Labor & Growth
Shutdown would mean even more delays in overwhelmed U.S. immigration courts
WASHINGTON — A looming partial government shutdown will put added pressure on an already strained system — U.S. immigration courts. Canceling or rescheduling court cases that many immigrants have awaited for years will cause even more backlogs, immigration attorneys and judges have warned. “Where we’ll really kind of see the backlog continue to build will […]
Panelists tout ‘second chances’ for prison inmates to help address workforce shortages
LINCOLN — Twenty years ago, Diane Good-Collins lived behind bars as Nebraska prison inmate No. 94586. Today, she’s the head of a community college program that has trained and placed in jobs 3,100 former state prisoners so far this year. Good-Collins, the director the Re-Entry Program (RAP) at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, said she […]
Memorial Stadium renovation plans revealed: replace South Stadium and reduce capacity to mid-70,000 while enhancing fan experience
LINCOLN — Memorial Stadium, often described as the state’s “third-largest city” during football games, is headed for a $450-million modernization designed to enhance the fan experience. Planned improvements include chair-back seating replacing benches in the South, East and West Stadiums, enhanced restroom and concession areas, and improved access to upper portions of the structure, first […]
Nebraska advocates say ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ does not focus on needed priorities
LINCOLN — Two of the state’s largest women’s rights groups say a new “Women’s Bill of Rights” misses the mark when seeking to support Nebraska women. Gov. Jim Pillen on Aug. 30 signed the executive order, which defines “male” and “female” for the state’s executive branch and varying agencies, boards and commissions based on the development […]
Battery storage seen as ‘backbone’ of reliable electric grid but adoption uneven across US
SEARCY, Ark. — In the decarbonized future envisioned by many states, utilities and the federal government, expect more power plants like Entergy Arkansas’ facility here, where thousands of gleaming panels and banks of batteries spread across 800 acres about 50 miles northeast of Little Rock. The Searcy Solar Energy Center, a 100-megawatt solar and storage […]
Nebraska center that’s boosted budding businesses for nearly half century gets new leader
OMAHA — A rural Nebraska couple who started out selling barn kits have grown a national company that today is helping to build Omaha’s first modern mass timber commercial structure. The Timberlyne Group’s custom wood products also are reflected in places ranging from an event barn at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Gretna to the practice […]
Protesters of Lincoln development found guilty of refusing a police order and blocking a public roadway
LINCOLN — A judge ruled Thursday that two protesters were guilty of obstructing a Lincoln development near a decades-old site of Native American sweat lodge ceremonies. Lancaster County Judge Timothy Phillips, after hearing testimony on two days, ruled that Erin Poor and Wyatt Nelson violated two misdemeanor city ordinances: refusing a police order and blocking […]
Nebraska monthly unemployment rate remains the same, while the nation’s rises
LINCOLN — While the nation’s unemployment rate inched up, Nebraska’s remained the same in August compared to the month before, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by state and federal labor officials. Nebraska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2% for August compares to the U.S. average of 3.8%, which is an increase from the previous […]
‘Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska’ contest is down to final two
LINCOLN — The contest to name this year’s “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” is in its final stretch, down to a drone-based firefighting system or a wheelchair that gets around in tough terrain. One hails from Lincoln, the other from Columbus. Public voting in the bracket-style tournament will be open through the end of Sept. […]
Pillen pushes school boards to slow spending to ease property taxes
LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen doubled down last week on his effort to curb higher spending by local school districts after the state invested in a tax shift meant to ease property tax bills. Pillen sent a letter Wednesday to every school board member in the state, the Governor’s Office confirmed. He repeated his […]
Nebraska might push to clarify 1889 state law on foreign land ownership
LINCOLN — Nebraska has had a law on the books since 1889 limiting foreign ownership and leases of land, an expert on agricultural law told the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee on Friday. But state lawmakers never clarified how they wanted to enforce the law, which agency would enforce it or what penalty would be levied for […]
Consumers face higher car prices, lower inventory with auto workers on strike
Economic experts and researchers say that the auto workers strike could have far-reaching economic consequences for businesses and consumers, depending on its duration. In addition to workers’ job losses, consumers could see higher prices for cars and depleted inventory. The United Auto Workers union, representing about 150,000 auto workers, walked off the job at midnight […]