HAS RICKETTS OVERSTEPPED HIS AUTHORITY IN ALLOCATING $1 BILLION OF CORONAVIRUS RELIEF

LINCOLN - Gov. Pete Ricketts has already outlined his plan for distributing $1 billion in emergency aid provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help struggling Nebraskans. However, did he have the authority to do that?

That’s a question being raised around the State Capitol and it has prompted a request for a legal opinion from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office about whether the governor’s decisions should be subject to approval by the Nebraska Legislature.

State Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha cited several conflicting clauses in state law and in the Nebraska Constitution in his request for the legal opinion. Others raising questions include James Goddard, a lawyer with the Lincoln-based Nebraska Appleseed, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln law professor Anthony Schutz.

Among the conflicting legal guidance being cited: The Nebraska Constitution requires that the Legislature approve any specific appropriations, but a budget bill passed last year gives the governor the authority to direct the spending of any federal dollars not specifically sent to a state agency.

Gering Sen. John Stinner, who heads the legislative committee that draws up the state budget, said he believes that the governor has the power to spend the CARES Act money but that it’s not a bad idea to get an attorney general’s opinion based on the questions being raised.

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$70 MILLION EXPANSION WILL HELP NEBRASAKA FACILITIES PLAY A KEY ROLE IN COVID-19 VACCINE

OMAHA - A company with manufacturing sites in Nebraska will play an important role in producing millions of needles and syringes needed to deliver vaccines for the coronavirus.

Medical technology company Becton Dickinson & Co. announced Wednesday that a partnership between the company and the federal government will pour $70 million into expanding operations and production lines at the company’s Nebraska facilities to make injection devices — the syringes, needles, cannulas and other components used for vaccines and other shots.

It’s still unclear how many new jobs, if any, the expansion will create. The arrangement will give the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, a direct and steady supply of the needles and syringes needed to carry out widespread vaccination programs.

BARDA has entered into similar contracts with vaccine makers and other companies as part of Operation Warp Speed, a Trump administration initiative designed to ramp up the manufacturing and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, treatments and medical supplies.

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NEBRASKA IS ONE OF BIGGEST RECIPIENTS OF THIS FEDERAL LOAN PROGRAM. BUT WHO’S GETTING THE MONEY?

OMAHA - The Paycheck Protection Program enacted by Congress has been a lifesaver for thousands of small businesses slammed economically by COVID-19.

But in Nebraska, some of the biggest beneficiaries of the forgivable loan program aren’t traditional small businesses at all.

Corn growers, cattle ranchers and churches have received the largest number of loans. And the largest single recipient appears to be the business arm of the Winnebago Tribe, which received more than $14 million in loans aiding a conglomeration of small companies it operates out of the tribe’s northeast Nebraska reservation.

The restaurant industry also benefited significantly, with almost 1,000 such businesses receiving loans to help them retain almost 27,000 workers. Big-dollar loans also went to large medical centers and other health care offices, law firms, farm cooperatives, some of the state’s fastest-growing startup firms and a pair of fast-food chain operators.

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AS DOUGLAS COUNTY REPORTS 100TH COVID-19 VICTIM, CASES CONTINUE GROWING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE

OMAHA - As the coronavirus pandemic claimed its 100th victim in Douglas County, the county’s health director says new cases are growing among young people. The Douglas County Health Department says it has tracked cases among three high school teams: One each in basketball, baseball and softball. More adolescents are testing positive for COVID-19, although some are asymptomatic, said Adi Pour, Douglas County’s health director. Pour also expressed concern about transmission in bars packed with patrons.

Throughout the pandemic, 43% of the county’s cases are from people in the under-34 age bracket, according to the county’s latest numbers. But more recently, 56% of cases are from people that age, Pour said.

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NATIONAL GUARD TRANSITIONING VIRUS TESTING TO CIVILIAN WORKERS

LINCOLN - he Nebraska National Guard is transitioning COVID-19 testing responsibilities over to civilian health care workers after deploying testing teams throughout the state since late March.

As of July 1, full National Guard testing teams are no longer activated to provide testing throughout Nebraska, the Guard announced Wednesday.

A small group of soldiers and airmen continue to be activated to provide training and knowledge to hospitals for the Test Nebraska campaign, and one small National Guard team is continuing to provide support in the Omaha area.

Several hundred Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated in late March to support testing teams that traveled across the state for weeks.

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LINCOLN WILL RECEIVE $4 MILLION IN CARES ACT FUNDING FOR FOOD, HOUSING ASSISTANCE

LINCOLN - Lincoln will receive $4 million in federal CARES Act funding to help individuals affected by the coronavirus put food on the table, make rent or mortgage payments, and pay utilities, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said Tuesday.

The funds to offset some of the hardships created by COVID-19 come as the Nebraska Department of Labor announced it would once again establish more strict guidelines for those seeking unemployment payments starting next week.

"For individuals and families already struggling with basic needs, the pandemic has exacerbated the situation," Gaylor Baird said at her daily news conference. "Others are experiencing hardships for the first time.

A total of $450,000 will be given to the Lincoln Food Bank to purchase food for individuals who are living through a crisis, according to executive director Scott Young.

"The impact of this $4 million in aid will go beyond those directly receiving this assistance," Gaylor Baird said. "As these dollars ripple throughout our economy, will see a positive impact on the entire community."

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CHI HEALTH GOOD SAMARITAN HOSTING DRIVE-THRU HIRING FAIR JULY 22

KEARNEY - CHI Health Good Samaritan will host a drive-thru hiring fair 10 a.m.-noon July 22 at the hospital at 10 E. 31st St. It will be held in a blue tent in parking lots M and N north of the hospital, off A Avenue.

This event will allow for social distancing while connecting job seekers with part-time and full-time career opportunities.

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BACK TO SCHOOL FIGHT

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has chosen a side in the debate over reopening schools, forcefully pushing school systems to completely reopen this fall, On a call with governors today, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos blasted districts with partial reopening plans and said schools need to be fully operational this fall. And during a day of programming at the White House, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said “nobody should hide behind our CDC’s guidance as a way to not reopen schools.”

Later in the afternoon, Trump insisted that “everybody” wants schools to reopen. “The moms want it. The dads want it. The kids want it. It’s time to do it,” the president said before touting the economy, mortality rates and testing in the U.S. “We’re very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools,” the president said.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA BACKERS TURN IN 60,000 MORE SIGNATURES THAN NEEDED ON BALLOT PETITION

LINCOLN - Nebraskans who have worked on a long-running initiative petition campaign to get medical cannabis on the November ballot turned in more than 182,000 signatures Thursday. "Every one of these petition sheets that we're turning in today, and every one of the signatures that we're turning in, it has a story about it, about a Nebraskan who had the courage to help us collect and patients who need access across our state," said Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart, who with Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld led the petition campaign.

The number needed was about 122,000 signatures, more than 10% of the voters in the state. The campaign had to be put on pause for a time because of the pandemic, but got 123,000 signatures in June, after signature collections began again. Those signatures will now be validated by the secretary of state.

The ballot initiative comes after several attempts to legalize medical cannabis fell short in the Legislature.

The latest bill (LB110) was sent to senators in 2019 after work on refining the measure. Wishart, who introduced the bill, got input from law enforcement, pharmacists, doctors, chambers of commerce, and patients.

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KERREY TELLS FORTENBERRY HE’S A NEBRASKA WHO SUPPORTS BOLZ

LINCOLN - n a letter responding to receipt of fundraising appeals from Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey cited the need for strong health care programs as a primary reason he is supporting Fortenberry's opponent, Democratic congressional nominee Kate Bolz.

Kerrey told Fortenberry he had received two of the congressman's campaign fundraising emails — one of which misspelled his last name — that referred to his own support of Bolz as an example of an appeal to "national activists and the wealthiest political class to quietly fund her campaign," implying in the process that Kerrey is no longer a Nebraskan because he lives in New York City now.

Kerrey said he also believes that Bolz would "not let her political party stop her" from vigorously opposing a Democratic president from securing power not granted under the Constitution, in contrast to what is happening in Washington today.

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DON WALTON: HAVING MARIJUANA, GAMBLING ON BALLOT SHOULD BOOST TURNOUT

LINCOLN - Nebraska's November general election lost a little luster when property tax reduction supporters and redistricting reform advocates abandoned petition drives to place high-profile issues on the ballot.

But casino gambling proponents and medical marijuana advocates rode to the rescue with proposals that will add clout to Nebraska's Nov. 3 general election. Both issues should spark voter turnout.

Medical marijuana is an understandably emotional issue, and the proposal to authorize casino gambling at racetracks in six Nebraska communities, including Lincoln, comes loaded with a provision to allocate 70% of the proceeds from an accompanying 20% gaming tax to the state's property tax credit fund.

So a November ballot that already should lure voters determined either to reelect President Donald Trump or abruptly end his presidency has some shiny new objects attached.

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RICKETTS SAYS HE SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN ADS THAT STATE GOP LEADER SAID ‘CROSSED THE LINE’

LINCOLN - Gov. Pete Ricketts made no apology last Thursday for negative attack mailings aimed at a Republican campaign opponent of one of his appointees, State Sen. Julie Slama of Peru. The mailings against candidate Janet Palmtag of Nebraska City — which a state GOP leader said “crossed the line” and former Govs. Dave Heineman and Bob Kerrey labeled racist — were “absolutely appropriate,” Ricketts said in response to reporter’s question.

The Governor went further, saying, “Janet Palmtag is not conservative and she is wrong on the issues on a number of different things,” he said, mentioning gun control and providing food stamp benefits for felons.”

Palmtag, when asked for a comment, said that “it’s a shame that Gov. Ricketts does not value an experienced, lifelong Republican and fellow Catholic. He supports religious-based attacks that have no place in Nebraska politics.” Paltag said, “the only thing liberal going on here is a liberal distortion of the truth.” She said she’s a fiscal conservative and a strong supporter of gun rights, and has been the victim of misleading attacks.

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RICKETTS ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER REINSTATING PRE-PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT REQUIREMENTS

LINCOLN — Gov. Pete Ricketts has brought back job search requirements for unemployed Nebraskans earlier than once planned.

The governor issued an executive order Monday reinstating pre-pandemic requirements for people claiming jobless benefits, effective next week.

He had suspended those and other unemployment insurance requirements in mid-March as part of the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. The suspension had been slated to cover unemployment claims filed through Aug. 1.

But in his new order, Ricketts said that Nebraska is in Phase 3 of reopening the economy and that employers are currently listing more than 30,000 available jobs. Reimposing the job search requirements, he said, “will facilitate the prosperity of Nebraskans and the economy.”

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NEBRASKA STATE FAIR IS A GO

GRAND ISLAND - The Nebraska State Fair Board voted to hold a 2020 State Fair showcasing 4-H and FFA competitions and exhibitions. While the Fair will look different than it has in the past, providing an opportunity for young people to showcase the work they have been doing throughout the year as it is important to the State Fair and to the future of our state. The 2020 State Fair will include 4-H and FFA livestock competitions, contests, presentations, and static exhibits.

“All events and activities will follow the most up-to-date directive health measures,” said Beth Smith, board chair for Nebraska State Fair. Nebraska State Fair continues to work closely on public health issues with a variety of local and national public health agencies, including the Nebraska Governor, Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Central District Health Department and City of Grand Island. Fair organizers will continue to collaborate with these expert partners, watching for any new developments around COVID-19 that would impact the Fair operation, and make modifications accordingly.

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OFFICIALS ADVISE CAUTION AS ‘STEEP UPTICK’ OF CASES EXPERIENCED IN MORRILL COUNTY

SCOTTSBLUFF - Morrill County is experiencing a “steep uptick” in cases of the coronavirus, with seven more cases announced by Panhandle health officials on Thursday. There are currently 34 active cases in the community, many of them tied to a golf event that had been held in the community, PPHD director Kim Engel said. Health officials say that the spread is an example of the reasons that people need to be sure to protect themselves when attending an event and the reasons for directed health measures that limit capacity and require social distancing.

Events from small barbecues to celebrations can put people at risk. Officials shared a graphic that is circulating from the Nebraska Medical Center showing the risk levels of events, ranging from zero to 10. That graphic is available on the PPHD website, and lists activities from doctors appointments to concerts.

Officials also announced a monitoring scale that will list the activity in the Panhandle and a detailed list of recommended guidance. The Panhandle is in the moderate area of the scale, with 120 active cases out of a total of 320 persons who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

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COVID-19 TEST SITE AT 50TH AND G TEMPORARILY CLOSES

OMAHA - A COVID-19 drive-thru test clinic at 50th and G Streets is temporarily closing because of a shortage of supplies, the Douglas County Health Department said in a press release Saturday. Until new materials are obtained, the department said, the clinic will remain closed.

As of Friday, Douglas County totaled 7,386 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. A total of 93 people in Douglas County have died from the virus.

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EDITORIAL: NEBRASKA MUST DO BETTER IN REACHING OUT TO RISK GROUPS ABOUT COVID-19

OMAHA - Fighting the coronavirus requires testing and medical treatment, but it also requires something else: information. Data, that is, about how the disease is affecting individual population subgroups. Armed with that information, health officials can develop the most effective strategies to combat the virus and reduce the overall risk to the public.

Nebraska has been tardy in collecting such data, but last week the state announced its initial findings. The numbers make clear the need for greater public health outreach and testing in the state’s Hispanic communities. Hispanics account for 11.2% of Nebraska’s population but almost 60% of the state’s coronavirus cases and 26.5% of deaths attributed to the virus.

This largely stems from the fact that Hispanics make up a large percentage of the workforce in packing plants. Nebraska has a particular need to increase its public health outreach to, and virus testing for, these communities. Such information is vital in helping people know whether to self-quarantine — and so reduce the community spread — and whether they should be seeking medical help.

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AREA COLLEGES ARE BEGINNING TO RESUME ON-CAMPUS VISITS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

OMAHA - After about three months of hosting remote tours by computer, some colleges have decided it’s time to offer on-campus visits again to prospective students and their parents. In the competitive world of higher education, colleges seek an edge or don’t want to be left behind. Smaller colleges also generally don’t have to deal with the big numbers of visitors that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Iowa State might have to handle when hosting in-person visits. Neither of those institutions has resumed in-person prospective student visits.

However, some fairly large schools, like Creighton and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, plan to start on-campus visits soon or already have begun. They say on-campus tours give them a good trial run for bringing students back for classes in August.

At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an assistant vice chancellor said by email that “the soonest we would consider resuming in-person visits will likely be in the fall semester.”

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CORONA LOSES ITS COOL

WASHINGTON - As of July’s high temperatures rage across the South and Southwest, so are case numbers — the country topped 50,000 new cases Wednesday, a record high for a single day. These cases are largely the product of higher temperatures. The hotter weather has driven people indoors to cool off. However, the congregation of people in places with poor air circulation provides opportunities for the virus to spread quickly.

“We know from contact tracing that very, very little transmission occurs outside. You have dilution, and the virus is not that stable outside. Indoors is the problem — touching surfaces, and also being in close proximity and rebreathing the air that people have just exhaled without dilution,” Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Edward Nardell said.

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QUESTIONS ABOUT OPS’S PLAN FOR SCHOOL? HERE ARE WHAT OFFICIALS ARE SAYING

OMAHA - Parents, students, and teachers in Omaha are looking ahead and wondering what school will look like in August. Some school districts, such as Millard, Elkhorn, Westside, and Bellevue, have announced that they expect all students will return to in-person classes this year.

The Omaha Public Schools have announced that students will be divided into two groups, with each attending school in-person part of the week. In what the district is calling the “Family 3/2 Model,” students throughout the district would be divided into two groups, each of which would attend school in-person part of the week. Students would be divided into the groups based on the first letter of their last names.

Additionally, curricula are being revised and iPads are arriving for students in five distinct waves. For employees, any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 gets 10 days of paid leave. After that, Wakefield said, the employee’s leave would be used depending on the type of medical treatment required.

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