By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/05/christian-broadcaster-stan-parker-announces-run-for-lincoln-mayor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 — Wednesday’s announcement of a second Republican running for Lincoln 
mayor puts Capital City conservatives in position to pick a 2023 
challenger for Nebraska’s highest-profile Democrat, Mayor Leirion Gaylor
 Baird.

Stan Parker, a Christian radio 
executive and former University of Nebraska offensive lineman, joined 
the race Wednesday with a boost from his old coach, former U.S. Rep. Tom
 Osborne, R-Neb. Osborne endorsed Parker, touting his discipline.

Parker is gathering 300 signatures to
 run in Lincoln’s April 4 primary against Baird, a Democrat, and State 
Sen. Suzanne Geist, a Republican. The race is officially nonpartisan. 
The top two finishers advance to the city’s May 2 general election. 
Baird is seeking a second term after winning her first race 55%-45% in 
2019.

Parker, 58, said one key difference 
between him and Baird is how he would have navigated the COVID-19 
pandemic. He said he would have encouraged individual choices by people,
 trusting them to make decisions for themselves, their businesses and 
their families.

Both he and Geist say they oppose 
mask mandates and said the city needs to be friendlier to businesses. 
Both said they would prioritize law enforcement.&nbsp;

Baird’s campaign declined to comment 
about Parker’s entrance into the race. Geist said she was focused on 
running her race. “After talking to business leaders, first responders 
and Lincoln citizens, it’s evident to me it’s time for a change in our 
city,” Geist said. “I’m focused on that alone.”&nbsp;

Parker said he had not yet studied 
the permitless carry bill that some conservatives have criticized Geist 
for sidestepping during this year’s legislative session. Police unions 
in Lincoln and Omaha opposed the bill. Parker said he believes 
completely in 2nd Amendment rights, which he said keeps “us free as a 
nation.”

He said that his campaign was just 
starting to raise money and that he would target small-dollar donors. He
 said he needs 5,000 people to give him $100 each and thinks he can 
build support by talking to people face-to-face.

He said his experience leading a 
nonprofit Christian ministry prepares him better for leading the city 
than political experience.&nbsp;

“The role of the mayor is to be the 
executive director of a nonprofit, the city. … Our ability to thrive is 
significantly defined and outlined by those we choose to put in office,”
 Parker said. “More than political experience, I believe leadership 
acumen is needed.”&nbsp;

Osborne, speaking to a crowd of more 
than 75 people that included people from the Nebraska Freedom Coalition 
and Nebraska Republican Party National Committeewoman Fanchon Blythe, 
said it’s important to elect leaders who have built businesses or 
accomplished things outside politics.&nbsp;

Osborne highlighted Parker’s work 
growing The Bridge radio, a Christian broadcast ministry on 15 stations.
 He said he knew Parker would be effective from their work together with
 the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“He’s a good leader. He’s not an 
in-your-face kind of leader. He’s a guy who listens,” Osborne said. “He 
makes good decisions. He leads by example.”

Parker, a longtime registered 
nonpartisan, said he&nbsp;re-registered as a Republican when deciding to run 
for office because his politics and personal beliefs aligned more 
closely with that party.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665065917348.png" alt="Stan Parker, executive director of a Christian radio broadcast network, The Bridge, announced a run for Lincoln mayor. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Stan Parker, executive director of a Christian radio broadcast network, The Bridge, announced a run for Lincoln mayor. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/05/christian-broadcaster-stan-parker-announces-run-for-lincoln-mayor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN
 — Wednesday’s announcement of a second Republican running for Lincoln 
mayor puts Capital City conservatives in position to pick a 2023 
challenger for Nebraska’s highest-profile Democrat, Mayor Leirion Gaylor
 Baird.Stan Parker, a Christian radio 
executive and former University of Nebraska offensive lineman, joined 
the race Wednesday with a boost from his old coach, former U.S. Rep. Tom
 Osborne, R-Neb. Osborne endorsed Parker, touting his discipline.Parker is gathering 300 signatures to
 run in Lincoln’s April 4 primary against Baird, a Democrat, and State 
Sen. Suzanne Geist, a Republican. The race is officially nonpartisan. 
The top two finishers advance to the city’s May 2 general election. 
Baird is seeking a second term after winning her first race 55%-45% in 
2019.Parker, 58, said one key difference 
between him and Baird is how he would have navigated the COVID-19 
pandemic. He said he would have encouraged individual choices by people,
 trusting them to make decisions for themselves, their businesses and 
their families.Both he and Geist say they oppose 
mask mandates and said the city needs to be friendlier to businesses. 
Both said they would prioritize law enforcement.&nbsp;Baird’s campaign declined to comment 
about Parker’s entrance into the race. Geist said she was focused on 
running her race. “After talking to business leaders, first responders 
and Lincoln citizens, it’s evident to me it’s time for a change in our 
city,” Geist said. “I’m focused on that alone.”&nbsp;Parker said he had not yet studied 
the permitless carry bill that some conservatives have criticized Geist 
for sidestepping during this year’s legislative session. Police unions 
in Lincoln and Omaha opposed the bill. Parker said he believes 
completely in 2nd Amendment rights, which he said keeps “us free as a 
nation.”He said that his campaign was just 
starting to raise money and that he would target small-dollar donors. He
 said he needs 5,000 people to give him $100 each and thinks he can 
build support by talking to people face-to-face.He said his experience leading a 
nonprofit Christian ministry prepares him better for leading the city 
than political experience.&nbsp;“The role of the mayor is to be the 
executive director of a nonprofit, the city. … Our ability to thrive is 
significantly defined and outlined by those we choose to put in office,”
 Parker said. “More than political experience, I believe leadership 
acumen is needed.”&nbsp;Osborne, speaking to a crowd of more 
than 75 people that included people from the Nebraska Freedom Coalition 
and Nebraska Republican Party National Committeewoman Fanchon Blythe, 
said it’s important to elect leaders who have built businesses or 
accomplished things outside politics.&nbsp;Osborne highlighted Parker’s work 
growing The Bridge radio, a Christian broadcast ministry on 15 stations.
 He said he knew Parker would be effective from their work together with
 the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.“He’s a good leader. He’s not an 
in-your-face kind of leader. He’s a guy who listens,” Osborne said. “He 
makes good decisions. He leads by example.”Parker, a longtime registered 
nonpartisan, said he&nbsp;re-registered as a Republican when deciding to run 
for office because his politics and personal beliefs aligned more 
closely with that party.&nbsp;

Christian broadcaster Stan Parker announces run for Lincoln mayor

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/06/nebraska-sen-brewer-headed-back-to-ukraine-this-time-to-take-bibles-evacuate-elderly/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — An old soldier is 
headed back to the front lines in Ukraine, saying that at certain times 
in history, you need to get involved.

“You can either sit on the sidelines 
and watch history go by or dive in and try to make a difference,” said 
State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, a decorated military veteran, who 
represents Nebraska’s Sandhills in the State Legislature.

Brewer, 64, will return to Ukraine on Oct. 14, just after undergoing 
another chemotherapy treatment for an ongoing bout with leukemia.

A month ago, he was battling a combination of COVID-19, pneumonia and
 a sinus infection, but on Wednesday Brewer pronounced himself “good to 
go.”

Brewer, a sniper by training, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/23/brewer-returning-from-ukraine-hoping-to-urge-swifter-transport-of-u-s-aid/">spent a month this summer</a> touring the war-torn country, delivering humanitarian supplies and talking to soldiers and civilians.

But this time, his mission will be to deliver electronic Bibles to 
Ukrainian soldiers and chaplains through a Kyiv-based Christian outreach
 group, Young With a Mission (YWAM). He said he has also been asked, 
because of his military experience, to help evacuate some elderly people
 in “no-man’s land” between the Ukrainian and Russian lines.

“They’re trapped,” Brewer said. “They
 have no electricity and no natural gas, and little access to food. So 
it would be unlikely they they could survive the winter.”

Military chaplains he met in Ukraine during his summer trip said they
 needed Bibles they could read in the dark, at the front, without 
drawing the attention of enemy fire, he said.

So the senator, who was wounded twice during deployments to 
Afghanistan, said he did some research and found some electronic Bibles 
on Kindle-type devices, as well as some solar-power Bibles that the 49 
chaplains that serve the Ukrainian military can use.

YWAM is paying for the 1,000 Bibles, according to Brewer, while he is paying for the expenses of the trip.

“I think it will be a nice thing to 
share, especially for the guys in hospital,” said the senator, who was 
raised a Baptist in the Gordon area.

Brewer dodged a few artillery rounds on his last trip, which took him
 near the battle lines in eastern and southern Ukraine, and he expects 
this trip will present the same kinds of hazards.

Part of the trip, he said, will take him near the Zaporizhzhia 
nuclear plant in southeast Ukraine, which the Russians have occupied 
since March and where fighting has been fierce in recent weeks.

Brewer said U.S. military aid has made a big difference for Ukraine 
in the war, especially the highly accurate High Mobility Artillery 
Rocket System (HIMARS) systems sent over.

“If it wasn’t for us, they would be speaking Russian right now,” he said.

Brewer said he would support sending longer range rocket systems to 
Ukraine, so troops could knock out Russian missile launch facilities. 
But he fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use tactical 
nuclear bombs to retaliate, after his troops lost some territory they 
had captured during the six-month-long war.

“I fear that he’s boxed in a corner and he has to do something,” Brewer said.

The senator said he expects to be back in Nebraska in time for a 
sinus surgery in early December and then meetings with new state 
senators in advance of the 2023 legislative session, which will begin 
Jan. 4.

“When I was over there the first 
time, I saw a need for some things,” he said. “Now, I have a window 
before the session (starts).”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665065696426.png" alt="Ukrainian pothole. (Courtesy of State Sen. Tom Brewer)" />
 <figcaption>Ukrainian pothole. (Courtesy of State Sen. Tom Brewer)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/06/nebraska-sen-brewer-headed-back-to-ukraine-this-time-to-take-bibles-evacuate-elderly/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — An old soldier is 
headed back to the front lines in Ukraine, saying that at certain times 
in history, you need to get involved.“You can either sit on the sidelines 
and watch history go by or dive in and try to make a difference,” said 
State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, a decorated military veteran, who 
represents Nebraska’s Sandhills in the State Legislature.Brewer, 64, will return to Ukraine on Oct. 14, just after undergoing 
another chemotherapy treatment for an ongoing bout with leukemia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661444446221.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Battling cancer, COVID</h2>A month ago, he was battling a combination of COVID-19, pneumonia and
 a sinus infection, but on Wednesday Brewer pronounced himself “good to 
go.”Brewer, a sniper by training, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/23/brewer-returning-from-ukraine-hoping-to-urge-swifter-transport-of-u-s-aid/">spent a month this summer</a> touring the war-torn country, delivering humanitarian supplies and talking to soldiers and civilians.But this time, his mission will be to deliver electronic Bibles to 
Ukrainian soldiers and chaplains through a Kyiv-based Christian outreach
 group, Young With a Mission (YWAM). He said he has also been asked, 
because of his military experience, to help evacuate some elderly people
 in “no-man’s land” between the Ukrainian and Russian lines.“They’re trapped,” Brewer said. “They
 have no electricity and no natural gas, and little access to food. So 
it would be unlikely they they could survive the winter.”<h2>Chaplains ask for Bibles</h2>Military chaplains he met in Ukraine during his summer trip said they
 needed Bibles they could read in the dark, at the front, without 
drawing the attention of enemy fire, he said.So the senator, who was wounded twice during deployments to 
Afghanistan, said he did some research and found some electronic Bibles 
on Kindle-type devices, as well as some solar-power Bibles that the 49 
chaplains that serve the Ukrainian military can use.YWAM is paying for the 1,000 Bibles, according to Brewer, while he is paying for the expenses of the trip.“I think it will be a nice thing to 
share, especially for the guys in hospital,” said the senator, who was 
raised a Baptist in the Gordon area.<h2>U.S. aid has made a big difference</h2>Brewer dodged a few artillery rounds on his last trip, which took him
 near the battle lines in eastern and southern Ukraine, and he expects 
this trip will present the same kinds of hazards.Part of the trip, he said, will take him near the Zaporizhzhia 
nuclear plant in southeast Ukraine, which the Russians have occupied 
since March and where fighting has been fierce in recent weeks.Brewer said U.S. military aid has made a big difference for Ukraine 
in the war, especially the highly accurate High Mobility Artillery 
Rocket System (HIMARS) systems sent over.“If it wasn’t for us, they would be speaking Russian right now,” he said.<h2>Fears nuclear bomb use</h2>Brewer said he would support sending longer range rocket systems to 
Ukraine, so troops could knock out Russian missile launch facilities. 
But he fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use tactical 
nuclear bombs to retaliate, after his troops lost some territory they 
had captured during the six-month-long war.“I fear that he’s boxed in a corner and he has to do something,” Brewer said.The senator said he expects to be back in Nebraska in time for a 
sinus surgery in early December and then meetings with new state 
senators in advance of the 2023 legislative session, which will begin 
Jan. 4.“When I was over there the first 
time, I saw a need for some things,” he said. “Now, I have a window 
before the session (starts).”

Nebraska Sen. Brewer headed back to Ukraine

GRAND ISLAND, NEB.&nbsp; — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating after a deceased individual was located this morning near Harvard.

The body was located this morning by a citizen working in the area just east of Harvard, along Road 26 in Clay County. The citizen reported the discovery to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office has requested that NSP conduct the investigation.

Investigators have not been able to positively identify the individual at this time. Foul play is suspected. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be release when possible.

By Nebraska State PatrolGRAND ISLAND, NEB.&nbsp; — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating after a deceased individual was located this morning near Harvard.The body was located this morning by a citizen working in the area just east of Harvard, along Road 26 in Clay County. The citizen reported the discovery to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office has requested that NSP conduct the investigation.Investigators have not been able to positively identify the individual at this time. Foul play is suspected. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be release when possible.

NSP investigating after body found in Clay County

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea flew 12 warplanes near its border with South Korea on Thursday, prompting the South to scramble 30 military planes in response, Seoul officials said. The highly unusual incident came hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in its sixth round of missile tests in less than two weeks.

Eight North Korean fighter jets and four bombers flew in formation and were believed to have conducted air-to-surface firing drills, South Korea’s military said.

The military said South Korea responded by scrambling 30 fighter jets and other warplanes, though they didn’t engage in any clash with the North Korean aircraft. It refused to provide further details, including how close to the border the North Korean planes flew.

Tensions have risen sharply on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea’s recent barrage of missile tests prompted South Korea, the United States and Japan to conduct joint drills in response.

Earlier Thursday, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters. The launches came after the United States redeployed an aircraft carrier near the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea's launch of a nuclear-capable missile over Japan.

North Korea has conducted a record number of missile tests this year. South Korean officials said the North may further raise tensions by testing an intercontinental ballistic missile or conducting its first nuclear test explosion since 2017, following an old pattern of heightening tensions before trying to wrest outside concessions.

Some experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is determined to continue with weapons tests aimed at boosting his nuclear arsenal in defiance of international sanctions. They say North Korea's goal is to eventually win recognition as a legitimate nuclear state from the United States and the lifting of sanctions, though the United States and its allies have shown no sign of doing so.

The latest missiles were launched 22 minutes apart from North Korea’s capital region and landed between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The first missile flew 350 kilometers (217 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 80 kilometers (50 miles) and the second flew 800 kilometers (497 miles) with an apogee of 60 kilometers (37 miles).

The flight details were similar to Japanese assessments announced by Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, who confirmed that the missiles didn’t reach Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

He added that the second missile was possibly launched on an “irregular” trajectory. It is a term that has been used to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modeled after Russia’s Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

U.S., South Korean and Japanese destroyers launched joint drills later Thursday off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast to horn their abilities to search, track and intercept North Korean ballistic missiles, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The U.S. destroyer is part of the strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which returned to the waters in what South Korea’s military called an attempt to demonstrate the allies’ “firm will” to counter North’s continued provocations and threats.

The strike group was in the area last week as part of previous drills between South Korea and the United States, and the allies’ other training involving Japan. North Korea considers such U.S.-led drills near the peninsula as an invasion rehearsal and views training involving a U.S. carrier more provocative.

South Korea’s military said it has also boosted its surveillance posture and maintains readiness in close coordination with the United States. The U.S. Indo Pacific Command said the launches didn’t pose an immediate threat to United States or its allies, but still highlighted the “destabilizing impact” of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke by phone Thursday and agreed that North Korea’s recent missile tests are “a serious, grave provocation” that threatens international peace, according to Yoon’s office. Kishida earlier said the North’s continued launches are “absolutely intolerable.”

Moon Hong Sik, a South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson, said North Korea’s accelerating tests also reflect an urgency to meet Kim Jong Un’s arms development goals.

Kim last year described an extensive wish list of advanced nuclear weapons systems, including more powerful ICBMs, multiwarhead missiles, underwater-launched nuclear missiles and tactical nuclear arms.

On Tuesday, North Korea staged its most provocative weapons demonstration since 2017, firing an intermediate-range missile over Japan, forcing the Japanese government to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains.

Experts said the weapon was likely a Hwasong-12 missile capable of reaching the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam and beyond.

Other weapons tested in recent days included Iskander-like missiles and other ballistic weapons designed to strike key targets in South Korea, including U.S. military bases there.

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that the redeployment of the Reagan strike group poses “a serious threat to the stability of the situation on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity.” The ministry said it strongly condemns U.S.-led efforts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on the North over its recent missile testing, which it described as a “just counteraction” to joint U.S.-South Korean drills.

After the North’s intermediate-range missile launch, the United States and South Korea also carried out their own live-fire drills that have so far involved land-to-land ballistic missiles and precision-guided bombs dropped from fighter jets.

But one of the tit-for-tat launches nearly caused catastrophe early Wednesday when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-south-korea-north-joint-chiefs-of-staff-de60a7b5b83248c549e6e65b49b4a373">malfunctioning South Korean Hyumoo-2 missile flipped</a>&nbsp;shortly after liftoff and crashed into the ground at an air force base in the eastern coastal city of Gangneung. South Korea’s military said no one was hurt.

After Tuesday’s North Korean launch, the United States, Britain, France, Albania, Norway and Ireland called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-china-japan-north-korea-c2814192ae7890d7cf08cbed76845336">But the session Wednesday ended with no consensus,</a>&nbsp;underscoring a divide among the council’s permanent members that has deepened over Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Russia and China during the meeting insisted to fellow Security Council members that U.S.-led military exercises in the region had provoked North Korea into acting.

The United States and its allies expressed concern that the the council’s inability to reach consensus on North Korea’s record number of missile launches this year was emboldening North Korea and undermining the authority of the United Nations’ most powerful body.

North Korea has fired more than 40 ballistic and cruise missiles over more than 20 launch events this year, using the stalled diplomacy with the United States and Russia’s war on Ukraine as a window to speed up arms development.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Thursday after the United States redeployed an aircraft carrier near the Korean Peninsula in response to Pyongyang’s previous launch of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seoul-south-korea-north-joint-chiefs-of-staff-1026206c80666f1fcdb3983ebf45e14b">nuclear-capable missile over Japan</a>.

The latest missile launches suggest North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is determined to continue with weapons tests aimed at boosting his nuclear arsenal in defiance of international sanctions. Many experts say Kim’s goal is to eventually win U.S. recognition as a legitimate nuclear state and the lifting of those sanctions, though the United States and its allies have shown no sign of allowing that to happen.

The latest missiles were launched 22 minutes apart from the North’s capital region and landed between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The first missile flew 350 kilometers (217 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 80 kilometers (50 miles) and the second flew 800 kilometers (497 miles) on an apogee of 60 kilometers (37 miles).

U.S., South Korean and Japanese destroyers launched joint drills later Thursday off the Korean Peninsula's east coast to horn their abilities to search, track and intercept North Korean ballistic missiles, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korea’s military said it has also boosted its surveillance posture and maintains readiness in close coordination with the United States. The U.S. Indo Pacific Command said the launches didn’t pose an immediate threat to United States or its allies, but still highlighted the “destabilizing impact" of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was expected to hold a telephone call with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over the North Korean threat later Thursday, said the North’s continued launches were “absolutely intolerable.”

The launches were North Korea’s sixth round of weapons tests in less than two weeks, adding to a record number of missile launches this year that has prompted condemnation from the United States and other countries. South Korean officials said the North may up the ante soon by testing an intercontinental ballistic missile or conducting its first nuclear test explosion since 2017, escalating an old pattern of heightening tensions before trying to wrest outside concessions.

Moon Hong Sik, a South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson, said North Korea’s accelerating tests also reflect an urgency to meet Kim Jong Un’s arms development goals. Kim last year described an extensive wish list of advanced nuclear weapons systems, including more powerful ICBMs, multiwarhead missiles, underwater-launched nuclear missiles and tactical nuclear arms.

Russia and China during the meeting insisted to fellow Security Council members that U.S.-led military exercises in the region had provoked North Korea into acting. The United States and its allies expressed concern that the the council’s inability to reach consensus on North Korea’s record number of missile launches this year was emboldening North Korea and undermining the authority of the United Nations’ most powerful body.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664842519726.png" alt="- This photo provided by the North Korean government shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a parliament in Pyongyang, North Korea on Sept. 8, 2022. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. North Korea on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 fired a ballistic missile over Japan, its neighbors said, escalating tests of weapons designed to strike key targets in regional U.S. allies amid stalled nuclear diplomacy. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File) (Uncredited/KCNA via KNS)" />
 <figcaption>- This photo provided by the North Korean government shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a parliament in Pyongyang, North Korea on Sept. 8, 2022. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. North Korea on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 fired a ballistic missile over Japan, its neighbors said, escalating tests of weapons designed to strike key targets in regional U.S. allies amid stalled nuclear diplomacy. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File) (Uncredited/KCNA via KNS)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea flew 12 warplanes near its border with South Korea on Thursday, prompting the South to scramble 30 military planes in response, Seoul officials said. The highly unusual incident came hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in its sixth round of missile tests in less than two weeks.Eight North Korean fighter jets and four bombers flew in formation and were believed to have conducted air-to-surface firing drills, South Korea’s military said.The military said South Korea responded by scrambling 30 fighter jets and other warplanes, though they didn’t engage in any clash with the North Korean aircraft. It refused to provide further details, including how close to the border the North Korean planes flew.Tensions have risen sharply on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea’s recent barrage of missile tests prompted South Korea, the United States and Japan to conduct joint drills in response.Earlier Thursday, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters. The launches came after the United States redeployed an aircraft carrier near the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea's launch of a nuclear-capable missile over Japan.North Korea has conducted a record number of missile tests this year. South Korean officials said the North may further raise tensions by testing an intercontinental ballistic missile or conducting its first nuclear test explosion since 2017, following an old pattern of heightening tensions before trying to wrest outside concessions.Some experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is determined to continue with weapons tests aimed at boosting his nuclear arsenal in defiance of international sanctions. They say North Korea's goal is to eventually win recognition as a legitimate nuclear state from the United States and the lifting of sanctions, though the United States and its allies have shown no sign of doing so.The latest missiles were launched 22 minutes apart from North Korea’s capital region and landed between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The first missile flew 350 kilometers (217 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 80 kilometers (50 miles) and the second flew 800 kilometers (497 miles) with an apogee of 60 kilometers (37 miles).The flight details were similar to Japanese assessments announced by Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, who confirmed that the missiles didn’t reach Japan’s exclusive economic zone.He added that the second missile was possibly launched on an “irregular” trajectory. It is a term that has been used to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modeled after Russia’s Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.U.S., South Korean and Japanese destroyers launched joint drills later Thursday off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast to horn their abilities to search, track and intercept North Korean ballistic missiles, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.The U.S. destroyer is part of the strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which returned to the waters in what South Korea’s military called an attempt to demonstrate the allies’ “firm will” to counter North’s continued provocations and threats.The strike group was in the area last week as part of previous drills between South Korea and the United States, and the allies’ other training involving Japan. North Korea considers such U.S.-led drills near the peninsula as an invasion rehearsal and views training involving a U.S. carrier more provocative.South Korea’s military said it has also boosted its surveillance posture and maintains readiness in close coordination with the United States. The U.S. Indo Pacific Command said the launches didn’t pose an immediate threat to United States or its allies, but still highlighted the “destabilizing impact” of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke by phone Thursday and agreed that North Korea’s recent missile tests are “a serious, grave provocation” that threatens international peace, according to Yoon’s office. Kishida earlier said the North’s continued launches are “absolutely intolerable.”Moon Hong Sik, a South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson, said North Korea’s accelerating tests also reflect an urgency to meet Kim Jong Un’s arms development goals.Kim last year described an extensive wish list of advanced nuclear weapons systems, including more powerful ICBMs, multiwarhead missiles, underwater-launched nuclear missiles and tactical nuclear arms.On Tuesday, North Korea staged its most provocative weapons demonstration since 2017, firing an intermediate-range missile over Japan, forcing the Japanese government to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains.Experts said the weapon was likely a Hwasong-12 missile capable of reaching the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam and beyond.Other weapons tested in recent days included Iskander-like missiles and other ballistic weapons designed to strike key targets in South Korea, including U.S. military bases there.North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that the redeployment of the Reagan strike group poses “a serious threat to the stability of the situation on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity.” The ministry said it strongly condemns U.S.-led efforts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on the North over its recent missile testing, which it described as a “just counteraction” to joint U.S.-South Korean drills.After the North’s intermediate-range missile launch, the United States and South Korea also carried out their own live-fire drills that have so far involved land-to-land ballistic missiles and precision-guided bombs dropped from fighter jets.But one of the tit-for-tat launches nearly caused catastrophe early Wednesday when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-south-korea-north-joint-chiefs-of-staff-de60a7b5b83248c549e6e65b49b4a373">malfunctioning South Korean Hyumoo-2 missile flipped</a>&nbsp;shortly after liftoff and crashed into the ground at an air force base in the eastern coastal city of Gangneung. South Korea’s military said no one was hurt.After Tuesday’s North Korean launch, the United States, Britain, France, Albania, Norway and Ireland called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-china-japan-north-korea-c2814192ae7890d7cf08cbed76845336">But the session Wednesday ended with no consensus,</a>&nbsp;underscoring a divide among the council’s permanent members that has deepened over Russia’s war on Ukraine.Russia and China during the meeting insisted to fellow Security Council members that U.S.-led military exercises in the region had provoked North Korea into acting.The United States and its allies expressed concern that the the council’s inability to reach consensus on North Korea’s record number of missile launches this year was emboldening North Korea and undermining the authority of the United Nations’ most powerful body.North Korea has fired more than 40 ballistic and cruise missiles over more than 20 launch events this year, using the stalled diplomacy with the United States and Russia’s war on Ukraine as a window to speed up arms development.--------------SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Thursday after the United States redeployed an aircraft carrier near the Korean Peninsula in response to Pyongyang’s previous launch of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seoul-south-korea-north-joint-chiefs-of-staff-1026206c80666f1fcdb3983ebf45e14b">nuclear-capable missile over Japan</a>.The latest missile launches suggest North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is determined to continue with weapons tests aimed at boosting his nuclear arsenal in defiance of international sanctions. Many experts say Kim’s goal is to eventually win U.S. recognition as a legitimate nuclear state and the lifting of those sanctions, though the United States and its allies have shown no sign of allowing that to happen.The latest missiles were launched 22 minutes apart from the North’s capital region and landed between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The first missile flew 350 kilometers (217 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 80 kilometers (50 miles) and the second flew 800 kilometers (497 miles) on an apogee of 60 kilometers (37 miles).The flight details were similar to Japanese assessments announced by Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, who confirmed that the missiles didn’t reach Japan’s exclusive economic zone.He added that the second missile was possibly launched on an “irregular” trajectory. It is a term that has been used to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modeled after Russia’s Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.U.S., South Korean and Japanese destroyers launched joint drills later Thursday off the Korean Peninsula's east coast to horn their abilities to search, track and intercept North Korean ballistic missiles, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.The U.S. destroyer is part of the strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which returned to the waters in what South Korea’s military called an attempt to demonstrate the allies’ “firm will” to counter North’s continued provocations and threats.The strike group was in the area last week as part of previous drills between South Korea and the United States, and the allies’ other training involving Japan. North Korea considers such U.S.-led drills near the peninsula as an invasion rehearsal and views training involving a U.S. carrier more provocative.South Korea’s military said it has also boosted its surveillance posture and maintains readiness in close coordination with the United States. The U.S. Indo Pacific Command said the launches didn’t pose an immediate threat to United States or its allies, but still highlighted the “destabilizing impact" of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was expected to hold a telephone call with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over the North Korean threat later Thursday, said the North’s continued launches were “absolutely intolerable.”The launches were North Korea’s sixth round of weapons tests in less than two weeks, adding to a record number of missile launches this year that has prompted condemnation from the United States and other countries. South Korean officials said the North may up the ante soon by testing an intercontinental ballistic missile or conducting its first nuclear test explosion since 2017, escalating an old pattern of heightening tensions before trying to wrest outside concessions.Moon Hong Sik, a South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson, said North Korea’s accelerating tests also reflect an urgency to meet Kim Jong Un’s arms development goals. Kim last year described an extensive wish list of advanced nuclear weapons systems, including more powerful ICBMs, multiwarhead missiles, underwater-launched nuclear missiles and tactical nuclear arms.On Tuesday, North Korea staged its most provocative weapons demonstration since 2017, firing an intermediate-range missile over Japan, forcing the Japanese government to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains.Experts said the weapon was likely a Hwasong-12 missile capable of reaching the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam and beyond.Other weapons tested in recent days included Iskander-like missiles and other ballistic weapons designed to strike key targets in South Korea, including U.S. military bases there.North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that the redeployment of the Reagan strike group poses “a serious threat to the stability of the situation on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity.” The ministry said it strongly condemns U.S.-led efforts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on the North over its recent missile testing, which it described as a “just counteraction” to joint U.S.-South Korean drills.After the North’s intermediate-range missile launch, the United States and South Korea also carried out their own live-fire drills that have so far involved land-to-land ballistic missiles and precision-guided bombs dropped from fighter jets.But one of the tit-for-tat launches nearly caused catastrophe early Wednesday when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-south-korea-north-joint-chiefs-of-staff-de60a7b5b83248c549e6e65b49b4a373">malfunctioning South Korean Hyumoo-2 missile flipped</a>&nbsp;shortly after liftoff and crashed into the ground at an air force base in the eastern coastal city of Gangneung. South Korea’s military said no one was hurt.After Tuesday’s North Korean launch, the United States, Britain, France, Albania, Norway and Ireland called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-china-japan-north-korea-c2814192ae7890d7cf08cbed76845336">But the session Wednesday ended with no consensus,</a>&nbsp;underscoring a divide among the council’s permanent members that has deepened over Russia’s war on Ukraine.Russia and China during the meeting insisted to fellow Security Council members that U.S.-led military exercises in the region had provoked North Korea into acting. The United States and its allies expressed concern that the the council’s inability to reach consensus on North Korea’s record number of missile launches this year was emboldening North Korea and undermining the authority of the United Nations’ most powerful body.North Korea has fired more than 40 ballistic and cruise missiles over more than 20 launch events this year, using the stalled diplomacy with the United States and Russia’s war on Ukraine as a window to speed up arms development.___

U.S. redeploys aircraft carrier as N Korea flies warplanes after missile launches

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The OPEC+ alliance of oil-exporting countries decided Wednesday to sharply cut production to support sagging oil prices, a move that could deal the struggling global economy another blow and raise politically sensitive pump prices for U.S. drivers just ahead of key national elections.

Energy ministers meeting at the Vienna headquarters of the OPEC oil cartel cut production by a larger-than-expected 2 million barrels per day starting in November after gathering for their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group said the decision was based on the “uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks.” Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman stressed the cartel’s stated role as a guardian of stable energy markets.

“We are here to stay as a moderating force, to bring about stability,” he told reporters.

Besides a token trim last month, the major cut in the amount of crude that OPEC+ ships to the world is an abrupt turnaround from months of restoring deep cuts made in 2020 during the depths of the pandemic. As demand rebounded, global energy prices have swung wildly since Russia invaded Ukraine, fueling inflation that is squeezing economies around the world.

The OPEC+ decision could help alliance member Russia weather a looming European ban on oil imports. But the impact of the production cut on oil prices — and thus the price of gasoline made from crude — will have some limitations because OPEC+ members already can't meet their quotas.

The decision comes as oil trades well below its summer peaks because of fears that major global economies such as the U.S. or Europe will sink into recession due to high inflation, rising interest rates meant to curb rising consumer prices, and uncertainty over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“We are going through a period of diverse uncertainties, which could come our way, it’s a brewing cloud,” bin Salman said, adding that OPEC+ sought to remain “ahead of the curve.”

The fall in oil prices has been a boon to U.S. drivers, who saw lower gasoline prices at the pump before costs recently started ticking up, and for U.S. President Joe Biden as his Democratic Party gears up for congressional elections next month.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. would not extend releases from its strategic reserve to increase global supplies.

Biden has tried to receive credit for gasoline prices falling from their average June peak of $5.02 — with administration officials highlighting a late March announcement that a million barrels a day would be released from the strategic reserve for six months. High inflation is a fundamental drag on Biden’s approval and has dampened Democrats’ chances in the midterm elections.

Oil supply could face further cutbacks in coming months when a European ban on most Russian imports takes effect in December. A separate move by the U.S. and other members of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies to impose a price cap on Russian oil could reduce supply if Russia retaliates by refusing to ship to countries and companies that observe the cap.

The EU agreed Wednesday on new sanctions that are expected to include a price cap on Russian oil.

Russia “will need to find new buyers for its oil when the EU embargo comes into force in early December and will presumably have to make further price concessions to do so,” analysts at Commerzbank said. “Higher prices beforehand — boosted by production cuts elsewhere — would therefore doubtless be very welcome.”

Dwindling prospects for a diplomatic deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program also have lowered prospects for a return of as much as 1.5 million barrels a day in Iranian oil to the market if sanctions are removed.

Oil prices surged this summer as markets worried about the loss of Russian supplies from sanctions over the war in Ukraine, but they slipped as fears about recessions in major economies and China’s COVID-19 restrictions weighed on demand for crude.

International benchmark Brent has sagged as low as $84 in recent days after spending most of the summer months over $100 per barrel. U.S. crude rose to $87.64, and international benchmark Brent went up to $93.21 after the decision.

At its last meeting in September, OPEC+ reduced the amount of oil it produces by 100,000 barrels a day in October. That token cut didn’t do much to boost lower oil prices, but it put markets on notice that the group was willing to act if prices kept falling.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The OPEC+ alliance of oil-exporting countries decided Wednesday to sharply cut production to support sagging oil prices, a move that could deal the struggling global economy another blow and raise politically sensitive pump prices for U.S. drivers just ahead of key national elections.Energy ministers meeting at the Vienna headquarters of the OPEC oil cartel cut production by a larger-than-expected 2 million barrels per day starting in November after gathering for their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.The group said the decision was based on the “uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks.” Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman stressed the cartel’s stated role as a guardian of stable energy markets.“We are here to stay as a moderating force, to bring about stability,” he told reporters.Besides a token trim last month, the major cut in the amount of crude that OPEC+ ships to the world is an abrupt turnaround from months of restoring deep cuts made in 2020 during the depths of the pandemic. As demand rebounded, global energy prices have swung wildly since Russia invaded Ukraine, fueling inflation that is squeezing economies around the world.The OPEC+ decision could help alliance member Russia weather a looming European ban on oil imports. But the impact of the production cut on oil prices — and thus the price of gasoline made from crude — will have some limitations because OPEC+ members already can't meet their quotas.The decision comes as oil trades well below its summer peaks because of fears that major global economies such as the U.S. or Europe will sink into recession due to high inflation, rising interest rates meant to curb rising consumer prices, and uncertainty over Russia’s war in Ukraine.“We are going through a period of diverse uncertainties, which could come our way, it’s a brewing cloud,” bin Salman said, adding that OPEC+ sought to remain “ahead of the curve.”The fall in oil prices has been a boon to U.S. drivers, who saw lower gasoline prices at the pump before costs recently started ticking up, and for U.S. President Joe Biden as his Democratic Party gears up for congressional elections next month.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. would not extend releases from its strategic reserve to increase global supplies.Biden has tried to receive credit for gasoline prices falling from their average June peak of $5.02 — with administration officials highlighting a late March announcement that a million barrels a day would be released from the strategic reserve for six months. High inflation is a fundamental drag on Biden’s approval and has dampened Democrats’ chances in the midterm elections.Oil supply could face further cutbacks in coming months when a European ban on most Russian imports takes effect in December. A separate move by the U.S. and other members of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies to impose a price cap on Russian oil could reduce supply if Russia retaliates by refusing to ship to countries and companies that observe the cap.The EU agreed Wednesday on new sanctions that are expected to include a price cap on Russian oil.Russia “will need to find new buyers for its oil when the EU embargo comes into force in early December and will presumably have to make further price concessions to do so,” analysts at Commerzbank said. “Higher prices beforehand — boosted by production cuts elsewhere — would therefore doubtless be very welcome.”Dwindling prospects for a diplomatic deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program also have lowered prospects for a return of as much as 1.5 million barrels a day in Iranian oil to the market if sanctions are removed.Oil prices surged this summer as markets worried about the loss of Russian supplies from sanctions over the war in Ukraine, but they slipped as fears about recessions in major economies and China’s COVID-19 restrictions weighed on demand for crude.International benchmark Brent has sagged as low as $84 in recent days after spending most of the summer months over $100 per barrel. U.S. crude rose to $87.64, and international benchmark Brent went up to $93.21 after the decision.At its last meeting in September, OPEC+ reduced the amount of oil it produces by 100,000 barrels a day in October. That token cut didn’t do much to boost lower oil prices, but it put markets on notice that the group was willing to act if prices kept falling.

OPEC+ makes big oil cut; U.S. gasoline pump price may rise

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s gross national debt has surpassed $31 trillion, according to a U.S. Treasury&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapps.fiscal.treasury.gov/dts/files/22100300.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;released Tuesday that logs America’s daily finances.

Edging closer to the statutory ceiling of roughly $31.4 trillion — an artificial cap Congress placed on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow — the debt numbers hit an already tenuous economy facing high inflation, rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

And while President Joe Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-national-debt-37aed6b8475ba3f404529aba17bb4e7a">touted his administration’s deficit reduction</a>&nbsp;efforts this year and recently signed the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which attempts to tame 40-year high price increases caused by a variety of economic factors, economists say the latest debt numbers are a cause for concern.

Owen Zidar, a Princeton economist, said rising interest rates will exacerbate the nation’s growing debt issues and make the debt itself more costly. The Federal Reserve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-layoffs-prices-economy-ddb0f7c3437661b74b62e03cb267aab9">has raised rates</a>&nbsp;several times this year in an effort to combat inflation.

Zidar said the debt “should encourage us to consider some tax policies that almost passed through the legislative process but didn’t get enough support,” like imposing higher taxes on the wealthy and closing the carried interest loophole, which allows money managers to treat their income as capital gains.

“I think the point here is if you weren’t worried before about the debt before, you should be — and if you were worried before, you should be even more worried,” Zidar said.

The Congressional Budget Office earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-economic-growth-government-finance-gross-domestic-product-a8e2856c81e717f922bd0bc2808a5c08">released a report on America’s debt load</a>, warning in its 30-year outlook that, if unaddressed, the debt will soon spiral upward to new highs that could ultimately imperil the U.S. economy.

In its August Mid-Session Review, the administration forecasted that this year’s budget deficit will be nearly $400 billion lower than it estimated back in March, due in part to stronger than expected revenues, reduced spending, and an economy that has recovered all the jobs lost during the multi-year pandemic.

In full, this year’s deficit will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-government-and-politics-c721634482519d591cb1a0522a464bf7">decline by $1.7 trillion</a>, representing the single largest decline in the federal deficit in American history, the Office of Management and Budget said in August.

Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said in an emailed statement Tuesday, “This is a new record no one should be proud of.”

“In the past 18 months, we’ve witnessed inflation rise to a 40-year high, interest rates climbing in part to combat this inflation, and several budget-busting pieces of legislation and executive actions,” MacGuineas said. “We are addicted to debt.”

A representative from the Treasury Department was not immediately available for comment.

Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at Loyola Marymount University, said “it took this nation 200 years to pile up its first trillion dollars in national debt, and since the pandemic we have been adding at the rate of 1 trillion nearly every quarter.”

Predicting high inflation for the “foreseeable future,” he said, “when you increase government spending and money supply, you will pay the price later.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647366296588.png" alt="The Congressional Budget Office earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-economic-growth-government-finance-gross-domestic-product-a8e2856c81e717f922bd0bc2808a5c08">released a report on America’s debt load</a>, warning in its 30-year outlook that, if unaddressed, the debt will soon spiral upward to new highs that could ultimately imperil the U.S. economy.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The Congressional Budget Office earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-economic-growth-government-finance-gross-domestic-product-a8e2856c81e717f922bd0bc2808a5c08">released a report on America’s debt load</a>, warning in its 30-year outlook that, if unaddressed, the debt will soon spiral upward to new highs that could ultimately imperil the U.S. economy.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s gross national debt has surpassed $31 trillion, according to a U.S. Treasury&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapps.fiscal.treasury.gov/dts/files/22100300.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;released Tuesday that logs America’s daily finances.Edging closer to the statutory ceiling of roughly $31.4 trillion — an artificial cap Congress placed on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow — the debt numbers hit an already tenuous economy facing high inflation, rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.And while President Joe Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-national-debt-37aed6b8475ba3f404529aba17bb4e7a">touted his administration’s deficit reduction</a>&nbsp;efforts this year and recently signed the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which attempts to tame 40-year high price increases caused by a variety of economic factors, economists say the latest debt numbers are a cause for concern.Owen Zidar, a Princeton economist, said rising interest rates will exacerbate the nation’s growing debt issues and make the debt itself more costly. The Federal Reserve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-layoffs-prices-economy-ddb0f7c3437661b74b62e03cb267aab9">has raised rates</a>&nbsp;several times this year in an effort to combat inflation.Zidar said the debt “should encourage us to consider some tax policies that almost passed through the legislative process but didn’t get enough support,” like imposing higher taxes on the wealthy and closing the carried interest loophole, which allows money managers to treat their income as capital gains.“I think the point here is if you weren’t worried before about the debt before, you should be — and if you were worried before, you should be even more worried,” Zidar said.The Congressional Budget Office earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-economic-growth-government-finance-gross-domestic-product-a8e2856c81e717f922bd0bc2808a5c08">released a report on America’s debt load</a>, warning in its 30-year outlook that, if unaddressed, the debt will soon spiral upward to new highs that could ultimately imperil the U.S. economy.In its August Mid-Session Review, the administration forecasted that this year’s budget deficit will be nearly $400 billion lower than it estimated back in March, due in part to stronger than expected revenues, reduced spending, and an economy that has recovered all the jobs lost during the multi-year pandemic.In full, this year’s deficit will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-government-and-politics-c721634482519d591cb1a0522a464bf7">decline by $1.7 trillion</a>, representing the single largest decline in the federal deficit in American history, the Office of Management and Budget said in August.Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said in an emailed statement Tuesday, “This is a new record no one should be proud of.”“In the past 18 months, we’ve witnessed inflation rise to a 40-year high, interest rates climbing in part to combat this inflation, and several budget-busting pieces of legislation and executive actions,” MacGuineas said. “We are addicted to debt.”A representative from the Treasury Department was not immediately available for comment.Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at Loyola Marymount University, said “it took this nation 200 years to pile up its first trillion dollars in national debt, and since the pandemic we have been adding at the rate of 1 trillion nearly every quarter.”Predicting high inflation for the “foreseeable future,” he said, “when you increase government spending and money supply, you will pay the price later.”

U.S. national debt tops $31 trillion for first time

WASHINGTON — President Biden announced on Wednesday that his Administration sourced a flight, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for Operation Fly Formula to transport&nbsp;Nestlé Gerber Good Start Extensive HA formula from Netherlands to Newark, NJ via a flight last week, according to a statement from the White House.

This delivery included in total approximately 101,000 pounds of Nestlé formula, the equivalent of approximately 1.4 million 8-ounce bottles. The products are intended for healthcare purposes.

Beginning in May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency is exercising enforcement discretion so that Nestlé can export additional infant formula into the U.S. Nestlé will import both standard and specialty infant formulas including Nestlé NAN&nbsp;SupremePro 1 and NAN&nbsp;SupremePro 2, Nestlé NAN EXPERTpro SensiPro, Nestlé Health Science Alfamino&nbsp;Infant and Alfamino&nbsp;Junior, Vitaflo PKU start, Gerber Good Start&nbsp;Gentle and Gerber&nbsp;Good Start Extensive HA, and Nestlé SMA Nutrition Althéra. Over time Nestlé plans to bring approximately more than 42 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents into the U.S. market.

President Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. Under Operation Fly Formula, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) are partnering to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves, hospitals, and home health care providers faster. By September 29, Operation Fly Formula will have transported more than 97.9 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents to the U.S.

In addition, the Biden Administration has taken a number of other important actions to ensure there is enough safe infant formula for families, including invoking the Defense Production Act, entering into a consent agreement between the FDA and Abbott Nutrition to reopen the company’s Sturgis facility, and issuing FDA guidance so that major formula manufacturers can safely import formula that is not currently being produced for the U.S. market. Details of our actions can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/Users/Adam.Friedlander/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/JHSFK5EH/whitehouse.gov/formula">whitehouse.gov/formula</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664973108129.png" alt="Formula arriving in the United State this summer-File photo courtesy United Airlines" />
 <figcaption>Formula arriving in the United State this summer-File photo courtesy United Airlines</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — President Biden announced on Wednesday that his Administration sourced a flight, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for Operation Fly Formula to transport&nbsp;Nestlé Gerber Good Start Extensive HA formula from Netherlands to Newark, NJ via a flight last week, according to a statement from the White House.This delivery included in total approximately 101,000 pounds of Nestlé formula, the equivalent of approximately 1.4 million 8-ounce bottles. The products are intended for healthcare purposes.Beginning in May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency is exercising enforcement discretion so that Nestlé can export additional infant formula into the U.S. Nestlé will import both standard and specialty infant formulas including Nestlé NAN&nbsp;SupremePro 1 and NAN&nbsp;SupremePro 2, Nestlé NAN EXPERTpro SensiPro, Nestlé Health Science Alfamino&nbsp;Infant and Alfamino&nbsp;Junior, Vitaflo PKU start, Gerber Good Start&nbsp;Gentle and Gerber&nbsp;Good Start Extensive HA, and Nestlé SMA Nutrition Althéra. Over time Nestlé plans to bring approximately more than 42 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents into the U.S. market.President Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. Under Operation Fly Formula, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) are partnering to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves, hospitals, and home health care providers faster. By September 29, Operation Fly Formula will have transported more than 97.9 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents to the U.S.In addition, the Biden Administration has taken a number of other important actions to ensure there is enough safe infant formula for families, including invoking the Defense Production Act, entering into a consent agreement between the FDA and Abbott Nutrition to reopen the company’s Sturgis facility, and issuing FDA guidance so that major formula manufacturers can safely import formula that is not currently being produced for the U.S. market. Details of our actions can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/Users/Adam.Friedlander/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/JHSFK5EH/whitehouse.gov/formula">whitehouse.gov/formula</a>.

26th Operation Fly Baby Formula mission arrives in the U.S.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a cattle fraud scheme that he tried to cover up by killing two Wisconsin brothers.

The U.S. attorneys office said 28-year-old Garland Nelson, of Braymer, must forfeit more than $215,000 after admitting to mail fraud and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

He entered the plea just days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-wisconsin-missouri-climate-and-environment-f4f2752edbfc958ba0697117cf77bc54">pleading guilty</a>&nbsp;to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin.

The brothers’ father reported them missing July 21, 2019, after they didn’t return from a visit to Nelson’s farm, where they had gone to collect a $250,000 debt. Nelson was supposed to be caring for cattle for the brothers, according to court records.

The Diemel family sent livestock to Nelson’s farm to be cared for and sold between 2018 and 2019. The animals were neglected and many died. But Nelson charged the family full price, according to court documents.

When the Diemels asked for their money back, Nelson intentionally sent a damaged check to Nicholas Diemel, which prompted the brothers’ visit to his farm.

Prosecutors said Nelson shot the brothers and drove their pickup truck off of his farm. He told authorities he put the men’s bodies in 55-gallon barrels and burned them. Nelson told investigators he dumped the remains on a manure pile and hid the barrels on his property, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City, Missouri.

The remains were later found in Missouri and in a livestock trailer in Lincoln County, Nebraska, that had been purchased in Missouri.

He was sentenced to two life terms without parole for the killings. No sentencing date has been scheduled for the federal charges, but the crimes carry up to three decades behind bars, federal prosecutors said in a news release.

By Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a cattle fraud scheme that he tried to cover up by killing two Wisconsin brothers.The U.S. attorneys office said 28-year-old Garland Nelson, of Braymer, must forfeit more than $215,000 after admitting to mail fraud and being a felon in possession of a firearm.He entered the plea just days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-wisconsin-missouri-climate-and-environment-f4f2752edbfc958ba0697117cf77bc54">pleading guilty</a>&nbsp;to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin.The brothers’ father reported them missing July 21, 2019, after they didn’t return from a visit to Nelson’s farm, where they had gone to collect a $250,000 debt. Nelson was supposed to be caring for cattle for the brothers, according to court records.The Diemel family sent livestock to Nelson’s farm to be cared for and sold between 2018 and 2019. The animals were neglected and many died. But Nelson charged the family full price, according to court documents.When the Diemels asked for their money back, Nelson intentionally sent a damaged check to Nicholas Diemel, which prompted the brothers’ visit to his farm.Prosecutors said Nelson shot the brothers and drove their pickup truck off of his farm. He told authorities he put the men’s bodies in 55-gallon barrels and burned them. Nelson told investigators he dumped the remains on a manure pile and hid the barrels on his property, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City, Missouri.The remains were later found in Missouri and in a livestock trailer in Lincoln County, Nebraska, that had been purchased in Missouri.He was sentenced to two life terms without parole for the killings. No sentencing date has been scheduled for the federal charges, but the crimes carry up to three decades behind bars, federal prosecutors said in a news release.

Missouri man convicted in brothers' deaths admits to fraud

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another union has approved the deal it made with the major freight railroads last month that helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">prevent a strike</a>&nbsp;to secure 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses for the workers it represents.

The American Train Dispatchers Association said Tuesday that 64% of its roughly 1,600 members approved the deal with Union Pacific, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, CSX, Norfolk Southern and other railroads. The union said dispatchers will receive an average payout of $17,500 when the five-year deal becomes final because it is retroactive to 2020.

Four smaller railroad unions have now approved their deals with the railroads, but the two biggest unions that represent engineers and conductors won't vote on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-6172442e20ccf3295b39c2f3184e03cf">their tentative agreements</a>&nbsp;until mid-November. All 12&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-33f95ad925d1a00b204c95a70c18db3c">unions</a>&nbsp;that represent some 115,000 workers have to approve these deals to prevent a strike, but much of the attention is focused on the engineers and conductors because they have some of the biggest concerns about schedules and working conditions.

Those two unions have said that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;some railroads have put in place after the industry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">cut nearly one-third of its jobs</a>&nbsp;over the past six years make it difficult to take any time off and keep workers on call 24-7.

But even if one of the rail unions does reject their deal now, there won't automatically be a strike because both sides have agreed to allow some time to return to the table if a deal does fail to get approved.

Most of the deals the rail unions are voting on closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;that a special board of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed made this summer to help resolve the contract dispute that began nearly three years ago. The administration put pressure on both sides to reach agreements before the Sept. 16 strike deadline because of concerns about how a strike might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">cripple the economy</a>.

In addition to what that board recommended, the unions that represent engineers and conductors — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers unions — also negotiated to get three unpaid leave days for medical appointments and a promise that workers won’t be penalized if they are hospitalized. The railroads also agreed to negotiate further with those unions about improving the scheduling of regular days off for workers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663174263824.png" alt="All 12&nbsp;unions&nbsp;that represent some 115,000 workers have to approve these deals to prevent a strike." />
 <figcaption>All 12&nbsp;unions&nbsp;that represent some 115,000 workers have to approve these deals to prevent a strike.</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another union has approved the deal it made with the major freight railroads last month that helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">prevent a strike</a>&nbsp;to secure 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses for the workers it represents.The American Train Dispatchers Association said Tuesday that 64% of its roughly 1,600 members approved the deal with Union Pacific, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, CSX, Norfolk Southern and other railroads. The union said dispatchers will receive an average payout of $17,500 when the five-year deal becomes final because it is retroactive to 2020.Four smaller railroad unions have now approved their deals with the railroads, but the two biggest unions that represent engineers and conductors won't vote on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-6172442e20ccf3295b39c2f3184e03cf">their tentative agreements</a>&nbsp;until mid-November. All 12&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-33f95ad925d1a00b204c95a70c18db3c">unions</a>&nbsp;that represent some 115,000 workers have to approve these deals to prevent a strike, but much of the attention is focused on the engineers and conductors because they have some of the biggest concerns about schedules and working conditions.Those two unions have said that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;some railroads have put in place after the industry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">cut nearly one-third of its jobs</a>&nbsp;over the past six years make it difficult to take any time off and keep workers on call 24-7.But even if one of the rail unions does reject their deal now, there won't automatically be a strike because both sides have agreed to allow some time to return to the table if a deal does fail to get approved.Most of the deals the rail unions are voting on closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;that a special board of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed made this summer to help resolve the contract dispute that began nearly three years ago. The administration put pressure on both sides to reach agreements before the Sept. 16 strike deadline because of concerns about how a strike might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">cripple the economy</a>.In addition to what that board recommended, the unions that represent engineers and conductors — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers unions — also negotiated to get three unpaid leave days for medical appointments and a promise that workers won’t be penalized if they are hospitalized. The railroads also agreed to negotiate further with those unions about improving the scheduling of regular days off for workers.

Fourth union approves deal with railroads to get 24% raises

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/05/contest-seeks-to-learn-whats-the-coolest-thing-made-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — More than 20,000 votes so far
 have chimed in on a contest that next week will reveal the “Coolest 
Thing Made in Nebraska.”

Designed as a fun image-booster for 
the state’s manufacturing industry, the bracket-style knockout 
competition was organized by the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance and 
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry.

People with an email have until Sunday to c<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nemanufacturingalliance.com/coolest-thing-made-in-ne.html">ast a final vote</a> before the winner is announced Oct. 11 at the state’s annual Manufacturing Summit at the La Vista Conference Center.

What started as a field of about 50 
contenders has come down to two finalists: a high-tech subway railcar 
and a pivot irrigation wheel that walks (more than rolls) on tiny 
snowshoes of sorts.

Contenders didn’t have to be a 
product used in Nebraska, but they had to be made locally and represent 
the power, variety and value in choosing a manufacturing job in the 
state, said Mike Johnson, the Chamber’s vice president of manufacturing.

A sign of success, he said, would be 
to hear a student say: “Holy cow, I had no idea I could make something 
like this in my own backyard, in this area, and have this really unique 
and interesting career.”

One of the finalists is the R211 
subway car, built at the Kawasaki Motors plant in Lincoln. Three 
variations can be seen in full glory on the rails of New York City, 
bearing digital displays with real-time rider information, bright 
lighting and signage, and aerodynamic bonnets.

Meanwhile, the competition, the 
“pivot walker,” is a concept brought by a central Nebraska farmer to 
Chief Fabrication in Grand Island. The idea behind it is to reduce pivot
 ruts in fields that can lead to equipment damage and livestock 
injuries.

Here’s a pitch by the pivot walker 
maker, trying to appeal to the hometown crowd: “Nebraska farmer, 
Nebraska manufacturing and Nebraska used. It doesn’t get much more 
Nebraska than that!”

Johnson said the first-ever Coolest 
Thing Made In Nebraska contest raised other friendly banter, including 
when a Minden-made product used on a rover sent to the planet Mars went 
head-to-head against the Aurora-assembled Grain Weevil ag robot.

Fans of each were “duking it out” on 
social media in an entertaining battle that Johnson said remained ever 
so “Nebraska respectful.”

The Weevil robot won that round. Its 
sponsor described the machine as a cost-saving risk-absorber “doing the 
work no farmer should” inside a grain bin.&nbsp;

The Mars 2020 Ducts product by Royal 
Engineered Composites of Minden had its own impressive resume, though. 
The ducting components supported NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.

The Nebraska Chamber and the 
Manufacturing Alliance launched the competition to coincide with October
 Manufacturing Month. About 50 nominations were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nemanufacturingalliance.com/coolest-thing-made-in-ne.html">narrowed by a committee to 16</a>, Johnson said, and those then competed in a bracket-style tournament where pairs faced off until the final two emerged.

Johnson said he used a random generator to set the brackets.

Nominees included well-known Nebraska
 brands such as Columbus-based Dorothy Lynch dressings and Omaha-based 
Lozier retail shelving.&nbsp;

A sampling of others: The Rambler 
copper mugs by Handlebend of O’Neill; the Road Zipper by Lindsay of 
Omaha; Wood Barns &amp; Homes by Timberlyne in Wayne; Athletic Hurdles 
by Blazer Athletic Equipment of Columbus; the Tractor Stalk Roller by 
KinnanFAB Inc. of Cozad; the Stinger Firetruck Boomer out of Rosenbaur 
in Fremont.

Even holiday favorite Grandma’s Fruitcakes by Beatrice Bakery made the bracket stage.

Johnson said he was beyond pleased 
with the energy the tournament has generated. Nominees are invited to 
showcase their products at the Oct. 11 summit. He said the activities 
help dispel the image of manufacturing as a job in dingy conditions.

“We’re showcasing that manufacturing isn’t a dark and dangerous place. You can find great careers making interesting things.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664976763354.png" alt="The Pivot Walker by Chief Fabrication in Grand Island is one of two finalists in the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest. (Courtesy of Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance)" />
 <figcaption>The Pivot Walker by Chief Fabrication in Grand Island is one of two finalists in the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest. (Courtesy of Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/05/contest-seeks-to-learn-whats-the-coolest-thing-made-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — More than 20,000 votes so far
 have chimed in on a contest that next week will reveal the “Coolest 
Thing Made in Nebraska.”Designed as a fun image-booster for 
the state’s manufacturing industry, the bracket-style knockout 
competition was organized by the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance and 
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry.People with an email have until Sunday to c<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nemanufacturingalliance.com/coolest-thing-made-in-ne.html">ast a final vote</a> before the winner is announced Oct. 11 at the state’s annual Manufacturing Summit at the La Vista Conference Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664976828058.jpeg" alt="The R211 subway car is a finalist in 2022 “Coolest Thing Made In Nebraska” contest. (Courtesy of Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance)" />
 <figcaption>The R211 subway car is a finalist in 2022 “Coolest Thing Made In Nebraska” contest. (Courtesy of Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>About 50 entries whittled to 2</h2>What started as a field of about 50 
contenders has come down to two finalists: a high-tech subway railcar 
and a pivot irrigation wheel that walks (more than rolls) on tiny 
snowshoes of sorts.Contenders didn’t have to be a 
product used in Nebraska, but they had to be made locally and represent 
the power, variety and value in choosing a manufacturing job in the 
state, said Mike Johnson, the Chamber’s vice president of manufacturing.A sign of success, he said, would be 
to hear a student say: “Holy cow, I had no idea I could make something 
like this in my own backyard, in this area, and have this really unique 
and interesting career.”One of the finalists is the R211 
subway car, built at the Kawasaki Motors plant in Lincoln. Three 
variations can be seen in full glory on the rails of New York City, 
bearing digital displays with real-time rider information, bright 
lighting and signage, and aerodynamic bonnets.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664976898098.png" alt=" Bracket leading to winner of contest to be announced Oct. 11. (Courtesy of Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance)" />
 <figcaption> Bracket leading to winner of contest to be announced Oct. 11. (Courtesy of Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Duking it out’ on social media</h2>Meanwhile, the competition, the 
“pivot walker,” is a concept brought by a central Nebraska farmer to 
Chief Fabrication in Grand Island. The idea behind it is to reduce pivot
 ruts in fields that can lead to equipment damage and livestock 
injuries.Here’s a pitch by the pivot walker 
maker, trying to appeal to the hometown crowd: “Nebraska farmer, 
Nebraska manufacturing and Nebraska used. It doesn’t get much more 
Nebraska than that!”Johnson said the first-ever Coolest 
Thing Made In Nebraska contest raised other friendly banter, including 
when a Minden-made product used on a rover sent to the planet Mars went 
head-to-head against the Aurora-assembled Grain Weevil ag robot.Fans of each were “duking it out” on 
social media in an entertaining battle that Johnson said remained ever 
so “Nebraska respectful.”The Weevil robot won that round. Its 
sponsor described the machine as a cost-saving risk-absorber “doing the 
work no farmer should” inside a grain bin.&nbsp;The Mars 2020 Ducts product by Royal 
Engineered Composites of Minden had its own impressive resume, though. 
The ducting components supported NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.The Nebraska Chamber and the 
Manufacturing Alliance launched the competition to coincide with October
 Manufacturing Month. About 50 nominations were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nemanufacturingalliance.com/coolest-thing-made-in-ne.html">narrowed by a committee to 16</a>, Johnson said, and those then competed in a bracket-style tournament where pairs faced off until the final two emerged.Johnson said he used a random generator to set the brackets.Nominees included well-known Nebraska
 brands such as Columbus-based Dorothy Lynch dressings and Omaha-based 
Lozier retail shelving.&nbsp;A sampling of others: The Rambler 
copper mugs by Handlebend of O’Neill; the Road Zipper by Lindsay of 
Omaha; Wood Barns &amp; Homes by Timberlyne in Wayne; Athletic Hurdles 
by Blazer Athletic Equipment of Columbus; the Tractor Stalk Roller by 
KinnanFAB Inc. of Cozad; the Stinger Firetruck Boomer out of Rosenbaur 
in Fremont.Even holiday favorite Grandma’s Fruitcakes by Beatrice Bakery made the bracket stage.Johnson said he was beyond pleased 
with the energy the tournament has generated. Nominees are invited to 
showcase their products at the Oct. 11 summit. He said the activities 
help dispel the image of manufacturing as a job in dingy conditions.“We’re showcasing that manufacturing isn’t a dark and dangerous place. You can find great careers making interesting things.”

Down to two: What’s the coolest thing made in Nebraska?

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced plans on Tuesday to provide an additional $625 million in military aid to Ukraine, a package that includes additional advanced rocket systems credited with helping the country’s military gain momentum in its war with Russia.

President Joe Biden provided details on the latest package—which includes four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS, 200 mine resistant vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery and mortar ammunition—in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Vice President Kamala Harris joined the leaders on Tuesday’s call.

The U.S. and Ukraine leaders spoke as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-91c46d82268b3d5210b811ba67d66d33">Russia’s upper house of parliament</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday formally approved the annexation of swaths of Ukrainian territory following referendums that Ukraine and its Western allies dismissed as fraudulent.

“President Biden also affirmed the continued readiness of the United States to impose severe costs on any individual, entity, or country that provides support to Russia’s purported annexation,” the White House said in a statement.

This round of military aid marks the first time the U.S. has sent additional HIMARS to Ukraine since late July. The systems—which will bring the total number of HIMARS sent to Ukraine to 20— have become a key tool in Ukraine’s ability to strike bridges that Russia has used to supply its troops, enabling Ukrainian forces to make inroads in Russia-controlled regions.

The U.S. in recent weeks also provided funding through a separate program — the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative — so another 18 HIMARS can be purchased through longer-term contracts. USAI funds are being used as part of the effort by the U.S. and Western allies to ensure Ukraine’s forces are trained and equipped to defend their country in the years to come. But those contracts will take several years to fulfill.

This is the first tranche of U.S. aid delivered in the new fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.

Ukraine has pressed its counteroffensive in the Kherson region since the summer, relentlessly pummeling Russian supply lines and making inroads into Russian-held areas west of the Dnieper River. Ukrainian troops have been using the HIMARS to repeatedly hit the main bridge across the Dnieper and a dam that served as a second crossing. It also has struck pontoon bridges that Russia has used to supply its troops.

Ukraine’s battlefield successes in Kherson are notable since that is one of the four areas that Russia is in the process of annexing.

According to the Deparatment of Defense, the capabilities in this package include:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced plans on Tuesday to provide an additional $625 million in military aid to Ukraine, a package that includes additional advanced rocket systems credited with helping the country’s military gain momentum in its war with Russia.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today I spoke with President Zelenskyy to underscore that the U.S. will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Ukrainian territory. I reaffirmed my commitment to continue supporting Ukraine, including through today&#39;s new $625 million security assistance package. <a href="https://t.co/0ZP2uopn4n">pic.twitter.com/0ZP2uopn4n</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1577353222976585732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>President Joe Biden provided details on the latest package—which includes four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS, 200 mine resistant vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery and mortar ammunition—in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Vice President Kamala Harris joined the leaders on Tuesday’s call.The U.S. and Ukraine leaders spoke as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-91c46d82268b3d5210b811ba67d66d33">Russia’s upper house of parliament</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday formally approved the annexation of swaths of Ukrainian territory following referendums that Ukraine and its Western allies dismissed as fraudulent.“President Biden also affirmed the continued readiness of the United States to impose severe costs on any individual, entity, or country that provides support to Russia’s purported annexation,” the White House said in a statement.This round of military aid marks the first time the U.S. has sent additional HIMARS to Ukraine since late July. The systems—which will bring the total number of HIMARS sent to Ukraine to 20— have become a key tool in Ukraine’s ability to strike bridges that Russia has used to supply its troops, enabling Ukrainian forces to make inroads in Russia-controlled regions.The U.S. in recent weeks also provided funding through a separate program — the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative — so another 18 HIMARS can be purchased through longer-term contracts. USAI funds are being used as part of the effort by the U.S. and Western allies to ensure Ukraine’s forces are trained and equipped to defend their country in the years to come. But those contracts will take several years to fulfill.This is the first tranche of U.S. aid delivered in the new fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.Ukraine has pressed its counteroffensive in the Kherson region since the summer, relentlessly pummeling Russian supply lines and making inroads into Russian-held areas west of the Dnieper River. Ukrainian troops have been using the HIMARS to repeatedly hit the main bridge across the Dnieper and a dam that served as a second crossing. It also has struck pontoon bridges that Russia has used to supply its troops.Ukraine’s battlefield successes in Kherson are notable since that is one of the four areas that Russia is in the process of annexing.According to the Deparatment of Defense, the capabilities in this package include:<ul>
 <li>Four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated ammunition;</li><li>16 155mm Howitzers;</li><li>75,000 155mm artillery rounds;</li><li>500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds;</li><li>1,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems;</li><li>16 105mm Howitzers;</li><li>30,000 120mm mortar rounds;</li><li>200 MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles;</li><li>200,000 rounds of small arms ammunition;</li><li>Obstacle emplacement equipment;</li><li>Claymore anti-personnel munitions.</li>
 </ul>

Biden approves $625 million additional assistance for Ukraine

An election's approach always seems to turn up the emotional heat 
across the nation, but the United States 2022 midterm elections are no 
exception. The voices arguing for and against hot button issues are loud
 and persistent. And when emotions run high, bad actors look for ways to
 use peoples' passion to trick them.

Scammers prey on emotion. The more people care, the more vulnerable 
they can be. People participate in polls and surveys because they want 
to be heard, and scammers can use that desire to build trust. People 
donate because they want their candidate to win and to improve their 
country or community, and scammers are more than happy to take advantage
 of a competitive spirit or big heart.

Elections are polarizing – there are winners and losers, fans and 
haters. It's easy to get swept up in the moment and take risks you might
 otherwise avoid. At BBB, we can't tell you how to vote, but we can tell you how to spot common cybersecurity threats so you don't become a victim of scams.

It can seem like once a candidate or political party gets your email 
address, you hear from them every time you check your inbox. They need 
your help; they want to know your point of view through a poll or 
survey. They urge you to support their efforts and impact the future by 
donating, participating or sharing information.

Candidates are persistent because people want to get involved, to be 
in the know and to be a part of the process, so campaign email helps 
them move toward their goals. Scammers mimic campaign emails not to get 
your vote but to compromise your online safety.

You might receive a poll, survey or donation request that appeals to 
your passion, beliefs and desire to take action - that's really an 
attempt to steal your personal information. What looks like a legitimate
 donation request might actually be an attempt to gain access to your 
bank account.

Before you donate or give personal information, research the 
organization that reached out, and be wary of people who try to rush you
 to make a decision.&nbsp;

Be especially careful of emails with links. Phishing emails might 
include a link that takes users to a spoofed version of a candidate's 
website or installs malware on your device. Use <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/spot-a-scam/how-to-spot-a-scam-email" target="_blank">BBB's tips for spotting an email scam</a> to be sure it's real.

If you want to receive more information or visit a site, it's better 
to type the official website address into your browser. You can also 
hover your mouse over hyperlinks and compare the web address that pops 
up with the legitimate web address.&nbsp;

Actual campaign supporters call people to conduct surveys or solicit donations. Scammers often do the same thing.

Criminals pretending to be affiliated with your party or candidate might try to scam you over the phone by asking you to:

It's common for actual candidates to use pre-recorded messages to 
reach out to the public. Scammers sometimes use voice cloning to make it
 sound like an authentic message from a candidate and persuade people to
 donate or share info. After hearing the message, people are redirected 
or transferred to someone ready to take down their information and use 
it for nefarious activities.

Smishing is similar to email scamming, only messages are sent via 
text. Citizens might receive a message that looks like it came from a 
trusted source, inviting them to participate in a poll or make a 
donation. Tricksters might be out to get your passwords, account 
numbers, social security number or other data. Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16758-bbb-tip-phishing-scams" target="_blank">smishing</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/spot-a-scam/how-to-spot-a-phony-text-message" target="_blank">how to identify a fake text message</a>.&nbsp;

Another type of scam happens when con artists send a text about a 
fake problem. For example, an individual might get a text that looks 
like it came from their bank, asking if they really made a donation to a
 candidate, organization or party with a prompt to reply "yes" or "no." 
If the person replies no, the scammer calls them and asks for their 
account login, numbers or password to investigate or dispute the 
transaction. The person feels fear and an urgent need to act, so they 
might not think twice about giving up sensitive information. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18596-scam-alert-hit-delete-on-phony-banking-texts" target="_blank">More about fake bank texts</a>.

There's also the text-your-vote scam. Con artists 
send text messages urging people to text their vote rather than voting 
in person or by mail. When voters believe them, they don't show up to 
actually vote, and their chance to participate in elections is lost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBAn election's approach always seems to turn up the emotional heat 
across the nation, but the United States 2022 midterm elections are no 
exception. The voices arguing for and against hot button issues are loud
 and persistent. And when emotions run high, bad actors look for ways to
 use peoples' passion to trick them.Scammers prey on emotion. The more people care, the more vulnerable 
they can be. People participate in polls and surveys because they want 
to be heard, and scammers can use that desire to build trust. People 
donate because they want their candidate to win and to improve their 
country or community, and scammers are more than happy to take advantage
 of a competitive spirit or big heart.Elections are polarizing – there are winners and losers, fans and 
haters. It's easy to get swept up in the moment and take risks you might
 otherwise avoid. At BBB, we can't tell you how to vote, but we can tell you how to spot common cybersecurity threats so you don't become a victim of scams.<h2>Check your email</h2>It can seem like once a candidate or political party gets your email 
address, you hear from them every time you check your inbox. They need 
your help; they want to know your point of view through a poll or 
survey. They urge you to support their efforts and impact the future by 
donating, participating or sharing information.Candidates are persistent because people want to get involved, to be 
in the know and to be a part of the process, so campaign email helps 
them move toward their goals. Scammers mimic campaign emails not to get 
your vote but to compromise your online safety.You might receive a poll, survey or donation request that appeals to 
your passion, beliefs and desire to take action - that's really an 
attempt to steal your personal information. What looks like a legitimate
 donation request might actually be an attempt to gain access to your 
bank account.Before you donate or give personal information, research the 
organization that reached out, and be wary of people who try to rush you
 to make a decision.&nbsp;Be especially careful of emails with links. Phishing emails might 
include a link that takes users to a spoofed version of a candidate's 
website or installs malware on your device. Use <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/spot-a-scam/how-to-spot-a-scam-email" target="_blank">BBB's tips for spotting an email scam</a> to be sure it's real.If you want to receive more information or visit a site, it's better 
to type the official website address into your browser. You can also 
hover your mouse over hyperlinks and compare the web address that pops 
up with the legitimate web address.&nbsp;<h2>When fraudsters give you a ring</h2>Actual campaign supporters call people to conduct surveys or solicit donations. Scammers often do the same thing.Criminals pretending to be affiliated with your party or candidate might try to scam you over the phone by asking you to:<ul>
 <li>Answer survey questions – then ask for your 
personal information like your social security number or birthdate. 
Sometimes they also offer a prize or gift card in exchange for your 
time. They may ask you to give a credit card number to cover shipping. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/BBB%20Tip:%20Learn%20the%20signs%20of%20a%20fake%20survey" target="_blank">Learn how to identify a fake survey.</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Donate funds – and if you give them your account information, they've got you. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21745-bbb-tip-what-to-know-before-donating-to-a-crowdfunding-cause" target="_blank">Learn about donating wisely to a crowdfunding campaign</a>.</li><li>Register to vote – Fraudsters might say you're not 
registered and offer to help you with the process over the phone, then 
steal personally identifying information. <a href="https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration" target="_blank">Here's how to verify your voter registration</a>.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>It's common for actual candidates to use pre-recorded messages to 
reach out to the public. Scammers sometimes use voice cloning to make it
 sound like an authentic message from a candidate and persuade people to
 donate or share info. After hearing the message, people are redirected 
or transferred to someone ready to take down their information and use 
it for nefarious activities.<h2>Trickery by smishing</h2>Smishing is similar to email scamming, only messages are sent via 
text. Citizens might receive a message that looks like it came from a 
trusted source, inviting them to participate in a poll or make a 
donation. Tricksters might be out to get your passwords, account 
numbers, social security number or other data. Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16758-bbb-tip-phishing-scams" target="_blank">smishing</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/spot-a-scam/how-to-spot-a-phony-text-message" target="_blank">how to identify a fake text message</a>.&nbsp;Another type of scam happens when con artists send a text about a 
fake problem. For example, an individual might get a text that looks 
like it came from their bank, asking if they really made a donation to a
 candidate, organization or party with a prompt to reply "yes" or "no." 
If the person replies no, the scammer calls them and asks for their 
account login, numbers or password to investigate or dispute the 
transaction. The person feels fear and an urgent need to act, so they 
might not think twice about giving up sensitive information. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18596-scam-alert-hit-delete-on-phony-banking-texts" target="_blank">More about fake bank texts</a>.There's also the text-your-vote scam. Con artists 
send text messages urging people to text their vote rather than voting 
in person or by mail. When voters believe them, they don't show up to 
actually vote, and their chance to participate in elections is lost.<h2>Midterm election cybersecurity tips</h2><ul>
 <li>See prizes as a red flag. Legitimate pollsters don't usually offer a prize for completing a survey.</li><li>Know what pollsters don't need. They might ask for 
demographic information or what party you most align with, but they 
don't need personal information like birth dates, social security 
numbers or financial information. No state offers voter registration by 
phone.</li><li>Don't answer unknown numbers. Con artists can't trick you if they can't get in touch.</li><li>Listen to your gut. If something seems off, protect yourself. If in doubt, <a href="https://www.usa.gov/election-office">check with your local election office</a>.</li><li>Don't provide information in response to an unsolicited message. The entities that need your account and personal information already have them.</li><li>Do report suspicious activities to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker">BBB's Scam Tracker</a>.</li>
 </ul>

Alert: Political scams expected to increase as midterm elections near

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for former President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to step into the legal fight over the classified documents seized during an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">FBI search of his Florida estate</a>, escalating a dispute over the powers of an independent arbiter appointed to inspect the records.

The Trump team asked the justices to overturn a lower court ruling and allow the arbiter, called a special master, to review the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-6bd103a8e418166b17a34d77e8d9102d">roughly 100 documents with classification markings</a>&nbsp;that were taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago.

A three-judge panel from the Atlanta-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-criminal-investigations-government-and-politics-fe24760ff9a350ea7aecd1a13c8eef16">last month limited the special master's review</a>&nbsp;to the much larger tranche of non-classified documents. The judges, including two Trump appointees, sided with the Justice Department, which had argued there was no legal basis for the special master to conduct his own review of the classified records.

But Trump's lawyers said in their application to the Supreme Court that it was essential for the special master to have access to the classified records to “determine whether documents bearing classification markings are in fact classified, and regardless of classification, whether those records are personal records or Presidential records.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661941600753.jpeg" 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) — Lawyers for former President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to step into the legal fight over the classified documents seized during an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">FBI search of his Florida estate</a>, escalating a dispute over the powers of an independent arbiter appointed to inspect the records.The Trump team asked the justices to overturn a lower court ruling and allow the arbiter, called a special master, to review the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-6bd103a8e418166b17a34d77e8d9102d">roughly 100 documents with classification markings</a>&nbsp;that were taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago.A three-judge panel from the Atlanta-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-criminal-investigations-government-and-politics-fe24760ff9a350ea7aecd1a13c8eef16">last month limited the special master's review</a>&nbsp;to the much larger tranche of non-classified documents. The judges, including two Trump appointees, sided with the Justice Department, which had argued there was no legal basis for the special master to conduct his own review of the classified records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660098261521.png" alt="In August, former President Trump delivered the keynote remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>In August, former President Trump delivered the keynote remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>But Trump's lawyers said in their application to the Supreme Court that it was essential for the special master to have access to the classified records to “determine whether documents bearing classification markings are in fact classified, and regardless of classification, whether those records are personal records or Presidential records.”“Since President Trump had absolute authority over classification decisions during his Presidency, the current status of any disputed document cannot possibly be determined solely by reference to the markings on that document,” the application states.It says that without the special master review, “the unchallenged views of the current Justice Department would supersede the established authority of the Chief Executive.” An independent review, the Trump team says, ensures a “transparent process that provides much-needed oversight.”The FBI says it seized roughly 11,000 documents, including about 100 with classification markings, during its search. The Trump team asked a judge in Florida, Aileen Cannon, to appoint a special master to do an independent review of the records.Cannon&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-donald-trump-brooklyn-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-4a6200ebc4fe6418c25ca380a43a6338">subsequently assigned a veteran Brooklyn judge, Raymond Dearie,</a>&nbsp;to review the records and segregate those that may be protected by claims of attorney-client privilege and executive privilege. She also barred the FBI from being able to use the classified documents as part of its criminal investigation.The Justice Department appealed, prompting the 11th Circuit to lift Cannon's hold on investigators' ability to scrutinize the classified records. The appeals court also ruled that the department did not have to provide Dearie with access to the classified records.Trump’s lawyers submitted the Supreme Court application to Justice Clarence Thomas, who oversees emergency matters from Florida and several other Southern states. Thomas can act on his own or, as is usually done, refer the emergency appeal to the rest of the court. Late Tuesday the court said the government was being asked to respond to the petition by Oct. 11.Thomas has previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-breyer-us-supreme-court-elections-donald-trump-clarence-thomas-f3adf2919f789fcd03b9da6271a62501">come under scrutiny for his vote</a>&nbsp;in a different Trump documents case, in which he was the only member of the court to vote against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-congress-donald-trump-30d5d01db49f0591d641d9e92d4092a8">allowing the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot</a>&nbsp;to obtain Trump records held by the National Archives and Records Administration.Thomas’ wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/virginia-thomas">Virginia “Ginni” Thomas</a>, is a conservative activist and staunch Trump supporter who attended the Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally on the Ellipse and wrote to then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in the weeks following the election encouraging him to work to overturn Biden’s victory and keep Trump in office. She also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-us-supreme-court-clarence-thomas-arizona-9e6929dfc81fa53a9b5f9d70b2ba15e8">contacted lawmakers in Arizona</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-2022-midterm-elections-biden-us-supreme-court-technology-c01dc9baeb939d78772aca14d601c794">Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;in the weeks after the election. Thomas was recently interviewed by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection and she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-us-supreme-court-clarence-thomas-virginia-government-and-politics-3b4102509ef93bc37d24d7c8fd79ba80">stood by the false claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent</a>.____