Government & Politics
Proposal panned to inject political party affiliation into voting on legislative races
LINCOLN — If public testimony is any guide, a proposal to label candidates for the Nebraska Legislature by their party affiliation isn’t likely to make its way onto the 2022 ballot. A long line of people, including four former state senators, testified against the idea Thursday, saying it would make the state’s unique, nonpartisan Unicameral […]
Prosecutors slam Fortenberry’s request to move trial as ‘forum shopping’
Federal prosecutors are slamming a request by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry to move his criminal trial from California to Nebraska as jury shopping and an attempt to claim privilege as an elected official. “He presumes that his privilege and status as a U.S. Congressman entitle him to special treatment to move his trial … to […]
Legislative hearing on ballot boxes turns into complaint session about 2020 elections
LINCOLN — A public hearing on a bill to improve security of ballot drop boxes on Wednesday turned into a forum for alleging irregularities about the conduct of the 2020 elections. Despite assurances from state senators and one of the state’s top election officials that all allegations of fraud had been thoroughly investigated and dismissed, […]
Herbster gave himself 96% of his $4.9 million in fundraising last year
LINCOLN — Charles Herbster personally bankrolled $4.7 million of the $4.9 million he raised last year in his bid for the GOP governor’s nomination. His top primary opponent, Jim Pillen, gave his own campaign $1 million. But Pillen raised another $4.4 million from individual donors, for a total of $5.4 million. Herbster’s self-funding puts him […]
Legislators urged to invest in completing recreation trails across Nebraska
LINCOLN — Nebraska should capitalize on plentiful state and local funds by completing two major hike-bike trails that cross the state, a panel of state lawmakers were told Tuesday. State Sen. Robert Hilkemann of Omaha, an avid biker who’s pedaled across the U.S., said that $18 million would be required to finish the Mo-Pac Trail […]
Mitts off in 1st District GOP congressional race with new attack ads
Republican candidates in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District primary race traded sharp political attacks in new campaign ads launched Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry charged in a radio ad that his main rival, State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk, shares the same views on immigration as President Joe Biden, a Democrat the ad blames for a […]
Pricey move from historic mansion draws fire as ‘not sound business’
LINCOLN — A historic, state-owned mansion across the street from the State Capitol may soon be empty and looking for a new tenant. The proposal by the Nebraska Environmental Trust to move out of the 111-year-old Ferguson House is already catching some criticism because it would likely cost tens of thousands of dollars more. Currently, […]
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem endorses Herbster in his run for Nebraska gov
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a fixture on conservative television and radio for her state’s relaxed-regulation approach to COVID-19, on Wednesday endorsed Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster. Herbster, an early favorite in the Republican primary race, announced the endorsement by press release a day after his top opponent, Jim Pillen, got the support of the […]
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 […]
$450 million recovery plan seen as unprecedented opportunity to help revitalize North Omaha
LINCOLN — Osie Combs Jr. is ready and willing. The chief executive of Pacific Engineering envisions his company expanding on a swath of land near Eppley Airfield that’s eyed for business development under the North Omaha 2022 Recovery Plan. Mark Norman of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce said after searching for more than 10 […]
Helping pay off college debts touted in reducing teacher burnout, staff shortages
LINCOLN — Early retirements, teacher burnout and fewer students entering teachers colleges: All are combining to create an unprecedented shortage of educators in Nebraska schools, a state legislative committee was told Tuesday. “I have never seen the level of teacher shortages that schools are now facing,” said Carri Collins, who supervises principals in the Omaha […]
Nebraska offers homeowners help after Ricketts turns down more aid for renters
LINCOLN — Days after rejecting extended federal help for renters, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced a plan Tuesday to help homeowners who have gotten behind on their mortgage and property tax payments during the pandemic. The new Nebraska Homeowner Assistance Fund will use $50 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to pay past due mortgage […]