Humanities Desk

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.

Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Brian Maher outlined the state’s plan to improve K-12 literacy in schools. The State Board of Education will vote on the plan at its meeting Friday.

Nebraska lawmakers considered a bill to strengthen a federal drug discount program this afternoon. Sen. Brian Hardin introduced the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act to help rural hospitals. The 340B program allows certain hospitals and pharmacies to purchase drugs from manufacturers at a reduced cost. In recent years, some pharmaceutical companies restricted pharmacies from accessing the discounted drugs. Hardin said his bill would prohibit these companies from interfering with drug delivery.

As misinformation about immigration enforcement spreads throughout some communities, some nonprofits across the state are working to ensure people know how to get reliable information and understand their constitutional rights.

A bill to limit the addictive design elements of social media apps was discussed at the Nebraska Legislature Monday afternoon. Sen. Carolyn Bosn introduced the bill at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. The legislation prevents minors from having their private information shared and requires companies to curb features like infinite scroll and frequent push alerts. Opponents of the bill say it is likely unconstitutional, citing a similar California law that the courts struck down. Bosn said the Nebraska proposal has addressed the legal concerns.

More than 15-thousand signatures were turned in Monday to place a measure on the upcoming Lincoln city election ballot aimed at helping renters. The Lincoln for Fair Housing coalition is leading the push to prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to tenants based on the source of their income. Elizabeth Engman, a community organizer with Nebraska Appleseed, says it would provide more housing options for renters.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to make arrests as part of President Donald Trump’s administration plans. Meanwhile, misinformation has reached immigrant communities around the state. Here's how some cities have been impacted by the false reports.

Nebraskans would no longer have their utilities, like electricity and natural gas, taxed by the state under a legislative proposal from Sen. Rick Holdcroft. At a hearing Friday afternoon, Holdcroft said heat and electricity are necessities, not luxuries to be taxed.

Companion, a film written and directed by Omaha native Drew Hancock, hits theaters today. Hancock graduated from Westside Highschool, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for film. In a conversation with Nebraska Public Media’s Arthur Jones, Hancock discusses how Omaha shaped his first feature length film.