Nebraska
Nebraska's 2024 border deployments cost $1.27 million • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — This year’s two border deployments ordered by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen cost a combined $1.27 million.
The state says it paid $1.2 million of that total using interest collected from holding the second wave of $48 million in federal pandemic relief funds that Congress set aside for rental assistance.
State taxpayers paid the remaining $71,675.23 in general funds, the Nebraska State Patrol confirmed. The Patrol and the Nebraska Military Department both sent people south.
The Examiner requested the costs of Pillen’s 2024 deployments a year after he spent nearly $1 million in pandemic-related funds and general funds on two similar deployments in 2023.
Not all are pleased with spending
Some legislators, including term-limited State Sens. Carol Blood of Bellevue and Megan Hunt of Omaha, have said those funds could have been better used on other in-state priorities.
Hunt said this spending won’t help constituents. She said it doesn’t address problems Nebraskans tell senators and the governor they want fixed, such as workforce and housing needs.
“This spending is political and partisan,” she said. “It’s misusing political power for political gain. I think Governor Pillen is hoping that Nebraskans don’t notice.”
Some support Pillen’s deployments
Pillen deployed 34 members of the Nebraska National Guard between April 1 until June 27 to help near the Texas-Mexico border in the Del Rio area — 28 from the Army Guard and six from the Air Guard.
Pillen similarly sent 10 State Patrol troopers to the El Paso area of the Texas-Mexico border from April 14-28, where they were paired with Texas Department of Public Safety troopers.
Pillen has argued that public safety and national security dictate the need for every state to send help until the federal government does more to stem the flow of migrants to the border.
Like many other GOP governors seeking to draw attention to the issue in a presidential election year, he defends the spending on border security as necessary and worthwhile.
Questions about effectiveness
He calls “every state a border state” and speaks about the failures of the federal government. Local and national critics have described the spending as ineffective and wasteful.
Pillen dismissed such questions about the cost-effectiveness of state efforts during his three trips to the border as governor, including stops to visit the Nebraskans he sent.
He and leaders with the State Patrol have said their efforts help reduce the number of people and illegal substances being trafficked across the border.
Pillen’s predecessor, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, also sent state employees to the Texas border as part of efforts to help his friend and fellow Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
Texas has spent billions in state money on border security, arguing that border security has been a problem under both Republican and Democrat administrations.
Congress spends nearly $20 billion on border security.
Approach draws supporters, critics
Red-state governors have found political support at home for the spending. Pillen took Speaker of the Legislature John Arch and State Sen. Tom Brewer to the border last month.
Every member of Nebraska’s all-GOP congressional delegation has said polling shows border security is a top issue for voters. It is discussed often on conservative Fox News and Newsmax.
Immigrant advocates and Latino Nebraskans argue that some of the rhetoric Pillen, Ricketts and others have used to describe migrants contributes to fear and anger against them.
One Omaha-based group, LULAC of Nebraska, has argued that the governor would rather spend money on political stunts rather than work to help people who contribute to Nebraska’s business dynamism.
Immigrant and refugee labor account for more than 8% of the state’s economic output, one study indicated. More than 60,000 undocumented workers call Nebraska home, estimates show.
Pillen has said he will keep sending Texas help until the feds get more serious about stopping the flow of people and products across the border. No next deployment has been announced.
/static.texastribune.org/media/files/57be93e5ff7ce2cbde798ea5d7a7c9f0/01%20ICE%20TT.jpg "Multi-agency operation targeted immigrants in Austin and San Antonio")
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/adn/QRZTXEIGNJF2JJSRB2QJFU2Y5U.jpg "As crackdown begins under Trump, Alaska advocates educate local immigrants on legal rights")
News
Nebraska Farm Bureau wants to capitalize on SAF potential
Nebraska Farm Bureau president Mark McHargue says his state has an opportunity to capitalize on the sustainable aviation fuel market.
Speaking to Brownfield at the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, Texas, he said Nebraska is developing a pipeline to capture carbon dioxide.
“So I think using our ethanol or corn stover to go into sustainable aviation fuel is going to be important.”
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – John Cook and the Nebraska volleyball team landed a big time transfer Sunday, getting a commitment from former Baylor star Allie Sczech.
The 6-foot-4 opposite hitter announced her commitment in a post on Instagram:
Courtesy @allie.sczech on Instagram
The Sugarland, Texas, native was previously the No. 32 recruit in the nation when she committed to Baylor in 2022.
Sczech finished the 2024 season with 268 kills, totaling 2.44 kills per set. She had a .273 hitting percentage and also totaled 0.65 blocks per set.
The Huskers have a big hole in the offense with the departure of outside hitter Merritt Beason, and Sczech’s high production will help fill that void.
Sczech will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Date: Sunday January 26th, 2025
Tipoff: Noon (CT).
Arena: Kohl Center (Madison, Wisconsin)
Radio: Sunday’s game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network with Kent Pavelka and Jake Muhleisen on the call, including KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln, KXSP (590 AM) in Omaha and KRVN (880 AM) in Lexington. The pregame show begins an hour before tipoff and will also be available on Huskers.com and the Huskers app.
TV/Online: Sunday’s game will be on BTN with Kevin Kugler and Stephen Bardo on the call. It will also be available online on the Fox Sports app.
Jarek’s Pre-tipoff Thoughts: Ok, eventually Nebraska has to win a game in the conference again, right? This will be a big game for Connor Essegian, the former Badger who gets to play against his old team at his old home. The rest of the Huskers will have to match his intensity levels, as it is a different breed of animal to face a former team. If, and it’s a big if, they can do that, Nebraska just might have a chance. Nebraska’s last road game, which was Maryland, was a much better performance on the road than any other this season. Hopefully that momentum continues. Having said all of that, I just don’t see Nebraska winning, making the Conference losing streak 6 games. Prediction: Wisconsin 91 Nebraska 76.
Women’s Basketball
The style of play used by the Buckeyes – a full court press and pressure defense has flustered the Huskers in their most recent matchups. The Buckeyes try to take their opponent out of the game early and has an offense that comes at you from every position on the floor.
Can the Huskers stay composed and handle the early punches from the Buckeyes? Will they be in position to pull off one of their patented fourth quarter surges?
RV/25 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. 12/12 Ohio State Buckeyes
Sunday, January 26, 2025, 2 p.m. (CT)
Pinnacle Bank Arena – Lincoln, Nebraska
Special Event: Pack PBA
Giveaway: ”For Three” Roller Banners (500)
Live TV: B1G+
Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (1:30 p.m.)Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)Lincoln (107.3 FM), Huskers.com, Huskers App
Live Stats: Huskers.com (statbroadcast – public)
RV/25 Nebraska Cornhuskers (15-4, 6-2 Big Ten)
12 – Jessica Petrie – 6-2 – So. – F – 5.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg
40 – Alexis Markowski – 6-3 – Sr. – C/F – 14.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg
2 – Logan Nissley – 6-0 – So. – G – 7.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg
14 – Callin Hake – 5-8 – Jr. – G – 6.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg
23 – Britt Prince – 5-11 – Fr. – G – 13.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Off the Bench
5 – Alberte Rimdal – 5-9 – Sr. – G – 6.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg
44 – Petra Bozan – 6-3 – Fr. – F/C – 5.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg
33 – Amiah Hargrove – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 4.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg
15 – Kendall Moriarty – 6-1 – Sr. – G – 3.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg
32 – Kendall Coley – 6-2 – Gr. – F/G – 2.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg
22 – Natalie Potts [Out] – 6-2 – So. – F – 14.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg
3 – Allison Weidner [Out] – 5-10 – RJr. – G – 3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg
4 – Kennadi Williams – 5-4 – Fr. – G – Redshirt
Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) Ninth Season at Nebraska (152-115); 18th Season Overall (345-224)
12/12 Ohio State Buckeyes (18-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
32 – Cotie McMahon – 6-0 – Jr. – F – 16.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg
1 – Ajae Petty – 6-3 – Gr. – F – 10.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg
2 – Taylor Thierry – 6-1 – Sr. – G/F – 10.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg
21 – Chance Gray – 5-9 – Jr. – G – 15.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg
22 – Jaloni Cambridge – 5-7 – Fr. – G – 15.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Off the Bench
5 – Ava Watson – 5-8 – Fr. – G – 5.8 ppg, 1.0 rpg
22 – Kennedy Cambridge – 5-8 – RSo. – F – 4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg
12 – Elsa Lemmila – 6-6 – Fr. – C – 4.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg
0 – Madison Greene – 5-8 – Gr. – G – 4.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg
55 – Eboni Walker – 6-0 – Gr. – F – 2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Head Coach: Kevin McGuff (St. Joseph’s, Ind., 1992) 12th Season at Ohio State (216-107); 22nd Season Overall (471-206)
Two decades after a Utah stabbing death, DNA evidence leads to an arrest
Suspects in killings of Vallejo witness, Vermont Border Patrol agent connected by marriage license, extreme ideology
Washington Nationals GM Says Shinnosuke Ogasawara Helps 2025 Rotation
Two Virginia children die from flu, first pediatric deaths of the season
New offensive staff at Wisconsin intrigues four-star QB Trae Taylor
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Trump Paralyzes Independent Rights Watchdog, Firing Members Selected by Democrats
Spending showdown: Republicans will need to corral votes – but they haven't asked, yet
Serbian university students stage 24-hour blockade in Belgrade
How districts are responding after Trump cleared the way for immigration arrests at schools
Some Liberal Christians Find Comfort in Bishop Mariann Budde’s Plea to Trump
-
Culture1 week agoAmerican men can’t win Olympic cross-country skiing medals — or can they?
-
Culture1 week agoBook Review: ‘Somewhere Toward Freedom,’ by Bennett Parten
-
Education1 week agoReport Projecting Drop in Freshman Enrollment Delivered Incorrect Findings
-
World1 week ago‘Fields were solitary’: Migration raids send chill across rural California
-
News1 week agoWho Are the Millions of Immigrants Trump Wants to Deport?
-
Politics1 week agoTrump administration planning illegal immigrant arrests throughout US on ‘day one’
-
Business1 week agoOpinion: Biden delivered a new 'Roaring '20s.' Watch Trump try to take the credit.
-
News6 days agoJudges Begin Freeing Jan. 6 Defendants After Trump’s Clemency Order