Briefs

Nebraska State Patrol

Theft of drugs from Nebraska State Patrol evidence room garners second guilty plea

BY: - March 17, 2023

LINCOLN — A Lincoln man pleaded guilty Friday for his role in the theft and resale of drugs, including dangerous fentanyl, from a Nebraska State Patrol evidence room. The stolen drugs led to overdoses by three people, who required the emergency administration of naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. George Weaver Jr., 37, of Lincoln, entered […]

Image of an Omaha Fire/Rescue vehicle

City of Omaha to have its first woman fire chief

BY: - March 16, 2023

OMAHA — The City of Omaha will have its first woman fire chief as Kathy Bossman this month succeeds retiring Fire Chief Dan Olsen. The appointment was announced Thursday by Mayor Jean Stothert. Bossman joined the department in 1997 as a firefighter paramedic. She has been promoted to captain, battalion chief and, in 2017, assistant […]

Lincoln Mayor Gaylor Baird endorsed by fire union

BY: - March 16, 2023

LINCOLN — One of the most influential unions in Lincoln city elections threw its weight Thursday behind Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. The Lincoln Fire Fighters Association endorsed Gaylor Baird. Leaders said she did what she said she would by investing in new and updated fire stations and equipment. Union President Adam Schrunk said she has […]

Less than a year into the job, Veta Jeffery is exiting as CEO of Greater Omaha Chamber

BY: - March 15, 2023

OMAHA — Less than a year after she started, Veta Jeffery is abruptly exiting the top spot at the Greater Omaha Chamber. A press release issued Wednesday offered no reason and said a search for a new permanent CEO for the chamber has begun. While the search committee will work swiftly, it is likely to […]

Affordable housing advocates gather at State Capitol to learn and lobby for millions

BY: - March 14, 2023

LINCOLN —  Nebraska’s billion-dollar onslaught of federal pandemic funds lit a fire of sorts last year under nonprofits that deal with affordable housing. They came to this year’s legislative session more organized as a coalition, said Wayne Mortensen of NeighborhoodWorks Lincoln. And on Tuesday, dozens of housing advocates from various parts of Nebraska converged at […]

‘Have jobs, need people’ is the message at Nebraska ‘workforce week’ event

BY: - March 14, 2023

LINCOLN — With an unemployment rate of 2.5%, Nebraska remains among the five states with the lowest unemployment rates, according to data released this week from the U.S. Labor Department. Even though Nebraska reported adding about 5,000 workers in the past year, and about 1,000 in a recent month, the statewide business chamber president says […]

States to receive $2.5B from feds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

BY: - March 14, 2023

The federal government will send $2.5 billion over the next five years to states, local governments and tribes to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Biden administration officials said Tuesday. The new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant program, which was authorized by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, will spend $2.5 billion over five years to build […]

History Nebraska

History Nebraska announces 2023 awardees from across the state

BY: - March 14, 2023

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 […]

Lincoln man arrested after laser strikes State Patrol helicopter

BY: - March 13, 2023

LINCOLN — State troopers have arrested a Lincoln man for striking  a Nebraska State Patrol helicopter with a laser multiple times Friday as it was in flight over the Capital City. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense, and any laser strike constitutes an in-flight emergency, a State Patrol spokesman said. The […]

Survey finds Nebraskans dissatisfied with state government help for working families

BY: - March 13, 2023

LINCOLN — A recent survey by the Holland Children’s Institute of 600 registered Nebraska voters indicates that a majority of Nebraskans believe the state government is not doing enough to help working families get ahead. The public opinion poll is part of the ongoing Nebraska Voters’ Outlook series. Nebraskans were interviewed by phone Feb. 1-5 […]

Nebraska Agriculture Department recommends FieldWatch for pesticide management

BY: - March 13, 2023

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is encouraging collaboration among commercial specialty crop growers, pesticide applicators and beekeepers to protect sensitive crops and pollinators. The department is recommending Nebraskans in these fields use FieldWatch, an online mapping service that the department monitors. According to a news release from the department, specialty crops such as […]

Nebraska State Capitol Building

Longtime State Capitol administrator retires amid report of ‘altercation’

BY: - March 10, 2023

LINCOLN — Bob Ripley, who has worked more than 40 years to preserve the Nebraska State Capitol, has retired amid an allegation that he went too far in protecting the historic building. Ripley, in a statement provided Friday to the Nebraska Examiner, did not address the allegation, saying that he was retiring with “mixed emotions.” […]