The bitter cold of last week was a lot to deal with and I know that many had struggles with it - pipes freezing, furnaces quitting, livestock to care for and those who were forced to travel in it. It was miserable.

We are familiar with the scene on television and movies: a person clutches their chest and drops to the ground, unconscious. Another character starts chest compressions and help is summoned. Although cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is often not accurately portrayed in such productions, it serves as a good reminder to all that CPR can save a life.

In Nebraska, the crops we grow, livestock we raise, goods we manufacture, and innovations we develop make an impact far beyond our borders. Nebraskans have long known that. Increasingly, the world does too.

A threepound baby entered the world in recent days. This precious child was born after his Mom spent seven weeks in the hospital on bedrest. At home, Dad and two siblings were working, going to school, and worrying. Surrounding the family were two sets of grandparents who ensured that the pieces all fell into place. From meals and lawn care, to virtual school, from evening shifts and overnights to early mornings, these grandparents were there every step of the way. They will continue to offer support while the baby remains hospitalized and growing, and after he comes home, because that is what grandparents do, if they are able.

Happy Thanksgiving! As Nebraskans have done for generations, we gather with family, friends, and loved ones this week to reflect on the many blessing in our lives and to share good news with one another.

As Nebraskans, we’re fortunate to live in a state where we enjoy peace, prosperity, and the blessings of liberty. As we celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family, there are plenty of reasons to be grateful here in the Good Life.

Hello again, everybody. I have missed you and I have missed this, but I am thankful that I get to address you all for one of my favorite weeks of the year Thanksgiving. It was a chaotic week for me personally, but one that also offered me a great opportunity to catch up with family and friends that I haven’t seen much lately and time for myself - a rarity in our household. It gave me a great deal of time to think about all of the things I am grateful for.

Over my 30 year career as a cancer physician I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous progress in treating cancer patients. There continues to be controversy in the screening and treatment of prostate cancer (PC) for which I am grateful to have the opportunity to share more information with you. PC screening consists of obtaining a PSA and rectal exam, followed by a biopsy if indicated. In 2012, the United States Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against PC screening. Studies following their recommendations demonstrated a substantial decline in both PC screening and diagnosis of early stage PC, and a subsequent increase in the rates of more aggressive PC. In 2017 the USPSTF reversed their prior recommendation, listing PSA as a reasonable screening test in men ages 55- 69.

At 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, everything went silent. The deafening sounds of gunfire and artillery shells had come to a halt. World War I, which at the time was the deadliest conflict in human history, was finally over. While millions across the globe could finally breathe a sigh of relief, many American service members didn’t live to see the celebrations. 53,000 American troops died in combat during the Great War, and another 63,000 died due to influenza and other causes while in service. An additional 204,000 of our troops were wounded.

There’s no reason why the U.S. should be reliant on authoritarian regimes like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela to supply the fuel we need. We have more than enough resources to restore our energy independence and bring fuel prices down.