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Groene makes it official, resigns from Nebraska Legislature
LINCOLN — State Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte stayed true to his word Monday and resigned from the Legislature. Gov. Pete Ricketts’ office confirmed that it had received his resignation letter, effective Monday at 11:59 p.m. Groene had said he intended to resign, after a former aide went public with a harassment complaint against him. […]
Sen. Hunt wants Groene investigated and better handling of harassment complaints
This story has been updated. OMAHA — Nebraska State Sen. Mike Groene’s decision to photograph a female staffer could spur a criminal probe of the cantankerous voice of North Platte. Two Omaha-area senators also hope the incident might encourage the Legislature to reconsider how it handles workplace harassment complaints against its own members. Groene said […]
Groene resigning after denying accusations he took ‘objectifying’ photos of legislative aide
This story has been updated. LINCOLN — State Sen. Mike Groene announced that he was resigning Friday afternoon, just a couple of hours after denying accusations that he took sexually inappropriate photographs of a female legislative aide. Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a statement saying that he has spoken with Groene and “we both agreed it […]
Gov. Ricketts talks water and taxes, faces questions at Kearney town hall
KEARNEY — Several people in a standing-room-only group of more than 50 Nebraskans questioned Gov. Pete Ricketts Friday about why the state should spend $500 million in taxpayer money on a canal and reservoir system aimed at Colorado. Kearney City Council member Tami Moore said she left the meeting convinced that Nebraska needs to work […]
Omaha’s mask mandate is lifted by health director
This article has been updated. OMAHA — Masks are no longer mandated in Omaha. Dr. Lindsay Huse, health director for the City of Omaha and for the Douglas County Health Department, lifted the mask mandate Wednesday for certain indoor spaces in Omaha. Huse, in her role as city health director, announced the change by press […]
Updated: Lindstrom taps ‘doer’ Rippe as running mate, focuses on future
Editor’s note: This report has been updated. State Sen. Brett Lindstrom on Thursday continued carving out a youthful, optimistic lane for his campaign in Nebraska’s Republican primary race for governor. The 40-year-old Omaha financial adviser announced his running mate: Dave Rippe, a 39-year-old who built his real estate and development business in Hastings, Nebraska. Lindstrom […]
Ricketts: Nebraska must build Perkins County Canal or risk a $1B economic hit
LINCOLN — If Nebraska stands pat, the Cornhusker State’s portion of the Platte River could run dry, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts told a legislative committee Wednesday. Colorado, he said, is investing nearly $10 billion to keep more of the South Platte River’s water inside its borders rather than letting it flow east into Nebraska. He […]
Herbster, Lindstrom, Thibodeau agree to debate in gov’s race; Pillen says no
Three of the top four Republican candidates running for governor will appear on a Nebraska debate stage together in March. GOP candidates Charles Herbster, State Sen. Brett Lindstrom and former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau will debate March 24 on Nebraska Public Media, which Nebraskans know as NET-TV. University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen declined the […]
Rep. Bacon draws GOP challenger who moonlights as Darth Vader
OMAHA — U.S. House candidate Jim Schultze wants to “Force choke” the national debt, and the Omaha Republican says he can do it without the Darth Vader suit he wears to Star Wars-themed events and appearances for kids. The 40-year information technology professional said he saw former President Donald Trump’s statements seeking a GOP primary […]
Herbster and Pillen spar over critical race theory
Hog farmer Jim Pillen’s latest television ad takes aim at critical race theory. He says he knows slop when he sees it. Charles Herbster, Pillen’s top opponent in Nebraska’s Republican primary for governor, questioned Pillen’s sincerity. He said he should have done more to protect university students from critical race theory. Herbster pointed to Pillen’s […]
GOP primary: Pillen slams Herbster for basing business, annual meeting out of state
OMAHA — Two top Republicans running for governor are getting personal about each other’s businesses. On Friday, northeast Nebraska hog producer Jim Pillen, the top fundraiser in the GOP primary, attacked southeast Nebraska bull breeder Charles Herbster, the race’s top spender, for locating his biggest business out of state. “I chose to raise my family and […]
Nebraska governor candidates talk taxes, attracting talent and helping entrepreneurs
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s top candidates for governor tussled Thursday over taxes, attracting talent to the state and helping local entrepreneurs innovate. The most interesting exchanges at a forum hosted by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry addressed how the candidates would persuade more young people to live in the state. Republican Charles Herbster, the […]