Nebraska Update

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 27, include: Nebraska's single-subject rule has created complicated legal landscape for petition sponsors and Nebraska Supreme Court; former executive at DNA Genetics and Pillen Family Farms has filed federal discrimination lawsuit; major Nebraska cities are offering free rides and bike services to help voters get to polls; spending is increasing for Good Government Lincoln group which aims to change Lincoln elections; Omaha has been selected for new housing initiative aimed at expanding city's housing supply; Children's Nebraska is expanding its Virtual School Health program across state; new filmmaker made her directorial debut in Nebraska with film highlighting Husker fanfare and family values; Lincoln will host professional volleyball matches next year.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 26, include: Nebraska's petition laws are expected to be major topic when lawmakers return; parking violations in Lincoln increased by more than 30,000 after license plate readers returned to operation; more than 70% of rural Nebraskans perceive at least moderate risk of wildfire danger in their communities; Nebraska's medical marijuana program could face another two-year wait according to advocates; new court documents in UNL lawsuit examine power dynamics in relationship between player and coach; Cornell University sexual assault has sparked conversations about campus safety at UNL; Nebraska DHHS has opened applications for $100 million healthcare technology startup fund focused on rural healthcare challenges.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 23, include: Vice President J.D. Vance announced that Talus Ag plans to build two fertilizer-related plants in Nebraska during campaign stop in North Platte; lawmakers consider expanding sales taxes to everyday purchases amid projected state budget shortfalls; Omaha state senator says communication problems are delaying north and south Omaha improvement projects; Creighton University's Rural Mainstreet Index reports Nebraska agricultural exports are down; UNK plans to close Mantor Hall as student residence after next summer; Nebraska Supreme Court awards attorney general's office legal fees in its charter amendment dispute with Lincoln officials; money is flowing into Nebraska's elections, with some of that cash being spent on election result wagers.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 22, include: problem gambling in Nebraska has increased by more than 130% over seven years; Omaha City Council considers $117 million redevelopment agreement for professional soccer stadium; Lancaster County Data Center Task Force discusses zoning, transparency, noise and water usage; speakers at Lincoln conference urge Nebraska to rely more on wind and solar energy to meet rising electricity demand; populist Democrats see opportunities in Nebraska and other traditionally Republican states ahead of midterm elections; Trump administration announces one-time fuel relief payments for American farmers facing high diesel prices; Nebraska has been blanketed with campaign ads, events, and signs in lead up to midterm election... but in some of most contentious races, something's been missing: debates.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 21, include: families and food banks are feeling the strain one year after federal SNAP changes took effect in Nebraska; Nebraska man sues state Department of Health and Human Services over public records request tied to scrapped consulting partnership and InterRAI assessment tool; School Financing Review Commission approves annual recommendations for school funding; two years after majority of Nebraskans voted in favor of state-wide medical cannabis program, no patients have received treatment.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 20, include: some Omaha-area gas stations are running low or out of fuel, Nebraska cannabis cultivators may need to store products for up to two years as regulations move forward and object to annual fees for program that is not yet operational, Google is giving $6 million to help Omaha-area households lower their energy costs, Nebraska Game and Parks is helping track 95 monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico, President Donald Trump nominates former White House associate counsel Eric Hamilton to fill federal court vacancy in Nebraska.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 19, include: The Nebraska Supreme Court cleared the Fairness for Girls initiative for the November ballot, rejecting a challenge to the wording of its object statement. Voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to restrict participation in girls’ and women’s sports at public schools and competing private schools based on sex assigned at birth. The Nebraska Supreme Court rejected a Republican-led challenge to a law allowing some overseas residents to vote based on a parent’s voter registration in Nebraska. High diesel prices are affecting hay farmers and the beef producers who depend on them. Nebraska’s 2026 election season is packed with confusion. Between accusations of spoiler candidates, petition circulator fraud and new political parties, voters have a lot of information to sift through.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 16, include: State Fire Marshal budget: Proposed state budget reductions could eliminate leadership and training positions at the State Fire Marshal’s office and end its participation in the annual State Fire School. Nebraska volunteer firefighters say the cuts could limit training access for smaller departments that lack funding. Nebraska voters will decide whether to extend state senators’ term limits. Medical marijuana advocates criticize proposed regulations at a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission meeting. University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers receive nearly $875,000 from the National Science Foundation for bird communication research. Having a parent deported is traumatic for a family, especially for children. And, experts say, the repercussions of family separation are long-lasting.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 15, include: Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell met Wednesday night for a debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media News and the Omaha World-Herald. New polling shows most Americans are pessimistic about the economy and have started spending less. State agencies consider potential budget reductions as Nebraska faces an $846 million deficit. The education department’s hypothetical 10% cut could affect special education and services for students with disabilities. The proposed cuts still require approval from the governor and Legislature. The Nebraska attorney general’s office seeks to recover legal fees from its effort to add three Lincoln charter amendments to the November ballot. Husker Athletics announces lower starting prices for some 2027 football season tickets, with about 5,000 tickets available to the general public starting at $299. Federal officials voice support for a proposed rare earth mine in southeast Nebraska, but the project still needs final approval.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 14, include: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is looking for savings in Medicaid as state agencies face requests to cut 8% of their budgets amid a billion-dollar state budget deficit. Two Nebraska high schools cancel the rest of their football seasons because of injuries and low player numbers. Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District candidates debate Wednesday night. Lincoln voters will consider six local charter amendments in November. A committee supporting two Omaha bond questions identifies its campaign backers. An Omaha culinary instructor prepares to compete on the world stage next month. When someone dies in custody in Nebraska, a unique process is triggered – summoning a grand jury. In theory, it encourages civic participation and transparency. But some say it invites bias from county attorneys, who are elected to office.