NEBRASKA GOP TOLD TO STOP USING UNREGISTERED COMPANY TO MAKE ROBOCALLS ATTACKING PALMTAG

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Public Service Commission ruled that the State GOP had used a Missouri company to send robocalls to voters attacking Janet Palmtag, an unregistered third party legislative candidate. The GOP must stop the calls and hire a new company that is registered to make these automated messages. 

This is the latest update in a very contentious race to represent Nebraska's District 1. Palmtag is challenging incumbent Sen. Julie Slama. Spokespeople from the Palmtag campaign say that the Slama team was caught breaking the law. Slama's team says it was an oversight.

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COULD NEBRASKA'S SECOND DISTRICT REALLY BE THE KEY TO WINNING THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE?

WASHINGTON- The outcome of the 2020 Presidential Election could be in the Omaha-area's hands. According to an electoral college map, Biden would top Trump 270-268. Nate Silver who tweeted that figure says, “It’s all going to come down to the recount in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.” 

President Trump will most likely win the state overall, but the state awards one electoral college vote to the winner of each district. President Obama won the district in 2008, which declared the city a "blue-dot". Every four years, political observers and journalists are set to determine wither the district really could determine the race. There are 64 different chances for a tie in the election, so flipping the 2nd District would produce a 270-268 winner. One district in Maine could also produce the same result. 

In 2008, when Obama won the district, the margin was too wide to tell if the district truly helped put him in the White House. Campaigns for both the former Vice President and the President have been looking at the district for the entirety of their campaigns. Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse says him and his staff are prepared for everything to come down to Omaha. 

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CATHOLIC BISHOPS OPPOSE CASINO GAMBLING, SUPPORT PAYDAY INTEREST LIMITS

LINCOLN- Nebraska's Catholic bishops urged voters to support the initiative that caps payday lending interest rates and to oppose the initiative to authorize casino gambling. They believe payday lending exploits the poor by putting them in an endless debt cycle. They oppose casino gambling because it tears down families, leads to addiction, increases crime and propels people into financial instability and bankruptcy. 

Pat Loontjer, executive director of Gambling with the Good Life says, "we will be opening a can of worms we can never close and Nebraska will be changed forever."

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LINCOLN CANDIDATES MIKE HILGERS AND BRODEY WEBER: IN THEIR OWN WORDS

LINCOLN- In his own words, Mike Hilgers says one of the most priceless gifts is that he was born in Omaha. He says the people he was surrounded by were the most down-to-earth people he has ever known. Hilgers speaks about putting in work, being humble, listening and being modest in what you do. He went to Baylor for undergraduate studies and attending the University of Chicago School of Law where he was taught by President Barack Obama. He believes many conservative positions resonate with him. He has three daughters and one son. He is most proud of the feeling of solving a problem in the legislature. 

Hilgers' opponent, Brodey Weber says he was born and raised in northwest Lincoln. He went to the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and graduates during the beginning of his campaign. Weber speaks about going to law school at some point down the road. He says he has learned a lot from senators on both sides of the aisle by listening and understanding where they are coming from. As of now, he says the most pressing issue in the legislature is the Black Lives Matter movement and what that means for the state.

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NPPD DIRECTORS, RATEPAYERS QUESTION DONATION FROM ELECTRIC CO-OP TO POLITICAL COMMITTEE

LINCOLN- Last year, a political committee was organized to back candidates for the NPPD board who were in favor of an 'all-of-the-above energy mix' rather than renewable resources. The purpose of this committee is to counter the out-of-state money that is spent on candidates that are in favor of expanding wind and solar energy. A startup loan has raised questions about whether public money is being used to back political campaigns. The general manager of the cooperative says the loan was made in compliance with the law. Ratepayers from public power districts across the state disagreed and filed complaints with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

A previous NPPD chairman says as a private entity, they should not be able to use public funds to promote candidates. Other board members say the action was a, “money-laundering scheme with ratepayer dollars.” 

OPPD plans to be a carbon neutral organization by 2050, and the NPPD must be prepared to guide the state to that goal.

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CAMPBELL VS. BOSTAR FACE OFF IN KEY LINCOLN LEGISLATIVE BATTLEGROUND

LINCOLN- Jacob Campbell and Eliot Bostar of south-central Lincoln are running to represent a historically Republican district that has been represented by a Democrat for the past eight years. 

Jacob Campbell won in a six-candidate primary by 650 votes. He is 29 years old, has been a child-abuse investigator and was recently a legislative staff member. If elected, he plans to work on education and tax reform. He says, "We need a new school funding formula that delivers dollars where they are needed." Eliot Bostar is the executive director for Conservation Nebraska and Nebraska Conservation Voters. He finished second in the heavily contested primary race where Democrats won 58% of the total vote. He plans to focus on health care, the environment and education if elected to the legislature. 

Sen. Kate Bolz, the representative for this district has reached her term limit and is now the Democratic nominee for the 1st District House seat. Her victory in 2012 ended a long string of Republican representatives in District 29 including now Lt. Governor Mike Foley, and current state Tax Commissioner Tony Fulton.

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OMAHA WORLD HERALD ENDORSEMENT: KATE BOLZ'S TALENTS, JUDGEMENT WOULD SERVE THE 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WELL

EDITORIAL: Nebraska prospers and moves forward when it makes the best use of its people’s talents and capabilities. This principle certainly applies in deciding on candidates at election time.

In Nebraska’s 1st U.S. House District, this year’s election provides an important opportunity to advance one of the State Legislature’s most capable and dynamic members to service in Congress. That candidate is State Sen. Kate Bolz. Bolz, who is completing eight years of service in the Legislature, is not just a qualified candidate to represent Nebraska strongly in Washington. She also is an exceptionally qualified candidate. 

Residents in the 1st District have an important opportunity to send an impressive, hardworking Nebraskan, Kate Bolz, to represent them in Washington. She has our strong endorsement. The district would be well served by making good use of her impressive talents and sound judgment. 

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NEBRASKA CAPITOL WAS INSPIRATION FOR WALTER REED MEDICAL CENTER

LINCOLN- In October of 1936 FDR stood before the recently completed State Capitol in Lincoln and addressed citizens standing on the opposite side of K street. He remarked: 

"I have seen — in fact all of the people of America have seen — photographs and illustrations of this wonderful Capitol building," he told the crowd. "Every one of them ought to come here to see it in the light — a great and worthy structure, worthy of a great state."  

 A year later, when Congress OK'd funding for a new naval hospital near Washington, D.C., the president grabbed a piece of White House stationery and sketched a familiar shape. FDR's initial design — a line sketch showing a doorway, a two-story base and a 15-story tower — already exceeded D.C.'s 130-foot height limit, and was moved outside the city.

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MONOLITH TO BUILD ANHYDROUS AMMONIA PLANT NEAR HALLAM TO USE HYDROGEN

HALLAM- The Nebraska Public Power District originally planned to sell hydrogen that is produced as a byproduct of its carbon black manufacturing plant. However, Monolith Materials then announced that they will not be selling the product. Instead, the hydrogen will be used locally. Monolith will instead be building an anhydrous ammonia plant as a part of the second phase of the plan to be carbon neutral by 2050. 

This works by taking the hydrogen that is produced in the carbon black process and combine it with nitrogen which will produce liquid fertilizer that farmers will be able to use. This is a 'clean' process and will not emit any carbon dioxide. The company and many farm cooperatives throughout the region have had meetings. 

"Being able to produce one of the world's most essential products in a way that is carbon-free is a significant step not only for our company but for the industry and even society as a whole," said Monolith CEO Rob Hanson.

The first phase of this plan was to build Sheldon Station. The plant opened in June and produces carbon black that will help fuel the new plant in Hallam.. 

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EDITORIAL: MEDICAID EXPANSION HAS ARRIVED; NEBRASKA MUST NOW MAKE IT A SUCCESS

OMAHA WORLD HERALD EDITORIAL: A daily concern has long hung over the heads of tens of thousands of low-income Nebraskans. These men and women have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but they still lack adequate health insurance coverage.

Prenatal treatment, dental work, prescription needs, a heart attack — the prospect of these and many other major health needs and their expenses has weighed greatly on these Nebraskans. Now, at last, the state is offering help. Nebraska this month joined the 38 states plus the District of Columbia that have adopted expanded Medicaid coverage. Nebraskans approved this step, which this newspaper editorially supported, in a 2018 state ballot initiative under procedures from the Nebraska Constitution.

The arrival of this expanded coverage also can help in the wake of the COVID crisis, which has pushed many Nebraskans out of their jobs. More than half of those Nebraskans will be eligible for Medicaid expansion, according to the advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed. This expansion of coverage is by no means an urban-only endeavor. A considerable portion of Nebraska’s rural residents also will be eligible. The benefits from this historic step will be statewide.

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REGENTS HEAR RENEWED PLEA TO DIVEST NU FUNDS FROM FOSSIL FUELS

LINCOLN- Late last year, students in Divest NU first raised the issue of the University of Nebraska system pulling almost $92 million in investments from fossil fuel companies to the Board of Regents. 

Wildfires have left hundreds of thousands of acres in the West completely devastated, almost all of Nebraska is in a drought and tropical storms are having a record-breaking year, leading Divest NU students to increasingly concerned about climate change and environment. The group is circulating a petition seeking to urge the university to fully divest from the fossil fuel industry. 

"The demands listed in the petition include: Immediately freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies, commit to full divestment from the fossil fuel industry by 2025, make its actions taken to divest from fossil fuels more transparent."

Over 100 students have already signed the petition. Student leaders from the Big Ten Conference, which represents over 500,000 students, passed a resolution calling on the member schools to begin divesting from fossil fuels. No action has been taken by the university, but leaders from the university foundation and student leaders have been meeting regularly. 

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GOV. RICKETTS ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF RURAL BROADBAND GRANTS

LINCOLN- Governor Pete Ricketts announced more than $29.5 million in funding will go to the Remote Access Rural Broadband Grant program and will be administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The grant was made possible by federal CARES Act funding, including $1.8 million allocated to Nebraska. 

This is one of four grants the DED created to support the state's economic recovery as the pandemic continues. More than 17,600 households in rural Nebraska will gain the ability to subscribe to broadband services. 

Find the full list of the Remote Access Rural Broadband Recipients by clicking HERE

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FEDERAL LAWSUIT BY ACLU ALLEGES OMAHA POLICE USED EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAINST PROTESTERS

OMAHA- A suit brought by the ACLU of Nebraska on behalf of protesters in Omaha challenges law enforcement officials’ use of two city ordinances as reasons to conduct the mass arrests, actions the ACLU says stifled protesters’ free speech and were retaliatory toward their cause. The suit names the City of Omaha and Omaha police officials.

“... (T)he excessive force and tactics utilized by Omaha police officers has accomplished its intended goal of restricting, frustrating and deterring Black Lives Matter protesters from exercising their rights under the First Amendment to peacefully assemble, petition for redress of grievances and exercise freedom of speech,” the lawsuit alleges.

The suit seeks an injunction from the U.S. District Court of Nebraska to stop police from using chemical agents on peaceful protesters except when there is an imminent threat of violence or against an uncompliant person under arrest with ample, clear warning. The ACLU is also asking the court to prohibit law enforcement from using two city ordinances — against obstructing public roadways and refusing a lawful request to move — to declare a march or protest unlawful.

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RESOLUTION BLASTING DON KLEINE EXPOSES RIFT WITHIN THE NEBRASKA DEMOCRATIC PARTY; KLEINE REGISTERS AS A REPUBLICAN, GOP WELCOMES HIM

OMAHA- Critics of the recent resolution passed by the Nebraska Democratic Party say it has caused an unnecessary distraction from local races — especially competitive House races in the 1st and 2nd Districts — and may damage financial contributions to Democrats and the party as a whole. But most concerningly, to some members of the party, is that the resolution “basically slandered” one of its own — Kleine was a longtime Democrat who has held his elected office since 2007.  On Wednesday of this week, Kleine re-registered as a Republican and was welcomed by party leadership. 

“It’s causing serious damage to the party,” said Paul Landow, a longtime Democratic activist and former executive director of the state party who now is a political science professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “It will diminish, it will erode long-term support for the party structure and makes it much more difficult to have any chance at all in electing Democrats in Nebraska.” 

The Nebraska Republican Party already is using the issue to sow discord among Democrats and try to sway voters to GOP candidates. In a recent email, Republicans challenged Kara Eastman, the Democratic congressional candidate in the 2nd District, to say whether she supports the resolution. Angie Philips, who ran in this year’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and lost to Chris Janicek, fully supports Fox’s resolution. For the Democratic Party to ensure that all feel included, she said, strong stances on issues like race are needed. 

Read the full articles HERE and HERE

RICKETTS, OSBORNE LAUNCH CAMPAIGN AGAINST NEBRASKA GAMBLING INITIATIVES

LINCOLN- Former congressman and Husker football coach Tom Osborne, Gov. Pete Ricketts, former Gov. Kay Orr and some state lawmakers are launching an opposition campaign to the recent successful ballot initiative that will be in front of voters this November to legalize casino gambling at horse tracks. Most are veterans of past battles against expanded gambling proposals. They played a key role in defeating proposals in 2004 and 2006. This time, their effort has been endorsed by former Govs. Bob Kerrey and Dave Heineman. Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub also showed up at the Monday event. 

As before, Osborne said, the opponents are outmatched financially. They are turning to networks of religious, business and other groups to get out their message.

“The only thing we can rely on is the intelligence and perspective of individual Nebraskans to educate themselves,” Osborne said.

He said the promised property tax relief would amount to a relatively small amount of money, which would be outweighed by increased social costs .Based on current property tax valuations, casino taxes would boost tax credits for residential and commercial property by $16.91 on every $100,000 worth of valuation. For agricultural land, the taxes would boost credits by $20.29 on every $100,000 of valuation

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PUBLIC SPEAKS OUT AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC HEARING ON KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

OMAHA- About 75 people spoke against the pipeline during the four-hour hearing, while two spoke in its favor. It was the third and final hearing of the week on whether the proposal complies with the Clean Water Act. The two other hearings drew comments from a total of 112 people, according to the Corps.

Speakers invoked property rights and the potential for economic and environmental losses from spills that would pollute water and land. Several cast their eyes on the accelerating threat of climate change, saying it’s not in the nation’s interest to contribute to increased fossil fuel use. Bold Nebraska, a state group organized in opposition to the pipeline, will submit comments in opposition from 7,000 people, said Mark Hefflinger, a spokesman. 

Marty Jorgenson, one of two people to speak in favor of the Keystone XL project, said that pipelines are the safest way to transport oil and that oil will remain necessary as the economy transitions to renewables. Gary Salsman with TC Energy said prior to public comment that studies have shown that the pipeline can be built “safely and responsibly.” Construction will employ more than 10,000 union workers and inject $1.9 billion in wages into the economy, he said, with state and local governments struggling in the face of COVID-19 taking in millions in additional taxes.

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NEBRASKA OFFICIALS CELEBRATE PROGRESS ON LINCOLN SOUTH BELTWAY

LINCOLN- Nebraska officials are celebrating the ongoing construction of Lincoln’s South Beltway, a project that, when completed, is expected to improve interstate travel through Nebraska and reduce conflicts between local and through traffic. At a celebration event Thursday, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird joined Governor Pete Ricketts, Senator Deb Fischer, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry and other officials in applauding the decades of work that brought the project to where it is now.

“This project spans the terms of ten Nebraska governors, eleven Lincoln mayors and thirteen DOT directors, so we know we walk on the shoulders of giants here,” said Baird. 

The $352 million project is one of the largest and most complex the Nebraska Department of Transportation has undertaken. COO of Hawkins Construction, Chris Hawkins, recalled the many late nights it took to get the project moving.  The Beltway, after being in various stages of development for decades, is slated to be complete by 2023.

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STATE SEN. LINEHAN SAYS NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS NEED TO PURSUE MAJOR TAX OVERHAUL

LINCOLN — A leader in crafting this year’s property tax relief package said Thursday that the measure falls far short of what Nebraska needs.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, gave lawmakers an “A” for passing the tax package in the waning days of the session. It includes a new state income tax credit to offset a portion of property taxes paid for schools, as well as new business tax incentives. But Linehan said she doesn’t think the package is “anywhere near enough” and said lawmakers need to pursue a major revamp of the state’s tax structure.

“We need a whole tax overhaul,” she said. “Our structure is old, it’s complicated, it’s burdensome. I think we need to act, and we need to act in a big way.” 

Linehan commented during a virtual legislative summit put on by the Platte Institute, an Omaha-based think tank. She was joined by Jim Smith, executive director of Blueprint Nebraska, an effort led by business and community leaders to shape the state’s future.  Blueprint Nebraska plans to launch a discussion next week about modernizing Nebraska’s state and local taxes. He said the effort requires the creation of an ideal tax plan first, then developing a strategy to reach that goal.

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NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF COVID-19 PATIENTS IN STUDY HAD ALTERED MENTAL STATE

CHICAGO- Nearly a third of hospitalized Covid-19 patients experienced some type of altered mental function — ranging from confusion to delirium to unresponsiveness — in the largest study to date of neurological symptoms among coronavirus patients in an American hospital system.

And patients with altered mental function had significantly worse medical outcomes, according to the study, published on Monday in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. The study looked at the records of the first 509 coronavirus patients hospitalized, from March 5 to April 6, at 10 hospitals in the Northwestern Medicine health system in the Chicago area.

After they were discharged, only 32 percent of the patients with altered mental function were able to handle routine daily activities like cooking and paying bills, said Dr. Igor Koralnik, the senior author of the study and chief of neuro-infectious disease and global neurology at Northwestern Medicine. In contrast, 89 percent of patients without altered mental function were able to manage such activities without assistance. 

The researchers did not identify a cause for the encephalopathy, which can occur with other diseases, especially in older patients, and can be triggered by several different factors including inflammation and effects on blood circulation, said Dr. Koralnik, who also oversees the Neuro Covid-19 Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. There is very little evidence so far that the virus directly attacks brain cells, and most experts say neurological effects are probably triggered by inflammatory and immune system responses that often affect other organs, as well as the brain. 

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TRUMP'S COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS IS A 'CAUTIONARY TALE FOR EVERYONE,' UNMC DOCTOR SAYS

OMAHA- Nebraska doctors reemphasized the importance of following directed health measures after even the most powerful person in America announced he had been infected. 

The President's illness was described as mild in the announcement, but by Friday afternoon he was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Dr. Mark Rupp, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UNMC, said the president was a prominent example of not following the rules experts have been pushing since the beginning of the pandemic. Some people will now be more likely to wear masks and take better preventative measures because of the infection of White House personnel. On the other hand, if the president continues to have little to no symptoms, it could reinforce the idea that the virus is no big deal to some Americans.

Democratic Nominee Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence have tested negative. First Lady Melania Trump, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, Aide Hope Hicks, Former Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway and more people close to the president have tested positive for the virus.

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