Humanities Desk

Currently, Nebraska law prohibits anyone with three or more drug-related felony charges or any drug distribution charge from accessing federal SNAP benefits. A bill from Sen. Victor Rountree would have removed those restrictions, as long as the beneficiaries had completed their sentences and participated in a substance abuse treatment program. The bill passed last week, but Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed it, leading to a vote to override Monday.

Lincoln is now home to more than 300 thousand people after gaining an estimated 38 hundred new residents between July 1st of 2023 and 2024. Omaha also gained around 2500 residents over that time, reversing several years of flat or negative growth. Among the ten largest cities in the state, none are growing as fast proportionally as Columbus, however. While many smaller cities across the state have struggled to keep up with the demand for housing, Columbus mayor Jim Bulkley says his city is expected to have 600 new housing units completed within the next two years.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced Friday he intends to provide administrative support and resources to the Medical Cannabis Commission. “With support from the Policy Research Office, the Department of Administrative Services, and other agencies, as necessary, the Medical Cannabis Commission is fully enabled to meet and carry out its responsibilities under the Patient Protection Act and the Regulation Act to meet its milestone dates of July 1 and October 1,” a press release from the Governor’s Office said. The commission was created upon the passage of Initiative 438 by Nebraska voters in November 2024.

Hamilton’s advanced load in arrived at the Orpheum Theater on Sunday, May 4th, while the show did its final performance in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Four days later, the show will begin for Nebraskans in Omaha. How does this happen? How does a crew of 70 move a whole stage production over 12 hours, and have it ready to run again within four days?

A bill from Sen. Victor Rountree would have allowed all individuals convicted of felonies to become eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after completing their sentences. Currently, Nebraska allows those with two or fewer felonies for drug use and possession to receive benefits, but those with drug distribution felonies remain banned. Rountree’s bill would have made around 1,000 new Nebraskans eligible. It passed the final round of debate Wednesday with 32 votes but was vetoed by Pillen soon afterward. Rountree said he wasn’t surprised.

Sen. Kathleen Kauth’s Stand with Women Act, LB89, made it through the second round of debate in the Nebraska Legislature Wednesday evening, but not before an amendment stripped it of a key provision. Sen. Kathleen Kauth’s Stand with Women Act, LB89, made it through the second round of debate in the Nebraska Legislature Wednesday evening, but not before an amendment stripped it of a key provision. Sen. Merv Riepe was one of 33 senators to vote for the bill on the first round of debate, but he said he would only advance it further if changes were made. Those changes included removing a requirement for students at K-12 schools and universities to use bathrooms and locker rooms corresponding to their biological sex.

A proposal to reduce inheritance taxes and raise county fees came up two votes short of overcoming a filibuster attempt in the Nebraska Legislature Tuesday evening. Sen. Rob Clements’ priority bill, LB468, as amended on the second round of debate, would have reduced the total amount of inheritance taxes Nebraska counties collect by around 24%, Clements said. Nebraska is one of five states with inheritance taxes and eliminating them altogether has been a longtime goal for Clements.

American Mariachi sets the stage for the Omaha Community Playhouse’s first play consisting of an entirely Latino cast. The show made both local and national history by being the first rendition at a community playhouse.

Nebraska’s horsemen are off to the races at Legacy Downs in Lincoln this Friday, the racetrack’s first day of its live meet. They will host around 90 races in the next five weeks, helping keep Nebraskan horse owners, jockeys and caretakers in the state while generating more betting revenue.

This weekend marks the 105th year of the Cinco de Mayo celebration in South Omaha. Its growth for over a century has had both a community and economic impact on the area.