Author
Nebraska gender care restrictions take effect Sunday with little guidance, no regulations
LINCOLN — Restrictions on health care for transgender minors in Nebraska are set to take effect Sunday, but they’ll come with little guidance and without a timeline for future rules and regulations. The state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, has been charged with drafting rules and regulations around puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapies […]
Nebraska advocates say ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ does not focus on needed priorities
LINCOLN — Two of the state’s largest women’s rights groups say a new “Women’s Bill of Rights” misses the mark when seeking to support Nebraska women. Gov. Jim Pillen on Aug. 30 signed the executive order, which defines “male” and “female” for the state’s executive branch and varying agencies, boards and commissions based on the development […]
Nebraska lawmaker considers legislation for advanced fire alarms meant to save lives
LINCOLN — A Nebraska lawmaker is looking to potentially require more advanced fire alarms in residential homes that he said Tuesday could save lives. State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha introduced Legislative Resolution 239 to examine the feasibility and benefits of requiring wireless interconnected fire alarms in residential dwellings, similar to a Norfolk, Nebraska, ordinance. The […]
Nebraska legislative committee ponders the definition of ‘affordable housing’
OMAHA — A Nebraska legislative committee took its first steps Monday to address “affordable housing” in the next legislative session, first by learning how constituents define the term. State Sen. Terrell McKinney, chair of Nebraska’s Urban Affairs Committee, hosted a hearing in North Omaha for Legislative Resolution 138 surrounding the “revolving definition” of affordable housing. The […]
‘We must do more’: Nebraska lawmaker investigating mental, behavioral health needs
LINCOLN — Ahead of the 2024 legislative session, one Nebraska lawmaker is investigating state mental and behavioral health care needs amid a state and national “crisis.” State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha introduced Legislative Resolution 202 to determine the severity of mental and behavioral health provider shortages. Fredrickson said he is evaluating ways to increase health […]
Aurora Middle School math teacher is 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year
AURORA, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Education announced Wednesday that an Aurora Middle School math teacher is the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year. Scott Phillips, now in his 14th year of teaching in Aurora, has taught seventh grade math, pre-algebra and a math intervention program. He also coaches basketball, is an adjunct instructor at […]
SCC will not host NEGOP fundraiser amid push for trans bathroom, sports restrictions
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comments from the NEGOP. LINCOLN — A NEGOP fundraiser and roundtable discussion originally scheduled at Southeast Community College this week will instead be hosted Thursday at the NEGOP headquarters. A spokesperson for SCC confirmed Tuesday the event will not be held at any SCC location but has […]
Four Nebraska schools earn national praise for high learning standards
LINCOLN — The U.S. Department of Education is honoring four Nebraska schools as “National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023” based on exemplary high learning standards. The Nebraska Department of Education announced the recognition Tuesday for schools in Dodge, Gretna, Omaha and Pender. These schools are among the state’s highest performing, as measured by state assessments or […]
Nebraska health associations, federal lawmakers criticize nursing home staffing proposal
LINCOLN — Nebraska health associations and the state’s congressional delegation are pushing back on a proposed federal nursing home staffing rule they said could harm the state’s health care. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed a new rule Sept. 1 to ensure that long-term care residents receive a minimum number of daily […]
Largest national Hispanic organization blasts Omaha City Council for ‘betrayal of trust’
The nation’s largest and oldest Hispanic organization is blasting the Omaha City Council for not appointing a Latino to fill a South Omaha council vacancy, calling the action a “betrayal of trust.” The League of United Latin American Citizens, a volunteer-driven coalition based in Washington, D.C., announced Sunday the launch of “¡OYEME OMAHA! Hear Me […]
Environmental group continues fight against contaminants, nitrates in Nebraska’s water
LINCOLN — A Lincoln-based environmental group is encouraging local action to protect Nebraska’s water resources amid growing concerns about nitrates and other contaminants. The Guardians of the Aquifer, a group founded in 2010 to oppose the Keystone XL pipeline, hosted a three-hour “What’s in Our Water, Nebraska” forum on Saturday with local experts from the University of […]
California changes course, will not restrict state-funded travel to Nebraska
LINCOLN — After a shift this week in California law, Nebraska will not be on a restricted list for state-funded travel from the Golden State. In July, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that Nebraska would be the 26th state to join the travel ban, alongside each of Nebraska’s neighbors, except Colorado. California said the 26 states […]