HEARINGS ON COMPETING NEBRASKA ABORTION INITIATIVES MIRROR CAMPAIGN

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s dueling ballot initiatives on abortion had separate hearings Tuesday at the Capitol, with the testimony largely echoing the campaign fight between the sponsors. Advocates for additional abortion restrictions spoke in support of Initiative 434, which would allow no abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Critics of the restrictions amendment said it was designed to leave the Nebraska Legislature the option of limiting abortion more than the amendment calls for, up to and including a total ban.

Abortion-rights advocates supported Initiative 439, which would put a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as defined by a treating health care practitioner. Critics of the abortion-rights measure argued it would leave too much room for midwives and doulas to decide viability, decisions they said were best left to doctors.

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NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS VOTING RIGHTS FOR FELONS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Supreme Court ordered the secretary of state on Wednesday to allow people with felony convictions to vote after finishing their sentences, resolving confusion about who can participate in this year’s election and rejecting an argument by the state attorney general that lawmakers overstepped in extending voting rights to those with convictions.

The ruling will help shape the state’s electorate, which can carry special importance in presidential races because of the way Nebraska splits its Electoral College votes by congressional district rather than using the winner-takes-all approach of most states. Nebraska also has a competitive U.S. Senate race this year, as well as a tightly contested U.S. House race in the Omaha area. The debate in Nebraska played out at a time when Republican officials in several states were seeking to tighten voter registration rules or reconsidering when people with felony convictions should be eligible to cast ballots.

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THREE OF FOUR INCUMBENT NU REGENTS FACE CHALLENGERS THIS ELECTION

LINCOLN- Four seats are up for election this November on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, responsible for governance and oversight of the state's only public university system. Each of the four elections features a sitting incumbent, but only three of the races will be contested this fall.

The eight-member Board of Regents is responsible for hiring NU's president, setting tuition and room and board rates for students, approving annual operating budgets, and reviewing academic programs.

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BACON, VARGAS SPEND FINAL 2ND DISTRICT DEBATE SWINGING FOR UNDECIDEDS

OMAHA - State Senator Tony Vargas and U.S. Representative Don Bacon had their third and final debate before the November General Election. The highly contentious debate focused on support for law enforcement, taxes, abortion, and climate change. 

Bacon focused on his support of law enforcement and accused Vargas of “leading” protests against the police in 2020. Vargas denied the accusation and pointed Bacon to witness accounts of the protest. When given the chance to state what they liked about the other candidate, both attacked each other for “spreading misinformation” and being a “phony”.

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IOWA SEN. JONI ERNST PUSHES IMPORTANCE OF TRUMP GROUND GAME IN NEBRASKA’S 2ND DISTRICT

OMAHA — Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst attended a rally to energize more than 100 GOP volunteers, urging them to continue door-knocking efforts in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. The district has become a point of concern for the Trump campaign, which is being outspent 20-to-1 in advertising.

Both campaigns are heavily focused on the 2nd District, deploying prominent surrogates to bolster support. Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado recently visited Omaha on behalf of Vice President Harris, underscoring the significance of the area in the national race. With its history of splitting electoral votes, the 2nd District remains a key battleground that could influence the outcome in a tight election year.

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TIM WALZ COMING BACK TO NEBRASKA’S 2ND DISTRICT FOR HARRIS ON OCT. 19

OMAHA — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, is set to campaign in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District on October 19th. This will mark Walz's second visit to the Omaha area, following an earlier stop in La Vista shortly after being announced as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.

Nebraska’s unique method of awarding electoral college votes, which can split by congressional district, has placed the 2nd District in the national spotlight. The district notably flipped between elections, with former President Donald Trump winning it in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. Recent polls show Harris leading in the district.

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NEW FISCHER POLL, OTHERS SHOW HER U.S. SENATE RACE WITH OSBORN REMAINS TIGHT

LINCOLN — Incumbent Republican Senator Deb Fischer released an internal campaign poll showing her with a slight edge over independent challenger Dan Osborn. According to the poll, Fischer leads Osborn 48% to 42%, with 10% of voters undecided and a 4% margin of error. However, Osborn’s own campaign poll presents a different narrative, placing him narrowly ahead with 45% compared to Fischer's 44%.

This divergence in polling has raised concerns within the national GOP, prompting a significant financial response. Over the past month, Republican-aligned groups have poured millions into anti-Osborn advertising. Among them, the super PAC Ending Spending, backed by conservative donors Marlene and Joe Ricketts—the parents of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.)—has invested $1.4 million in attack ads scheduled to air throughout October.

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'DREAM TEAM' TAPPED TO LEAD NEBRASKA RACING AND GAMING AGENCY

LINCOLN - Members of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission on Friday recommended Casey Ricketts as the next executive director of the agency.

Commissioners Friday also selected one of the other finalists, Laurie Holman, to serve in a new position as the agency’s deputy director. Holman currently serves as Legal Counsel for the Legislature's General Affairs Committee.

Ricketts, one of four finalists for the job, has been interim director of the agency that regulates Nebraska casinos and horse racing.

Commissioners noted that under a new law her selection is subject to the approval of Gov. Jim Pillen. Commission Chair Denny Lee said he would be sending word of the choice to the governor.

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NOMINATING COMMISSION FORWARDS CHIEF JUSTICE APPLICANTS TO NEBRASKA GOV. JIM PILLEN

LINCOLN - The Judicial Nominating Commission that was created to replace Nebraska State Supreme Court Justice Mike Heavican advanced all four applicants for the seat. Gov. Pillen will now select his choice to replace the Chief Justice once he retires on October 31.

The Governor has 60 days to make the selection, otherwise, the acting Chief Justice will select from the list according to the Nebraska Constitution. Chief Justice Heavican is leaving the Court after serving for 19 years.

Advanced candidates are: sitting Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Funke, Sarpy County Judge Patricia Freeman, Saline County District Judge David Bargen and Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post.

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IOWA, NEBRASKA, 18 OTHER STATES SUE FEDS TO BLOCK STAFFING MANDATES FOR NURSING HOMES

LINCOLN – Nebraska has joined 19 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration to block new federal regulations on nursing home staffing. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized rules in April that mandate nursing homes to assess residents' needs and provide a minimum of 3.48 hours of direct nursing care per resident, per day. Additionally, the regulations require nursing homes to have a registered nurse (RN) on staff 24/7.

The lawsuit argues that these new requirements place an undue burden on an industry already grappling with severe staffing shortages. A study by the Long-Term Care Community Coalition revealed that only 60% of nursing homes would be able to meet the new standards. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers criticized the rules, stating, “Unfortunately, the CMS rule imposes new burdens on nursing homes that are both unlawful and counterproductive.”

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ADVOCATES HOPE NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT RULES SOON ON FUTURE OF FELONY VOTING LAW

OMAHA- In a letter to supporters this month, the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, a collection of statewide advocacy groups, wrote that the Nebraska Supreme Court needs to rule soon on whether the State Constitution reserves the power to restore voting rights to the executive or legislative branch. The letter encouraged people seeking to register to vote or learn more information about how to regain their right to vote by visiting the coalition’s website.

Justices heard oral arguments in late August on a lawsuit seeking to overturn an administrative decision by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, following the advice of Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, not to register voters under Legislative Bill 20, a state law passed this spring eliminating a two-year waiting period to vote after serving a felony sentence. Officials with the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition say they must rely on social media, traditional media, and other forms of outreach to let people know if and when they can register.

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NE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION PREVIEWS LITERACY AND FIREARMS POLICIES

LINCOLN- The Nebraska State Board of Education focused much of its recent meeting on advancing student literacy. Education Commissioner Brian Maher previewed updates to the “Nebraska Literacy Project” plan to improve student literacy, which will go to the full board for approval in December. The board has made it a priority to improve student literacy, particularly by increasing third-grade proficiency on state assessments to 75% by 2030.

This spring, state lawmakers voted to allow the state’s smallest school districts, those with fewer than 5,000 residents, to authorize select school security personnel to carry firearms. The law, introduced by State Sen. Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska and included in Legislative Bill 1329, authorizes Class I and Class II public school districts to create such a policy, in addition to nonpublic schools. The state board drafted a “model policy” that schools can use as a starting point but are not required to match.

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39 NEBRASKA STATE LAWMAKERS SIGN RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL

LINCOLN- Thirty-nine of Nebraska’s 49 state senators have signed an informal resolution affirming their support for the Israeli people and condemning Hamas terrorists one year after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Thirty-nine senators signed a similar resolution a year ago. This year’s resolution urges members of Nebraska’s federal delegation to do all they can to support the Israeli people.

The resolution calls out the “terrorist infrastructure” of hiding among civilian population centers to use civilians and Palestinians “as human shields.” The cosigners write they recognize Israel’s rights to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense and “pursue without interference or condemnation” the elimination and permanent neutralization of Hamas. “The undersigned hereby convey our most heartfelt condolences to all innocent victims as well as their families and communities,” the senators wrote.

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NE NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP HURRICANE MILTON EMERGENCY, JOINING OTHER HUSKERS DELIVERING MUTUAL AID

LINCOLN- About 150 Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen will be on their way to Florida at the end of this week to assist in emergency response operations related to Hurricane Milton. Gov. Jim Pillen, in a statement Thursday, said that he ordered the deployment in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request from the State of Florida to provide support following Milton’s landfall on the state’s west coast.

Pillen said the dangerous storm will require a strong and coordinated recovery effort. “Nebraska is proud to support Florida and the resources from other states that are being brought to bear in assisting storm-impacted residents,” he said.

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NEW ‘EDGE DISTRICT’ SEEN AS GIVING UNMC AN EDGE IN GROWING GLOBAL REPUTATION

OMAHA- A roughly 30-acre area just west of the main University of Nebraska Medical Center campus has a lot going on, including a sprawling innovation hub and a six-story research and office building under construction.

It now has a new name: the EDGE District.

The name for the developing site west of Saddle Creek Road near Farnam Street was revealed Thursday during a news media event that featured a video and remarks from area academic, government and business leaders. Dele Davies, UNMC interim chancellor, said the name is not only a nod to the fact that the area is on the edge of the campus. The acronym stands for Explore, Develop, Grow, Engage.

“It represents that UNMC wants to be on the leading edge in all areas of our missions,” Davies said.

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CANDIDATES FOR LD23 SEAT SAY EXPERIENCE SETS THEM APART

DAVID CITY - While voters across Nebraska and the country will choose between candidates with clashing political ideologies up and down their ballots this November, the people of Legislative District 23 will face less-distinct contrasts. Both men running to replace term-limited Sen. Bruce Bostelman as the eastern Nebraska district's representative in the Legislature agree: their politics are more or less indistinguishable.

"Dennis — he's a conservative Republican and so am I," said Jared Storm, a David City agricultural pilot and business owner facing off in the general election with Dennis Fujan, a retired farmer who lives southeast of Prague. "I mean, we're very much similar in policies," Storm said. "I would say that most of what I would support, Dennis would support."

Fujan offered a similar assessment of his opponent in the race to represent District 23, which includes Saunders and Colfax counties and much of Butler County.

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PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR NEBRASKA’S SIX BALLOT MEASURES

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office has scheduled a series of public hearings across the state to inform voters about six ballot measures ahead of the November election. These hearings, required by state law, will take place in each of Nebraska’s congressional districts.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen highlighted the significance of this election, stating, 'This is a record number of petition-initiated ballot measures on a Nebraska general election ballot.' To help voters better understand the initiatives, the office has provided pamphlets in both English and Spanish that explain the language of each measure.

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MEDICAL CANNABIS SPONSORS PUSH BACK ON NEBRASKA OFFICIALS' CLAIMS OF FRAUD AND MALFEASANCE

LINCOLN- The sponsors of Nebraska’s medical cannabis ballot measures are pushing back on the state’s chief election official for questioning nearly 100,000 signatures, which they say threatens “the initiative right altogether.” Secretary of State Bob Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers entered court filings questioning the validity of roughly 49,000 signatures on each of two medical cannabis petitions.

They alleged that more than half involved “notary malfeasance.” Evnen asked the court to determine the number of valid signatures and void the election results if there weren’t enough. Attorneys for the three sponsors of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said Monday that Evnen has not alleged any “intentional wrongdoing” as required under the law and ignores past legal precedents “in his effort to disenfranchise tens of thousands of Nebraska voters.”

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BACON, VARGAS TOUT STARK DIFFERENCES IN FIRST DEBATE OF 2ND DISTRICT REMATCH

OMAHA- The first debate of the second race between Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas and Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon drew clearer lines between the candidates than the last campaign. Both candidates punched holes in one another’s stances Friday on abortion, immigration, guns, and ethics during the hourlong debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha and the Omaha Press Club.

As in 2022, Vargas emphasized his support for reproductive rights and Bacon defended his belief that new life deserves protection. Bacon defended his stance that he has long supported exceptions to any federal or state abortion ban to protect the life of the mother if a complicated pregnancy endangers her. On ethics, the two candidates sparred about the role of outside money in the 2nd District campaign, which typically sees millions of dollars spent on outside advertising.

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OUTSIDE AD ATTACKS VARGAS FOR SCHOOL BOARD PERSONNEL VOTES, WHICH VARGAS CAMP CALLS A SMEAR

OMAHA – A campaign ad targeting State Senator Tony Vargas for a vote during his time on the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) Board has sparked backlash from both Vargas and his opponent, Congressman Don Bacon. The ad, funded by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), highlights Vargas' approval of a middle school IT specialist who was later convicted of possessing and distributing child pornography.

Vargas’ campaign condemned the ad as a 'smear,' arguing that it distorts the reality of the hiring process. The campaign clarified that board members are not directly involved in hiring decisions but merely approve groups of candidates vetted by OPS staff. Congressman Bacon distanced himself from the ad, stating he would not have run it and placed responsibility for its airing on the NRCC.

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