Six years after flooding devastated Nebraska and claimed four lives, communities are still recovering. And as that recovery continues, the federal government’s role is unclear.

Host Intro: People who assault hospital workers or pharmacists would get harsher sentences under a bill advancing in the Legislature. And defense contractors who move to Nebraska would get a break on their income taxes, under another proposal that’s moving ahead. From the Capitol, Fred Knapp of Nebraska Public Media News has this legislative update:

A lifesaving program started in Virginia in 1999 continues to help find lost autistic children in Nebraska. Project LifeSaver is designed to help protect children with a tendency to wander. Lincoln businessman Dan Young and retired Lincoln Police Officer Todd Beam are responsible for spreading the program across Nebraska.

The Nebraska Legislature Tuesday considered enhancing penalties for assaults on hospital workers and pharmacists.

Nebraska track and field athletes had not won an indoor NCAA championship in more than a decade. That was until this year, at the 2025 Championships. Senior Axelina Johansson won the women’s shot put title, the first Husker woman to win an indoor crown in 20 years. Fellow senior Tyus Wilson took home the men’s high jump championship, the first men’s indoor title in 16 years.

The Nebraska Legislature gave first-round approval Monday to asking voters to legalize mobile online sports betting.

Thousands of schools, farmers and food pantries in the Midwest and Great Plains planned on federal dollars over the next year to support local food purchases. And then the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut the programs.

The Nebraska Department of Education and state K-12 schools have not yet responded to a federal directive to eliminate DEI programs. It’s one of several things that NDE Commissioner Brian Maher said the state department is waiting for clarity on.

The Nebraska Legislature Friday advanced a proposal to scale back tax incentive and credit programs in order to help balance the budget.

More than 500 measles cases and two deaths have been reported in Texas this year, and the outbreak is spreading to other parts of the country. As of Friday, Nebraska does not have any reported cases, but neighboring states Kansas and Colorado do. At a press conference Friday afternoon, Gov. Jim Pillen said the virus’ arrival in Nebraska is not a matter of if, but when.