More than 15,000 influenza cases have been reported this flu season, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

A proposed state budget from Gov. Jim Pillen includes cuts to several water recreation projects in Nebraska. But a bill from Sen. Barry DeKay would give authority to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to carry out other, cheaper park enhancements. DeKay, who represents a northeast Nebraska district that includes Lewis and Clark Lake and Niobrara State Park, said in a hearing Wednesday his legislation will help get projects across the finish line despite potential budget cuts.

Faith leaders from across the state and across denominations have responded to a recent immigration enforcement policy that would allow arrests in places of worship. Here's how some Nebraska church leaders disagree with the policy and even plan to disregard it.

Sen. Barry DeKay, a rancher from Niobrara, introduced a bill at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen that would ban the manufacturing, sale and distribution of cultured protein products. These products are made by cultivating animal stem cells for several weeks and combining them with other ingredients. They are not yet for sale in Nebraska. DeKay said he wants the product banned until there is more information about its health ramifications.

The Nebraska Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee heard a proposal to merge two state agencies Thursday. Sen. Tom Brandt introduced a bill to merge the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environment and Energy. Gov. Jim Pillen testified in favor of the bill, citing it as an important step to protect Nebraska’s water.

Nebraska has never had a State Poet like Jewel Rodgers. She is the youngest person to hold the position at 27 and she is the first African American. Nebraska Public Media's Dale Johnson caught up with the Omaha native as she travels the state impressing audiences with her form of spoken word poetry.

The Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee considered a bill Wednesday to tax the cryptocurrency industry. Sen. Mike Jacobson introduced the legislation at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. The bill would place an excise tax of one cent per kilowatt hour on electricity used for cryptocurrency mining operations .

A Neligh teacher was surprised with the Milken Educator Award on Tuesday. The honor comes with a $25,000 check.

Each year, volunteers venture out nationwide on a single night for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual point-in-time count in an effort to tally the country’s homeless population. Rural volunteers say they rely on the count to aid their unhoused populations. Meanwhile, experts say HUD may be undercounting the country’s homeless.

A grant program for teacher mental health training is at a standstill after falling short at the State Board of Education on Friday.