Nebraska's 2024 border deployments cost $1.27 million • Nebraska Examiner

Published

6 months ago

July 2, 2024

Nebraska's 2024 border deployments cost .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.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha listens to State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil kneeling at her desk. March 12, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

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.

Concern over illegal immigration and border security was Donald Trump’s central campaign issue when he won the presidency in 2016, and polls show it as the GOP’s most potent political weapon again in 2024. (John Moore/Getty Images)

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.

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HUSKER VOLLEYBALL: Nebraska prepares for Final Four match vs. Penn State

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3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL: Nebraska prepares for Final Four match vs. Penn State

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WOWT) – Nebraska is back in the Final Four.

The Big Red arrived in Louisville late Tuesday night and will take to the podium Wednesday for their Final Four media availability.

This is the sixth appearance in a national semifinal over the last nine years for John Cook’s Huskers. Their season ended here last year with a loss to Texas in the title game. Now, the Huskers are back on college volleyball’s biggest stage with some unfinished business.

Standing in their way Thursday will be Penn State (33-2). In their only meeting this season, the Nittany Lions beat Nebraska 3-1, forcing the two squads to share the conference title at the end of the season.

Penn State and Nebraska do battle Thursday at approximately 8 p.m. in at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., following the conclusion of Pittsburgh vs. Louisville, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Both games will be televised on ESPN and streaming on WatchESPN.

2024 NCAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

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This is a developing story. Check back for more preview of Thursday’s match as well as interviews with Nebraska coaches and players.

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Nebraska HS State Champion Easton Glandt Decides On FGCU (2025)

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Nebraska HS State Champion Easton Glandt Decides On FGCU (2025)

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Breaststroke and IM specialist Easton Glandt will continue her swimming career at Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall of 2025. A senior at Omaha Marian High School in Nebraska, Glandt currently trains with Greater Omaha Aquatics. She has been the fastest swimmer at Omaha Marian in the 100 breast and 200 IM in all four years of her high school career.

Glandt set personal bests in the 200 breast and 400 IM last month at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge (SCY).

Her time of 2:19.59 in the 200 breast earned her 2nd place overall, and her 4:30.58 in the 400 IM secured 3rd place. Both times qualified her for the 2025 USA Swimming Futures Championship in Madison. She also achieved Futures cuts in the 100 breast (1:03.97) and 200 IM (2:05.25) at the meet. In the finals, she placed 2nd in the 100 breast and 3rd in the 200 IM.

Glandt became the 2024 NSAA Champion (SCY) in the 200 IM in February as a junior, setting a lifetime best of 2:04.11. She also placed 2nd in the 100 breast with a time of 1:03.80, her best in the event. In the prelims of the 200 free relay, Glandt led off with a personal best time of 24.08. Marian went on to win the event, finishing 1st in the finals.

She was also a two-time champion at the 2024 Metro Conference Championship in the 100 breast and 200 IM, posting times of 1:04.20 and 2:06.46.

Top SCY Times

100 breast – 1:03.80
200 breast – 2:19.59
200 IM – 2:04.11
400 IM – 4:30.58

Florida Gulf Coast University placed 3rd overall for the women at the 2024 ASUN Championships, where Glandt’s best time in the 200 IM would have qualified her for the ‘A’ final. Despite bringing only five swimmers, the team also finished 25th at the 2024 CSCAA National Invitational Championship, which included over fifty teams from across the country. Texas Christian University won the invitational, followed by Akron in second and Kentucky in third.

Glandt has the potential to make a significant impact at FGCU in the 200 IM and breaststroke events. Her best 200 IM time would have ranked 1st on the team last season, while her 100 breast time would have ranked 2nd, behind Jenna Gwinn, who has since graduated. Gwinn’s top time last season was 1:01.84.

Glandt will join Libby Freeman, Ipek Burcu Aydiner, Bianka Barna, and Sydney Ringwald as part of the 2025 recruiting class for FGCU. Other recruits in this class also have the potential to strengthen the IM and breaststroke groups. Barna’s converted SCM time in the 100 breast is 1:02.05, and her converted 200 IM time is 2:03.96. Aydiner’s converted LCM time in the 200 IM is 2:02.08.

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Nebraska Prepares for QB Grayson James and Boston College in Pinstripe Bowl

Published

18 hours ago

December 17, 2024

Press Room

Nebraska Prepares for QB Grayson James and Boston College in Pinstripe Bowl

As Nebraska prepares for its matchup against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl, the Huskers will be facing a different challenge under center than they would have a little over a month ago. With former starter Thomas Castellanos entering the transfer portal in November, Boston College has turned to junior quarterback Grayson James to lead its offense.

James, a transfer from FIU, has taken on a much larger role for the Eagles after Castellanos’ departure. While he doesn’t possess the dynamic rushing ability of Castellanos, James brings a steadier presence in the passing game. At 6-foot-3, James is more of a traditional pocket passer, relying on quick reads and efficient decision-making rather than scrambling to create plays.

James had limited opportunities this season before November, but he made the most of his starts once he took over the job. He stepped in earlier this year against Western Kentucky when Castellanos was unavailable, leading Boston College to a 21-20 comeback victory. James was calm under pressure, throwing a game-winning 8-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter and adding a critical 1-yard rushing score to spark the Eagles’ rally. He finished that game 19-of-32 for 168 yards while showing his ability to manage a close contest.

Grayson James throws during Boston College’s Nov. 9th game against Syracuse. / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

In early November, James provided a spark off the bench in Boston College’s win over Syracuse. With the Eagles trailing, James replaced an inconsistent Castellanos in the third quarter and immediately steadied the offense. He went 5-of-6 for 51 yards and a touchdown, helping Boston College score on three straight possessions to complete the comeback. He then started the last three games of the season and went 2-1 in those games, with the only loss coming to SMU.

For Nebraska’s defense, James represents a different kind of test. While Castellanos was known for his ability to create chaos with his legs, James is more comfortable staying in the pocket and delivering accurate throws. This gives Nebraska’s defensive line an opportunity to focus on pressuring James without worrying as much about the quarterback escaping for big gains. However, Boston College’s offense has shown it can rally behind James when he’s in rhythm, so generating pressure early will be key for the Huskers.

Nebraska’s defense, one of the team’s strengths this season, will look to disrupt James’ timing and force him into difficult throws. If the Huskers can collapse the pocket and limit Boston College’s passing game, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to control the game.

The Pinstripe Bowl presents an opportunity for Nebraska to close the season on a high note, but James and Boston College will provide a worthy challenge. While the Eagles have had to adjust since benching their former starter, James has shown he’s more than ready to lead the offense. Nebraska’s preparation and ability to adapt to this newer-look Boston College attack will be crucial as the Huskers look to finish strong in New York.

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