Nebraska Update

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 25, include: first of seven out-of-state petition circulators accused of fraud in Lincoln appeared in court Monday, Lancaster County certified first of three Good Government Lincoln petitions, objection challenges ballot initiative over Nebraska's single-subject rule, state audit highlights potential fraud in Aged and Disabled Waiver program, new coalition launched campaign for greater child care subsidies, Attorney General Mike Hilgers entered lawsuit over Democratic Senate ballot vacancy, Omaha announced four affordable housing projects using nearly $6 million in city loans, four more sinkholes formed in Omaha's Blackstone neighborhood, Nebraska will begin women's flag football in spring, Omaha's Little Italy reflects enduring traditions of Sicilian immigrants who settled there in early 1900s.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 24, include: more data center developers are exploring land near Hallam in southwestern Lancaster County, two initiatives to legalize online sports betting in Nebraska have qualified for November general election ballot, Nebraska cattle leaders and members of Congress are criticizing plans for increased foreign beef imports, confirmed Nebraska cases of cyclosporiasis linked to tainted lettuce have more than doubled in two weeks, Husker and Maverick Athletics raised combined $130 million in donations over past year, Legal Marijuana NOW U.S. Senate candidate Mike Marvin has dropped out, corn futures reached 18-month high as lower yield predictions boost prices, Omaha's sinkhole problems have raised questions about whether ongoing construction is responsible or whether deeper geological factors are involved.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 21, include: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited National Quarantine Unit at University of Nebraska Medical Center Thursday and met with members of press following his tour, Nebraska Supreme Court agreed to hear appeals challenging the validity of two new political parties, Lincoln joined Omaha in environmental grant program for young people, Wahoo is turning local foxes into interactive public art with new downtown mural, annual Tecmo Bowl National Championship brings players from across the country to Omaha.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 20, include: Department of Revenue won't pursue proposal to reduce property tax breaks to help balance state budget, use of electric shock gloves in Omaha schools brought firestorm of criticism in last week, Identity Preparatory Academy in North Omaha celebrated its first day of school Wednesday, Lancaster County judge paved way for two new political parties to field candidates for November ballot, Good Government Lincoln group has submitted for second time petition signatures with hopes to change Lincoln elections, Lynne Walz released more details on plan for what her potential gubernatorial administration would accomplish, rural hospital in western Nebraska announced Wednesday it filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln just got $37 million more for its new research facility partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nebraska's Domestic Abuse Death Review Team released its annual report on Wednesday, nearly 100-year-old Veterans Administration Hospital in Lincoln is set to undergo renovations to provide affordable housing.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 19, include: Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Ray is requesting that school resource officers no longer use electric shock gloves, Nebraska sued Omaha over city's $15 minimum wage ordinance, Nebraska approved permit for hog operation near Niobrara River in Cherry County, CEO of Friend hospital resigned after state auditor's report found more than $38,000 in improper credit card spending, roundabouts have become familiar part of driving in Nebraska.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 17, include: Lincoln judge is set to decide whether Secretary of State Bob Evnen has authority to reject new political party if he determines its name is intentionally deceptive, Metropolitan Community College and The Bay are launching program for young adults to explore manufacturing careers through professional certifications, University of Nebraska at Omaha is using $8 million grant to establish center for 3D-printed health care technology, new U.S. Geological Survey research finds nutrient pollution increased in many streams and rivers, State of Nebraska is still early in process of creating new healthcare model that can provide around-the-clock crisis care to people needing mental health or substance use help.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 17, include: state agencies are considering a range of hypothetical strategies to meet additional budget cuts under Gov. Jim Pillen, Nebraska's July tax receipts came in 0.1% below forecast, hundreds of Nebraskans rallied near McCook detention facility Saturday nearly a year after it became ICE detention center, Omaha Police Department demonstrated its use of electric shock gloves in schools Friday, Nebraska will receive $600,000 in federal child welfare funding for predictive AI technology, former Republican state Sen. Brett Lindstrom failed to qualify for gubernatorial race by petition after officials found significant number of fraudulent signatures, Nebraska homeschooled students are heading back to class this month.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 14, include: lawmakers across Midwest have tried and failed to ban toxic weedkiller paraquat that's tied to Parkinson's disease, University of Nebraska is seeking increased state funding after years of budget cuts, officers in at least two Nebraska law enforcement departments have used electric shock gloves for years, Democratic Lancaster County attorney challenger Randall Ritnour called on current attorney to step aside from Lincoln fraudulent petition case, organizers behind ballot initiative requiring Lincoln to staff at least 450 police officers paused their efforts and said initiative will not be on November ballot, education leaders have concerns about teenagers using AI chatbots for emotional support or advice, two Lincoln families are suing state over public school policies they say violate their free speech rights, party-line disagreements have paused progress on five-year Farm Bill.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 13, include: court hearing about efforts to keep two newly-formed political parties off ballot did not result in decision, independent candidate Mark Cohen has qualified for November ballot in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District, Nebraska's federal delegation discussed affordability and other issues at Federal Legislative Summit in Ashland, Sen. Pete Ricketts said China is driving negative press about AI and data center development in Nebraska, Ricketts introduced legislation aimed at speeding federal wildfire preparation and response, Nebraska schools are using AI to support teachers and students while education leaders stress it should not replace learning, University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider several degree cuts Thursday, Omaha's proposed $1.7 billion 2027 budget moved closer to approval.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 12, include: closure of Tyson Foods plant in Lexington left workers with lots of questions, Omaha school gets approval to open after initial hesitation from Republican members on State Board of Education, Nebraska universities are considering how to implement AI responsibly as national data shows about 90% of college students are using AI in class, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has distributed about $140 million through Rural Health Transformation Program, Omaha will cover cost of demolishing or repairing former Brother's Lounge building, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced $17 million volleyball complex ballot initiative, environmental groups say raising awareness of prairies could help spur conservation efforts.