CHADRON, Neb. — Chadron State College’s Winter Commencement Speaker will be Dr. Hortensia Soto. Since 2020, Soto, a CSC Distinguished Young Alumni recipient, has been a professor of mathematics at Colorado State University and Graduate Director in the Department of Mathematics since 2023. The combined ceremony for undergraduates and graduates will be Friday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Chicoine Center.

Originally from Morrill, Nebraska, Soto earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s in mathematics education from CSC. She earned an additional master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Arizona, and a doctorate in Educational Mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado.

Soto has promoted mathematics via summer outreach programs and frequently facilitates professional development for K-16 teachers, including in the Nebraska Panhandle.

She is a working member of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) where she has served as associate treasurer, associate secretary, president, and an editor of the MAA&nbsp;Instructional&nbsp;Practices&nbsp;Guide that provides national guidance for effective, research-informed mathematics teaching.

Soto began her career as an assistant and later associate professor of mathematics at Colorado State University–Pueblo from 1995 to 2005. She also taught 15 years at the University of Northern Colorado, advancing to full professor.

She has been recognized for excellence in teaching, mentorship and service at the departmental, college and national levels. Early in her career, she was honored with awards such as the Graduate Deans Citation for Excellence and the Most Supportive Faculty Award at CSU-Pueblo.

Recent highlights include a 2022 nomination for the CSU Alumni Association’s Best Teacher Award and the prestigious 2018 MAA Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics. Additional honors include multiple outstanding faculty recognitions from student groups, residence life programs and academic units.

Her contributions extend beyond the classroom into research mentorship and institutional service. She earned the College of Natural and Health Sciences’ Excellence in Faculty Research Mentor Award and the Excellence in Service Award at the University of Northern Colorado and the MAA Meritorious Service Award.

Soto also contributes to cross-institutional collaborations that investigate professional development opportunities for collegiate instructors and the role of teachers in supporting students’ reasoning.

Her research centers on the teaching and learning of K-16 mathematics and embraces a philosophy that claims learning is body-based. She has used this lens in teaching and researching the learning of applicable mathematical concepts.

She has about 100 publications and delivered about 100 talks about her work nationally and internationally. Her early publications included studies on students’ geometric reasoning and expert conceptions of complex-valued functions. She has also published extensively about mathematics teacher education, pre-service teacher learning, technology-enhanced instruction, assessment practices and initiatives supporting women in mathematics.

Soto’s 25 years of research centers on how students learn advanced mathematics through visualization, metaphor and active learning. Her articles focus on deepening mathematical understanding through innovative modes of learning and improving mathematics education from the secondary level to undergraduate and teacher-preparation settings. Recent articles explore imaginative approaches to abstract algebra and new frameworks in mathematical thinking.

Her extensive publications include recurring contributions to the MAA, as well as numerous peer-reviewed conference proceedings exploring embodied learning, teacher preparation, undergraduate mathematics education and student engagement. She highlights collaborative partnerships, inclusive pedagogy, broadening participation in STEM, and innovative approaches to understanding and teaching mathematics.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, practicing yoga, meditating and spending time with her son, Miguel.

Alumna, Math Educator to Speak at Winter Commencement

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -&nbsp;The Nebraska Community College Association hosted its annual awards ceremony in Lincoln in November, and two WNCC employees and an alum were recognized.

Jodi Ruzicka was honored as the NCCA Distinguished Alumni from WNCC. A lifelong resident of the Scottsbluff-Gering area, Ruzicka graduated from WNCC in 1995, while balancing a full-time career in banking, and raising a family. She currently serves as a financial advisor for the Platte Valley Investment Center, helping others financially plan for the future. Ruzicka has a passion for helping others not only in her job, but in the community. She chairs the Oregon Trail Days Planning Committee, serves on the WNCC Foundation Board, and volunteers with the Legacy of the Plains Museum.

The NCCA Faculty Member Award went to Marcene Elwell, WNCC's surgical technology instructor and program director. Elwell has been at WNCC for 8 years, and spends countless hours with her students, traveling across the state and into Colorado and Wyoming to aid in their clinicals, and proudly promotes WNCC's program at recruitment events. Her hard work, positivity, and dedication has made a lasting impact on WNCC and her students.

Pauline Newman, WNCC's accounting services director, received the NCCA Administrators/Staff Award. Her leadership creates a supportive work environment where people feel valued and empowered. Newman also serves as the accountant for the WNCC Foundation, where in the last year, helped guide the Foundation through two major transitions that increase both transparency and accountability within the Foundation.

The NCCA is comprised of five member schools: Central, Mid-Plains, Northeast, Southeast and Western Nebraska. Each year the NCCA holds its annual meeting at one of the member schools and awards&nbsp;Faculty, Governor, Administrator, and Friend of Community College awards, along with a Distinguished Alumni Award.

WNCC Alum and Two Staff Honored at NCCA Awards Ceremony

LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp;- Governor Jim Pillen is announcing a major milestone in Nebraska’s efforts to ensure all areas of the state have robust and reliable internet service. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has formally approved the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) final proposal. This authorizes Nebraska to transition from planning to implementation of its statewide broadband expansion strategy.

NTIA’s approval affirms Nebraska’s strategic, data-driven, and technology-neutral broadband plan – one that supports economic growth and improvements in education, healthcare and agriculture. From here, the state moves into the implementation phase, enabling approximately $44.5 million in federal funding and $21 million in private investment to deploy to the remaining unserved Nebraskans – the last 2 percent of homes, farms and small businesses still waiting for a reliable high-speed broadband option.

“This is a tremendous victory for Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “Reliable broadband is essential for daily life, from schoolwork and healthcare to running a business or managing a farm. With this approval, rural Nebraskans who have been left waiting will finally have access to the same online opportunities and services as everyone else. Our plan is practical, responsible, and built to serve Nebraska’s needs today and for many years to come.”

BEAD funding was limited to the state’s remaining unserved locations and relies on a balanced mix of technologies designed to provide connectivity across Nebraska’s varied landscape. The approach being pursued is intended to support long-term reliability, responsible spending and practical solutions for the hardest-to-reach areas, positioning Nebraska to be among the first states to push projects into the market.

Nebraska Broadband Office (NBO) Director Patrick Haggerty said the federal approval marks the start of the transformational work ahead.&nbsp;“I am proud of our team’s relentless efforts in an ever-changing environment, and equally proud of the results,” he added. “This approval allows Nebraska to move quickly into deployment and begin connecting the remaining unserved locations.”

A sizeable amount of federal funding remains undeployed under BEAD. Gov. Pillen has advocated that the state be allowed to retain those funds and allocate them to other projects that would benefit from investment – endeavors that would enhance precision agriculture, biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The status of the remaining undeployed federal funding is expected to be announced early next year.

Gov. Pillen thanked President Trump and the U.S. Department of Commerce for implementing reforms to the BEAD program aimed at eliminating burdensome requirements and streamlining the build-out of broadband infrastructure.

“Those actions saved the program from Biden-era stagnation and ensures we can quickly and efficiently get high-speed internet to unserved and underserved areas in the most low-density rural parts of Nebraska, while protecting American taxpayers.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen Announces Federal Approval of Nebraska’s BEAD Final Proposal

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Raccoons and Cookies

ALLIANCE, Neb. - In this week's episode of the Alliance Bulldogs Coach's Show, brought to you by Harris Sales in Alliance, Jake Schrantz talks with head coach of Alliance Boys Varsity Basketball, Jordan Mills.

They discuss last week's jamboree against Kimball, and look ahead to the regular season openers against Gering and Mitchell this weekend.

Alliance Bulldogs Coach's Show - 12/03/25 (Boys Basketball)

UPDATED 12/3/25:&nbsp;Northwest Rural Public Power District, along with Nebraska Public Power District, have rescheduled their power outage in Hay Springs for next week, Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10pm - 12 midnight MT.

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COLUMBUS, Neb. – A planned outage is scheduled for electric customers in Hay Springs Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. MT, to allow for work at a substation in the area.

The outage is being conducted so crews can conduct needed maintenance at the substation. “We know outages are not convenient, and we appreciate the patience of the impacted customers while the work is completed,” said NPPD Account Manager Jennifer Branson. “The work will help ensure reliable service to area customers, and crews will be working hard to complete the work in a safe and efficient manner.” 

NPPD works closely with impacted communities to schedule any planned outages. NPPD will notify impacted customers prior to the planned outage, and customers can call 1-877-ASK-NPPD if they have any questions. 

UPDATE: Planned Outage for Customers in Hay Springs Dec. 10

Alliance Public Schools Board of Ed Meeting Agenda, Dec. 8

LINCOLN, Neb. — Across Nebraska, major projects are well underway or nearing completion along Interstate 80 (I-80). Construction on these projects -- stretching from Ogallala to Omaha – began in spring of 2024 and 2025. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is providing the following project updates for drivers:

I-80 Westbound, Q Street to Giles Road

Covering 1.2 miles in Douglas and Sarpy counties, this project includes the repair of the I-80 bridge over West Papillion Creek, Eastport Parkway, and Harry Anderson Blvd., repair of the Harrison Street bridge over I-80, and widening of westbound I-80 from Q Street to Giles Road. The project is substantially complete with minor nighttime work scheduled for early December, weather permitting. This project is part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.b04f70AIkXepI61RSjEid1wcGxursQJ5tSuGL-2FYR1LD-2B0vA3Wiq8DRsW2Uq3wnNJet-2FIKv3TfOdvHQQpG3HPjQ-3D-3DIeIf_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyPhG1TMqI6e9S8KGoJbMSS-2FF4lQmv064gRlTzmG6k79oDqeGh-2FVzz4vetxundhxJ4fnw1Vx1NmeeAdOrUnb-2BZ0AUu7qjzne5kXzQzigWlbbhjDLj0bhTjLhqfPb1Ky2NJbSLTbD9nd364-2FaQjGdX73ZhNmNzzwML1s-2BoBOdDbXFaDvgmfKuNAg-2FdyfC34Iu9IVnZnBzawYbsPK61ammPfnV2tcFTQqlB99dRMxMXQygIavIvxRed4bBytczUaAfiP9FA3dD6phr8BKZ0nHBEwKI8kY05uJ1oRWAKrVRfgg1IL9nVuw-2FheL-2Bl1RKxElIzrAKjs4WZOR4O-2FjOrvst-2BVEA-3D-3D" target="_blank">MTIS</a>&nbsp;program.

This project covers 1.54 miles of I-80 in Sarpy County to repair the bridges over West Giles Road and South Papillion Creek, and to widen westbound I-80 from the bridges to 144th&nbsp;Street (Nebraska Highway 50).&nbsp;The project is substantially complete with minor nighttime work scheduled for early December, weather permitting.

The completion of these mark the first projects resulting from the Metro Area Travel Improvement Study (MTIS), a comprehensive, long-range transportation plan for the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. MTIS was a collaborative effort conducted by NDOT and the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) between 2014 and 2019.

I-80, Dawson County Line to Odessa

This project will rebuild 8.44 miles of I-80 in Buffalo County to replace deteriorated pavement and maintain the transportation system. Work includes reconstruction of the ramps at the Elm Creek-Holdrege interchange at Exit 257. Head-to-head traffic returned to normal on Nov. 3, 2025. Lane closures will remain for pavement marking and remedial work. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

This rebuild of 7.24 miles of I-80 is located in Keith County. The asset preservation project includes the removal and replacement of the pavement and bridge work. A separate project is underway at the Ogallala westbound rest area, which will feature a new building, and expanded parking.

The project is approximately 50 percent complete. Eastbound lanes have been completed, and westbound lanes are scheduled to be replaced in 2026. Estimated completion date is late fall 2026.

I-80, Pleasant Dale to NW 56th Street

Located in Lancaster and Seward counties, this modernization project includes pavement and bridge replacement, expanding I-80 to six lanes, median barrier construction, and reconstruction of the on and off ramps at Nebraska Highway 103/NW 154th Street interchange at Exit 388. This project will increase traffic capacity while supporting and maintaining safe and efficient travel. Construction is currently in the second of three phases and is anticipated to be completed in 2027.

“I’d like to thank Nebraskans for their patience as we work to improve roadways across the state and the vital I-80 corridor,” NDOT Director Vicki Kramer said. “Tens of thousands of Nebraskans drive through these work zones every day. NDOT urges drivers to continue to be patient, and to drive carefully in work zones so we can all get home safe.”

As of Nov. 30, 2025, there have been 108 crashes year to date in these I-80 work zones, and 451 crashes in work zones statewide. In 2024, distracted driving was a factor in at least 2,740 crashes in Nebraska. There have been 1,797 distracted driving crashes as of Nov. 30, 2025, year to date.

NDOT Provides Update on I-80 Projects, Urges Nebraskans to Drive Safely in Work Zones

ALLIANCE, Neb. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently undergoing a mapping project in Box Butte County, Nebraska to provide up-to-date flood risk information for the county. At the conclusion of this project, FEMA will issue new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) with updated floodplain boundaries. These updated boundaries could affect flood insurance requirements for property owners.

The Floodplain Mapping Division from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment will be hosting a public open house in order to give property owners the opportunity to learn about their flood risk and ask floodplain-related questions. The open house is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. The open house will be held at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center, located at 908 Yellowstone Ave, Alliance, NE, 69301.

For any questions, please contact Michelle York, Administrative Programs Officer at Floodplain Management Division, at (402) 471-2186.

New Flood Insurance Rate Maps in Box Butte County

ALLIANCE, Neb. – The Landfill will be closed from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3, for an all-employee luncheon.

For any questions, please contact Clint Fankhauser, Landfill Foreman, at (308) 762-2705.

Landfill Temporarily Closed in Alliance

ALLIANCE, Neb. – The search is on at Alliance Public Library! Preschool through second grade can Search for Snoopy during Library hours through Dec. 24, with one prize per day and one prize per child.

Grades 3-12 can join the Gingerbread Journey by picking up a Scavenger Hunt list at the circulation desk, collecting items from the list, then returning to the circulation desk with all items for their prize, with one prize per youth. No checkout of items is needed for this event, which also continues through Dec. 24, during Library hours.

For more information, please contact Cynthia Horn, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian, at 762-1387.

Search for Snoopy and Gingerbread Journey at Alliance Public Library

Box Butte County Commissioner's Meeting Agenda, Dec. 3

Roger Dodger to perform in Kimball

The Brothers Duo to play in Scottsbluff

CHADRON, Neb. - The Friends of the Library and Chadron Public Library will hold a Holidays Party on Friday, Dec. 5 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There will be live music, Santa available for photos, cookies and hot cocoa.

Upcoming Christmas Party at Chadron Public Library

Jessi Laine to play in Sidney 

Box Butte County Meeting Agenda, Nov. 19

Roger Dodger to play in Alliance

BBDC 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Information

UPCOMING Nebraska Extension Webinar on Grazing Standing Milo with Cows

The ruling is a major win for the Trump administration and Texas Republicans, who engineered the map to give the GOP control of 30 of the state’s 38 congressional districts.

by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/author/eleanor-klibanoff/">Eleanor Klibanoff</a> <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/">Texas Tribune</a>

Texas can use its new, GOP friendly congressional map while a legal challenge plays out, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, temporarily pausing a lower court ruling that had blocked the map from going into effect.

With the Dec. 8 candidate filing deadline fast approaching, the high court’s decision likely means Texas’ new map will be used for the 2026 midterm elections.

Justice Samuel Alito ruled that it was “indisputable” that Texas’ motivation for redistricting was “pure and simple” partisan advantage, which the court has previously ruled is permissible. Alito rejected the argument that Texas had engaged in racial gerrymandering.

The ruling is a major win for Republicans in Texas and nationally. President Donald Trump had pushed Texas to redraw its map over the summer, hoping to secure five additional GOP seats to shore up the party’s narrow majority in the U.S. House through the midterms.

On Nov. 18, two federal judges&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/18/texas-redistricting-ruling-lawsuit-el-paso-court-2026-midterms/">barred</a>&nbsp;Texas from using the new map for 2026, saying there was evidence state lawmakers had racially gerrymandered in redrawing the lines. Galveston District Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Trump appointee, authored the opinion ordering Texas to return to its 2021 map, while 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jerry Smith vociferously dissented.

The state asked the Supreme Court to overturn Brown’s ruling entirely, but that could take weeks or months to proceed through the court system, especially if the justices decide they want to hear arguments in Washington, D.C. With Thursday’s ruling, the justices have temporarily paused Brown’s ruling while that longer legal process can play out.

The ruling said the lower court, under Brown, “improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections.”

The new map, approved by the Texas Legislature and signed by Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://directory.texastribune.org/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>&nbsp;in August, is engineered to give Republicans control of 30 of the state’s 38 congressional districts, up from the 25 they currently hold under the 2021 map. Numerous Republican candidates have stepped forward to run in the newly favorable districts, while several Democratic incumbents were pushed into nearby districts already occupied by another Democrat, forcing them to contemplate primaries or retire.

Brown’s ruling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/18/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-ruling-2026-effect/">upended those calculations</a>. But in restoring the new map, the Supreme Court likely ensured that Republicans running for redrawn districts will get to campaign under the new lines in 2026.

Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the ruling, saying it was a win for Texas and every conservative who is tired of watching the left try to upend the political system with bogus lawsuits.”

Texas Democrats, meanwhile, condemned the outcome, with House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu of Houston saying the high court had “failed” Texans.

“This is what the end of the Voting Rights Act looks like: courts that won’t protect minority communities even when the evidence is staring them in the face,” Wu said.

In her dissent, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan criticized the court for reversing Brown’s 160-page ruling “based on its perusal, over a holiday weekend, of a cold paper record.”

“Today’s order disrespects the work of a District Court that did everything one could ask to carry out its charge,” Kagan wrote on behalf of the liberal justices. “Today’s order disserves the millions of Texans whom the District Court found were assigned to their new districts based on their race.”

Supreme Court lets Texas keep new congressional map

DICKINSON COUNTY KS—Law enforcement are investigating a vehicle theft and have taken a Kansas teen into custody.

On December 2, 2025, at approximately 12:30 PM, a deputy with the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office located a Toyota Avalon in the area of East 1st Street and Bonebrake Street that had been reported stolen out of Nebraska. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time it was recovered. The vehicle was processed and evidence was collected. The vehicle was towed for safekeeping until it can be returned to the owner.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation and developed a suspect the following day. The investigation led to the arrest of 19-year-old&nbsp; Christopher Madison Bryant of Abilene on a requested charge of theft of the vehicle.

Sheriff: Teen arrested after car stolen in Nebraska recovered

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities arrested a Virginia man Thursday morning who they say was involved in planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national committee offices on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, according to numerous media reports.

The man’s identity has not yet been released, according to reports by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-12-4-2025" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://wsj.com/politics/national-security/fbi-makes-arrest-in-connection-with-jan-6-pipe-bombs-4dcc6183?mod=hp_lead_pos11" target="_blank">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that cited law enforcement officials.

The arrest marked a potential breakthrough in the five-year-old case.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment.

According to the FBI, the suspect placed pipe bombs near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Jan. 5, 2021.

Authorities had publicized several&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/wfo-pipebomb-oct-2025-update-v2.mp4/view" target="_blank">video clips</a>&nbsp;of a masked individual in a gray hooded sweatshirt carrying a backpack to transport the pipe bombs. The FBI offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The suspect is expected in court Thursday, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/04/january-6-pipebomb-suspect-arrest-00676412" target="_blank">Politico</a>.

Man arrested in Jan. 2021 pipe bomb case targeting party headquarters

HHS Protects Parents’ Rights in Children’s Health Decisions

WASHINGTON&nbsp; — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced strong actions to protect the rights of parents within the practice of pediatric medicine. HHS opened an investigation into a complaint that a Midwestern school illegally vaccinated a child with a federally provided vaccine without the parents’ consent by ignoring a religious exemption submitted under a state law. HHS also issued a <a href="/sites/default/files/ocr-letter-hipaa-privacy-rule-and-parental-access-to-minor-childrens-medical-records.pdf" target="_blank">Dear Colleague letter [PDF, 265 KB]</a> reminding health care providers about federal law requiring them to provide parents access to their children’s health information. In addition, the Department directed the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to add a grant requirement stating that all funding recipients must comply with all applicable federal and state parental-consent laws for any services or care provided to minors at HRSA-supported health centers as a condition of receiving Health Center Program funds.

“Today, we are putting pediatric medical professionals on notice: you cannot sideline parents,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “When providers ignore parental consent, violate exemptions to vaccine mandates, or keep parents in the dark about their children’s care, we will act decisively. We will use every tool at our disposal to protect families and restore accountability.”

The investigation by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) into the reported violation of the exemption from vaccination will examine whether the school failed to comply with the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) requirement that conditions federal provision of vaccines for immunization on compliance with state religious and other exemptions from compulsory vaccination. OCR will also examine how the state agency and school district process religious exemption requests to ensure compliance with state law when implementing the VFC program. Program providers receive vaccines purchased for the VFC by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The Vaccines for Children Program should never circumvent parents’ rights,” said Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary and CDC Acting Director Jim O’Neill. “Secretary Kennedy’s decision to probe potential abuse of the VFC is a necessary step in restoring public trust in immunization policy.”

OCR’s letter to health care providers spells out parents’ right to access their children’s protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. Under the Privacy Rule, a parent is the personal representative of his or her minor child where the parent has the legal authority to make health care decisions for the child. The letter reinforces that parents who are their children’s personal representatives can exercise their children’s rights with respect to protected health information, including the right of access. OCR is also initiating compliance reviews of a number of large health care providers to ensure that parents receive timely access to their children’s health information.

As part of these actions to protect parents’ rights, HRSA is directly addressing the parental consent obligations that apply to HRSA-supported services for minors. Before a minor receives medical, dental, behavioral health, or other services at a HRSA-supported health center, the center must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian in accordance with applicable state or federal law. This requirement applies to all forms of care, including treatment, preventive services, counseling, and services involving sensitive topics such as sexual identity or reproductive health. Existing state, federal, and local laws on parental consent and notification already apply, and HRSA is now clearly detailing these expectations as a condition of receiving Health Center Program funding. HRSA will also send a notice to grant recipients outlining this obligation.

If you believe that you or another person’s health information privacy or civil rights have been violated, you can <a href="/ocr/complaints/index.html">file a complaint</a> with OCR.

HHS Investigating Midwestern School for Child Vaccinations Lacking Parental Consent

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin next week to block nutrition assistance funding for states led by Democrats that have not provided data on fraud in the program, Secretary Brooke Rollins told President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.

USDA sought data from states earlier this year related to their administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, Rollins said Tuesday. She added the data was needed to address fraud that she called “rampant” in the program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.

Most states complied with the request, but 21, mostly run by Democrats, refused, she said. A USDA spokesperson later implied the department was missing data from 22 states.

“As of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply, and they tell us and allow us to partner with them to root out this fraud and to protect the American taxpayer,” Rollins said.

A USDA spokesperson in an email listed 28 states, plus one territory, from which they said the department has received data.

That would leave the following 22 states, all led by Democratic governors, that have not provided data: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.&nbsp;

The spokesperson provided some additional details of the initiative, including that the department was targeting administrative funds, and that the next step would be a formal warning.

Blue states sought to protect bad actors, including criminals and immigrants in the country without legal status, “over the American taxpayer,” the statement said.

“We have sent Democrat States yet another request for data, and if they fail to comply, they will be provided with formal warning that USDA will pull their administrative funds,” the spokesperson said.

Court&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.453513/gov.uscourts.cand.453513.109.0.pdf" target="_blank">records</a>&nbsp;show the department sent the states a new request for data on Nov. 28, and asked for a response within seven days, which would be Friday.&nbsp;

The letter was reproduced as part of a suit the 22 states have brought against the administration over the request for SNAP recipients’ data.

It’s unclear what authority Rollins would have to block funding, which Congress has appropriated.

The federal government pays for all benefits for SNAP, which was formerly known as food stamps. It splits the administrative costs with states.

The USDA spokesperson did not answer a direct question about the legal authority for withholding funds.

Democrats on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee said any effort to block SNAP funding would be illegal.

“Yet again, Trump and Rollins are illegally threatening to withhold federal dollars,” a social media post from an official account of committee Democrats read. “SNAP has one of the lowest fraud rates of any government program, but Trump continues to weaponize hunger.”

The committee’s lead Democrat, Angie Craig of Minnesota, issued her own statement that also accused the administration of “weaponizing hunger” and said Rollins “continues to spew propaganda.”

“Her disregard for the law and willingness to lie through her teeth comes from the very top – the Trump administration is as corrupt as it is lawless, and I will not sit silently as she carries out the president’s campaign against Americans struggling to afford food in part because of this president’s tariffs and disastrous economic policies.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The data USDA has sought from states includes verification of SNAP recipients’ eligibility, along with a host of personal information such as Social Security numbers.

An early USDA review of data provided by the 28 states and Guam “indicates an estimated average of $24 million dollars per day of federal funds is lost to fraud and errors undetected by States in their administration of SNAP,” the department said in the Nov. 28 letter.

Preventing those losses could save up to $9 billion per year, the letter added.

But the types of fraud cited in some of the public statements from Rollins and the department are rare, existing data show.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-sar-fy23.pdf" target="_blank">2023 USDA report</a>&nbsp;showed about 26,000 applications, roughly 0.1% of the households enrolled in SNAP, were referred for an administrative or criminal review.

People in the country illegally have never been authorized to receive SNAP benefits.

“The long-standing data sources indicate that intentional fraud by participants is rare,” Katie Bergh, a senior food assistance policy analyst for the left-leaning think tank Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, said in a November interview.

SNAP has been a consistent target for cuts during Trump’s second presidency.

The issue was a focal point during the six-week government shutdown, during which the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-tug-war-over-snap-benefits-timeline" target="_blank">reversed itself often&nbsp;</a>but generally resisted calls — from states, advocates, lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">federal judges</a>&nbsp;— to fund food assistance.

Shortly after the government reopened, Rollins in television interviews said she would force&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-wants-everyone-reapply-food-stamps-what-does-mean" target="_blank">all recipients to reapply for benefit</a>s, a proposal seen as logistically challenging by program experts.

And the Republican taxes and spending law passed by Congress and signed by Trump earlier this year included new work requirements and other restrictions on SNAP eligibility that advocates say will lead to major drops in benefits.&nbsp;

The law will also make states pay for some share of benefits and increase the share of administrative costs that states are responsible for, potentially leading some states to cut benefits.

USDA threatens to yank food stamps funding from Democratic-led states

&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Tuesday said he did not want Somali immigrants in the U.S.

🎥What President Trump said about Somali immigrants in the U.S.

House Speaker Mike Johnson lit the Capitol Christmas Tree on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;A fourth grade Nevada student who won an essay contest joined Johnson in lighting the tree.

This year's tree is a 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada.

The tree lights will be on each evening from dusk until 11 p.m. now through early January 2026.&nbsp;

4th grader joins House speaker in lighting U.S. Capitol Christmas tree

🎥Dells donate $6 billion to fund ‘Trump Accounts’ for millions of kids

🎥Hegseth defends, Trump distances himself from second boat strike

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026, according to a media release from the TSA.

Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period. TSA urges travelers who do not have a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.

All travelers without an acceptable ID, including those who present a non-REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or ID, will be referred to the optional TSA Confirm.ID process for identity verification upon TSA check-in and prior to entering the security line. This process will differ airport to airport, and TSA is working with private industry to proactively offer online payment options prior to arrival at the airport.

The REAL ID law was signed more than 20 years ago, but previous presidential administrations failed to properly implement it. Under President Trump’s leadership, the law was finally implemented and enforced by Secretary Kristi Noem as of May 7, 2025.

Currently, more than 94% of passengers already use their REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.&nbsp;TSA expects increased wait times for passengers who do not provide an acceptable ID.

“Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are. Beginning February 1, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID at our security checkpoints and still want to fly can pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA Confirm.ID process. This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer. The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”

TSA urges all travelers who do not have a REAL ID to pay the fee online before traveling. For passengers who arrive at the airport without paying the fee, information about how to pay for the TSA Confirm.ID option will be available at marked locations at or near the checkpoint in most airports. Travelers who undergo TSA Confirm.ID processing at an airport should expect delays. &nbsp;&nbsp;

TSA’s list of acceptable forms of ID can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Ftravel%2Fsecurity-screening%2Fidentification/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/OolXH2EJrqwNHp8pKwLnzpPoLnVSLa90uiGmDJ_m-Hs=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/travel/security-screening/identification</a>.

For more information on REAL ID, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Freal-id/2/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/rlIgRwnDC3uSOyUcWNwGNdpedz0TxGUsS1KTWjAvEcY=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/real-id</a>&nbsp;or text 275-872 (“AskTSA”) or&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fx.com%2FAskTSA/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/XvKffNzS8IXJ4xe-y1peIboZCAJl7_cg6SQCb5jM5n8=433">@AskTSA</a>&nbsp;with questions.

US air travelers without REAL IDs will soon be charged a hefty fee

By Anthony Gorges JC/Little Apple Post

Kansas State Athletics announced on Wednesday that head football coach Chris Klieman was retiring. Klieman, who has spent seven years with the school and is 58 years old, stated that for the first time, he’s putting his family first and looks forward to spending more time with them moving forward. K-State held a press conference at the Vanier Family Football Complex on Wednesday afternoon where Klieman and Athletics Director Gene Taylor spoke about Klieman’s decision.

A full room of media and K-State staff gave Coach Klieman a round of applause as he made his way to the podium. Klieman began his press conference by thanking everyone for being there. “It just goes to show me that the good guys win,” Kansas State head football coach Chris Klieman said. “Doing things the right way, doing it with class and doing it with integrity is the right way. Guys, that’s the K-State way.”

Klieman said despite it being an emotional day, “I am at peace.” He noted that colleagues, former players, and parents of current players reached out to him and congratulated him and his wife, Rhonda. Klieman stated one of the reasons he was in the business of coaching was to have that kind of impact.

Chris Klieman previously served as head coach at North Dakota State before coming to Kansas State to lead the Wildcats. He held many other coaching positions after spending more than thirty years as a coach. “I am one of the lucky ones,” Klieman said. He pointed out that he spent fifteen years at his last two stops and noted that is very rare in the coaching profession. Current Kansas State Athletic Director (AD) Gene Taylor previously served as AD at North Dakota State and was the one who hired Klieman to be a head coach at both schools. Klieman expressed his thanks and gratitude to Taylor at the press conference.

Speaking about his twelve years as a head coach (five at NDSU and seven at K-State), Klieman said, “I am damn proud of the body of work that all of us put together.” He stated that he was up for the challenge of following in the footsteps of legendary K-State coach Bill Snyder, and said, “I think we did a pretty damn good job here.” Klieman closed out the press conference by thanking everyone “for allowing the Kliemans to come into Manhattan and build something here.” As Klieman left the press conference, he and Director of Athletics Gene Taylor shared a hug.

*Highlights for Klieman at K-State include winning the 2022 Big 12 Championship, winning eight or more games for four straight years, and qualifying for a bowl game in six out of seven years. (The only year KSU did not make a bowl game was during the 2020 COVID season.)

K-State Athletic Director Gene Taylor spoke after Klieman officially announced his retirement. Taylor was passionate that changes need to be made in the current era of college athletics. Taylor, a very close friend of Klieman, was very emotional when speaking to the media. “You just saw one of the greatest guys in this industry walk out of this room and retire from coaching, from the business that he loves,” Taylor said. He continued, “What really pisses me off is he is doing it because of where we are in this industry.” Taylor is referring to the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal, among other issues as well. “If we don’t get this thing fixed, and I am a part of that, as is every other AD in the country and conference commissioners, more really, really good guys like Chris Klieman are going to walk away from this business.”

When asked about the timeline of events and when he knew Klieman would retire, Gene Taylor said they met on Monday, where Klieman expressed he needed a few days to think about what he wanted to do. Taylor admitted he was somewhat caught off guard by the retirement talks because he thought they were meeting to discuss the bowl game and potential coaching/staffing changes.

Klieman told Taylor Wednesday morning he was going to retire, and Taylor admitted he had been emotional all day since their discussion. When asked about if Klieman would coach the bowl game, he said it is still being determined. He said he plans to meet with the players on Thursday and discuss it.

As for the rumors and speculation about a new head coach being named, Gene Taylor said at the press conference that he had not had any conversations prior to that moment. He said with the current landscape, the process will certainly move fast, but he wanted to wait and be respectful to Coach Klieman and let him announce his retirement before anything was officially done.

Lastly, Gene Taylor was very complimentary of Klieman’s seven-year run leading the Wildcats and thanked him for what he gave to the Kansas State program.

K-State’s Chris Klieman and AD Gene Taylor discuss Klieman's decision to retire

By: Con Marshall CSC Sports Information

CHADRON, Neb. — After squeezing out a pair of one-point victories in their first two home games this season, the Chadron State College men's basketball team was involved in another nail-biter in its third contest in the Chicoine Center on Sunday afternoon, but the Eagles couldn't quite pull this one out and lost to Colorado Christian 61-57.

​The result means the Eagles will open their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule with a 2-5 record when they visit Black Hills State on Thursday, December 4. CSC will play at home two days later against South Dakota Mines.

​Chadron State got off to an extremely slow start Sunday, making just two of its first 13 field goal attempts while falling behind 14-6. The Eagles were still trailing 20-9 with 11 minutes gone off the clock. 

​All nine of the Eagles' points had been scored by junior guard Jadon Cool, who finished with a game-high 22 points.  As things turned out, just five CSC players scored with freshman forward Luka Djurovic getting 10, Isaiah Randolph nine and Blessing Adesipe and Mack Keighran eight apiece.

​After their long scoring drought, the Eagles finally got rolling offensively. They outscored the Cougars 14-4 during a four-and-a-half minute stretch to cut the visitors' lead to a single point at 24-23 with four minutes left in the opening half.  

​During the surge, both Djurovic and Randolph nailed a 3-pointer and made a layup while Keighran sank a pair of free throws and also drove for a layup.

​After Chadron State nearly caught up, the teams traded baskets before the Cougars took a 31-27 lead to the dressing room at halftime.

The Eagles came out of the locker room hot, a rally which spurred them to their  first lead at 32-31. Cool hit his first two shots—a trey and a jumper—to open the second half. Keighran then stole the ball and drove for a layup, putting Chadron State on top 34-31.  

Soon afterwards, however, Colorado Christian sank three of their five three-pointers on the day and went on to take a 51-40 advantage in the middle of the half. ​But even with the double digit deficit, the Eagles didn't quit scrapping and cut the difference to two points—55-53—when Adesipe drove to the basket and earned a hard-driving layup with backspin off the glass and rim as he was landing on the floor with 1:21 left to play. The 6-foot-6 grad student from Houston was awarded a free throw on the play, but missed that shot.

​After each team then turned the ball over, the game was a free throw shooting contest the rest of the way. 

​The Eagles initially stopped the clock by fouling Zachery Reed with 21 seconds left and he made both shots for the visitors. When Cool drove the basket a few seconds later, he was fouled and sank both shots. CSC then fouled Christian's Pierce Bazil as soon as he touched ensuing in-bounds pass and he canned those charity shots. A few ticks later, Adesipe was on a fast break to the basket when he was clobbered and hit both shots. 

​As soon as Pierce Bazil caught the final pass from out of bounds, he was sent to the free throw line and made both shots again to clinch his team's four-point verdict, which improved the Cougars' record to 3-3. 

​Bazil, a 6-2 senior, was Christian's top scorer with 20 points. His brother, Porter, a 6-7 junior, was their team's only other double-figure scorer with 13 points and led the visitors with six assists and seven rebounds. Both were standout hoops players at Lincoln Northeast High School and played basketball at Houston Christian University before joining Colorado Christian this season.

​Each team made five 3-pointers and eight free throws. The scoring difference was because Colorado Christian finished with 24 total field goals, two more than the Eagles. The visitors out-rebounded CSC 33-25, but turned the ball over 17 times, compared to the hosts' 10. ​Both Cool and Randolph were credited with four steals.  

​Colorado Christian—Pierce Bazil 20, Porter Bazil 13, Schafer Reichart 7, Joshua Reid 6. Andrew Reichart 6, Zachery Reid 4, Jared Reed Jr. 3, Bobby McWard 2. Totals: 24-46 FG (5-15 3 PT) 8-9 FT 61 points, 33 rebounds, 12 assists, 17 turnovers.

​Chadron State –Jadon Cool 22, Luka Djurovic 10, Isaiah Randolph 9, Mack Keighran 8, Blessing Adesipe 8. Totals: 22-56 FG (5-24 3PT) 8-10 FT 57 points, 25 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 turnovers.

CCU squeaks past Chadron State to end holiday week

CSC Head Coach Jay Long breaks down the playoff game at Pitt State, highlights an all-time SR class and RMAC award winners, and discusses the new realities of life in D2 college football among the transfer portal and finances.

🎙 PODCAST: Jay Long Show - 11/25/25

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Chadron State men's basketball endured a difficult afternoon against the 2023-24 Division II national champions, falling to Minnesota State by an 81-52 score to conclude play at the University of Sioux Falls Classic.

The Eagles received 13 points and eight rebounds from Blessing Adesipe, but shot 31.6 percent from the field overall, making just two of 16 three-point attempts. An exception was at the free throw line, where they sank 14 of 15. 

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