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Nebraska executive branch who’s who: state departments and governor’s cabinet
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s executive branch can be tricky for the public to manage with nearly 20 state departments, dozens of state agencies and over 230 boards or commissions. To help Nebraskans dissect the executive branch, The Nebraska Examiner is providing a breakdown of the who’s who in Gov. Jim Pillen’s cabinet helping direct the largest departments […]
Nebraska woman files lawsuit against UNMC for double mastectomy she received at 16
LINCOLN — A Nebraska woman who received a double mastectomy at age 16 filed a lawsuit this week against her former physicians and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Luka Hein, who is 21, is suing UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, three physicians at UNMC and her former mental health therapist […]
Nebraska medical marijuana advocates confident third time is the charm
LINCOLN — Advocates for medical marijuana officially launched their campaign Wednesday to place the issue on the 2024 ballot, filled with confidence the third time will finally be the charm. Crista Eggers, campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, has worked on the drive during each of its last two attempts to support her 9-year-old son, […]
‘It ended up being racist’: Teacher describes resignation from Crete Public Schools
CRETE, Neb. — A letter written by Alexander Hamilton in 1779 urging Congress to allow slaves to become soldiers led this spring to the resignation of Crete High School’s only Native American instructor and discussions of racism. Nikki Menard, who taught honors English, led the Hamilton-focused lesson Jan. 16 by walking her junior class through how […]
‘Our kids are in their hands’: Legislature dissects OPS schools’ special education vacancies
LINCOLN — About one week before school started this fall, Omaha Public Schools informed Kelsey Escobar her child would need to change schools to continue his individualized special education. She could choose among a dozen different sites. Escobar said her son transferred into one of those sites, but the afternoon school bus that was arranged to […]
Ricketts, Fischer move to prevent defunding of school archery, hunting programs
LINCOLN — Federal funding for school hunting and archery programs will be here to stay if dozens of U.S. senators and representatives have anything to say. U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the third-ranking Senate Republican, on Thursday introduced the Allowing for Recreational Resources for Outdoor Wellness Act, or ARROW Act. The legislation would clarify congressional intent […]
Nebraska awarded $10.8 million to modernize power grid, fight climate crisis
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with information from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. LINCOLN — Nebraska has been awarded nearly $11 million of federal funding in efforts to modernize the nation’s electric grid and fight the climate crisis. The U.S. Department of Energy announced Tuesday that Nebraska will be sent $10.8 […]
Kearney, Norfolk school officials explain trans student-athlete policies
LINCOLN — As the Nebraska Legislature is poised to take up a proposal next year regarding transgender student-athletes, local K-12 school boards are getting in front of the legislation. Kearney Public Schools and Norfolk Public Schools are at least two Nebraska districts that have passed more restrictive policies this year than the rules adopted by the Nebraska […]
Some Nebraska abortion-related billboards no longer along I-80 in Omaha
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include a Sept. 6 statement by Free & Just. OMAHA — Nebraskans will no longer see a set of abortion-related billboards along I-80 stating Nebraska women are going to jail because of the state’s abortion ban. Free & Just, an out-of-state abortion-rights organization, had put up five billboards […]
Several Nebraska laws in effect as of Saturday, including permitless concealed carry
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include comments from Lincoln city officials. LINCOLN — A state lawmaker’s multi-year effort to allow the concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training takes effect Saturday, with Nebraska’s largest cities issuing guidance just before the law is enacted. State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon advocated for […]
Nebraska governor’s offices temporarily relocating during Capitol construction
LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly and other executive branch personnel will be moving from the State Capitol due to continued construction in the building. The move is part of phase four of heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades in the Capitol, which has focused on different quadrants in the building. […]
Nebraska Gov. Pillen enacts second governor-led ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include context of Women’s Bill of Rights enacted through legislation in Kansas and Tennessee. LINCOLN — Nebraska is following in Oklahoma’s footsteps after Gov. Jim Pillen established a “Women’s Bill of Rights” that will limit certain legal definitions for transgender Nebraskans. Pillen announced the executive order Wednesday, the […]