Nebraska Update

Friday, April 29th, marks the 150th Arbor Day. It started in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in 1872.

In 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has planted approximately 500 million trees. The Lincoln-based organization said it intends to plant another 500 million trees in the next five years alone, to celebrate 50 years of service.

State Sen. Rich Pahls, who represented his west Omaha district for 10 years in the Legislature, has died.

Despite critical fire weather Tuesday, firefighters continued to make progress on the Road 702 Fire in southwest Nebraska. Nebraska Emergency Management says the fire is now 74% contained.

The city of Lincoln will pay $497,500 to a protester who was injured in the Black Lives Matter protest in May 2020.

Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Brett Lindstrom, Theresa Thibodeau and Charles Herbster debated Monday in Holdrege.

Get to know the Republican candidates ahead of May’s primary: Larry Anderson and Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley for state auditor. Paul Anderson and Incumbent John Murante for state treasurer.

Get to know the Republican candidates ahead of May’s primary: Jennifer Hicks and State Senator Mike Hilgers for Attorney General; Rex Schroder, Robert Borer, and Incumbent Bob Evnen for Secretary of State.

An analysis of gubernatorial primary voter turnout reveals that tight races mean low thresholds for victory.

Republican candidate for governor Charles Herbster filed a lawsuit Friday against State Sen. Julie Slama. This comes a week after the Nebraska Examiner reported accusations that Herbster groped and inappropriately touched Slama and seven other women.

The latest Rural Mainstreet Index shows many positives, but lower expectations.