Advertise on podcast: Nebraska Update

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 16, include: State Fire Marshal budget: Proposed state budget reductions could eliminate leadership and training positions at the State Fire Marshal’s office and end its participation in the annual State Fire School. Nebraska volunteer firefighters say the cuts could limit training access for smaller departments that lack funding. Nebraska voters will decide whether to extend state senators’ term limits. Medical marijuana advocates criticize proposed regulations at a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission meeting. University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers receive nearly $875,000 from the National Science Foundation for bird communication research. Having a parent deported is traumatic for a family, especially for children. And, experts say, the repercussions of family separation are long-lasting.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 15, include: Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell met Wednesday night for a debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media News and the Omaha World-Herald. New polling shows most Americans are pessimistic about the economy and have started spending less. State agencies consider potential budget reductions as Nebraska faces an $846 million deficit. The education department’s hypothetical 10% cut could affect special education and services for students with disabilities. The proposed cuts still require approval from the governor and Legislature. The Nebraska attorney general’s office seeks to recover legal fees from its effort to add three Lincoln charter amendments to the November ballot. Husker Athletics announces lower starting prices for some 2027 football season tickets, with about 5,000 tickets available to the general public starting at $299. Federal officials voice support for a proposed rare earth mine in southeast Nebraska, but the project still needs final approval.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 14, include: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is looking for savings in Medicaid as state agencies face requests to cut 8% of their budgets amid a billion-dollar state budget deficit. Two Nebraska high schools cancel the rest of their football seasons because of injuries and low player numbers. Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District candidates debate Wednesday night. Lincoln voters will consider six local charter amendments in November. A committee supporting two Omaha bond questions identifies its campaign backers. An Omaha culinary instructor prepares to compete on the world stage next month. When someone dies in custody in Nebraska, a unique process is triggered – summoning a grand jury. In theory, it encourages civic participation and transparency. But some say it invites bias from county attorneys, who are elected to office.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 13, include: Nebraska agencies are considering hypothetical budgets with 8% spending reductions as the state faces a billion-dollar deficit. Molly Ashford reports on how the exercise could reflect departments’ priorities for the future. Law enforcement and advocacy groups recognize missing Nebraskans and their loved ones during the third annual day of recognition for missing persons cases. The University of Nebraska reports that its athletic department has spent 14% of its Big Red Rebuild budget, including construction spending at Memorial Stadium. Norris High School volleyball reflects on its experience at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona alongside Omaha Northwest and Millard South. American consumers are becoming increasingly skeptical of added ingredients in their food. That's left processed products like American Cheese with an uncertain future. One Midwest company says they’ve cracked the code.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 12, include: State leaders are facing a budget shortfall to the tune of $200 million dollars; Project Health, a teaching hospital going up in Omaha, will now cost more than $2.7 billion dollars after the University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Friday approved an increase; the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a contract extension for NU President Jeffrey Gold on a 6-2 vote; Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order Friday prohibiting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars from being spent on tobacco, vape products, gambling and visits to a psychic; between a federal and state executive order expanding red-dyed diesel usage, President Donald Trump and Governor Jim Pillen are both attempting to cut costs this harvest season; and the Heartwood Kite Festival will return to Heartwood Park in Omaha for the second time on October 17th and 18th.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 9, include: Last week’s flooding in Omaha caused at least $12 million in damage as recovery efforts continue in Douglas County; campaign finance reports show large sums flowing into Tax Relief Nebraska, the committee seeking to legalize and regulate online sports betting; Omaha’s mayor and chamber of commerce are asking local employers to help keep workers from leaving; the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office received a $1.2 million federal grant for its operations; a new study finds renewable energy projects bring economic benefits to rural areas; and many Nebraska girls on ranches grow up riding horses. A group of Nebraska women wants to keep that love a lifelong adventure.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 8, include: A package of 15 ballot issues could be in front of Nebraska voters in 2028. Fred Knapp has more on what’s being proposed. Campaign ad season is underway in Nebraska, with Political Action Committee spending driving ads across the airwaves. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced an initiative aimed at increasing competition in the U.S. seed market while visiting Iowa this week. The University of Nebraska at Kearney will no longer hold its summer graduation ceremony. Omaha’s planned downtown public market now has a leader and a preview of the market’s layout. Fewer professors at Nebraska’s universities are getting tenure appointments — especially at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 7, include: More than $16 million has been raised in Nebraska's governor's race, according to updated campaign filings; a commission considering changes to Nebraska's school finance system is weighing incremental adjustments rather than a wholesale overhaul; half of the Nebraska State Board of Education seats are up for election this November; the Hallam Village Board unanimously approved a special use permit for Monolith to build a 35-megawatt data center and expand carbon black production; Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird outlined upcoming priorities in her State of the City address; and Lincoln and Lancaster County are proposing a $6 million secure entrance for downtown government buildings.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 6, include: Several University of Nebraska Board of Regents seats are up for election in November, with candidates competing in those races; Scottsbluff Public Schools will use a $2.9 million, five-year grant from the Sherwood Foundation to support literacy efforts; New Horizon Academy is expanding its Nebraska presence after opening four Omaha schools this year; Husker season ticket holders are divided over the Big Red Rebuild and its impact on seating and Memorial Stadium capacity; Becky Stamp was convicted of one felony theft count and 22 counts of financial exploitation in York County; Winnebago Tribal Councilwomen are leading efforts to keep proposed data centers away from the Missouri River.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 5, include: Flock Safety cameras have sparked bipartisan uproar over the past few months. While some law enforcement say the cameras have led to arrests, others worry that the cameras — which scan license plates — infringe on privacy; a new analysis of state data shows Nebraska’s enforcement of new Medicaid work requirements has impacted about 1,100 people; Nehawka recently became the first known village in Nebraska to create a permanent, all-out ban against data centers; a new report found that Nebraskans save more money than Americans as a whole; the Lancaster County Treasurer is working to correct its record after a recent state audit; Visit Omaha says tourism generated $2.6 billion in total economic impact for the city last year; and Governor Jim Pillen has signed an emergency declaration for southeast Nebraska after historic rainfall led to flooding across the region, damaging roads and leaving motorists stranded.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 2, include: Historic rain has caused severe flooding across southeastern Nebraska as Omaha businesses work to reopen; There is interest in buying old Memorial Stadium urinal troughs; Nebraska volleyball will return to Louisville for the AVCA Match Point tournament; Artificial intelligence skills are the fastest-growing in-demand skills among employers in the Omaha region; Omaha Mayor John Ewing announced a city-wide campaign supporting domestic violence survivors and community education; Cattle groups in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas say ICE activity is causing workforce disruptions and delays in agricultural communities.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 1, include: U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is defending himself against ad criticizing pardon he made as governor, Nebraska Public Media News has candidate guide covering candidates seeking to represent Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District, shooting before school at Omaha's Burke High School injured one student Wednesday, proposed Omaha zoning amendment would end parking requirements for residential developments, homelessness in Nebraska increased 10%, Lincoln Public Schools parents are raising concerns about policy requiring them to wait outside stadium until after games to meet student-athletes, in Lexington Public Schools after closure of Tyson Foods plant fewer students are returning to school.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Sept. 30, include: Gov. Jim Pillen signed executive order aimed at bringing state agencies and partners together to promote business growth in Nebraska, President Trump plans to visit Nebraska State Fair's Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Oct. 5, three candidates are seeking Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Don Bacon, Omaha funeral home was placed on probation for 15 violations in its crematorium, Nebraska Community Blood Bank and Lincoln Fire and Rescue announced new prehospital blood transfusion program, Omaha woman's collection of old VHS workout tapes has grown into fitness revival.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Sept. 29, include: Douglas County judge blocked Omaha from applying its $15 minimum wage to young workers but allowed city to tie future increases to Consumer Price Index, Omaha Public Power District is diversifying its energy sources to help manage record demand, Colorado and Nebraska continue to dispute water rights under South Platte River Compact, Jim Pillen and Lynne Walz picked up new endorsements in four-way gubernatorial race, Big Noon Kickoff is returning to Lincoln for Nebraska's Oct. 10 game against Indiana, new voter guide covers candidates in Nebraska's 1st Congressional District race, Nebraska State Forester John Erixson is retiring after nine years in position.

Cameron the Capitol Cat could get statue after revamped design breathed new life into project, University of Nebraska at Omaha study finds past criminal charges are not uniform predictor of future offenses, Omaha postal workers are promoting mail-in voting ahead of November election, University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved four Nebraska Medicine board members, six Nebraska Catholic schools will launch career and technical education pilot program next school year, Center for Legal Immigration Assistance is marking 25 years of connecting people with legal immigration help as demand for services rises in Nebraska, Trump administration has eliminated thousands of federal jobs for experts who help farmers with conservation efforts.