Nebraska Update

The 109th Nebraska Legislature is officially in session. The Norris Chamber at the state capitol was filled with the families of senators Wednesday morning. The newly appointed Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court Jeffrey Funke swore in the 25 senators elected or reelected in November. After the swearing in ceremony, senators got to work electing the Speaker of the Legislature and 17 committee chairs.

A national construction association has released its annual report with expected challenges and outlooks during Donald Trump’s first year back in office. Here are the details on what construction firms in Nebraska are most concerned about for 2025.

Urban and suburban school districts may have a funding and staffing edge when it comes to implementing laws to support students with unstable housing. But, homeless education liaisons in small rural districts say close-knit communities make for efficient identification and support for students eligible for services.

The current Husker track at Innovation Campus in Lincoln doesn't have seating. Due to that and pandemic cancellations, the track and field program hasn’t hosted an outdoor meet since May 2019.

Governor Jim Pillen named Jewel Rodgers as Nebraska’s next state poet today/Monday during a ceremony at the state capitol. Rodgers will serve a five-year term as an advocate for poetry, literature and literacy on behalf of the state.She says she hopes to use the role to amplify the work of Nebraska writers and inspire others to consume more poetry. Rodgers is the first African American and youngest person to be named Nebraska State Poet.

Lincoln University in Missouri is heading a USDA-funded project researching the commodity, but its prohibition created high hurdles for getting the crop off the ground.

By the end of 2024, Omaha's Douglas County saw a record-breaking amount of whooping cough cases. This comes alongside large numbers of whooping cough cases both statewide and nationally.

On the first day of the 119th Congress, the House of Representatives gathered to elect a speaker. Democrats were united in voting for Hakeem Jeffries of New York, while all but one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, ultimately ended up voting for Mike Johnson of Louisiana. That was enough to give Johnson 218 votes, the exact number needed to be elected speaker.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health works with clinics to offer same day scheduling and walk-in appointments. There are multiple providers available in each of the state’s six behavioral health regions. A list of providers can be found on the DHHS Same Day webpage.

A Lincoln-based group is asking immigrants and refugees what their experiences are like coming to the state. Here’s how those survey results will be used.