PILLEN REQUESTS FOURTH ROUND OF FEDERAL AID FOR NEBRASKA STORM RECOVERY

LINCOLN- Governor Jim Pillen has requested federal aid for the fourth time to help with the relief in Cass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, and Saunders Counties. They experienced hurricane-force winds, severe thunderstorms, flooding, and hail on July 31 and Aug. 1.

Aside from structural damage, the storm also left more than 221,000 customers, or half of OPPD’s entire customer base, without power for hours to weeks. President Biden has approved the three prior requests, with the total amount of federal aid estimated at $34.5 million.

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NE ATTORNEY GENERAL STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST ‘MISLEADING’ DELTA-8 RETAIL SALES, TARGETS ENTIRE CITIES

LINCOLN- Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced a crackdown on delta-8 products which he calls “mislabeled” and “dangerous”. Through a targeted city-wide blanket approach, the Attorney General is going after shops in local communities.

In a press conference with Representative Mike Flood, the AG told reporters about 4 lawsuits against shops in Norfolk that allege violations of the Consumer Protection Act, Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and Nebraska’s Pure Food Act. The shops named in the lawsuits report that they are doing everything by the book and are blindsided by the lawsuit.

The AG reiterated that this is just the start of his investigation. He cited a report in which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received more than 300 reports of children and adults who were hurt consuming delta-8 THC products.

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THIRD LAWSUIT FILED ON NEBRASKA ABORTION AMENDMENT

LINCOLN- A third lawsuit was filed in Nebraska against competing abortion amendment proposals. More than 20 doctors supporting an abortion rights amendment sued to press the Nebraska Supreme Court to either pull both initiatives or keep both of them.

The Nebraska Supreme Court has agreed to hear all three of the lawsuits before Secretary of State Bob Evnen must finalize the Nov. 5 general election ballot on Sept. 13. The Supreme Court announced it would hear oral arguments for the new both-or-none lawsuit and both of the refiled lawsuits, which were brought from residents of Lancaster and Douglas Counties. In the both-or-none lawsuit, the doctors say they “reluctantly” filed because of the other two legal efforts to deny voters a chance to weigh in.

If the ballot measures survive, Nebraska would be the first state since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade to have competing abortion-related constitutional amendments on the same ballot. If both pass, the measure with the most votes becomes law.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA, REPEAL OF PRIVATE K-12 SCHOLARSHIPS EXCEED THRESHOLD FOR NEBRASKA BALLOT

LINCOLN- Nebraska voters appear likely to vote on whether to legalize and regulate medical marijuana, as well as decide the fate of a new “school choice” law in November’s election, barring last-minute legal challenges. Secretary of State Bob Evnen confirmed that both ballot measures had exceeded the requirements for verification and will qualify once certification is complete.

“Our office is providing this update to keep voters informed of where county election offices are in the signature verification process,” Evnen said. Candidates and issues must be certified for the November ballot in Nebraska by September 13.

Crista Eggers, campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, said her team was “beyond excited” that Nebraskans will soon weigh in on the issue. The other measure likely to qualify is a partial repeal of Legislative Bill 1402 from State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, which appropriated $10 million to the state treasurer to distribute scholarships, or vouchers, to families to attend private K-12 schools.

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CHAMBERS RETHINKS EXIT AND MIGHT RUN AFTER ALL, THIS TIME AS A WRITE IN

OMAHA- State Sen. Ernie Chambers, who pulled his name off the fall ballot in July, notarized paperwork Tuesday to run for his old legislative seat as a write-in candidate. Chambers, 87, still has to mail or hand-deliver the papers he signed at the Douglas County Election Commission to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office to have his write-in votes counted.

Earlier this year, Chambers stated he wanted to restore the Legislature’s independence as an equal branch of government. “A lot of people were very disappointed that I’d withdrawn my name,” Chambers said.

His most likely opponent in the November election, State Sen. Terrell McKinney said he would keep working to ensure District 11 sees the progress “our community deserves.” Chambers is widely known for using legislative rules to kill what he called “bad legislation” sought by the conservative majority and sometimes by Democrats.

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FISCHER AND OSBORN MIGHT BE IN TIGHT RACE, AS BOTH TOUT UNION ENDORSEMENTS

OMAHA- Nebraska U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer is in her most competitive general election race since 2012 when she beat former Governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey. Fischer said she “takes nothing for granted,” that she prefers official visits to media debates, and that she plans to keep asking Nebraskans what they want from their senator.

Nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn, a steamfitter, said his effort to get a working man into the Senate resonates with Nebraskans who are tired of the stranglehold the two major parties have on politics. Osborn has noted he does not want the backing of any party after having flirted with pursuing endorsements from the Democrats and third parties, including the Libertarian Party.

National reporters have written recently about the chances a Senate race in Nebraska might factor into which party controls the chamber, a rarity in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1.

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LEGAL MARIJUANA NOW PARTY WON'T OFFER A NOMINEE FOR NEBRASKA'S U.S. SENATE BALLOT

LINCOLN- The Legal Marijuana Now Party has decided it will not submit a name on the November ballot against Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn.

Tuesday was the party’s deadline to offer a name after its original nominee resigned. No replacement form was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office. Mark Elworth Jr., who chairs the party, said Tuesday that the group chose not to run someone because supporters of Osborn and Kerry Eddy, the former nominee, threatened to sue.

Some longer-tenured members of the Legal Marijuana Now Party argued that Eddy and a group of Osborn supporters took over their party to clear the ballot for him in his run against Fischer.

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VILLAGE CLERK OF TINY NEBRASKA TOWN RESIGNS AMID PROBE BY STATE AUDITOR'S TEAM

LINCOLN- The village of Litchfield in central Nebraska only has a population of 280 according to its website, which claims that the small-town atmosphere contributes to a high quality of life. Despite this, a Nebraska State Auditor’s Office probe into village operations has disrupted the calm, revealing apparent misappropriation of public funds, inaccurate utility billings, and lack of documentation.

An upshot was the resignation of the village clerk, whose “improper pecuniary benefits” were a focus of the report. Auditor Mike Foley, when releasing results, zeroed in on fiduciary responsibilities despite the size of a municipality. He said that “for various reasons” proper financial controls can sometimes be “less vigorous” among smaller political subdivisions.

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19 NEBRASKA STUDENTS SELECTED FOR INAUGURAL FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

LINCOLN- Nineteen students joined Gov. Jim Pillen in celebrating the inaugural class of the “Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program” that Pillen and UNL launched in February. The state-funded program fully covers six years of tuition for up to 11 Nebraska residents through eight years of veterinary education, with a competitive selection process.

The State of Nebraska plans to fully cover related tuition and fees for up to 11 students in the professional program. In return, those students will sign a contract with the Nebraska Department of Labor agreeing to return to Nebraska after graduation and practice veterinary medicine for eight years in the state.

Pillen, a former University of Nebraska regent, said one of the barriers to having production-animal veterinarians is cost, so multiple states have struggled to recruit large animal veterinarians. He thanked UNL for taking a “proactive approach” that will give back to Nebraska.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO DIVERSITY OFFICE CLOSURES IN LINCOLN, OMAHA

LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha have closed key diversity and inclusion offices in the past year, leaving some student leaders worried that the work will fall to them.

On Aug. 20, UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett announced the dissolution of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which came on top of $800,000 in related cuts in 2023. UNO similarly closed its Gender and Sexuality Resource Center this summer after shuttering its Office of Multicultural Affairs last fall, moving those services to other offices on campus.

Bennett said in an email to faculty and staff that he made the decision “after considerable reflection and a thorough review of both the national landscape and the specific needs of our institution,” which he did not specify. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li confirmed at the time of their office's closure that her campus has such funding, which includes support for first-generation students and veterans.

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TWO OMAHA HOUSING PROJECTS TO SHARE $4M IN FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS

OMAHA- Two Omaha apartment projects are to share $4 million in federal disaster recovery funding awarded by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The funds come from the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery program, established by the DED to support unmet housing needs related to the 2019 flood.

The gap funding contributes to the creation of two housing projects that, blended with other financial sources, are to produce 162 housing units, 127 of them targeting low-to-moderate income households. The gap funding also leverages Low-Income Housing Tax Credits administered by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.

With the awards, DED said it has committed $49.4 million in CDBG disaster recovery funding to support the construction of affordable housing, aiding the state’s recovery following the 2019 flood disaster declaration.

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AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES FOR NEW NE CHILD CARE CREDITS DESCRIBED AS STATE AND NATIONAL MILESTONE

LINCOLN- Child care advocates on Tuesday launched a campaign to build awareness of a new Nebraska tax credit package described as a state and national milestone for both the industry and parents.

“This is the most expansive and most robust tax credit program that’s available for the child care industry and for parents in the United States,” said Elizabeth Everett, deputy director of First Five Nebraska.

Between 2022 and 2023, First Five statistics show a 30% turnover in the total early childhood workforce. Over the past five years, the state has seen a 12% decline in licensed child care programs. Home-based child care centers, which make up the bulk of providers, declined by a reported 16%.

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AT AG SUMMIT, PILLEN TOUTS NEBRASKA’S BIOECONOMY INITIATIVE AS KEY TO STATE’S FUTURE

KEARNEY. — Nebraska’s leaders believe a new economy is taking shape and it’s putting agriculture in front. Gov. Jim Pillen says the BioEconomy is the economy. State officials say it means “exploring how the state can feed the world and fuel the future while contributing to a cleaner environment.”

Pillen made the Nebraska BioEconomy Initiative a focal point of his Ag and Economic Development Summit in Kearney this month. Julie Bushell leads the initiative.

Pillen and Bushell champion the fact the state already has 24 ethanol plants. Now, they say it’s time to move to the second generation of that type of economic growth. They point to projects under construction like a $750 million fertilizer plant in Gothenburg and a $600 million renewable diesel plant in Hastings.

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AT STATE CHAMBER’S ANNUAL ‘FEDERAL FLY-BACK’, CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION BRIEFS BUSINESS LEADERS

ASHLAND- The five members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation briefed more than 300 of the state’s business leaders Thursday and included a warning about some economic clouds brewing over agriculture.

While speaking at the State Chamber’s annual Federal Fly-Back event held at the Strategic Air Command & Space Museum, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood of Norfolk warned the state and local chambers of commerce from Lincoln and Omaha about the budget risks to businesses and the State of Nebraska from continued lower prices for corn and soybeans.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer of Lincoln said most of the experienced farmers and ranchers she speaks with around the state understand and prepare for the boom and bust runs of agriculture. Rep. Adrian Smith of Gering, who represents the largely rural, sprawling 3rd Congressional District, said his constituents share the concerns about higher costs and lower prices.

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NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT REJECTS TWO LAWSUITS CHALLENGING ABORTION RIGHTS PETITION

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Supreme Court recently rejected fast-tracking a pair of lawsuits seeking to remove an abortion-rights constitutional amendment from the fall ballot. Time is short for either effort, one coming from a Douglas County woman funded by the socially conservative Thomas More Society and the other backed by local abortion opponents.

The second lawsuit was filed Wednesday, hours after the Nebraska Supreme Court declined to take up the first. Attorneys tried to correct a mistake on the first lawsuit and refiled it, but the court again rejected the case Thursday. In the second lawsuit, filed Wednesday, Dr. Catherine Brooks, a Lincoln neonatologist, asked the court to remove the Protect the Right to Abortion measure from the ballot.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has until Sept. 13 to finalize the November general election ballot. He announced on Aug. 23 that the measure qualified for the ballot. There were no immediate comments from either side of the ballot initiative.

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AUDIT FINDS PRISON SYSTEM COULD SAVE ABOUT $3.9 MILLION WITH BETTER PROCESSES

LINCOLN- State Auditor Mike Foley’s office released a report finding Nebraska’s state prisons could say $3.9 million by addressing healthcare and health insurance for inmates. Rob Jeffreys, the department’s director, found the report to be very beneficial and will work to implement the suggested policies.

The most significant change is ensuring that all eligible inmates apply for and receive Medicaid, doing so would save the state $3.5 million. The state auditor’s office also recommended updates to the process inmates go through to receive their pay. The current system is backlogged and needs an overhaul.

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GOV. PILLEN TARGETS 'FAKE MEAT' IN NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER, SEEKS TOTAL BAN ON SALES IN 2025

WEST POINT- Gov. Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced new regulations against “lab-grown meat," eyeing 2025 legislation to prohibit the sale of such products within the state. On top of new regulations, standards, and potential legislation, Pillen signed an executive order that prohibits state agencies from procuring lab-grown or other meat alternatives.

Nebraska Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton said her agency will be launching new labeling regulations, similar to recent regulations in Iowa. Standards will also be developed to determine when manufactured food, cell-grown or lab-grown meat is being falsely advertised or misbranded.

In May, Florida and Alabama became the first states to outlaw the sale of meat alternatives, and Pillen seeks to follow through on the promise he made that month stating Nebraska would join that list. Pillen and University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials have highlighted that the livestock industry contributes more than $6 billion to the state’s economy each year.

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VOTING RIGHTS FOR NEBRASKA FELONS IN FLUX AS ELECTION DAY APPROACHES

LINCOLN- When the Nebraska Legislature voted 38 to 6 this year to allow people convicted of felonies to cast a ballot immediately after completing their sentences, it was a brief moment of bipartisan unity. Just before the measure was set to take effect last month, Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a written opinion that the law was unconstitutional.

Hilgers added that a law allowing felons to vote two years after finishing their sentences was also based on a flawed interpretation of the Nebraska Constitution. Arguments before the Nebraska Supreme Court are the best hope of settling constituents' concerns before Election Day.

“I am hopeful that the Nebraska Supreme Court will quickly issue a decision prior to the November general election,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said. Nebraska was among at least 26 states in recent decades that made it easier for people convicted of felonies to vote.

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NEBRASKA VOTERS WILL SEE DUELING ABORTION AMENDMENTS THIS FALL

LINCOLN- Nebraska voters will decide the future of abortion rights in November, but unlike voters in other states, two competing constitutional amendments on the issue qualified for the general election ballot.

One proposal, by abortion-rights advocates, would codify a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as determined by a health care provider. The other proposed constitutional amendment, promoted by supporters of abortion restrictions, would constitutionally limit abortion to the first trimester of pregnancy and allow further restrictions to be passed by the legislature.

The oddity of this arrangement means that if voters adopt or pass both measures, the one that receives the most votes will become law. Nebraska’s abortion fight is the first time nationally that competing abortion measures will appear on the ballot at the same time.

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GROUP OF MEDICAL PROS CHALLENGE ABORTION RIGHTS BALLOT MEASURE BASED ON 'SINGLE SUBJECT' RULE

LINCOLN- More than 30 Nebraska medical providers filed a complaint this week with Secretary of State Bob Evnen alleging that the abortion-rights ballot initiative violates the state’s requirement that voter-fueled changes cover only a single subject.

The proposal, backed by abortion-rights advocates, would codify a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as determined by a health care provider. The timely decision ultimately falls on Evnen as ballots must be finalized by September 13.

Some of the medical professionals who signed the letter have supported stricter abortion bans. The group behind the abortion rights initiative, Protect Our Rights, has said it expected administrative and legal challenges from abortion opponents to the effort to let voters decide whether to protect access to reproductive care in the state.

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