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Nebraska drag queens, advocates fight proposal to prohibit children from attending drag shows
LINCOLN — Drag queens and local LGBTQ advocates flooded a legislative hearing Friday talking about the joy of drag in the face of efforts to restrict minors from attending such performances. Legislative Bill 371, proposed by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, would prohibit minors, specifically those younger than 19, from attending drag shows. He […]
Nebraska Legislature advances bill to restrict trans health care for minors
LINCOLN — Supporters of a bill to restrict what gender-affirming care minors could receive in the state advanced Thursday by a vote of 30-17 in the Nebraska Legislature. Thursday topped off three days of debate that included passionate pleas, conflicting medical studies and a historic minority statement regarding Legislative Bill 574, the “Let Them Grow Act” […]
Second day of debate on trans health care bill brings personal stories to forefront
LINCOLN — The second day of debate over a bill that would restrict what gender-affirming care minors could receive in the state took a more personal turn for one parent in the Nebraska Legislature. Omaha State Sen. Megan Hunt described Wednesday how Legislative Bill 574 would impact her and her 12-year-old son, Ash Homan. The bill, […]
Nebraska Gov. Pillen urges awareness, advocacy for those with developmental disabilities
LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen joined the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and people with developmental disabilities on Tuesday to proclaim March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Pillen said it’s “really, really important” to keep alive the designation that President Ronald Reagan began in 1987, in order to help with advocacy and support for […]
Nebraska Girl Scouts seek Gov. Pillen’s support in designating official state tartan
LINCOLN — Four Girl Scouts in Senior Honor Troop 42146 are getting involved in Nebraska politics with one request: for Gov. Jim Pillen to designate an official state tartan. A tartan is a woolen cloth woven in a plaid pattern. Tartans are culturally important for Scottish and Irish families but are also worn worldwide. Originally in […]
Nebraska lawmakers file ‘minority statement’ ahead of debate on trans health care bill
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers on Friday filed a minority statement — a never-before-used tactic — to oppose legislation that would restrict what gender-affirming care minors could receive in the state. State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Jen Day, both of Omaha, issued the statement ahead of debate on Legislative Bill 574 on Tuesday. Dubbed the “Let Them Grow Act,” […]
Legislation would allow voters to decide abortion rights in Nebraska Constitution
LINCOLN — One day after proposed abortion restrictions faced a hiccup in legislative support, a Nebraska lawmaker made the case Thursday for voters to determine whether abortion protections should be enshrined in the State Constitution. Legislative Resolution 18CA and LR 19CA, both proposed by State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, would put the question to […]
Nebraska students demand more gun reform five years after national school walkouts
LINCOLN — Students at the Nebraska State Capitol on Thursday demanded action on gun safety and called on the Legislature to halt efforts on a “permitless” concealed carry bill. Various organizations, including Nebraskans Against Gun Violence, Huskers Against Gun Violence and Students Demand Action, connected Thursday’s news conference to National Walkout Day on March 14, […]
Nebraska lawmaker threatened with censure for comparing transgender legislation with genocide
LINCOLN — A Nebraska lawmaker faced a threat of censure Wednesday for alleging that a couple of bills aim to perpetrate genocide against transgender Nebraskans. State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar offered the motion after State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha made comparisons between past genocides and two bills that she said would lead to […]
Four finalists named to be next Nebraska Education commissioner
LINCOLN — Four finalists have been named to be Nebraska’s next commissioner of Education. A search committee of the Nebraska State Board of Education announced the four finalists Friday. The committee seeks to interview each in public meetings March 30. Candidates will also meet with various groups throughout that day. The board plans to hold […]
History Nebraska announces 2023 awardees from across the state
LINCOLN — History Nebraska has announced its 2023 awardees from across the state to Nebraskans in Beatrice, Hastings, Lincoln, Peru and Omaha. This year, History Nebraska will present five awards at an April 26 event at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln. The awards recognize people who provide “significant contributions to the preservation and interpretation […]
Nebraska lawmaker presents task force recommendations to improve school safety
LINCOLN — A Nebraska lawmaker on Monday presented four recommendations to improve school safety, the result of a task force that formed after last year’s shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Legislative Bill 516, proposed by State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, would implement recommendations from the state’s School Safety Task Force. Then-Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt and […]