Nebraska Update

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 18, include: people at Lancaster County jail are waiting for placement at Lincoln Regional Center as concerns grow over psychiatric bed shortages, Nebraska voters are seeing rise in independent candidates running for office, Nebraska ranks last nationally for contested county prosecutor elections according to new University of North Carolina study, foresters are monitoring worsening drought conditions and urging Nebraskans to help protect tree health, U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to move two major seed banks from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 15, include: Lancaster County is asking for triple fuel allocation this fiscal year as rising fuel prices continue to strain county operations, independent candidate has entered Nebraska's 1st Congressional District race, nearly 100 University of Nebraska faculty members are departing through voluntary buyouts, Nebraska schools continue responding to wave of swatting calls statewide, U.S. House approved year-round E15 gasoline sales and sent bill to Senate, Nebraska softball players credit longtime coach Rhonda Revelle and staff for building culture that helped lead Huskers back to regional.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 14, include: Nebraska Republicans and Democrats are regrouping after Tuesday's primary election as voters weighed key issues shaping the state's political direction, Nebraska posted its lowest primary turnout since 2018, Dawson County turnout dropped sharply following Tyson Foods plant closure in Lexington, Secretary of State primary could shape how future Nebraska elections are run, legislative primary results raise questions about Republican supermajority, two Gen Z legislative candidates fell short in their races, voters rejected school bond proposals in four districts, Republican and Democrat advanced in competitive State Board of Education race.

This is a Nebraska Update Special Election Report from the Nebraska Public Media Newsroom for May 13. Incumbent Secretary of State Bob Evnen lost in the biggest upset of Nebraska's primary election night in one of the state's most closely watched statewide contests. Democrat Denise Powell edged ahead of John Cavanaugh in the late hours of the Democratic Second Congressional District primary. Chris Backemyer secured the Democratic nomination in the First Congressional District and will face Mike Flood in November. Republican voters in the Third Congressional District chose their incumbent Adrian Smith once again. Gov. Jim Pillen will face former state Sen. Lynne Walz in the general election. Sen. Pete Ricketts cruised to victory with about 80 percent of the Republican primary vote in the U.S. Senate Republican primary. Six candidates advanced in University of Nebraska Board of Regents races. Two races for the Nebraska Legislature in Omaha delivered surprising results.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 12, include: Nebraskans still have time to cast ballots in state primary election before polls close at 8 p.m. Central Time, cruise ship passenger who tested positive for hantavirus is being monitored and tested at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska's Medical Cannabis Commission approved inspections for licensed medical marijuana cultivators, Lincoln City Council voted to maintain $15 minimum wage standard and allow for future increases, farmers facing difficult economy are weighing how much to invest in this year's crops, Nebraska's longtime Revisor of Statutes Marcia McClurg is retiring after more than 40 years helping draft laws for Legislature.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 11, include: Monday is final day for Nebraskans to cast ballots early in person before Tuesday's primary election, "dark money" pours into Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District race, Nebraska's primary election marks first since 2024 law restored immediate voting rights for people with felony convictions after completing their sentences, Lincoln's proposed minimum wage increase faces legal questions after opinion from Nebraska attorney general, University of Nebraska Medical Center will monitor American passengers from cruise ship linked to hantavirus outbreak, Nebraska education officials approved preschool expansion grants in narrow vote, Gov. Jim Pillen is seeking federal assistance for wildfire recovery in four counties, Husker volleyball announced another stop in national showcase schedule, Nebraska softball will host first NCAA Tournament games since 2013.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 8, include: Nebraska's Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act Board approved two sports facility tax incentive projects in Omaha and Lincoln while rejecting nine others, casinos have set record after record since voters legalized gambling at racetrack casinos in 2020, Nebraska baseball head coach Will Bolt discusses plans for new $5.5 million clubhouse renovation, worldwide Canvas outage tied to reported cybersecurity issue is disrupting finals week across Nebraska campuses, UNL and Southeast Community College are both reporting record graduation numbers this spring, Nebraska ranchers are adjusting operations as exceptional drought conditions expand across state, SNAP retailers will soon face new federal stocking requirements affecting food access, Nebraska homeowners are increasingly turning to native plants as water costs rise.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 7, include: gas prices top $4 statewide which is over a dollar higher than last year, some Nebraskans' anger with Legislature for not following will of voters is playing role in this year's election, Dr. Dele Davies named priority candidate for UNMC chancellor, Omaha company works to close venture capital gap for women, new law delays homeschooling during CPS investigations, horn fly infestations worsen with warmer weather.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 6, include: USDA plans to shift some Washington staff to Clay Center, federal cuts halt projects helping underserved farmers, Nebraska volleyball set for high-stakes exhibition tournament in Texas, Huskers claim top seed entering Big Ten Softball Tournament, downtown Omaha soccer stadium project moves forward.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 5, include: minimum wage policy tied to Lincoln City Council discussions, rising farm costs linked to global shipping disruptions, Nebraska volleyball releases Big Ten schedule, Lincoln Fire and Rescue survey reveals morale concerns, new inspector general named for state corrections system, fireworks industry faces worker shortages ahead of July Fourth, Omaha residents reflect on historic streetcar era.