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‘Spiritual warfare’: Former Kentucky swimmer encourages Nebraska to restrict trans athletes
LA VISTA, Neb. — Turmoil over transgender student-athletes came again to Nebraska with a headlined speech Sunday from Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer. Gaines tied for fifth at the 2022 NCAA championship in the 200 freestyle with Lia Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania swimmer who was the first openly transgender woman to […]
Nebraska volunteers to be honored in October for community service
LINCOLN — Nearly a dozen volunteers from across Nebraska, including one state lawmaker, will be honored in October for their volunteer work “to make our communities better.” Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday announced the 2023 Step Forward Award honorees and invited all Nebraskans to thank and celebrate the volunteers at an Oct 6 ceremony at […]
Nebraska state treasurer tapped to head state retirement agency
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional detail and comments from Jason Hayes and Gov. Jim Pillen. LINCOLN — Nebraska’s state constitutional officers will be getting a shake-up this year after a state agency selected Treasurer John Murante on Monday as its next director. The Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board voted 6-0 (with member […]
Nebraska commission advances first step for Ogallala racetrack, approves first-ever table games
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission has approved the first step in a process that could allow a Hastings-based company to transfer its racetrack license to western Nebraska. Commissioners voted Friday to approve a 12-week, $48,000 market study with Innovation Group. That study could set up final approval later this year of a racetrack […]
New leader of Nebraska Health and Human Services has controversy in his past
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include additional background about Steve Corsi’s previous employment and comments from Gov. Jim Pillen’s office. LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has picked Dr. Steve Corsi, acting CEO of the Central Wyoming Counseling Center, as the next head of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Pillen in […]
Crete Public Schools moves forward with random drug testing of 7th-12th graders
CRETE, Nebraska — School board officials in Crete decided to follow through with a random drug testing policy among students despite nearly a dozen speakers Monday night objecting to the policy. Crete school board president Justin Kuntz on Monday night described what he viewed as the importance of the policy after seeing an increase in substance […]
Health officials remind Nebraskans to be cautious of rabies risk from wild animals
LINCOLN — Nebraska health officials are reminding residents to be aware of the risk for rabies and to avoid wild animals, especially bats, ahead of an annual “peak” in bat activity. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, in an annual reminder, said there have been 10 positive cases of rabies so far […]
Nebraska AG joins fight against legal doctrine regarding federal regulatory authority
LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers recently joined counterparts in 26 other states in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn or clarify a legal precedent that could have major implications for federal regulatory authority. Nebraska was one of 27 states that joined a July 24 filing to the Supreme Court regarding the deference that […]
State auditor alleges Norfolk school official provided falsified documents in a grant request
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include comments from Bill Robinson’s attorney. LINCOLN — The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office, in a Thursday report, alleged that a Norfolk, Nebraska, school official provided falsified documents in efforts to obtain a grant that was no longer available. The report alleges that Bill Robinson, associate superintendent of Norfolk […]
USS Nebraska, a ballistic missile submarine, holds change-of-command ceremony
LINCOLN — A Navy ballistic missile submarine named after the Cornhusker State has a new commander. The blue crew is one of two stationed on the USS Nebraska, which is one of eight ballistic missile submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Silverdale, Washington. The ship is now led by Cmdr. Vance D. Scott after […]
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 […]
Nebraska AG says he ‘strongly supports’ reproductive health privacy
LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said Monday that his office “strongly supports” reproductive health privacy in response to a letter last week from nine state lawmakers. Those lawmakers in a July 26 letter asked Hilgers to clarify his stance on reproductive health privacy and medical autonomy. They questioned why it might be important to have […]