Education
Missouri company plays central role in downfall of Biden loan forgiveness program
At the center of the U.S Supreme Court decision striking down Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program was a little-known Missouri nonprofit that goes by MOHELA. Based in St. Louis, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority is a quasi-governmental entity created by state lawmakers in 1981 to service student loans. And when former Missouri Attorney General […]
US Supreme Court rules against Biden administration student debt relief plan
Editor’s note: This report has been updated and includes Nebraska reaction. WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Biden administration does not have the legal authority to enact a one-time student debt relief program, dealing a blow to the 40 million Americans who would have qualified for the program. Last year, […]
Retiring UNL chancellor reflects on seven years of challenges and opportunities
LINCOLN — University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green, a farm boy from the Blue Ridge Mountains, departs this week after seven years in his leadership role. Green came to UNL first in 1985 for a doctorate education in animal breeding and genetics because Nebraska is an international leader in agricultural research. He completed the degree […]
US Supreme Court strikes down use of affirmative action in college admissions
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that two prominent universities’ consideration of race in acceptances violated the U.S. Constitution, effectively reshaping the role of affirmative action in the college admissions process throughout higher education. In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, wrote that the admissions processes at […]
Nebraska Law receives new gift to fund 80 annual scholarships, Children’s Justice Clinic
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include additional comments from Nebraska College of Law Law Dean Richard Moberly. LINCOLN — A new gift to the University of Nebraska College of Law will provide approximately 80 annual scholarships and permanently fund the law college’s Children’s Justice Clinic. Lincoln philanthropist Phyllis Acklie pledged the gift through […]
UNL research team studies threats to military bases from electric vehicles
LINCOLN — First-time drivers of electric vehicles are often wowed by the quicker acceleration when they push the gas pedal versus a typical car with a combustion engine. This change has researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Auburn University plotting a new defense for military bases — one that can withstand a misused Rivian, […]
Trans health, exercise specialists weigh in on Nebraska trans sports proposal
LINCOLN — While Nebraska lawmakers consider whether to take up a bill next year that would govern which bathrooms and sporting teams transgender youth can use, professionals in transgender health care and exercise science are weighing in on the proposal and its prospects. Legislative Bill 575, proposed by State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, would define […]
University of Nebraska president details five-point plan to get NU ‘back on offense’
LINCOLN — University of Nebraska President Ted Carter on Thursday previewed a five-point plan designed to get NU out of a $58 million shortfall and “back on offense.” Carter described to the NU Board of Regents a plan including: a renewed focus on students, raising NU’s academic and research profile, examining existing programs and strengthening communication […]
A growing number of Nebraska lawmakers seeks to avoid another fight on trans youth in 2024
LINCOLN — After passing a bill this year to prohibit certain health care for transgender youth, some Nebraska lawmakers may not have the appetite for a similar fight in 2024 over school bathrooms and sporting teams. Instead, those battles could shift from the statehouse to the schoolhouse. State Sens. Merv Riepe of Ralston, Jana Hughes of […]
Nebraska Regents to vote on next UNL chancellor, 37% pay bump
LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is poised to approve the next chancellor for its largest university, offering a 37% pay increase compared to the retiring chancellor. The NU regents’ June 22 meeting agenda was amended Wednesday morning to officially recommend Rodney Bennett as chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His base salary […]
History Nebraska’s former director charged with felony theft
LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers waded into the fight over whether a former director at History Nebraska could legally accept money from a private foundation he did not control and give it to a foundation he helped steer. The state’s top prosecutor believes the agency head broke the law by doing so. His […]
Holland Foundation gifts $3 million to NU’s Buffett Early Childhood Institute
OMAHA — The Holland Foundation has pledged a $3 million gift to the University of Nebraska’s Buffett Early Childhood Institute, university representatives announced Tuesday. The funding comes as the Buffett Institute celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month and welcomes a new executive director, Walter Gilliam. “The need for access to quality early childhood education for […]