NEBRASKA BOARD OF EDUCATION HIRING CONSULTANT TO REVIEW STANDARDS WRITING PROCESS

LINCOLN- On Friday, members of the Nebraska State Board of Education voted to hire a consultant to examine the state’s process for writing academic content standards.

The Board’s standards-writing process has gone quite smoothly and has introduced a multitude of standards for core subjects over the years, including math, english, and science. Last year, this process became a point of contention for the Board after an optional sex education standard was proposed.

After receiving an unprecedented amount of public opposition, the Board pulled the plug on any health-education related standards. However, since then, the Board has voted 8-0 to allow Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt to create a contract with the American Institutes for Research, a Virginia non-profit which will, under the $50,000 contract, examine the Nebraska standards-writing process and deliver a report by May 1, 2023 with recommendations.

The initial draft of the contentious sex education standard called for the teaching of gender identity and stereotypes to children as young as six. Supporters of the standard believe it will decrease bullying, prevent suicide, and make schools more welcoming.

Opponents of the proposed standards state that they don’t reflect the values of most Nebraska parents, and that they would rob children of their innocence and sexualize them in the process.

A few Board members believe that the failure of the proposed sex education standards stem from a problem in the writing process itself; hence why they hired an external consultant.

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BUFFETT'S FIRM REPORTS $44B LOSS, BUT ITS BUSINESSES THRIVE

OMAHA- Warren Buffett’s company reported a $43.76 billion loss in the second quarter as the paper value of its investments plummeted, but Berkshire Hathaway’s many operating companies generally performed well.

The stock prices of three of Berkshire’s biggest investments — Apple, American Express and Bank of America — all fell significantly during the second quarter. But those stocks have all rebounded during the third quarter, meaning Berkshire’s portfolio is already worth more than it was at the end of the quarter. 

Besides investments, Berkshire owns more than 90 companies outright. Berkshire said operating profits were up at all of its major units including its insurance companies, major utilities and BNSF railroad. 

“This is a business that has its tentacles in all different parts of the economy. To show such broad revenue and earnings strength throughout the franchise, it gives me a lot of confidence that the broader economy is performing pretty well,” Jim Shanahan, an Edward Jones analyst said.

Berkshire said its revenue grew more than 10% to $76.2 billion in the quarter as many of its businesses increased prices

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NEBRASKA AND COLORADO ARE SPARRING OVER WATER RIGHTS. IT COULD BE THE NEW NORM AS RIVERS DRY UP

South Platte- For decades, residents along the Nebraska-Colorado border have built their homes, industries, and livelihoods upon the South Platte River, which stretches from the Rocky Mountains to northeast I-76 in Nebraska. However, over the past year, a devastating drought has decreased flows in the river, prompting Gov. Ricketts to take action. 

In April, Ricketts signed legislation that would allow Nebraska to build a canal in Colorado to siphon water from the South Platte. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the bill a "costly and misguided political stunt." Colorado has pledged nearly $10 billion for 282 projects along the South Platte, which Ricketts sees as a threat to water flows during the non-irrigation months in the fall and winter. 

Kevin Rein, Colorado State Engineer, defended those projects, arguing that "many...are not necessarily going to come to fruition." Rein also stated that Colorado has been holding up its end of the almost 100-year-old water compact the state has with Nebraska, giving Nebraska the exact amount of water it agreed to year after year.   

Rein believes Ricketts' proposed canal would negatively affect Colorado's water flows from the South Platte River. Although the canal is allowed for in the water compact between the two states, Rein sees its construction as a threat to farmers in not only Colorado, but Nebraska too. Even more worrying for Rein is the fact that the compact "grants Nebraska and its citizens the right to acquire by purchase, prescription, or the exercise of eminent domain" any land necessary to build and maintain the canal. 

Lawsuits are likely to be put forward to stop the building of the canal, but they will likely only delay its construction rather than stop it. 

Local farmers in the proposed canal location are worried too. A Colorado rancher, called Goddard, asked the question, "What can they do for me to make sure that it's not disrupting my production, but also my other producers in the area?" This uncertainty seems to be rampant in the areas most likely to be affected by the canal. 

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LINCOLN CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CONTRACT MAKING POLICE OFFICERS HIGHEST-PAID IN THE STATE

LINCOLN- A three-year contract was unanimously approved by the Lincoln City Council that makes Lincoln officers the highest paid in the state.

Council members supported the contract, which will cost the city $3.2 million this year and $5 million in the second year of the biennial budget, saying public safety is a priority.

Beginning Aug. 18, starting pay for officers will increase 8% and for sergeants by 10%. That means officers’ starting pay goes from $28.55 an hour to $30.83. Starting pay for sergeants goes from $37.06 an hour to $40.77. 

Annual salaries for officers will range from $64,128 to $90,646 and for sergeants from $84,793 to $107,369.

Next year officers will get a 6.5% increase and sergeants a 4.5% increase. Pay for both officers and sergeants will increase 3% in 2024.

Police Chief Teresa Ewins said the department already is recruiting, and high wages help.

“This is about competitiveness,” Ewins told the council. “We’re competing nationally for people to be police officers. We need contracts like this to get the best.”

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ACLU NEBRASKA FILES LAWSUIT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT 2018 IMMIGRATION RAID IN O'NEILL

LINCOLN- After claiming that the government has ignored requests for information about an immigration investigation in O' Neill, the ACLU of Nebraska has filed a lawsuit to obtain additional information about the 2018 raid.

In 2018 133 people were taken into custody, the ACLU documented reports of mistreatment and potential civil rights violations during the raid.

Following the federal operation, the ACLU criticized it for failing to provide detainees with adequate food, water, shelter and language interpretation services.

The ACLU is suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the department’s Office of Inspector General to compel a release of records related to the investigation and whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents violated detainee rights.

The ACLU said it initially collaborated with the OIG, which in part is charged with providing independent oversight of immigration enforcement activities. The OIG opened an investigation but never shared the results, said the ACLU.

The Inspector Generals' office and ICE have yet to comment on the building situation.

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MUCH OF NEBRASKA OFFICIALLY BACK IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS

LINCOLN- Excessive heat combined with insufficient rain has pushed much of the state into drought. 

The U.S. Drought Monitor, published weekly by the National Drought Mitigation Center, estimates that 95% of the state is in drought or near-drought, up 5 percentage points from the week before.

The only area of the state not excessively dry is in southeast Nebraska, according to the center, which is housed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

High heat and lack of rain are expected to continue. In the case of rain, forecasts by the National Weather Service don't expect significant moisture to majorily help the current condition.

Nebraska's long-term outlook favors cooler-than-average weather from mid- to late August, according to the national Climate Prediction Center. 

The most recent area to officially declare drought is the Omaha metro area.

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MIKE FLOOD TOURS LINCOLN BUSINESSES, CRITICIZES BIDEN

LINCOLN- While President Biden signed the 'CHIPS' act earlier this week, Congressman Mike Flood visited Lincoln to tour several large Lincoln employers, including Kawasaki, Hudl, and Olsson. While there, Flood denounced the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed in the Senate earlier this week. 

The Inflation Reduction Act seeks to combat climate change, lower healthcare costs, raise taxes on some billion-dollar corporations, and reduce the federal deficit. It is the cornerstone of Biden's economic plan, and the culmination of months of infighting and concession. 

Touting his wish for the United States to become more reliant on local goods, Flood stated that he plans to vote against the Inflation Reduction Act, claiming that it includes massive tax hikes and increases our dependence on Chinese goods. 

During the statement, Flood also stated that "...it starts with supporting businesses in our community, making sure that the people creating the jobs are in an environment where they can create more. That we are easy to work with. And that we secure not only our supply chains and make sure that we can move product around the world, but that we open new markets for American products. I think they're tone deaf. Like we cannot afford this as Americans." 

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TOM DOYLE DIES, DOUGLAS COUNTY ENGINEER SINCE 1983

OMAHA- For 39 years, Tom Doyle served as the county engineer, supervising highway construction, maintenance and snow clearing as the county grew to nearly 600,000 residents. 

Doyle performed that job with grace and good humor, say longtime friends, until his recent death, at age 91.

“He wasn’t the highest-profile guy,” said his son, Mark Doyle, who is president of the Metropolitan Utilities District. “It’s just been steady work — safe bridges, safe roadways. That’s how he did his job.”

A lifelong Democrat with roots in South Omaha, Doyle was appointed county engineer in March 1983. Nearly four decades later, he had become Douglas County’s longest-serving officeholder.

“I can’t say enough good things about the way Tom Doyle treated people,” said County Board member P.J. Morgan, a Republican and former Omaha mayor who has known him for decades. “He had a passion about being county engineer, and serving the people.”

Doyle's career had a short stint in the private sector, Doyle then ran for the Nebraska Legislature in 1982 and won his race by 13 votes. Just two months into his term, however, Doyle accepted the position as Douglas County engineer, the first person to hold the job. He defeated a Republican opponent for reelection in 1986.

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REGENTS APPROVE CONTRACT EXTENSION, PAY RAISE FOR NU PRESIDENT

LINCOLN- University of Nebraska Board of Regents extended President Ted Carter's contract by three years, potentially keeping the university's top leader in Nebraska through 2027.

Carter's new contract, approved unanimously, also raises his base salary by 3% this year and adds a second deferred compensation package to incentivize the president to stay at NU.

In all, Carter's total compensation could top $1.5 million beginning in 2023.

Regents also awarded Carter, a former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, a $105,000 performance bonus for the 2021-22 academic year.

That amount is less than the $140,000 he was eligible to receive; Carter hit 89% of the benchmarks set for him by the board last year after first- to second-year retention numbers fell at several NU campuses.

Omaha Regent Elizabeth O'Connor, who was the lone "no" vote when regents approved Carter's initial contract in 2019, citing concerns about the amount, said she supported the new contract terms.

"Today, we are in a much better financial and operational position, we have more stable funding, we've emerged from a global pandemic stronger," she said.

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NU MOVING FORWARD WITH $85M HEALTH EDUCATION BUILDING

LINCOLN- Even before the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the situation beginning in 2020, Nebraska was projecting a shortage of health care professionals, particularly in rural areas.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has long expected a shortage of 5,435 nurses by 2025, which combined with an aging population will seriously squeeze health care options in several areas of the state. Shortages were also expected in other specialties — primary care physicians, pediatric physicians, OBGYNs, audiologists — even before COVID strained the health care system.

While the statistics are sobering, UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey Gold told the NU Board of Regents Thursday that the university has a plan to build a sustainable workforce that will be key to ensuring patients across Nebraska can see a doctor or will have adequate numbers of nurses available.

UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen said the $85 million expansion — the university will raise $35 million in private funds to build out the full project — will play a lead role in keeping rural Nebraska vibrant for years to come.

“(Health care) is the future of all these communities,” Kristensen said. “We should do things that only the university can solve. There’s no one else in the state of Nebraska who can do this.”

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NEBRASKA'S LARGEST CATTLE FEEDLOT GETS OK FROM DUNDY COUNTY BOARD

BENKELMAN -  A proposal for the largest cattle feedlot in the state — a project estimated to cost $200 million — got the green light from a southwest Nebraska county on Thursday.

The Dundy County Board voted 3-0 to approve plans by Blackshirt Feeders to build a 150,000-head feedlot north of Haigler, near the Colorado-Nebraska state line. The project will feature a digester to turn manure into methane, and will have a rolled concrete surface that Blackshirt officials say will cut down on dust and be easier to clean.

“This is going to be beyond a state of the art facility,” said Steve Mossman, a Lincoln attorney who represents Blackshirt Feeders.

The site north of Haigler was chosen after controversy arose about another proposed location in Dundy County, 23 miles north of Benkelman.

The facility, which will be built in three phases of 50,000-head capacity each, is projected to provide 65 full-time jobs in Dundy County. The rural county of just under 2,000 people is west of McCook, in the extreme southwest corner of Nebraska.  The facility is being developed by three Canadian veterinarians with experience in feedlots, including Dr. Eric Behlke, a native of Benkelman. 

The approval came with nine conditions concerning groundwater testing, controlling flies and dust and proper disposal of dead livestock.

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CANDIDATES FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF LAY OUT THEIR VISIONS FOR THE OFFICE

OMAHA- Last Tuesday night, the candidates for Douglas County Sheriff were given the opportunity to share their visions and debate important issues at the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #2 in Douglas County. 

The main issues discussed between candidates Aaron Hanson, a republican police sergeant, and Greg Gonzales, a retired deputy police chief and democrat, were deputy recruitment, employee retention, public safety, and patrol presence. 

When asked what he believes makes his campaign stand apart from Hanson’s, Gonzalez stated that he will put greater emphasis on retention, community engagement, and the reduction of violent crime. Gonzalez also stated, “ It’s going to be very important that you have a sheriff that, one, understands management, understands budgeting, and understands what it takes to build relationships.”

Hanson stated that he and Gonzalez share similar views and goals, but that there are also some key differences. Hanson’s main focus is to keep Douglas County safe by expanding its police force in proportion with the county’s population growth. He also aims to promote retention through an increase in salaries and benefits, and wants to implement a pretrial supervised release program. Hanson also intends to create a program which would allow several deputies to assist judges and probation officers in the re-entry of previously-incarcerated individuals. 

Gonzales has made clear his distaste for such a program, stating that it would turn deputies into “glorified probation officers.” However, despite their differences, both candidates agreed that the force needs to expand to better suit the needs of the county. 

Both candidates support an increase in salary and benefits for deputies. Hanson believes that dispatchers, while integral to the system of policing in Douglas county, should not be making more than some deputies. He stated, “We have got to honor our front-line deputies, sergeants, lieutenants. And I know by the numbers that your wage scale is too low.”

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AFTER CONSIDERING SEX-ED STANDARDS, 'UNPRECEDENTED MONEY' BEING SPENT IN NEBRASKA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION RACES

OMAHA- The Nebraska State Board of Education has drawn more attention than usual over the past year and a half, the exposure has now translated into campaign dollars.

Board member Robin Stevens said he also focused on lots of campaigning, but spending and raising money was not a huge concern in his two previous races.

This year that is not the case. “Unprecedented money is being spent,” said Stevens.

In 2018, three candidates did not spend over $5,000, and the other three candidates spent less than $36,000 combined. In 2022, at least $20,000 have been spent on every primary race. In Stevens' race against Elizabeth Tegtmeier, more than $120,000 has been spent.

In total, more than $255,000 has been spent in the primary, dwarfing the 2018 figures.

Sex education standards and critical race theory have been large discussions amongst the board for the past year. Many believe that is the direct reason for the increased donations, many of which came from state senators and Governor Ricketts.

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COOK POLITICAL REPORT NOW RATES BACON-VARGAS RACE A TOSS-UP

LINCOLN- A new column from the Cook Political Report suggests that the fight for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional district may be much closer than previously thought. Citing Kansas’ rejection of anti-abortion ballot issues, The Cook Report believes that abortion and similar pressing issues have “swiftly galvanized Democrats.”

David Wasserman, a writer for the Cook Political Report, stated that Bacon’s past victories in 2018 and 2020 “are starting to look more like a function of far-left, pro-single payer Democrat Kara Eastman’s limited appeal than his own strength.”

Sen. Tony Vargas, against whom Bacon is running, is utilizing Kansas’ abortion victory to further solidify the Democratic vote. Vargas has recently been emphasizing Bacon’s past responses to a 2016 questionnaire in which the congressman stated that he would not support abortion exceptions for rape, incest, and the health of a mother.

Bacon has fired back against these “toss-up” claims, stating that Vargas was just as “extreme” as Kara Eastman. However, despite several polls showing the congressman either tied with Vargas or trailing behind, Wasserman believes that this is how Bacon has always begun his races, and that republicans should not be afraid.

Wasserman also stated that be believes abortion will be one of the key, democratic talking points in the upcoming elections, and thinks that it will be used to “squeeze pro-life Republicans in Biden-won seats.”

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MATT INNIS WON’T FACE CHARGES AFTER BEING ARRESTED AT NEBRASKA’S GOP CONVENTION

LINCOLN- Republican Matt Innis, who ran against Sen. Ben Sasse in the 2020 senatorial race, was arrested last month outside of the Nebraska GOP Convention in Kearney on suspicion of third-degree assault and second-degree trespassing.

Attorney Shawn Eatherton of Buffalo County stated that they did not have enough evidence to prosecute Innis, and told Innis that he did not have to appear in court on his originally scheduled day of Aug. 10.

Innis’ arrest occurred after he attempted to enter the convention, where he was promptly stopped by security staff. Allegedly, Innis lunged at a convention staffer and assaulted him, but Innis claimed that he was shoved by security and was defending himself.

Innis arrived at the convention center with Fanchon Blythe. Both men had had their credentials revoked and were therefore not allowed into the convention. Innis and Fanchon, both supporters of former President Trump, allegedly had their credentials revoked after criticizing and challenging Gov. Pete Ricketts and gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen. The men arrived at the convention to challenge their revocations.

After Innis’ arrest, several Republican delegates at the conventions argued that revoking credentials was an attack on free speech. They later voted that day to reinstate Innis’ credentials, and he was eventually invited back to the convention.

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GROUP TURNS IN PETITIONS TO ALLOW LINCOLN TO VOTE ON FAIRNESS ORDINANCE

LINCOLN- A group seeking to update the Lincoln city code to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, called Let Lincoln Vote turned in over 11,000 signatures. Although they only needed around 8,900 signatures, the group turned over 20% more as a backup.

More than 100 volunteers helped collect these signatures over the past few months, standing in high heat for many hours at the DMV, farmers markets, music venues, and other locations. 

Back in February, the Lincoln City Council passed a very similar ordinance with almost the same protections, but this was rescinded by opponents soon after. This prompted Let Lincoln Vote to begin their ballot initiative petition. However on Wednesday the petition was tossed by Lancaster County Election Commissioner Dave Shivley. 

Shivley stated that his office would not be able to verify the signatures because the circulators failed to disclose whether or not they were paid on each of the 633 pages of the proposed ordinance. According to Nebraska Revised Statute§ 32-628 (4), "Each sheet of a petition shall have upon its face in plain view of persons who sign the petition a statement in letters not smaller than sixteen-point type in red print on the petition. If the petition is circulated by a paid circulator, the statement shall be as follows: This petition is circulated by a paid circulator. If the petition is circulated by a circulator who is not being paid, the statement shall be as follows: This petition is circulated by a volunteer circulator."

Let Lincoln Vote's failure to disclose this payment information has brought the Fairness Ordinance to a standstill, and Shivley stated that he would be returning the petition to the clerk's office. "...no further action by my office is necessary," he writes. 

Kay Siebler, of the Let Lincoln Vote campaign, stated, "We are not in despair. We are exploring different avenues forward. We won't be deterred. We will not let the voters down."

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RICKETTS SAYS NO SPECIAL SESSION WILL BE HELD TO FURTHER RESTRICT ABORTION RIGHTS

LINCOLN- Governor Ricketts announced he will not be calling a special session to further ban abortion rights in Nebraska.

The state considered a full ban and a 12-week abortion ban in the previous months, but Governor Ricketts announced the 20-week abortion ban will remain in effect. The deal fell short of the required 33 votes that would be needed to make the change.

Omaha Sen. John McCollister, who supports abortion rights, said that the 12-week idea was an “insignificant” change from current law and not enough to call back lawmakers for a special, and no doubt heated, special session.

A letter had been circulating and gauging support, but only had 30 senators sign their names on it. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers said he didn’t want to speak for why not enough senators signed onto his proposal, but there certainly were some who thought such a debate would be better held during the next regular session, which begins in January.

Governor Ricketts did acknowledge the lack of needed votes, but also hinted at possible restriction discussions in the near future.

“Nebraskans need to have more conversations on the value we place on human life so more meaningful protections can be passed in our state,” said Ricketts.

The governor said that Hilgers’ letter shows that “elections matter.” State Senator Megan Hunt, a Democrat, said the same thing.

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AMID SUMMER HEAT STRETCH, OPPD SETS RECORD FOR ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION

OMAHA- With the extremely hot temperatures that occurred recently, Omaha Public Power District announced they have set a record for electric usage.

Jodi Baker, spokeswoman for the utility, said peak usage typically occurs between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. This is when outside temperatures are their highest and air conditioners go into overdrive in response to temperatures and families lowering thermostats as they arrive home.

As temperatures peaked above 101 degrees, the utility reached a peak usage of 2,540 megawatts. The previous record was set a decade earlier at 2,468,3 megawatts.

Even though demand has reached record levels, OPPD anticipates being able to meet electrical demand this summer, Baker said.

Likewise, the Southwest Power Pool, the regional entity that manages the electrical grid across 17 states, has said it anticipates being able to meet demand.

OPPD has offered an incentive to users if they allow OPPD to remotely cycle their air conditioner on and off.

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RICKETTS, DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICIAL VERBALLY CLASH OVER SENATE'S 'INFLATION REDUCTION' PROPOSAL

LINCOLN- The U.S. Senate's $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act sparked a disagreement between Governor Ricketts and the head of the Nebraska Democratic Party, Jane Kleeb.

Ricketts, in a column and in a letter with 21 other governors, condemned the proposal as a “reckless tax and spending spree” that ignores high gas prices and the highest inflation in 40 years.

“While denying recession, Democrats want to raise taxes on businesses and manufacturers, which will force higher costs onto consumers, worsen inflation, and aggravate shortages,” the statement from the 22 governors said.

But Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, pointed to the 126 economists, including Nobel laureates, that have signed a letter predicting that the Inflation Reduction Act will help bring down costs for American families. It will also require multinational corporations and “the super-rich” to pay their fair share of taxes, Kleeb said.

“Ricketts and Republicans conveniently forget to mention that in 2017 — led by MAGA Republicans — Congress gave massive government handouts to corporations and the super-rich. That was fiscal irresponsibility,” she said.

Ricketts also claimed that Biden is valuing "a radical environmental agenda' over the needs of Americans.

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VIETNAMESE TRADE GROUP SEEKING NEW NEBRASKA PARTNERSHIPS IS AMONG GUESTS EXPECTED AT AUGUST SUMMIT

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts’ Agriculture and Economic Development Summit in Kearney will host a Vietnamese trade group that is hoping to build new business relationships in the cornhusker state.

The summit, Aug. 10, is touted as the state’s key forum for discussing issues relevant to the state’s agriculture and economic development sectors. This year’s topics range from labor supply challenges to the financial impact of area flooding.

The keynote speaker at the summit, to be held at the Younes Conference Center, will be Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

The trade group consists of government leaders and representatives from one of Vietnams largest corporations, Becamex.

The group will be in Nebraska Aug. 9-11 to meet with interested companies specializing in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, technology and fabricated metal products. The state economic development office said in a statement that Nebraska has had great success in exporting to Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region, and the group hopes to create new partnerships and increase Nebraska exports to Vietnam.

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