Nebraska Update

School officials in various parts of Nebraska say this year seemed easier than previous years to staff. Nebraska Public Media News spoke with several district leaders to hear how staffing levels are headed into the school year.

As Nebraska’s row crop production continues to grow, farmers are looking for new markets for their corn and soybeans. Jet fuel made from biomass could be the answer they are looking for. At Friday’s Sustainable Aviation Fuels Conference in Ashland, political and business leaders alike said the state is well-positioned to become a major player in the burgeoning industry. Jacki Fee, a biofuels specialist with Cargill, explained why.

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy offers resources to children with autism and to their families. One effort hopes to expand this support during a time of Medicaid cuts and geographic lack of access.

Hundreds of Elkhorn elementary students returned from summer break this week to find their new schools still under construction.

University of Nebraska regents approved NU President Jeffrey Gold’s performance-based merit pay at their meeting Thursday, with two voting no, citing concerns with budget cuts. Gold’s contract outlines that he can receive up to 15% in performance-based merit pay each year if he meets certain metrics. He received almost 98% on his performance review, meaning he should receive the full additional pay.

Several hundred state leaders in agriculture and manufacturing gathered in Kearney today/Thursday to discuss how to develop Nebraska’s economy. Gov. Jim Pillen touted the potential for Nebraska to grow its bioeconomy through investments in ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel and plastic products made from corn. Thursday morning, Husker football head coach Matt Rhule addressed the summit with a message about dreaming big. The governor said he’s dreaming big too.

To address the substantial shortage of mental health providers in Nebraska, a pair of Omaha doctors came up with, what is believed to be, a first-of-its-kind project. Primary care and non-psychiatric specialists are trained to provide early mental health treatment in places where patients and the public already come for care. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson talked with Clarkson Regional Health Services CEO Dr. Bill Lydiatt, a co-founder of the Bridges to Mental Health Workforce Expansion Project, to find out why it’s so groundbreaking.

Americans are losing their starry views to light pollution. But some communities are make lighting decisions to help preserve night skies – while benefiting wildlife and human health.

Omaha’s Metro Transit has premiered a new micro transit program called Metro Flex. The goal of Metro Flex is to fill gaps in-between areas where it is difficult to have regular and fixed public transportation.

With students packing their backpacks and teachers preparing their lessons, many Nebraska schools are preparing for classes to start up this month. Nebraska’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Lindsey Wilson is getting ready to welcome back her students at Bennington Middle School in just a few days.