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Geist heads back to Nebraska Capitol for new job advising the attorney general
LINCOLN — Former State Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln is headed back to the Capitol in a new role four months after the Republican resigned her post to make an unsuccessful run for Lincoln mayor. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced Thursday that he had hired Geist as his chief adviser, a new position. He […]
Keep Kids First calls on Support Our Schools to stop petition drive on tax credit
OMAHA — Flanked by students touring a Catholic school in North Omaha, advocates of Nebraska’s new tax credit for scholarships to private K-12 schools called on the state teachers union Tuesday to stop fighting a law they said would help poor and minority students. A union spokeswoman said the premise pushed by tax credit supporters […]
Four of six people cited during Nebraska Capitol protests face charges
LINCOLN — Four of six people who were jailed during protests at the Nebraska Capitol on May 19 over a bill combining a stricter abortion ban with new restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors face criminal charges in Lancaster County. Benjamin Buras, 40, and Sara B. Crawford, 34, both of Lincoln, are scheduled to be […]
Judge dismisses LB 574 lawsuit, says abortion and gender care are health care
LINCOLN — A lawsuit trying to stop the new Nebraska law mixing a stricter abortion ban at 12 weeks of gestation with restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans minors was dismissed on Friday by a Lancaster County District Court judge. Judge Lori Maret sided with Attorney General Mike Hilgers and the state, which argued Legislative […]
Judge mulling motion to dismiss lawmaker Megan Hunt’s defamation suit against Freedom Coalition
OMAHA — An attempt Friday by an attorney for the Nebraska Freedom Coalition to sidestep State Sen. Megan Hunt’s defamation lawsuit is being taken under advisement for at least the weekend by a Douglas County District Court judge. District Judge Todd Engleman will decide on the motion to dismiss. He is hearing the civil case […]
Nebraska to use up to $2 million in pandemic funds for National Guard border trip
LINCOLN — Nebraskans are paying to send their public servants to the U.S. border with Mexico for the second time in two months. This time, the state is using federal COVID-19 recovery funds, money some lawmakers say should be spent in the state. Gov. Jim Pillen, fresh off sending 10 Nebraska state troopers to Texas […]
Nebraska’s congressional delegation, governor scored by Common Ground
OMAHA – The Common Ground Committee, a nonprofit group that scores members of Congress and state governors on bipartisan behavior, but not on their voting records, weighed in this month on Nebraska’s all-GOP slate of top elected officials. Common Ground measures legislators on such things as the number of bipartisan bills they co-sponsor, their discussions […]
State, local chambers press Nebraska delegation for smaller-scale immigration fixes
ASHLAND, Nebraska — Workers are hard to come by, and Congress should help. State business leaders shared that message and more with Nebraska’s all-GOP congressional delegation Tuesday during the annual summit held by the Nebraska, Omaha and Lincoln Chambers of Commerce at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum. Local chamber members and Christine Scullion, […]
Allegations about Lincoln superintendent’s previous role in Iowa referred to judge
LINCOLN — A storm brewing over the superintendent of Nebraska’s second-largest K-12 school district stirred this week into a potential threat against his license as a school administrator in Iowa. The Iowa state board that disciplines teachers and school administrators found the allegations against Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman by his previous employer credible […]
Flood’s fintech gathering discusses need for crypto regulation
LINCOLN — Leaders in the next phase of finance spent much of a technology conference Wednesday in Nebraska describing the need for sensible federal regulation that strengthens the guardrails for cryptocurrency and blockchain customers without stifling business innovation. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., a rookie member of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, hosted a […]
Big names to headline Nebraska GOP, Dem events: Conway, Walz, Pearson
OMAHA — Nebraska’s major political parties are bringing in guests they hope will send partisans reaching for their wallets. The Nebraska Democratic Party announced that its Sept. 29 Ben Nelson Fundraising Gala in Omaha will feature Nelson, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and State Rep. Justin Pearson of “The Tennessee Three.” The Nebraska Republican Party announced […]
Nebraska parent involvement hearing devolves into talk of slavery, CRT, porn and Bill Gates
LINCOLN — Some social conservatives in Nebraska, after targeting abortion and LGBTQ health care, signaled an intent Monday to focus the 2024 legislative session and elections on education, including pushback by some parents against what’s taught and shared in K-12 schools. State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the chairman of the Legislature’s Education Committee, and […]