<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/19/nebraska-ag-investigations-wont-affect-medical-cannabis-election-certification/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers pledged Tuesday that his office’s ongoing civil and criminal investigations into two medical cannabis measures won’t impact whether he certifies the election results.

Hilgers, commenting at a news conference Tuesday about a different lawsuit, said he will consider certification regardless of the cannabis-related&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/12/lawsuit-seeks-to-invalidate-nebraskas-medical-marijuana-ballot-measures/">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;or the related timing of an expected judicial ruling after a four-day trial involving the ballot measures in Lancaster County District Court.&nbsp;

Five state constitutional officers, including Hilgers, are scheduled to meet Dec. 2 to determine whether to certify the Nov. 5 election results. That includes Nebraskans’&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/06/medical-cannabis-prevails-at-nebraskas-ballot-box-but-fate-depends-on-legal-challenges/">overwhelming</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/28/parents-patients-make-final-push-for-nebraskans-to-support-medical-cannabis/">support</a>&nbsp;of Initiative Measure 437, to legalize medical cannabis, and Initiative Measure 438, to regulate the drug. Measure 437 passed with 71% voter approval, while Measure 438 passed with 67% approval.

“I see no reason sitting here today to not certify,” Hilgers said Tuesday.

“We know the judge will look at all the arguments and the facts carefully, and so we’ll wait for a ruling.”

In addition to Hilgers, the Board of State Canvassers includes:

A spokesperson for Evnen said he will certify the election results “unless ordered by the court to do otherwise.”

Hilgers said his office’s criminal investigation is ongoing. The investigation has already resulted inh multiple public criminal charges against a paid petition circulator, who pleaded guilty Nov. 8, and a notary public, whose criminal case is ongoing.

Hilgers’ office, in a legal brief filed Monday, described the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/19/ballot-sponsors-defend-nebraska-medical-cannabis-measures-in-post-trial-filing/">final plea</a>&nbsp;the ballot sponsors made to District Judge Susan Strong in three ways:

The Attorney General’s Office has joined&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/27/district-court-judge-dismisses-some-but-not-all-charges-in-nebraska-medical-cannabis-lawsuit/">John Kuehn</a>, a former state senator and former member of the State Board of Health, in challenging tens of thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/23/breaking-down-petition-signatures-for-nebraska-2024-ballot-measures/">signatures</a>, alleging&nbsp;<a href="https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/doc_publications_NH1988Barkley.pdf" target="_blank">widespread circulator fraud</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/docs/opinions/AG%20Opinion%201992-104.pdf" target="_blank">notary malfeasance</a>&nbsp;that means the petitions never should have been placed on the ballot. Evnen certified the measures&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/13/secretary-of-state-celebrates-local-election-officials-in-finalizing-nebraskas-fall-2024-ballot/">Sept. 13</a>, based on&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/13/nebraska-ag-announces-investigation-into-several-thousand-signatures-on-2024-petitions/">current information</a>.

Among the sponsors’ attorneys’ main defenses are that text messages of a ballot sponsor introduced at trial are being taken out of context and that no court has “imputed” alleged notarial malfeasance or errors on one document to all others the notary touched.

The AG’s Office responded that not all text messages were defended and that they together “plainly describe or allude to fraudulent or malfeasant behavior.”&nbsp;

Evnen’s attorneys also said the requirement that a circulator’s oath be signed in front of a notary isn’t a “suggestion” but a critical requirement prescribed by the Legislature.

“According to the Sponsors, while dishonest behavior by&nbsp;circulators&nbsp;may be sufficient to invalidate collected signatures, dishonest behavior by&nbsp;notaries&nbsp;is not,” the AG’s Office wrote. “That myopic view gives the important role notarization plays in the Legislature’s anti-fraud scheme far too short a shrift.”

Judge Strong has the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/14/attorneys-summarize-arguments-against-nebraska-medical-cannabis-measures/">final briefs</a>&nbsp;from the ballot sponsors, Kuehn and Evnen and can make a ruling at any time. Hilgers said he doesn’t want the Dec. 2 election certification to be an “artificial deadline” for a ruling.

“It is not. Period. Full stop,” Hilgers said. “The timing of the court’s decision does not impact in any way my certification decision, nor would I think, as a matter of law, does it impact whether anyone would or would not vote to certify.”

Multiple attorneys in the case, and Strong herself, have acknowledged that no matter the outcome, the case will likely be appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732050438780.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers meet Monday, June 10, 2024, in Lincoln to certify the state’s 2024 primary election results. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers meet Monday, June 10, 2024, in Lincoln to certify the state’s 2024 primary election results. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/19/nebraska-ag-investigations-wont-affect-medical-cannabis-election-certification/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers pledged Tuesday that his office’s ongoing civil and criminal investigations into two medical cannabis measures won’t impact whether he certifies the election results.Hilgers, commenting at a news conference Tuesday about a different lawsuit, said he will consider certification regardless of the cannabis-related&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/12/lawsuit-seeks-to-invalidate-nebraskas-medical-marijuana-ballot-measures/">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;or the related timing of an expected judicial ruling after a four-day trial involving the ballot measures in Lancaster County District Court.&nbsp;Five state constitutional officers, including Hilgers, are scheduled to meet Dec. 2 to determine whether to certify the Nov. 5 election results. That includes Nebraskans’&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/06/medical-cannabis-prevails-at-nebraskas-ballot-box-but-fate-depends-on-legal-challenges/">overwhelming</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/28/parents-patients-make-final-push-for-nebraskans-to-support-medical-cannabis/">support</a>&nbsp;of Initiative Measure 437, to legalize medical cannabis, and Initiative Measure 438, to regulate the drug. Measure 437 passed with 71% voter approval, while Measure 438 passed with 67% approval.“I see no reason sitting here today to not certify,” Hilgers said Tuesday.“We know the judge will look at all the arguments and the facts carefully, and so we’ll wait for a ruling.”In addition to Hilgers, the Board of State Canvassers includes:<ul>
 <li>Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who is being represented by Hilgers’ office in the district court trial against the petitions.</li><li>Gov. Jim Pillen and State Auditor Mike Foley, who have publicly opposed the medical marijuana campaign.</li><li>State Treasurer Tom Briese, who joined Hilgers while the two were state senators to oppose proposed legislation in 2021 to legalize medical cannabis.</li>
 </ul>A spokesperson for Evnen said he will certify the election results “unless ordered by the court to do otherwise.”Hilgers said his office’s criminal investigation is ongoing. The investigation has already resulted inh multiple public criminal charges against a paid petition circulator, who pleaded guilty Nov. 8, and a notary public, whose criminal case is ongoing.Hilgers’ office, in a legal brief filed Monday, described the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/19/ballot-sponsors-defend-nebraska-medical-cannabis-measures-in-post-trial-filing/">final plea</a>&nbsp;the ballot sponsors made to District Judge Susan Strong in three ways:<ul>
 <li>“Do not trust your lyin’ eyes.”</li><li>“Nothing to see here.”</li><li>“It’s not what it looks like!”</li>
 </ul>The Attorney General’s Office has joined&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/27/district-court-judge-dismisses-some-but-not-all-charges-in-nebraska-medical-cannabis-lawsuit/">John Kuehn</a>, a former state senator and former member of the State Board of Health, in challenging tens of thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/23/breaking-down-petition-signatures-for-nebraska-2024-ballot-measures/">signatures</a>, alleging&nbsp;<a href="https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/doc_publications_NH1988Barkley.pdf" target="_blank">widespread circulator fraud</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/docs/opinions/AG%20Opinion%201992-104.pdf" target="_blank">notary malfeasance</a>&nbsp;that means the petitions never should have been placed on the ballot. Evnen certified the measures&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/13/secretary-of-state-celebrates-local-election-officials-in-finalizing-nebraskas-fall-2024-ballot/">Sept. 13</a>, based on&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/13/nebraska-ag-announces-investigation-into-several-thousand-signatures-on-2024-petitions/">current information</a>.Among the sponsors’ attorneys’ main defenses are that text messages of a ballot sponsor introduced at trial are being taken out of context and that no court has “imputed” alleged notarial malfeasance or errors on one document to all others the notary touched.The AG’s Office responded that not all text messages were defended and that they together “plainly describe or allude to fraudulent or malfeasant behavior.”&nbsp;Evnen’s attorneys also said the requirement that a circulator’s oath be signed in front of a notary isn’t a “suggestion” but a critical requirement prescribed by the Legislature.“According to the Sponsors, while dishonest behavior by&nbsp;circulators&nbsp;may be sufficient to invalidate collected signatures, dishonest behavior by&nbsp;notaries&nbsp;is not,” the AG’s Office wrote. “That myopic view gives the important role notarization plays in the Legislature’s anti-fraud scheme far too short a shrift.”Judge Strong has the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/14/attorneys-summarize-arguments-against-nebraska-medical-cannabis-measures/">final briefs</a>&nbsp;from the ballot sponsors, Kuehn and Evnen and can make a ruling at any time. Hilgers said he doesn’t want the Dec. 2 election certification to be an “artificial deadline” for a ruling.“It is not. Period. Full stop,” Hilgers said. “The timing of the court’s decision does not impact in any way my certification decision, nor would I think, as a matter of law, does it impact whether anyone would or would not vote to certify.”Multiple attorneys in the case, and Strong herself, have acknowledged that no matter the outcome, the case will likely be appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Nebraska AG: Investigations won’t affect medical cannabis election certification

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/19/nebraskas-dan-osborn-starts-hybrid-pac-for-working-class-candidates/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Dan Osborn, the former Nebraska nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate, announced a political action committee Tuesday aimed at boosting working-class candidates for Congress like him.&nbsp;

He designed his Working Class Heroes Fund as a hybrid PAC that blends a super PAC that can take donations with fewer limits and a separate account for independent expenditures.

The arrangement often allows donors to give more upfront and let a PAC’s leaders steer the money to where it is needed when it is needed, following federal election law.

Some have criticized such groups as political pass-throughs that empower larger donors to mask their influence by filtering money through smaller groups to candidates and causes.

Osborn said in a statement that his aim&nbsp; is to empower more plumbers, carpenters, teachers, nurses and factory workers to run for office, with an emphasis on members of labor unions.

The announcement said the fund will help organize working-class voters to advocate for kitchen-table issues that matter for regular people.

Echoing some of his upstart campaign’s themes, Osborn said he wants to help members of Congress better reflect those they serve. He lost to U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., by about 6 percentage points.

His closer-than-expected contest grabbed national attention because Nebraska Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1 in the state, and nonpartisans typically are split between the two major parties.

Osborn, an industrial mechanic who served in the Navy, said his campaign showed a path to drawing in candidates who work for a living, regardless of their partisan leanings.&nbsp;

“Congress is a bunch of millionaires controlled by billionaires and special interests,” he said. “Both parties are out of touch with working class voters, and regular people are fed up.”

He made his name leading a 2021 strike at the Omaha Kellogg’s factory. The company has since announced that it plans to close the plant, although the union says it is working to save jobs.

Osborn, who stepped away from his job to run for office and paid himself using campaign funds, said he is returning to work as a steamfitter and will lead the PAC in his free time.

Some political observers have speculated that he might soon run again for office. He did not swat down that possibility during his run against Fischer, which he saw as an uphill fight.

Osborn had raised $7.9 million and spent $6.7 million by mid-October. Osborn’s campaign in October reported raising $3.3 million, a record quarter for any modern Nebraska Senate race. Fischer raised nearly $1 million in the same period.

Osborn benefited from roughly $20 million in outside spending on his behalf, either supporting his bid or bashing Fischer, campaign finance forms show. GOP-aligned outside groups have come in with about $9 million for Fischer.

Reports covering the final weeks of the campaign are still being compiled.

Fischer overcame Osborn’s campaign in the end by consolidating Republican support, especially in the rural 3rd Congressional District. Osborn beat her in the 1st and 2nd Districts.

Fischer has said Osborn got that close by muddying the waters about his political beliefs. She described him as a Democrat in sheep’s clothing, and some Democrats backed his bid.

Her campaign had no immediate comment about the new PAC.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732049462722.jpeg" alt="U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn meets with prospective voters at a Big Red Keno in west Lincoln on Oct. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn meets with prospective voters at a Big Red Keno in west Lincoln on Oct. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/19/nebraskas-dan-osborn-starts-hybrid-pac-for-working-class-candidates/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Dan Osborn, the former Nebraska nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate, announced a political action committee Tuesday aimed at boosting working-class candidates for Congress like him.&nbsp;He designed his Working Class Heroes Fund as a hybrid PAC that blends a super PAC that can take donations with fewer limits and a separate account for independent expenditures.The arrangement often allows donors to give more upfront and let a PAC’s leaders steer the money to where it is needed when it is needed, following federal election law.Some have criticized such groups as political pass-throughs that empower larger donors to mask their influence by filtering money through smaller groups to candidates and causes.<h2>Wants more blue-collar candidates&nbsp;</h2>Osborn said in a statement that his aim&nbsp; is to empower more plumbers, carpenters, teachers, nurses and factory workers to run for office, with an emphasis on members of labor unions.The announcement said the fund will help organize working-class voters to advocate for kitchen-table issues that matter for regular people.Echoing some of his upstart campaign’s themes, Osborn said he wants to help members of Congress better reflect those they serve. He lost to U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., by about 6 percentage points.His closer-than-expected contest grabbed national attention because Nebraska Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1 in the state, and nonpartisans typically are split between the two major parties.Osborn, an industrial mechanic who served in the Navy, said his campaign showed a path to drawing in candidates who work for a living, regardless of their partisan leanings.&nbsp;“Congress is a bunch of millionaires controlled by billionaires and special interests,” he said. “Both parties are out of touch with working class voters, and regular people are fed up.”<h2>Potential vehicle to aid future run</h2>He made his name leading a 2021 strike at the Omaha Kellogg’s factory. The company has since announced that it plans to close the plant, although the union says it is working to save jobs.Osborn, who stepped away from his job to run for office and paid himself using campaign funds, said he is returning to work as a steamfitter and will lead the PAC in his free time.Some political observers have speculated that he might soon run again for office. He did not swat down that possibility during his run against Fischer, which he saw as an uphill fight.Osborn had raised $7.9 million and spent $6.7 million by mid-October. Osborn’s campaign in October reported raising $3.3 million, a record quarter for any modern Nebraska Senate race. Fischer raised nearly $1 million in the same period.Osborn benefited from roughly $20 million in outside spending on his behalf, either supporting his bid or bashing Fischer, campaign finance forms show. GOP-aligned outside groups have come in with about $9 million for Fischer.Reports covering the final weeks of the campaign are still being compiled.Fischer overcame Osborn’s campaign in the end by consolidating Republican support, especially in the rural 3rd Congressional District. Osborn beat her in the 1st and 2nd Districts.Fischer has said Osborn got that close by muddying the waters about his political beliefs. She described him as a Democrat in sheep’s clothing, and some Democrats backed his bid.Her campaign had no immediate comment about the new PAC.&nbsp;

Nebraska’s Dan Osborn starts hybrid PAC for working-class candidates

LINCOLN, NEB. –&nbsp;Time is running out for thousands of farmers and ranchers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government. Jan. 1, 2025, is the deadline to file&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fincen.gov/boi" target="_blank">Beneficial Ownership Information</a>&nbsp;(BOI) with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s new Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) created under the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021.

“The use of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and other formal organizational structures serve as important tools for numerous farms and ranches to maintain a distinction between personal and business assets. However, small businesses frequently do not have the personnel necessary to monitor and adhere to evolving rules and regulations. It is evident that a significant number of farm and ranch families are unaware of the recent filing obligations,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.

The Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 required businesses to register any “beneficial owner” of a company in an effort to combat money laundering. Many farms are structured as either a c-corporation, s-corporation, or limited liability company (LLC), which are now required to be registered if they employ fewer than 20 employees or receive under $5 million in cash receipts – which covers most farms.

Businesses that fail to file, or do not update records when needed, could face criminal fines of up to $10,000 and additional civil penalties of up to $591 per day. Failure to file could also lead to felony charges and up to two years in prison.

Nebraska Farm Bureau has developed a comprehensive question-and-answer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nefb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CTA_QandA_2024_Interactive.pdf" target="_blank">guide</a>&nbsp;designed to assist farmers and ranchers in understanding the implications of the CTA for their operations. This guide is available online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

“It is critical for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers to be aware of and understand these new requirements is essential for staying compliant. Producers should be reviewing their ownership structure and gathering the necessary information about beneficial owners.” said McHargue.

NEFB is encouraging farmers and ranchers to contact an accountant or attorney if they are unsure whether they are required to file their business’ BOI.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

Nebraska Farm BureaLINCOLN, NEB. –&nbsp;Time is running out for thousands of farmers and ranchers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government. Jan. 1, 2025, is the deadline to file&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fincen.gov/boi" target="_blank">Beneficial Ownership Information</a>&nbsp;(BOI) with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s new Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) created under the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021.“The use of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and other formal organizational structures serve as important tools for numerous farms and ranches to maintain a distinction between personal and business assets. However, small businesses frequently do not have the personnel necessary to monitor and adhere to evolving rules and regulations. It is evident that a significant number of farm and ranch families are unaware of the recent filing obligations,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.The Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 required businesses to register any “beneficial owner” of a company in an effort to combat money laundering. Many farms are structured as either a c-corporation, s-corporation, or limited liability company (LLC), which are now required to be registered if they employ fewer than 20 employees or receive under $5 million in cash receipts – which covers most farms.Businesses that fail to file, or do not update records when needed, could face criminal fines of up to $10,000 and additional civil penalties of up to $591 per day. Failure to file could also lead to felony charges and up to two years in prison.Nebraska Farm Bureau has developed a comprehensive question-and-answer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nefb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CTA_QandA_2024_Interactive.pdf" target="_blank">guide</a>&nbsp;designed to assist farmers and ranchers in understanding the implications of the CTA for their operations. This guide is available online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.“It is critical for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers to be aware of and understand these new requirements is essential for staying compliant. Producers should be reviewing their ownership structure and gathering the necessary information about beneficial owners.” said McHargue.NEFB is encouraging farmers and ranchers to contact an accountant or attorney if they are unsure whether they are required to file their business’ BOI.The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

Farmers and Ranchers Should Note Upcoming Corporate Transparency Act Deadline

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of Drew Gonshorowski as director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care (MLTC) for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Gonshorowski will assume his duties on December 9, at a salary of $185,000 a year.

For the past 12 years, Gonshorowski has served as a policy analyst, most recently as senior research fellow for Paragon Health Institute and before that, with The Heritage Foundation. His current work deals largely with Medicaid and health insurance markets. He also has experience evaluating the effects of reforms on health policy, social security, and retirement issues.

Gonshorowski studied economics at Hillsdale College in Michigan and at Suffolk University in Massachusetts, where he earned his master’s degree. He will take over for Matt Ahern, who has served as interim director since last December.

“I appreciate Matt’s public service during his time at DHHS. Before accepting the role as interim, he was the deputy director for that division. I thank him for his oversight of MLTC over this past year,” said Gov. Pillen.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of Drew Gonshorowski as director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care (MLTC) for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Gonshorowski will assume his duties on December 9, at a salary of $185,000 a year.For the past 12 years, Gonshorowski has served as a policy analyst, most recently as senior research fellow for Paragon Health Institute and before that, with The Heritage Foundation. His current work deals largely with Medicaid and health insurance markets. He also has experience evaluating the effects of reforms on health policy, social security, and retirement issues.Gonshorowski studied economics at Hillsdale College in Michigan and at Suffolk University in Massachusetts, where he earned his master’s degree. He will take over for Matt Ahern, who has served as interim director since last December.“I appreciate Matt’s public service during his time at DHHS. Before accepting the role as interim, he was the deputy director for that division. I thank him for his oversight of MLTC over this past year,” said Gov. Pillen.

Gov. Pillen Appoints DHHS Director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care

Nebraska Department of Transportation

Nov. 18, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Today, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) held a ceremony to honor emergency responders as part of Crash Responder Safety Week, which occurs nationally Nov. 18-22, 2024.  

“Today’s ceremony is a chance to recognize the bravery, skill and dedication of Nebraska’s emergency responders, who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said Lt. Governor Joe Kelly. “During Crash Responder Safety Week, we’re reminded of the critical role these men and women play and of our responsibility to support them by practicing safe driving habits. Simple actions 

on the road can make a life-saving difference for those who work to protect us all.” 

Crash Responder Safety Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The campaign emphasizes drivers’ responsibility to ‘Protect Those Who Protect You' by promoting simple safety practices that keep emergency responders out of harm’s way on the road. 

“Protecting Nebraskans and emergency responders requires everyone, especially drivers, to do their part by slowing down, moving over and respecting those serving as first responders,” explained NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “At NDOT, we are committed to uniting responders across the state to improve incident response, share best practices and conduct essential training through Nebraska’s five regional  Traffic Incident Management working groups. But we also need the public to step up and give responders the space they need to work safely on the road.” 

“Celebrating this week brings needed attention to move-over laws and reinforces the importance of Traffic Incident Management training for first responders,” said Major Jeff Wilcynski of the NSP. “Every day, law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, towing services and others work to ensure road safety. This week serves as a reminder for drivers to practice safe habits on every trip.”

Nebraska Department of TransportationNov. 18, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Today, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) held a ceremony to honor emergency responders as part of Crash Responder Safety Week, which occurs nationally Nov. 18-22, 2024. “Today’s ceremony is a chance to recognize the bravery, skill and dedication of Nebraska’s emergency responders, who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said Lt. Governor Joe Kelly. “During Crash Responder Safety Week, we’re reminded of the critical role these men and women play and of our responsibility to support them by practicing safe driving habits. Simple actions on the road can make a life-saving difference for those who work to protect us all.” Crash Responder Safety Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The campaign emphasizes drivers’ responsibility to ‘Protect Those Who Protect You' by promoting simple safety practices that keep emergency responders out of harm’s way on the road. “Protecting Nebraskans and emergency responders requires everyone, especially drivers, to do their part by slowing down, moving over and respecting those serving as first responders,” explained NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “At NDOT, we are committed to uniting responders across the state to improve incident response, share best practices and conduct essential training through Nebraska’s five regional Traffic Incident Management working groups. But we also need the public to step up and give responders the space they need to work safely on the road.” “Celebrating this week brings needed attention to move-over laws and reinforces the importance of Traffic Incident Management training for first responders,” said Major Jeff Wilcynski of the NSP. “Every day, law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, towing services and others work to ensure road safety. This week serves as a reminder for drivers to practice safe habits on every trip.”

NDOT and NSP Recognize Emergency Responders at Crash  Responder Safety Week Ceremony

Office of Attorney General Mike Hilgers

Lincoln –&nbsp;Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced that Nebraska and Kentucky are co-leading an 18-state coalition challenge to the Biden-Harris Administration’s unlawful and sweeping regulations of cryptocurrency. In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the attorneys general and other parties sued the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for overstepping its authority.&nbsp;

Recent estimates show roughly one in five Americans – more than 50 million people – have acquired a digital asset. More U.S. businesses now accept Bitcoin and other digital assets as payment for anything from groceries to airline tickets to real estate.&nbsp;

Despite previous actions and public statements from the SEC and its Chair, the agency launched a regulatory assault against crypto companies. The SEC overstepped its authorization from Congress and is attempting to classify cryptocurrencies as investment contracts – like stocks or bonds – that are subject to the SEC’s regulation.&nbsp;

“Nebraska has been a leader and innovator in encouraging the use of digital assets and blockchain technology, including a recent state law encouraging the storage of cryptocurrency for consumers, investors, and businesses. Now, the Biden Administration’s SEC is introducing more red tape into this innovative and important financial sphere. I’m proud to join with Kentucky and co-lead this 18-state coalition to push back against federal overreach,” said Attorney General Hilgers.

Joining Nebraska and Kentucky are attorneys general from Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.&nbsp;

Office of Attorney General Mike HilgersLincoln –&nbsp;Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced that Nebraska and Kentucky are co-leading an 18-state coalition challenge to the Biden-Harris Administration’s unlawful and sweeping regulations of cryptocurrency. In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the attorneys general and other parties sued the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for overstepping its authority.&nbsp;Recent estimates show roughly one in five Americans – more than 50 million people – have acquired a digital asset. More U.S. businesses now accept Bitcoin and other digital assets as payment for anything from groceries to airline tickets to real estate.&nbsp;Despite previous actions and public statements from the SEC and its Chair, the agency launched a regulatory assault against crypto companies. The SEC overstepped its authorization from Congress and is attempting to classify cryptocurrencies as investment contracts – like stocks or bonds – that are subject to the SEC’s regulation.&nbsp;“Nebraska has been a leader and innovator in encouraging the use of digital assets and blockchain technology, including a recent state law encouraging the storage of cryptocurrency for consumers, investors, and businesses. Now, the Biden Administration’s SEC is introducing more red tape into this innovative and important financial sphere. I’m proud to join with Kentucky and co-lead this 18-state coalition to push back against federal overreach,” said Attorney General Hilgers.Joining Nebraska and Kentucky are attorneys general from Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.&nbsp;

Attorney General Hilgers Co-Leads 18-State Coalition Fighting Crypto Regulatory Overreach

OMAHA, NE,&nbsp;(November 18, 2024) – AAA expects record-setting travel numbers for Thanksgiving. More than 6.4 million travelers from the West North Central Region* (WNC) are forecast to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That’s an all-time high for Thanksgiving and nearly 124,000 more travelers than last year.

*West North Central (WNC): IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD

National travel numbers are also expected to set new records with an estimated 79.9 million travelers. The 2% growth equates to 1.7 million more people than the previous record set last year, and 2 million more than in 2019.

These record-setting traveler numbers are being driven by economic growth, declining inflation, and strong income gains, which is expected to boost consumer spending by 4.6% compared to this time last year.

“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now and consider travel insurance, which provides compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”

In effort to better capture the flow of holiday travelers, AAA expanded the number of days in the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. Instead of Wednesday-Sunday, this year’s Thanksgiving holiday travel period is seven days, stretching from Tuesday, November 26 to Monday, December 2. Additionally, we expanded our historical travel numbers to provide an apples-to-apples comparison.

U.S. Travelers&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Total&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Auto&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other

2024&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 79.9 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 71.7 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.8 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.3 million

2023&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 78.2 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 70.4 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.7 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.1 million

2019&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 77.8 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 70.6 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.3 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.9 million

WNC Travelers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Total&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Auto&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other

2024&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.4 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.8 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 296,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 317,000

2023&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.2 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.7 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 291,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 280,000

2019&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.3 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.8 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 272,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 254,000

Automobile travel will set new records&nbsp;nationwide and across the WNC. AAA projects more than 5.8 million from the West North Central Region will take a road trip over Thanksgiving – that’s 82,000 more travelers than last year.

<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BhoQDpgB3-2FVyXgVxsyMXa8qpEBe13M4v4hBU8vequK7vqsfhVmCCWTNVPDqkhvQJhsn3bJHZW37XuVUVI3hyCIAzorJCat3-2BYLVfA2pVr-2FTTx-2F4Mfcp53HhxFgj7XeQ5hdpNYiHS1VGjH5yx469Fnxvu6jF2xQU-2BrI6B8J06Qum-2B0skgdofOuEwyYZjzG8hXlQroq2NgtG9JfuLd-2FHZoao-3DIcP4_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANODCw2sq4tKUYazu2uZk-2B6BkIpI8SejDz-2B-2FXjPfUXk6ce1Vwra1Gd-2BdH7MVj9QXhb7fHI-2BgMnbs143uTve1SzZvRRnkUChlY3M29e-2Fq2eoIbNo-2FjFAvcTck8HDdsqm9eFoshOgufPUKITvv-2FgQuFU85hSoS-2FfmGSR1zXMnVHGluLDGF-2Fyp8PDYRnCvXjRpyDHspM7PWvkcLYLDYsXoUZooQQuH2C-2B4HIq7NoQE-2BkVt-2BQ-3D">Gas prices</a>&nbsp;are lower this Thanksgiving season&nbsp;compared to 2023. The national average last Thanksgiving Day was $3.26.&nbsp;The state average last year in Nebraska was $3.09 and in Iowa $2.92. Currently, drivers are finding an average price of $2.76 in Nebraska and $2.74 across Iowa. (Prices as of Monday 11/18).&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BhoQDpgB3-2FVyXgVxsyMXa-2FidZeHVOsASZPzFem6NNUKLNh1HqjRctSwa0tn1BCKEWHwANMEKcV6-2BxGo2-2BuEorI-2BOB22nTMqM50w9eFAzI7KgNDai1aNmmJ-2BN1k6AtEx7QVd4ttmEejPHfraiiXrm9yhJlUiIZKCmh1hgPHe-2BIruotCc1kp24fyq-2BYpNR29tA-2FmVrXlXdCtZNXfGeYDftA4-3Dc2qJ_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANODCw2sq4tKUYazu2uZk-2B6BkIpI8SejDz-2B-2FXjPfUXk6ce1Vwra1Gd-2BdH7MVj9QXhb7fHI-2BgMnbs143uTve1SzZnYjGw0-2BvjqOBuga73Qd4mUedaTE3EhgpSewW1-2BkAIPYfKsMv2OV5eB-2FMzLhn26i26CgBkmNyd-2FhX-2FjHgOeWI-2BNw8PlxjqppIaYBf5elBTVT6F7qLm01qLVHiiWVymR6RLvfxVpCrZxRrwnWDdUDFXE-3D">GasPrices.AAA.com</a>&nbsp;to view national, state, and regional gas price averages.

Falling oil prices this autumn may help push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, and that could happen before drivers hit the road for Thanksgiving. Regionally, drivers east of the Rockies will find gas between $2.25 to $2.50 a gallon in more than a dozen states.

AAA car rental&nbsp;partner&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BhoQDpgB3-2FVyXgVxsyMXa9LBhNjDEKpxEL3BTOdr7PxybAVQhx3LHB2kJctQrokTCjI25jeoFZqhP6gOiz-2FkM9v-2B1KhhYosqRj-2FgUeIrHRMKBQQYrZYWYxdKtdPo0YFGmmWIWn-2BsMQshQO9D2gqFYTEZjtoTfx3V0HI7LH8b5F5-2BzME9iPpMBtLMBmZptRu-2FJcVknh9McuvciOpIMG8tq4-3DcEgV_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANODCw2sq4tKUYazu2uZk-2B6BkIpI8SejDz-2B-2FXjPfUXk6ce1Vwra1Gd-2BdH7MVj9QXhb7fHI-2BgMnbs143uTve1SzZrOiBXyf6X8Fe70JGD9LJthC0BwRZ9r7HzLPtNUelj9Xtw11P9mEzQHycSVxWXEI9HGZy5Vn8zTDoTPfyabIvk-2B1AFWtCfPbp-2FhwiGkX6drkpELns-2BS6-2B8F6dn4R9H2YBdiEL44a7OjadWYlnyZOqGM-3D">Hertz</a>&nbsp;says Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the Thanksgiving holiday.&nbsp;The busiest car pick-up day&nbsp;is expected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and&nbsp;the busiest rental return days&nbsp;will be the Monday and Tuesday after the holiday.

Thanksgiving air travel&nbsp;is also expected to set a new record.&nbsp;Nationally, AAA projects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday. That’s an increase of 2% compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Domestic airfares are up 3%&nbsp;this year, according to AAA booking data, while the number of bookings are similar to last year. International flight bookings are up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, in part because the cost to fly internationally is down 5%.

Other modes of transportation increased 9% from last year.&nbsp;Nationally, nearly 2.3 million people are&nbsp;expected to travel by various transportation methods including buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an 18% jump over 2019, in large part due to the popularity of cruising. &nbsp;This is especially true across the WNC region as there is12.9 % growth over 2023 or 37,000 more travelers opting for other forms of holiday travel.

"The demand for cruises has been red-hot this year," Haas continued.&nbsp; "Domestic and international cruise bookings are up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving. As new ocean and river cruising options have been introduced, more travelers are discovering the value and joy of cruising."

According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BhoQDpgB3-2FVyXgVxsyMXa9R01EHkkxfnV1k-2BtFNgxTalDzbepymRgxLUmjHlb8j6BOmu-2B1ekiB7AS3v1ogQsENiDroNLZHUzydBx8nD7Lq9c9PHTWSxmO1EP5-2F4IgvMuz4H8bvtYLlIESq0VvQN8UhD5LmRJO1Bk8AQlR-2FEUt1X0jiyhMcFolzQ1v0-2FbNDLPg-3D-3D0-36_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANODCw2sq4tKUYazu2uZk-2B6BkIpI8SejDz-2B-2FXjPfUXk6ce1Vwra1Gd-2BdH7MVj9QXhb7fHI-2BgMnbs143uTve1SzZpojgHxVObYSMdhgfxGZ4r9M2YLsbpcVC-2B3u1I7MTWxVqxG7Nmxw-2FpU5bRKRPdpxsvlOQn9lkXlBABJ28kpF5k9PwJepUT8WDAAUkilE8Inb86ypL3u9HFimtyAtGGQoHK1ydmyAXpy12Bfk-2FTSA5jI-3D">INRIX</a>, a provider of transportation data and insights:

DATE&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WORST TRAVEL TIME&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;BEST TRAVEL TIME

Mon, Nov 25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before 11:00 AM CST

Tue, Nov 26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1:00 PM - 7:00 PM CST &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before 10:00 AM CST

Wed, Nov 27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before 10:00 AM CST

Thu, Nov 28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (Thanksgiving Day)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Minimal Traffic Impact Expected&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Fri, Nov 29&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7:00 AM - 10:00 AM CST&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; After 1:00 PM CST

Sat, Nov 30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before 1:00 PM CST

Sun, Dec 1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before 1:00 PM CST

Mon, Dec 2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM CST&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Before 8 AM / After 7 PM CST

The common theme among the top 10 domestic destinations is warm weather! Four Florida cities are on the list because of their beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports. Other top destinations include New York, California, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. Internationally, Europe and the Caribbean dominate the list thanks to their beach resorts, tourist attractions, and river cruises. The top Thanksgiving destinations listed below are based on AAA booking data from Tuesday, November 26 to Monday, December 2.

Tips for Air Travelers who Have Not Booked their Flight Yet:

“It’s not too late to purchase travel insurance, which can be extremely valuable for air travelers,” Haas said. “There are policies that can provide compensation for flight delays for as little as three hours. And if a flight is cancelled, passengers can receive compensation for covered out-of-pocket expenses.”

AAA Reminds Drivers to ‘Move Over for Me’

With more people sharing the roads, the danger is multiplied for those on the roadside. AAA reminds motorists to slow down and move over for first responders, tow trucks, and any motorist with a disabled vehicle on the side of the road.

“We want to make sure all holiday travelers, tow truck drivers and first responders make it home safely this Thanksgiving,” said Brian Ortner, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “All drivers can help by moving over for flashing lights, whether it’s a tow truck or a disabled vehicle with its hazard lights on. Even if it adds a few minutes to your commute, that small gesture could save a life.”

In cooperation with AAA, S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices, including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.&nbsp;

Historical travel volume estimates come from DK SHIFFLET’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM. The PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM&nbsp;is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. DK SHIFFLET contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, and forecast U.S. travel behavior, all after the trips have been taken.

The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was prepared the week of October 7, 2024.

Because AAA forecasts focus on domestic leisure travel only, comparisons to TSA passenger screening numbers should not be made. TSA data includes all passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes. Additionally, TSA screens passengers each time they enter secured areas of the airport, therefore each one-way trip is counted as a passenger tally. AAA focuses on person-trips, which include the full round-trip travel itinerary. As a result, direct comparisons of AAA forecast volumes and daily TSA screenings represent different factors.

For this forecast, the Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as the seven-day period from Tuesday, November 26 to Monday, December 2. This is the first year the Thanksgiving forecast is a longer timeframe to include the Tuesday before the holiday and the Monday after. Historically, AAA only looked at Wednesday through Sunday.

About S&amp;P Global&nbsp;S&amp;P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses, and individuals with the right data, expertise, and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges, and accelerate progress for the world. We are widely sought after by many of the world’s leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity, and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world’s leading organizations plan for tomorrow today. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2Fy0Hwj8JGtPXUiV7UoSkjJztvPyqk9PMGCYDWdb6RaI3a4PrBU8hlj-2B8dPTvlSgwQgIbuBxhWZlokcSR84TVD901mSiPm0iBaA-2B-2BPTh4e2GLh3Wdw-2FCNRiepf8hGYDLMzG5EoOYqn9UynDCxWWI3rVGX2NAF2HYGl1E1krUnuu-2BLnRWAB065g1BZSRwxfEaikLu73IQav5jsc0VGd-2BDV2kP4ELtBg1PJLVbrMwevIrSKOdFsikKOBKO8y2qpmYXmQ-3D-3DsCK0_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANODCw2sq4tKUYazu2uZk-2B6BkIpI8SejDz-2B-2FXjPfUXk6ce1Vwra1Gd-2BdH7MVj9QXhb7fHI-2BgMnbs143uTve1SzZpYq7HDMJ3BB0wObgosur6s-2Fzk8WHEQfaEuFYEbVj9mvCkepQ7cphwFkJIbafLI2ys9iiNEYyHBcZXsXjAY-2BXPKAhSFmtCl4CyKXNc0FkuvIzm7k5mmB7zpUuv2gbP6xwK1EzVmgtV1mNmXMw2rILQg-3D">www.spglobal.com</a>.&nbsp;

DK SHIFFLET boasts the industry’s most complete database on U.S. resident travel both in the U.S. and worldwide. Data is collected monthly from a U.S. representative sample, adding over 60,000 traveling households annually, and is used daily by leading travel organizations and their strategic planning groups. DK SHIFFLET is an MMGY Global company.&nbsp;

Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered intelligent mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. This revolutionary approach enabled INRIX to become one of the leading providers of data and analytics into how people move. By empowering cities, businesses, and people with valuable insights, INRIX is helping to make the world smarter, safer, and greener. With partners and solutions spanning across the entire mobility ecosystem, INRIX is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and transportation – whether it’s keeping road users safe, improving traffic signal timing to reduce delay and greenhouse gasses, optimizing last mile delivery, or helping uncover market insights. Learn more at INRIX.com.&nbsp;

AAA: Nebraska and Iowa part of 6.4 Million Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/15/prison-watchdog-again-urges-end-to-double-bunking-of-certain-inmates-after-2022-death/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A state prison watchdog is again urging the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services to stop double-bunking inmates in restrictive housing, at least by the time the new state prison is opened.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Agencies/Inspector_General_of_the_Nebraska_Correctional_System/853_20241114-064840.pdf" target="_blank">38-page report</a>&nbsp;released Thursday, the Office of Inspector General of Corrections outlined findings into the 2022 death of an inmate, “John Doe,” who died two days after another inmate, “John Smith,” was moved into his cell. About three months earlier, staff recommended Doe’s removal from long-term restrictive housing, and he was scheduled for a review of his housing.

That review never came, however, as he died three days before it was scheduled.

The inspector general has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/reports/public_counsel/2017berry.pdf" target="_blank">raised similar concerns</a>&nbsp;in the past about double-bunking, notably after the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/N00007360PUB.pdf">2017 killing</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/04/second-attempt-made-to-let-nebraska-families-sue-local-government-in-cases-of-child-abuse-sexual-assault-death/">22-year-old double-bunked inmate</a>&nbsp;at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, when the office recommended suspending “double-bunking” in restrictive housing until after further examination. The department rejected that recommendation.

The inspector general, in at least two more reports, later encouraged the state to completely end the practice. It continues only at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln.

“Restrictive housing is a volatile setting, even for a correctional facility, and staff cannot be expected to determine which cellmates are safe and which ones are not in these circumstances,” the report states.

The Office of Inspector General of Corrections is a legislatively created office established in 2015 to increase accountability and oversight of the Corrections Department. It investigates all deaths in department facilities.

In this case, Doe was placed in the restrictive housing unit about five months before his death, after staff found a 5-inch homemade weapon in his pocket, though Doe made progress in completing all nine “Courage to Change” booklets and three different nonclinical programming books available on the unit.

Doe wrote in an “inmate accountability statement” the week of his death that he had dealt with depression, family problems and “other things I have no control over,” but that if he returned to the yard, he could take better control of his life, get more programming and finish school.

“I really do want to make a change &amp; I am not saying that just to get out the hole,” he wrote. “I really do want to change my life around &amp; educate myself more &amp; become a better person for myself &amp; my son on the streets.”

Smith, Doe’s later cellmate, was moved into a single cell after talking with a mental health practitioner three days before Doe’s death, and when Smith needed to be moved back into a double-bunked setting, he specifically asked to live with Doe.&nbsp;

Staff completed the required documentation and checked with Doe to ensure he was comfortable with the change. After the two were double-bunked, a case manager spoke with both men separately, and neither expressed concerns at the time, according to the report.

The next day, staff found Doe unresponsive on his cell floor shortly after 4 p.m. After about a 25-minute emergency response, Doe was declared dead.

An autopsy two days after said Doe died of “asphyxia with a ligature,”&nbsp;or a lack of oxygen.

Corrections staff notified the Office of Inspector General within a few hours of the incident with an email that contained his name and the subject line “NSP suicide.”

Inspector General Doug Koebernick said in an email Friday that whether Doe died by suicide or homicide&nbsp;is not known. The report indicates that some details about the scene were omitted because of an ongoing criminal case related to Doe’s death.

The report doesn’t identify Doe or Smith by their real names, but the case is similar to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-corrections-reports-dead-inmate-state-penitentiary/41810590" target="_blank">October 2022 death</a>&nbsp;of 26-year-old Philip Garcia. A Lancaster County&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-grand-jury-indicts-man-inmate-death/60849818" target="_blank">grand jury indicted Garcia’s cellmate</a>, Tyler Stanford, 38, on a charge of first-degree murder in May 2024.

The inspector general’s report indicates that there are some benefits for double-bunking in these settings, such as increasing capacity in overcrowded systems (like Nebraska’s), less isolation, the ability to share items and the possible reduction in self-injury, or suicide.

However, there are also disadvantages, including lack of physical space, lack of privacy, difficulty searching cells or identifying the owner of any found contraband, a sense of heightened risk to staff when they need to open cells in an incident, possible sexual victimization without witnesses and possible assault or homicide.

The inspector general could not find any comprehensive examination of whether the combined risk of death, either by suicide or homicide, is greater in single- or double-bunked restrictive housing cells.

“Some research has found that people are more likely to die by suicide in single-cell disciplinary housing; however, the recommended solution was more attention by staff, not double-bunking,” the report continues.

In the past four years, three people have killed themselves all in single-bunked confinement in Nebraska prison facilities. Meanwhile, in the same time frame, there have been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/26/nebraska-corrections-officials-face-another-lawsuit-over-slaying-of-inmate-in-a-double-bunked-cell/">three suspected homicides</a>, and in each instance, the person’s cellmate was the suspected killer.

It’s unclear whether the Doe case is included in the cases counted for those years.

One staff member told the investigators that double-bunking had become the “expectation” and was treated as “business as usual” among higher-ups.

The report states that unit staff were told a month before Doe’s death that double-bunking decisions were in line with department policy and that they should pair up as many people as possible “to free up as many cells as possible” in the restrictive housing unit.

The inspector general said department policy allows people to be double-bunked in restrictive housing “so long as the cell assignment provides each cellmate with reasonable safety from assault.”&nbsp;

The report says staff followed the policy.

“It has been an agency goal to reduce the behavior that results in restrictive housing,” Dayne Urbanovsky, a department spokesperson, said in a Friday email, “and through multiple improvements made by NDCS over the last two years, use of double-bunking in restrictive housing at NSP has been largely reduced.”

Currently, the Corrections Department is out of compliance with the American Correctional Association, through which the department is accredited, for double-bunking any inmates in restrictive housing because the cells are too small.

The report states that the Corrections Department’s “plan of action” is new construction. The new replacement facility isn’t expected to be completed until at least 2028.

The report offers multiple recommendations if double-bunking continues:

The Office of Inspector General completed its initial investigative work into Doe’s death almost immediately and suspended its investigation pending further law enforcement investigation.

However, in August 2023, an advisory opinion from Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers questioned the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/16/attorney-generals-opinion-casts-doubt-on-powers-of-legislatures-inspectors-general/">constitutionality</a>&nbsp;of the inspectors general of corrections and child welfare. That led the Corrections Department to suspend the officials’ access to facilities, records and staff.&nbsp;

No state official filed a lawsuit against the laws, and no court blocked the laws.

Access was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/14/nebraska-child-welfare-prison-watchdogs-have-temporarily-restored-access-for-oversight-roles/">partially restored</a>&nbsp;to the Office of Inspectors General in February through a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mou-oig_021424.pdf">memorandum of understanding</a>&nbsp;between the Legislature and the Executive Branch. The Legislature created a committee to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/23/lawmakers-create-special-committee-for-full-review-of-nebraska-legislature-oversight/">fully examine its oversight authority</a>, which the office of State Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, said Friday is ongoing.

After conferring with law enforcement, the inspector general resumed its investigation into Doe’s death in April.

“The AG opinion did impact our investigation as much of our access to information and facilities was limited due to the actions taken after the opinion,” Koebernick said Friday.

The investigation concluded six months later with the full report and an Oct. 22 letter to Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys. The department’s chief inspector responded Nov. 4 on Jeffreys’ behalf and said he would consider the recommendations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731939320591.jpeg" alt=" The Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln. (Rebecca S. Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> The Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln. (Rebecca S. Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/15/prison-watchdog-again-urges-end-to-double-bunking-of-certain-inmates-after-2022-death/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A state prison watchdog is again urging the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services to stop double-bunking inmates in restrictive housing, at least by the time the new state prison is opened.In a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Agencies/Inspector_General_of_the_Nebraska_Correctional_System/853_20241114-064840.pdf" target="_blank">38-page report</a>&nbsp;released Thursday, the Office of Inspector General of Corrections outlined findings into the 2022 death of an inmate, “John Doe,” who died two days after another inmate, “John Smith,” was moved into his cell. About three months earlier, staff recommended Doe’s removal from long-term restrictive housing, and he was scheduled for a review of his housing.That review never came, however, as he died three days before it was scheduled.The inspector general has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/reports/public_counsel/2017berry.pdf" target="_blank">raised similar concerns</a>&nbsp;in the past about double-bunking, notably after the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/N00007360PUB.pdf">2017 killing</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/04/second-attempt-made-to-let-nebraska-families-sue-local-government-in-cases-of-child-abuse-sexual-assault-death/">22-year-old double-bunked inmate</a>&nbsp;at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, when the office recommended suspending “double-bunking” in restrictive housing until after further examination. The department rejected that recommendation.The inspector general, in at least two more reports, later encouraged the state to completely end the practice. It continues only at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln.“Restrictive housing is a volatile setting, even for a correctional facility, and staff cannot be expected to determine which cellmates are safe and which ones are not in these circumstances,” the report states.The Office of Inspector General of Corrections is a legislatively created office established in 2015 to increase accountability and oversight of the Corrections Department. It investigates all deaths in department facilities.<h2>The death of ‘John Doe’</h2>In this case, Doe was placed in the restrictive housing unit about five months before his death, after staff found a 5-inch homemade weapon in his pocket, though Doe made progress in completing all nine “Courage to Change” booklets and three different nonclinical programming books available on the unit.Doe wrote in an “inmate accountability statement” the week of his death that he had dealt with depression, family problems and “other things I have no control over,” but that if he returned to the yard, he could take better control of his life, get more programming and finish school.“I really do want to make a change &amp; I am not saying that just to get out the hole,” he wrote. “I really do want to change my life around &amp; educate myself more &amp; become a better person for myself &amp; my son on the streets.”Smith, Doe’s later cellmate, was moved into a single cell after talking with a mental health practitioner three days before Doe’s death, and when Smith needed to be moved back into a double-bunked setting, he specifically asked to live with Doe.&nbsp;Staff completed the required documentation and checked with Doe to ensure he was comfortable with the change. After the two were double-bunked, a case manager spoke with both men separately, and neither expressed concerns at the time, according to the report.The next day, staff found Doe unresponsive on his cell floor shortly after 4 p.m. After about a 25-minute emergency response, Doe was declared dead.An autopsy two days after said Doe died of “asphyxia with a ligature,”&nbsp;or a lack of oxygen.Corrections staff notified the Office of Inspector General within a few hours of the incident with an email that contained his name and the subject line “NSP suicide.”Inspector General Doug Koebernick said in an email Friday that whether Doe died by suicide or homicide&nbsp;is not known. The report indicates that some details about the scene were omitted because of an ongoing criminal case related to Doe’s death.The report doesn’t identify Doe or Smith by their real names, but the case is similar to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-corrections-reports-dead-inmate-state-penitentiary/41810590" target="_blank">October 2022 death</a>&nbsp;of 26-year-old Philip Garcia. A Lancaster County&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-grand-jury-indicts-man-inmate-death/60849818" target="_blank">grand jury indicted Garcia’s cellmate</a>, Tyler Stanford, 38, on a charge of first-degree murder in May 2024.<h2>Policy of double-bunking inmates</h2>The inspector general’s report indicates that there are some benefits for double-bunking in these settings, such as increasing capacity in overcrowded systems (like Nebraska’s), less isolation, the ability to share items and the possible reduction in self-injury, or suicide.However, there are also disadvantages, including lack of physical space, lack of privacy, difficulty searching cells or identifying the owner of any found contraband, a sense of heightened risk to staff when they need to open cells in an incident, possible sexual victimization without witnesses and possible assault or homicide.The inspector general could not find any comprehensive examination of whether the combined risk of death, either by suicide or homicide, is greater in single- or double-bunked restrictive housing cells.“Some research has found that people are more likely to die by suicide in single-cell disciplinary housing; however, the recommended solution was more attention by staff, not double-bunking,” the report continues.In the past four years, three people have killed themselves all in single-bunked confinement in Nebraska prison facilities. Meanwhile, in the same time frame, there have been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/26/nebraska-corrections-officials-face-another-lawsuit-over-slaying-of-inmate-in-a-double-bunked-cell/">three suspected homicides</a>, and in each instance, the person’s cellmate was the suspected killer.It’s unclear whether the Doe case is included in the cases counted for those years.One staff member told the investigators that double-bunking had become the “expectation” and was treated as “business as usual” among higher-ups.The report states that unit staff were told a month before Doe’s death that double-bunking decisions were in line with department policy and that they should pair up as many people as possible “to free up as many cells as possible” in the restrictive housing unit.The inspector general said department policy allows people to be double-bunked in restrictive housing “so long as the cell assignment provides each cellmate with reasonable safety from assault.”&nbsp;The report says staff followed the policy.“It has been an agency goal to reduce the behavior that results in restrictive housing,” Dayne Urbanovsky, a department spokesperson, said in a Friday email, “and through multiple improvements made by NDCS over the last two years, use of double-bunking in restrictive housing at NSP has been largely reduced.”<h2>Policy recommendations</h2>Currently, the Corrections Department is out of compliance with the American Correctional Association, through which the department is accredited, for double-bunking any inmates in restrictive housing because the cells are too small.The report states that the Corrections Department’s “plan of action” is new construction. The new replacement facility isn’t expected to be completed until at least 2028.The report offers multiple recommendations if double-bunking continues:<ul>
 <li>Require warden-level approval or higher for double-bunking placements in restrictive housing, which should be cellmate-specific and granted beforehand, or within 24 hours in emergencies.</li><li>Clarify whether double-bunking is allowed in longer-term restrictive housing.</li><li>Prohibit double-bunking co-defendants while in restrictive housing.</li><li>Review the violence risk score used for cell assignments and determine whether they can be updated periodically, or removed altogether if not.</li><li>Prohibit placing cellmates with people in restrictive housing who are considered to be a high risk of violence to other incarcerated individuals.</li>
 </ul><h2>Investigation roadblock</h2>The Office of Inspector General completed its initial investigative work into Doe’s death almost immediately and suspended its investigation pending further law enforcement investigation.However, in August 2023, an advisory opinion from Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers questioned the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/16/attorney-generals-opinion-casts-doubt-on-powers-of-legislatures-inspectors-general/">constitutionality</a>&nbsp;of the inspectors general of corrections and child welfare. That led the Corrections Department to suspend the officials’ access to facilities, records and staff.&nbsp;No state official filed a lawsuit against the laws, and no court blocked the laws.Access was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/14/nebraska-child-welfare-prison-watchdogs-have-temporarily-restored-access-for-oversight-roles/">partially restored</a>&nbsp;to the Office of Inspectors General in February through a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mou-oig_021424.pdf">memorandum of understanding</a>&nbsp;between the Legislature and the Executive Branch. The Legislature created a committee to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/23/lawmakers-create-special-committee-for-full-review-of-nebraska-legislature-oversight/">fully examine its oversight authority</a>, which the office of State Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, said Friday is ongoing.After conferring with law enforcement, the inspector general resumed its investigation into Doe’s death in April.“The AG opinion did impact our investigation as much of our access to information and facilities was limited due to the actions taken after the opinion,” Koebernick said Friday.The investigation concluded six months later with the full report and an Oct. 22 letter to Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys. The department’s chief inspector responded Nov. 4 on Jeffreys’ behalf and said he would consider the recommendations.

Prison watchdog again urges end to ‘double-bunking’ of certain inmates after 2022 death

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — A measure to ensure the federal student aid form opens up annually by Oct. 1 passed the U.S. House Friday with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118hr8932rh/pdf/BILLS-118hr8932rh.pdf" target="_blank">effort</a>&nbsp;— which passed 381-1 — came after the U.S. Department of Education faced major backlash over the botched rollout of the 2024-25&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/dont-give-fafsa-advocates-student-financial-aid-urge" target="_blank">Free Application for Federal Student Aid</a>, or FAFSA. California Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren was the only lawmaker to vote against the bill.&nbsp;

Though the form got a makeover after Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, users faced multiple glitches and technical errors throughout the form’s soft launch in December and past its full debut in January, prompting processing delays and gaps in submissions.

The department has worked to correct these glitches and close that gap while also fixing major issues that prevented parents without Social Security numbers from completing the form.

Adding another complication, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-gradually-roll-out-new-fafsa-form-dec-1" target="_blank">department said in August</a>&nbsp;it would use a phased rollout of the 2025-26 form in an attempt to address any errors that might arise before it opens up to everyone — making the application fully available two months later than usual.

Though the department legally has until Jan. 1 to roll out the form, it typically launches Oct. 1.

U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, an Indiana Republican and member of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, in July&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8932" target="_blank">introduced the bill</a>&nbsp;to standardize that deadline.

“I’m especially frustrated considering the Department of Education has had three years to simplify the FAFSA as Congress has dictated,” Houchin said during floor debate Friday.

She also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gaps-fafsa-rollout-are-closing-watchdog-tells-us-house-panel" target="_blank">referenced recent findings</a>&nbsp;from the Government Accountability Office, including that nearly three-quarters of all calls to the call center went unanswered in the first five months of the 2024-25 rollout.

“We want this program to work — we want to make sure that children and families that want to send their kids to college have the availability to do that and that the FAFSA is available and workable,” she added.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House education panel, echoed his support during the floor debate, saying the measure will “help ensure that even more students have the information they need in a timelier manner to access Pell Grants and other vital student aid.”

Scott initially opposed the effort when the committee took it up in July out of concerns that the implementation deadline could force the department to roll out an incomplete form on Oct. 1 of this year.

“However, because we’re now considering the bill after Oct. 1, the deadline will apply next year, 2025, and that gives the department ample time to make improvements and fix any lingering issues,” the Virginia Democrat said.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4632" target="_blank">introduced a companion bill</a>&nbsp;in July.

The bill was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where Cassidy serves as ranking member. After Republicans won a Senate majority in the Nov. 5 elections,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.help.senate.gov/ranking/newsroom/press/cassidy-to-chair-help-committee-in-119th-congress" target="_blank">Cassidy is in line</a>&nbsp;to chair the panel next year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727807641728.png" alt=" A sign reminding people to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — appears on a bus near Union Station in Washington, D.C. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption> A sign reminding people to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — appears on a bus near Union Station in Washington, D.C. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — A measure to ensure the federal student aid form opens up annually by Oct. 1 passed the U.S. House Friday with overwhelming bipartisan support.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118hr8932rh/pdf/BILLS-118hr8932rh.pdf" target="_blank">effort</a>&nbsp;— which passed 381-1 — came after the U.S. Department of Education faced major backlash over the botched rollout of the 2024-25&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/dont-give-fafsa-advocates-student-financial-aid-urge" target="_blank">Free Application for Federal Student Aid</a>, or FAFSA. California Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren was the only lawmaker to vote against the bill.&nbsp;Though the form got a makeover after Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, users faced multiple glitches and technical errors throughout the form’s soft launch in December and past its full debut in January, prompting processing delays and gaps in submissions.The department has worked to correct these glitches and close that gap while also fixing major issues that prevented parents without Social Security numbers from completing the form.Adding another complication, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-gradually-roll-out-new-fafsa-form-dec-1" target="_blank">department said in August</a>&nbsp;it would use a phased rollout of the 2025-26 form in an attempt to address any errors that might arise before it opens up to everyone — making the application fully available two months later than usual.<h2>Codified deadline</h2>Though the department legally has until Jan. 1 to roll out the form, it typically launches Oct. 1.U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, an Indiana Republican and member of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, in July&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8932" target="_blank">introduced the bill</a>&nbsp;to standardize that deadline.“I’m especially frustrated considering the Department of Education has had three years to simplify the FAFSA as Congress has dictated,” Houchin said during floor debate Friday.She also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gaps-fafsa-rollout-are-closing-watchdog-tells-us-house-panel" target="_blank">referenced recent findings</a>&nbsp;from the Government Accountability Office, including that nearly three-quarters of all calls to the call center went unanswered in the first five months of the 2024-25 rollout.“We want this program to work — we want to make sure that children and families that want to send their kids to college have the availability to do that and that the FAFSA is available and workable,” she added.U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House education panel, echoed his support during the floor debate, saying the measure will “help ensure that even more students have the information they need in a timelier manner to access Pell Grants and other vital student aid.”Scott initially opposed the effort when the committee took it up in July out of concerns that the implementation deadline could force the department to roll out an incomplete form on Oct. 1 of this year.“However, because we’re now considering the bill after Oct. 1, the deadline will apply next year, 2025, and that gives the department ample time to make improvements and fix any lingering issues,” the Virginia Democrat said.U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4632" target="_blank">introduced a companion bill</a>&nbsp;in July.The bill was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where Cassidy serves as ranking member. After Republicans won a Senate majority in the Nov. 5 elections,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.help.senate.gov/ranking/newsroom/press/cassidy-to-chair-help-committee-in-119th-congress" target="_blank">Cassidy is in line</a>&nbsp;to chair the panel next year.&nbsp;

U.S. House passes bill to move up annual FAFSA release deadline

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nes-top-labor-official-john-albin-to-retire-following-a-35-year-run-with-the-labor-department/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;John Albin remembers back in 1990, when Nebraskans still filled out paper unemployment claims, and his new colleagues at the State Department of Labor entered the data into a mainframe computer.

Today those services are all online. The department that Albin rose within has modernized in myriad other ways and, more recently, pushed through a pandemic that stressed labor departments nationwide.

Now, at age 70, the state’s top labor official, who served the agency in a variety of roles over 35 years, is retiring.

Gov. Jim Pillen made the announcement Wednesday.&nbsp;

“It’s been an absolute thrill to work for three governors,” Albin, a native of Humboldt, told the Nebraska Examiner. “That doesn’t happen very often in my profession.”

A graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, Albin joined the department as an administrative law judge, rose to general counsel and was appointed acting labor commissioner in 2014 by Gov. Dave Heineman. Albin was named commissioner the following year by Gov. Pete Ricketts and in 2022 was reappointed by Pillen.

His last day on the job will be Dec. 20, after which Albin said he will spend more time traveling with his wife, Lupe, whom he married in the spring, and his grandkids (come February there will be two more, for a total of four).

“There’s a lot of places in the world I want to see and I want to get to a few of those while I’m still in good health,” Albin said.

He and his wife built a winter retreat in New Mexico, and they’d like to spend more time there.

Among his proudest accomplishments, Albin said, is directing a team that served the state well throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

He said a lot of their counterparts in other states “melted down” during those tough times of unemployment, benefit demands and claims.&nbsp;

“My team didn’t,” he said, noting long days and determination to get benefits paid. “We were proud of how well we came through that.”

He pointed also to his role in growing JAG Nebraska, the state’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program, which has gone from three participating schools in 2019 to nearly 85 schools with more than 4,000 students.&nbsp;

The program provides professional and technical education to empower students to overcome challenges and achieve in school, work and life.

Pillen, in a statement, said Albin’s length of service to the Labor Department “speaks volumes” about his commitment to public service.

“Nebraska has been the benefit of his dedication, vision and leadership. I wish Commissioner Albin the best as he embraces his retirement and future activities.”

Pillen said he will announce later any decision about interim leadership or an appointment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731702401923.jpeg" alt=" The Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> The Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nes-top-labor-official-john-albin-to-retire-following-a-35-year-run-with-the-labor-department/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;John Albin remembers back in 1990, when Nebraskans still filled out paper unemployment claims, and his new colleagues at the State Department of Labor entered the data into a mainframe computer.Today those services are all online. The department that Albin rose within has modernized in myriad other ways and, more recently, pushed through a pandemic that stressed labor departments nationwide.Now, at age 70, the state’s top labor official, who served the agency in a variety of roles over 35 years, is retiring.Gov. Jim Pillen made the announcement Wednesday.&nbsp;“It’s been an absolute thrill to work for three governors,” Albin, a native of Humboldt, told the Nebraska Examiner. “That doesn’t happen very often in my profession.”A graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, Albin joined the department as an administrative law judge, rose to general counsel and was appointed acting labor commissioner in 2014 by Gov. Dave Heineman. Albin was named commissioner the following year by Gov. Pete Ricketts and in 2022 was reappointed by Pillen.His last day on the job will be Dec. 20, after which Albin said he will spend more time traveling with his wife, Lupe, whom he married in the spring, and his grandkids (come February there will be two more, for a total of four).“There’s a lot of places in the world I want to see and I want to get to a few of those while I’m still in good health,” Albin said.He and his wife built a winter retreat in New Mexico, and they’d like to spend more time there.Among his proudest accomplishments, Albin said, is directing a team that served the state well throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;He said a lot of their counterparts in other states “melted down” during those tough times of unemployment, benefit demands and claims.&nbsp;“My team didn’t,” he said, noting long days and determination to get benefits paid. “We were proud of how well we came through that.”He pointed also to his role in growing JAG Nebraska, the state’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program, which has gone from three participating schools in 2019 to nearly 85 schools with more than 4,000 students.&nbsp;The program provides professional and technical education to empower students to overcome challenges and achieve in school, work and life.Pillen, in a statement, said Albin’s length of service to the Labor Department “speaks volumes” about his commitment to public service.“Nebraska has been the benefit of his dedication, vision and leadership. I wish Commissioner Albin the best as he embraces his retirement and future activities.”Pillen said he will announce later any decision about interim leadership or an appointment.