Nebraska Update

Organizers of the petition drive supporting medical marijuana in Nebraska "feel really good" about the number of signatures they turned over to the Secretary of State. They had collected over 114,000 signatures on each of the two petitions necessary to change state law. The petitions must be verified to ensure that all are from voters registered in Nebraska. Two years ago, the group fell short of that threshold.

Water has begun receding along most of Nebraska’s eastern border, but the flood is peaking in Rulo in the state’s southeast corner. Further north, Nebraska City is past the worst of the flooding. However, Jim Terrell with the Missouri River Basin Forecast Center said the water has risen back into a moderate flood stage after several inches of rainfall in the area Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Support Our Schools Nebraska has two more weeks to collect signatures for its referendum aiming to repeal a law giving $10 million to the State Treasurer for private and religious school scholarships. This is different from the deadline for most other petitions, which was Wednesday, July 3.

Randy Olson's farmland was buried beneath several feet of murky water. By Friday afternoon, the water had receded a few feet from its peak, leaving behind a swamp of rotting corn, soybeans and other debris in its wake.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed using National Guard troops to help arrest and deport people living in the country illegally.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed using National Guard troops to help arrest and deport people living in the country illegally.

Many small businesses owners are planning on retiring soon, but finding buyers to keep the businesses going can be a challenge, especially in rural areas.

A group campaigning for paid sick leave for Nebraskans announced Thursday it has collected 138,000 signatures through its petition drive, which would be enough to put the issue on the ballot in November. If passed, the initiative would require businesses in Nebraska to offer at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours an employee worked. Jo Giles, a ballot sponsor for Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans, says the accomplishment is the result of years of organizing and strategizing.

The federal government says new safety standards and building materials mean home buyers priced out of site-built houses have viable options. As storms become stronger and more frequent, experts are tempering expectations.

Floodwaters continue to rise in Omaha and Bellevue as the Missouri River crest flows southward this week. The NRD has closed slide gates and culverts that empty into rivers and installed a flood wall barrier along railroad tracks in Bellevue. Winkler says water levels should begin to subside by Sunday.