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University of Nebraska names next chief lobbyist with roots in business and agriculture
LINCOLN — After the departure of Heath Mello as chief lobbyist for the University of Nebraska, a new face will step into the role this week. NU President Ted Carter announced Friday that Kristen Hassebrook, an attorney and current associate at Mueller Robak, a lobbying and government relations firm in Lincoln, will be the next […]
Dual Nebraska hearing and forum on social and emotional learning are scheduled for Monday
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers will be back Monday after two months with a dueling education hearing and forum on social and emotional learning. The Education Committee will meet in State Capitol Room 1525 at 1:30 p.m. Monday to consider three studies offered by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the committee’s chair. Legislative Resolutions 147, 148 […]
Nebraska lawmakers urge Nebraska AG to clarify stance on reproductive health privacy
LINCOLN — Nine state lawmakers urged Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers in a letter Wednesday to clarify his stance on reproductive health privacy and medical autonomy. Their letter comes one month after Hilgers joined a group of state attorneys general to oppose a federal rule change that would expand protections for reproductive health information. State Sens. Machaela […]
IRS plans temporary assistance center in Hastings next week to help Nebraskans
LINCOLN — The Internal Revenue Service plans to host a special event in Hastings in August to help local taxpayers face-to-face. The IRS will set up a temporary Taxpayer Assistance Center Aug. 1-3, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, so people will be able to meet one-on-one with IRS assistors, according to a Tuesday news release. […]
Nebraska civil rights panel sets public forum on COVID-19’s impact on K-12 education
LINCOLN — A civil rights panel is seeking in-person comment in August regarding the effects of COVID-19 on K-12 education in Nebraska, with a focus on the digital divide and mental health. The Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is following up a duo of virtual briefings this month with an in-person […]
Nebraska unemployment rate holds steady as one of the lowest in nation
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s unemployment rate has held steady at 1.9%, tying with Vermont for the third lowest rate in the nation. The Nebraska Department of Labor released preliminary data for June on Friday, with Nebraska’s rate remaining the same from May at the same time. The rate is down 0.3% since June 2022. The national unemployment rate […]
Nebraska student debt relief could reach $268 million under new plan
LINCOLN — Nearly 6,000 Nebraskans qualify for more than $268 million in student debt relief offered under a new Biden administration policy, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education and the White House announced last week that more than 800,000 federal student loan borrowers will have their remaining debt eliminated. State-by-state numbers […]
Nebraska DHHS commemorates first year of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
LINCOLN — One year after the implementation of a new three-digit suicide prevention line, Nebraska’s health department says a focus will be continuing to spread the word about the number. The 988 number was established as a nationwide, 24/7 suicide prevention line — available to anyone experiencing a mental health-related crisis — on July 16, 2022. […]
Nebraska attorney general pushes against expansion of federal reproductive health privacy
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to provide context of congressional efforts to tighten the regulation of health information privacy. LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers last month joined nearly 20 state attorneys general in signing a letter opposing a proposed federal rule change for reproductive health privacy. In a letter dated June 16, […]
Gender-care law prompts California to restrict state-funded travel to Nebraska
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include comment from University of California, Los Angeles Athletics. LINCOLN — California plans to restrict state-funded travel to Nebraska later this year, adding the Cornhusker State to a list that includes more than half of the country. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Friday that Nebraska will be […]
Nebraska Democrats pass on censure, seek new action after failing to reach quorum
Editor’s note: This article has been revised to include comments and next steps from the Nebraska Democratic Party and additional comment from the Secular Democrats. OMAHA — Members of the Nebraska Democratic Party will forgo a censure resolution against one of its elected officials in favor of a different action plan after failing at a Saturday […]
Nebraska Democrats to consider ‘inflection point’ censure of State Sen. Mike McDonnell
LINCOLN — After one Democratic state senator supported a stricter abortion ban and restrictions on transgender health care, some Nebraska Democrats are advancing a censure resolution they say could decide the party’s future. Leaders of the Nebraska Democratic Party will meet in Scottsbluff on Saturday and, if they reach quorum, consider a censure resolution against Omaha […]