Social Services
Five Nebraskans honored by Civic Nebraska for helping to build a robust democracy
OMAHA — Civic Nebraska, a nonprofit dedicated to voting rights and strengthening youth and civic leadership, is set to recognize five people who have helped build a “more modern and robust democracy.” The Strengthening Democracy Awards program April 13 also will feature a talk from national voting rights activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize nominee […]
Nebraska lawmakers file ‘minority statement’ ahead of debate on trans health care bill
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers on Friday filed a minority statement — a never-before-used tactic — to oppose legislation that would restrict what gender-affirming care minors could receive in the state. State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Jen Day, both of Omaha, issued the statement ahead of debate on Legislative Bill 574 on Tuesday. Dubbed the “Let Them Grow Act,” […]
Nebraska students demand more gun reform five years after national school walkouts
LINCOLN — Students at the Nebraska State Capitol on Thursday demanded action on gun safety and called on the Legislature to halt efforts on a “permitless” concealed carry bill. Various organizations, including Nebraskans Against Gun Violence, Huskers Against Gun Violence and Students Demand Action, connected Thursday’s news conference to National Walkout Day on March 14, […]
Pandemic stress, gangs, and utter fear fueled a rise in teen shootings
Diego never imagined he’d carry a gun. Not as a child, when shots were fired outside his Chicago-area home. Not at age 12, when one of his friends was gunned down. Diego’s mind changed at 14, when he and his friends were getting ready to walk to midnight Mass for the feast of Our Lady […]
Survey finds Nebraskans dissatisfied with state government help for working families
LINCOLN — A recent survey by the Holland Children’s Institute of 600 registered Nebraska voters indicates that a majority of Nebraskans believe the state government is not doing enough to help working families get ahead. The public opinion poll is part of the ongoing Nebraska Voters’ Outlook series. Nebraskans were interviewed by phone Feb. 1-5 […]
DMV, polling places would be audited for ADA compliance under Nebraska bill
LINCOLN — Though talk of election audits has become more frequent in the past few years, a legislative proposal would require a different kind of audit: checking for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Legislative Bill 770, proposed by State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, would require the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office to […]
Nebraska lawmaker pitches return to Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission
LINCOLN — Almost eight years after Nebraska left a Midwest commission designed to improve passenger rail services, a lawmaker pitched Monday for Nebraska to rejoin the group. Legislative Bill 44, proposed by State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, would have Nebraska rejoin the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, a coalition of states in the region […]
Photographer saddened by news of Jimmy Carter entering hospice care
LINCOLN — A flood of memories returned for North Platte photographer George Hipple when he heard the news that former President Jimmy Carter had entered hospice care. Hipple had served as the official photographer for the former president for 13 years when he participated in Habitat for Humanity “builds” in such faraway places as India, […]
Families are taking a hit as pandemic aid ends, inflation continues
Forty million people in the U.S. are having difficulty affording household expenses, and a little more than 25 million people say they sometimes or often do not have enough to eat, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent Household Pulse survey data. The survey is designed to collect data on household experiences during the […]
Pillen crosses political aisle to support mental health bill from Lincoln Democrat
LINCOLN — Republican Gov. Jim Pillen stepped across the political aisle Thursday to provide surprise personal testimony in support of a bill to bolster mental health care. The bill was introduced by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan State Legislature. She is also chief sponsor of a bill to […]
Tax credits proposed for private Nebraska pregnancy center donations
LINCOLN — As Nebraska state senators prepare for debate regarding abortion, one lawmaker presented a proposal Friday that aims to provide tax credits to private pregnancy help centers. Legislative Bill 606, proposed by State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, would establish the Nebraska Pregnancy Help Act and offer tax credits to incentivize private donations to […]
Lawmakers weigh whether to restrict local health directors’ authority over public health measures
LINCOLN — COVID-19 placed an immense strain on hospitals and the medical field with thousands of cases and deaths in the nearly three years of the pandemic in Nebraska. Public health directors as well as state and local governments issued directed health measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, action that helped “save” local hospitals […]