Nebraska Update

The Nebraska State Patrol had another busy year. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson recently asked Patrol Superintendent, Colonel John Bolduc to characterize 2024.

A new law giving people more control over their personal information online took effect in Nebraska Wednesday. The Nebraska Data Privacy Act allows consumers to access, correct or delete the data companies collect about them. It also enables Nebraskans to opt out of their data being sold to other companies or third parties. Consumers can download a universal opt out mechanism on their web browser, which automatically sends a signal to every website that they don’t want their data being sold.

Minden, Nebraska has been known as the Christmas City ever since Santa Claus himself made the declaration in 1923. The Kearney County Courthouse’s bright red and green lights can be seen from miles away and the community’s annual Light of the World Pageant brings visitors from across the region. “People really gasp when they see those lights," said Jack Hultquist, a longtime Minden resident. Now, the community is looking for ways to keep its traditions going for the next 100 years.

Keegan Smutz and his bridge maintenance crew help cut, deliver and decorate the Durham’s annual Christmas tree. Smutz has helped bring Christmas to Omaha for 10 years now.

Ridership on Amtrak in Nebraska has doubled in the past two years. According to data from the passenger rail carrier, ticket sales broke records nationwide in Fiscal Year 2024. The California Zephyr, the cross-country line serving Nebraska, makes makes one eastbound and one westbound stop at five stations. It’s a historic route traveling between Chicago and the San Francisco area. According to Amtrak’s annual report released this month, over 350,000 people used that line. That’s an increase of a 6.9 percent over the previous year.

Governor Jim Pillen announced the winners of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development grants Friday. Each of the grants were worth two hundred thousand dollars. The Southeast Nebraska Development District received funds to inventory the region’s water and wastewater infrastructure. The SPARK Developer Academy in Omaha and Central Nebraska Development District each won grants aimed at solving the affordable housing crisis. The grants are part of the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative, which launched earlier this year. The initiative was created to fund economic development projects in each of the state’s six community college districts.

As the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, Scott Phillips traveled the state and country sharing his experiences as an educator. But those events are winding down as his time in the role comes to a close.

Nebraska faces a projected budget shortfall, which has senators downplaying expections for the upcoming legislative session.

A volunteer snow removal program in Lincoln is heading into its thirteenth winter season. The Snow Angels program connects volunteers with older adults and individuals with disabilities who are unable to clear their own sidewalks and driveways. Lincoln City Ordinance requires people to clear snow and ice from sidewalks by 9 a.m. the day after a snowstorm. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up on the Lincoln City website.

Howard Hawks was more than a businessman and community leader. One woman shares his personal impact on her life.