'THIS VACCINE NEEDS TO WORK FOR EVERYONE,' STATE SENATOR IN COVID-19 CLINICAL TRIAL SAYS

LINCOLN- Senator Tony Vargas of District 7 took to his social media to announce he is participating in a COVID-19 vaccine trial. Vargas lost his father to the virus earlier this year. He wants to make sure the vaccine is safe for everyone. The vaccine trials through Meridian Clinical Research are trying to recruit people of color. 

“Sponsors for the FDA are mandating more diversity, which they haven’t in the past, They’ve promoted it, but not mandated it until now," said Beau Garland, Vice President of Recruitment at Meridian.

Researchers are testing 44 vaccines in clinical trials on humans and there are close to 100 preclinical vaccines that are being tested on animals. He has gotten attention from BBC News with a profile on his bill, LB667, to protect meat processing workers.  The virus disproportionately affects people of color around the country, which gives reason for the trials recruiting high numbers of people of color.

Vargas received the vaccine on Monday and has not experienced any side effects. 

Read the full articles HERE and HERE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MEASURES THAT COULD EXPAND GAMBLING, BRING CASINOS TO NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- A trio of initiative measures on the November ballot will determine whether the state finally gets casinos after decades. The vote will be the first time in 15 years that Nebraskans will be able to vote on this measure. If all three are approved, it will allow casinos at horse tracks and would be designate the majority of the tax revenue for property tax credits.

Summaries of the measures read as follows:

"Initiative 429 would amend the Nebraska Constitution to allow casino gambling at licensed horse race tracks. The amendment would create the legal foundation for laws authorizing, regulating and taxing the new gambling.This is the linchpin for the whole effort. If it does not pass, the other two measures would be in vain because the Constitution would continue to limit gambling."

"Initiative 430 is a proposed law. It would authorize casinos at licensed horse race tracks and create a seven-member Nebraska Gaming Commission to oversee and regulate those casinos.It would require a one-time license fee of $1 million for each casino operator and would bar anyone under age 21 from gambling at the casinos. It also would exempt casino operators from paying sales taxes on their purchases."

"Initiative 431 is a proposed law that would impose taxes on the new racetrack casinos and direct where the tax money would go. The annual gambling tax would be 20% of casino revenues, minus certain expenses.The law earmarks 70% of the taxes collected to the Property Tax Credit Fund, 25% to the city or county where the track is, 2.5% to support treatment for compulsive gamblers and 2.5% to the state general fund."

Opponents of these initiatives say gambling would actually cost the state because of social problems it would create and would drain money from local economies. Les Bernal, national director for Stop Predatory Gambling says, “This is taxation by exploiting your neighbor.” Nebraska would get the gaming tax of 20% gross gaming revenue. Most surrounding states levy higher taxes at 21-27%. According to an economic analysis done, the new casinos would provide $45.5 million per year for property tax relief. 

Read the full article HERE

LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR ENDORSEMENTS: PALMTAG, HILGERS, RAIKES, GEIST, WISHART, BOSTAR DESERVE CHANCE TO SERVE

LINCOLN- The Journal Star editorial board offered endorsements this week of three of Lincoln's legislative races, and other contested races near by. These include District 25 where Senator Suzanne Geist is seeking reelection and is opposed by Stephany Pleasant, District 27 Senator Anna Wishart vs. Brenda Bickford, and District 29 where Eliot Bostar and Jacob Campbell face off in the cities most contested race, Janet Palmtag vs. Julie Slama, Mike Hilgers and newcomer Brodey Weber, and Helen Raikes against incumbent Bruce Bostelmann.

District 1: The bruising race between Republicans Janet Palmtag and Sen. Julie Slama in Southeast Nebraska shows no signs of abating until Election Day. After good conversations with both candidates, the editorial board believes Palmtag will best represent the district in the Legislature. 

District 21: Incumbent Sen. Mike Hilgers served northwest Lincoln and Lancaster County well for four years and has earned the opportunity to do so for four more years. No accomplishment in his first term means more to Lincoln than his successful effort to speed up financing and construction of the South Beltway, even though it’s far from his district 

District 23: Retired University of Nebraska-Lincoln education professor Helen Raikes offers the background and track record needed in the Nebraska Legislature. She and her late husband, former Sen. Ron Raikes, were instrumental in many of the state’s early childhood programs. 

District 25: The residents of east Lincoln’s District 25 would be best served by reelecting Sen. Suzanne Geist to the Legislature. Geist touts the experience she gained in her first term and the relationships she’s built with other lawmakers. We concur that she has grown as state senator, and she has shown that she can work cooperatively to get things done.

District 27: Sen. Anna Wishart has been a strong voice for her west and south Lincoln district since her election in 2016, and her reelection would serve the community and the state. She has been a leader of the medical marijuana movement and has been involved in a host of bills related to social issues, criminal justice reform and corrections. 

District 29: Eliot Bostar earns the editorial board’s endorsement in south-central Lincoln’s District 29 to replace Kate Bolz, who was term-limited and is running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Bostar brings experience working in state government and particular expertise in environmental issues. 

Read the full article HERE

OMAHA WORLD HERALD ENDORSEMENTS: MCKINNEY, DAY, SNOW, PAHLS, SANDERS IN LEGISLATIVE RACES

LINCOLN- Listed are the Omaha World Herald's recommendations on Omaha-area races. 

Terrell McKinney from District 11 is seeking to take over for Ernie Chambers. It is important to have strong North Omaha representation in the legislature. McKinney seems to be much more energetic and passionate about the issues that will be discussed this session than his opponent, Fred Conley. He coaches wrestling at Omaha North High School and is a law student at Creighton. He is passionate about juvenile justice, education and housing. He is an energetic representative that will represent North Omaha at a time when racial fairness is getting attention in the Legislature.

District 49: Jen Day is a small business owner who approached her campaign very well. She is level-headed and expresses balanced views on the most pressing topics of the time. Incumbent Sen. Andrew La Grone is very knowledgeable on legal issues, but he sticks to a very small range of talking points and issues. 

District 9: Marque Snow is in a tight battle with John Cavanaugh for the midtown Omaha seat. He speaks confidently and in detail of many Nebraska issues and devotes a lot of time to understanding the legislature. Snow is better equipped to speak about issues of racial justice and social opportunity, which is a key focus of the 2021 session. 

District 31: Rich Pahls previously served in the Legislature for the Millard area and on the Omaha City Council. He chaired the Legislature's Banking Committee, so he has a considerable amount of experience. He was also a principal at award-winning high schools. His opponent, Tim Royers, is president of the Millard teachers union. 

District 45: Rita Sanders served as the Mayor of Bellevue and is very understanding of local government and works well with others.

Read the full article HERE

REPUBLICAN DON BACON WINS ENDORSEMENT OF FORMER RIVAL, DEMOCRAT BRAD ASHFORD; OMAHA WORLD HERALD SAYS HE HAS DESERVED ANOTHER TERM

OMAHA- Rep. Don bacon has secured support from former Rep. Brad Ashford, whom he defeated to get the job back in 2016. Originally, Ashford wanted to remain neutral in this race but decided it was time to endorse a candidate. He released his statement just moments before the debate between Bacon and his challenger, Kara Eastman. He noted his bipartisan work and thought Bacon was a candidate better equipped to reach across the aisle. 

“Don Bacon proved yesterday that he is on the extreme fringe of his own party,” said Ashford in the statement. 

The Omaha World Herald Editorial Board noted in it's endorsement: 

"Rep. Don Bacon, the 2nd District incumbent, has made such efforts to work across the partisan aisle on several key issues, and he has refrained from joining the extreme rhetoric from President Donald Trump on issues such as immigration and our alliances abroad. We appreciate his efforts in that regard, and that leads us to give him our endorsement in the 2nd District contest. In the U.S. House, a group of lawmakers has come together to form the Problem Solvers Caucus, which promotes needed consensus-building on difficult issues. Out of the House’s 435 members, the Problem Solvers Caucus consists of about 48 members, divided nearly equally between Democrats and Republicans. It’s encouraging that Bacon chose to join the caucus as one of its Republican members."

Read the full articles HERE and HERE

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.

Read the article HERE

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. 

Read the full article HERE

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."

Read the full article HERE

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.

Read the full article HERE

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.

Read the full article HERE

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. 

Read the full article HERE

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.. 

Read the full article HERE

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. 

Read the full article HERE

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

Read the full article HERE

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.

Read the full article HERE

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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