OMAHA'S PLANNING BOARD APPROVES NEARLY $80 MILLION TIF FOR CROSSROADS REDEVELOPMENT

OMAHA- Homeownership options are now likely to be included in the $554 million Crossroads redevelopment site. Condos seem to be at the top of the list of wants in the project. The Omaha Planning Board stated they know condos and similar homes are in high demand in the Omaha Metro, and the redevelopment plan‘s current residential options are only for rentals for apartments and senior living units which are additions to offices, retail, a hotel, entertainment, fitness facilities and a plaza space. 

The addition of for-sale housing option would stand out as the only pieces that would not be owned by the developer. The Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the plan and the developer's request for nearly $80 million in TIF-- the highest ever approved by the City of Omaha if accepted. 

The incentive allows for future increased property taxes generated to pay for certain upfront development costs.

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DRUG COURTS, COUNSELING AND EDUCATION HELP REDUCE NEBRASKA'S RATE OF DRUG ABUSE

FREMONT- Nebraska's rate of illegal and prescription drug use is among the lowest in the nation. Nebraska's rate was at 7.3%, making the state rank third-lowest, behind Minnesota and South Dakota. The national average sits at 11.9%. 

The District Six Adult Drug Court based in Fremont gives people facing nonviolent drug-related charges a chance to avoid incarceration. The graduation rate of this program is at 66%, showing that it is very successful. They believe that problem-solving court builds a bridge between probation and treatment. 70% of people that come through drug court suffer with mental health or substance abuse. These people need resources that probation or incarceration cannot give them. 

People in the state have previously had to travel to different states to find inpatient programs that will take them. Those who run this program want people to understand that this is not about teaching people how to use drugs or drink alcohol responsibly but is rather about teaching why people abuse substances.

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EXTREMISTS CONSIDER CAPITOL RAID A SUCCESS, UNO COUNTERTERRORISM EXPERT SAYS

OMAHA- As Ebola struck West Africa in 2014 and the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in Wuhan, China last year, federal experts looked to the University of Nebraska. Now, if terrorists ever unleashed a virus as a biological weapon, Washington would yet again look to Nebraska. A top member of the Department of Homeland Security visited Omaha and Lincoln to learn about UNMC's biocontainment program. Now, a DHS exercise in February will test how well the center could handle a bioterrorism attack. 

Last year, UNO won a 10-year, $36.5 million federal grant to serve as the nation's hub, making it the center for terrorism research in the country. The Trump Administration has been trying to raise the National Biosurveillance Integration Center's profile. This center is a key part of the biodefense strategy which has been previously criticized as ineffective. The center was created after the 9/11 attacks and the anthrax attacks against political and media figures shortly after. 

The extremist groups responsible for the raid on the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday are pleased with the results the exercise and are likely to plan similar activities in the future, says Gina Ligon, co-founder of UNO's National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center. 

The center's research mostly revolves around monitoring online communications of both foreign and domestic terrorist groups. Ligon says the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers were heavily involved in planning the raid. She also called it a "textbook" example of a protest turning violent and that many of the people involved did not participate thinking they would be breaking laws. It is believed that once at the Capitol, leaders of the group decided to invoke the crowd to participate in lawless action. 

"The people that were on video breaking the windows, brandishing weapons — those are all terrorist acts," she said.

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NEBRASKANS DROVE FEWER MILES IN 2020, BUT TRAFFIC FATALITIES STAYED ABOUT THE SAME

OMAHA- A decrease in miles driven in Nebraska should have led to a decrease in traffic deaths. However, fatalities stayed around the same as the previous five years average. Experts are discussing the theory that while many people stayed close to home, those who were trying to loophole restrictions traveled more extensively on the roads. 

“There are people getting messages about COVID-19 safety precautions who don’t like to be controlled. Even with less miles being driven, the riskier drivers are still out there," said Bill Kovarik. 

Nebraska has recorded 224 traffic fatalities, which is a decline of less than 5% from the average of 234 from 2015-2019. There was a 68% increase in tickets given to motorists exceeding 100 mph. Motorcycle accidents resulting in death have also increased by 37.5%. 

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CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT RAISES STAKES ON MISSOURI RIVER FLOODING

OMAHA- Hundreds of landowners along the Missouri River just raised the stakes in the costly battle with the federal government. 

A law firm has successfully sued the government over flooding caused by endangered species projects filed another lawsuit Wednesday that will allow for even more landowners to claim damages. Around 400 landowners signed onto the first lawsuit that has been in the works for about eight years. The difference between a mass action and class action is that each individual has to prove their case under a mass action. 

A senior judge with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims said landowners had until Dec. 31 to file their claims. The U.S. Justice Department has declined to comment on this issue. The main issue in the lawsuits is whether the Corps of Engineers contributed to the flooding through various projects they were doing during the time, with emphasis on projects focused on endangered species. The corps deny this, but the firm said the engineers used land without compensating landowners which is a violation is the Fifth Amendment which prohibits taking property without compensation. 

These endangered species projects come into play because under federal law, the Endangered Species Act requires the corps to take those species into their own hands, so they must do so within federal regulation. The projects allegedly began increased flooding and decreased the value of the land by 25% in the impacted areas while doing so. 

Congressional delegations in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas have all called on the corps to settle with landowners on this lawsuit.

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CLEAN POWER AGREEMENT COULD SPUR $1.2 BILLION IN WIND, SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- In a proposed carbon black/anhydrous ammonia plant near Hallam, up to $1.2 billion in new wind and solar energy projects could be spurred by an agreement to provide 100% renewable energy. 

The plant developer Monolith Materials, Nebraska Public Power District and the Norris Public Power District will announce an intent to purchase the power agreement as a 'win-win-win for everybody'. The plant will be fully expanded by 2025 and will be the largest electric consumer for NPPD. The new development would double the current renewable energy production and will be enough to power all of Lincoln.

Proposals for the new wind and solar projects will be heard in March with agreements being signed in September. Monolith has already invested $100 million in the Hallam facility which employs nearly 100 workers now and will eventually ramp up to 700.

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CHARLES HERBSTER, WHO MAY RUN FOR NEBRASKA GOVERNOR, WAS AT TRUMP RALLY BEFORE CAPITOL VIOLENCE

LINCOLN- The potential Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster was in the crowd just hours before the political mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. Herbster, a Republican who owns a ranch in Falls City, NE and a Kansas City-area business met Tuesday in Trump's private residence in his Washington D.C. hotel with Trump's sons and advisors present. It is reported that the main point of conversation focused on how to urge more members of Congress to object to the Electoral College results that chose President-elect Biden as victor. Herbster served as an agriculture adviser for Trump's 2020 campaign and is a fervent supporter of President Trump. 

However, Herbster called the riot on Wednesday "reprehensible" which could complicate his strategy for a 2022 race for governor as he may have dropped down as the most "pro-Trump" candidate. 

Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb is already highlighting Herbster's backing of the president. She also says that Nebraskans do not want another eight years of a millionaire who blindly supports Trump and his supporters.

“It’s remarkable that somebody who’s running for governor is funding and helping support the insurrection,” Kleeb said of Herbster.

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LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE IN NEBRASKA PROPOSED IN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

LINCOLN- Sen. Wayne of Omaha wants to give Nebraskans a say on whether to allow the use of recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21 to the state. He introduced a constitutional amendment (LR2CA) "to legalize the 'cultivation, manufacture, distribution, consumption, and sale of cannabis in any form' on Oct. 1, 2023." 

The proposal would need 30 votes in the Legislature to be put on the November 2022 general election ballot. This would not be subject to gubernatorial veto but could be challenged in the courts. He believes if South Dakota approved it, there's a fighting chance Nebraska could. 

Nebraska has already showed broad support for legalizing medical cannabis by getting 110% of signatures needed. However, the Nebraska Supreme Court stopped the initiative from going before voters as it violated the state's single subject rule. The sponsors of that measure, Sens. Morfeld and Wishart, filed new petition language that would legalize "full adult use" of marijuana. 

Sen. Wayne believes this is important to pass now so that the state realizes the economic potential something like this has before the federal government does.

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POLICING BILL IN LEGISLATURE CALLS FOR MORE TRAINING, BAN ON CHOKEHOLDS

LINCOLN- Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha has introduced LB51, a bill that would require law enforcement officers to undergo more training and become certified on excessive force techniques and would also ban chokeholds. The senator decided to propose this bill after hearing hours of concerns during listening sessions the unicameral held this past summer after the death of George Floyd. 

The senator is the chair of the Judiciary Committee, which conducted the listening sessions. Lathrop says larger law enforcement agencies in the state are already doing more training on this issue. Training hours will be increased from 22 hours a year to 40 which will allow more time for psychological evaluations, fitness and more. 

As of now, officers can be hired before passing state certification training. Smaller precincts across the state say this is necessary because the grace period allows for more officers to actually work. 

Another bill, introduced by Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, has been inspired by this summer's demonstrations. Albrecht's bill would increase penalties for those who riot or assault police officers. LB111 would raise a group of six people rioting from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class IV felony if violence occurs.

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INTRODUCED BILL WOULD END SPLIT ELECTORAL VOTES, REQUIRE VOTER ID

LINCOLN- LB76, a bill introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Peru would return Nebraska to the winner-take-all method of allocating Electoral College votes. The senator believes this is a 'common-sense' bill and would improve state election laws. The bill has already garnered much negative attention from opponents, especially the ACLU and Nebraska Democratic Party. 

“Now more than ever, it’s incumbent on us all to fiercely protect our free and fair elections in Nebraska,” said Danielle Conrad, State ACLU Director. “We need to expand — not contract — voting rights because every American knows voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and the fundamental right upon which all our civil liberties rest.”

Returning to a winner-take-all system has been a Republican Party priority since Nebraska switched to multiple votes in 1991. As of now, the state awards three of its five votes based in the popular vote in each congressional district with the other two going to the statewide winner. This system helped President Obama get elected in 2008 when the state split its vote and again this year for President-elect Biden. Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that split votes. 

Voter identification is also addressed in the bill. Sen. Slama would like to see a change to the Nebraska Constitution and would require poll workers to see a photograph or digital image of each voter to verify identity before counting their vote. This relates to a nationwide discussion about voter suppression.

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GOV. RICKETTS, AOC TRADE JABS OVER VACCINES FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

Gov. Pete Ricketts and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez traded attacks Wednesday over the governor’s comments on undocumented workers' place in the coronavirus vaccination line.

The governor’s spokesman on Tuesday and Ricketts himself on Wednesday clarified the governor’s Monday comments on vaccines for undocumented workers at meatpacking plants. The governor and his spokesman said proof of citizenship is not required for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Ocasio-Cortez had called Ricketts racist Tuesday evening on Twitter. As Ricketts clarified his remarks at his Wednesday coronavirus press conference, the governor singled out Ocasio-Cortez. He said, “AOC is someone who does not care about Nebraska.” She added: "I am happy to be corrected by you publicly stating that all undocumented Nebraskans, including meatpacking workers, will have access to the vaccine. Thank you!"

In response to a question at his Wednesday press conference, Ricketts said the people who work at meatpacking plants are supposed to be legally documented workers. He said it's not a state function to investigate workers' immigration status."We expect that there's going to be vaccines for all Nebraskans," he said, "and just like any other vaccine, your citizenship is not checked before you receive a vaccine."

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US CITIZENSHIP NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR COVID VACCINE IN NEBRASKA

OMAHA- A spokesperson for Gov. Ricketts says proof of American citizenship is not required to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Confusion about this decision came after the governor's press briefing Monday. The governor said that illegal immigrants are not allowed to work in meatpacking plants, so why would undocumented workers be apart of the plan in the essential worker category.

Community centers and clinics have been given no direction about how to handle immigration status. CEO of OneWorld, Andrea Skolkin said that limiting vaccinations for that reason would be detrimental to public health. 

Community health providers and advocates are pressing to ensure that people of color and disadvantaged communities have access to COVID-19 vaccines. The plans for how to make this happen are still being formed. Community advocates are urging for early phases of the vaccine plan include minority populations that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 

Phase 1C of the plan includes a broad category of 'vulnerable populations' which will be defined in the coming weeks. The state is working with federally qualified health centers to ensure these vulnerable populations have enough vaccines available to them during this phase. 

People of color in Nebraska are worried about this particular vaccine because of “the shadiness historically with vaccinations and the Black population.” 

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'WON'T BE BACK TO NORMAL FOR A LONG TIME'- SMALL-TOWN NEBRASKA BARS, BUSINESSES STRUGGLING AND SURVIVING THROUGH PANDEMIC

OMAHA- Many restaurants and customers have taken advantage of the waiver to state law that allows for takeout cocktails. Takeout orders have spiked across the state since the start of the pandemic with nearly 35-40% of meals being from that category. The extra revenue from these carryout drinks is enough to help some restaurants stay afloat. 

However, some restaurants in small towns in the panhandle are the only eateries in their towns, making the possibility of their closure much more poignant to their communities. With occupancy being cut, many restaurants were not even making half of what they once did. Once these takeaway waiver's came to play, restaurants were finally able to have a little more breathing room. Laying off employees has also remained an issue for many restaurants, which is obviously a very hard thing to do for restaurant owners and managers.

Ricketts cited the economic hit restaurants and bars endured and are still dealing with due to the pandemic for his reasoning behind waiving this state law. 17% of the nation's eateries have closed since the pandemic began and 9 in 10 of these restaurants have seen an average drop in sales of 36%. 

Drunk driving incidents have decreased by 24% from a year ago. 

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STIMULUS PAYMENTS HITTING NEBRASKANS' BANK ACCOUNTS

OMAHA- Some Nebraskans woke up Monday to find a second round of COVID-19 stimulus money deposited into their bank accounts. COVID-19 relief payments arrived last week at First National Bank dated to be deposited on Monday. The payments are generally $600 per person after President Trump and some members of congress failed to push the payments to $2,000 in the $900 billion stimulus package approved right before Christmas. 

The IRS has a self-imposed Jan. 15 cut-off for sending COVID-19 stimulus checks, so Americans who do not receive the check by then will have to file a claim and will receive the money in tax returns. 

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OMAHA WOMAN SUES INSURER FOR DENYING CLAIM AFTER HER HUSBAND DIED OF COVID

OMAHA- Vaneza Ramos is suing Farmers Insurance by alleging the company refused to pay her husband's $350,000 life insurance policy after he passed away due to COVID-19 early in the summer. This is believed to be among the first cases like this to hit the state's court system. 

Ramos was listed as her husband's beneficiary, however after he died the company issued a "inexplicable denial" of her claim. 

Farmer's attorney said the company rescinded the policy because his policy held "misrepresentation and/or concealment of materials facts" about his previous medical history. On his death certificate, COVID-19 was not listed as official cause of death. 

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COVID-19 VACCINE'S SLOW ROLLOUT ACROSS U.S. CAUSES CONFUSION, ASKS FOR PRIORITIZATION AND QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO CAN RECEIVE IT.

NEW YORK CITY- The country is now three weeks into the most ambitious vaccination campaign in history. However, far fewer people than expected are being vaccinated. 12 million doses of the vaccine from Moderna and Pfizer have been shipped but not even 3 million have been administered. This is partially due to the federal government allowing each state to follow their own plans rather than setting a standard for the entire country.

On Monday, Governor Ricketts announced that Nebraskans over the age of 75 could be able to receive the vaccine within the next three weeks. This section of the population will be able to register for the vaccine through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services online, probably within the next week. The state is updating their vaccination plan to clarify that elderly people come before teachers and other essential workers in the 1B priority group. School districts will also be given different priorities based on local need due to surges in cases or other factors. 

Nebraska was once ranked second among states in delivery of vaccinations and remains in the top third.The state has received nearly 95,000 vaccines and 36,500 vaccinations have been administered, including 107 second doses. 

Vaccinations will begin in the state's prisons later this week. The first shipment of vaccines was received by the Department of Corrections this week. The medical staff that works with the prison population will be given the vaccine first. After this, the vaccines will move to staff members then eventually to the general population of the prison. 

Front-line corrections workers are included in Phase 1B of the state's vaccination priorities, this tier also includes first responders. Inmates are then listed in Phase 1C. The medical director for the DOC said that shots will be prioritized based on patients who are at the highest risk for becoming sick. Prisons have been identified as high-risk populations for quick spread due to the nature of close living in prisons. 

West Virginia is the only state to report having delivered vaccine doses to all of its long-term care facilities. 

The next hurdle will be increasing the low numbers of physicians and medical centers that have signed up to administer the vaccine when it become more available. 

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FORMER SENATOR HOPES BOOK HELPS CHILDREN UNDERSTAND NEBRASKA'S UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Former State Sen. Amanda McGill Johnson noticed there were books about U.S. Congress and what happens in Washington that described them in kids terms, but why is there nothing like that about Nebraska's unicameral legislature. Finally, three years after beginning the writing of the book, she has completed it. The title is "The Unicameral and You: Collaborating for the Common Good in Nebraska's Capitol". 

The book is 34 pages and is a primer on the processes of the statehouse. It is told through the eyes of school children as they tour the Capitol and meet a state senator. 

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EDITORIAL: PLAN ON BEING VACCINATED. FIND TRUSTED SOURCES, NOT SOCIAL MEDIA

OMAHA WORLD HERALD- Humanity has experienced a similar pandemic in polio, and in 1955 church bells finally rang to signal the announcement of a vaccine. Other major vaccines include those of smallpox, tuberculosis and measles. Vaccinations are an important tool to extend life and have made the quality of life better. Every state requires certain vaccinations for children in school with very rare exemptions. 

However, the United States has always seen apprehension in its citizens with vaccinations, dating all the way back to the 1800s when the first vaccine ever, the smallpox vaccine, was created. Inclination to oppose vaccinations has grown through the internet and its ability to make balderdash seem reasonable. Now, an alarming number of Americans are reluctant to get vaccinated. Facebook groups are not the worst of it with platforms such as Parler gaining traction in the conservative community. It is important to remember to read articles and stories for what they are and evaluate the sources the writer used. All modern science says vaccines, even the one created in a record time, are safe and effective. To reach a good level of immunity in the United States, at least 70% of the population must be vaccinated. 

“Please, don’t choose not to get this vaccination because of something you read on Facebook,” said Dr. Kevin Reichmuth of Lincoln.

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SEVEN MONTHS LATER, IT APPEARS NO ONE WILL GO ON TRIAL FOR ACTS CAUGHT ON VIDEO IN OLD MARKET MELEE

OMAHA- Seven months after the shooting of James Scurlock by Omaha native Jake Gardner, it is now apparent that no one will be prosecuted for acts that were caught on camera that night. After Jake Gardener took his life in September, the grand jury's work on the case stopped and therefore there have been no new reports or requests to review any one else's actions from that night. 

Nebraska law does not stop prosecutors from pursuing their own cases after the grand jury declines to charge. Before Gardner passed, the grand jury charged him with manslaughter, terroristic threats, attempted first-degree assault and weapon use. Questions still remain about whether David Gardner, Jake's father who had originally been charged with misdemeanor assault for twice shoving a young man who was filming the deadly altercation. Another man Tucker Randall would have been charged with the break-in and vandalism of an Old Market company and for assaulting David Gardner. 

The other actions of the night were all misdemeanors and Matt Kuhse, Omaha City Prosecutor said he is aware of the other videos in the case. However, he has not presented any evidence to the Omaha police. He says the case is now in the hands of the special prosecutor, Fred Franklin. The only way that the Gardner-Scurlook case will see a courtroom is if State Sen. Wayne, the attorney representing the Scurlock family, files a civil suit over Scurlock's death. 

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IN FAREWELL TO 2020, RICKETTS SAYS NEBRASKANS RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 CHALLENGE

LINCOLN- In his year in review, Gov. Ricketts says Nebraskans stepped up to the challenges COVID-19 brought. He recalled the start of the battle in the state on Feb. 7 when he Nebraska National Guard's training camp in Ashland hosted 57 Americans who had been evacuated from Wuhan, China. Shortly after, the University of Nebraska Medical Center took in more than a dozen people who had been rescued from the cruise ship off the coast of Japan. 

He says as the virus arrived, protecting Nebraska's hospitals became the more important part of his response to COVID-19. He and his administration adopted a six part plan that was aimed at allowing Nebraskans some freedoms while also ensuring safety. The state also received $411 million in grants for businesses and farms which allowed for them to continue to feed the world throughout the pandemic. Then, Meridian Clinical Research also participated in the clinical trials for the Moderna vaccine. 

"We still have a ways to go before the pandemic is over," he said, "but Nebraskans can be proud of how the state has come together during this difficult time."

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