbsp;Interestingly,
 Denver, Colorado ranked as the fourth worst state capitol, getting low 
scores for affordability and leisure and safety.&nbsp;SmartAsset
 said that with so many people moving to new locations, it made sense to
 assess which state capitals would be most attractive.Cover image courtesy Nebraska Examiner

Nebraska’s Lincoln ranked as third-best state capital for living in U.S.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-farmer-ordered-to-pay-1-million-in-restitution-for-crop-insurance-fraud/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A a federal judge has 
ordered a Newman Grove farmer to pay $1 million in restitution, as well 
as a $30,000 fine, for making a fraudulent statement on a crop insurance
 claim.

Ross Nelson, 48, of Newman Grove, had provided false losses of 
soybeans and corn when he filed a claim in 2015 with an authorized 
insurance provider that was reinsured by the Federal Crop Insurance 
Corporation. He received reimbursement of $700,092 for his losses.

But because Nelson’s losses on his Holt County farmland didn’t match 
that of&nbsp; adjacent farmers, the USDA Risk Management Agency launched an 
investigation. It found that his claims were inaccurate.

Nelson was found guilty of making a false statement in connection 
with federal crop insurance. Besides repaying $1 million, he was 
sentenced to 4 years’ probation as well as 16 weekends of intermittent 
confinement.

The case was&nbsp;investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the USDA.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-farmer-ordered-to-pay-1-million-in-restitution-for-crop-insurance-fraud/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A a federal judge has 
ordered a Newman Grove farmer to pay $1 million in restitution, as well 
as a $30,000 fine, for making a fraudulent statement on a crop insurance
 claim.Ross Nelson, 48, of Newman Grove, had provided false losses of 
soybeans and corn when he filed a claim in 2015 with an authorized 
insurance provider that was reinsured by the Federal Crop Insurance 
Corporation. He received reimbursement of $700,092 for his losses.But because Nelson’s losses on his Holt County farmland didn’t match 
that of&nbsp; adjacent farmers, the USDA Risk Management Agency launched an 
investigation. It found that his claims were inaccurate.Nelson was found guilty of making a false statement in connection 
with federal crop insurance. Besides repaying $1 million, he was 
sentenced to 4 years’ probation as well as 16 weekends of intermittent 
confinement.The case was&nbsp;investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the USDA.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Neb. farmer ordered to pay $1M in restitution for crop insurance fraud

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a legal victory for former President Donald Trump, a federal judge on Monday granted his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-government-and-politics-1cc6c63010da10a19fb8cfc8595ffe38">request for a special master</a>&nbsp;to review documents seized by the FBI from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-f63c018b600e1539ff3660a896a132d0">Florida home</a>&nbsp;and temporarily halted the Justice Department’s use of the records for investigative purposes.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon authorizes an outside legal expert to review the records taken during the Aug. 8 search and to weed out from the rest of the investigation any that might be protected by claims of attorney-client privilege or executive privilege. Some of those records may ultimately be returned to Trump, but the judge put off a ruling on that question.

The order&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fbi-search-outside-expert-e732ef9ea773f4d4eaf49069b8cec325">came despite the strenuous objections of the Justice Department,</a>&nbsp;which said a special master was not necessary in part because officials had already completed their review of potentially privileged documents. The department said Monday that it was reviewing the decision but did not indicate if and when it might appeal.

The order almost certainly slows the pace of the department’s investigation into the presence of top-secret information at Mar-a-Lago, particularly given the judge’s directive that the Justice Department may not for the moment use any of the seized materials as part of its investigation into the storage of government secrets at the Florida property. The injunction is in place until the yet-to-be-named special master completes his or her work, or until “further court order.”

“The Court is mindful that restraints on criminal prosecutions are disfavored, but finds that these unprecedented circumstances call for a brief pause to allow for neutral, third-party review to ensure a just process with adequate safeguards,” Cannon, a Trump appointee, wrote in her 24-page order.

Even so, it is not clear that the decision will present a long-term impediment to the investigation's progress or significantly affect investigative decisions or the ultimate outcome of the probe. And a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-0486be7d750ae7546c6b9175f4952857">separate assessment by the U.S. intelligence community</a>&nbsp;of the risk posed by the apparent mishandling of classified records will continue under the judge's order.

“While this is a victory for the former President, it is by no means an overwhelming win for him,” David Weinstein, a Florida criminal defense lawyer and former Justice Department prosecutor, said in an email. “While it is a setback for the government, it is also not a devastating loss for them.”

He noted, for instance, that the judge did not immediately order the seized documents returned to Trump or suppress any of the evidence.

Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said Monday that “the United States is examining the opinion and will consider appropriate next steps in the ongoing litigation.” A lawyer for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.

The department and Trump's lawyers are to submit by Friday a list of proposed special master candidates.

FBI agents in August seized roughly 11,000 documents and 1,800 other items from Mar-a-Lago as part of a criminal investigation into the retention of national defense information there, as well as into efforts to obstruct the probe. About 100 of the documents contained classification markings.

Trump’s lawyers had argued that a special master, usually an outside lawyer or former judge, was necessary to ensure an independent review of records taken during the search and so that any personal information or documents could be filtered out and returned to Trump.

In this case, the seized records “include medical documents, correspondence related to taxes, and accounting information,” the judge's order said.

Cannon said it was too soon to know whether Trump will be entitled to the return of any of the records, but “for now, the circumstances surrounding the seizure in this case and the associated need for adequate procedural safeguards are sufficiently compelling to at least get Plaintiff past the courthouse doors.”

She also said she found persuasive his lawyers' arguments that he faced potentially “irreparable injury” by being denied access to records that might be of significant personal interest to him. She said the investigative process had, so far, been “closed off” to him.

“As a function of Plaintiff’s former position as President of the United States, the stigma associated with the subject seizure is in a league of its own,” Cannon wrote. “A future indictment, based to any degree on property that ought to be returned, would result in reputational harm of a decidedly different order of magnitude.”

The Justice Department had argued against the appointment, saying it was unnecessary because it had already reviewed potentially privileged documents and identified a limited subset that could be covered by attorney-client privilege.

The department had been using a separate “privilege review team” for that work, but Cannon cited at least two instances in which members of the investigative team were “exposed” to potentially privileged material, something she said raised questions about the adequacy of the process.

The department had also said Trump was not entitled to the return of any of the presidential records that were taken since he is no longer president and the documents therefore do not belong to him. And personal items that were recovered were commingled with classified information, giving them potential evidentiary value, the department said.

Though prosecutors had argued that Trump, as a former president, had no legal basis to assert executive privilege over the documents, the judge said he was entitled to raise it as a concern and permitted the special master to look for records that might be covered by that privilege.

“The major sticking point, I think, is that the executive privilege documents were included” in the judge’s decision, said Florida criminal defense lawyer Richard Serafini, a former Justice Department prosecutor.

Cannon, who was nominated by Trump in 2020, had signaled last month that she was inclined to appoint a special master and did so again during arguments last week, asking at one point, “Ultimately, what is the harm in the appointment of a special master to sort through these issues without creating undue delay?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661990931385.png" alt="This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — In a legal victory for former President Donald Trump, a federal judge on Monday granted his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-government-and-politics-1cc6c63010da10a19fb8cfc8595ffe38">request for a special master</a>&nbsp;to review documents seized by the FBI from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-f63c018b600e1539ff3660a896a132d0">Florida home</a>&nbsp;and temporarily halted the Justice Department’s use of the records for investigative purposes.The decision by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon authorizes an outside legal expert to review the records taken during the Aug. 8 search and to weed out from the rest of the investigation any that might be protected by claims of attorney-client privilege or executive privilege. Some of those records may ultimately be returned to Trump, but the judge put off a ruling on that question.The order&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fbi-search-outside-expert-e732ef9ea773f4d4eaf49069b8cec325">came despite the strenuous objections of the Justice Department,</a>&nbsp;which said a special master was not necessary in part because officials had already completed their review of potentially privileged documents. The department said Monday that it was reviewing the decision but did not indicate if and when it might appeal.The order almost certainly slows the pace of the department’s investigation into the presence of top-secret information at Mar-a-Lago, particularly given the judge’s directive that the Justice Department may not for the moment use any of the seized materials as part of its investigation into the storage of government secrets at the Florida property. The injunction is in place until the yet-to-be-named special master completes his or her work, or until “further court order.”“The Court is mindful that restraints on criminal prosecutions are disfavored, but finds that these unprecedented circumstances call for a brief pause to allow for neutral, third-party review to ensure a just process with adequate safeguards,” Cannon, a Trump appointee, wrote in her 24-page order.Even so, it is not clear that the decision will present a long-term impediment to the investigation's progress or significantly affect investigative decisions or the ultimate outcome of the probe. And a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-0486be7d750ae7546c6b9175f4952857">separate assessment by the U.S. intelligence community</a>&nbsp;of the risk posed by the apparent mishandling of classified records will continue under the judge's order.“While this is a victory for the former President, it is by no means an overwhelming win for him,” David Weinstein, a Florida criminal defense lawyer and former Justice Department prosecutor, said in an email. “While it is a setback for the government, it is also not a devastating loss for them.”He noted, for instance, that the judge did not immediately order the seized documents returned to Trump or suppress any of the evidence.Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said Monday that “the United States is examining the opinion and will consider appropriate next steps in the ongoing litigation.” A lawyer for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.The department and Trump's lawyers are to submit by Friday a list of proposed special master candidates.FBI agents in August seized roughly 11,000 documents and 1,800 other items from Mar-a-Lago as part of a criminal investigation into the retention of national defense information there, as well as into efforts to obstruct the probe. About 100 of the documents contained classification markings.Trump’s lawyers had argued that a special master, usually an outside lawyer or former judge, was necessary to ensure an independent review of records taken during the search and so that any personal information or documents could be filtered out and returned to Trump.In this case, the seized records “include medical documents, correspondence related to taxes, and accounting information,” the judge's order said.Cannon said it was too soon to know whether Trump will be entitled to the return of any of the records, but “for now, the circumstances surrounding the seizure in this case and the associated need for adequate procedural safeguards are sufficiently compelling to at least get Plaintiff past the courthouse doors.”She also said she found persuasive his lawyers' arguments that he faced potentially “irreparable injury” by being denied access to records that might be of significant personal interest to him. She said the investigative process had, so far, been “closed off” to him.“As a function of Plaintiff’s former position as President of the United States, the stigma associated with the subject seizure is in a league of its own,” Cannon wrote. “A future indictment, based to any degree on property that ought to be returned, would result in reputational harm of a decidedly different order of magnitude.”The Justice Department had argued against the appointment, saying it was unnecessary because it had already reviewed potentially privileged documents and identified a limited subset that could be covered by attorney-client privilege.The department had been using a separate “privilege review team” for that work, but Cannon cited at least two instances in which members of the investigative team were “exposed” to potentially privileged material, something she said raised questions about the adequacy of the process.The department had also said Trump was not entitled to the return of any of the presidential records that were taken since he is no longer president and the documents therefore do not belong to him. And personal items that were recovered were commingled with classified information, giving them potential evidentiary value, the department said.Though prosecutors had argued that Trump, as a former president, had no legal basis to assert executive privilege over the documents, the judge said he was entitled to raise it as a concern and permitted the special master to look for records that might be covered by that privilege.“The major sticking point, I think, is that the executive privilege documents were included” in the judge’s decision, said Florida criminal defense lawyer Richard Serafini, a former Justice Department prosecutor.Cannon, who was nominated by Trump in 2020, had signaled last month that she was inclined to appoint a special master and did so again during arguments last week, asking at one point, “Ultimately, what is the harm in the appointment of a special master to sort through these issues without creating undue delay?”____

Judge grants Trump a win in battle over FBI document search

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who pay 
estimated taxes that the deadline to submit their third quarter payment 
is September 15, 2022.

Taxpayers not subject to withholding, such as those who are self-employed, investors or retirees, may need to make <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">quarterly estimated tax payments</a>.
 Taxpayers with other income not subject to withholding, including 
interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony, cryptocurrency and rental 
income, also normally make estimated tax payments.

In most cases, taxpayers should make estimated tax payments if they expect:

Special rules apply to some groups of taxpayers, such as farmers, fishermen, casualty and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses">disaster victims</a>, those who recently became disabled, recent retirees and those who receive income unevenly during the year. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p505">Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax</a>, provides more information on estimated tax rules. The worksheet in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040-es">Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals</a>, or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1120-w">Form 1120-W, Estimated Tax for Corporations</a>, has details on who must pay estimated tax.

To figure estimated tax, individuals must figure their expected 
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), taxable income, taxes, deductions and 
credits for the year.

When figuring 2022 estimated tax, it may be helpful to use income, 
deductions and credits for 2021 as a starting point. Use the 2021 
federal tax return as a guide. Taxpayers can use Form 1040-ES to figure 
their estimated tax.

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 on IRS.gov offers taxpayers a clear, step-by-step method to have their 
employers withhold the right amount of tax from their paycheck. It also 
has instructions to file a new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">Form W-4</a> to give to their employer to adjust the amount withheld each payday.

Taxpayers who underpaid their taxes may have to pay a penalty. This 
applies whether they paid through withholding or through estimated tax 
payments. A penalty may also apply for late estimated tax payments even 
if someone is due a refund when they file their tax return.

To see if they owe a penalty, taxpayers should use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-2210">Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts</a>. Taxpayers can also see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i2210">Form 2210 instructions</a>
 under the "Waiver of Penalty" section. The IRS may waive the penalty if
 someone underpaid because of unusual circumstances and not willful 
neglect. Examples include:

The fourth and final 2022 estimated tax payment is due January 17, 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who pay 
estimated taxes that the deadline to submit their third quarter payment 
is September 15, 2022.Taxpayers not subject to withholding, such as those who are self-employed, investors or retirees, may need to make <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">quarterly estimated tax payments</a>.
 Taxpayers with other income not subject to withholding, including 
interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony, cryptocurrency and rental 
income, also normally make estimated tax payments.In most cases, taxpayers should make estimated tax payments if they expect:<ul>
 <li>To owe at least $1,000 in taxes for 2022 after subtracting their withholding and tax credits.</li><li>Their withholding and tax credits to be less than the smaller of:
	90% of the tax to be shown on their 2022 tax return or100% of the tax shown on their 2021 tax return. Their 2021 tax return must cover all 12 months.</li><li>90% of the tax to be shown on their 2022 tax return or</li><li>100% of the tax shown on their 2021 tax return. Their 2021 tax return must cover all 12 months.</li>
 </ul>Special rules apply to some groups of taxpayers, such as farmers, fishermen, casualty and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses">disaster victims</a>, those who recently became disabled, recent retirees and those who receive income unevenly during the year. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p505">Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax</a>, provides more information on estimated tax rules. The worksheet in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040-es">Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals</a>, or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1120-w">Form 1120-W, Estimated Tax for Corporations</a>, has details on who must pay estimated tax.<h2>How to figure estimated tax</h2>To figure estimated tax, individuals must figure their expected 
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), taxable income, taxes, deductions and 
credits for the year.When figuring 2022 estimated tax, it may be helpful to use income, 
deductions and credits for 2021 as a starting point. Use the 2021 
federal tax return as a guide. Taxpayers can use Form 1040-ES to figure 
their estimated tax.The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 on IRS.gov offers taxpayers a clear, step-by-step method to have their 
employers withhold the right amount of tax from their paycheck. It also 
has instructions to file a new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">Form W-4</a> to give to their employer to adjust the amount withheld each payday.<h2>How to avoid an underpayment penalty</h2>Taxpayers who underpaid their taxes may have to pay a penalty. This 
applies whether they paid through withholding or through estimated tax 
payments. A penalty may also apply for late estimated tax payments even 
if someone is due a refund when they file their tax return.To see if they owe a penalty, taxpayers should use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-2210">Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts</a>. Taxpayers can also see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i2210">Form 2210 instructions</a>
 under the "Waiver of Penalty" section. The IRS may waive the penalty if
 someone underpaid because of unusual circumstances and not willful 
neglect. Examples include:<ul>
 <li>Casualty, disaster or another unusual situation.</li><li>An individual retired after reaching age 62 during a tax year when estimated tax payments applied.</li><li>An individual became disabled during a tax year when estimated tax payments applied.</li><li>Specific written advice from an IRS agent given in response to a 
specific written request. The taxpayer must provide copies of both.</li>
 </ul>The fourth and final 2022 estimated tax payment is due January 17, 2023.

IRS: Deadline nears for third quarter estimated tax payments

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-09-01/this-72-year-old-lawyer-thinks-about-retirement-but-rural-kansas-cant-find-enough-attorneys">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Charles Peckham works 70 hours a week as an attorney. He’s 72.

He daydreams about retirement. But if he closed up shop, clients would just show up at his home in Atwood, Kansas.

“(Stopping) is not workable at this point,” he said.

The next closest attorney is 30 miles away. That might not be accessible for the older population in need of legal help.

Atwood
 boasted six attorneys, counting Peckham, when he first arrived in 1983,
 but that number has dwindled down to two and the other attorney farms 
on the side.

If the town of about 1,300 people in a county with 
some 2,500 had enough lawyers, Peckham could cut back his workload and 
spend more time with his grandchildren. But with nobody around to take 
over his practice, he’ll keep working.

Three
 of four Kansas attorneys are licensed in just five counties. Johnson, 
Sedgwick, Shawnee, Wyandotte and Douglas have 78% of the over 6,500 
lawyers in the state. In the 103 counties statewide, 40 have five or 
fewer licensed lawyers and eight have only one.

The number of 
attorneys in Western Kansas is dropping as older lawyers retire with 
nobody around to take their practice. Attorneys have too much work and 
clients might travel long distances for representation. The attorneys 
that do practice are often general practitioners who handle everything 
from divorces to burglary defendants to farm law.

Shawn Leisinger,
 associate dean for centers and external programs at Washburn 
University, helps with the university’s rural attorney program. He said 
some counties could easily support two to three times the number of 
lawyers that they currently have.

The solution to the problem 
seems simple. If older attorneys are retiring, just find younger ones to
 take over. The demand is there, which should mean those people could 
make a decent income. But Leisinger said it isn’t that simple.

People
 need to understand and connect with the community they represent, they 
can’t just be dropped in, Leisinger said. They need to be mentored.

Washburn’s
 rural attorney program is doing that. It allows students to finish 
their education from anywhere in the state and pairs them with mentors. 
The program has placed a few dozen attorneys into rural Kansas in the 
last five years, but Leisinger says “it's a drop in the bucket based on 
the demand that's out there.”

This isn’t a Kansas-specific problem
 and the state Supreme Court is creating a task force to address the 
issue. It’ll include people from all across Kansas who will eventually 
recommend changes to encourage more attorneys to move out west.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662041874009.png" alt="Attorneys in rural Kansas are growing old, and there aren't enough young lawyers to take their place. Google Maps" />
 <figcaption>Attorneys in rural Kansas are growing old, and there aren't enough young lawyers to take their place. Google Maps</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-09-01/this-72-year-old-lawyer-thinks-about-retirement-but-rural-kansas-cant-find-enough-attorneys">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Charles Peckham works 70 hours a week as an attorney. He’s 72.He daydreams about retirement. But if he closed up shop, clients would just show up at his home in Atwood, Kansas.“(Stopping) is not workable at this point,” he said.The next closest attorney is 30 miles away. That might not be accessible for the older population in need of legal help.Atwood
 boasted six attorneys, counting Peckham, when he first arrived in 1983,
 but that number has dwindled down to two and the other attorney farms 
on the side.If the town of about 1,300 people in a county with 
some 2,500 had enough lawyers, Peckham could cut back his workload and 
spend more time with his grandchildren. But with nobody around to take 
over his practice, he’ll keep working.Stories like Peckham’s are not unique.Three
 of four Kansas attorneys are licensed in just five counties. Johnson, 
Sedgwick, Shawnee, Wyandotte and Douglas have 78% of the over 6,500 
lawyers in the state. In the 103 counties statewide, 40 have five or 
fewer licensed lawyers and eight have only one.The number of 
attorneys in Western Kansas is dropping as older lawyers retire with 
nobody around to take their practice. Attorneys have too much work and 
clients might travel long distances for representation. The attorneys 
that do practice are often general practitioners who handle everything 
from divorces to burglary defendants to farm law.Shawn Leisinger,
 associate dean for centers and external programs at Washburn 
University, helps with the university’s rural attorney program. He said 
some counties could easily support two to three times the number of 
lawyers that they currently have.The solution to the problem 
seems simple. If older attorneys are retiring, just find younger ones to
 take over. The demand is there, which should mean those people could 
make a decent income. But Leisinger said it isn’t that simple.People
 need to understand and connect with the community they represent, they 
can’t just be dropped in, Leisinger said. They need to be mentored.Washburn’s
 rural attorney program is doing that. It allows students to finish 
their education from anywhere in the state and pairs them with mentors. 
The program has placed a few dozen attorneys into rural Kansas in the 
last five years, but Leisinger says “it's a drop in the bucket based on 
the demand that's out there.”This isn’t a Kansas-specific problem
 and the state Supreme Court is creating a task force to address the 
issue. It’ll include people from all across Kansas who will eventually 
recommend changes to encourage more attorneys to move out west.The state could take inspiration from Nebraska or South Dakota – two states that have also attempted to address shortages.In
 Nebraska, a possible solution came in two waves. First, law students 
were driven to rural corners of the state to talk with community members
 to see what their needs were, and then they set up interviews with 
firms in that area.The bus tours have since stopped, but twice a 
year job-seeking lawyers meet with law firms that are hiring as part of 
the Rural Practice Initiative program.In South Dakota, someone 
could sign a contract that pays 90% of one year’s resident tuition and 
fees at the University of South Dakota Law School. In return, that 
person would practice law for a minimum of 35 hours a week for a set 
amount of weeks over the span of five years.Nebraska’s program 
netted at least 38 attorneys and South Dakota got 13. Even those small 
numbers can make a difference in remote places.Sam Clinch, 
associate executive director with the Nebraska Bar Association, said 
small towns would start to dry up without the program.“You have a
 lot of clients that are traveling 100 to 150 miles one way to get a 
simple will drafted, a divorce case or a real estate transaction,” he 
said. “That’s an access to justice issue when you have people that have 
to travel 300 miles round trip to do a simple will.”Zoom has 
become more prevalent in court cases, but multiple people told the 
Kansas News Service that it’s only a tool and not the sole solution to 
the problem. Local attorneys know their communities, judges and 
potential jurors better. And while big-city lawyers are qualified to 
represent someone over Zoom, they can’t understand the nuances of each 
community.Peckham has lived in larger cities – like Chicago and 
Washington, D.C. – before moving to rural Kansas. He said people in 
urban and rural settings both fail to understand the perks of living in 
one place or another, but he wants more people to give rural Kansas a 
try.“You're going to have to be more reliable and independent,” 
he said. “But if you're interested in the family, spending a little more
 time with Mother Nature and avoiding a long commute to do your job, I 
think this is worth looking at.”Blaise Mesa reports on 
criminal justice and social services for the Kansas News Service in 
Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at 
blaise@kcur.org.