NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 'PERPLEXED' BY TRUMP'S BEEF COMMENTS, 'DISAGREES' ABOUT TARIFF IMPACT

OMAHA - The incoming president of the Nebraska Cattlemen organization says that he was “perplexed” when he heard President Donald Trump’s comments about Argentinian beef imports — and that he disagrees with Trump’s claim that cattle ranchers have only been successful because of tariffs.

Craig Uden, who’s set to take over as the organization’s president in December, told The World-Herald on Thursday that he thinks the state’s cow-calf industry is doing “extremely well” this year for reasons that aren’t related to tariffs Trump imposed on beef imports from Brazil.

“We absolutely have a fantastic cow crop out there, be it small,” Uden said. “So our quality has really went up. We’re feeding these cattle a little bigger. That makes up some of the difference. But quality has been really good, so we’ve gained a lot of market share. It isn’t just because we don’t have the numbers. Demand is incredible right now.” Uden’s comments came as a back-and-forth between cattle ranchers and the Trump administration continued.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the national organization to which the Nebraska group is affiliated, issued a scathing press release Wednesday with the headline “President Trump Undercuts America’s Cattle Producers.”

Nebraska’s all-Republican congressional delegation, usually publicly allied with Trump, has continuously urged the White House to abandon its plans to import Argentinian beef as a means to combat high grocery prices. Sen. Pete Ricketts told reporters on his Wednesday conference call that he’d asked Trump about the issue at a Senate GOP lunch in Washington. Reps. Mike Flood and Don Bacon both told The World-Herald on Wednesday that they’d been in touch with the White House, with Flood calling cattle issues the “number one” priority for people in the administration he’d talked to.
For the full article on our website, Click HERE

LAWSUIT OVER SENDING NEBRASKA VOTER DATA TO FEDS PAUSED FOR SHUTDOWN

LINCOLN - Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has requested a district court to pause a lawsuit concerning the release of Nebraska's voter data to the U.S. Department of Justice, citing the ongoing federal government shutdown. Filed by Common Cause Nebraska and Omaha voter Dawn Essink, the lawsuit challenges the federal request for comprehensive voter information, including names, birthdates, addresses, and partial Social Security and driver's license numbers. The plaintiffs argue that such a disclosure violates state law, which prohibits sharing certain voter data with third parties.

The Department of Justice's request, made on September 8, 2025, aimed to obtain Nebraska's full voter registration file by September 22. In response, Evnen's office has not released any data and is seeking to delay the lawsuit proceedings until the federal shutdown concludes. The motion emphasizes that without federal funding, Justice Department attorneys cannot work, even on a voluntary basis, and that pausing the case would allow for continued discussions on how voter privacy would be protected.

For the full article, click HERE

NEBRASKA GOV. JIM PILLEN APPOINTS NEW LANCASTER COUNTY COURT JUDGE

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Ryan Decker as county court judge in the Third Judicial District, encompassing Lancaster County. In a press release on Monday, Pillen said the appointment is due to the retirement of Judge Laurie Yardley.

Decker has been a deputy attorney in Lancaster County since 2018 and has been the prosecutor for the Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court and the Adult Drug Court. He also handles felony traffic cases.

For the full article, click HERE.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, BUSINESS LEADER ENTERS RACE FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

PAPILLION - Darin Tompkins, a community volunteer and business leader, has announced his candidacy for Nebraska's 36th Legislative District, which encompasses the southern and western parts of Sarpy County. Tompkins, originally from South Dakota and a Nebraska resident for over 27 years, has worked for 12 years at a Nebraska-based animal health vaccine manufacturing plant. He played a significant role in securing a $200 million investment for the facility, creating local job opportunities. In addition to his professional achievements, Tompkins has been actively involved in community service through organizations like Habitat for Humanity and local food drives.

Tompkins is challenging incumbent State Senator Rick Holdcroft, who was elected in 2022. He criticizes Holdcroft for not delivering substantial property tax relief and for voting to overturn the will of the voters on certain issues. Tompkins emphasizes the need for leaders who listen to constituents and respect their voices. His campaign is centered on providing real property tax relief and honoring the decisions made by Nebraska voters.

For the full article, click HERE.

OMAHA CITY COUNCIL VOTES DOWN ORDINANCE ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS

OMAHA, Neb. - The City Council has voted down a proposed ordinance aimed at prohibiting homeless encampments on city property.

At the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday afternoon, item No. 62 failed to pass on a vote of 2-5. Councilman Brinker Harding and Councilwoman Aimee Melton voted for it.

The ordinance proposed by Harding this summer originally aimed to outlaw the camps in such a manner that anyone violating the ordinance would face citation or arrest if they refused the opportunity to be taken to a shelter. Last week, Harding updated his proposal for the ordinance to start with a written notice for the person living at the encampment to remove it, then outlining steps for Omaha Police to take the report to the mayor’s office. Even if the council had passed the ordinance, however, Mayor John Ewing Jr. said during a town hall on Monday night that he was prepared to veto it. That statement was met with applause from the more than 50 residents at the meeting at the Learning Community Center in North Omaha.

In a statement issued Tuesday after the vote, the mayor said homelessness in Omaha is a broader issue that will require collaboration.

“This is an important issue that will take all of us to fully address. I appreciate the conversations we have had, and I thank the Omaha City Council for the support. We’ve received a comprehensive plan and will work to implement the plan immediately. I am counting on all of our homeless service providers to work collaboratively and effectively. I’m calling for our broader Omaha community to come together to support these organizations and our efforts. We must respond to this urgent issue with compassion and action to get people off the streets and into safe, decent and affordable housing."

For the full article on our website, Click HERE

GOV. PILLEN TO LEAD TRADE MISSION TO ISRAEL

LINCOLN – Next week, Governor Jim Pillen will lead a trade mission to Israel. The state delegation includes representatives from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development; Jewish Federation of Omaha; and Nebraska’s agricultural equipment manufacturing, food manufacturing, and professional service industries. The mission will take place from October 27-30. 

In Israel, state leaders will promote Nebraska-made kosher beef, encourage agricultural technology (ag tech) partnerships, and develop relationships with civil associations. During the mission, Gov. Pillen will hold high-level diplomatic meetings and discuss the critical role played by U.S. defense technologies to secure Israel from attack. The delegation will also have an opportunity to see humanitarian work in Israel being supported by organizations in Nebraska. 

Nebraska accounts for more than 99% of all U.S. beef exports to Israel. In 2024, Nebraska exported $13.5 million of beef products to Israel. The state’s beef sales to Israel are increasing. From January through July of 2025, Nebraska beef exports to Israel are 27% higher than they were during the same period last year. 

For the full article, click HERE.

DECLINING LOTTERY TICKET SALES LOWER STATE REVENUES BY $10 MILLION, AUDITOR SAYS

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s state revenues have taken a hit as lottery ticket sales dropped by more than 16% over the past fiscal year, leading to roughly $36 million less in sales and nearly $10 million in reduced funding for state programs. According to State Auditor Mike Foley, the decline means less money for key beneficiaries like the Nebraska Environmental Trust, education funds, and the State Fair. The Environmental Trust was impacted the most, with its lottery proceeds falling from about $24.3 million in 2024 to $20.1 million in 2025. Foley warned that the decline could continue, especially as more gambling options become available both within and outside of the state.

Officials and lawmakers attribute the slump to increased competition from new casinos and other legalized gambling forms that followed Nebraska’s 2020 vote to expand gaming. Some legislators also cited the spread of “skill games” in convenience stores as another factor cutting into lottery sales. As state programs reliant on lottery revenue face tighter budgets, lawmakers are debating how to adapt—one proposal under discussion is to legalize online sports betting, which supporters say could recapture millions in gambling revenue currently flowing to neighboring states.

For the full article, click HERE.

ICE CERTIFIES MCCOOK STATE PRISON TO BEGIN HOUSING IMMIGRATION DETAINEES

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen announced Thursday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement inspectors have certified a Nebraska state prison to begin receiving federal detainees as it becomes a migrant detention facility.

Pillen said ICE inspectors completed a final walkthrough of the former McCook Work Ethic Camp this week, and the timeline for the first detainees to come to Nebraska is still being coordinated. Pillen said getting the final pieces together had been “a moving target” with the federal shutdown now on day 23. “Given the many tasks that had to be completed, including the transfer of remaining inmates, building modifications, training of staff and other components, we have made significant progress,” Pillen said in a statement.

Final security upgrades will continue in McCook “over the next day or so,” Pillen said, and additional modifications will allow the facility to house up to 300 detainees, from a maximum of about 200. Pillen’s update comes less than 24 hours before a Red Willow County District Court judge will hear arguments on a lawsuit seeking to temporarily stop the Nebraska-ICE partnership. The lawsuit is from 13 McCook residents and former State Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln. It argues the Nebraska-ICE contract is unconstitutional without legislative approval because of language they say delegates management of the state’s prisons to the Legislature.

For the full article on our website, Click HERE

NEBRASKA GOVERNOR NAMES NEW JUDGE IN 4TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Governor Jim Pillen has picked a new district court judge to serve in Douglas County. In a release Monday, Pillen’s office named Richard P. McGowan, of Omaha, as a judge in the Fourth Judicial District.

According to a release, McGowan owned a law practice in the state for 18 years. He has a background in criminal defense, juvenile law, personal injury, guardianship, and more. He was also an attorney at a number of private law firms. McGowan currently serves as the chairperson for the Douglas County Board of Mental Health. The vacancy in the Fourth Judicial District comes from the retirement of Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf. McGowan and three other nominees were given to Pillen on Sept. 30 for his consideration.
For the full article on our website, Click HERE

FATHER AND MEDICAL CANNABIS ADVOCATE HUNG UP ON DURING GOV. PILLEN'S MONTHLY RADIO CALL

BELLEVUE — A Nebraska father and medical cannabis advocate, Dominic Gillen, called into Governor Jim Pillen’s monthly radio call to ask about implementing voter-approved medical cannabis initiatives from November 2024. Gillen’s 23-year-old son suffers from severe epilepsy, experiencing around 75 seizures a day, and cannot communicate basic needs. Gillen believes that medical cannabis could significantly improve his son’s quality of life and referenced the 2023 bill LB 77, signed by Governor Pillen, to inquire about how these initiatives would be carried out.

During the call, Gillen says his conversation with the governor ended abruptly when his line was disconnected, leaving him and other callers frustrated. Several other listeners reported being muted or hung up on during the same broadcast. The governor’s office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the disconnections or the medical cannabis questions raised.

Gillen has been advocating for medical cannabis access for his son for over a decade and emphasized that he will continue to fight for this issue. Despite his persistence, he expressed concern about whether his son will live long enough to benefit from the policy changes. The incident highlights ongoing tensions and frustrations among medical cannabis advocates in Nebraska regarding communication with state leadership and implementation of voter-approved initiatives.

For the full article, click HERE

NEBRASKA TAX REVENUES FALL BELOW PROJECTIONS JUST BEFORE STATE BUDGET DEFICIT IS UPDATED

LINCOLN — After two months of higher-than-expected tax revenues, Nebraska’s monthly general fund receipts fell just before economic forecasters will update the state’s projected budget deficit. 

Nebraska’s September tax receipts show a net loss of 6.6% under what Nebraska’s Economic Forecasting Advisory Board predicted in April, according to the state Department of Revenue. That equates to roughly $47 million in less revenue in the state’s coffers. 

That followed tax receipts from July and August, which came in modestly above projections and brought in an additional $32 million. Appropriations Chair State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood said while September’s drop is “disappointing,” he wasn’t too concerned, because overall net receipts for the current fiscal year remained relatively flat. Net tax receipts so far for fiscal year 2025-26 are about 0.9% below forecasts — a difference of about $15 million, the Revenue Department noted.

For the full article, click HERE

BARRY KENNEDY, LONGTIME NEBRASKA CHAMBER PRESIDENT, DIES

OMAHA - Barry Kennedy, who was a fixture of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce for more than 30 years, including nearly two decades as its president, died on Saturday. He was 79.

Kennedy, a Pawnee City native, joined the chamber in 1987 and became its president in 2000, a role he held until retirement in June 2018. During his tenure, the organization "grew in membership, influence and notability," according to Kennedy's bio when he was inducted into the 2019 Nebraska Business Hall of Fame. After serving in Vietnam, Kennedy joined the United States Junior Chamber, also called the Jaycees, serving as president of the civic organization at the local, state, national and even international level.

Kennedy got involved with the Nebraska Chamber after meeting then-president Jack Schwartz in 1986 while working on a political campaign, according to his obit. His membership with the chamber began a year later.

Kennedy was also a livestock buyer, farmer, merchant and political consultant. A number of Nebraska politicians issued statements this week on Kennedy's death. Rep. Adrian Smith said Nebraska "lost a true leader," and Rep. Mike Flood called Kennedy a "a big supporter and a mentor of mine."

"Barry and I worked together on virtually every business issue imaginable," Flood said in a Thursday statement. "His support through the years helped shape public policy and make me and many others successful." Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said Kennedy "loved the state more than about anyone I knew, and as the head of the Nebraska Chamber, he was a very effective, prudent, and strong advocate for Nebraska business and free enterprise.

For the full article on our website, Click HERE

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA NOW SPENDS MORE ON ADMINISTRATORS AND MANAGERS THAN ON FACULTY

LINCOLN - At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a music professor’s salary jumped $13,000 in the past decade. A University of Nebraska at Kearney political science professor’s salary grew by $15,000. A University of Nebraska at Omaha social work professor got a $19,000 bump. But then you factor in inflation, and the financial reality becomes clear: All three actually took serious pay cuts. When adjusted, the music professor suffered a pay slash of 16%. It’s part of a profound shift in how the University of Nebraska makes money, spends money, and who it spends money on. 

In 2000, NU paid its administrators and professional staff $155 million. This year, a quarter century later, that number has more than tripled to $484 million. At the same time, pay to faculty has grown, but at a much slower rate than inflation.

In 2024, for the first time this century, the state’s public university system spent more on administrators, managers and professional staff than it did on faculty members who teach students, advise students and do research on its five campuses. 

For the full article on our website, Click HERE

GROUP STARTS BALLOT PUSH FOR WINNER-TAKE-ALL, HAND-COUNTING VOTES

LINCOLN — A nonprofit group behind a handful of Nebraska ballot initiatives announced a campaign Tuesday to gather signatures for two new ones aimed at conservative election goals. 

One would alter how the state awards Electoral College votes for president, giving all five to the winner of the popular vote statewide. The other would require elections in the state to be conducted exclusively using paper ballots counted by hand.

The group, Advocates for All Nebraskans, is now collecting signatures for five ballot initiatives. The group, headlined by former leaders of the Nebraska Republican Party, argues that the initiatives are about reclaiming the state’s voice and promoting government accountability.

“This is not a partisan movement … This is a populist movement,” said Eric Underwood, the former chair of the Nebraska GOP who helped lead a populist takeover of the party in 2022. “We exist because many of us grew tired of waiting for solutions from the traditional status quo elected officials or political consultants.” 

For the full article on our website, click HERE

NEBRASKA TEACHERS PRAISE CELLPHONE POLICIES ACROSS THE STATE A MONTH INTO NEW LAW

The distractions of texts from friends or notifications from social media have mostly disappeared in classrooms across Nebraska, in part due to a new statewide law banning personal devices in class. And teachers from the Panhandle to the eastern border are all for it, even if students may be less enthusiastic about the bans.

So, in response, Nebraska legislators passed a law last spring banning cellphones during instructional time, matching policies many school districts throughout the state have individually implemented in recent years, including Lincoln Public Schools.

The new law provides cohesion statewide. "Now we're not going to get as much flak from the kids for it and look like the bad guy," Coady said.

"It's for their good and my good as well, because it makes me a better teacher, and I think it makes them better students and able to focus on what they need to do," said Janelle Coady, a teacher at Norris High School in Firth

For the full article on our website, click HERE

NEBRASKANS OWE $129M IN UNPAID INCOME TAXES. THE STATE LAID OFF THE COLLECTORS

LINCOLN - In April, Nebraska’s auditor sent the State Department of Revenue a letter noting how much state residents and companies owed in unpaid taxes: $269.5 million, according to the audit, including $129.27 million in delinquent individual income taxes. A data table included in the letter showed the problem was only getting worse. Nebraska’s delinquent tax balance had increased by $52.4 million since 2020 — a spike largely attributable to unpaid individual income taxes, which jumped from $87.7 million in 2020 to nearly $130 million four years later.

That’s why it surprised and perplexed some union and state officials, as well as former Department of Revenue employees, when the state — seeking to slash $500 million from its budget at the direction of Republican Gov. Jim Pillen — laid off 11 revenue agents and two supervisors last week who were specifically responsible for collecting unpaid income taxes from Nebraskans.

For the full article on our website, Click HERE

SEPTEMBER 2025 GENERAL FUNDS RECEIPTS

Tax Commissioner James R. Kamm and the Nebraska Department of Revenue have released the General Fund Receipts for September.

September Gross Receipts: Tax Commissioner James R. Kamm reports that gross General Fund receipts for September were $808 million, which is 2.0% below the forecast of $824 million.

• Gross Sales and Use: 5.2% above forecast

• Gross Individual Income: 0.4% above forecast 

• Gross Corporate Income: 27.6% below forecast 

• Gross Miscellaneous: 357.1% above forecast

September Tax Refunds: Tax refunds for September were $146 million, which is 26.2% above the forecast of $116 million 

September Net Receipts: Net receipts for September were $661 million, which is 6.6% below the forecast of $708 million 

• Net Sales and Use: 1.1% below forecast  

• Net Individual Income: 2.0% below forecast

• Net Corporate Income: 31.8% below forecast

• Net Miscellaneous: 365.0% above forecast

Fiscal Year Net Receipts: Net General Fund receipts for fiscal year 2025-26 were $1.689 billion, which is 0.9% below the forecast of $1.704 billion.

• Net Sales and Use: 10.9% above forecast 

• Net Individual Income: 0.4% below forecast

• Net Corporate Income: 28.5% below forecast

• Net Miscellaneous: 18.7% below forecast

The comparisons in this report are based on the forecast made by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board (Board) on April 25, 2025. This forecast was adjusted for legislation passed in 2025, divided into monthly estimates and certified to the Clerk of the Legislature by the Tax Commissioner and Legislative Fiscal Analyst on July 10, 2025.

To view the file, click HERE

MCCOOK RESIDENTS SUE NEBRASKA GOVERNOR TO HALT 'CORNHUSKER CLINK' ICE FACILITY

McCOOK, Neb. — The nonprofit advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed filed a lawsuit on behalf of 13 McCook residents and a former state lawmaker Wednesday, seeking to halt conversion of the Work Ethic Camp prison into a federal detainment facility run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The suit, filed in Red Willow County, accuses Gov. Jim Pillen of exceeding his authority and argues that the Legislature is authorized to control penal institutions and repurpose public buildings. The suit cited the state constitution enshrining a separation of powers between branches of government and states that “the general management, control and government of all state charitable, mental, reformatory and penal institutions shall be vested as determined by the Legislature.”

For the full article on our website, Click HERE

FORMER STATE SENATOR TOM HANSEN PASSES

LINCOLN — Standing over 6 feet tall, with a love of good-looking cowboy hats and boots, Tom Hansen stood out when he arrived at the Nebraska Legislature in 2007.But behind the well-dressed rancher was a real cowboy, the fourth generation to operate a North Platte-area ranch, the Hansen 77 Ranch, that utilized the oldest brand in the state still registered to the same family.

Hansen’s oldest son, Marshall, said his father would want to be remembered as a regular cowboy, who carried on at the family’s 147-year-old ranch, now run by his youngest son, Eric, and not just his work in the Legislature or helping with the Nebraska Cattlemen and North Platte’s Nebraskaland Days celebration.

Western attire is urged for funeral services scheduled at 11 a.m., Saturday, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte. Visitation is from noon to 6 p.m. Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte, with the family receiving friends from 4-6 p.m. 

Click HERE to view the Obituary Website

For the full article on our website, Click HERE

NEBRASKA ED LEADERS PRAISE SEVEN ‘BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Education is honoring seven “Blue Ribbon Schools” in 2025 after federal education officials ended the national honor roll for high-performing schools.

The U.S. Department of Education had historically honored some of the nation’s schools that performed well on state assessments or nationally normed tests through the National Blue Ribbon Schools program. Terrell H. Bell, President Ronald Reagan’s first education secretary, created the program in 1982.

State officials said the seven Nebraska honorees had already applied and would have met Blue Ribbon standards based on last year’s benchmarks. Four Nebraska schools earned the praise in 2024, and four more earned the title in 2023. About 350 schools were nationally recognized each of those years.

The 2025 Nebraska honorees are:

• McDonald Elementary School in North Platte Public Schools (North Platte).

• Hillrise Elementary School in Elkhorn Public Schools (Elkhorn).

• Ezra Millard Elementary School in Millard Public Schools (Omaha).

• Park Elementary School in Kearney Public Schools (Kearney).

• St. Isidore Elementary School in the Omaha Archdiocese (Omaha).

• Mount Michael Benedictine School in the Omaha Archdiocese (Omaha).

• Mary Our Queen Catholic School in the Omaha Archdiocese (Omaha).

“These schools are amazing examples of hard work, focus and the desire for excellence,” Nebraska Education Commissioner Brian Maher said in a statement. “They represent communities from across our state and provide a powerful model for effective and innovative practices for educators throughout Nebraska.”

For the full article on our website, click HERE