Creighton volleyball has reached its highest ranking in school history. Creighton has been ranked sixth in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll for several weeks in a row.

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the UNMC hospital staff create costumes for the patients in the NICU. They always follow a theme and this year it's “Game Night in the NICU.” Some of the costumes featured are Mario and Princess Peach, Mr. Monopoly and even Scrabble. While the costumes and photos are cute, this yearly tradition holds a deeper meaning.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is one of the country’s oldest Latino advocacy groups. For the first time, three national presidents are in Nebraska promoting Latino voters and making an endorsement.

The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development mission area took his first trip to Nebraska this week as Under Secretary. As part of his trip, Doctor Basil Gooden spoke at the Rural Community Assistance Partnership Conference and visited the Greater Omaha Packing Company. The company received a $20 million Meat and Poultry Procession Expansion Program grant from USDA Rural Development in 2022 in order to strengthen food supply chains.

The city of Fremont will host its first Hispanic Business Banquet to recognize the economic impact of Latino entrepreneurs in the state.

As Halloween draws near, opportunities for free candy are beginning to pop up. Amongst these are sensory friendly trunk or treating events. That’s when those hosting take into account people with different types of disabilities. Sensory friendly events like these are becoming more popular.

Only one Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice has served longer than the current Chief Justice. Mike Heavican retires at the end of October after 18 years on the bench. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson sat down with the 77 year old Schuyler native to talk about his life as a lawyer.

With the dust settled from Nebraska’s special legislative session on property taxes, the conversation now switches to how these policies will impact the state. Nebraska Public Media’s Brian Beach reports on what legislators and tax experts hope to see moving forward.

In an important conference matchup, Nebraska football was routed by Indiana Saturday, 56-7. It’s the Huskers’ second biggest loss since joining the Big Ten and the 26th straight loss to ranked opponents.

Cultivated meat – meat grown from animal cells – is touted as a way to meet growing global demand with far fewer climate impacts. Yet two states banned the sale of cultivated meat earlier this year, and there are proposals in several Midwestern states to do the same.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz campaigned in Papillion Saturday.

Students, parents and school staff have made about 3,500 reports through the Safe2Help Nebraska app since it rolled out in 2020. The program offers an anonymous way for individuals to report concerning incidents, like bullying and self-harm.

The extension of the 2018 Farm Bill expired in September. Pressure is mounting for Congress to pass new legislation, as tough weather and low crop prices challenge farm budgets.

Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson reached out to Kristen Olson, an expert in survey methodology in UNL’s Bureau of Sociological Research, to talk about changes in the science of polling since 2016.

Farmers harvesting their crops are well aware of dangerous fire conditions. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson recently talked about it with Jenny Rees, Extension Educator for the University.

A festival in the Omaha-metro area highlights Latinas in what some may view as unconventional. The Midwest Chingona Fest empowers women by directly combatting a centuries-old philosophy.

Union Adventist University’s Disaster Response team returned early Monday morning from a week of assisting communities affected by the hurricane in North Carolina. The team helped with tree removal, cleaning up houses and supplying people with food and water.

More than 4,800 students are considered homeless in Nebraska, and school districts can do only so much to help. Many rely on partnerships with local organizations to support student needs outside of school.

Omaha Benson High School has canceled and forfeited the rest of its football games this season. Benson High is 0-7 on the season including three losses by 60 or more points.

Programs that provide drought relief to farmers use the U.S. Drought Monitor to determine eligibility, but some experts say it doesn’t always capture local conditions.

Kernza is a perennial grain that can produce an annual crop, even as it stays in the ground for up to four years. Its deep root system make it a sustainable crop, but the grain doesn't have many markets.

Queer Nite, an organization in Omaha, celebrated an event called "Out in the Park" Sunday afternoon. It celebrated Omaha’s LGBTQ+ history through drag performances as well as promoting the Queer History of Omaha Mapping Project and UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives.

We look behind some of the claims and counterclaims made by Rep. Don Bacon and state Sen. Tony Vargas in their race in Nebraska's Second Congressional District.

For anyone competing in triathlons, it takes tremendous determination and discipline. That's Bellevue resident Andrew Tupper's foundation for his humble journey to the World Triathlon Championships.

Members of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District met with local landowner Bill Oberg and his wife on Thursday near Lincoln’s Nine Mile Prairie. They celebrated the closing of a 75-acre conservation easement of the property. A conservation easement is a way to use other people’s land to solve conservation issues. In case, they placed the 75-acres in the hands of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.

A group of 20 states are included in the litigation against CMS, arguing there aren’t enough nurses to meet the new standards. The federal agency hopes to increase staffing requirements to improve care across the country.

A new survey from The Midwest Newsroom and Emerson College Polling Center asked registered voters in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska about measures on Nov. 5 ballots as well as a variety of political, social and economic subjects.

Election officials and security experts from across the country met in Omaha Wednesday to discuss how to mitigate security risks ahead of the general election. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen said each ballot counting machine is tested three times prior to election day and county websites are monitored for cybersecurity threats weekly. He encouraged citizens to volunteer as poll workers and election observers to see the process firsthand.

Lincoln’s South Branch Library unveiled its new mural Wednesday. The library chose Chloe Burgett (BUR-Gitt), a local children’s book artist, to paint the installation. The process began in September with a community event where people from the neighborhood painted the background.

November’s ballot is unique from past elections for a few reasons: two senators are up for election for the first time in decades. There are also several ballot measures. Here’s how that has impacted voting education this year.

Republican Congressman Don Bacon and Democratic State Senator Tony Vargas clashed over issues of abortion, public safety and bipartisanship during their second debate Tuesday evening hosted by Nebraska Public Media. Vargas touted his record of cutting taxes in the Unicameral and criticized Bacon for cosponsoring the Life At Conception Act three times. Bacon spoke about his ability to work across the aisle in Washington, while accusing Vargas of being anti-police.

The Midwest Newsroom and its partners found that homeless students eligible for enrollment, transportation and academic support in most rural school districts are not getting these services because the districts are undercounting students without stable housing and not applying for available funds.

A Monday morning explosion in O’Neill Nebraska destroyed the St. Patrick’s Parish Center and damaged a nearby school and hospital. There are no injuries reported, but patients at Avera (uh-VAIR-uh) Saint Anthony’s Hospital were evacuated to another hospital and classes were canceled at St. Mary’s Grade School and High School. An investigation from the Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office is ongoing into the cause of the explosion.

A Monday morning explosion in O’Neill Nebraska destroyed the St. Patrick’s Parish Center and damaged a nearby school and hospital. There are no injuries reported, but patients at Avera (uh-VAIR-uh) Saint Anthony’s Hospital were evacuated to another hospital and classes were canceled at St. Mary’s Grade School and High School. An investigation from the Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office is ongoing into the cause of the explosion.

Every month tens of thousands of people go through the process to become U-S citizens—with hundreds choosing to have their naturalization ceremony in Nebraska. Dozens of New Americans in Grand Island became U.S. citizens this year with a main goal in mind: participating in the election.

Five fires broke out in Gage County this past weekend. There were fires near Odell, Holmesville and Pickerell. A combination of dry conditions and high temperatures with strong winds created the perfect formula for wildfires to start and spread. The fires are 100 percent contained.

Crop prices have returned to more normal levels this year — down from record highs. As farmers expect less income this year, that's likely to send ripples through the larger agricultural economy.

Union Adventist University’s Disaster Response Team has been deployed to assist in clean up following the destruction of Hurricane Helene. The team of 35 students and faculty are currently in Newland, North Carolina assisting the small town. They plan to return on Sunday, October 13th.

A new survey from The Midwest Newsroom and Emerson College Polling Center asked registered voters in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska about measures on Nov. 5 ballots as well as a variety of political, social and economic subjects.

The State Board of Education discussed a policy arming authorized school staff in smaller school districts at its meeting Friday.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will vote on whether to allow alcohol sales at all University athletic events Friday. If approved, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has the goal of offering booze by next fall. Students shared a variety of views on the issue.

Five years after the EPA first issued a no-drink order for the Santee Sioux reservation in northern Nebraska, the tribe has finally been assured they will have the funding to do something about it. But there’s still a long road ahead for the Santee - at minimum three years of planning and construction for a pipeline to bring in water from South Dakota.

Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation – or Nebraska VR – celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month by honoring those creating inclusive workspaces.

Tuesday marks the beginning of Nebraska’s Black Maternal Health Month. Advocates are using this time of year to bring awareness to health disparities among Black birthing people. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena was at the launch event.

Nebraska is the only state that uses a draft to find volunteers for election day. For decades, Douglas County is the only one to regularly utilize it. Here's how the jury-duty-like system works ahead of general elections.

Research shows that college students are going hungry at a higher rate than the U.S. population as a whole. Some campuses are taking alternative approaches to tackling student hunger.

Kansas and Missouri agencies have paid thousands of dollars to Street Cop Training. Since The Midwest Newsroom and KCUR began investigating, police departments in both states have stopped using the private company to instruct officers.

The State Auditor criticized one school district’s use of nutrition funds to buy video boards. Chase County Schools in the southwest part of the state used almost $125,000 from the school nutrition fund to help purchase two new video boards in the gym.

A Nebraska man accused of quadruple homicide in Laurel has been found guilty by a Dakota County jury. Thursday morning, the jury convicted Jason Jones with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree arson, and four counts of the use of a firearm to commit a felony. Thursday afternoon, the court held an aggravation hearing to determine whether the nature of Jones’ crimes make him eligible for the death penalty.

Ho Chunk Inc. celebrated its 30th anniversary as the economic development wing of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Wednesday. Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman, who serves in President Joe Biden’s cabinet, visited Winnebago and said Ho-Chunk Inc. serves as a model for other Native American economic development efforts. Since its founding in 1994, Ho-Chunk Inc. has reinvested $44 million dollars of dividends back into the Winnebago tribe.

Friendships, competition and a second family: that’s what you’ll find at the softball fields in La Vista on Monday and Wednesday nights at the Nebraska Senior Softball League.

Prosecuting attorney Sandra Allen encouraged the jury to charge defendant Jason Jones with first-degree murder and first-degree arson. She cited text messages and weapons purchases from Jones indicating his actions were premeditated. Defense attorney Matthew McDonald argued that Jones’ wife Carrie killed one of the victims and that his poor mental state makes him ineligible to receive first-degree murder charges for the three people he did kill. The jury is deliberating the case, and a decision is expected by the end of the week.

The Bronco fire in Sioux County is the latest of seven state of emergencies in Nebraska this year. It’s National Preparedness Month and state officials strongly encouraged people to pack for bad weather.

The FBI is launching a campaign to educate the public on scams after an increase in reported financial losses from fraud in the first part of the year. FBI Omaha Field Office special agent in charge Gene Kowel says the rise of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies have made it easier for criminals to scam people out of their money. Kowel says people should think before transferring large sums of money, especially through cryptocurrency kiosks, to ensure they are not a victim of fraud.

The U.S. Department of Education announced National Blue Ribbon Schools on Monday, with four from Nebraska making the list. Elkhorn Grandview Middle, Wilma Upchurch Elementary in Millard, West Point Elementary and Southern Valley Elementary received the honor this year for their academic achievements.

More grocery stores are closing, and high transportation costs combined with spotty internet service can prevent rural residents from accessing and using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits.

While corn and soybeans dominate the Midwestern landscape today, some farmers are integrating strips of native prairie back into their fields. This conservation practice has expanded to more than a dozen states.

Republican Congressman Don Bacon visited Ukraine last week and met with the country’s leadership, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said Ukrainians are asking for additional weapons, for help improving their air defense system and a path to join NATO. Bacon said abandoning Ukraine could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin to take over other former Soviet Republics like Georgia and Moldova, costing the U.S. more money defending NATO countries.

After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in 2021, the governors of Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska answered his call to tackle crime and illegal immigration along the state’s border with Mexico. Their efforts are failing, critics say.

Supporters of Kamala Harris spoke in Omaha Thursday about their fear that former President Donald Trump would repeal the Affordable Care Act if elected. During the September presidential debate, Trump said he was going to replace the the legislation, but didn’t offer specifics about an alternative plan. Nebraska State Sen. Jen Day, a registered Democrat who represents Sarpy County in the Unicameral, said repealing the act would force patients to choose between putting food on the table and getting the care they need.

Bennington middle school teacher will be the 2025 Teacher of the Year. Nebraska Education Commissioner Brian Maher surprised her with the honor on Thursday.

The Nebraska Cornhusker football squad opens Big Ten play against Illinois Friday. This will also be the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium and one of the most important games in recent memory.

Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts is calling for an investigation into the U.S. Secret Service following the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Ricketts said the public should be confident that all presidential nominees will be protected equally. He also said Democrats need to "stop the violent rhetoric they’ve used against Donald Trump."

Commercial chicken farmers literally bet the farm, spending millions of dollars on land and enormous chicken houses to raise birds they never own — putting their livelihoods in the hands of a single company that is both their supplier and sole buyer. When Tyson closed a processing plant in southeast Missouri, some farmers facing bankruptcy decided to sue.

Nebraska's plans to build a canal to bring water from Colorado come amid that state's own plans for water.

Nebraska is moving ahead on plans for a canal to bring water to the state from Colorado.

Even as the tropical-tasting fruit gains popularity through farmer's markets and festivals, the pawpaw faces big hurdles to reaching a mass market.

University of Nebraska chief financial officer Chris Kabourek is resigning effective at the end of September. Kabourek has worked in the NU system for 27 years. He submitted his resignation in a letter to NU President Jeffrey Gold on Monday.

The organization formerly known as the Immigrant Legal Center plus Refugee Empowerment Center has a new name.

Republican First District Congressman Mike Flood and Democratic challenger Carol Blood met in debate Sunday.

Several community newspapers across Nebraska are the only sources covering local news. Here's how two such owners are keeping news alive in their towns.

The trial for a Nebraska man accused of killing four of his neighbors in the village of Laurel got underway in Dakota County Thursday. Defendant Jason Jones did not appear in court. Prosecuting attorney Corey O’Brien said the state has plans to show the jury more than 1,000 pieces of evidence, including photos, videos and physical objects incriminating Jones. Defense attorney Matthew McDonald said Jones had a mental breakdown the night of the homicides and therefore should not be charged with first-degree, pre-meditated murder. The trial is expected to continue over the next few weeks.

Nebraska Public Media News has learned that the State Ombudsman’s Office is investigating the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Tuesday night is the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in Philadelphia. In Lincoln, Nebraska, there’s a very different kind of red-versus-blue contest happening. It’s on the volleyball court.

When destructive tornadoes hit Lincoln and other cities in eastern Nebraska a few months ago, it changed peoples’ lives. One manufacturing plant was entirely decimated. Here’s what happened to those who lost their jobs.

In August 2022, Jason Jones was arrested in connection with the deaths of four of his neighbors in Laurel, a northeast Nebraska town of 900 people. Jones is facing multiple charges of first-degree murder, first-degree arson, and the use of a firearm to commit a felony. If found guilty, Jones could face the death penalty. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

Gov. Jim Pillen is defending his appointment to the Nebraska Library Commission of a woman who led efforts to remove books from Plattsmouth school libraries.

The Nebraska Department of Education was awarded an almost $55 million grant to be used over the next five years to create a comprehensive literacy program. Nebraska is one of 23 states to receive the grant from the federal government.

Cattle contribute more greenhouse gases than other livestock. The reasons behind that have some ranchers trying to address environmental impacts, while experts say there are also ways for you to curb your plate’s climate footprint.

Heartbreak and triumph, the old and the new. Husker fans and former players say that’s all front of mind as the University of Nebraska and the University of Colorado hit the gridiron Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold will be installed as the ninth University of Nebraska president this afternoon. Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal spoke with Dr. Gold ahead of the ceremony about his investiture and the start of the school year.

U.S. Senate candidates Republican Senator Deb Fischer and independent Dan Osborn announced endorsements from labor groups Tuesday. Fischer touted endorsements from 13 labor unions and trade associations, which include the Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska Hospital Association and the State Troopers Association of Nebraska. Meanwhile, Osborn announced support from 23 labor unions, including the Nebraska AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers and Communications Workers of America.

A parenting group for Spanish-speakers will continue its pilot program in Fremont starting today (Tuesday).

For days, Amy Gholson tracked a shipment of baby turkeys she ordered from an Ohio hatchery. She kept tabs online as the birds began the more than 500-mile trip to the Gholson home near St. Charles, Missouri, via the U.S. Postal Service. The ten birds needed to arrive in two days to ensure they’d survive the trip. It was late March and temperatures were still low, making the speed of the delivery more crucial than usual. But the baby turkeys, or poults, hadn’t even left Ohio when progress halted. “I was going to be able to watch these babies digitally, basically, and they went to the Cleveland distribution warehouse and they stayed there and stayed there,” Gholson said. Postal Service delays have become more persistent in the years following the pandemic and a new ten-year plan put in place by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy aimed at ending billions of dollars a year in losses. Slowdowns in delivery are integral to the plan.

North Omaha community leaders say a housing plan from presidential hopeful Kamala Harris would help develop more affordable housing in the neighborhood. State Sen. Terrell McKinney, Omaha developer Don Curry and housing advocate Kimara Snipes endorsed Harris’ plan to build 3 million new homes in the next four years and provide down payment assistance to first time home buyers. The Harris plan would also provide tax incentives to builders constructing starter homes.

Labor Day is an annual celebration observed on the first Monday in September to recognize economic achievements of American workers. Labor has changed a lot in 142 years. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson reached out to University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sociology professor, Dr. Regina Werum to talk about the newest generation of workers.

Nebraska’s U.S. senators and congressmen touched on a variety of problems and prospects Thursday in their annual Chamber of Commerce-sponsored presentation at the SAC museum near Ashland.

The University of Nebraska campuses in Omaha and Lincoln are dissolving offices focused on diversity. Students on both campuses are concerned with the closures.

Families, child care providers and employees may see some relief in their taxes next year. The programs, the Child Care Tax Credit and the School Readiness Tax Credit, aim to lessen the financial burden for families, providers and those helping improve early education across the state.

Husker football opens its second season under head coach Matt Rhule on Saturday against the University of Texas El Paso at home. Tuesday, the athletic department unveiled some changes to the game day experience at Memorial Stadium.

The Madison County History Museum houses oddities of the county’s history from floor to ceiling. And one volunteer is known to be its walking encyclopedia. Stories of the county’s history aren't the only reason people visit.

Name, Image and Likeness, or NIL, activities have increased in women’s college sports over the last year. At the University of Nebraska, that momentum has inspired a new sponsorship.

The longest-run Black rodeo in the nation, the Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo takes place every year in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. This year, hundreds of spectators and competitors from across the country celebrated the rodeo’s 69th anniversary.

Sen. Pete Ricketts hosted a forum at the Nebraska State Fair on Monday. Alongside Congressman Adrian Smith and other state and federal agribusiness leaders, the group focused on agriculture, trade and government regulations. Ricketts said government overregulation from the Biden administration is hurting Nebraska agriculture producers and he encouraged the audience of around 100 people to educate federal bureaucrats about the agriculture industry.

Meteorologists and climatologists often have a tough job explaining climate change to the public. Now, a new person is leading Nebraska’s Climate Office. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson sat down with the state’s new climatologist to find out what she hopes to accomplish in her new role.

Minnesota Governor and Democratic Vice-Presidential Nominee Tim Walz spent the first half of his life in Nebraska, where he says he learned the value of hard work. While Walz was in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, Nebraska Public Media’s Brian Beach visited the places Walz once called home.

A couple living in Crete are embarking on a unique journey to visit every community in the state. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor followed them to a town just west of Lincoln.

Fremont High School starts the year with new skills labs to improve future employment opportunities

The Nebraska Legislature finished its special session on property taxes Tuesday, giving final approval to a tax bill that was significantly smaller than what was originally proposed.

Independent Dan Osborn submitted his petition to the Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s office aiming to get his name on the ballot for United States Senate. Osborn is running against incumbent Deb Fischer. The union leader and veteran said his campaign sent off about 12,000 unverified signatures to the Secretary of State Bob Evnen. Osborn said that total includes at least 2,000 in each of Nebraska’s congressional districts.

The high schoolers in the construction trades program at Gering Public Schools helped expand the preschool program in the district. The students spent the last year building four new preschool classrooms that will open this fall.

A Nebraska nonprofit for Indigenous women is expanding its reach.

A new internal poll from independent Dan Osborn’s campaign found his race with incumbent Republican Sen. Deb Fischer within the margin of error. The poll, conducted by YouGov between July 31 and August 12, showed Fischer with 43% and Osborn with 41% of 500 registered voters. Most national election forecasters continue to show both Nebraska Senate races as solid Republican.

The horse racetrack at Harrah’s Columbus ran its first slate of races this weekend. About 5,500 people visited the race track over the course of three days in Columbus.

Iowa recently gave the greenlight for what could become the largest carbon capture and sequestration project in the world. But regulatory hurdles, lawsuits and questions remain there and in neighboring states.

Nebraska lawmakers gave second-round approval to expanded property tax credits Friday and gave a preliminary nod to a constitutional amendment to make bigger changes

Nebraska is trying to catch-up with the demand for Thoroughbred race horses.

Heat kills more people every year than any other climate-driven disaster. But experts say hot temperatures are likely causing even more deaths than official numbers show.

Senators in the Nebraska Legislature wrestled with a scaled-down property tax relief proposal today/Thursday, divided between those who said something is better than nothing, and those who want to try and do something more.

A program to make it easier for Nebraska communities to apply for federal transportation grants recently launched. Jodi Gibson with the Nebraska Department of Transportation said the Nebraska Infrastructure Hub was developed to help local and state agencies apply for money from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act. The Hub includes a grant pairing portal and two full-time staff members to assist communities with grant applications.

Horse racing returns to Columbus this weekend but at a brand new location. The race track at the recently opened Harrah’s Columbus casino will host its first racing days starting Friday.

The Nebraska Legislature moved toward advancing a series of budget cuts today/Wednesday, despite arguments they could hurt services and were not necessary.

Lincoln Public Schools started its second school year with a no-phone policy. The district also expanded it's digital hall pass system. Officials say both are helping improve the classroom environment.

Lincoln will open its second bilingual preschool and childcare location this fall.

The Nebraska Legislature gave first-round approval Tuesday to a vastly scaled-back proposal to relieve property taxes.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees is appealing a labor court decision regarding remote work to the Nebraska Supreme Court. In July, the state labor court ruled that Governor Jim Pillen’s executive order requiring state employees to end most remote work arrangements without union bargaining was fully under his authority. Union executive director Justin Hubly said the appeal is necessary to protect workers rights and receive more clarity for the union’s upcoming labor contract with the state.

The Nebraska Legislature moved Monday toward a potentially crucial vote Tuesday on a plan to reduce property taxes.

Two Catholic 7-12 schools in rural Nebraska consolidated. The Archdiocese of Omaha made the decision due to growing priest and teacher shortages. While some in the community support the merger, others are against, saying they are losing the long tradition of their mascot.

At the FBI’s Agriculture Threats Symposium in Omaha Monday, Special Agent in Charge Gene Kowel outlined major cybersecurity risks. The bureau is worried about potential ransomware attacks from criminal groups and foreign adversaries which could shut down farming operations during harvest or planting seasons. Kowel said the security risk is growing exponentially, and farmers should ensure they have multi-factor authentication for all digital farm operations.

Gering’s Japanese Hall highlights little-known history of Japanese Nebraskans and boosts local tourism

The inaugural Nebraska Summit on Justice and Disparities was held at Creighton University Friday. Prison reform activist and New York City councilman Doctor Yusef Salaam was the keynote speaker. The event focused on Nebraska’s criminal justice system, juvenile detention and equitable law enforcement.

The Nebraska Legislature spent another day thrashing around on taxes, before deciding to wait until next week to try again

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is joining 10 other states in requesting the EPA to require labeling rules for agricultural chemicals to be standardized nationwide. California previously enacted a rule mandating glyphosate, a common herbicide, to be labeled with a warning that the product could cause cancer, which Hilgers said makes the chemical more expensive for Nebraska farmers. If the EPA declines to make new rules, Hilgers said he could take the agency to court.

Nebraska state senators expressed frustration with property tax proposals -- and with each other -- as they continued to slog through their special legislative session Wednesday.

Omaha Public Schools is gearing up for the academic year with new, alternatively-fueled buses.

Raw milk continues to grow in popularity, despite bird flu in dairy cattle bringing increased scrutiny from health experts.

Federal income caps are excluding many agricultural workers from affordable housing, leaving developments with vacant units and workers without homes.

Host Intro: The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee continued wading through Gov. Jim Pillen’s proposed budget cuts today/Tuesday, as the special session on property taxes continues.

Current Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris announced Tuesday that Minnesota Governor and Native Nebraskan Tim Walz will be her running mate in 2024. Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, and has lived in Valentine, Butte, Chadron and Alliance. Walz taught at Alliance High School and coached their football and basketball teams before moving to Minnesota in 1996.

For the first time ever, Nebraska’s largest city has an operational casino. The Warhorse Omaha Casino held its ribbon cutting Tuesday at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha.

The Revenue Committee is considering a new version of Gov. Jim Pillen's proposal to reduce property taxes.

Nebraska’s Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly led a ten-day trade mission of the state’s business and agriculture leaders to Indonesia in late July. The delegation met with Indonesian chefs, business executives and university researchers to market Nebraska products and build stronger trading ties. Sherry Vinton, the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, called the trip a "rousing success."

Nebraska legislative committees heard proposals Friday to legalize marijuana and provide state aid to cities to reduce property taxes.

Drones flying over Midwestern fields are likely to become a more typical sight. Farmers are finding that the remotely piloted aircraft can do everything from spraying fields to monitoring livestock.

Getting a new farm bill across the finish line in 2024 is likely doomed against a ticking clock, hot-button issues and election year politics.

The Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee discussed the idea, but not the details, of state takeover of school operating costs on Thursday.

Proposals to allow online sports betting from anywhere in Nebraska, and to allow the Legislature to ask voters to legalize it this November, were heard Wednesday in the Legislature’s special session.

The U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act this week on a bipartisan, 91 to 3 vote. The legislation requires social media platforms to provide minors with options to disable addictive product features, including algorithmic recommendations. Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts were both co-sponsors of the bill.

August 3 marks the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide in northern Iraq. A large number of them chose to relocate to Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Legislature's Appropriations and Revenue Committees held public hearings Tuesday on Gov. Jim Pillen's proposals to cut the budget and expand sales taxes to pay for property tax relief.

Legal Marijuana NOW Party candidate Kerry Eddy has ended her campaign for the U.S. Senate. Tuesday morning, Eddy announced she is endorsing independent Dan Osborn, who will face incumbent Republican Senator Deb Fischer in the general election. Eddy said polling indicated she did not have a path to victory, and she supports Osborn’s view on marijuana legalization.

Documentation status, language barriers and lack of information can all create barriers for immigrants to access federal grants. Now a number of organizations are stepping in to provide direct support.

Supporters promoted a less-dramatic reduction in property taxes than Gov. Jim Pillen has proposed at a Revenue Committee hearing Monday.

Over the last two years, several large pork packers have closed plants in California, Minnesota and most recently Iowa. For some pork producers, this means additional miles and more money to deliver hogs on top of tough economic times.

The Nebraska Legislature rejected an attempt Friday to bring its special session on property taxes to a close.

Sen.Jen Day introduced a bill during Friday’s special session that would force the sale of the state plane Gov. Jim Pillen uses to get around the state. According to flight logs, on July 25, the first day of the special session, Pillen took three flights connecting Lincoln, Beatrice and Nebraska City. Day said selling the $3.6 million plane would provide additional money for the state’s general fund. That money, she said, could be put toward property tax relief or other purposes.

Senators began a special session of the Nebraska Legislature devoted to property taxes by introducing a variety of proposals.

A Federal district court in Missouri ordered Thursday that the Biden Administration’s rule protecting transgender youth from discrimination not be enforced. Earlier this spring, Nebraska’s attorney general Mike Hilgers and five other state’s attorneys general filed a lawsuit asking the court to stop a new regulation by the U.S. Department of Education.

Nebraska voters could decide whether to legalize online sports betting in the state this November, thanks to legislation introduced in the special legislative session dedicated to lowering state property taxes. Thursday morning, Sen. Elliot Bostar put forth a bill and constitutional amendment that would put legalization on the November ballot. It will advance if 60% of the legislature is in favor.

Both campaigns in the U.S. Senate race between Deb Fischer and Dan Osborn have very different perspectives on where things stand. An internal poll from the Fischer campaign found the senator has a 26-percentage point lead over Osborn, while a poll from the Osborn campaign showed the candidates tied at 42% each. According to the latest fundraising numbers, the Fischer campaign has more cash on hand, but Osborn raised more than his opponent in the last three months.

The Nebraska Legislature is set to begin a special session on property taxes, amidst uncertainty over the outcome.

Nebraska’s Department of Environment and Energy is receiving $307 million from the EPA. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor reports on the funds.

Soil science is a relatively new field and becoming more critical in the work to keep soil healthy and productive. The discovery of century-old soil samples at a land-grant university could offer big clues into how soil has changed over time.

A dozen state senators from a variety of political perspectives hosted a listening session on property taxes in Lincoln Monday evening. The event comes ahead of a likely special legislative session devoted to reducing property taxes in Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen has said he wants to reduce property taxes by at least 40% by having the state pay for K-12 schools and eliminating some sales tax exemptions.

Most people who attended an Omaha townhall about property taxes agreed they're a big problem, but there was little agreement about what should be done.

Rhema Otabor is a back-to-back javelin national champion for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. At this year’s NCAA Championships, she broke the collegiate record with a throw of 64 meters, which also secured her spot in the Olympics.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday touted his idea for lowering property taxes by expanding sales taxes.

A group hoping to repeal Nebraska legislation regarding private school scholarships turned in enough signatures to put the issue on the November ballot. If passed, the referendum would repeal legislation passed in April allocating 10 million dollars to the state treasurer’s office to be used for private and religious school scholarships.

A two-megawatt solar energy facility is coming to Madison, Nebraska thanks to an investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The project was selected to receive a Powering Affordable Clean Energy program award, which pays for 40% of the project. Clare Sierawski with the USDA said the solar facility could spur economic development in Madison and help residents save money.

Nebraska Public Media is searching the country for a new General Manager/CEO. Mark Leonard announced in December he is retiring after more than 10 years here. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson sat down with Mr. Leonard to talk about his career and the status of public media.

Omaha Performing Arts is receiving an additional 2.5 million dollars in funding from the state for the construction of a new building on its campus. Upon completion, the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement will include three rehearsal halls, classrooms and practice rooms, enabling the organization to offer new arts programs. The 108-million-dollar building is expected to open in the spring of 2026.

A Blair family is still waiting to hear what options they have after their home was leveled in an April tornado. Over two months later, most recovery organizations have moved on. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor tells us how the community is moving forward and what organizations are still helping out.

Nebraska researchers are looking into how online content creators are promoting opioid awareness. They plan to use their findings to create a national health communication campaign.

Women’s Fund of Omaha sells emergency contraception and pregnancy tests via vending machine

Children in the foster care system with severe behavioral health issues and trauma are often treated in group homes that specialize in individualized care. In at least two states, there is space at these centers for boys but not for girls.

Children in the foster care system with severe behavioral health issues and trauma are often treated in group homes that specialize in individualized care. In at least two states, there is space at these centers for boys but not for girls.

The peach crop across the U.S. is much better this summer than it was last year when cold temperatures affected crops in Georgia and South Carolina. Yet in southern Illinois, while some orchards are getting a bumper crop, others are having yet another year of low production.

After five years under a no-drink order from the EPA, the Santee Sioux Nation in northern Nebraska is one step closer to getting clean water infrastructure. A bill passed in the Nebraska Legislature this spring prioritizes money in the Water Sustainability Fund to go toward infrastructure projects in areas under a no-drink order.

Sports bettors in Nebraska will be able to wager on the Olympics for the first time since gambling was legalized almost four years ago. Handball, surfing, field hockey and proposition bets like which country will win the most medals are open season for wagering. But one economics professor says some revenues will leave Nebraska during the 2024 Paris Games.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SUN Bucks doles out $40 per month over the summer for each eligible child. This is the first year for the program, and it's expected to reach about 21 million kids. Yet 13 states, including Oklahoma and Iowa, turned down the funding.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen will no longer be going on a trade mission to Indonesia this month. Instead, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly will lead the 12-day mission, while Pillen prepares for a special session on property taxes. Pillen has yet to release a written tax plan and says there is still work to do to get consensus, though he is optimistic that progress is being made.

Seven people were shot in Crete last week in what is being investigated as a hate crime. The Hispanic family all survived. Now statewide groups are coming together to make sure the incident doesn’t happen again.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the almost $1.1 billion budget for NU near the end of June. Chris Kabourek, chief financial officer for the university and the recent interim president, spoke with Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal about the reductions and investments laid out in the budget for this fiscal year.

Rob Jeffreys discusses the impact a new prison may have on the department, and the current state of corrections.

Nearly two years after Nebraska received more than 30 million dollars in federal grant funding to build electric vehicle charging stations, none of that money has been dispersed. Ryan McKinnon with the electric vehicle advocacy group Charge Ahead Partnership said Nebraska is one of around 15 other states that has not yet opened up the grant application process for businesses to request funds. “Because Nebraska hasn't even put out an application yet, these businesses are not able to access that money in order to build EV charging stations,” he said.

Organizers of the petition drive supporting medical marijuana in Nebraska "feel really good" about the number of signatures they turned over to the Secretary of State. They had collected over 114,000 signatures on each of the two petitions necessary to change state law. The petitions must be verified to ensure that all are from voters registered in Nebraska. Two years ago, the group fell short of that threshold.

Water has begun receding along most of Nebraska’s eastern border, but the flood is peaking in Rulo in the state’s southeast corner. Further north, Nebraska City is past the worst of the flooding. However, Jim Terrell with the Missouri River Basin Forecast Center said the water has risen back into a moderate flood stage after several inches of rainfall in the area Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Support Our Schools Nebraska has two more weeks to collect signatures for its referendum aiming to repeal a law giving $10 million to the State Treasurer for private and religious school scholarships. This is different from the deadline for most other petitions, which was Wednesday, July 3.

Randy Olson's farmland was buried beneath several feet of murky water. By Friday afternoon, the water had receded a few feet from its peak, leaving behind a swamp of rotting corn, soybeans and other debris in its wake.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed using National Guard troops to help arrest and deport people living in the country illegally.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed using National Guard troops to help arrest and deport people living in the country illegally.

Many small businesses owners are planning on retiring soon, but finding buyers to keep the businesses going can be a challenge, especially in rural areas.

A group campaigning for paid sick leave for Nebraskans announced Thursday it has collected 138,000 signatures through its petition drive, which would be enough to put the issue on the ballot in November. If passed, the initiative would require businesses in Nebraska to offer at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours an employee worked. Jo Giles, a ballot sponsor for Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans, says the accomplishment is the result of years of organizing and strategizing.

The federal government says new safety standards and building materials mean home buyers priced out of site-built houses have viable options. As storms become stronger and more frequent, experts are tempering expectations.

Floodwaters continue to rise in Omaha and Bellevue as the Missouri River crest flows southward this week. The NRD has closed slide gates and culverts that empty into rivers and installed a flood wall barrier along railroad tracks in Bellevue. Winkler says water levels should begin to subside by Sunday.

When Grace Clausen was diagnosed with dyslexia 10 years ago, there weren’t many resources available to her.

Despite a controversial ordinance, some Fremont residents are working to ensure their community embraces its diversity

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen talked about how he would pay for a state takeover of public school funding, and how funds would be distributed, at a meeting in Holdrege Tuesday.

During the Nebraska Broadcaster’s Association Governor’s Monthly Call In Show, Pillen said he would advocate for the state to take over the funding of K through 12 schools in Nebraska. To pay for the plan, Pillen says he wants to broaden the tax base through the elimination of sales tax exemptions.

Total in-person attendance at the 2024 College World Series in Omaha lagged behind the 2023 total because there was one less game played.

This year's College World Series had the highest average attendance per game in history, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, with nearly 24,800 people visiting Charles Schwab Field for each matchup.

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to transfer land along the Missouri River in Iowa back to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The Winnebago Land Transfer Act returns 16-hundred acres to the tribe after it was seized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1970s for a proposed recreation project. Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer, who introduced the bill, says the Corps was wrong to take the land through eminent domain.

More than 100 business leaders from across southeast Nebraska met at Southeast Community College on Friday to brainstorm ideas for regional economic development projects. The meeting represents the launch of the “6 regions, One Nebraska” initiative in the southeast part of the state. Similar meetings are taking place in the other five community college districts this summer.

This inaugural summit will focus on how employers can create more inclusive workplaces.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the budget for the upcoming year and approved Dr. Jeffrey Gold’s contract for university president on Thursday. The budget includes $11.5 million in spending cuts, a tuition increase at all four campuses and additional investment into the new Presidential Scholars program.

Residents of Douglas and Washington Counties are eligible for business physical disaster loans and home disaster loans to replace damaged property. Nebraskans from Burt, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington Counties qualify for economic injury disaster loans which help small businesses meet financial obligations impacted by the April storms. The deadline for physical damage loan applications is July 15, while the economic injury loan applications are available through February 2025.

June commemorates events in two historically marginalized groups: those in the LGBTQ plus community for pride month as well as Black communities for Juneteenth. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena spoke with someone very involved in both celebrations.

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025 passed in the U.S. House Friday. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon served as the chairman of the quality-of-life subcommittee and helped draft 21 amendments that were put in the bill. Bacon says the cornerstone of the legislation is a 19% pay raise for junior enlisted troops, which Bacon says is necessary to help recruitment and reduce financial stress for members of the armed services.

The Scarborough’s are one of several Nebraska families concerned about Gov. Jim Pillen’s promise to eliminate an extensive waitlist for intellectual and developmental disability services. Those services include group homes, day programs, respite care, occupational therapy, and more. None are covered by Medicaid.

Biosolids are a cheap, nutrient-rich fertilizer that have been applied on millions of acres of farmland across the country, but toxic “forever chemicals” are creeping their way into the fertilizer. A proposed federal provision aims to better protect farmers from PFAS contamination.

It’s National Pollinator Week, an annual event created to bring attention to the sharp decline in pollinator numbers due to habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change. Butterflies often capture people’s attention and help spark interest in pollinator conservation, something butterfly farms are helping promote.

Recently, Fischer introduced the Amtrak Transparency Act, which would expand Amtrak board meetings to include additional stakeholders and require public notices 30 days prior to meetings. The legislation would also require bonuses exceeding $50,000 dollars to Amtrak employees be disclosed to Congress.

What may be the world’s largest collection of clown dolls is in a northeast Nebraska city with a population of just over 1,000 people.

The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska is traveling around the state this summer to hold listening sessions with recipients of a $25.5 million legislative fund.

Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina was buzzing Thursday afternoon on the first day of the annual College World Series Jell-O shot challenge. Fans from across the country can buy five-dollar Jell-O shots in their favorite school’s color and for each shot purchased, one dollar is donated to a food bank in the university’s hometown, while 50 cents goes to an Omaha food bank. Owner Kevin Culjat said the competition began in 2018 and has grown each year since.

Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are cosponsors of legislation to overturn a U.S. Department of Education rule extending Title Nine protections to include gender identity. The Congressional Review Act allows Congress the ability to overrule federal regulations from government agencies by passing a joint resolution. The resolution can be vetoed by the president and would need a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate to override the veto.

An environmental justice program is hoping to expand into new cities throughout the state.

The Forbes Advisor team analyzed more than 20 metrics from 95 cities across the country, considering affordability, availability, amenities and safety. Kasey Ogle with Nebraska Appleseed, an organization that advocates for affordable housing, says conditions are difficult for renters in Nebraska and she is surprised to see Lincoln at the top of the Forbes ranking.

The five-member board, led by Gov. Jim Pillen, voted unanimously to approve the results. Secretary of State Bob Evnen said the 2024 primary was a historic election for Nebraska, as it was the first to require voter ID.

The prospect of precision agriculture has existed for decades, but many of the technologies and techniques that will enable it have been slow to catch on.

Nonpublic schools now have more flexibility in choosing books through the state’s textbook loan program. That’s a change from when they could only request what the public school in their district asked for.

The overdue farm bill is finally making its way through Congress, after the House agriculture committee recently advanced a proposal. Food assistance is likely to be one of the biggest sticking points as the draft moves forward.

At a series of town halls across the state, Governor Jim Pillen has said he wants to reduce property taxes in Nebraska by 40% by expanding the sales tax base in a special legislative session this summer. Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University, said high property taxes hurt economic growth more than high sales taxes.

Kansas City musician Nate Hofer took his pedal steel guitar 30 feet down into an inter-continental ballistic missile silo to record a hopeful reminder that nuclear war is not inevitable.

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival is host to around 130 art booths, live music, local food vendors and a hands-on children’s fair. This weekend is the festival’s 50th anniversary, but it’s also its final year.

A survey of manufacturing supply-chain managers in the Midwest found that economic growth slowed in the month of May. Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss, who leads the Mid-America Business Conditions Index, said high inflation and fewer exports are resulting in lower growth in the manufacturing industry.

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted, cancer-causing infection that can be largely prevented by a series of vaccinations in children. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena reports the state does well in starting that series, but not as well in completing it.

At 82 years old, Rick Hubbard is hitting the highways of America to raise awareness of political dysfunction.

A Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court judge ruled a former Papillion firefighter is entitled to compensation for mental injury. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor has more.

Dead Timber State Recreation Area is set to receive more than a half million dollars for a redevelopment project. The park north of Scribner received a $589,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

In 2019, major flooding altered the Platte River near its junction with Highway 75, creating a large sandbar and restricting the channel size to a third of what it had been previously. Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District general manager John Winkler says the sandbar makes communities like Louisville and Cedar Creek, which are upstream, more susceptible to additional flooding.

Gov. Jim Pillen said Friday that if legal costs get too high, he would abandon the Perkins County Canal proposal.

Long-term care residents and their families in Red Cloud, Nebraska, breathed a sigh or relief this spring, when the local nursing home was saved from closure. The Heritage of Red Cloud was scheduled to close on April 18. But a local hospital and its foundation decided to acquire the facility thanks to some large community donations.

HOST: Almost a year after the first phase of renovations at the Lincoln Airport were completed, the second phase is wrapping up. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor has more. 053024 THU Airport Renovations WRAP.wav: (39.9 s)Lincoln Airport officials opened the doors to the public on Thursday afternoon so travelers could have a chance to see the new additions. Renovations include two new bag belts and new locations for customer service and rental car desks. Rachel Barth is the director of air service development and strategic marketing. She says the new renovations should make for a more streamlined process for travelers. BARTH:(7 s) I think when people see the project now finished, they’re gonna really think, ‘Wow, this was really well thought out and methodical.’ LAWLOR: Now that the second phase of renovations is finished, Barth says airport officials are shifting their focus to the runway. I’m Sarah Lawlor, Nebraska Public Media news.

The competition includes an obstacle course where snowplow drivers swerve through cones, make sharp turns and back up into tight spaces, all while competing against the clock. Competitors also take a written test and perform snowplow inspections where they must find vehicle defects.

HOST: A severe winter storm in early April left millions of dollars in damage for eight western Nebraska counties. Those counties are now receiving federal assistance for recovery efforts. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor has more. 052924 Disaster declaration voicer.wav: (48 s)President Joe Biden is declaring a major disaster exists in eight Nebraska counties affected by storms in April. The counties include Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux. The April storm included thunderstorms, freezing rain, snow and heavy winds. At least $10.5 million in initial damages were reported, according to a press release from Governor Jim Pillen. The costs are mainly for downed power lines and power poles.

More people in Nebraska are waking up hungry, according to a recent report released by “Feeding America”, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.

Doug Kristensen stepped onto the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus as chancellor in 2002. After 22 years, he's retiring.

Thirteen states across the U.S., including much of the Midwest, introduced bills this year that could give some rights to embryos and fetuses usually associated with people. None passed but people in the fertility world are concerned that lawmakers will try again and what that means for reproductive rights.

According to the Governor’s Policy Research Office, Nebraskans paid 5.3 billion dollars in property taxes in 2023. Pillen wants to cut that amount by 40%, or more than 2 billion dollars. He says he intends to present a plan to cut spending by 500 million dollars through streamlining government operations.

A proposal to divert water from the Platte to the Republican River drew mixed reactions at a public hearing Thursday.

The American Red Cross is regularly busy in the Midwest as a natural-disaster-prone area. But one woman is working doubly hard to ensure one group of people receive the support they need from the organization.

More than 150 people squeezed into the Warner Chamber, just off the Capitol Rotunda to witness Wednesday’s induction ceremony. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the bust of Malcolm X, a Black activist and human rights champion who was born in Omaha.

Sen. Tom Brewer, visiting Ukraine, says residents are tired but still fighting more than two years after Russia invaded.

The higher a Nebraska student’s ACT score is, the more likely they are to go to an in-state college. As that score increases about 30, it becomes more likely that students will go out of state for university. These insights come from a Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System, or NSWERS, report released this month. Researchers looked at how ACT scores related to college going patterns for about 80,000 to 90,000 students from four years of ACT tests.

Turfgrass lawns are a landscape staple — an environmental reckoning may change that

Gov. Jim Pillen's efforts to drum up support for lowering property taxes by expanding sales taxes met some skepticism Friday in Grand Island.

More than 87 hundred additional ballots from Tuesday’s primary election were counted by the Douglas County Election Commission Friday morning. That number includes early voting ballots that were delivered to the election office on election day. While most races have been called, Friday's count has widened the gap between two candidates vying for second place and a chance to advance to the general election.

The United States Department of Agriculture partnered with the Tri-Faith Center in Omaha to host a summit this week about countering antisemitism, Islamophobia and other biases in rural communities. The Tri-Faith campus has a mosque, synagogue, church and a center connecting them. Samantha Joseph, the director of the USDA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said those connections made it the perfect spot to host a summit like this.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is suing California and the federal government over requirements to replace diesel trucks with electric vehicles.

Planting is well underway across the Midwest, but farmers are still grappling with dry conditions that led to lower than normal corn yields last fall. It’s the third year of a near historic drought for parts of the Corn Belt.

A bill passed in this year’s Nebraska legislative session has the potential to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in the state, according to electric vehicle lobbying group Charge Ahead Partnership. A provision from State Sen. Eliot Bostar regulating electric vehicle charging stations was passed unanimously as part of a larger package bill in April.

The Republican candidates for the primary election in Nebraska’s second congressional district say although they’re both in the same party, they couldn’t be more different. This election could redefine the urban Nebraska Republican.

Michael Connely is challenging incumbent Mike Flood for the Congressional District 1 seat in the Republican primary election. Both candidates running without state party endorsement is a reflection of national trends, an expert said.

On the State Board of Education, all four incumbents up for election decided against running for office again. This leaves the non-partisan board up to some potential political changes. The board has eight members. It’s an even split of Republicans and Democrats even though it’s officially a non-partisan board. Three of the four members up for election are registered Democrats, which leaves the board open to the potential for a political majority in 2025.

Nebraska will be electing two U.S. Senators in this election cycle for the first time since 1954. Incumbent Republicans Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are heavy favorites, but neither have received endorsements from the State Republican Party. Meanwhile, an independent challenger is likely to receive a Democratic Party endorsement in the general election.

The 25,000-square-foot skatepark is set to become the state’s largest upon completion. Skatepark designer Vince Onel said the new skatepark will provide opportunities for all skill levels over a variety of terrains. His initial design includes pump tracks, two bowls, street elements, and several sculptures.

A refugee resettlement agency is expanding its reach to more areas of the state.

Nebraska now has another commission added to its repertoire of racial and ethnic representation in government.

More than 100 Nebraska community leaders and civil rights advocates met Wednesday at a conference to discuss the state of human rights throughout the region.

Outside the University of Nebraska-Lincoln city union, students and community members are protesting the war and deaths in Gaza. They join several other universities across the country, some of which have been protesting for two weeks.

The trend was already underway when the COVID-19 pandemic pushed rural and small-town nursing homes to close permanently. Yet, some communities are finding ways today to re-envision nursing homes while keeping staff at the forefront.

The trend was already underway when the COVID-19 pandemic pushed rural and small-town nursing homes to close permanently. Yet, some communities are finding ways today to re-envision nursing homes while keeping staff at the forefront.

As work continued to clean up debris from what used to be a giant machine shed, Jackie and Randy Colton described their experience outrunning a tornado.

In the first 100 days of the year, troopers issued more high-speed tickets than any entire year in the past decade.

It’s been a month since six workers died from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. For the state’s immigrant workers and advocates, this serves as a reminder of their high-risk working conditions.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen vetoed a bill Wednesday that would enable victims to sue public entities like school districts if they are found liable in cases of child sexual abuse and assault. Loree Woods says news of the governor’s veto was a gut punch to her family.

Early childhood educators, researchers and policymakers are finding ways to improve the field, starting with connecting with each other. The three groups came together at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools Early Childhood Research Summit in Lincoln on Tuesday.

The University of Nebraska named Dr. Jeffrey Gold as the priority candidate for the president position. He currently serves as the provost and executive vice president for the university system, and is the University of Nebraska Medical Center chancellor. Gold is undergoing a 30-day vetting process. He spoke with Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal about his vision if hired, getting the university back into the Association of American Universities and more.

The primary election for the state’s second congressional district is about three weeks away with both sides maintaining their confidence.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and basketball coach Amy Williams asked a federal court judge to dismiss a Title IX lawsuit filed by former player Ashley Scoggin. The request came in filings with the court on Friday. Scoggin filed a lawsuit claiming the university acted in violation of federal guidelines when addressing a purported sexual relationship between the player and former assistant coach Chuck Love. UNL maintains the Athletic Department acted in good faith, while providing Scoggin access to information on how to respond to concerns about inappropriate sexual contact.

The Nebraska Legislature finished its 2024 session with some substantive policy changes, but a stalemate on property taxes

Gov. Jim Pillen, along with the state director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities, has announced the intention to end the state’s disabilities waiting list. The plan starts by listening to communities’ needs.

Gov. Jim Pillen faulted the Legislature for failing to pass his proposal to cut property taxes and vowed to call them back before January to address the issue.

Many people with developmental disabilities don’t need 24/7 care but momentary support. In Omaha, there’s not enough accommodating housing and infrastructure for people with developmental disabilities to live independently.

In Crete, Nebraska, a local woman is staging a sleepout to raise awareness for Youth Homelessness Matters Day. About 300 students at Crete Public Schools were identified as homeless this academic year.

Newly postpartum moms may be more susceptible to mental health issues stemming from glamorized motherhood content on social media, according to a recent Nebraska study.

The flu has been found in cows for the first time, but most cattle seem to be showing only mild symptoms and recovering from the illness. Officials say the pasteurization process means milk remains safe.

The U.S. has lost more than 2,800 newspapers since 2005, many of them in rural areas. Now some journalists are redoubling their efforts to provide local news and trying new models in a difficult industry.

The Yazidi SarSal is a new year event in the Yazidi culture celebrated in mid-April every year. This event brings the community members together to appreciate their religious beliefs, cultural values and their history.

The priority candidate for president of the University of Nebraska held his first public forum Friday. Dr. Jeffrey Gold answered questions about budget cuts, the university’s relationship with the legislature and getting students from Western Nebraska.

Members of the Nebraska Legislature passed more than 100 bills and paid tribute to departing colleagues on Thursday.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan’s LB388 would create a digital advertising sales tax and increase taxes on cigarettes, vaping, lottery tickets, cannabis derivatives and games of skill. Sales tax exemptions for candy, soda, storage facilities and veterinary services would also be eliminated. The bill caps the percentage cities and counties can grow their annual budget and reduces school property taxes by 30% directly instead of requiring taxpayers to apply for a 30% tax credit, according to the Governor’s Policy Research Office.

The Nebraska Legislature heard a few new voices in its rotunda thanks to a new youth lobby school. The program focuses on teaching students from diverse backgrounds how to advocate for legislation.

Host Intro: Gov. Jim Pillen said today/Wednesday more needs to be done to lower property taxes. And he said he’ll call a special session to change Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral college system, if 33 senators say they’ll vote for it.

Thousands of people gathered in southwest Lincoln Wednesday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramandan and fasting in the Muslim faith. Ousmane Youm is a member of the Islamic Foundation of Lincoln community. In addition to fasting and other spiritual disciplines, Ramadan is about giving back.

Nebraska Legislature Speaker John Arch is taking a wait-and-see attitude about a possible special session to change Nebraska's Electoral College voting system.

A Lincoln food pantry has revamped its system that allow people to have a more welcoming experience.

Senator Lou Ann Linehan’s bill would appropriate $10 million dollars to scholarship granting organizations, allowing low-income students to apply for grants that can be used at private schools. Linehan’s bill would also sunset legislation passed last year giving up to $25 million dollars of tax credits for donations to scholarship granting organizations.

Nebraska schools could be sued for up to a million dollars if a staff member sexually assaults a student, under a proposal that advanced Tuesday in the Legislature. And a bill to increase taxes on home sellers, and reduce them on people who inherit property, also moved ahead.

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher is the first Husker to join the National Academy of Education, which is an organization focused on education research. Susan Sheridan, the director of the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, has decades of research leading to her invitation to the academy.

A proposal to restrict trans athletes in Nebraska's K-12 schools was blocked by a filibuster in the Legislature Friday.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences recognized students in their teaching programs for reaching the halfway point of their degrees. “Nebraska needs teachers. We want teachers. We want to honor teachers," UNL CEHS acting dean Nick Pace said. "We want to honor their work and thank them for having the heart and the hands for this work. It’s never been more important and it’s never probably been more difficult.”

Senator Justin Wayne filed several amendments to his bill regarding punitive damages, including one which would allow an individual to hold political subdivisions or state agencies liable for the sexual assault of a minor by a public employee. The amendment’s language was taken directly from Senator Steve Halloran’s bill, which did not make it out of the Judiciary Committee.

The Nebraska Legislature considered proposals Thursday to improve firefighters' pensions, while a contentious debate on restricting transgender student athletes was set for Friday.

A proposal to change Nebraska’s presidential vote allocation to a winner-take-all system failed in the Nebraska legislature late Wednesday evening. Nebraska is one of two states that awards its electoral votes to Presidential candidates by Congressional District, with the overall state winner receiving an additional two votes. In 2020, President Joe Biden received one electoral vote from Omaha’s 2nd Congressional District, while Donald Trump received the state’s other four votes.

The Legislature’s Executive board condemned Sen. Steve Halloran today/Wednesday for injecting colleagues’ names when he read a rape scene during a debate on obscenity. But some senators said that wasn’t enough.

The amount of students participating in dual enrollment across the state has increased since 2016, according to a new report from the Nebraska Statewide Workforce and Educational Reporting System, or NSWERS. In dual enrollment courses, students can earn college credits while still in high school.

Assisted living facilities in rural Nebraska will see a small bump in funding for serving Medicaid patients. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed appropriations bill 1412 this week. Included in the budget, $1.5 million of American Rescue Plan funds will aid rural assisted living facilities.

A Latino advocacy organization will host a virtual summit on the state of voting. They’ll discuss how the growing Latino population will have a significant impact on this election and those in the future.

The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy made his first-ever visit to Nebraska Tuesday. Murthy visited Lincoln North Star High School and Bryan Medical Center, where he spoke to a crowd of several hundred people about the impact of social media on youth mental health.

The Nebraska Legislature gave first-round approval to a bill designed to cut property taxes, but without the replacement revenues originally envisioned.

In a school district that’s population spans 990 square miles, the school is coming together to create a mural representing their community. It's a 4-foot-by-8-foot mural with the word "Tigers," which is the school's mascot, in the middle of the piece.

The city’s latest proposal would grow the South Haymarket Park to more than 8 acres while nixing a previous proposal for a mixed-use development in the area. The expansion also requires the city to purchase two additional properties near 7th and L Streets, adjacent to the planned park location.

Sens. Michaela Cavanaugh and Julie Slama introduced a resolution to censure Halloran after comments during last week’s debate on a bill regarding obscene materials in schools. While quoting testimony which included a passage from a memoir describing the author’s rape, Halloran inserted the name Senator Cavanaugh after a description of a demand for oral sex.

The Nebraska Legislature gave first-round approval Thursday to tax breaks for a wide range of activities, despite warnings about future budget shortfalls.

Gov. Jim Pillen will sign LB 1087 Friday. The bill will send a big dose of federal Medicaid money to hospitals in Nebraska. In total, the Nebraska Hospitals Association said its members will receive up to $1 dollars every year through the Medicaid program.

The Nebraska Legislature began debate Wednesday on a proposal for significant tax changes, with senators expressing wide ranging opinions.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Dave Murman says his bill would require pornography websites to verify the age of its users to ensure they are 18 or older before showing obscene material. The bill’s critics say that kids can still access pornography by using other encrypted methods like virtual private networks.

The Nebraska Department of Education launched the Teacher Apprenticeship Program to help train teachers with more in-classroom experiences. The state Legislature passed the Teacher Apprenticeship Program last year with $1 million slated for the initiative in the first year. The program is starting with three grow-your-own initiatives that were already in effect.

The Nebraska Legislature approved adjustments to the two-year budget in advance of debating significant tax changes.

New University of Nebraska–Lincoln Director of Athletics, Troy Dannen, said NU is a “gold mine,” during his introductory press conference on Tuesday. The former University of Washington AD spoke in front of hundreds of coaches, athletes and stakeholders inside Memorial Stadium.

One group in Nebraska is starting a new program to bring more diversity to the state’s boards and commissions. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena reports it will train people from diverse backgrounds in how to become board and commission members.

The Nebraska Legislature confirmed Gov. Jim Pillen’s appointment of Steve Corsi to head the Department of Health and Human Services Monday, despite opposition from senators who objected to his social media posts and job history.

This year’s Migratory Family and Student Conference hosted by the Nebraska Migrant Education Program is expected to be the largest in attendance in its four-year history.

A KCUR and Midwest Newsroom investigation reveals the chain of events that ended in the death of Clesslynn Crawford almost exactly two years ago.

Lincoln ranked number one in the nation for the city with the highest rate of self-response for the mid-way point of the 2020 U.S. Census. The U.S. Census Director met with refugee and immigrant organizations to talk about how they achieved their success.

Host Intro: A proposal to increase sales and cigarette taxes in order to lower property taxes is headed to the Nebraska Legislature for debate.

Host Intro: A proposal to increase sales and cigarette taxes in order to lower property taxes is headed to the Nebraska Legislature for debate.

Just one win would be historic, during the team’s trip to the NCAA Tournament, also known as the “Big Dance.” Nebraska is the only major conference team to have zero NCAA Tournament wins in men’s basketball. They’re 0-7 all-time in the tournament.

Lincoln manufacturing companies and refugee support agencies have found a solution to two problems: a labor shortage and refugees’ need for employment. The new idea has so far worked to solve both cases.

A bill supporters said would combat obscenity in schools and libraries was stopped by a filibuster Wednesday in the Legislature.

A bill that would eliminate a legal defense for teachers and librarians charged with providing obscene material to other people stalled in the Nebraska legislature Wednesday. Senator Joni Albrecht says she introduced LB441 to keep inappropriate books from being provided to kids in public schools and libraries.

Troy Dannen, former athletic director at the University of Washington, will be the next Director of Athletics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Interim university president Chris Kabourek announced it on Wednesday.

In the Nebraska Legislature, Sen. Steve Halloran’s insertion his colleagues’ names into a description of rape produced condemnation and a call to resign.

A proposal to enhance penalties for providing fentanyl to people who are seriously injured or die got stalled Monday in the Legislature.

The Nebraska Legislature argued over civil forfeiture, fentanyl penalties and who can be sued for child sexual abuse.

A ruling by the Nebraska Supreme Court means that the state agency regulating environmental safety can lawfully charge a Nebraska news public tens of thousands of dollars for copies of public documents. The Court ruled that it was up to the Nebraska legislature to determine how much a state agency could charge for reviewing requests for public documents and providing copies.

For-profit companies and private equity firms have purchased more than half of the nonprofit nursing homes that have gone out of business in the last decade.

Jane Kleeb is known as the force behind the effort to stop oil giant, TransCanada from building the Keystone XL oil pipeline through Nebraska. But she's also Jane Kleeb who battled anorexia as a teenager. Kleeb talked with Nebraska Public Media's Dale Johnson about her experience and the unwavering strength she found in the face of adversity.

The Nebraska Legislature gave first-round approval to another state budget bill today, but not before nearly half the senators signaled what some described as unease over the proposal.

Nebraska state senators have mixed thoughts on why Trev Alberts decided to leave as Athletic Director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Brule, Nebraska, a village of 330 residents just west of Ogallala, has seen its fair share of controversy over the last few months, including the resignation of a longtime village employee and efforts to recall two village board members. More than 60 percent of voters cast their ballots against recalling Brian McNeff and Mike Gibson in their respective elections, allowing them to remain on the Brule Village Board.

As part of the proposed budget in the Nebraska Legislature, $25 million that was originally slated for affordable housing would be used for a different kind of housing. Affordable housing is geared toward lower-income buyers. Under the budget proposed by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, $20 million would be shifted to rural workforce housing, and $5 million would go to middle income housing.

One city in Nebraska has found a way to both welcome newcomers and bolster the area’s economy. A Fremont organization has instituted a new system.

Nebraska senators voted 27-20 in favor of overriding Gov. Jim Pillen's veto of a needle exchange bill, falling three votes short of the number needed to override.

Two Nebraska high school seniors — one in Pender and one in Lincoln — committed to the University of Nebraska under the new Presidential Scholars program. The scholarship gives a full-ride plus a $5,000 stipend for any University of Nebraska school to in-state students who score a 36 on the ACT. The university announced the program last month.

The state’s Commission on Latino -Americans is starting new projects yet facing old challenges this year. This group finds itself in a unique position as it attempts to expand its reach.

The State Board of Education voted against starting the rule change process for board member Kirk Penner’s proposal to prohibit sexually explicit materials in school libraries and remove the requirement to buy a minimum number of new books every year.

A recreation trail connecting Lincoln and Omaha continues to move through the planning process, with the Lower Platte South Natural Resource District seeking input to determine a proposed route. In 2022, the Nebraska Legislature allocated $8.3 million dollars to connect two segments of the MoPac Trail in rural Cass County. Currently, the western portion of the trail ends in the village of Wabash, while the eastern section ends near South Bend, leaving an eight-mile gap.

A filibuster in the Nebraska Legislature has blocked a proposal aimed at giving tenants a “clean slate” if eviction proceedings were started against them, but they were never evicted.

On Sept. 12, 2022, Malcolm X became the first Black man or woman voted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. By May, a bust of Malcolm X will be inside the Nebraska State Capitol, along with 26 other Nebraskans.

Host Intro: A proposal aimed at helping Nebraskans who have faced eviction from their homes was slowed by a filibuster Wednesday in the Legislature.

A campaign to celebrate and make immigrants in the state feel welcome saw so much success last month, it’s making changes to the plan. The statewide effort will expand next year.

Doane University students are performing and producing the play "The Delays" this week. It’s the first production that faculty are only mentoring students.

A Nebraska Air Force employee was arrested Saturday for sharing classified information about the war in Ukraine. David Slater, a 63-year-old employee at the Offutt Air Force Base, faces one count of conspiracy to disclose national defense information and two counts of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information.

Purchasers of land in all or part of eight western Nebraska counties would have to certify they are not affiliated with any foreign adversaries.

As the University of Nebraska continues the search for a new president, interim president Chris Kabourek said he wants to keep the university moving forward. Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal sat down with Kabourek to discuss his goals for the university as challenges like budget cuts continue.

Host Intro: Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has vetoed a bill allowing Nebraska cities to establish needle exchange programs for drug users. Sen. Meghan Hunt, chief sponsor of the legislation, says she’ll try to override the veto.

Nebraska state senators approved two amendments Monday on LB 1087, which would increase Medicaid funding for the state’s hospitals.

School boards could let teachers and other staff carry guns in school, under a proposal advanced by the Legislature’s Education Committee today/Thursday. And senators advanced a proposal aimed at helping native American tribal members experiencing mental health crises.

A seventeen-year-old from Hall County, accused in a massive sextortion case involving multiple victims must face the charges as an adult. The judge in the case called the teenager “an extreme threat to the security of the public.” Cody Holum argued he would benefit from the counseling and rehabilitation services available to a juvenile defendant until he was 19 years old. A Hall County District Judge determined just a year’s worth of services would not provide enough time to deal with the “alarming” behavior he’s shown over several years.

Nebraska’s chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, was scheduled to provide clarification on the state’s gender affirming care regulations for minors at a briefing Thursday afternoon. However, he and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services declined to attend. Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee requested a briefing from Tesmer to clarify the final rules and regulations of LB574, which was passed by the legislature last year.

The U.S. Department of Education aims to send completed 2024-25 Free Applications for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSAs, to colleges in March. The FAFSA typically goes out in October, but for the 2024-25 form, there have been roadblocks due to needed changes from the FAFSA Simplification Act.

The Nebraska legislature heard arguments for and against a bill that would allow a controversial execution method to be used in the state. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena reports if passed, the state would be the fourth in the U.S. to approve nitrogen gas for executions.

Host Intro: Debate in the Nebraska Legislature over inheritance taxes Wednesday showed a generational divide, and raised questions about whether senators were debating things that are irrelevant to many Nebraskans.

As of January, Nebraskans can start donating to scholarship granting organizations, or SGOs, to fund tuition for students going to private schools. In return, donors receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. There are currently four certified SGOs in the state.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has launched a new program in an effort to attract and retain teachers from diverse backgrounds. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena has the details.

Host Intro: Fines and penalties would increase for distracted driving that resulted in someone dying, under a proposal heard Tuesday by a legislative committee. And lawmakers continued to debate abolishing the state’s inheritance tax. From the Capitol, Fred Knapp of Nebraska Public Media News has this legislative update:

A pregnancy-related death is when a person dies during pregnancy– or within a year after the pregnancy due to complications or pre-existing conditions. In some Midwest states, maternal mortality rates are higher than the national average. As Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena/ KBIA’s Anna Spidel report for the Midwest Newsroom, the data on Hispanic women can be particularly challenging.

Leading up to the death of Kevin Carter at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, Angelo Bol allegedly threatened his cellmate's life. They remained in the same cell. That’s among the many accusations filed in federal court this month alleging negligence by former and current Nebraska Department of Correctional Services employees. Former director of the NDCS, Scott Frakes, and warden Michele Wilhelm are included in the total of 12 employees listed in the lawsuit.

A group of gun owners and the City of Lincoln will square off in Lancaster County District Court to argue whether there can be limits on carrying guns in parks and government buildings. Similiar restrictions put in place by Omaha's mayor have temporarily been put on hold by another judge.

Experts in media, election security and counterterrorism spoke on ChatGPT, deep fake videos, voice cloning and more at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Saturday for Civic Nebraska’s AI and Democracy Community Summit. The panel included UNL public relations professor Bryan Wang, UNL journalism professor Matt Waite, Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse and UNO counterterrorism center director, Gina Ligon.

The Nebraska Legislature moved Friday toward restoring its oversight authority for state agencies, and lawmakers heard a proposal to help veterans accused of crimes avoid convictions.

Lincoln Public School students at four high schools had the opportunity to learn more about H-B-C-Us this week. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena reports the informational sessions offered some students a first-time look at some of these schools.

A proposal to allow exceptions to Nebraska’s limits on abortion in cases of fatal fetal anomalies produced strong reactions at a public hearing Thursday. And, senators advanced a bill enhancing penalties for people who supply fentanyl-laced drugs that kill or seriously injure another person.

The hub of Lincoln’s bus system may be getting a new temporary location until the completion of a multi-modal transportation center in 2027. Lincoln Transportation and Utilities shared plans at a public open house Wednesday morning for a new transfer center location at 11th and L Streets, two blocks south of its current location next to the Gold’s Building construction site.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced a bill Wednesday aimed at increasing the availability of childcare, and senators debated increasing penalties for providing drugs that result in serious injury or death.

The initiative, called Nebraska Backs the Blue, aims to recruit officers to Nebraska by highlighting the state’s support for law enforcement, recreational opportunities and free college tuition program for law enforcement officials. “Our message today, while very important in Nebraska, is really a message to the rest of America. Nebraska is the best state in the union to work as a law enforcement official,” Flood said.

A former women’s basketball player at the University of Nebraska has filed a lawsuit claiming the school and the team’s head coach were aware of and mishandled an inappropriate sexual relationship between her and a member of the coaching staff.

A robot developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is among the first to complete a surgical simulation in space. A research team led by UNL engineering professor Shane Farritor received grant funding from NASA to send the robot to the International Space Station. The 2-pound robot, controlled by surgeons from across the United States, cut ten rubber bands as part of its initial space test.

Raybould’s LB1383 would establish Nebraska Tribal Community Assistance Program. The program would be funded through an initial transfer of $10,000,000 from the Intern Nebraska Cash Fund and provide at least one grant per year — up to $2,000,000 — to tribal water and sewer projects.

Spanish-speaking breast cancer survivors in the state now have a new resource for helping with mental health.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced a bill that aims to help financially struggling hospitals by increasing federal Medicaid reimbursements.

Doulas are trained birthing coaches who help women through pregnancy and childbirth. And if a bill passes through state legislation, this resource could be available to Nebraskans who use Medicaid. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena has the story.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced a bill adding Medicaid services for pregnant women, and senators reached a temporary deal with the Pillen administration restoring some legislative oversight of corrections and child welfare.

Two bills that would impact state colleges had hearings in the Nebraska Legislature’s Education Committee today. One would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and the other would eliminate tenure at state colleges.

. The Nebraska Legislature considered proposals Tuesday aimed at improving railroad safety and expanding broadband coverage.

A bill that would stop schools from punishing or prohibiting employees engaging in religious expression outside of class went in front of the state legislature’s Education Committee on Monday. State Senator Loren Lippincott said he wants to solidify the protections in state law following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that recognized a football coach’s right to pray after a game.

Gov. Jim Pillen said Nebraska will apply for the summer EBT program, and senators are considering money to prepare sites to attract industrial projects.

Despite the law requiring the government to accommodate interpretation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska said that doesn’t always happen in Omaha Immigration Court. A new report by the ACLU said Omaha Immigration Court violates due process in many cases.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved transitioning out the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Theatre program along with two other programs at their meeting Friday.

A District Court Judge in Hall County will decide if a 17-year-old should stand trial as an adult for allegedly extorting sex and explicit photos from other teenagers in central Nebraska. Details of the complex, disturbing case came to light during the Wednesday hearing to consider a motion to transfer the case to juvenile court. Seventeen-year-old Cody Holum of Doniphan faces 13 charges of human trafficking and four charges of 1st degree sexual assault. At an earlier hearing, he pled not guilty to all the accusations.

Each of Nebraska’s three continuum of care regions in Omaha, Lincoln and the rest of the state received more than $5 million in federal funds to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. Nebraska Field Office Director Kitty Amaya says this year’s grants are HUD’s largest annual investment nationally and reflect the need for services in smaller cities.

Grocery store owners and managers in Nebraska are excited about the prospects of a bill proposed in the Nebraska Legislature. LB 1116 would create a grant or loan program for locally run grocery stores. A store in west central Nebraska said they could use this money to try and grow its customer base.

Financial issues are plaguing Nebraskans’ ability to access long-term care. Bills in the Nebraska Legislature would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted living and nursing homes.

The idea of raising sales taxes in order to lower property taxes got a less-than-rousing reception in a hearing before the Legislature’s Revenue Committee Wednesday.

Counties would have to offer to buy properties for their assessed value, under a proposal heard Wednesday by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. And senators advanced a bill aimed at making dental services available for more Medicaid recipients.

Ricketts joined 49 other senators in opposition to a border security bill and foreign aid bill that had the support of Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and most Senate Democrats. Ricketts explained his opposition in a press call Wednesday.

Newly-released data from higher education researchers shows Nebraska is behind the national average when it comes to community college students transferring to four-year universities and ultimately earning their bachelor’s degrees. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena has the details.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would change the makeup of the State Board of Education drew opposition Tuesday at the Legislature’s Education Committee hearing.

Host Intro: Nebraska schools would have more options for armed personnel to confront possible shooters under a bill that drew strong support and opposition at a hearing Tuesday.

A man imprisoned for the past year after being convicted of sexual assault in Merrick County will get a new trial. In a very unusual move, Nebraska’s Attorney General filed a memorandum with the Nebraska Court of Appeals stating testimony that helped put 63-year-old Jack Tourtillott of Chapman in jail should not have been heard by the jury. The attorney recommended the jury’s guilty verdict be reversed. The court did so in January.

There are plenty of elections this year including Nebraska primaries, local elections and a vote for U.S. president. This means people like Dwayne Hawkins—the director for Black Votes Matter Get Out the Vote initiative based in Omaha-- is very busy. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena got a coffee with him to talk about what’s on his mind in this new role.

Nebraskans will continue to switch their clocks twice a year, after senators rejected proposals today/Monday to stick with standard time or daylight saving time year-round.

The University of Nebraska announced a new full-ride scholarship starting in the fall for in-state students who receive a perfect score on the ACT. The President’s scholarship will cover all costs to attend the University of Nebraska – including room, board and books — plus a $5,000 stipend.

An effort to require two-person crews on trains crossing Nebraska fell short Friday in the Legislature. And senators heard a proposal to tighten requirements for local governments or businesses that want to condemn land.

State Board of Education members disagreed on a potential rule change that would prohibit sexually explicit content in school libraries at their meeting Friday.

This November, voters will decide the next president. And depending on this outcome, Nebraska refugee resettlement agencies may have to quickly adjust how many new arrivals to prepare for. The refugee outlook for 2024 may be starkly different from 2025.

Aguilar’s Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination Act would prohibit state and local government entities from entering into a contract with a company that has a policy of discriminating against the firearm industry. Steve Hornady, president of Hornady Manufacturing, an ammunition company based in Grand Island, testified at Thursday’s legislative hearing on the bill.

Governor Jim Pillen and the Department of Correctional Services announced Thursday the start of a new strategy to help incarcerated individuals re-enter their community.

Proposals to expand sales taxes to reduce property taxes ran into opposition in a public hearing Thursday. And, opponents of requiring two-people on train crews continued the first legislative filibuster of the year, leading the discussion onto some interesting sidings.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers have released results from an electric vehicle crash test last fall. Cody Stolle, assistant director of UNL’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, says the research is important as electric vehicles, which can be much heavier than their gas-powered counterparts, become more common.

Under the current process, voters must sign a notarized affidavit to make that happen. Linehan, who introduced the new legislation, says her bill would only require voters to send a letter to the Secretary of State’s Office to remove their name.

Property tax levies would be automatically reduced if valuations increased, under a proposal heard by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee Wednesday. And senators debated requiring at least two crew members on trains crossing the state.

Douglas County is taking steps to prevent drug overdose related deaths with a new program, The Douglas County Overdose Fatality Review Team(OFR).

The Nebraska Legislature continued debate Tuesday on proposals to have the state observe either yearlong Daylight Saving Time or yearlong Standard Time.

Lincoln has developed a way for the state’s resettled refugees to help fill the workforce. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena shares more about a manufacturing course starting this weekend (Sunday).

Lincoln has developed a way for the state’s resettled refugees to help fill the workforce. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena shares more about a manufacturing course starting this weekend (Sunday).

More than 49 percent of renting households in and around Kearney and Hastings experience cost burden. Housing cost burden is defined as any household spending more than 30 percent of their income toward rent and utilities.

Carol Blood, a Democrat State Senator from Bellevue, launched her campaign for Congress against Mike Flood Saturday afternoon. At a union hall in Lincoln, Blood criticized Flood for his role in an unproductive, hyper-partisan Congress. Blood promised to protect social security and access to abortion.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced bills Friday calling for partisan elections to public power boards, but then advanced a public health measure on a nonpartisan vote.

Nebraskans would stop having to “spring ahead” and “fall back,” under a bill for year-round daylight savings time being debated in the Legislature.

Earlier this week, the Nebraska State Board of Health voted to approve temporary regulations on gender affirming care for minor, bringing them one step closer to becoming permanent. The regulations included no significant changes to the regulations state Chief Medical Officer Doctor Timothy Tesmer (TEZ-muhr) approved in October. But on Wednesday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says it was notified that some comments submitted at a public hearing were not included in the hearing summary.

Host Intro: A fight over who controls more than $100 million intended to revitalize north Omaha spilled onto the floor of the Legislature Wednesday.

The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education discussed a new contract for teachers that includes changes to professional learning time and an increase in the base annual salary at their meeting on Tuesday.

A law against texting while driving would be bolstered under a proposal heard Tuesday in a legislative committee. And a bill aimed at strengthening protections for freedom of religion is advancing in the Legislature.

Bills for better state contracts and easier occupational licenses are advancing in the Legislature.

In Lincoln and Omaha, hundreds of snowplow drivers have put in long hours over the last two weeks, with each city using a different strategy to keep the streets clear. Clayton Engelman, the transportation maintenance coordinator for the city of Lincoln, says major arterials remain the city’s priority after the snow stops falling. “Once the snow stops, that's usually what we call zero hour,” Engelman said. “And then at that point, we try to get the streets, the main streets, fully cleared before we move on into residentials.”

Host Intro: Governor Jim Pillen wants changes in how Nebraska tries to attract new people and businesses to the state. And the Legislature is moving on to debate bills without making major changes to its rules.

In December, the Nebraska Association of Public Employees was granted a motion of temporary relief, which halted the implementation of Governor Jim Pillen’s executive order requiring workers to return to the office in January. But Justin Hubly, the union’s Executive Director, says he received some complaints from union members that were required to return to in-person work despite the ruling.

Schools across the state are facing challenges with chronic absenteeism in students. One school district is using connections to overcome the issue and get students to school.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen talked about his priorities and drew a mixed reaction, while a bid to change legislative rules and require open elections for committee chairmanships fell short.

Governor Jim Pillen made his State of the State address today (yesterday). But as Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena reports, his speech was delayed by those concerned about his administration’s decisions.

As NioCorp prepares for its annual shareholders meeting, frustrated investors in Nebraska would like answers following what even the CEO calls a "disappointing" year. The company attracted small investors after it proposed to build a Niobium mine outside of Elk Creek, Nebraska. The project has yet to materialize. The stock languished in 2023 after joining the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. In the past year, the focus of the discussion among NioCorp shareholders shifted from the buzz about the prospects for a mine toward the under-performance of its stock.

The eighty-one year-old community activist and Sunday school teacher compared his campaign for Pete Ricketts’ Senate seat to David going up against Goliath in his opening speech. Love said his priorities as U.S. senator would include stronger gun control, more abortion access, and the creation of a robust farm bill.

.Senators introduced proposals to raise sales tax and eliminate exemptions to lower property taxes, and to tighten restrictions on foreign ownership of ag land.

The Legislature's Urban Affairs Committee advanced a proposal to shift control of north Omaha redevelopment funds, and legislative rules debate continued.

Sunday morning, the temperature in Lincoln fell to -18 degrees, making it the coldest day in the capital city since February 16, 2021. On that day, nearly three years ago, the temperature dipped to 31 below, contributing to rolling blackouts across the region.

Wind chills will dip as low as negative 30 degrees in Lincoln this week. That’s a looming concern for people experiencing homelessness. Nonprofits in Lincoln are encouraging people to seek refuge from the cold. People’s City Mission is opening its doors to everyone this week. Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach is open during the day.

CHI Health Center and Creighton University in Omaha set up a phone line to research long COVID across the state. They are also using the phone line to provide further care to those affected with continued symptoms.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Nebraska Public Media remembers a visit Dr. King made to Lincoln, NE on December 30, 1964. From the stage at Pershing Auditorium, Dr. King spoke at the Methodist Student Movement Conference saying, “I need not pause to say how very delighted and honored I am to be here tonight and to be a part of this very significant conference.” Assigned security for Dr. King was 25 year old Lincoln Police Officer Al Maxey.

Due to the heavy winter storms this past weekend, some community resources have had to shift their plans

It’s been a busy week for Lincoln snowplow driver Brett Bratrsovsky. Lincoln is in its second snow emergency of the week, and Bratrsovsky has already worked multiple 12 hour shifts. He worked 16 hours on Thursday. While the early week storm had warmer temperatures and wetter snow, Friday’s accumulation has been colder and drier, making it easier to plow. But the wind is a problem.

The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Janet Palmtag's defamation suit against the Nebraska Republican Party can go to trial.

The Nebraska Legislature began debating rules changes Thursday that some argued are necessary, and others criticized as an overreaction.

Sen. Merv Riepe proposed eased abortion restrictions in cases of fatal fetal anomaly, and the Rules Committe endorsed open elections for committee chairs.

The Nebraska Supreme Court is weighing who can legally help an expectant mother with the birth of her child in Nebraska. A pair of cases involving an unlicensed lay midwife triggered an appeal to the high court. District Court judges in Douglas and Madison Counties threw out charges against Judy Jones, an unlicensed lay midwife after she assisted in the birth of two babies in a home birth. The justices heard opposing points of view during oral arguments on Wednesday.

More than $120 million of state funds are heading to Omaha for the creation of a business park site and youth sports complex in the northeast part of the city. Governor Jim Pillen and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert joined other civic leaders to make the announcement Wednesday. Nearly $90 million will help pay for land acquisitions and infrastructure development near Eppley Airfield, allowing private businesses to begin construction on the site upon completion.

League Builders Supply, a lumberyard and store in Stratton, Nebraska, is set to shut down in the coming weeks after owner Denis League retires. “I'm not going to say Stratton’s going to shrivel up and die, because I'm not here, but I don't think it's going to help anything,” he said. “And I feel bad about that, but there’s a point where you’ve got to take care of yourself and I think I’m there.”

Bills concerning reparations for slavery and abolition of tenure are among proposals to be considered by the Legislature.

Winter Storm Finn blanketed much of eastern Nebraska with snow over the last two days. Lincoln and Omaha each saw around 5 inches of snow Monday and Tuesday, while other parts of the state saw upwards of one foot. A spot near Daykin, a village in Saline County, had the storm’s highest measured snowfall in the state of 14.5 inches, according to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.

Gov. Jim Pillen endorsed a 40 percent property tax cut Monday but did not offer a specific plan for how to achieve that.

A new resource for Nebraskans working to become U-S citizens is now available in Crete. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena reports it was created due to an increased need in the community.

Senators introduced proposals dealing with the death penalty and degree requirements, while preparing for an upcoming debate on how they conduct business.

Local Native American advocates and a fish farm owner settled a series of court disputes against the city of Lincoln on Thursday. Advocates opposed a housing development the city approved back in spring 2022. The Wilderness Crossing Development is planned to be created next to sacred Native American prayer grounds, called the Niskíthe Prayer Camp.

The Nebraska Legislature began its 2024 session Wednesday with a mixture of hope and apprehension about doing the state's business

The U.S. Department of Education is slowly releasing this year's FAFSA form after a two-month delay due to changes from the FAFSA Simplification Act. One student managed to get in and complete his application among technical difficulties.

Nebraska has begun buying land in Colorado for the proposed Perkins County Canal.

On Monday, Nebraska’s minimum wage increased to $12 an hour, making it the 18th highest state minimum wage in the country and one of 25 states increasing its minimum wage this year. In 2022, Nebraska voters passed an initiative raising the minimum wage from $9 an hour up to $15 an hour by 2026, increasing by $1.50 each year. After that, the wage will be adjusted in accordance with cost of living increases.

Santa Claus is about to come to town, but some families in the Lincoln metro area need some extra help. Center for People hosts Toyland, an event for families to fill up their stockings and put presents under the tree free of charge.

At an open house in Ogallala, residents of western Nebraska and Colorado had reactions ranging from enthusiasm to skepticism about plans for the Perkins County Canal.

In 2024, Nebraska state senators will decide what they want to do about fiscal and social issues, but also how they want to govern themselves.

Reporter Jolie Peal talks about first year covering education for Nebraska Public Media.

This holiday season, Nebraska Public Media is reflecting on stories and topics our newsroom has covered over the past year. Nebraska Public Media's Dale Johnson sat down with reporter Elizabeth Rembert to hear about her year covering agriculture and rural communities through our partnership with Harvest Public Media.

This holiday season, Nebraska Public Media is reflecting on stories and topics our newsroom has covered over the past year. Our team is made up of ten reporters, each one with their own beat. A beat is a genre of event-driven journalism where a reporter focuses on a particular issue, sector, organization, or institution over time. For example, typical beats include police, courts, government, business, and schools. Reporter Aaron Bonderson joined Nebraska Public Media in 2021 as an intern and started full-time in 2022. He is a Report for America corps member - the first at Nebraska Public Media. Aaron's job includes giving voice to underserved communities and people around the state. He also has a passion for sports. In 2023, one of the most memorable stories for Bonderson was Volleyball Day in Nebraska. Bonderson sat down with Dale Johnson to reflect.

Seventy-three counties in Nebraska are below the national average ratio of registered nurses to patients. That’s according to a Nebraska Hospital Association report. Nebraska Public Media reports on how the nursing shortage affects seniors in rural parts of the state.

This holiday season, Nebraska Public Media is reflecting on stories and topics our newsroom has covered over the past year. Nebraska Public Media's Dale Johnson sat down with new senior reporter Kassidy Arena to hear about what brought her back to the state and the type of reporting she'd like to focus on.

The Texas Longhorns swept the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the NCAA Volleyball National Championship in Tampa Sunday afternoon. Nebraska and Texas battled back and forth throughout the first set, but the Longhorns eventually pulled away, winning 25-22.

Gov. Jim Pillen's adminstration's consultant is to identify budget savings of 3% this year and 6% next.

Following a dominating victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday, the Nebraska volleyball team has earned a place in the National Championship match. The Huskers will take on Texas on Sunday at 2 p.m. The match will air on ABC. It’s the first college volleyball game broadcast on the network. Nebraska, who is seeking its sixth national title, is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament after an impressive regular season and postseason run.

A woman in Lincoln is finding ways to grow her business by participating in local classes with ECHO Collective and Doane University.

Communities in western Kansas are trying a new AI tool to help them target economic growth and hopefully fight long-term trends of population loss.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball squad competes in the national semifinals on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Two more wins would give the Huskers its sixth national championship. Nebraska Public Media television sports producer Brock Lohr is in Tampa, Florida — the site of the Final Four. Nebraska Public Media’s Aaron Bonderson spoke with him about the turnout and excitement from the Nebraska faithful.

Generations of Native Americans have experienced historical trauma, due to centuries of mistreatment. One group of intertribal women are taking the steps to heal through a new creative outlet.

Independent candidate for president Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke to a crowd of several hundred people at Lincoln’s Royal Grove Tuesday night. Kennedy spent much of his speech Tuesday talking about how a small number of investment firms, namely BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, are taking away wealth from the American middle class.

Nearly seven years ago, Michael Galindo died following a mob attack during a riot at the Tecumseh State Prison. On Tuesday, a Saline County jury found fellow inmate Eric Ramos guilty of taking part in the murder. Shortly after the jury returned to the Saline County District Court Tuesday morning to resume discussions they returned a verdict of guilt to murder in the first degree, carrying a life sentence.

After February's freight train derailment and chemical fire in East Palestine, Ohio, Democrats and Republicans — including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley — joined to push for the Railway Safety Act of 2023. But the legislation is likely dead, says one industry expert who calls it "a political stunt."

After a month-long trial involving hours of surveillance video and surprise testimony from Ramos himself, attorneys made their final arguments Monday morning. Ramos is charged with killing fellow inmate Michael Galindo during a prison riot at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in 2017. Prosecuting attorney Corey O’Brien presented the state’s case and said the video evidence of Galindo’s death was enough to charge Ramos with first-degree murder.

Nebraskans in District Two now have a new group to help people in the state learn about policies that affect their cost of living.

State employee union members filled the capitol rotunda on their lunch break Thursday to express concerns with the governor’s order ending remote work next month. Nebraska Association of Public Employees executive director Justin Hubly said the union renewed its demand to bargain with the Pillen administration and has given them until December 12th to respond.

On a given night in 2007, the state’s homeless population was about 35-hundred people. Last year, that total fell to about 22-hundred. Lee Heflebower is the chair of the Nebraska Commission on Housing and Homelessness. She says a new strategy to rehouse people has streamlined the process in Nebraska.

Next year’s FAFSA is delayed due to changes required by the FAFSA Simplification Act. Typically, the application is available on Oct. 1. This year, the U.S. Department of Education announced the form will come out by Dec. 31. At Lexington High School, faculty are trying to help students prepare for the delayed release.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said the first year's results on his effort to reduce property taxes were not not what he hoped for.

No consensus has been reached on how to honor children’s remains if they are found at the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School in Central Nebraska. By sifting through old documents in 2021, the Genoa Reconciliation Project estimated that 100 children died at the school. Diseases were the main causes of death. According to Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs executive director, Judi gaiashkibos, the NCIA hosted a call with 40 Native American tribes across the country last Thursday. All of those nations had youth enrolled in the Genoa federal boarding school.

Over 100 billion pounds of food goes to waste every year in America. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Food Bank is trying to cut down on that waste by connecting local farmers and food pantries, but its future depends on how much funding is included for the program in the next farm bill.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents heard concerns from the public about proposed budget cuts and approved the NU interim president at their meeting on Friday. With a $58 million budget shortfall looming, the university system has been searching for ways to cut costs. Current NU President Ted Carter said campuses conducted zero-based budget reviews that were due to his office on Dec. 1. These reviews are intended to look at administrative functions, like information technology and facilities.

For three weeks, jurors in a murder trial in Saline County District Court have been witnesses to a prison riot. Surveillance footage captured during the 2017 uprising at the Tecumseh Correctional Facility plays a central role in determining whether inmate Eric Ramos took part in the murder of a fellow prisoner. Bill Kelly with Nebraska Public Media has been in court for much of the trial. A transcript of his conversation with Morning Edition host Dale Johnson follows.

Expecting mothers during 32 to 36 weeks and adults 60-years-old and older should get the RSV vaccine, according to CHI Health doctors. Dr. Michael Schooff, primary care medical director for CHI Health, said RSV can have a severe impact on infants and older adults. “They can get into a bronchiolitis or a pneumonia. Deeper and more severe infections in the lung can lead to difficulty breathing,” Schooff said. “People might need to go to the ER. Sometimes people need to be hospitalized and have help with breathing during these illnesses. And yes, sometimes it is fatal.”

Summary: Indigenous women from throughout Nebraska and parts of Iowa have been sewing and working on traditional garments for six months—all leading up to a first-of-its-kind fashion show.

Nebraska schools are wrestling with the problem of cellphones distracting students.

Climatologists are predicting a warmer and wetter than average winter this year thanks to El Nino, a climate pattern of warm air over the Pacific Ocean. Eric Hunt with the Nebraska State Climate Office said despite warmer temperatures, Lincoln is likely to receive more snowfall than the previous two winters. “I would basically tell anybody Grand Island and east, and particularly South of the Platte, to prepare for more snow than what we've had in the last couple of years,” Hunt said.

Newly released state assessment scores show Nebraska’s schools improved this past school year. Across the state, 58% of students were proficient in English Language Arts, 61% in math and 70% in science. These numbers are higher than before the pandemic. “Hopefully we can build on this momentum and work with our schools to really address issues of high quality materials that we're seeing have an impact in our classrooms, quality instruction, and really continue to help teachers teach because as everybody truly knows, that's where the magic happens in education,” Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Brian Maher said.

Two Nebraska educators received a $25,000 surprise this past week. The teachers caught the attention of a national organization because of their teaching methods and love for the job. “I could think of 15 other people before myself that would receive an award in this school because this place is just filled with the best educators in Nebraska,” Leslie McIntosh, one of the recipients, said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

The tradition of harvesting an evergreen for the official Christmas tree of Omaha is almost one-hundred years old. It’s a trek that used to start across the country, but has transitioned to a more local journey.

Supporters of a plan to replace Nebraska's income and property taxes say they're hiring a petition circulation firm to try and get on next year's ballot.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is looking for a new president to run the NU system. Chairman Tim Clare discusses the search, his recommendation for interim president and more. Clare said the application for the position is open for candidates. “We are now in a position where we're full steam ahead with trying to get candidates in," Clare said.

Northern Nebraska’s Santee Sioux Reservation is still without safe drinking water after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a no-drink order in 2019. But in recent weeks, some progress has been made. The Santee Sioux tribal council voted to pursue funding for a pipeline bringing clean water from South Dakota in September, but several bureaucratic and financial hurdles need to be cleared before safe drinking water becomes a reality in Santee once more.

Hundreds of high school band, orchestra and choir students from across Nebraska came together last week to perform at All-State in Lincoln. This year, almost 750 students made one of the four groups.

Eric Ramos, the man accused of killing a fellow inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in 2017, is back in court after his initial 2018 trial ended in a mistrial. Opening statements for Ramos’ second trial began Wednesday afternoon at the Saline County Courthouse in Wilber, Nebraska. The State of Nebraska charged Eric Ramos with first degree murder, use of a weapon and tampering with evidence in the death of Michael Galindo during a 2017 riot at the state prison in Tecumseh.

Homeschool numbers increased all over the country at the start of the pandemic. Studies show many states have sustained that uptick. But Nebraska has a different story.

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials say a continuing resolution dodged the worst case scenario for food assistance programs if the government shuts down Nov. 17. Still, food advocates warn that Congress needs to act quickly and do more to make sure programs are fully funded.

“We felt as though silence would be better than making an attempt at words that might fall short," Rev. Sarah Rentzel Jones, who works at Countryside Community Church on the Tri-Faith campus, said. A church, synagogue and mosque sit on the Tri-Faith campus. The three communities are trying to support each other through the impact of the Israel-Hamas war.

Sen. Pete Ricketts wants to exempt military retirement from federal income tax, but most veterans would not benefit.

Entomologists say insects are declining at alarming rates — one major study estimates we’re losing 2% in total insect biomassevery year. Now, the National Academy of Sciences is preparing to embark on a study to understand insect trends across North America.

Since the 2018-19 school year, the Hazelwood School District has sharply increased its rate of investigating student residency eightfold, deploying a team of employees who can use intrusive tactics.

Before Abigail, no one had ever competed in wheelchair cross country in the history of the state. At least not according to the Nebraska School Activities Association. But this fall, Abigail competed in four races alongside other junior high runners, each a little more than one mile long. She says her teammates have helped inspire her to not give up when she’s tired.

Election integrity experts, including Nebraska’s Deputy Secretary of State for Elections, Wayne Bena, testified at a U.S. Senate hearing about threats to election administration Wednesday. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Ranking Member Deb Fischer of Nebraska said she hoped to find solutions to problems facing election officials and volunteer poll workers.

The Nebraska Department of Education announced a $2 million commitment to Nebraska Growing Readers, which will distribute books to early childhood centers across the state. Mary Jo Pankoke is the CEO of the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation which is partnering with the state. She said one of the goals of the program is to address book deserts. The book distribution began at Educare Indian Hill in Omaha, and will expand to 18 other sites statewide.

Intended to improve patient care in long-term care facilities, the regulation would require nursing homes to staff a registered nurse for 24 hours a day. Tim Groshans, CEO of the Burwell Community Memorial Health Center, said it would give them less flexibility to accept patients and adjust staffing levels to fit patient needs.

Thousands of competitors come to the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri, each year to show their best livestock. The competition includes children as young as 7 years old, who take part in a long tradition of raising and showing their animals.

The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board increased its projections for state tax revenue in the upcoming year, but the board is less optimistic about fiscal year 2025. The board now projects Nebraska will collect $6.445 billion dollars in state tax revenue between July 2023 and June 2024. That represents an increase of nearly $8 million dollars from the previous projection set in April 2023.

Former Scottsbluff Police Captain Brian Wasson surrenders his law enforcement certificates over theft and use of drugs.

In Lincoln, the crisis Voices of Hope is having their annual fundraiser this week. Nebraska Public Media’ shares more about the difference the organization is making.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and dozens of others AGs across the country are suing Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook. The lawsuits allege that Meta intentionally designed its social media apps to be addictive to children and teens, taking advantage of psychological vulnerabilities to make a profit.

62 percent of volunteer fire departments surveyed in Nebraska say recruiting is difficult, according to a Nebraska Public Media survey. Some diverse towns in Nebraska may try to recruit more People of Color to fill those gaps. How are those efforts going? And, why is it important for the community be represented in the fire department?

In most rural communities throughout Nebraska, the firefighters and EMTs who respond to emergencies are all volunteers. But according to survey data from Nebraska Public Media News, recruiting and retaining members has become more challenging in recent years. Nebraska Public Media’s Brian Beach reports how generational bonds and creative solutions are keeping volunteer fire departments alive.

About two-thirds of Rural Nebraskans’ think a lack of civil discourse is a somewhat serious (33%) or very serious (32%) problem in America. That’s according to the latest results of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rural Poll.

A move to give Speaker pro tem Patrick McHenry the full authority of Speaker of the House fell short in a Republican Conference meeting Thursday. Flood began Thursday morning joining Jim Jordan in support of a resolution that would give McHenry the full powers of the Speaker of the House through the end of November.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the 22-member search committee to find the system’s next president on Thursday. The committee scheduled listening sessions on all four NU campuses for next week.

Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon joined 21 other House Republicans Wednesday in not voting for Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House. Instead, Bacon voted for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted by eight Republicans earlier this month. “He was really the best speaker we could have had,” Bacon said of McCarthy. “He had the experience, the staff. He's the reason we're the majority today.”

A board member of a natural resource district based in Norfolk has filed a federal lawsuit against the rest of the elected body claiming they violated her First Amendment rights. Melissa Temple claims the district brought illegal sanctions against her as part of a punishment for criticizing other board members.

Monarch butterflies travel hundreds and even thousands of miles in their migration to Mexico. Volunteer efforts to tag the butterflies have helped scientists learn more about their journey.

In his hometown of Casablanca, Morocco, Mohammed Sbai’s family felt tremors from the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the country last month. Nebraska Public Media shares an update from one of the worst natural disasters in the last 60 years in Morocco.

Anyone who’s driven into Kansas City from the north has probably seen the swooping white steel fame of the Kansas City Current's new stadium going up. The team's new owners believe it can change women's soccer.

Proposed projects would add more than 3,000 miles of new carbon pipelines through rural parts of the Midwest. Some emergency officials are concerned about safety, especially after a rupture on a similar pipeline three years ago.

The Nebraska Supreme Court says the Department of Natural Resources can decide about a plan to divert water from the Platte to the Republican River.

It can be tough to find street and highway superintendents in many parts of rural Nebraska. Nebraska Public Media’s Aaron Bonderson reports on the issue of getting superintendents committed to living in remote parts of the state.

Nebraska Public Media and the Midwest Newsroom talked with teenage girl athletes about this moment in time and how they feel girls' sports have changed.

The town of Merriman, Nebraska no longer has its own ambulance service. The Sandhills Ambulance Service could no longer recruit enough qualified volunteers to transport emergency patients to local hospitals. The rescue squad served a 100 square mile area in the far-northwest corner of Cherry County. On Wednesday, the three-member board of Sandhills held a virtual meeting and voted to disband the service after a three-year-long effort to recruit capable Emergency Medical Technicians.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the start of a $450 million construction project that will change Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

Two Native American families have settled a lawsuit against the Cody Kilgore Schools with an agreement the district will no longer cut students' hair without the permission of parents. In 2020 an elementary school secretary cut the hair of the two girls during a check for headlice. The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union maintained the Lakota Sioux believe long hair is a sacred symbol, only to be cut by select individuals. The school employee’s actions, it was argued, violated the Civil Rights of the students.

Nebraska’s three congressional representatives have voiced disappointment over Tuesday’s ouster of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. All of the House Democrats, along with eight Republicans led by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, voted to remove McCarthy from the role.

Wildfires have become more common in Great Plains states. City outskirts and rural areas where cedars spread aggressively face some of the highest risks.

Nebraska's planning to build the Perkins County Canal at a cost of more than $600 million, but big practical and legal questions remain unanswered.

The FBI Omaha Field Office is working with the Omaha Police Department to find Cindy Valle, who went missing on August 26, 2011. She was 15 years old and five months pregnant at the time.

Farmers say Title One — a farm bill program that sends money when crop prices or harvests get low enough — isn’t working as a buffer against tough years. Yet others argue the nearly 100-year-old safety net is costing billions of dollars with few strings attached.

Nebraska's proposed Perkins County Canal could mean less water for Colorado farmers. But it could be a long time before the effects are clear.

Nebraska says its proposed Perkins County Canal is needed because of development in Colorado. Colorado officials say the canal won't stop development, but could hurt that state's farmers.

After a series of high-profile setbacks, a new mural in Lincoln hopes to provide a sense of hope to Nebraska’s LGBTQ community. Nebraska Public Media’s William Padmore talked with members of the community about how they see their situation and whether there’s hope for the future

Nebraska has revived plans to build a canal to bring South Platte River water from Colorado. But is the canal necessary, and will it deliver the promised benefits?

School bus drivers are in short supply nationwide, and Nebraska is no exception. Larger districts are still looking for bus drivers to fill positions. Smaller districts are managing to keep a full staff thanks to community members who are willing to step up. Nebraska Public Media's Jolie Peal reports on what could be contributing to the driver shortage in different areas across the state.

Food waste takes up space in landfills and produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Composting that waste can reduce climate impacts and save municipalities money on landfill fees, but concerns about bad smells and pests sometimes get in the way.

Homicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality, and experts say the problem is getting worse.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services is still having trouble finding enough employees, according to a recent report. Doug Koebernick, the state’s Inspector General of Corrections, says that as of June 2023, NDCS had 377 vacancies out of more than 2500 total positions.

Federally subsidized crop insurance made record-high payouts last year. While climate change is making farming more risky, the federal program often shields producers at taxpayer expense. Some argue it’s time that the fast-growing program encourages farmers to mitigate their risks.

Small rural communities often have to get creative to generate tourism and public interest. One central Nebraska town is hoping to do so by throwing avocados - really, really far

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska are part of an emerging “extreme heat belt” that could deliver more scorching days within 30 years. So far, there’s no unified plan to make our dwellings safe in the dangerously high temperatures to come.

For the past four years, Santee has not had access to safe drinking water. And for four years, the tribe has been unable to afford the necessary infrastructure to fix the problem. “We’re supposed to be the greatest country in the world," Kameron Runnels, Santee Sioux Vice Chairman said. "Yet, we have a community right here in our state that can't even drink its own water.”

The Farm-to-School movement is out to revolutionize the humble school lunch with food grown on local farms. But the path from cropland to cafeteria is full of complicated twists and turns. A new wave of federal funding is trying to smooth the way.

Over 6,000 St. Louis-area child abuse and neglect cases remain open due to staff shortages

The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on a proposal to divert water from the Platte to the Republican River

A fifth of reported heat-related deaths between 2017 and 2022 were agricultural workers, according to OSHA data. Many are calling attention to the under-reported impact of climate change on this group from heatwaves.

New Latin drag night a safe space for Iowans and Nebraskans following anti-LGBTQ bills

University of Nebraska-Lincoln students started classes this week, and Chancellor Rodney Bennett started his first school year leading them. The former president of the University of Southern Mississippi took over the role from Ronnie Green, who retired at the end of June. Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal spoke with the new chancellor starting with the excitement around Volleyball Day.

The group cleaning up the AltEn ethanol plant near Mead has a pilot plan for cleaning up the mountain of pesticide sludge. Nebraska Public Media’s Elizabeth Rembert reports they’ll try moving it to a landfill near an Omaha suburb.

Memorial Stadium will be packed at the end of this month, with more than 90-thousand people expected to watch Nebraska’s best volleyball programs in action. Four teams will compete in the first-ever Volleyball Day in Nebraska. Record-breaking ticket sales highlight the significance of volleyball to the Cornhusker state. Nebraska Public Media’s Aaron Bonderson reports on how the sport got to this point…

Gov. Jim Pillen announced Thursday the state will build a new prison in northeast Lincoln.

A research team from multiple universities is developing technology that can detect salmonella contamination in a matter of minutes.

Journalists at the Marion County Record worked late into the night to publish their first issue since the widely-criticized raid. “SEIZED… but not silenced,” its headline read.

Experts worry hoarding is on the rise in Kansas amid a lack of support for those who struggle with it, straining families and communities.

Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Steve Corsi to head the Department of Social Services; some of Corsi's social media posts spark concerns.

Warm weather in the South and cold weather in the Midwest knocked out a significant number of the nation’s peach crop this year, leaving a shortage across the country.

Thousands packed Omaha’s streets on Saturday to celebrate Crawford after his win over Errol Spence, Jr. The latest triumph made him the first male boxer to hold all four major titles in two different weight classes.

Senior citizens who want to live in the same rural towns where they grew up face a growing problem ... how to get around. Unreliable transportation means many seniors have trouble shopping for groceries, visiting family and getting to medical care. However, there might be one solution.

Legal sports betting in Kansas came with mobile casinos that offer easy access to place wagers online. Experts say that also comes with a higher risk of addiction.

Members of Nebraska's congressional delegation talked about subjects including immigration, trade, ethanol, and partisanship at a meeting Tuesday.

May 5, 2023 is a day many residents of Franklin, Nebraska will never forget. That’s when tennis ball sized hail and heavy winds bombarded the Republican River Valley town of less than 1,000 people. By late July, roofing crews could still be seen throughout the town, working through triple digit temperatures to repair damage sustained several months ago.

A group of Midwestern shrimp farmers are on a mission to provide Americans with better-tasting, sustainable shrimp. The industry struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but farmers remain hopeful that indoor shrimp farming will come back stronger than ever.

Barbers from across Nebraska are sharpening their shears and queuing their clippers in preparation for the Battle of the Barbers event in Omaha. But, the event is shaping up to be much more than a simple contest.

An EF-1 tornado ripped through the town of Sutton Saturday morning. The storm didn’t lead to any injuries, but there was extensive damage to the town 70 miles southwest of Lincoln.

Over 700 teaching positions were vacant or filled with an unqualified individual last year, according to the Nebraska Department of Education. Other issues, like burnout and low teacher pay, are making it hard for teachers to stay in the classroom. An organization called Educators Rising is trying to help fill those positions by encouraging students to overcome these issues and become teachers.

The town of Winslow gained statewide attention for its plan to save the community from future floods by moving its uphill. However, the plan has almost ground to a halt, and while some community members support it, most cannot afford it, while others are actively fighting to keep the town where it is.

Elderberries are native to the Midwest, but the commercial cultivation of the crop is relatively recent, and saw a big increase during the coronavirus pandemic. That has the burgeoning industry wondering if its future is as a small, niche crop or something bigger.

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Willa Cather is one of the most celebrated American writers from the Midwest for her depictions of life in the great plains. This week and next, 25 academics from across the country are convening in Nebraska to critique her works and methods.

This year is the 20th anniversary of a Nebraska Army National Guard peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. At the time, a NATO-sponsored mission was rare for the Guard. Nebraska Public Media reports on the lasting impact of the so-called “Taskforce Huskers” mission.

A court hearing Wednesday considered the constitutionality of a law restricting both abortion and health care for transgender youth.

10% of Iowa’s Methodist congregations are leaving the church. The denomination is wrestling over the future of LGBTQ members and whether they can be clergy.

Dryness in the Great Plains began spreading east this year, affecting much of the Midwest and endangering crops, livestock and river transportation. Recent rains have been a god-send, but will it be enough to loosen the years-long drought?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave two companies the green light last month to produce and sell their cultivated chicken meat across the country. But it could still take years before people can buy the new meat at grocery stores.

The promise of $405 million will help connect more Nebraskans, but challenges remain.

In an effort to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Biden administration is offering more tax credits for carbon capture sequestration and utilization. The program once expected to cost $3.2 billion now could exceed $100 billion.

Storm chasers of different ages and backgrounds explain why they chase storms, and how social media is transforming the profession

Congress expanded work requirements for food assistance during the debt ceiling negotiations, a move that would normally happen in the Farm Bill. Shortly before that, the state of Kansas made similar changes.

Abortion is still legal in Iowa a year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to terminate a pregnancy. But just like this time last year, it’s not clear how long that will last. An Iowa Supreme Court order this month left only one thing certain—Republican lawmakers will try again to restrict abortion.

In 2020, a group of Nebraska ranchers and cattle feeders came up with a plan to establish their own meat plant. It’s a proposal to break away from the four massive companies that control the beef market. Three years later, they're working on construction and housing.

Hospitals across the country have recruited nurses from around the world to make up for U.S. labor shortages. But demand for international workers is delaying visas and slowing the flow of nurses able to come to Kansas.

Nebraska will receive more than $400 million in federal infrastructure funding to improve broadband access in the state.

A summer camp in Nebraska is trying to spark Native American students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Twenty-seven middle school students from more than eight tribes in Nebraska and South Dakota toured the Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska, earlier this month.

Extreme drought, low levels in water towers may lead to complete sprinkler ban

University of Nebraska President Ted Carter speaks on tuition increases, politics in education and beer at Memorial Stadium.

For two years, federal funds have been available for states to extend postpartum health care from two months to a full year for moms on Medicaid. The policy is popular across the Midwest, with Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska all adopting an extension. Iowa remains hesitant.

The anti-abortion movement is contending with a growing faction that calls for abortion patients to be criminally punished.

Iowa was one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage, years before it would be allowed across the rest of the country. During that time in between, couples flocked to the state to tie the knot, and in particular, one small town became a popular destination.

There’s a battle going on within the Nebraska Republican Party. In interviews gathered over months, both current and former officials within the NEGOP say incidents in Sarpy, Dixon and York counties are indicative of a statewide battle between longtime “establishment” officials and “far-right” newcomers.

Several groups of women over 50 are now playing competitive basketball. From Kansas to Iowa to Texas and beyond, these women openly admit they are “off their rockers.”

In April, a new lease agreement from the Bureau of Reclamation, who manages the land, requires the owners to remove the trailers from the lakes by Nov. 1, 2024.

The pallid sturgeons outlasted dinosaurs, but human changes to the Missouri River nearly wiped out the prehistoric fish. Some experts think the fish’s struggle could signal larger problems on the Big Muddy, especially as climate change accelerates.

Last fall the Mississippi River fell to low water levels when a flash drought exacerbated a dry spell in the upper part of the river’s basin. Soon it was more expensive for a grain company to send corn from St. Louis to New Orleans than it was to ship to China.

A growing legal movement to grant natural entities like rivers and forests legal rights is gaining traction in the U.S., and environmentalists are now setting their sights on the Mississippi River.

The Winslow Volunteer Fire Department began the process of burning down homes they once committed to protect. The Dodge County community intends to torch around 20 homes and businesses ruined by the massive flood of 2019 in an attempt to clear the flood plain and return the area to green space. Plans to relocate the town have stalled.

The Nebraska Legislature made big changes to the state's economic and social policies in its just-concluded session.

Between 2010 and 2020, Omaha lost 7,000 affordable dwellings for people making low incomes, according to a City Planning Department report called the Housing Affordability Action Plan (HAAP).

The bill allows prisoners who receive a 20 year sentence to be eligible for parole 2 years before their mandatory discharge date.

The Nebraska Legislature will end its 2023 session Thursday, with several of its major enactments facing legal or political challenges.

FOX’s “Farmer Wants a Wife” recently wrapped up its first season, and it got Harvest Public Media wondering what dating is like for farmers and ranchers. Turns out, dating in a small town isn’t always easy.

Kansas SB 180 will bring a host of changes, including limiting trans residents’ access to bathrooms. Much is still unknown about how it'll be enforced.

The Nebraska Legislature gave final approval Thursday to tax cuts and school aid increases.

The Nebraska Legislature passed tax-credit funded scholarships and advanced criminal justice reforms Wednesday.

Agreement appears near on some aspects of criminal justice reform, as Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh continues to slow down legislation.

The Nebraska Legislature debated photo ID requirements to vote, and Gov. Jim Pillen signed restrictions on abortion and health treatments for transgender youth into law.

The United Nations has declared 2023 the International Year of Millets — a type of small grain mostly grown in parts of Asia and Africa. The highly resilient and cost-friendly grains could make them the next crop for U.S. farmers in the midst of climate change.

The Nebraska Legislature gave final approval Friday to a bill restricting abortion and medical treatments for transgender youth.

This Thursday, Lincoln’s public transportation system will restore offering rides at night. Since last summer, StarTran and Paratransit, its service for people with disabilities, have stopped service at 7 p.m. Nebraska Public Media reports what the full service means to people who use Paratransit.

The Nebraska Legislature approved budget bills and wrangled over voter IDs, abortion and transgender health restrictions Thursday.

Nebraska state senators reflect on cowardice and incitement after their tumultuous debate on abortion and trans health restrictions.

Fifty years ago, the United States, North and South Vietnam, and the Vietcong signed a peace agreement in Paris ending America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam War.

The Nebraska Legislature on Tuesday added abortion restrictions to a bill restricting health treatments for transgender youth.

Auctions —a marketplace for knick knacks, farm land and everything in between — are often also social gathering events for rural communities. That’s changing as more auctions go online.

The Nebraska Legislature gave second-round approval Thursday to bills designed to reduce income and property taxes, despite criticism that the cuts might not be sustainable.

The Nebraska Legislature debated the use of funds for needy families, and the size of the state's cash reserve Wednesday.

The company’s self-declared strategy is to buy single-family rental properties around the region, including North Omaha and in Council Bluffs. A Midwest Newsroom investigation uncovered neglect, aggressive evictions and rising rents where VineBrook moves in – mostly non-white neighborhoods.

The Nebraska Legislature gave second-round approval Tuesday to far-reaching changes in education funding.

The Hastings Ground Water Contamination site was the first Superfund in Nebraska. After 40 years of working with the EPA, the city has learned a lot.

Abortion will be debated again, and restrictions would be imposed on companies that use certain Chinese telecommunications equipment, under proposals discussed in the Nebraska Legislature.

It's a good amendment. We have to wait and see the actual amendment when it comes from Bill drafters. But if everything follows through with agreement, we should be in a good place.

The Wizard of Oz and Kansas have been inseparable since farm girl Dorothy Gale first skipped down the yellow brick road. But having an enduring image from the Dust Bowl 1930s might also hold Kansas back from what it wants to be today.

The Legislature Thursday rejected attempts to stop or scale back canal and prison projects.

The Nebraska Legislature debated a state budget for the next two years on Wednesday.

Efforts to try and keep teachers teaching, and to disrupt the so-called 'school-to-prison' pipeline, were debated in the Legislature Tuesday.