Humanities Desk

One Omaha, Nebraska couple was staying at a family home near Los Angeles when they evacuated as fires engulfed the canyon nearby.

A bill to change Nebraska’s electoral vote allocation to winner-take-all was introduced in the state legislature Thursday morning. Sen. Loren Lippincott introduced it on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen, who listed it as one of his four legislative priorities for 2025. Lippincott said winner-take-all spreads out representation to Americans in all states, not just a select few.

The 109th Nebraska Legislature is officially in session. The Norris Chamber at the state capitol was filled with the families of senators Wednesday morning. The newly appointed Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court Jeffrey Funke swore in the 25 senators elected or reelected in November. After the swearing in ceremony, senators got to work electing the Speaker of the Legislature and 17 committee chairs.

Governor Jim Pillen named Jewel Rodgers as Nebraska’s next state poet today/Monday during a ceremony at the state capitol. Rodgers will serve a five-year term as an advocate for poetry, literature and literacy on behalf of the state.She says she hopes to use the role to amplify the work of Nebraska writers and inspire others to consume more poetry. Rodgers is the first African American and youngest person to be named Nebraska State Poet.

On the first day of the 119th Congress, the House of Representatives gathered to elect a speaker. Democrats were united in voting for Hakeem Jeffries of New York, while all but one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, ultimately ended up voting for Mike Johnson of Louisiana. That was enough to give Johnson 218 votes, the exact number needed to be elected speaker.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health works with clinics to offer same day scheduling and walk-in appointments. There are multiple providers available in each of the state’s six behavioral health regions. A list of providers can be found on the DHHS Same Day webpage.

A Lincoln-based group is asking immigrants and refugees what their experiences are like coming to the state. Here’s how those survey results will be used.

A new law giving people more control over their personal information online took effect in Nebraska Wednesday. The Nebraska Data Privacy Act allows consumers to access, correct or delete the data companies collect about them. It also enables Nebraskans to opt out of their data being sold to other companies or third parties. Consumers can download a universal opt out mechanism on their web browser, which automatically sends a signal to every website that they don’t want their data being sold.

Minden, Nebraska has been known as the Christmas City ever since Santa Claus himself made the declaration in 1923. The Kearney County Courthouse’s bright red and green lights can be seen from miles away and the community’s annual Light of the World Pageant brings visitors from across the region. “People really gasp when they see those lights," said Jack Hultquist, a longtime Minden resident. Now, the community is looking for ways to keep its traditions going for the next 100 years.

Keegan Smutz and his bridge maintenance crew help cut, deliver and decorate the Durham’s annual Christmas tree. Smutz has helped bring Christmas to Omaha for 10 years now.