NEW HIGHWAY 281 BRIDGE IS OPEN; PREVIOUS SPAN WAS WIPED OUT AFTER SPENCER DAM COLLAPSE

The last roadway washed out by the epic flooding in 2019 has reopened. Gov. Pete Ricketts joined other officials on Thursday to mark the milestone and celebrate the completion of a bridge on U.S. Highway 281 that spans the new channel of the Niobrara River, south of Spencer.

A huge section of the highway was washed out when the Spencer Dam, just upriver, collapsed on the night of March 13-14, 2019. The river cut a new channel, requiring a second, 1,050-foot-long bridge to be built below the dam. The new span was finished on Oct. 15 — 580 days after the floods — replacing a temporary bridge that had been in place since July 2019. A 127-mile detour had been required to cross the river before the installation of the temporary, one-lane bridge.

"The speed of rebuilding is a true testament to the commitment and dedication of the community, the Nebraska Department of Transportation, and everyone who contributed to get us here,” Gov. Pete Ricketts said during Thursday's ceremony on the new bridge.

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IN MICHIGAN PLOT TO KIDNAP GOVERNOR, INFORMANTS WERE KEY

LANSING- Members of the antigovernment group, Michigan III%ers had allegedly been speaking about kidnapping Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The FBI heard members were surveilling her home  and created explosive devices through undercover agents. Six men were federally charged with conspiring to kidnap Gov. Whitmer and seven others were charged under the antiterrorism act. 

Informants and undercover agents are key in ensuring these radical groups do not actually do what they speak about in the online forums and meetings many groups have. Michigan has a history of private militia's inciting violence, including the Michigan Militia who attracted the Oklahoma City bomber to its meetings. However, with growing online presence these groups are getting larger and stronger. 

The group reached out to another antigovernment group called the Wolverine Watchmen to kidnap the governor. The FBI already had an informant in that group, so it was an easy catch on law enforcement's part. Membership in these groups alone is not illegal, and neither is speaking about the things they do. 

Lee Miracle, the leader of another 200-member militia says many members are more level-headed than people think. The kidnapping plot really came to a head after her lockdown measures. Defense attorneys for the men question if there is any evidence that the men were actually going to follow through or if they were simply talking. 

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UNO DESERVES ITS OWN CHANCELLOR BY ‘KNOCKING IT OUT OF THE PARK’ IN RECENT YEARS, NU PRESIDENT SAYS

OMAHA- The University of Nebraska at Omaha has earned the right to its own leader by “knocking it out of the park” in recent years, the NU system’s president said Thursday.

NU President Ted Carter used the baseball lingo to describe enrollment gains, research grants, private support and rankings that show UNO has the quality and complexity to merit and require a full-time chancellor. Carter announced Thursday that he would accelerate by a year the timeline to name a new chancellor for UNO. Carter, who oversees institutions in Omaha, Lincoln and Kearney, already has hired a search firm for the process and has begun mulling over who should be on the search committee.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold will remain chancellor of the medical center, a job he has held for close to seven years. He will have a different second job when the new chancellor is named. Carter said Gold will also serve as the NU system’s executive vice president and provost.

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TAX INCREASE FOR CORPORATIONS LOOKS MORE LIKELY AS ELECTION NEARS

WASHINGTON- The 21% U.S. company tax charge was the cornerstone of the Trump era tax legislation. If Democrats manage to control the House, Senate and the presidency, they plan to increase the rate to 28%. Companies are beginning to wonder what things will look like as the prospect of a very democratic federal government is becoming more likely. The 2017 tax cut lowered the tax from 35% to 21%, if Trump wins the election he plans on lowering the tax again. Life-insurance firms are concerned about the potential impact they will see under the Biden tax plan. 

Biden plans to also increase taxes on the real-estate business and breaks for renewable power companies. 

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'BETTER THAN WE COULD HAVE THOUGHT': LA VISTA, RALSTON SEE BOOST IN KENO REVENUES

OMAHA- Even with the pandemic continuing to hurt businesses, La Vista and Ralston keno is booming. The beginning of the pandemic proved to shake the business, but eventually saw a 166% jump in revenue in May compared to the year before. 

"In fact, we've had some of our strongest months in the history of the business since we've reopened," said Bill Harvey.

Mayors of the La Vista and Ralston believe the jump comes from people wanting something fun to do in large, spread-out spaces. 

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MARKET VOLATILITY DRIVES NEGATIVE RETURN ON NU FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT

LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska Foundation has reported a 1.3% net loss on its $1.3 billion endowment. The foundation was seeing solid results in its investments until the pandemic emerged in March. The loss should not affect day-to-day operations of the university. The five-year benchmark was projected to be 4.7% but the foundation has seen just a 3.7% gain. 

The foundation oversees $2.6 billion in assets. 

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ANSWERS SOUGHT ABOUT CONCERNS OVER HOW DOG AND CAT INSPECTIONS LAW BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE STATE OF NEBRASKA

OMAHA- In a recent report, an employee whistleblower claimed the Department of Agriculture had repeatedly failed to enforce a state law governing cat and dog breeders and rescue families. The employee had worked in the department for four decades. The ombudsman's office had reason to believe the department violated the state's whistleblower act by retaliating against the employee. 

The Agriculture Committee said the allegations were very serious and the committee will be investigating further since they have oversight over the department. In a letter to Steve Wellman, the Agriculture Department Director, Chairperson Steve Halloran asked if there were any omissions in the report and also asked for their policies and procedures on this matter and wants more clarity on the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act. He has yet to receive a reply. 

The whistleblower and members of the committee stated these procedures are in place for a reason and law enforcement needs to know about the illegal situations.

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NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ISSUES 2020 TAX EXPENDITURE REPORT

LINCOLN- This week the Nebraska Department of Revenue issued their 2020 Tax Expenditure Report. This report, as required by statute, provides a review of tax and fee expenditures, which is required in even numbered years to enable the Legislature to better determine those sectors of the economy that are receiving indirect subsidies as a result of tax exemptions, deductions, exclusion, credit, or deferral. 

Those expenditures included in the report are those that generate state or local revenue annually in excess of $2 million, and are listed by group, and alphabetically. For example the first entry examnes the agricutlrue sector of the state, with machinery and equipment first on the list with a total sales and use tax exemption of $217,981,000. Other items for example include repair parts and services on common carriers at $17,080,000, and food or food ingredients at $206,392,000. 

As the 2021 session approaches we believe that this document will be a key instrument as several members look to a complete restructuring of Nebraska’s tax system. We encourage you to review this document by clicking HERE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP FIRES BACK AT BEN SASSE; CALLING HIM 'AN EMBARRASSMENT' TO NEBRASKA

WASHINGTON- President Trump sent out a thread of tweets in response to Senator Sasse's comments about him. The tweets call Sasse an embarrassment to the state. 

Sasse claimed to have a good working relationship with the president but is not fully on the "Trump Train". He said the president, spends like a drunken sailor, flirts with dictators, ignores the virus, sells out allies and mocks Evangelicals. The senator says Trump is forcing young men and women to flee from the Republican Party. 

The Nebraska Republican Party executive director said they will continue to endorse both Trump and Sasse. He went on to say there is room for disagreements and growth in the GOP.

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IN LETTERS TO EMPLOYEES, COMPANY PRESIDENT WARNS OF POSSIBLE LAYOFFS IF BIDEN WINS PRESIDENCY

ORLANDO- The president of a company included a letter in employee's paystub that warned if President Trump does not get re-elected, they could lose their jobs. George Daniels is the president of Daniels Manufacturing Corporation and has around 170 employees. Employees say they were surprised to receive this warning, although a Trump flag flies outside of the plant. 

Daniels said, "I have been doing this for years. I have an obligation to let workers know what could happen, based on the outcome of an election. They certainly should vote for the candidate they want."

David Siegel, another Florida CEO, made similar claims prior to the 2012 reelection of President Obama. 

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DOUG EMHOFF, HUSHAND OF SEN. KAMALA HARRIS, STOPS IN NORTH OMAHA FOR DRIVE-IN RALLY

OMAHA- Sen. Kamala Harris' husband visited the heart of Omaha Thursday joined by Democratic candidate Kara Eastman. North Omaha leaders also attended the rally, including the write-in candidate for Senate, Preston Love Jr. Attendees spoke about their excitement around Harris being a part of the ticket. Young voters showed up as well, citing teachers at North High School and Bryan High School for encouraging them to vote. 

The 2nd Congressional District is one of the areas heavily targeted by both campaigns as it has grown more competitive over the past decade. Due to Nebraska’s splitting of electoral votes, it is possible for a campaign to pick up a single electoral vote, which the Biden Campaign hopes to do as they lead in polls for the district.

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'PACKING' THE SUPREME COURT 'WOULD BURN DOWN TWO BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT,' SASSE SAYS

WASHINGTON- Senate Judiciary Committee members were on the Hill last week to consider a nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Democratic members questioned Judge Barrett on hot-button items such as abortion rights and same-sex marriage. They also spoke about the Affordable Care Act and the possibility of her being the linchpin for the GOP's repeal effort. 

Sasse said, “Court-packing would burn down two branches of government by killing the Senate’s filibuster and turning the Supreme Court into an unelected super-legislature. This garbage is constitutional arson.”

Biden has not made his position completely clear, but he has said he is against expanding the court and believes Trump is starting to speak on court packing in order to distract from the nomination debate. 

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JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER IS A BIG ISSUE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD RACES

OMAHA- At least two new members will be elected to the Douglas County Board in the November election. This comes during a very controversial time with the planning of a new juvenile detention center in downtown Omaha. 

The race includes Jo Giles (D) and Mike Friend (R) in District 7 and Tim Lonergan (R) and Maureen Boyle (D) in District 5. Chris Rodgers in District 3 and Mike Boyle in District 1 are uncontested but Rodgers has recently been challenged by write-in candidate Sen. Ernie Chambers. The District 7 race will be tight. All candidates do not understand why the $120 million justice center was not put to a vote by the people. Mike Boyle is Maureen Boyle's father and they say they will not agree on everything and will not allow the family ties to sway decisions. 

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DON BACON, KARA EASTMAN ON HOW THEY'D HELP PEOPLE, BUSINESSES BOUNCE BACK FROM CORONAVIRUS

OMAHA- Nebraska's low unemployment rate may make it seem as though the state has not suffered as much as others in the pandemic. But Nebraskans are still losing jobs-- and people are saying they need more support from the federal government. Coronavirus responses have been a hot-button topic for the 2nd District House race. 

Many small business owners and restaurant/bar staff have seen huge losses. Some business owners say they do not want a handout and just need access to operating capital, however banks are tightening strings on loans and credit. 

Eastman says she would like to see Congress treat the pandemic as an emergency and roll out more payments. Bacon notes his work on the bipartisan group that proposed a new aid package that would give out another round of $1,200. Bacon and Eastman agree on the urgency of helping small businesses, but Bacon also wants to help big businesses. Eastman wants to see $1 trillion in aid going to local governments whereas Bacon thinks only $500 billion should be allotted to that cause. In response to the virus, Bacon said he wants to see a shorter turnaround time and continue to invest if therapeutics and vaccines. Eastman believes Bacon and Trump failed to respond correctly to the pandemic. 

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NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT REJECTS FINAL CHALLENGE TO PAYDAY LENDING MEASURE

LINCOLN- In an unanimous vote, the Nebraska Supreme Court rejected a challenge to a ballot initiative concerning payday loans. The initiative would cap payday loans at interest rates of 36%. Advocates for the initiative say rates are way too high and prey on low-income people. Brian Chaney challenged the ruling by saying people who signed the petition had not read the entire statute, saying that is against Nebraska Law. He also claimed fraud on the part of circulators by producing 188 affidavits from voters who signed the petition saying they would have rejected if they had read the whole statute. 

The Supreme Court ruled that Nebraska law does not require people to read the statute in full and there was no evidence of fraud by circulators. 

The payday lending initiative has already appeared on the ballots, however the Court could have prevented the votes from being counted.

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EDITORIAL: NEBRASKA SHOULD STAKE A CLAIM TO GAMBLING REVENUE

OMAHA- In the fiscal year of 2019, Council Bluffs casinos brought in over $400 million in gross revenue. This means Nebraskans are traveling to these casinos and are subsidizing Iowa tax relief and more. It only makes sense that Nebraska would want to capture some of that revenue. The ballot contains three citizen proposals dealing with this issue. One is a constitutional amendment to allow gaming at horse tracks. The other two are regulate the gaming and the proceeds. These would impose a 20% tax on gross gambling revenue of licensed operators, of which 70% would go to property tax relief, 25% to counties and 2.5% to both problem gamblers assistance and state general fund. 

If these pass, it could mean up to $45 million a year for property tax relief and would add 16% to the state's Property Tax Credit Cash Fund. The state has the country's eighth highest property tax burden, with Nebraska counties bringing in more revenue taxing farmland than any state but California and Texas. 

Opponents argue that casinos cause social problems and that gambling revenue projections also fall short. Before casino's came to Council Bluffs, 9% of homeless people that came through the Open Door Mission said their situation was due to gambling, now 36% of people say gambling was the main problem. 

The Omaha World-Herald urges voters to vote FOR Initiatives 429, 430 and 431. 

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NEBRASKA REPUBLICAN PARTY HELD LIABLE FOR ILLEGAL ROBOCALLS IN SLAMA-PALMTAG LEGISLATIVE RACE

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Public Service Commission issued the ruling that found the Nebraska Republican Party and Kansas City- based Remington Research liable for making illegal robocalls. The calls were meant to help Senator Julie Slama of Peru against her opponent Janet Palmtag. Both women are Republicans and have key endorsements. Palmtag said this is the largest fines the state has placed on automatic dialers.

Palmtag also threatened legal action against the NEGOP for mailers that were sent out saying she had lost her real estate license. Palmtag's attorney says the Republican Party intentionally and maliciously mailed the publications. Palmtag's team is demanding corrections and wants to hold the party liable for financial damage. 

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LINCOLN JUDGE HEARS ARGUMENTS OVER WHETHER ELECTION COMMISSIONERS SHOULD BE ELECTED

LINCOLN- Election Commissioners in Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy counties went to court Wednesday for arguments in a legal squabble over whether they and their chief deputies should be elected rather than appointed. They currently are appointed by the governor in the three largest counties, and county boards appoint them in four others.

But Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he wouldn't make the appointments in the future based on his reliance on a written opinion by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office last year, which called them "constitutionally suspect."

The opinion had come in response to two questions posed by Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln. One, whether election commissioners are county officers under the Nebraska Constitution. Two, if they are, whether the appointment of election commissioners and their deputies violates the state constitution. 

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HUNDREDS OF NEBRASKANS POTENTIALLY FALSELY TOLD THEY COULD NOT VOTE

LINCOLN- Hundreds of eligible voters may have been mistakenly told that they can’t participate in the 2020 election because of problems with the handling of a Nebraska law requiring a two-year waiting period to restore felons’ voting rights.

At least 51 Nebraskans eligible and registered to vote received county letters saying they were ineligible to vote, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen told the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska. 

Nebraska’s county election officials sent letters in recent years to about 6,000 felons suggesting that they were ineligible to vote based on the law. ACLU Nebraska reviewed half of those cases individually. The ACLU flagged problems in nearly 300 of the cases and asked the state to review them. Some people were excluded for misdemeanors, instead of felonies. Others were booted from probation and excluded, a reason not meant by the law to keep someone from voting.

“It’s a perfect storm of confusion and errors in the system,” ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad said of problems with calculating the two-year waiting period required for felons after they complete their sentences. “Unfortunately, we don’t know the impact that that perfect storm may have.”

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RICKETTS OPENS SECOND ROUND OF COVID-19 FUNDING AID

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Monday a second round of coronavirus pandemic funding support that would make full use of the more than a billion dollars of federal assistance previously granted while targeting emerging needs.

Included in the new designation is additional funding for business stabilization funding. Among newly designated targets are hospital staffing and support for convention and event centers.

Application for assistance opens Wednesday and will close Nov. 13 with expenditure of the funding required by Dec. 30 under federal government provisions.

Among the new designations are a total of $11 million for the Food Bank of Lincoln and the Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha and $6 million for the Lincoln Children's Zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and the Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff. The new list includes up to $500,000 in grants to event centers and sports arenas, while Movie theaters can receive $10,000 in assistance per screen. Additional resources are also available to bars and restaurants for a second round of assistance, and to local governments to assist in payroll for employees on the frontline of fighting the virus.

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