Humanities Desk

The Otoe-Missouria tribe called Southeast Nebraska home for over three hundred years but was displaced by the U-S in 1881, and forcibly moved to Red Rock, Oklahoma. Now there are efforts from the tribe to reconnect with their spiritual homeland through art.

The field of Democratic candidates in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional district just got bigger. James Leuschen, the former policy director for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, launched his campaign Thursday. “I’m running for Congress because I know firsthand what Nebraska families are up against,” he said. “Donald Trump’s tax and tariff policies are sowing chaos and making life more expensive for families here. As a dad to three kids and son to an aging parent, I see how the cost of groceries, child care, elderly care, and housing continue to go up under Trump’s policies, and relief is nowhere in sight.”

Bryan Health opened a time capsule from 1987 on Tuesday afternoon, showcasing old medical supplies and the health system's history of innovative healthcare.

A report from the auditor’s office says Mayor Paul Murrell used city-owned vehicles for personal use and highlights payments of nearly $50,000 to the mayor’s personal business for work performed at a municipal nursing home. When questioned about the personal vehicle, state auditor Mike Foley says Murrell provided a sales tax form that didn’t match the vehicle used as evidence against him.

Rep. Mike Flood, who represents the state’s first district, says avoiding a government shutdown is the first priority of Congress as the new fiscal year approaches in October. He says that will require negotiations with Democrats to put a budget together and ensure the government is funded.

Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton recapped their recent visit to Japan while speaking at Husker Harvest Days, an ag show just west of Grand Island. The trip came on the heels of a trade deal with Japan signed by President Donald Trump last week. As part of the deal, Japan agreed to invest $550 billion in projects selected by the U.S. government. Pillen said he told Japanese officials he wants at least 10% of that amount to go toward projects in Nebraska. Pillen also praised the Japanese culture he witnessed on his visit to Tokyo.

Gov. Jim Pillen declined to sign draft regulations for the medical cannabis industry the commission approved last week. In a letter to the commission sent Thursday, Pillen wrote "Leaving the cultivators without a limit would increase likelihood of an overabundance of cannabis product that creates an unregulated, unintended black-market supply.” The commission responded by placing a limit of 1,250 flowering plants for each cultivator.

The city has earned a national recognition for building an inclusive community. It’s the second city in the state to earn this label.

Nebraska farmers entering harvest season with near record high corn and soybean yields have been met with low prices for their crops. Coupled with higher than usual input prices due to tariffs, many will lose money this year. Smith, who serves as chair of the Congressional Agriculture Trade Caucus, says he is hopeful that President Trump will work to open up new markets for farmers and reach trade deals to bring down tariffs. Brian Kuehl, the co-executive director of Farmers for Free Trade, says time is running out.

Pillen’s team says the Work Ethic Camp in McCook – which currently provides rehabilitative programming to low-risk offenders – will soon house undocumented immigrants arrested by ICE. The administration clarified it will only house Level 1 detainees, meaning those with minor criminal records and non-violent felonies. After the briefing, Judiciary Committee Vice Chair Wendy DeBoer told reporters she has "grave concerns" about the process from federal agents.