The Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds. The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASI and DI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2034, one year earlier than projected last year, with 78 percent of benefits payable at that time.

ESU #17 Budget Hearing The Board of Directors of Educational Service Unit #17 will meet at the Administration building in Ainsworth for a budget hearing at 5:00 p.m. on September 13th, immediately followed by a tax request hearing and a regular meeting.

The kidneys may be called the Rodney Dangerfield of the body, as they often “don’t get no respect.” The National Kidney Foundation estimates that one in three adult Americans are at risk for kidney disease, yet these organs are mostly ignored unless they develop stones or stop working.

The first very nice, cool morning came to Lincoln this week. It reminded me that fall is just around the corner and colder weather is coming. I paused to remember the coldest winter in living memory last year, and Nebraskans’ power being shut off by people in other states. With this on my mind, I wondered why is the Nebraska Public Power District circulating a survey about “decarbonization” and green energy? It seems to me their priorities are out of whack again. They should be figuring out how to never again shut off power to Nebraskans when we have more than enough generation in Nebraska to serve our state’s electricity needs.

Results from the 2020 Census were released in August, showing a population decrease of 112 people in Ainsworth and a decrease of 242 for Brown County over the last decade. Nebraska lawmakers will use the new data to redraw the state’s political boundaries, including legislative and congressional districts, in a special session scheduled for September 13th.

Wednesday, September 1, at 4:00 p.m., Kevin Kilmer had his first appearance in County Court with Judge Orr, who advised Kilmer that a complaint had been filed against him which alleges two counts and read them: Class 1 or 1A Felony, Murder in the First Degree, and Use of a Deadly Weapon to Commit a Felony, along with the penalties. First Degree Murder is a 1 or 1A