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lawmakers

Omaha Weather, Shopping, and More: Weekend Headlines

by David Harrison – Chief Editor November 28, 2025

written by David Harrison – Chief Editor

OMAHA,Neb. – A Thanksgiving Day shooting, ‌bustling Black Friday shopping, and a⁤ festive tree lighting at the⁢ Durham Museum marked a busy holiday weekend in the Omaha metropolitan area.

The Omaha Police Department responded to a shooting Thursday evening ⁢at approximately 8:30 p.m. near 72nd and Dodge Streets.One person sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Concurrently, shoppers began ⁣lining up early Friday morning for Black Friday deals, with⁤ many stores ‍opening their ⁢doors as early as 5 a.m. Retailers reported important foot traffic throughout the day. The Durham museum hosted its annual tree lighting ceremony Sunday ⁢evening, drawing crowds to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

The 15th annual Heroes Game⁢ between Nebraska⁤ and Iowa is ⁣scheduled for Friday at Memorial Stadium in⁢ Lincoln,with kickoff at 11 a.m. A pregame ‌show will begin at 10 a.m. on 10/11. This year’s matchup is‍ the 56th in the rivalry, with Iowa having won nine of the last ten meetings. Nebraska Head ⁣coach⁢ Matt Rhule is seeking his⁤ first win against Iowa as ‌taking over the program. Iowa enters the game following a 20-17 comeback victory over Michigan State, ‍while Nebraska ⁣is coming off a road loss to Penn State. ‍Ashley De La⁢ Cruz-Martin and Jayce Koob were recognized as Nebraska’s and Iowa’s Heroes,respectively,for the game.

November 28, 2025 0 comments

News

PTI Boycott National Assembly: Key Developments & Protests

by Emma Walker – News Editor September 1, 2025

written by Emma Walker – News Editor

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced Monday it will boycott sessions of the National assembly,‍ escalating tensions with the government ⁤over allegations of unfair treatment towards its elected representatives. the ⁢decision, revealed by PTI chairman Barrister Gohar during⁢ a press conference in Islamabad, marks a important protest against what the party describes as ⁢systematic efforts to silence its voice in parliament.

The boycott stems from PTI’s claims that its lawmakers are being ⁣unjustly stripped of their seats and disqualified, hindering their ability to⁢ represent their constituents and participate in democratic processes. This action underscores a deepening political crisis, ‌potentially impacting the government’s legislative ⁣agenda and further‌ polarizing the already fractured political landscape. The‍ party intends to demonstrate its opposition through ⁢protests alongside the boycott.

Gohar stated, “From now on,⁤ we will not attend National Assembly sittings. We ⁤will protest and boycott instead,” adding that the decision followed ‍a meeting ‍of the PTI parliamentary party at the⁤ Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) House, where members endorsed instructions from the party ⁣founder.

PTI leaders allege restrictions even‍ extend to symbolic acts of national observance. “Even if⁢ we try ⁢to celebrate Independence Day, we are not allowed,” gohar said. “Despite countless difficulties, we attended sessions to raise demands democratically, but we ⁢are ⁤not permitted ⁤to speak.”

The proclamation came as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reported widespread devastation⁤ from recent heavy rains across the province, notably in Buner,‌ Shangla, ‍Swabi, and swat. Gandapur⁢ stated a flood surge of 12 to 14 feet destroyed homes, and reported 490 deaths in the ⁤province⁢ so far. ‍He added that the K-P ⁤government ⁢is providing compensation,including Rs2 million to families of the deceased,Rs1 million ⁤for completely destroyed ⁣homes,and payments to the injured.

Former speaker Asad Qaiser urged ‌the federal⁤ government to increase support for flood victims, appealing to the ⁤United ⁣Nations for aid and ‌emphasizing‍ the federal government’s responsibility in ⁢the relief efforts. He also indicated the party founder would be asked to initiate a fundraising campaign.

September 1, 2025 0 comments

Business

Congressional Stock Trading Ban: Should Lawmakers Be Prohibited?

by Priya Shah – Business Editor August 16, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

# Should Members of Congress Be Banned From Trading Stocks?

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the latest voice calling⁣ for a⁣ ban on‌ congressional stock trading, as concerns grow over potential conflicts of interest and⁣ unfair ‍advantages gained through access to non-public details. Critics argue that lawmakers may profit from insider information,undermining public trust ‍in the system. [[1]]

While insider trading is already illegal for members of congress, critics contend that existing laws are insufficient.They point to lax enforcement, missed⁤ reporting deadlines, and minimal penalties as evidence of the need for stricter regulations. Bessent stated, “People shouldn’t come to Washington to get rich, they should come to serve the American people, and it brings down trust in the system⁢ because I can tell you that if ‌any‌ private citizen traded this way, the (Securities and Exchange Commission) ‍would be knocking on their door.” [[1]]

The debate also centers on the trading activity of individual lawmakers. Former‌ House ⁤Speaker nancy Pelosi has faced scrutiny over the returns on‌ her reported trades, which she maintains are managed by her⁣ husband. Representative Wyden has supported a stock trading ban and accused Bessent of attempting to deflect attention from the management’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. [[1]]

Did You Know?

Congress enacts laws ⁣that influence the daily lives ‌of‌ all Americans and is intended to serve as the voice of the people. [[1]]

Tip: Understanding the legislative process is crucial for informed civic engagement. Resources like Congress.gov offer thorough information on bills, votes, and member activity.

## The Current Landscape of Congressional Stock Trading

The issue of congressional stock trading has gained momentum in recent years, fueled by concerns about clarity and accountability. While there is no comprehensive‍ ban in place,⁤ several proposals have⁢ been put forward to address the issue.

Regulation	description	Status
Insider trading Laws	Prohibit members of Congress from trading on non-public information.	Existing,but criticized as insufficient.
Pelosi Act	Proposed legislation‍ to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks.	Not‍ yet passed.

## Why This Matters

The ability ‌of lawmakers to trade stocks while having access to confidential information raises ‌ethical questions ⁣and possibly undermines‌ the integrity of the legislative process. A ban‌ could help restore public trust and ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the American people.

Do you believe that members of Congress should be banned from trading stocks? Why or why not?

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August 16, 2025 0 comments

News

Michigan Psychiatric Bed Crisis: Northern U.P. Faces Severe Shortage

by David Harrison – Chief Editor July 23, 2025

written by David Harrison – Chief Editor

Northern Michigan Grapples with Critical Psychiatric Bed Shortage

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A severe shortage of inpatient psychiatric beds is profoundly impacting northern Michigan, with legislators recently hearing testimony detailing the escalating crisis. The Upper Peninsula (U.P.) currently has only two hospitals offering inpatient psychiatric care: UP Health System-Marquette and MyMichigan Medical Center-Sault. However,both facilities report an inability to staff all available beds,contributing to Michigan’s national ranking of 47th for inpatient psychiatric bed availability.

Mental health professionals emphasize that while the issue is statewide, its effects are felt with greater intensity in the northern regions. Kate Dahlstrom, President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Grand Traverse Board, highlighted the dire situation, noting that individuals frequently enough face average emergency department stays of approximately four days as hospitals search for open beds downstate. munson’s 17-bed adult unit, as an example, is frequently at full capacity.

Dahlstrom, along with othre mental health providers, presented their concerns to the michigan House Subcommittee on Public health and Food Security. Beyond increasing inpatient bed numbers, Dahlstrom urged the state to prioritize a complete continuum of care, including residential services and robust aftercare support. “If you don’t have the whole continuum, including the residential care and all the after care, it’s going to be a revolving door,” she stated.

Citing national research, Dahlstrom illustrated the significant deficit in available beds for northern Michigan. The data suggests a minimum of 30 beds per 100,000 people. For northern Michigan’s population of 500,000, this translates to a need for 300 beds. Currently, the region has only 50 beds, with a critical absence of any dedicated beds for youth.

Physicians who testified pointed to both bed availability and adequate staffing as the core challenges. Legislators have indicated they will review the testimony before determining next steps, though no specific timeline for action has been provided.