Nebraska Update

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 28, include: Democratic U.S. Senate primary candidate who lost race has filed lawsuit against Nebraska Democratic Party to replace nominee who dropped out, longtime Nebraska weather forecaster Kent Boughton has died after battling stage 4 cancer, parents raise concerns after electrical and water issues during National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska men's basketball schedules exhibition game against Kansas State in Grand Island this October, number of school districts in Nebraska is dwindling and it's pushing some Nebraskans to find new purpose for those shuttered schoolhouses.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 27, include: Gov. Jim Pillen is in Japan and Philippines on trade mission focused on expanding export opportunities for Nebraska agriculture, decade-long study found concerning pesticide levels in rivers across U.S. including Dodge County's Maple Creek, Nebraska's U.S. House delegation is divided over Republican proposal that would grant temporary legal status to undocumented farmworkers, experts say warmer drier conditions and emerging crop diseases could affect this year's Nebraska corn harvest, immigration advocates and business leaders met in York to discuss workforce shortages and immigration reform, Hallam residents raised concerns about proposed partnership involving Monolith and Denver-based AI factory, Nebraska is at forefront of new college athletics business model as schools pursue jersey sponsorships to help fund athlete payments.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 24, include: Federal SNAP eligibility changes tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill have reduced food assistance participation among many immigrants and refugees in Nebraska, contributing to a 15% drop in household enrollment compared with June of last year. Macy Byars reports on how the changes are affecting families and community organizations, Omaha approves a nearly $39 million contract with Herzog Transit Services to test and operate the city's new streetcar system, volunteers continue Nebraska's annual butterfly census to track prairie butterfly populations and ecosystem health, and Lincoln's first cat cafe signs its lease and plans to open in late 2026 with a community-focused mission.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 23, include: Nebraska's budget outlook has shifted from a small surplus to a projected $200 million shortfall. Sen. Robert Clements says the state has enough cash reserves to avoid a special session and believes agency spending cuts could cover the gap, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lynne Walz outlines her plan to address what she calls the state's budget crisis, Tom Osborne becomes the first living inductee into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, Gage County residents continue pressing officials for action on a proposed data center moratorium. Omaha Public Schools plans lower pay increases, a higher tax levy and reserve spending to offset a $50.6 million aid shortfall, and Sen. Pete Ricketts backs legislation to limit birthright citizenship.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 22, include: Omaha Mayor John Ewing signed the city's minimum wage ordinance, setting up an expected legal battle with Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers over whether Omaha can maintain a $15 hourly minimum wage despite conflicting state law, Omaha Mayor John Ewing unveils the proposed 2027 city budget, Gov. Jim Pillen urges the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission to induct former Husker football coach Tom Osborne, Nebraska housing leaders cautiously assess the impact of a new federal housing law, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cindy Burbank asks to be removed from the November ballot, Lincoln-based Hexagon Agility lands a $100 million contract tied to growing data center demand, Advocates continue pushing for stronger support for after-school programs, and a University of Nebraska-led partnership receives a $10 million National Science Foundation grant to expand STEM opportunities statewide.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 21, include: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order preventing data center developers from receiving state tax incentives. The move follows his push earlier this year for additional regulation of large-scale data center development in Nebraska, court documents detail threats made against Gov. Pillen's family, leading to felony charges against an Omaha man, independent congressional candidate Mark Cohen says he has collected enough signatures to qualify for Nebraska's 3rd District ballot, Good Government Lincoln submitted petitions proposing changes to city elections and term limits, Omaha leaders unveiled designs for the city's new public safety headquarters, and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved additional fees and regulatory updates as it continues building the state's medical cannabis program.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 20, include: Gov. Jim Pillen prepares executive order suspending data center tax incentives, Nebraska election officials review Cindy Burbank's request to withdraw from U.S. Senate race, judge issues injunction against Lincoln's minimum wage ordinance, Dawson County receives temporary exemption from new federal Medicaid work requirements, inflation and SNAP benefit reductions continue to strain many Nebraska families, Lincoln Electric System unveils its first zinc battery storage project, Jordan Larson reflects on returning from retirement to play for LOVB Nebraska, Sidney continues rebuilding nearly decade after losing Cabela's headquarters.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 17, include: Nebraska reports 49 cases of cyclosporiasis as health officials continue investigating whether any are connected to nationwide outbreak, University of Nebraska campuses prepare for $29 million in budget reductions following 5% spending cut order, Dan Osborn officially qualifies for Nebraska's U.S. Senate ballot as fundraising attacks continue, Logan County approves data center moratorium while regulations are developed, Hallam planning commissioners hear Monolith's proposal for potential data center, another restaurant closes at Mahoney State Park, National High School Finals Rodeo organizers outline livestock disease precautions, Lincoln's historic Pershing Center mural is fully reconstructed in its new home, third-country deportations is expanding under Trump administration.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 16, include: Nebraska election officials confirmed two groups submitted signatures to form new political parties ahead of November election, Nebraska's June tax receipts fell 7% below forecast, DHHS appointed new interim leader for Nebraska's youth correctional facilities and announced operational reforms, new regional bioeconomy partnership could help bring emerging industries to rural Nebraska, Once Again launches a new season with a look at the Nebraska invention that transformed agriculture.

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed CD2 Democratic nominee Denise Powell during campaign stop at Omaha's Metro Community College, Omaha City Council approved minimum wage ordinance restoring $15 wage for younger workers despite legal concerns and ongoing state challenge to Lincoln's similar ordinance, EPIC Option launched new campaign to qualify its tax overhaul proposal for 2028 ballot using paid petition circulators, Cass County officials considered moratorium on data centers during planning commission meeting in Weeping Water, State Auditor Mike involving three villages, David City and Plains Historical Society, American Red Cross declared nationwide blood emergency as Nebraska officials urged residents to donate, ranchers across western and central Nebraska are rebuilding after historic drought and devastating wildfires.