NEW STUDY SHOWS BELLEVUE IS GOOD LOCATION FOR HORSE TRACK, CITY SAYS

BELLEVUE- The City of Bellevue has received an update on a study concerning the potential construction of a horse racing track, with officials calling the findings encouraging.

The new study, conducted by the Innovation Group and commissioned by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, said a quarter horse racetrack in Bellevue could be a plus for the Nebraska racing industry when paired with two other Nebraska tracks.

An application for a race track license has been filed with the Racing and Gaming Commission for almost three years. "It is not just going to be a casino that has horses," said John Hassett, "We want a nice racetrack." BelleVue Downs, the proposed casino and racetrack, is predicted to bring a $4 million increase to the statewide racing industry.

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AG HILGERS WINS CASE AGAINST TICKET SCAM PROMISING ACCESS TO FORMER HUSKERS

LINCOLN- Last year's lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mike Hilgers against the group Nfluence and Kenneth Jason McCants, which alleged that more than 50 people paid $1,000 or more and did not receive what they were sold, has come to a close after Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson ordered McCants, who owns Nfluence, to pay $339,338.18 in fines, restitution, and court costs for violating consumer protection laws.

"For all 63 purchases, defendants failed to provide consumers with the 'Nebraska Game Day Experience' as represented," Judge Nelson wrote, "Defendants thus committed 63 separate violations of the Consumer Protection Act." The group's pitch, dating back to 2022, promised luxury suite tickets, access to a former Husker football player, and online validation from the player in the form of a social media post.

"Nebraska football plays an integral part in the lives of many Nebraskans," wrote Hilgers in a statement, "This fraud preyed on Nebraskan's love of the Cornhuskers and their passion to help others in need. We are grateful for the Court's order, which will send a message to other would-be fraudsters. If any money is recovered, our office will prioritize returning funds to consumers harmed by the fraud."

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DUNILEH ENERGY CEO RESPONDS TO COUNTY BOARD'S REJECTION OF CUP APPLICATION

SCOTTSBLUFF- Dunileh Energy reiterated its commitment to pursuing the Situla Energy Project, a large solar energy endeavor, and to maintaining a healthy partnership with Scotts Bluff County following the county board's decision to reject the project's CUP application earlier this month. During a three-hour public hearing on May 6th, the CUP application was discussed by the board.

The application failed to pass through the board on a 3-2 vote. Dunileh Energy CEO Thaer Flieh said he hopes to see a reversal from the board, and plans to open the communication lines necessary to make that happen. The issue at hand, which Flieh argued was not pertinent to the broader application, was whether or not the use of land for the project was allowable under the county's zoning regulations via CUP.

"A lot of the points that were raised were not relevant to the CUP topic or process," he said, "We understand there were comments about other topics that aren't related to CUP." Flieh added that Dunileh Energy is still unsure why three of the county board members opposed the solar energy projects after it was recommended to the board by the county Planning Commission.

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PILLEN SAYS HE'LL ABANDON PERKINS COUNTY CANAL PROJECT IF LEGAL COSTS GET TOO HIGH

YORK- Gov. Pillen, speaking at a Friday town hall relating to property taxes in York, said that he would abandon the Perkins Couty Canal Project if the legal fees associated with it rise to a certain point. The proposed project would transport water from the South Platte River in Colorado to Nebraska rivers.

An old idea, former Gov. and current U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts had attempted to kickstart the project while serving in Nebraska. Thus far, the Legislature has appropriated $650 million for the project, which is still currently sitting in the planning stage. Gov. Pillen says he still supports the project, but that it could get canceled based on legal fees.

"I'm a Perkins Canal advocate, but not if hundreds of millions are going to attorneys," said Pillen, "So we're seeing where that's at." According to Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for Attorney General Mike Hilgers, no lawsuits have been put forth by Colorado to stop the construction of the canal, which is based on a century-old water pact. However, said Gage, Nebraska and Colorado officials have been meeting to discuss the project.

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GOV. PILLEN EXPLAINS WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT MORE THAN NEBRASKA'S 'FAIR SHARE' IN FEDERAL FUNDS

PLATTSMOUTH- Nearly half a year after saying he "didn't believe in welfare," Gov. Jim Pillen says the state will begin to accept as many federal dollars as possible. Indeed, Pillen's latest directive to his cabinet members has been to find federal funds that have "no strings attached" so Nebraska can get "more than our fair share."

"Green light, pedal to the metal," Pillen recalled telling his cabinet. Pillen said his recent endeavor to draw down federal funding was "not a shift at all" from his December stance because his initial opposition to a now-enacted Summer EBT Program came over the program's execution, not its goals.

Nebraska's previous governor, now-U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, often rejected federal funds, including emergency rental aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. State lawmakers tried to force the state to accept the funds, but the move was vetoed by Ricketts. Sen. John Cavanaugh, who supported the Summer EBT Program, said he was happy with Pillen's position. "Welcome to the party," he said.

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NEBRASKA, 22 OTHER STATES OPPOSE PROPOSED FEDERAL RULE ON STOVES, COOKTOPS, OVENS

LINCOLN- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and 22 of his Republican counterparts filed a comment on Monday with the U.S. Department of Energy, hinting at possible legal action should the department follow through with new energy-efficiency standards on stoves, cooktops, and ovens.

Hilgers is the latest Republican to question the Biden Administration's efforts to reduce indoor-air emissions and power consumption from indoor cooking. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood had previously made a video targeting the proposed regulations. Hilgers and the other attorneys general argue the proposed change would make new stoves and cooktops more expensive over time.

"The Biden Administration continues its stringent regulations on household appliances," Hilgers said following the filing of the comment, "Raising the cost of kitchen appliances could impact hardworking Nebraskans already facing economic challenges. It is as out of touch as it is legally dubious."

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CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2024 INDUCTEES INTO OMAHA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

OMAHA- The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has announced its newest members of the Omaha Business Hall of Fame. Two women and five men are to be formally inducted during an August gala at the Holland Performing Arts Center. They will join other Omaha-area business standouts that, since 1993, have been recognized for their legacies, contributions, and commitment to local business.

Heath Mello, president and CEO of the Chamber, said this year's group reflect the area's "diverse economy," with honorees from the home services, transportation, arts, and entertainment, medical research, and banking industries. The Inductees include Lance Fritz, who served as chairman of Union Pacific, and Clarence Landen Jr., who co-founded Central National Insurance Company before establishing Security National Bank in 1964.

Other inductees are Clarence Landen III, who has been CEO of Security National Bank since 1980; James Landen Sr., executive chairman of Security National Bank; Sid Meredith, founder of Security Equipment Inc.; Constance Ryan, president and CEO of Streck Inc.; and Joan Squires, president of Omaha Performing Arts.

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YEARS AFTER LANDMARK STUDY, NUMBER OF MISSING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN NEBRASKA HAS NEARLY DOUBLED

LINCOLN- In 2019, the Nebraska Legislature sought to better understand the reason behind the disproportionate number of missing Indigenous women and children in the state, eventually going on to direct the Nebraska State Patrol to investigate and produce recommendations to address the issue.

Five years later, few of those recommendations have been implemented, and the number of reported cases of missing Indigenous people in Nebraska has jumped from 23 in 2020 to 43 in 2024. Law enforcement, state officials, and activists offered a range of explanations for the rise in reported cases, including leadership changes, the pandemic, historical distrust, and coordination challenges.

"Progress is not as fast as I would always like it to be," said Judi gaiashkibos, a member of the Ponca Tribe and Director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, "but I do believe that we are making progress." The report, released by NSP in 2020, put Nebraska at the forefront of states on the issue of missing Indigenous people.

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OMAHA BUSINESS CHAMBER HOPES SURVEY PROJECT WILL PROMOTE 'BRAIN GAIN'

OMAHA- Seeking to replace "brain drain" with "brain gain," the Great Omaha Chamber and the University of Nebraska at Omaha have launched a survey for young professionals who live and work in the metro area. Information gathered by the survey is to be used to develop strategies for businesses to retain and recruit the next generation of workers, according to Merrick Brtek, director of the chamber's Young Professionals and Talent Development programs.

"Employers are asking for more talent," she said, "We would love to continue to grow Omaha, to be the epicenter of growth for businesses." While a previous UNO-led survey focused on garnering input from young people who had already left the Omaha area, this new survey is focusing on gathering the opinions of those who have stayed or decided to relocate to Omaha.

Questions are wide-ranging, and center on everything from workplace culture, to preferences about remote or in-person work, taxes, job perks, transportation, and inclusion experiences. According to Josie Scahfer of UNO's Center for Public Affairs Research, the results from this new survey will build upon those previously conducted by the university and the chamber.

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CONTROVERSY ARISES OVER PROCESS, MAYORAL PICKS FOR OMAHA'S FIRST-EVER INLAND PORT AUTHORITY BOARD

OMAHA- The recent appointment of the first-ever Omaha Inland Port Authority Board is set to trigger a start on multiple projects within a roughly 300-acre zone in northeast Omaha. Among the initiatives that the new nine-member body is expected to oversee are a $90 million industrial business park west of Eppley Airfield, a $30 million innovation hub, and the construction of 150 new housing units.

Overshadowing the appointment process, however, is a protest from some local leaders who believe that the nine nominations from Mayor Jean Stothert lacked community input and transparency, two things the Inland Port Authority is supposed to promote. Indeed, for months now North Omaha's elected officials had raised concerns over a lack of community engagement related to the plan for an airport-area business park.

The nine mayoral picks include Brook Aken, Michael Helgerson, Jacob Hoppe, Sen. Terrell McKinney, Davielle Phillips, Michael Riedmann, Carmen Tapio, Thomas Warren, and Ernest White. Carrie Murphy, a spokeswoman for Mayor Stothert, said many candidates were recommended to the mayor, and that a vigorous vetting and interview process narrowed the group. The new board was ultimately installed on Tuesday.

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OMAHA'S $45 MILLION IN TOBACCO TAX TO UNMC DELAYED, BUT WILL HELP SUPPORT SCHOOL'S PROJECT

OMAHA- Smokers and vapers in the Omaha area will help pay for a new $2.19 billion academic medical facility at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, but the city's tobacco tax revenue won't start flowing to the university yet. Omaha's mayor and City Council previously pledged to contribute up to $45 million over 10 years to Project NExT, a joint effort between the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Nebraska Medical Center.

The money is to come from the city's 3% occupation tax on tobacco and vaping products. As of right now, Omaha's tobacco tax revenue will go into the city's general fund, but will be primarily used to help pay for a city parking garage and street work in support of UNMC's campus development. According to UNMC Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Gold, construction on the academic building itself could begin in 2025.

"A lot depends on finalizing the funding stack, because we will not go forward to intermediate design review with the Board of Regents, of course, until every last dollar is committed," said Gold, But we're getting there. We're getting closer and closer." According to Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Taylor, the City of Omaha is committed to providing 15% of what the state contributed to the project.

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MILLIONS OF DOLLARS UNCLAIMED IN LAST YEAR'S CHILD FOOD AID PROGRAM, WITH DAYS BEFORE EXPIRATION

LINCOLN- Nebraska families have yet to claim as much as $6.6 million in grocery assistance that was issued last year as a part of the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, a program very similar to this summer's Summer EBT program, which drew the attention of Nebraska lawmakers.

Just days remain to tap into the funds before they are reverted back to the federal government. According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, nearly $17 million in food aid benefits were issued since September of last year from the program. Around 140,000 Nebraska youth received $120 on an EBT card.

However, as of the end of April of this year, it was found that $6.6 million was yet to be accessed or spent, equating to roughly 55,000 youth having not used their cards. These cards are set to expire on June 14th. According to DHHS, families might not have claimed their funding due to a lack of awareness, EBT cards being sent to the wrong address, or because they simply chose not to participate.

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PILLEN VISITS NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARD ON TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER WITH SPEAKER ARCH, SEN. BREWER

TEXAS- Gov. Pillen, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, and State Sen. Tom Brewer visited a 35-member Nebraska National Guard contingent in Texas on Wednesday that the governor had previously deployed to assist the Lone Star State police on its border with Mexico. Pillen sent the contingent south in April, where they are to be stationed for 90 days.

Pillen is one of several GOP governors spending state and federal funds to police the nation's southern borders. His previous deployment of Nebraska National Guard members cost Nebraska more than $1 million. Other critics have said that Pillen's rhetoric and decision to send Guard members south makes Nebraska seem more hostile to people who may be seeking to immigrate there.

"These Nebraska troops are helping to stop the influx of criminals, weapons, drugs, and human trafficking into our country and states," Pillen said of those patrolling the border. In the past, Pillen has said that public safety in Nebraska is harmed when the U.S. lets more people cross into the country illegally, calling every state, no matter its location, a "border state."

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ECONOMISTS WEIGH IN ON PILLEN'S TAX APPROACH

LINCOLN- Over the past few weeks, Gov. Jim Pillen has indicated at a handful of town hall events that he is steadfast in his promise to reduce property taxes in the state by 40% by expanding the sales tax base during a special legislative session this summer. Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss said high property taxes are indeed hurting economic growth in Nebraska.

Goss went on to say that reducing property taxes and expanding sales taxes would result in faster economic growth, while benefiting the rich and poor alike. "The problem I hear in Nebraska is everyone keeps talking about fairness, and they don't talk in terms of growth," said Goss, "Let's talk about growth." Goss said he supports Pillen's approach, but has concerns about the plan's implementation.

Eric Thompson, chair of the economics department at UNL, said there is no specific tax that should be eliminated. "Since sales tax and income tax are levied at the state level, state government should focus on lowering income and sales tax rates," he said. Thompson finished by saying he believed local government should be responsible for reducing the amount of property tax they levy.

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NEBRASKA UPGRADES 911 SERVICES WITH RAPIDSOS TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Public Service Commission announced that it had entered into a five-year contract with RapidSOS in a move expected by commissioners to enhance the state's emergency response capabilities. According to a release, the agreement will bring RapidSOS' UNITE service to all 67 Public Safety Answering Points across the state.

UNITE is designed to enhance the Next Generation 911 system by providing critical caller location information to 911 centers, even in cases where wireless carriers fail to deliver the call. The service is expected to significantly improve emergency response times and accuracy.

"Many Nebraska PSAPs currently utilize RapidSOS," said State 911 Director David Sankey, "Elevating all PSAPs to the company's UNITE modules will provide even more tools to supplement caller location capabilities should a disruption in wireless service occur." With over 80% of emergency calls now originating from wireless devices, UNITE is viewed as a step in modernizing Nebraska's emergency response infrastructure.

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HILGERS JOINS REQUEST TO AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION TO DROP ITS DEI STANDARDS

LINCOLN- Attorney General Mike Hilgers signed a letter alongside 20 of his Republican counterparts requesting that the American Bar Association drop its diversity and inclusion standards for law schools. The states argued that DEI efforts in schools allow administrators to violate the Constitution and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

The letter comes just a year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a Harvard College initiative that dictated that students must be considered for enrollment based on their experiences as an individual and not on their race. The decision allowed higher institutions to do away with decades-old affirmative action policies.

The diversity and inclusion standards of the American Bar Association, according to the letter, "seemingly asks law schools to defy the Court's clear directive. In its current form, the Standard all but compels law schools to consider race in both the admissions and employment contexts."

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OSBORN MIGHT NOT FACE DEMOCRATIC SENATE WRITE-IN CANDIDATE

OMAHA- Two weeks after spurning an almost guaranteed endorsement from the Nebraska Democratic Party, nonpartisan Senate candidate Dan Osborn has not yet drawn a party-backed write-in candidate to face Republican incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer. It might be the case that he could avoid one altogether.

According to attendees from a recent Nebraska Democratic Part meeting, discussions surrounding whether or not to promote a party-approved write-in candidate continue. Jane Kleeb, Democratic Party Chair, said she would prefer Osborn to endorse President Joe Biden and caucus with the Democrats if elected.

Douglas County Democratic Party Chair CJ King echoed a similar sentiment, saying he would prefer that Osborn simply side with Democrats, regardless of whether he wants a formal endorsement from the party. "I hope he wins and caucuses with the Democrats," said King, "I'd love to see him endorse President Biden." However, according to Kleeb, the promotion of a party-backed candidate is not off the table.

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JOE BURGESS, 18, LIKELY TO BE AMONG YOUNGEST COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN STATE HISTORY

YORK- Joe Burgess, an 18-year-old who plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall, may be among the youngest county commissioners ever elected in Nebraska history after his recent win in the District 5 Republican Primary for a seat on the York County Board of Commissioners. With no other names appearing on the ballot, Burgess is exceedingly likely to win.

Burgess' father had previously considered running for the seat, but felt he was too busy with work. He had joked that Burgess should run for the seat, prompting his son to approach Commissioner Daniel Grotz about what serving on the board would entail. Burgess also found himself attending county board meetings, where he spoke with current District 5 Commissioner Jack Sikes, who encouraged Burgess to run.

Leading up the election, Burgess said he did a lot of door-knocking, ultimately allowing him to beat his two Republican opponents, a firefighter and a 79-year-old retired farmer. Burgess said he looks forward to working on issues relating to roads, and plans to set aside his summer to focus on learning about the county budget. With school starting in just two months, Burgess said he's confident he'll be able to handle both commitments.

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VOTER TURNOUT LOWER THAN PREDICTED IN 2024 PRIMARY, BUT HIGHER THAN PRE-2020 AVERAGE

LINCOLN- Coming into the 2020 Nebraska Primary, Secretary of State Bob Evnen predicted that 35% of all Nebraska voters would turn up at the polls. However, when the dust had settled and the votes were counted, that number sat closer to 28%. While seemingly low, said Evnen, that number is actually right on track.

"The turnout this year exceeded the turnout of 4 of the 5 last presidential primaries," he said, "The one primary that was higher was in 2020 in the midst of COVID." The increased focus on elections seen in 2020 and 2022 seems to be slowing down in 2024. 2020 saw 40% of voters show up to cast a vote in the primary election, up significantly from the 2000-2016 average of 25.7%.

So, while the state's turnout was lower than predicted, it was still higher than the average. "I think, especially for the elections in Nebraska, they were just not very competitive," said UNO Political Science Professor Gregory Petrow. Although several of the state's incumbent Republicans faced contentious challengers, many of those in opposition were lesser-known populist Republicans that Petrow believes voters weren't familiar with.

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MCDONNELL TO STOTHERT: PUT STREETCAR ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

OMAHA- Now a Republican expected to run against incumbent Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert next year, Sen. Mike McDonnell called on the mayor to put the city's $300 million streetcar endeavor on the ballot for a vote of the people. In a letter, McDonnell doesn't specify whether he's for or against the project, but says that the streetcar is "either a tool for the future growth of the city as proponents suggest, or a financial boondoggle as opponents claim."

Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing, who announced that he was running for Mayor of Omaha, also stated that the streetcar should be voted up or down by the people of the city. Mayor Stothert, set to run for an unprecedented fourth term, has historically shot down such suggestions.

"A vote of the people is not necessary for something like the streetcar because the people, the taxpayers, are not paying for it," Stothert said last month. Ewing called the streetcar a "great opportunity for economic development," but said it will very likely cost $400 million, not $300 million, all without the approval of voters.

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