Humanities Desk

Sen. Deb Fischer spoke with Nebraska Public Media's Brian Beach about her role in Trump inauguration, immigration policy and the Senate's cabinet nomination process.

Sen. Merv Riepe recently introduced a bill at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen that would lower the age at which juveniles can be detained and charged as adults in felony cases. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said the bill is well timed, as the county has seen a recent increase in the number of juveniles committing repeat felonies. North Omaha Senators Ashlei Spivey and Terrell McKinney are against the bill because they said it would disproportionately impact minority youth.

A nonprofit devoted to spreading awareness of human trafficking and how it relates to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People is starting its second year with some new goals. Here's why it came to be and what the nonprofit wants to accomplish in 2025.

A sensory accessible hair salon in Omaha is following national trends to make services more inclusive for families with sensory needs. Sensory Suite Spot was founded for the reason of creating a place for those with sensory sensitivities to get a good haircut.

A volleyball league for those with mobility issues has returned to Omaha. The city had a sitting volleyball recreation league and a competitive team in the 2010s, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic they were canceled. A joint effort from Omaha Parks and Recreation, CHI Health and Nebraska Adaptive Sports has brought back the recreational league.

Nebraska lawmakers proposed several bills in the unicameral this week focusing on the environment. Sen. Ashlei Spivey introduced legislation that would create an Office of Climate Action for the state. The office would create a state climate action plan, coordinate federal grants and monitor how state legislation passed the prior year impacts the environment.

The Nebraska State Education Association, which is the teacher’s union, wants state lawmakers to make “major movements” this legislative session to tackle the teacher shortage.

Sen. Myron Dorn introduced a constitutional amendment in the Unicameral Friday that would raise the salary of state lawmakers to $30,000. He said the current salary of $12,000 is too low to live on without additional financial assistance. Dorn said that keeps some Nebraskans from running for office. In order to take effect, the amendment would need the votes of three-fifths of the Legislature and a majority of Nebraska voters in the next statewide election.

Some theatre teachers are asking the State Board of Education to increase the endorsement level requirement for educators. They spoke at the board's first meeting with four new members on Friday.

The Lincoln Children's Museum has introduced sensory friendly hours. They are doing this by dimming lights, quieting the noisier of exhibits and providing sensory sensitivity kits for visitors to use.