PROTESTERS DISRUPT NEWS CONFERENCE OVER PROPOSED LEGISLATION TARGETING RIOTS

LINCOLN- The Law Enforcement Protection Act has not been written or introduced yet, but it has already drawn opposition from citizens who question the impact on constitutional rights, especially considering clashes between law enforcement and protesters during the summer’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Sens. La Grone and Brewer organized the news conference along with eight other conservative legislators as well as Rep. Don Bacon.

Opponents to the proposal say they have been harassed and injured by officers during peaceful protests this summer, but justice has not been done due to protections for officers already in law. Those who protested the measure during the press conference stated worry that the future bill will allow law enforcement to punish peaceful protestors, ignoring the first amendment of the Constitution.

In a brief outline of the future bill, if a group of six or more assemble and cause serious property damage or bodily damage to another person it would be a Class IIIA felony. Obstructing traffic or preventing movement of emergency responders will also carry a weight of a Class IIIA felony which carry a sentence of up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Striking a law enforcement officer during a disorderly assembly will result in imprisonment. Under this bill, if a person is convicted of one of the above mentioned crimes, he or she will not be eligible for employment with the state. Those found guilty of these charges could be ineligible for state and political subdivision employment, as well as be banned from state benefits. 

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STATE OFFICIALS SEARCHING FOR A WILLING HOST FOR NEW NEBRASKA PRISON

LINCOLN- Officials from Waverly, Wahoo, Ashland and Fremont have been approached about building a 1,600 bed, $250 million prison in their towns. The process is already underway, state officials just need to find a willing host. Local hosts say there is not enough information on the prison for them to feel comfortable with commenting fully on the situation.  

The Department of Corrections made a formal request for information from private contractors for building a prison that is double the size of the state's current largest prison in Tecumseh. Officials say they need to build the prison in an area where it will be easy to find close to 500 people to adequately staff the prison. 

"The corrections director said the state is still 'crunching numbers' to determine whether the state would finance a prison in the traditional way, by allocating $250 million, or opt for a lease-purchase arrangement, in which Nebraska would pay perhaps $20 million a year to lease a prison built by a private contractor. The state would own the facility at the end of the lease period, spreading out the expense."

Nebraska ranks 2nd highest in prison overcrowding in the country.

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ENROLLMENT IN NEBRASKA PUBLIC SCHOOLS DROPS FOR FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS; PRIVATE SCHOOLS DOWN, TOO

LINCOLN- Enrollment at Nebraska public and private schools dipped this year as the pandemic caused many families to home-school children or “redshirt” their young ones instead of enrolling them in preschool and kindergarten. Some parents, facing financial instability after a job loss, found it challenging to pay tuition at Catholic schools. Enrollment numbers revealed this week by the Nebraska Department of Education show 5,231 fewer students enrolled in Nebraska public schools this school year than last year.

This marks the first decline in 20 years for school enrollment in the state. 

Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said data still needs to be double checked, but suspects the declines will correlate with those students who have opted to be in home schooling this year.

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NEBRASKA REVENUE FORECASTING BOARD INCREASES TAX COLLECTION ESTIMATE

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board raised revenue estimates on what the state can expect in the next two fiscal years. The three-year estimates show an increase of $605 million total after transfers to the state's rainy day fund and minimum reserve. Increase estimates for each fiscal year were: $285 million in 2020-21; $118 million in 2021-22; and $307 million in 2022-23. The state is already $84 million above the August certified tax forecast, and is likely to be $120 million ahead when October is completed, said Chief Fiscal Analyst Tom Bergquist. 

Major issues affecting the state's general fund revenue are COVID-19 and flooding-related tax filing deadline extensions, federal tax changes related to the national economic rescue package, the property tax relief credit (LB1107) and legislation-enacted cash fund transfers.

Renee Fry, OpenSky Policy Institute Executive Director, disagrees, saying the Legislature will likely experience a shortfall next session and says it will only get worse noting that the forecast highlighted that LB1107 will likely cost more than originally expected due.

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OMAHA DRAMA: BROTHER CALLS COPS AFTER BIDEN-BACKING SISTER TAKES TRUMP SIGN OFF HIS SUV

OMAHA- The highly contentious election prompted an Omaha family to involve police in a disagreement over candidate support. 

A 50 year old man, a Trump supporter, called police after he looked out the window of his home to see his sister, a Biden supporter, peel a Trump sign off of his SUV then leave.  The sister claims her brother is brainwashed. She claims she took the sign off because she feared her mother, who lives with her brother, would be in danger if someone damaged the home because of the sign. 

The brother is not pressing charges. 

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WARREN BUFFETT DISAVOWS RACIAL TONE OF ANTI-GAMBLING MAILER LINKED TO GOV. RICKETTS

INCOLN- Warren Buffett has rejected the "anti-Native American" tone of a campaign mailer sent by a group tied to the governor. Although Buffett remains firmly opposed to expanding gambling in Nebraska, he was appalled by the term "Indian casinos" being put by a picture of himself on the mailer. He claimed the mailer was "inappropriate" and a "dog whistle" that played into racial prejudices. 

The group that printed the ad, Keep the Good Life Inc., had received $250,000 in donations from Ricketts in just the past week. The group was recently founded to oppose gambling Initiatives 429, 430 and 431 that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. 

Ho-Chunk Inc. sponsored the petition that got the three measures on the ballot. The CEO of Ho-Chunk, Lance Morgan, says the column was designed to play into the prejudices by turning "Indians" into the bad guys. He says it was a scare tactic and has racist undertones. Legal counsel for the pro-gambling group says the opposition likes to "fear-monger" and "race-bait". 

Mike Fahleson is the registered agent for Keep the Good Life and is reported to be the treasurer, however, declined to comment and says he cannot speak for the group. 

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POST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE POLL FINDS SUPPORT FOR TRANSITIONING ENERGY; BIDEN LEADS WITH VOTERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE

WASHINGTON- According to a new poll following the final presidential debate this week,  57% of voters are in favor of phasing out the U.S. oil industry in favor of ‘sustainable engergy’. The poll, conducted by Morning Consult and Politico found that 28% of voters opposed, while the measure found significant support among urban democrats. 

Additionally the poll found that registered voters trust Biden on climate change over Trump by a factor of 2 to 1. Trump has lost the trust of many energy workers, but experts are wary of the tightrope Biden must walk to maintain moderate and liberal voter trust. Voters on the left are concerned that Biden’s moderate stance will stymie the climate necessary to avoid catastrophe, but those in the middle don’t want to see layoffs and job cuts due to the loss of an industry that has dominated the American economy for a century.

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FIRST-TIME CANDIDATE SEEKS TO UNSEAT DEMOCRAT IN NEBRASKA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION RACE

OMAHA- A Democrat has occupied Omaha's District 2 seat on the Nebraska Public Service Commission for over a century. Tim Davis, a Republican is seeking to break the streak by challenging incumbent Crystal Rhoades. Rhoades has a 6 to 1 funding advantage over Davis. Commissioners are full time, are elected on a partisan basis and get paid $75,000 a year. 

Rhoades is a former juvenile detention alternative coordinator and succeeded Anne Boyle who represented the district for 17 years. She has worked to expand broadband, training 911 operators and improved accountability of spending by companies by phone users that are dispersed by the PSC. 

Davis is a first-time candidate and won the GOP primary over Krystal Gabel by 2,400 votes. He says he does not vote for a party and wants to represent everyone in the district. 

Their main difference stems from the Keystone XL Pipeline. Davis says he would have voted for the pipeline path whereas Rhoades voted against. 

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BIDEN SAYS HE WON'T 'GIVE UP ON NEBRASKA', WILL GET VIRUS 'UNDER CONTROL'

OMAHA- Biden says 'Nebraskans are hurting' and he will fight to get coronavirus under control. He believes Trump has failed Nebraskans by focusing on other issues that are much less pressing. The Affordable Care Act is very important to Biden and he wants to continue to improve it. The Biden Campaign is planning to release a Nebraska-specific ad that features a retired Air Force colonel, and continue it’s Iowa focused ads which have been running in the metro area.

The two candidates are competing for the single electoral vote Omaha's 2nd Congressional District gives. This week, President Donald Trump vistied Omaha for an evening rally at a private hanger at Epply Airfield. National media noted the unprecedented visit by a sitting president competing for the district’s 1 electoral vote less than a week before the election.

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THE $170,000 CAMPAIGN OF TOM BREWER

VALENTINE - In the increasingly pricey elections of Legislative District 43, incumbent Sen, Tom Brewer has his work cut out for him. So far, Brewer is on track to spend more money on the district 43 race than any other candidate in the district’s history. The previous holder of this title was Al Davis, the man Brewer beat in his first election. Davis spent $183,648.87 in 2016 to eventually lose to Brewer by less than a thousand votes.

He’s facing off against Cherry County Commissioner Tanya Storer in what has become one of the most expensive races in the state. Brewer and Storer have spent a combined $174,974.58 from January until the end of September, outspending the candidates in the contentious district 1 race, according to campaign filing reports.

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EASTMAN CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF BACON COMMUNICATIONS SPENDING; HE SAYS HIS OFFICE FOLLOWED RULES

WASHINGTON — Omaha congressional candidate Kara Eastman, a Democrat, is criticizing Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., for using companies owned by the same man for both official communications and campaign business.

Bacon responded by saying everything his office has done was routine, followed the rules and was approved by House bodies in charge of reviewing official communications.“Taxpayer dollars were never used for campaign- related activities and it is a common occurrence for the same vendor to be used for political or official mail, something that House administration reviewed and said was fine,” Bacon Spokesperson Danielle Jensen said.

“Even though they were technically paid to two different companies, they are both owned and operated by the same person at the same address,” Eastman said.

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STARTING NOW, NEBRASKANS SHOULDN'T RISK THEIR EARLY BALLOTS BY MAILING THEM

OMAHA- Nebraskans who have early ballots should put them in an official election commission drop box or deliver them in person to their local election commission office. This close to Election Day, no one should risk their ballot not arriving on time. 

This is not to say the post office is behind, but a week is always standard delivery time, and now it is way too much of a risk. Ballots must be received by county election commissions by 8 P.M. on November 3rd. 50,000 people who requested early ballots have yet to return them. It is still possible to vote early in person at election commission offices until November 2nd. 

All polling places will be well staffed and ready on November 3rd. 

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NSAA ISSUES NEW HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR WINTER SPORTS

LINCOLN — Fan accessibility must be the same for both schools in a basketball game, wrestling match or swimming dual in winter-sports guidelines issued Monday by the Nebraska School Activities Association.

Among the requirements for all winter activities are that participants are permitted, but not required, to wear masks during competition. Coaches, non-active participants and spectators must wear masks at all time.  Attendance can be limited to the applicable directed health measure capacity restrictions for the host school.

The NSAA asks schools to consider restricting seating areas; creating separate entrances for visiting teams and fans; providing multiple concession stands or none at all; and providing separate or multiple restrooms for the two sets of spectators.

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LINCOLN CORRECTIONS CENTER UNDER QUARANTINE AFTER FOUR INMATES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

LINCOLN- All four inmates who tested positive for COVID-19 lived in the same room and are now under quarantine. The entire prison will now be under strict quarantine in which inmates will have reduced movement while contact tracing is underway. Community custody is the least restrictive level of the prison system. Inmates in this program are allowed to work, go to school and attend church in the community. Under quarantine, this program will be suspended.

The majority of inmates recover from the virus and two units are on medical isolation waiting to be used. 

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NEBRASKA POSITIONED TO MOVE AHEAD FROM PANDEMIC DIFFICULTIES, CHAMBER PRESIDENT SAYS

LINCOLN- Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry's President Bryan Slone says Nebraska is positioned to emerge in better economic standing than most states. He focused on opportunities created for people 18-34 years old that are able to be done remotely. He gave credit to the Legislature and Governor Ricketts for allowing the state to not go into a complete lockdown for the economic state. 

Slone noted that senators applied the state sales tax to internet sales that "created a level playing field" for Nebraska's businesses. Nebraska's banks are a national leader in processing paycheck protection loans. He also said that child care "will be a significant issue" as the economy will be changed as 10%-20% of people will continue to work from home. 

Jim Smith, president of Blueprint Nebraska, says the state needs to realign their tax strategy and create a more welcoming state for young people. Blueprint Nebraska was created to propose a statewide economic development plan. 

Community colleges will be a crucial partner for Blueprint Nebraska's plans. Southeast Community College is opening a training center that will educate a skilled workforce in health sciences. Slone believes community colleges will be game-changers. 

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NEED FOR VACCINE COLD STORAGE MAY CREATE NEXT PANDEMIC DISPARITY

GAMPELA, Burkina Faso (AP)- The world's most promising coronavirus vaccine need nonstop sterile refrigeration to work. However, nearly 3 billion people live in places without temperature-controlled storage. The result of this, is of course, the world's poorest people will be the last to come out of the pandemic. Even in the world's richest countries will have a hard time maintaining the correct temperatures for vaccines. 

A tiny clinic in Burkina Faso went nearly a year without a working refrigerator is just one example of how millions of people could be in places without access to the vaccine. UNICEF began laying groundwork to maintain their PPE program months ago and will begin to work on this issue. Once the vaccine leaves a factory, the issues begin. Cargo ships are too slow to maintain shelf life and flying vaccines at low temperatures is a huge cost. 15,000 cargo flights would be needed in order to fully vaccinate the world. 

UNICEF is prepared to have 520 million syringes pre-positioned and have refrigeration needs mapped out by the end of the year in order to ensure when a vaccine does come out, they are able to get them out immediately. 

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UNMC TEAM THAT HELPED CREATE MLB'S COVID-19 PLAN PLEASED WITH RESULTS

OMAHA- UNMC officials who helped create the MLB's COVID-19 protection plan says the late July outbreak in the league was quickly contained because of the implemented plan. 

After one player tested positive, 146 others were considered exposed to the virus, but only 21 people ever tested positive. It is believed the majority of spread happened off the field as more teams would have been infected if that were the case. 

The league had an extra boost of help with the frequent testing and all practiced happening outside in open air. Basic recommendations such as masks, social distancing and hand washing were being followed by players and other team personnel which helped immensely as well. A lot was learned from this July cluster and well. No new cases have been reported in the MLB in over 50 days. 

John Lowe, assistant vice chancellor for health security at UNMC says he is happy the medical center could play a part in keeping baseball alive during these times. 

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GROUP FILES TO RECALL LINCOLN MAYOR, 4 CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OVER HEALTH DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT

LINCOLN- A group upset with Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and members of the Lincoln City Council over the mask mandate, directed health measures and the appointment of the local health director will seek their recalls. 

Lancaster County Election Commissioner Dave Shively on Monday said recall affidavits have been filed for Gaylor Baird, and council members James Michael Bowers (District 1), Richard Meginnis (District 2), Jane Raybould (District 3) and Tammy Ward (District 4). 

Samuel Lyon, a real estate agent who is the principal circulator for the Gaylor Baird recall, said the mayor has sowed discord and turned neighbors against one another and pitted proprietors against their patrons when she implemented Nebraska's first mask mandate. He decried her pandemic actions, including the mask mandate and emergency declaration for the pandemic, as an "assault on the citizens and good life of Lincoln."

Once the petitions are issued, petitioners need to collect 21,652 signatures of eligible Lincoln voters within 30 days to trigger a recall election.

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GOV. RICKETTS OVERVIEWS STATE'S COVID-10 VACCINATION PLAN, PROCLAIMS OCTOBER AS "PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MONTH"

LINCOLN- The state has been working closely with local health departments to create a detailed vaccination network across Nebraska, Governor Ricketts announced at his recent press briefing. There is a very robust vaccination system in the state, the VFC, which will be adopted for used when a COVID-19 vaccine is ready for use. State officials expect the vaccine to be in low supply at the start, so it will be available to health care personnel and high-risk individuals first then will make its way to the general population. 

Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said the Governor's Education Emergency Relief fund will support students affected by the pandemic. Additionally, Governor Ricketts has proclaimed October ‘Physician Assistant Month’, and presented a resolution to The Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants.

Read the detailed vaccination plan released by the Department of Health and Human Services by clicking HERE

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OMAHA-BASED STAFFING COMPANIES HELP FILL U.S. NEED FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS

OMAHA- Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are now at record levels in Nebraska. Officials are concerned that the surging cases will outstrip hospital capacity and its healthcare workforce. Governor Ricketts' announced $40 million of the federal relief dollars towards helping hospital staff. This could mean hiring temporary staff, awarding overtime or starting hazard pay. Twenty-one hospitals are eligible for the funding. 

Omaha-based healthcare staffing agencies says they will be able to meet the demand if the market for healthcare workers becomes tight. Omaha is the national hub for medical staging companies. “I call it the Silicon Valley of health care staffing,” says John Maaske, CEO of Triage. Officials say the hospitalizations have not plateaued and the numbers will definitely continue to rise in the upcoming weeks. The rate of hospitalization is up 68% from the previous peak the state hit in May. 

The hope is that hospitals will have enough traveling nurses so that staff can take extra time off and have rest in the midst of the pandemic chaos. Hospitals are also looking at offering a premium to nurses wanting to pick up extra shifts. Andy Hale, the Nebraska Hospital Association's Vice President for Advocacy says putting money behind staffing is a step in the right direction. 

Intensive care nurses are also in high demand, especially for respiratory therapists. Ricketts has also said hospital capacity needs to be reserved for heart attack victims, moms delivering babies and others that will be needing acute care. 

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