An Endangered Missing Advisory has been activated to determine the whereabouts of Hannah Laine Neville.

&nbsp; An Endangered Missing Advisory has been issued for Nebraska. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department is attempting to locate, Hannah Laine Neville who is a 26-year-old, white Female approximately 5-foot-2, approximately 180 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Neville went missing on Jan. 15 from the Stromsburg area.

Neville was last seen with a light blue Nike backpack. Last known to be with Roberto Tanner (AKA Robbie Barker). Neville is pregnant and has missed vital medical appointments. Her phone pinged 10 days ago on I-80 near Lincoln. Her car was found abandoned in Lincoln.

If you have any information, please call (402) 747-2231 or 911.This advisory is for the following State Patrol Troop Areas: Troop A, Troop B, Troop C, Troop D, Troop E, Troop H

For&nbsp;more&nbsp;information&nbsp;visit&nbsp;our&nbsp;website&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="http://nsp.ne.gov/ema" target="_blank">http://nsp.ne.gov/ema</a>

Activation of Endangered Missing Advisory for Hannah Laine Neville

By John E. Weare, Keep Alliance Beautiful

“I’m All In” speaks of commitment to a particular cause, such a total devotion to Christ in TobyMac’s song “All In” off his 2007 Portable Sounds album. In recent days, while pondering this week’s topic, I thought of the phrase in regard to recycling.

Keep Alliance Beautiful serves the community in large part by offering recycling services. A stated goal is to increase annual volumes and decrease the tonnage of trash finding its way to local landfills. This is accomplished through encouraging established patrons to recycle more while recruiting new residents, organizations and businesses to take advantage of our services.

As to the former group, how many are “all in”? Do they recycle everything KAB accepts while finding outlets for other materials while reducing and reusing whenever possible?

I know my household’s practices are not zero waste though being “all in” is the goal. That status is also difficult to quantify while emptying trailers and sorting curbside bags. This house put out two full sacks and a bunch of cardboard but where were their usual collection of tin cans? It turns out that batch supplied a Cub Scout windchime craft. We are not in the habit of quizzing people who drop off boxes and bags at our front door either. Rather, my emphasis is letting people know what we do accept to encourage growth and, consequently, increased volume.

Businesses, municipalities and other entities are another story. We build partnerships to best serve their needs, knowing there is potential for additional recycling. That fact is most often discussed when a business requests a container (used IBC tote). Though cardboard is the prevalent material we make sure everyone knows that glass, plastic, aluminum and tin, for example, can also be bagged and placed in the container or trailer. Almost without exception owners/managers and staff are responsible and call if we have not visited a location before it overflows. This free service was rescinded at a couple locations recently that repeatedly left material outside/overfilled their trailer/totes. 

Unfortunately these are instances where cooperation is lacking and instead of “all in” everything finds its way back to the garbage truck. KAB greatly appreciates monetary support from the City of Alliance and Box Butte County and in-kind consideration from the Village of Hemingford and Box Butte General Hospital – both transport trailers. Also, the hospital maintains its own trailer and the Village supplies space to park our trailers and totes on a downtown lot.

A goal this year is to better coordinate with two of our largest partners: the City of Alliance and Alliance Public Schools.

While other City departments may bring their own materials to the trailers, we most often pick up recycling at the Electric Department and Knight Museum and Sandhills Center and electronics from the Municipal Building. I have spoken with Museum Director Becci Thomas about a presentation for department heads/employees to encourage more widespread recycling although it has been a challenge to make it a reality. Group presentation or individual meetings, the goal will be to communicate what KAB offers and learn if any other departments are interested.

Alliance Public Schools, as well as other schools in the county, have been long-term recyclers. However, Emma, our education coordinator, is in the process of arranging meetings with their respective principals to gauge current recycling and promote the practice wherever possible from the classroom level on up. Sometimes “all in” has not been practical, such as in an elementary school cafeteria. Students tried to sort plastic cutlery, used milk cartons and other appropriate items, yet after a few tries it became obvious that not enough food residue and unintended trash could be diverted.

KAB appreciates all our recyclers. As a belated New Year’s resolution, find something new to bring us. We take the “usual” — cardboard, paperboard, mixed paper (office paper, junk mail, newspaper magazines), tin and steel cans, aluminum cans, milk jugs, No. 1-7 plastics, glass jars and bottles, and electronics. We also accept lick tubs, (clean) grain totes and bags, fluorescent tubes and CFLs, and pliable plastic and Styrofoam for the Hefty Renew program. For information, call the office at 308-762-1729.

COLUMN: All In For Recycling

Alliance City Council Meeting Agenda, Feb. 3

ALLIANCE, Neb. – Upcoming Digital Detox Fridays at Alliance Public Library include We Love Crafts with Keep Alliance Beautiful on Feb. 6, Valentine Celebration on Feb. 13, Show and Tell on Feb. 20 with participants bringing a favorite treasure or part of a collection to share, then Family Builders on Feb. 27. These events are 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. in the APL Community Room for preschool and over, with families welcome.

A Beary Sweet Search for Rosy Bear continues through Feb. 14 during Library hours, for preschool through second grade, with one prize per day and one prize per child. Grades 3-8 can submit one entry in the Hearts Guessing Game at the circulation desk. Entries must be submitted before 3 p.m. on Feb. 13, with the closest guess winning a Valentine Prize, courtesy of the Alliance Public Library Foundation.

For more information, please contact Cynthia Horn, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian, at (308) 762-1387.

Digital Detox Fridays and More at Alliance Public Library

BEVERAGES OF THE DAMNED: Kathy Is Back!  With Candy!

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -﻿&nbsp;The Western Community College Area Board of Governors has declared a vacancy in District 5 due to the resignation of Dr. William M. Packard, effective Jan. 21, 2026. The Board is seeking individuals who are interested in filling the vacant position.

Persons residing in Western Community College Area Electoral District 5 who are interested in being considered for an appointment to fill the remainder of Packard's term on the Board (through December 2026) should send a letter and a resume by Feb. 9, 2026 to the WCCA Board of Governors, c/o Susan Verbeck, Board Secretary,&nbsp;1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.

District 5 contains the following precincts - Scotts Bluff County: East Winter Creek, West Winter Creek, Funston, and Scottsbluff I through VIII Precincts.

WCCA Board Announces District 5 Vacancy

ALLIANCE, Neb. – Join Keep Alliance Beautiful and Alliance Public Library for our Valentine Box event for all ages, with families welcome, on Monday, Feb. 2 from 4:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the APL Community Room. All supplies are provided for your sweet Valentine Box creation.

Upcoming Story Time themes for ages 3-6 include Amazing Inventions on Feb. 3 and 5, Be My Valentine on Feb. 10 and 12, Hooray for Presidents on Feb. 17 and 19, then Favorite Foods on Feb 24 and 26. Story Time meets in the Children’s Room on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m. with several stories, birthdays, music, puppets and crafts.

LEGO Club for grades K-2 meets on Tuesdays, Feb. 3 and 17 from 4 p.m. to 5&nbsp; p.m. LEGO Club for grades 3-5 meets on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 4 p.m. to 5&nbsp; p.m. LEGO Club meets in the Community Room, and all LEGO supplies remain at the library for future projects.

Valentines Boxes with Keep Alliance Beautiful, Story Time, LEGO Club at APL

Listen to the full interview with Megan Doughty on our Kubota Podcast

NORTH PLATTE — The Miss Nebraska Organization will return to North Platte in early February for its annual Crowns and Gowns weekend, bringing pageant events, leadership workshops and a former Miss America to the community.

Crowns and Gowns is scheduled for Feb. 6–8 and serves as the final local competition opportunity for contestants before the Miss Nebraska state pageant in June. Events are centered around professional development for young women ages 14 to 27, as well as public activities open to the community.

This year’s weekend will feature Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000, who will serve as a keynote guest throughout the weekend. French Henry will emcee the local Miss Nebraska competition on Friday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. at Mid-Plains Community College. Doors are expected to open at 6:30 p.m., with tickets available at the door.

She will also headline a Women’s Empowerment Luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at North 40 Chophouse. Tickets for the luncheon are available online at MissNebraska.org.

Megan Doughty, executive director of the Miss Nebraska Organization, said Crowns and Gowns is designed to help young women grow far beyond the stage.

“The word ‘pageant’ is really a misnomer anymore,” Doughty said. “It’s about developing personal passions, advocacy and life skills that carry through long after competition.”

Throughout the weekend, delegates will participate in workshops focused on interview skills, public speaking, branding, advocacy development and community engagement. Professional hair and makeup services, headshot photography and private gown appointments will also be offered.

The local competition includes personal interviews with judges, on-stage questions, fitness wear, evening gown and talent segments. Scholarships are awarded based on placement and special awards.

According to Doughty, the Miss Nebraska Organization awards more than $40,000 annually in cash scholarships, along with access to more than $1 million in tuition scholarships through partnerships with Nebraska colleges and universities.

The current titleholders include Miss Nebraska’s Teen Gabriella Swift of North Platte and Miss Nebraska 2025 Mackenzie Gregory of Scottsbluff.

Doughty said community support has helped make North Platte a key location for pageant events statewide.

“We’re bringing young women from across Nebraska to experience our community,” she said. “It’s about showcasing North Platte while helping these delegates realize their potential.”

More information, including luncheon tickets and registration details for prospective contestants, is available at MissNebraska.org.

🎙️Crowns and Gowns Weekend Brings Miss America 2000, Workshops to North Platte

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced a series of achievements recognizing excellence in aviation and transportation at the Nebraska Aviation Council’s annual symposium in Kearney on Jan. 28-29. The Lincoln Municipal Airport (LNK) was named Part 139 2025 Airport of the Year. The Wayne Municipal Airport/Stan Morris Field (LCG) was named the 2025 Airport of the Year for its strong commitment to community relations. The Valentine Miller Field (VTN) apron expansion was selected as the 2025 Project of the year for elevating the airport’s operational capacity, safety, and long-term functionality. Additionally, NDOT celebrated the creativity of young Nebraskans through the 2026 Aviation Art Contest.

Lincoln Municipal Airport (LNK) Named Part 139 2025 Airport of the Year

The Lincoln Municipal Airport (LNK) was selected as the Part 139 2025 Airport of the Year for combining outstanding aviation services with meaningful public engagement and education. Services include full fuel and line support, hangars, charter handling, crew cars, top notch pilot and passenger amenities, and world-class maintenance and repair services, reinforcing LNK’s role as a national aviation services hub.

The airport dramatically elevated its public presence by hosting free community events, expanding national outreach through conference presentations, and delivering transformational commercial air service growth with new Breeze Airways and American Airlines routes. Robust educational programs, school partnerships, and hands-on experiences with EAA and Women in Aviation underscore LNK’s outstanding commitment to workforce development, inclusion, and inspiring the next generation.

Wayne Municipal Airport/Stan Morris Field (LCG) Named General Aviation 2025 Airport of the Year

The&nbsp;Wayne Municipal Airport (LCG) was selected as the General Aviation 2025 Airport of the Year for demonstrating a strong commitment to community relations by providing quality pilot services, advancing aviation education, and actively promoting aviation across northeast Nebraska. Pilot services include self-service 100LL Avgas, courtesy cars, and on-field weather reports via AWOS.

The airport is also a regional hub for promoting the aviation industry and public engagement. The Wayne America Fly-In, an event that brought STOL drag races and National STOL competition to Wayne, attracting participants from across the U.S. and Canada, was brought to the airport. In addition, LCG’s educational and safety social media outreach garners more than 100,000 views, with continued engagement through major community events. LCG also supported the creation of an” Introduction to Aviation” course at Wayne State College.

Valentine Miller Field (VTN) Recognized for the 2025 Project of the Year

The 2025 Project of the Year award went to Valentine Miller Field (VTN) for the apron expansion project at Miller Field. The project is a transformative investment that significantly elevates the airport’s operational capacity, safety, and long-term functionality.

The project included construction of a new&nbsp;400’x190’ apron and adding four new aircraft tie-downs, optimizing aircraft parking, improving circulation, and supporting increased aviation activity. Strategic relocation of existing tie-downs and the addition of new fillets on Taxiways A and C further enhance aircraft movement and reduce operational constraints.

The project demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and efficiency through comprehensive airfield improvements, including reconfigured taxiway lighting, upgraded lighting along new fillets, clearly defined pavement markings, relocating the rotating beacon and tip-down tower, and installing new apron perimeter fencing. Overall, the Apron Expansion Project exemplifies excellence in planning, design, and execution.

Winners of the 2026 Youth Aviation Art Contest

The 2026 U.S. and International Youth Aviation Art Contest wrapped up at the state level, with more than 80 Nebraska artists illustrating the theme, “Fly to Save Lives”. More than 80 submissions were received by&nbsp;NDOT's Aeronautics Division, who has proudly sponsored the contest since its inception in 1986. Nebraska winners were selected in three age categories&nbsp;— Junior (6–9), Intermediate (10–13), and Senior (14–17). Winners will receive cash prizes and trophies sponsored by the Nebraska Aviation Council&nbsp;and advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. and then move on to the international competition.

The nine winning art pieces will be displayed at various locations across the state to promote the contest and raise awareness about the importance of aviation in Nebraska. Aviation is critical for connecting communities, supporting economic growth, and providing essential services.

To view all the artwork and learn more about the contest and traveling exhibit&nbsp;visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.b04f70AIkXepI61RSjEid1wcGxursQJ5tSuGL-2FYR1LDk3z7vQF-2BwWrrDgv4dDB0VvG7b_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyPhG1TMqI6e9S8KGoJbMSS-2FF4lQmv064gRlTzmG6k79oDqeGh-2FVzz4vetxundhxJ4MumpWw7hxyiccKDLolQxpTzHQU-2BQvI7QCwy8DUkZszOS8zr87SOrarLNfs-2FT0Tlt0u-2FfBAfg0VrykPFX6deekrDobdpaXkFsCoznbyNSxAZ3C7j5hMevaeItbApbZqrv5aNrjWNB77LTh9vJnPrEvI8PLdME-2BEhuz7tPVxami5vs96w6GU9MAlG4qSpS4c-2FAaoTLDBtmA2YNusMnCAPYWTt45q-2FxIze5kQz8-2BdeYffxqMHs3S1vpJPIz-2BOb-2FDq-2Fb-2BQPhub6r-2B-2BqSn67B3sNIzQ-3D-3D" target="_blank">https://dot.nebraska.gov/aeronautics/</a>. The 2027 competition will kick off in October 2026. To join the mailing list, please contact Mark Langrud, NDOT Division of Aeronautics chief pilot, at 402-471-2371 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mark.langrud@nebraska.gov" target="_blank">mark.langrud@nebraska.gov</a>.

NDOT Division of Aeronautics Announces Annual Awards

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Fundamentalfrienddependability

ALLIANCE, Neb. – High school juniors and seniors are invited to a Scholarship Event with Nate Lanik of Alliance High School, hosted by Alliance Public Library in the Community Room on Monday, Feb. 9 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Discover and explore scholarship opportunities, plus enjoy refreshments provided by the Alliance Public Library Foundation.

Scholarship Event at Alliance Public Library

Details for March Fundraising Event for Pryor Family in Alliance

The first Alliance Arts Council event of 2026 will be a performance by Wendy Bantam from Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, Jan. 30. Bantam will also be working as an artist in residence at the elementary schools the week of January 26-30.

A Nebraska native, Wendy Jane Bantam brings a pioneering sound to Americana Roots Music. With influences from old time country masters, and today’s Indie/world folk sound, Bantam’s ballads and melodies captivate people of all ages. A prolific songwriter and troubadour, Ms. Bantam spent her early childhood on a farm between Hay Springs and Chadron.

She studied performance at The University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS and received her Master of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. She’s appeared live on England’s BBC Radio and signed on with recording label, Tremulant Records; recently performing her original songs with the Missouri Symphony. Her album, Virga, was recorded with Merle Haggard’s longtime guitarist and Grammy winner, Redd Volkaert. She is currently with recording label state 51 in the United Kingdom.

Bantam will also include the 4th grade residency students as part of her program to allow them to share what they have worked on during the week. Business co-presenters for the school residency and the public performance are FNIC, FNBO, KCOW/Double Q Country Radio, Harris Sales and Western Nebraska Real Estate.

The programs are presented with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Tickets for Friday night show are $15 Adult, $10 Senior, $5 Student (preschool admitted free). Tickets are available at Carnegie Arts Center, Chamber of Commerce and at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Alliance Arts Council to Host Artist/Musician Wendy Bantam

Alliance City Council Meeting Agenda, Jan. 20

The Brothers Duo to play in Scottsbluff

Southern Fryed will perform at the Alliance Eagles Club for the annual Barn Dance on Saturday, Jan. 17 starting at 9pm. There is a cover charge to attend.&nbsp;

Southern Fryed to perform in Alliance 

Nebraska Extension Announes Dates for Pesticide License Trainings

The Greendales will perform at Flyover Brewery in Scottsbluff on Saturday, Jan. 8 from 6pm - 9pm.&nbsp;

The Greendales to play in Scottsbluff

Alliance, NE – The City of Alliance Landfill’s loose fill pit and construction/demolition area is pausing operations for January 6th, 2026, and is anticipating to be intermittently closed over the next few days – weeks due to dangerous wind speed. This is for safety measures to ensure no one is injured.

For any questions, please contact the City of Alliance Landfill at (308) 762-2705.

Alliance Landfill Intermittently Pausing Specific Operations Due to Wind 

Box Butte Commissioners Meeting Jan. 7 Agenda

By Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District

The Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (UNWNRD) is seeking a director to fill a vacancy on the board. The position will represent subdistrict 5 which encompasses western Dawes and northern Sioux Counties and was previously held by Al Rasmussen who passed away Dec. 12, 2025. The appointed applicant will serve until January 2027. The position will be up for election in 2026 and again in 2028.

Written letters of interest will serve as the application and must be submitted by January 15, 2026. Applicants must reside in the subdistrict as well as being a registered voter.

The UNWNRD is an eleven-person board serving Box Butte, Dawes, Sheridan and the northern 2/3rds of Sioux Counties. The district is made up of five election subdistricts with two representatives and one at-large director. Directors typically serve four-year terms. Board meetings are held in Chadron on the second Thursday of the month. Directors receive $70 per diem and reimbursement of mileage and other expenses while conducting NRD business.

Interested individuals should submit the letter of application to Patrick O’Brien, General Manager, Upper Niobrara White NRD, 430 East 2 nd Street, Chadron, NE 69337. For more information feel free to contact the UNWNRD at 308-432-6190.

Subdistrict 5 Vacancy Announcement

United States Department of Treasury

History will remember President Trump as the leader who brought financial market opportunity to all American families. It will remember him as the President who oversaw the largest merger in history between Main Street and Wall Street. And it will remember him for redefining the social contract through the creation of a shareholder society.&nbsp;

And how did he achieve all this? Through Trump Accounts.&nbsp;

Trump Accounts are among the most significant policy innovations of modern times. They mark a&nbsp;singular moment&nbsp;in economic history by expanding the benefits of private ownership and compound growth to all Americans. Today, I will explain where Trump Accounts came from, how they work, and why they will render socialist notions moot by making every citizen a shareholder. &nbsp;

The idea of opening investment accounts for young Americans first arose in the form of “Baby Bonds” decades ago. But the idea was flawed because the accounts could be invested only in US government bonds.&nbsp;

President Trump recognized the shortcomings of this idea while also grasping its promise. So he set out to perfect it.&nbsp;

Working with some of the most talented businessmen in the country, including Brad Gerstner and Michael Dell, he pioneered Trump Accounts—investment accounts that newborn Americans can receive on Day 1. Trump Accounts allow for private ownership, multiple funding pathways, and direct investment across a broad swath of the American economy. &nbsp;

Where President Trump’s predecessors created debt and dependency, President Trump creates assets and expands ownership. This is a signature characteristic of his presidency.&nbsp;

With Trump Accounts,&nbsp;every&nbsp;American child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, is eligible to receive a $1,000 contribution from the Treasury Department that will be immediately invested in an index fund. To claim this investment, most families need merely check a box on Form 4547, the most aptly named tax document of all time. We are just three days into the 2026 tax filing season—and already, approximately 500,000 Americans have elected to open a Trump Account for their children.&nbsp;

The compound growth from Treasury’s initial seed funding alone stands to make young Americans wealthy. Assuming historical growth rates continue, a single $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account at birth should grow to an&nbsp;estimated&nbsp;amount of at least half a million dollars by the age of retirement.

The $1,000 seed from Treasury is exclusive to newborns. But keep in mind that&nbsp;any&nbsp;American below the age of 18 is also eligible to receive a tax-advantaged Trump Account to begin saving for the future. Philanthropists, family, friends, employers, and states can backfill Trump Accounts for these children to help them build a strong financial foundation before graduating high school. Our objective is to provide every American child with a Trump account. And the men and women in this audience will help make that possible.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In addition to the $1,000 seed from Treasury, there are three other channels for funding Trump Accounts: first, through the donations of parents, friends, and employers; second, through the generous donations of wealthy Americans and philanthropic organizations; and third, through donations from state governments.&nbsp;

Funding through Family, Friends, and Employers

President Trump wanted to make it especially easy for family, friends, and employers to give to Trump Accounts. And he has succeeded in that goal. Donations to a Trump Account will soon be the best gift a child could ever receive.

Starting July 4—our nation’s 250th anniversary—family, friends, and employers will be able to contribute up to $5,000 to each Trump Account each year. By contributing the maximum amount annually, the Council of Economic Advisers estimates that a child’s Trump Account could be worth more than $1 million at age 28 and tens of millions by the age of retirement.&nbsp;

Donations from employers are essential to bringing the President’s vision to life.&nbsp; Already, we have seen a large number of US businesses across a wide range of industries step up to support Trump Accounts.

Companies like Charles Schwab, Uber, Charter Communications, Bank of New York Mellon, State Street, Mastercard, Visa, Block, Robinhood, SoFi, Chime, Russel Investments, and Dell Technologies have all announced that they will match employee contributions to Trump Accounts in a variety of forms that work best for their employees. And today, Steak ‘n Shake, Broadcom, Intel, IBM, JP Morgan, Chipotle, Coinbase, and Comcast all announced that they will offer matching contributions as well. The President foresees a day where matching contributions to Trump Accounts will be as integral to an employee benefits package as a matching 401(k).&nbsp;

Through Trump Accounts, our President is putting the American Dream within reach of every citizen, no matter the circumstances of birth. When young Americans turn 18, they can use their Trump Accounts to keep saving for their retirement. Or they can use them to help purchase a new home or further their education—two hallmarks of the American Dream.

Funding through Philanthropists and Charitable Organizations

The next means of funding is through generous donations from wealthy Americans and charitable organizations. Consider how Trump Accounts are revolutionizing not only investing but philanthropy as well.&nbsp;

The United States is the most generous country in the history of the world. In 2024 alone, our citizens gave over half a trillion dollars to charity. That’s more than the GDP of advanced countries like Singapore, Austria, and the UAE.&nbsp;

Many Americans want to give back to their fellow citizens through charitable donations. But our country has long lacked a platform of private ownership from birth that facilitated philanthropy at-scale direct to American children.

Trump Accounts are the most capital-efficient form of philanthropy ever devised.&nbsp;

Typically, middlemen, overhead costs, and administrative expenses dilute the money Americans donate to charity. But Trump Accounts remove those obstacles entirely to put money directly in the hands of American children.&nbsp;

That’s why America’s savviest capital allocators have devoted enormous sums of wealth to seeding Trump Accounts.&nbsp;

Michael and Susan Dell led the way by pledging to donate $6.25 billion of their own money to help fund Trump Accounts for 25 million children under the age of 10. Ray and Barbara Dalio then followed suit by pledging $75 million to help fund Trump Accounts for more than 300,000 children in Connecticut.&nbsp;

The Dalios were among the first to join “The 50 State Challenge”—a special initiative Treasury has launched to rally the nation’s philanthropists around a common cause. As the President said in his remarks earlier today, the 50 State Challenge is a crucial element of this revolutionary program. Expect to see more philanthropists adopting states in the months to come as the Administration prepares to launch Trump Accounts on the Fourth of July.&nbsp;

The final way of funding Trump Accounts is through state governments.&nbsp;

The administration has been working closely with a number of governors to determine the best way states can work with the federal government to expand access to Trump Accounts to as many children as possible. States are the laboratories of our democracy, and their experiments with Trump Accounts will surface the best methods for funding over time.&nbsp;

Why Trump Accounts Mark A Singular Moment in Economic History

At their core, Trump Accounts represent the triumph of capitalism over socialism.&nbsp;

Socialism left in its wake a trail of economic ruin, all in pursuit of the belief that abolishing private ownership would lead to greater equality and human flourishing. In fact, the opposite was true. &nbsp;

The last century of economic history showed us that the answer was never to abolish private ownership; it was to&nbsp;democratize&nbsp;it. To protect, strengthen, and&nbsp;expand&nbsp;it to as many people as possible so that everyone can benefit from the prosperity only capitalism can provide.

Trump Accounts do exactly that. They collapse the distinction between earners and owners by making everyone an owner—all while keeping ownership private. In the decades-long contest between capitalism and socialism, this is the Trump card.&nbsp;

Through Trump Accounts, our President is creating an ownership economy where all citizens become shareholders in America’s wealth. Today, 38% of American adults do not own stocks. But with Trump accounts, over time, we can get that number down to zero.&nbsp;

I have talked in the past about the importance of promoting Parallel Prosperity—an era of economic expansion where Wall Street and Main Street grow together. But the beauty of Trump Accounts is that prosperity no longer runs parallel; it fuses together. Under Trump Accounts, Wall Street’s success becomes Main Street’s success and vice versa. This is the greatest merger in world history, the merger of Wall Street and Main Street. And it will forever change the relationship Americans have with their own economy.&nbsp;

Trump Accounts represent a fundamental redefinition of the social contract. They offer a radically new platform that returns us to a social contract anchored in individual ownership where everyone starts life on an investing journey.&nbsp;

Creating Laboratories of Financial Literacy

Trump Accounts also create a real-time laboratory of financial literacy for all Americans.&nbsp;

Consider an alarming statistic: Approximately two-thirds of Generation Z Americans fail to answer more than half of the basic financial literacy questions on the Nation’s Personal Finance Index. We need to better educate the generation of Americans being born now. Trump Accounts will give us an opportunity to correct course by instilling financial literacy in America’s youth in a way no book, test, or school curriculum could.&nbsp;

Trump Accounts will achieve this goal by providing students with a hands-on education in the power of compound growth. Students with Trump Accounts will be able to watch their investment accounts compound in real time—from a value of a couple thousand dollars in kindergarten to potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Importantly, students will not be able to access their accounts during this time. Keeping accounts locked until age 18 will require Americans to learn the art of long-term savings and compound growth. States, philanthropists, and charitable organizations can also tie funding of individual Trump Accounts to students passing financial literacy courses. This flexibility creates space for states, philanthropies, and educators to innovate and identify what works best in building financial skills.

Three pillars of America’s social contract are embedded in the Declaration of Independence: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Few know that Jefferson borrowed this phrase from John Locke, who famously underscored the centrality of “life, liberty, and&nbsp;property.”&nbsp;

Property and the pursuit of happiness, in other words, are deeply intertwined—and for our Founding Fathers, they were one and the same. Property, or put another way,&nbsp;ownership&nbsp;is essential to dignity and human flourishing. This was the ideal our nation was founded on in 1776. And it is the ideal our nation is being re-founded on in 2026.&nbsp;

In that sense, Trump Accounts are&nbsp;the&nbsp;defining policy of America’s 250th&nbsp;anniversary. By expanding equity ownership to all citizens, President Trump is restoring the promise of our Founding, revitalizing the social contract, and helping secure American prosperity for the next 250 years. All families can participate and own part of the American Dream.&nbsp;

Whether you are a philanthropist, a family member, or an employer, all of you here will play a critical role in this effort. So join us in growing economic opportunity, future-proofing capitalism, and carrying the promise of the Founding forward for the next century. Join us by investing in Trump Accounts.&nbsp;

How your baby could qualify for $1,000 with a Trump Account

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The federal government began a partial shutdown early Saturday, even though Senate Democrats and President Donald Trump reached a deal that allows lawmakers more time to negotiate new constraints on immigration enforcement.&nbsp;

The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00020.htm" target="_blank">voted 71-29</a>&nbsp;on Friday evening to pass the reworked government funding package before a midnight deadline. But the earliest the House could clear it for Trump’s signature is Monday evening, when members return from a recess.

The scheduling problem guarantees the current spending law, which Congress approved in November at the end of the last shutdown, will expire without a replacement.&nbsp;

However, the effects on the nation are not expected to be as dramatic as those during the historic 43-day shutdown last year. Since Congress has already passed half of the dozen annual appropriations bills, this shutdown will only affect part of the government, and possibly with moderate impacts since it may only last a few days until the House acts.

The unexpected hitch in progress toward passing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7148/text" target="_blank">the $1.2 trillion package</a>&nbsp;came about after immigration agents killed a second person in Minneapolis and Senate Democrats demanded reforms be included in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill. Trump has agreed to two weeks of negotiations on the DHS bill, which includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and other immigration enforcement agencies.

Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the full-year measures are “fiscally responsible bills that reflect months of hard work and deliberation from members from both parties and both sides of the Capitol.”

“The package also continues funding for the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks to allow us additional time to evaluate further changes in ICE procedures beyond those that we have already included in this bill,” she said.&nbsp;

Once the package becomes law, she said, 96% of government will be funded for the fiscal year that began back on Oct. 1.&nbsp;

Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, said approving the five full-year bills and a stopgap for the Homeland Security Department represented “a simple, commonsense path forward.”

“It is good news we have a deal to fund these key programs families count on while work continues on serious DHS accountability over the next two weeks,” Murray said. “It could not be more clear that ICE and CBP are out of control and that we cannot just wait for the same president who caused this mess to address it.”

Senators from North Carolina, South Carolina tangle

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said in a floor speech several hours before voting began that he would hold up quick consideration of the funding package until leaders agreed to schedule floor votes on two separate proposals.&nbsp;

The first would establish some sort of criminal penalty for local or state officials who do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement agents, often called sanctuary cities. The second would clear the way for conservative organizations to file lawsuits against former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith for his investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.&nbsp;

“What is the right answer when a state or a mayor says, ‘I don’t like this federal law, I’m not going to do it because there’s good politics for me.’ I think you risk going to jail,” Graham said. “We cannot live in a country this way, where you get to pick and choose the laws you don’t like.”

A spokesperson for Graham later confirmed to States Newsroom that the senator didn’t want the votes Friday but “just sometime down the road.” Graham released a statement later in the afternoon that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had agreed to schedule floor votes “at a time to be determined.”

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis spoke directly after Graham and rebuked him for delaying the entire funding package.&nbsp;

Tillis called on senators from both political parties to start negotiations about “common sense sorts of ways to lower the temperature” on immigration enforcement.

He said officials should “hold people accountable when they’re harming ICE agents, and hold ICE agents accountable if they reacted in a way that’s not consistent with their law enforcement training.”

Tillis argued that Graham’s approach to pushing for amendment votes that are unlikely to succeed wouldn’t have any tangible, real-world impacts.&nbsp;

“One senator has a lot of power. And if you use it judiciously, you can be productive and make a difference,” Tillis said. “But if you use it in the heat of the moment, you can make a point that not a damn person is going to remember a month later.”

The departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, State, Transportation and Treasury will all experience the funding lapse. The Executive Office of the President, Supreme Court and judicial branch will also be affected.&nbsp;

All other federal programs will continue uninterrupted, since their spending bills have become law, including those at the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Interior, Justice and Veterans Affairs, as well as military construction projects and funding for Congress.&nbsp;

A spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts wrote in a statement earlier this week that “operations would continue using court fees and other available balances through Wednesday, February 4.&nbsp;

“The following day, on February 5, the Judiciary would begin operating under the terms of the Anti-Deficiency Act. Federal courts would continue operating, but would be limited to activities needed to support the exercise of the Judiciary’s constitutional functions and to address emergency circumstances.”

House Democrats demand changes in DHS bill

A spokesperson for the White House budget office said the departments and agencies affected by the funding lapse can use their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/how-federal-shutdown-playing-out-across-government" target="_blank">contingency plans from the last shutdown</a>&nbsp;unless they had “big changes.”

Those documents detail how many employees continue working without pay during a shutdown and how many are furloughed.&nbsp;

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats wouldn’t support the spending bill unless major reforms are made in the way immigration officers conduct enforcement.

“We’re going to have to evaluate what the real opportunity is to get dramatic changes at the Department of Homeland Security. It has to be bold,” he said during a morning press conference. “The Senate has to do its thing before we have anything to evaluate.”

Partial federal government shutdown begins, amid hopes it won’t last long

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today published over 3 million additional pages responsive to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on November 19, 2025.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here t</a>o view the latest files

More than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images are included in today’s additional publication. Combined with prior releases, this makes the total production nearly 3.5 million pages released in compliance with the Act, according to a media release on the DOJ website.

These files were collected from five primary sources including the Florida and New York cases against Epstein, the New York case against Maxwell, the New York cases investigating Epstein’s death, the Florida case investigating a former butler of Epstein, Multiple FBI investigations, and the Office of Inspector General investigation into Epstein’s death.

The Department erred on the side of over-collecting materials, and any materials not produced fall within one of the following categories:

More than 500 attorneys and reviewers from the Department contributed to this effort. In addition, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (USAO-SDNY) employed an additional review protocol to ensure compliance with a Court order requiring United States Attorney Jay Clayton to certify that no victim identifying information would be produced unredacted as part of the public production.

Through the process, the Department provided clear instructions to reviewers that the redactions were to be limited to the protection of victims and their families. Some pornographic images, whether commercial or not, were redacted, given the Department treated all women in those images as victims. Notable individuals and politicians were not redacted in the release of any files.

This production may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos, as everything that was sent to the FBI by the public was included in the production that is responsive to the Act. Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.

To access the full letter the Justice Department sent to Congress today, visit:

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/letter-to-congress.pdf">https://www.justice.gov/letter-to-congress.pdf</a>

To access all files produced, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">https://www.justice.gov/epstein</a>

View the latest release of millions of pages of Epstein file documents

Former CNN anchor arrested after protest that disrupted church service

District judge does not rule on temporary injunction with secretary of state expected to share voter records Feb. 12

By Erin Bamer <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A public advocacy nonprofit argued Thursday that the federal government must comply with Nebraska statutes when requesting the state’s voter records.

Lancaster County District Court Judge Lori Maret heard arguments from Common Cause Nebraska and the state in the group’s legal challenge to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting voter registration data from all 50 states.

Common Cause&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/22/voting-advocacy-group-sues-to-block-nebraska-from-giving-voter-data-to-feds/">seeks an injunction</a>&nbsp;to prevent Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen from sharing the data Feb. 12, which Evnen has stated his intention to do. In turn, the state has filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Maret issued no immediate ruling after Thursday’s hearing, saying she would take the arguments from both sides under advisement.

Federal officials have asked states for names, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of voters’ Social Security numbers, saying they want the information to ensure accurate voter registration rolls.

Common Cause asked the court to find that the DOJ request violates Nebraska law protecting data privacy. Its lawsuit asks the court to prohibit the Secretary of State from providing the voter data or to limit the types of data shared with the DOJ.

The Justice Department has requested voter data from 44 states and Washington, D.C. so far, with plans to ask for that information from all 50 states. A few GOP states have declined or not responded, citing privacy concerns, and a majority of Democratic-run states have refused to do so.

Critics have questioned the safety of letting any presidential administration consolidate state voter data in one place. The federal government has sued more than 20 states and the District of Columbia for not complying.

Recently, the DOJ asked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/01/24/us/pam-bondi-walz-doc.html" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;to hand over its voter rolls as part of a federal offer to reduce the presence of&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/29/homan-im-staying-til-the-problem-is-gone/" target="_blank">thousands of immigrants in the state.</a>

Solicitor General Cody Barnett, representing Nebraska in Thursday’s case, mentioned the federal lawsuits in arguing that the Common Cause lawsuit should be dismissed. He argued that all indispensable parties should be present, and the federal government qualifies as one because it has an “obvious stake” in the case.

“They have a seat at this table, and yet plaintiffs have not brought them into this lawsuit,” Barnett said.

Daniel Gutman, an attorney representing Common Cause, countered that Nebraska law offers federal officials no special rights when it comes to accessing private information, so he does not believe that the federal government is a necessary party.

The Justice Department initially sent a letter to Nebraska’s secretary of state last year and set a Sept. 22 deadline to provide the data. Evnen has not yet provided the data due to the lawsuit, but he has said he intends to release Nebraska’s voter file to the federal government Feb. 12 “unless the court orders otherwise.”

Common Cause filed paperwork seeking a temporary restraining order over concerns that the court might not rule before the secretary releases the data.

Gutman said the federal government doesn’t have access to Nebraska’s voter information under the U.S. Constitution, which gives states the authority to administer elections. Because of this, he argued that to receive such information, federal officials must comply with Nebraska law, and they have not.

According to Nebraska’s election statutes, Gutman said, voter files are considered a public record, and thus can be inspected by members of the public. State officials can even get copies of the records under specific circumstances.

However, state law also says public voter information cannot include confidential information, including digital signatures, Gutman said. The DOJ has asked for an unredacted file of Nebraska’s voter rolls, which Gutman argued would violate state statute.

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