Education
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 […]
From the ashes of a destroyed 4-H camp rises a proposed Sandhills center to rival Lied Lodge
LINCOLN — From the ashes of a destroyed 4-H camp at the Nebraska National Forest, an ambitious plan is rising for a $47 million center for tourists, conferences and local and regional events. A feasibility study is underway for the proposed “Sandhills Discovery Center” near Halsey after the Nebraska Legislature, earlier this year, allocated $10 […]
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 […]
Gun law raises funding concerns for school hunting programs
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers are concerned that the Biden administration is interpreting last year’s bipartisan gun safety law to cut funding for school archery and hunting programs, though programs themselves say they haven’t been affected. A provision in the law – a bipartisan effort to curb gun violence that established new criminal offenses, and expanded background […]
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 […]
Support Our Schools says it has enough signatures to reach 2024 Nebraska ballot
LINCOLN — The teacher-led effort to stop Nebraska’s new tax credit for private K-12 school scholarships from siphoning funds bound for the public treasury said they have turned in more than enough signatures to let voters decide the law’s future. At a press conference Wednesday in the Cornhusker Marriott in downtown Lincoln, the Support Our […]
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 […]
NU College of Law to establish clinic to defend First Amendment rights
LINCOLN — Journalists and the members of the public facing violations of they First Amendment rights will soon have somewhere else to turn. The University of Nebraska College of Law announced Monday that it was establishing a law clinic, staffed by law students and supervised by practicing attorneys, to take on cases involving free speech, […]
‘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 […]
NU focused on picking search firm and committee helping find next president
LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents met in closed session Friday and sketched out a process for regrouping after this week’s unexpected announcement that NU President Ted Carter is leaving to lead The Ohio State University. NU Board of Regents Chairman Tim Clare said the board mapped the “first few steps” toward […]
University of Nebraska’s Ted Carter is named the next president at Ohio State
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with Carter’s official selection, comments from the Carter and the Ohio State Board of Trustees and reaction from Nebraska. LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska needs a new president next year. NU system President Ted Carter, the former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and a vice admiral, […]
Here’s what to know about new federal policies for repaying student loans
WASHINGTON — Following the Supreme Court’s summer ruling against 40 million federal student loan borrowers who would have qualified for debt relief, the Biden administration crafted a year-long delay in repayments. The policy, known as an on-ramp, is set to begin next month. Additionally, hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, the Department of Education unveiled […]