KEARNEY POSED TO GO ALL IN ON DATA CENTERS EVEN AS MANY NEBRASKA TOWNS THROTTLE BACK

KEARNEY— Kearney is positioning itself as a welcoming destination for data centers while other Nebraska communities impose temporary bans amid concerns about energy use, water consumption and noise. The city recently adopted one of Nebraska’s first zoning ordinances specifically regulating data centers, including a 55-decibel noise limit, water and wastewater studies, and a requirement that projects receive a conditional use permit from the City Council. The regulations come as Kearney considers Tech One Crossing, a massive data center campus that would replace an existing cryptocurrency mining operation and eventually consume 368 megawatts of electricity—more than Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings combined. The company that would ultimately use the facility has not been publicly disclosed.

Kearney has pursued data center development for more than a decade, viewing the industry as an opportunity to attract investment, jobs and significant tax revenue. Tech One Crossing would be developed in phases by Worldwide Mission Critical, with the first phase potentially completed in late 2027 and full capacity reached around 2030. While city officials say the new regulations balance economic development with protections for residents, some community members remain concerned about the project's enormous scale and the anonymity of its eventual customer. The Kearney City Council is scheduled to consider the project's conditional use permit on Sept. 8.

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NEBRASKA AWARDED OVER $5 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS TO EXPEDITE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

 OMAHA— Nebraska has received $5.15 million in federal transportation grants aimed at accelerating major infrastructure projects across the state. The Nebraska Department of Transportation will receive funding through three federal programs, with projects including the proposed Lincoln East Beltway and improvements to congestion along the Interstate 80 corridor connecting with I-680 and I-480 in the Omaha area. Federal Highway Administration Administrator Sean McMaster said the grants are intended to speed up projects that have faced lengthy timelines or have yet to begin.

Gov. Jim Pillen emphasized the importance of completing infrastructure projects more quickly, arguing that delays lead to higher costs. Pillen said the funding will also support Nebraska’s broader economic development efforts and help change its reputation from a “flyover state” to a “fly-to state.” U.S. Rep. Don Bacon also supported the grants and agreed that reducing construction timelines could help control costs. Pillen noted that federal funding flowing to Nebraska has risen to $3.5 billion during his first term and described the latest transportation investments as another sign that Nebraska is “open for business.”

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NEBRASKA STATE EMPLOYEES UNION ENTERS NEGOTIATION PHASE FOR NEXT TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

LINCOLN— The Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE/AFSCME), the state’s largest public employees union, is beginning negotiations with state officials for a new two-year contract covering July 2027 through June 2029. The union’s top priority is securing wage increases that keep pace with inflation, with leaders estimating annual raises of roughly 3% to 4% based on the Consumer Price Index. Union officials acknowledge Nebraska’s ongoing budget deficit could make those increases difficult to achieve and say they may need to explore other cost-saving measures, including greater use of remote work.

NAPE is also prioritizing rising health insurance costs, employee retention and expanded benefits. Union members said health insurance premiums have increased nearly 25% over two years, reducing the impact of previous wage gains. They also pointed to state employee turnover of nearly 20% and argued that competitive salaries and benefits are necessary to recruit and retain workers. Other proposals could include expanding paid parental leave and considering adjustments to health coverage to control costs. Negotiations are expected to continue through December, although union leaders said they will remain at the bargaining table as long as necessary to reach an agreement.

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STATE AUDITOR SOUNDS ALARM OVER $7.2M IN LINCOLN FIRE AND RESCUE 2025 OVERTIME PAY

LINCOLN— Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley is calling for a performance review of Lincoln Fire and Rescue after the department paid $7.2 million in overtime in 2025. The department’s top 25 overtime earners averaged more than $72,000 in additional pay, bringing their average total compensation to nearly $190,000. One firefighter received more than $164,000 in overtime alone. Foley said the amount warrants a closer examination of the department’s scheduling practices, particularly because some overtime is built into the negotiated work schedule.

Lincoln Fire Chief David Engler said overtime is necessary to maintain 24-hour emergency coverage and has been affected by new stations, additional medic units, training, employee leave and staffing requirements. Foley also criticized the city’s Performance Audit Committee for failing to conduct required audits for more than a decade and not meeting in roughly five years, though city officials have recently begun reactivating it. Engler said Lincoln has added 33 firefighter and firefighter-paramedic positions since 2019 and continues to evaluate staffing strategies to reduce overtime while maintaining emergency services.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FALL 2026 ENROLLMENT DOWN 1.4% FROM 2025

LINCOLN— Enrollment across the University of Nebraska system declined 1.4% from the same point last year, a decrease of about 700 students, with total enrollment at 48,948. The largest declines came among international students, down 11%, and graduate students, down 5.6%. NU attributed the changes partly to declining birthrates and reduced federal research funding affecting graduate enrollment. UNL enrollment fell 1.6%, UNO declined 1%, and UNK dropped 3.9%, while enrollment increased at UNMC and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Despite the overall decline, NU reported a 2% increase in first-time freshmen, reaching 7,987 students, while total credit hours remained relatively stable. NU President Jeffrey Gold said students are taking more courses and moving through college faster, allowing them to enter the workforce sooner. The enrollment figures come as NU seeks a $166 million increase in state funding for the 2027-29 budget cycle while Gov. Jim Pillen has asked state agencies, including the university system, to reduce spending by 5% through the end of the current fiscal year.

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AT LEAST 61 EMPLOYEES LEFT NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN 15 MONTHS

LINCOLN— Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development (DED) has experienced significant staff turnover, with at least 61 employees leaving in less than a year and a half while only two departures were involuntary terminations. Full-time staffing fell from roughly 115 positions in May 2025 to about 70 by August 2026. Former employees and the state employees union have raised concerns about budget cuts, workplace policies and leadership changes under Director Maureen Larsen, while DED says much of the downsizing reflects the winding down of pandemic-era programs, which contributed to a $185 million reduction in spending between fiscal years. 

Former DED official Sheryl Hiatt also raised concerns about the impact of staffing reductions on rural Nebraska, particularly as regional housing positions have been reduced or moved to Lincoln. DED says some housing responsibilities are being transferred to the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority and that it currently has 33 vacant positions, with some hiring planned. Hiatt and union officials also criticized return-to-office requirements and changes in internal communication, while DED said the changes are intended to comply with state policy, improve productivity and better prioritize the agency’s objectives.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER BREAKS GROUND ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES AIR TRANSPORT FACILITY

OMAHA— The University of Nebraska Medical Center has broken ground on a $17.4 million Infectious Diseases Air Transport training facility at its Omaha campus. Expected to open in early 2028, the facility will include biocontainment transport modules and an aircraft fuselage where U.S. Air Force personnel stationed at UNMC can receive specialized training through the Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills. Officials said the facility will be the first of its kind in the United States and will strengthen Nebraska’s role in military medicine and infectious disease preparedness.

State, federal and university officials highlighted UNMC’s experience responding to major public health threats, including Ebola, COVID-19 and the recent quarantine of Americans exposed to hantavirus. The new facility is intended to prepare military medical personnel to safely transport and treat patients with highly infectious diseases while improving readiness for future outbreaks and other emergencies. Officials said the project builds on UNMC’s existing partnerships with the U.S. military and federal government and expands its role in national and global health security.

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SUPREME COURT REJECTS LAST LEGAL CHALLENGE TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA

LINCOLN - In a second ruling in a week, the Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday has rejected a legal challenge seeking to strike down the legalization of medical marijuana by the state's voters. It was the last pending challenge remaining. 

Former state Sen. John Kuehn's first lawsuit alleged widespread fraud and malfeasance by circulators and notaries in the petition process. When that effort was unsuccessful in Lancaster County District Court, he filed an appeal. Then, he filed a second lawsuit, this time challenging the expenditure of state funds in order to make it a reality. The Supreme Court a week ago affirmed the dismissal of the first case. 

On Friday, the state's high court rejected Kuehn's second case, too.  "We conclude that Kuehn did not have either taxpayer standing or standing for a matter of great public concern to challenge the constitutionality of the Acts," Chief Justice Jeff Funke wrote in a unanimous opinion. On Dec. 12, 2024, Gov. Jim Pillen signed Initiatives 437 and 438 into law, while expressing reservations about the legality. At oral arguments in April, Kuehn's attorney, Edward Greim, of Kansas City, Missouri, argued that the commitment of state employee time and taxpayer money to enact the measures gave Kuehn standing to challenge it.

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PARENTS, PROFESSIONALS HIGHLIGHT ERRORS IN NEBRASKA ASSESSMENT FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

LINCOLN — Just over a year after Nebraska launched a new system to assess Nebraskans with intellectual and developmental disabilities seeking Medicaid assistance, a group of parents gathered to inform state officials about the negative impacts the change has had on their families. Mental health practitioner Carol Salber and physical therapist Tori Sorensen, both parents of participants in the system, presented Wednesday to Nebraska’s Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, noting multiple flaws in the state’s interRAI tool.

The interRAI system determines the level of publicly assisted care, services, and funding for Nebraskans with developmental disability waivers. Salber and Sorensen’s presentation identified seven errors in how the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services calculates what each participant receives, which they claimed could dramatically shift the funding and services doled out.

InterRAI uses a Case Mix Index chart to help determine which funding tier a participant should land in based on the complexity of their circumstances. Sorensen said Nebraska officials made several typos copying the Case Mix Index, and some of those errors impact both funding and eligibility of services for participants. One example in their presentation claimed that the errors could result in a participant receiving nearly $68,000 that they don’t need, while a different participant who is in need would lose out on that same amount.

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LINDSTROM SELECTS AMERICA FIRST PARTY TO REVIVE NEBRASKA GOVERNOR BID

LINCOLN— Former Nebraska state Sen. Brett Lindstrom has joined the newly recognized America First Party as he attempts to revive his campaign for governor. Lindstrom, who left the Republican Party earlier this year and initially pursued a nonpartisan campaign, submitted about 64 signatures from America First Party members and needs at least 25 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. His first attempt failed after only 3,358 of the 5,765 signatures he submitted were validated, with some signatures connected to an ongoing investigation into alleged petition fraud. Lindstrom said his new campaign is intended to give Nebraskans another option beyond Republican Gov. Jim Pillen and Democratic nominee Lynne Walz.

If Lindstrom qualifies, the governor's race would feature four candidates: Pillen, Walz, Legal Marijuana NOW nominee Rick Beard and Lindstrom. Lindstrom is campaigning on his “Nebraska Doctrine,” which addresses issues including property taxes, housing, public power, economic development and artificial intelligence. America First Party Chair John Cartier said the party hopes to provide a home for conservatives dissatisfied with the Nebraska Republican Party, while Lindstrom has emphasized that he intends to campaign independently of traditional party politics and appeal to voters frustrated with political polarization. Election officials expect to determine whether Lindstrom has enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

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RICKETTS, OSBORN TALK TARIFFS, IRAN WAR DURING NEBRASKA STATE FAIR DEBATE

GRAND ISLAND— U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and independent challenger Dan Osborn faced off at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island in a closely watched U.S. Senate debate. The candidates repeatedly clashed over their political identities, with Ricketts portraying Osborn as a Democrat despite his independent status, while Osborn emphasized his promise not to caucus with either major party. The debate comes as Osborn seeks to improve on his 2024 Senate performance, when he lost to Sen. Deb Fischer by seven percentage points.

The candidates also differed on several major policy issues. Ricketts defended the Trump administration’s tariffs as a way to protect American producers, while Osborn criticized broad tariffs for raising consumer prices. Both opposed Trump’s temporary tariff waiver on imported ground beef but offered different approaches to supporting ranchers. On immigration, Osborn supported ICE’s basic mission but called for greater accountability and opposed its increased funding, while Ricketts criticized Osborn’s border positions. They also traded accusations over dark money and campaign financing. On Iran, both opposed allowing the country to obtain nuclear weapons. Still, Ricketts emphasized sanctions and continued pressure, while Osborn stressed Congress’ constitutional authority to declare war and supported deterrence rather than expanded U.S. involvement.

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NEBRASKA WORKING PEOPLE PARTY CHAIR RICHARDS RUNNING FOR U.S. SENATE HERSELF

LINCOLN— Nebraska’s newly recognized Working People Party has qualified three candidates for the November ballot, including party chair Robin Richards of Ralston for U.S. Senate. Richards joins a crowded Senate field featuring Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts, registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn, America First Party candidate Chuck Conboy and Legal Marijuana NOW candidate Mike Marvin, who has suspended his campaign and endorsed Osborn but will remain on the ballot. Nebraska Democrats will not have a Senate nominee after choosing not to replace Cindy Burbank following her withdrawal.

The Working People Party also qualified Macey Budke for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District and Paul Rumbaugh for secretary of state. Meanwhile, the America First Party qualified five candidates, including Brett Lindstrom for governor, former state Sen. Bob Krist for secretary of state, Dan Hartong for the 1st Congressional District and John Knight for state auditor. The new parties faced a relatively low qualification threshold, requiring candidates to obtain at least 25 valid signatures from party members. State election officials confirmed that all three Working People Party candidates and all five America First Party candidates who filed by the deadline gathered enough signatures to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

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FORMER STATE SEN. BOB KRIST SELECTS AMERICA FIRST PARTY FOR SECRETARY OF STATE RUN

LINCOLN— Former Nebraska state Sen. Bob Krist has entered the race for secretary of state as a candidate for the newly formed America First Party. Krist, a former Republican who later became an independent and the 2018 Democratic nominee for governor, had previously said he would not enter a three-way race. He reconsidered after being approached by the America First Party and will need at least 25 valid signatures from party members to qualify. Krist joins Republican Scott Petersen and Democrat Sarah Slattery in the race, with both opponents saying his entry does not change their campaign strategies.

Krist said his campaign will focus on maintaining confidence in Nebraska's election system and making voting accessible while preserving election security. He criticized the decision to provide Nebraska voter data to the federal government and said he would not have done so as secretary of state. Krist also expressed support for Nebraska's existing use of all-mail elections in some counties and said increasing voter turnout, particularly among rural residents and people in long-term care, should be a priority. He argued Nebraska's election system is already largely on the right track but could do more to make voting accessible to all eligible residents.

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NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT DECLINES LEGAL CHALLENGE TO 'FAIRNESS FOR GIRLS' MEASURE

LINCOLN— The Nebraska Supreme Court has declined to hear a legal challenge seeking to keep the “Fairness for Girls” measure off the November ballot, clearing the way for voters to decide the issue. The challenge, filed by Nebraska voter Cara Ullman, argued that the petition’s object statement did not meet state requirements for adequately explaining the measure’s legal effect and purpose. Secretary of State Bob Evnen had previously determined that supporters collected enough valid signatures to qualify the proposal for the ballot.

If approved by voters, the measure would amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish protections for sex-separated athletics in public K-12 schools and colleges. It would effectively place into the state constitution restrictions already established under Nebraska law requiring student-athletes to compete on teams corresponding with their sex at birth. The constitutional language itself would not define “sex,” instead relying on the definition contained in state law passed last year.

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EVNEN RULES RESPECT NEBRASKA VOTERS PETITION VIOLATES SINGLE-SUBJECT REQUIREMENT

LINCOLN—Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has ruled that the Respect Nebraska Voters ballot measure violates the state constitution’s single-subject requirement, preventing it from appearing on the November ballot unless the decision is overturned. The objection was brought by state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh and former state Sen. Curt Friesen, who argued the proposal combines multiple distinct changes to Nebraska’s initiative and referendum system. The campaign strongly disagrees with Evnen’s decision and plans to challenge it before the Nebraska Supreme Court. The measure appears to have collected more than enough signatures to otherwise qualify for the ballot.

The proposal would raise the legislative threshold for changing voter-approved laws enacted since 2004 from two-thirds of lawmakers to four-fifths, while also imposing new restrictions on laws affecting Nebraska’s initiative and referendum process. Opponents argue those provisions represent separate subjects and could make it extremely difficult for future lawmakers to modify voter-approved policies or regulate the petition process. Supporters maintain the provisions share the single purpose of protecting Nebraskans’ initiative and referendum powers and preventing lawmakers from undermining decisions made by voters. The Supreme Court challenge will need to move quickly because Evnen must finalize the statewide ballot by Sept. 11.

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SEX-BASED CONSTITUTIONAL RESTRICTION ON NEBRASKA K-12, COLLEGIATE SPORTS QUALIFIES FOR BALLOT

LINCOLN — A ballot measure that would let Nebraska voters decide whether to constitutionally limit sports participation in public K-12 schools and colleges to teams that are biologically male, female or co-ed will be on the November ballot, the state’s top election official announced Friday. 

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced the conservative-leaning group behind the measure collected at least 138,613 valid signatures. The group, Fairness for Girls, said it submitted more than 211,000 signatures in June for the proposal. The group needed to gather signatures from 10% of the state’s registered voters, as well as a geographic cross-section of Nebraska.

The measure would “amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish constitutional protections for sex-separate athletics to ensure equal access to athletic opportunities for females.” The amendment, if passed, would constitutionally cement an existing state law requiring that all student-athletes compete in public K-12 or college sports compete on a team that matches their sex at birth.

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2027 TENTATIVE SESSION CALENDAR

The tentative calendar for Nebraska’s 2027 Legislative Session has been released, giving lawmakers, stakeholders, and Nebraskans an early look at the upcoming session's schedule. The Legislature is set to convene on January 6, 2027, with the session expected to run into June.

This calendar is subject to revision in January, at which time the final calendar will be distributed.

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PILLEN, EVNEN, COUNTY ELECTION OFFICALS CALL FOR CHANGES TO NEBRASKA PETITION CIRCULATOR LAWS

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Secretary of State Bob Evnen and multiple county election officials are calling for changes to petitioning in the state amid multiple investigations of possibly fraudulent signatures statewide.

Evnen said petitioners submitted about 767,000 signatures for review across 17 separate petitions this year. That includes 85,000 petition pages, each one of which can have no more than 20 signatures. The petitions included statewide ballot measures, Lincoln City Charter amendments and nonpartisan or partisan candidates for the Nov. 3 ballot.

Of the petitions, election officials in at least Lancaster County and Hall County caught and forwarded thousands of signatures suspected to be fraudulent to authorities. As of Aug. 19, six out-of-state circulators had been arrested, and law enforcement was searching for a seventh.

County law enforcement officers are actively reviewing signatures across at least eight 2026 petitions. 

Evnen couldn’t confirm whether more petitions or campaigns are under investigation because of the ongoing criminal investigation. He described attempted fraud as a “despicable act.” “We caught the signature fraud. This is not an accident,” Evnen said. “This is the result of the hard work and dedication of our county election officials and the hard work and dedication of the people in the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office.”

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NEW COALITION AIMS TO SHARPEN NEBRASKA’S COMPETITIVE EDGE, HAS SINGLE FOCUS: CHILD CARE POLICY

LINCOLN -  A new statewide coalition called Child Care Can has launched with 65 organizations focused on improving Nebraska’s child care system through stronger public investment and policy changes. The campaign argues that affordable, quality child care should be treated as essential infrastructure because it allows parents to remain in the workforce and helps communities attract workers and businesses. Nebraska currently ranks 38th nationally in child care assistance investment, while center-based care costs families roughly $9,000 to $15,000 per child annually.  

The coalition hopes Nebraska can follow states such as Montana, New Mexico and Iowa that have made sustained public investments in child care. The issue is especially significant in rural communities, where limited options can force parents to travel for care or rely on complicated arrangements. Stromsburg parents Jessica and Cale Pallas joined the campaign after struggling to find reliable care for their twins, saying better child care is important not only for families but also for businesses trying to recruit and retain workers in smaller communities. 

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BRETT LINDSTROM JOINS NEBRASKA'S NEW AMERICA FIRST PARTY. IS GOVERNOR BID IMMINENT?

LINCOLN - Former Nebraska state Sen. Brett Lindstrom has joined the newly formed America First Party, adding to speculation about his political future and a possible gubernatorial bid. Lindstrom, a former Republican who represented an Omaha-area legislative district and ran for governor in the 2022 Republican primary, gives the new party a prominent Nebraska political figure as it prepares to participate in the Nov. 3 election. The development comes amid a broader shakeup in Nebraska politics as new parties seek to challenge the traditional Republican-Democratic structure.

The Nebraska Supreme Court unanimously cleared the way for both the America First Party and Nebraska Working People Party to become official state parties, rejecting challenges from Republicans and Democrats. Republicans had argued the America First name could confuse voters, while Democrats challenged the Working People Party over concerns about its similarity to the Working Families Party. The court upheld a lower-court ruling, finding state law did not give the Secretary of State broad authority to reject the America First Party on those grounds and that the Democratic challenge was filed too late. The new parties can now nominate candidates for the November election, with a Sept. 1 deadline to submit names.

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