Nebraska Update

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees is appealing a labor court decision regarding remote work to the Nebraska Supreme Court. In July, the state labor court ruled that Governor Jim Pillen’s executive order requiring state employees to end most remote work arrangements without union bargaining was fully under his authority. Union executive director Justin Hubly said the appeal is necessary to protect workers rights and receive more clarity for the union’s upcoming labor contract with the state.

The Nebraska Legislature moved Monday toward a potentially crucial vote Tuesday on a plan to reduce property taxes.

Two Catholic 7-12 schools in rural Nebraska consolidated. The Archdiocese of Omaha made the decision due to growing priest and teacher shortages. While some in the community support the merger, others are against, saying they are losing the long tradition of their mascot.

At the FBI’s Agriculture Threats Symposium in Omaha Monday, Special Agent in Charge Gene Kowel outlined major cybersecurity risks. The bureau is worried about potential ransomware attacks from criminal groups and foreign adversaries which could shut down farming operations during harvest or planting seasons. Kowel said the security risk is growing exponentially, and farmers should ensure they have multi-factor authentication for all digital farm operations.

Gering’s Japanese Hall highlights little-known history of Japanese Nebraskans and boosts local tourism

The inaugural Nebraska Summit on Justice and Disparities was held at Creighton University Friday. Prison reform activist and New York City councilman Doctor Yusef Salaam was the keynote speaker. The event focused on Nebraska’s criminal justice system, juvenile detention and equitable law enforcement.

The Nebraska Legislature spent another day thrashing around on taxes, before deciding to wait until next week to try again

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is joining 10 other states in requesting the EPA to require labeling rules for agricultural chemicals to be standardized nationwide. California previously enacted a rule mandating glyphosate, a common herbicide, to be labeled with a warning that the product could cause cancer, which Hilgers said makes the chemical more expensive for Nebraska farmers. If the EPA declines to make new rules, Hilgers said he could take the agency to court.

Nebraska state senators expressed frustration with property tax proposals -- and with each other -- as they continued to slog through their special legislative session Wednesday.

Omaha Public Schools is gearing up for the academic year with new, alternatively-fueled buses.