Briefs
The Unify Challenge is on! Nebraska’s is a first in the country
Civic Nebraska is helping to host the country’s first statewide Unify Challenge, an online conversation project that will connect pairs of Huskers from across political and ideological divides. Designed to be “much more than a polite conversation,” the virtual event, which is to be replicated in other states, aims to match up pairs of Nebraskans […]
Farm Bureau takes side in GOP primary, backs Pillen for governor
LINCOLN — The last time the Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsed a candidate in a competitive Republican primary for governor, in 2006, the group helped Gov. Dave Heineman beat U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne. On Tuesday, the Farm Bureau again chose sides, endorsing University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen in the GOP primary. They cited Pillen’s work […]
State moves to make new tax credit easier for taxpayers to claim
LINCOLN — A state tax official said Tuesday that Nebraskans should find it easier this year to claim a new and growing state tax credit — one that many taxpayers didn’t claim last year. About $78.5 million out of the $125 million in credits available through Legislative Bill 1107 had been claimed by property owners […]
State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks formally enters Nebraska’s 1st District race
LINCOLN — State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks pledged to put “people over politics” on Monday as she officially registered as a Democratic candidate in eastern Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District. “The numbers have changed in CD1 so I’m really optimistic about the ability to win this race,” Pansing Brooks said. She was referring to the recent […]
NU Law program recognized for its tenant assistance project
The University of Nebraska College of Law was among the 99 law schools that responded to the U.S. Attorney General’s call in August to help people in their communities access emergency rental assistance. Law schools overall acted with urgency, the Justice Department said, and over the past five months have continued to draw upon resources […]
Nebraska utilities say Bostelman plan to avoid rolling blackouts is unnecessary
LINCOLN — Representatives of the state’s public utilities lined up last week to oppose a bill that was portrayed as a way to avoid the rolling blackouts of last year’s polar vortex. No one testified in favor of a proposal presented Thursday to the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee by State Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, […]
Creighton Law School steps up
Creighton University in Omaha was among 99 law schools recognized Friday by the Biden administration for their response to the U.S. attorney general’s call to address the housing and eviction crisis. Attorney General Merrick Garland said he asked the legal community for help, and law students and lawyers across the country stepped up to take on […]
Omaha explores new 72nd and Dodge library branch
Omahans might see a new and different library facility rise southwest of the busy 72nd and Dodge Streets intersection. That public library, which is not a done deal, is separate from the City of Omaha’s ongoing and controversial process to relocate the downtown W. Dale Clark Library to 1401 Jones St. Mutual of Omaha said […]
Republican Lindstrom touts teamwork, ‘new generation leadership’ in first ad
The first television ad from Republican gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom emphasizes his “teamwork” as a Nebraska football player and says he would bring “a new generation of leadership” to the state. The ad launched Friday. Lindstrom, a state senator and Omaha financial adviser, faces an uphill battle to match the spending of the two most […]
Nebraska lawmakers overcome filibuster, pass ‘Convention of States’ resolution
LINCOLN — Nebraska became the 17th state on Friday to pass a resolution calling for a “Convention of States” to draft proposed constitutional amendments to limit federal spending, impose term limits on U.S. senators and representatives and reduce the size of federal government. State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings and 18 co-sponsors, all Republican, proposed […]
State plans to distribute free, at-home COVID-19 tests, open up hospital beds
LINCOLN — The state plans to distribute 200,000 free, at-home tests for COVID-19 and is working to open up more acute hospital beds in the state as a surge in coronavirus cases continues. The so-called “Hospital Decompression Program” would allow the move of up to 98 patients out of hospitals when they no longer require acute […]
Fauci declines to predict COVID vaccine timetable for kids under 5
WASHINGTON — Parents hoping to vaccinate their young children against COVID-19 will need to be patient, Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned Wednesday. The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said while he expects that the vaccine regimen for children under 5 will be three doses, he couldn’t provide a timeline on when […]