ADVOCATES FOR NEBRASKA MEATPACKING WORKERS TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED COVID PROTECTIONS

LINCOLN- Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha has been making a continuous effort to provide more pandemic-related protections to meatpacking plant workers who have been ravaged by COVID-19 for the past year. 7,072 meatpacking workers have been infected by the virus, while 225 have been hospitalized and 27 have passed away. Vargas also noted the majority of workers are Latino and immigrants, including many refugees.

Representatives from meatpacking plants such as Smithfield Foods and Lincoln Premium Poultry spoke in opposition to the bill, saying they require social distancing at the plants. Proponents of the bill argued that the health and well-being of workers should be the primary concern. Meatpacking workers are often crowded, with one testifier saying there are some areas where social distancing is just not possible. 

And they are working “shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow” on the production line, said James Goodard, speaking for Nebraska Appleseed.

Vargas moved to introduce a similar bill late in the reconvened 2020 session, but failed on a motion to suspend the rules. 

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE LEGISLATION TO LIMIT SPORTS BETTING, REGULATE CASINOS

LINCOLN- The General Affairs Committee advanced a merged LB560 and LB561 which includes a constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling at licensed horse racetracks and laws regulating the casinos. The package fleshes out the gambling initiatives passed by Nebraska voters in November. These initiatives did not address sports betting though. However, former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne says these initiatives will allow for more opportunities to gamble on sports. 

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion agreed with Osborne, saying the Legislature should set parameters for sports betting in the state. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, also in agreement, says not setting parameters creates a 'free-for-all' environment at the casinos. Other senators say they are unable to support the bill as long as it included provisions on sports betting as he is skeptical if voters wanted that authorization. 

Under the merged bill sports gambling would only be offered in designated areas of the casinos and would allow for betting on any Nebraska college/university and would prohibit betting on athletes under 18. The bills also include the ability for people to request they be banned from casinos because of gambling problems. Background checks will be required for people applying for gaming operator licenses. New crimes would be created for things such as cheating, manipulating machines or allowing underage people to gamble. 

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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: NEW VIRUS CASES RISING GLOBALLY FOR FIRST TIME IN WEEKS

WASHINGTON- The World Health Organization said in a briefing Monday new COVID-19 cases are increasing worldwide for the first time in months. Officials attribute this to a combination of premature reopening efforts and circulation of new variants. U.S. cases show signs of plateauing after steadily falling through February. Michael Ryan, head of the health emergencies program for WHO, said it is unrealistic to expect the pandemic to be fully over by the end of 2021. 

“If the last week tells us anything, it’s that this virus will rebound,” Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead officer for COVID-19, told reporters. “This virus will rebound if we let it. We cannot allow it to take off again.”

WHO Director-General has expressed disappointment that the United Nations COVAX program began in African nations such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast just this week, almost a month after western nations began vaccinations. 

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MURTHY VOWS TO FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC IF CONFIRMED AS SURGEON GENERAL

WASHINGTON- President Biden's pick for surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, vowed to focus on the mental health aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic if confirmed. He told CBS the US is facing a deeply concerning increase in mental illness through the past year. He would like to see increased insurance for mental health care and to integrate mental health care into primary care. 

People around the world have had trouble coping with social distancing and lockdowns. The death toll in the United States can also lend to people's deteriorating mental health. 

“I think that we will be learning over the years ahead just how deeply this pandemic has affected our children,” Murthy said. “We’ve got to study what’s happening to our kids so that we can build the right strategies to ultimately address the fallout that the pandemic has created for our children.”

There has also been a 93% increase in people searching out mental health screenings. 

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'SHE STANDS WITH US': MAYOR STOTHERT GETS OMAHA POLICE UNION'S BACKING FOR THE FIRST TIME

OMAHA- Mayor Jean Stothert of Omaha has received her first endorsement as she builds her run for her third term. The Omaha Police Union announced their support, and although they said it is earlier than usual to start to endorse candidates, the union’s members voted unanimously on this decision. 

A local activist, JaKeen Fox said he was happy to hear the union had endorsed Stothert so early as he believes the union had no other sympathetic candidate to turn to. Throughout all public discourse last summer and the Black Lives Matter movement, Mayor Stothert remained firm in her support of the police department. 

Democratic candidate RJ Neary announced his endorsement from the Omaha Federation of Labor.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS GRILL UTILITY COMPANY OFFICIALS OVER FEBRUARY'S ROLLING BLACKOUTS

LINCOLN- A panel of state lawmakers were told Wednesday that Nebraska produced more electricity than the state used during the February deep freeze. Public power officials testifying before the Natural Resources Committee said the blackouts were ordered by the regional transmission organization they are members of. The blackouts, usually lasting less than 90 minutes, prevented major outages. Local power officials said this is not how they want things to go if put in the same situation again. 

It is estimated that 63% of the outages were because of supply issues, including competition for natural gas for heating, and ice that made coal unusable, while other energy sources were not weatherized. Senators asked if Nebraska could have refused to implement the blackouts, to which the president of NPPD said the state would have faced a $1 million a day federal penalty.

Nebraska regulators will intervene in the February price hikes expected on the bills of customers served by privately operated natural gas companies. Natural gas prices skyrocketed, forcing the price that utilities pass on to customers to rise as well. This past February was one of the coldest on record. 

MUD has estimated that the average residential customer could see an additional $17.21 on their February bill, a price that could have been $200 higher if not for the cost-saving moves made. The Nebraska Public Service Commission is requiring an extra 30 day grace period for delinquent bills, extending a moratorium on shutting off delinquent low-income households, investigating the price spikes and directing two utilities to withhold from bills for now. 

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FORMER USDA UNDERSECRETARY MOVES INTO NEW ROLE HELPING WITH BIOTECH AT UNL

SUMNER- Greg Ibach, former U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary, took time to decide what he really wanted to do next. He has spent time working on federal ag-related programs during his years with the USDA following his service as the longest sitting Nebraska Department of Agriculture director. 

Ibach has decided to join the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources as its inaugural undersecretary-in-residence.  He will help advance IANR in various areas through partnerships with the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services and others. 

He is excited to have more free time to spend on his family farm during harvest season and volunteer time to different ag agencies. Ibach’s name has appeared on lists of those rumored to be interested in the open governorship in 2022.

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FORMER OMAHA MAYOR, CURRENT COUNTY BOARD MEMBER MIKE BOYLE HAS CANCER

OMAHA- The 77-year-old Douglas County Board member and former mayor of Omaha, Mike Boyle has lung cancer. He plans to continue with his board duties as usual. His daughter, Maureen Boyle, said, “He doesn’t feel sick at all, he’s just plugging away like he always has been.”

He will begin radiation and chemotherapy at the Nebraska Medical Center probably next week. 

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NEBRASKA ECONOMIC FOECASTING BOARD RAISES REVENUE PROJECTIONS

LINCOLN— Nebraska is now expected to collect an additional $204 million in the current fiscal year, according to new projections approved Friday. The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board estimated that state revenue will come in roughly 4% higher than previous projections.

The board also raised its revenue forecast by $165 million for the next fiscal year that starts July 1 and $93 million for the following fiscal year. The board's decisions determines how much money is available to state lawmakers. In a statement, Gov. Pete Ricketts said the increased forecast gives the state the opportunity to reduce property taxes.

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DIRECTOR DEFENDS NEBRASKA AGENCY'S EFFORTS TO BRING MEAD ETHANOL PLANT INTO COMPLIANCE

LINCOLN- State lawmakers have many questions regarding the recent findings that the Mead ethanol plant was violating environmental regulations. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy defended their work saying they did all inspections and issued violation orders to the plant's oversight. The Nebraska Attorney General could be asked by the department to file charges and seek fines against AltEn. 

Most of the issues stemmed from the company not disclosing certain changes they were making dating back to 2013. The company will continue to comply throughout the process and possible charges.

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BILL WOULD PUT A DENT IN LONG LIST OF NEBRASKANS WAITING FOR DISABILITY SERVICES

LINCOLN- Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha's LB493 would appropriate $17 million in each of the next two fiscal years to put a dent in the list of people hoping to be approved for developmental disability services. Cavanaugh acknowledged the bill’s price tag. But she said lawmakers promised more than a decade ago to provide services for everyone on the waiting list. Instead, the list has continued to grow.

“We have an opportunity here to do something really great for this state,” she said. “The $17 million can tangibly change lives.”

In 2009, state lawmakers approved $15 million to help shrink the waiting list, which was at 2,006 people that year. Two weeks ago, the list stood at 2,968 people. About half are under age 21, in many cases put on the list in hopes that a spot would be available when they leave school.

A second bill called for an increase in the rates paid to developmental disability services providers. LB 225 was introduced by Sen. Robert Hilkemann of Omaha.

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NEBRASKA OFFICIALS DEMAND OMAHA-AREA CHILD WELFARE CONTRACTOR FIX KEY PROBLEMS

LINCOLN- Nebraska officials are demanding St. Francis Ministry, the contractor hired to oversee Omaha-area child welfare cases, fix key problems that should no longer be issues. 

A report released Monday shows that St. Francis Ministries of Salina, Kansas, fell short on several contracted performance goals during the last quarter of the year. Many were repeats from previous state reviews including that workers continue to have far too many cases, employee turnover remains high, background checks are not getting done, case plans are not being developed fast enough, placements are not being documented and workers are not meeting with the children in their care. 

In four of the six areas, St. Francis already was on a corrective action plan from the previous quarter, but had not corrected the problem. In a fifth area, workforce, the agency was required to develop a hiring plan in September, but made no progress in meeting state caseload limits between October and December.

DHHS is requiring the company to develop a plan for each one of those issues. Dannette Smith, the HHS CEO, said the state agreed to the new contract “to maintain continuity of services” in the Omaha area. But she also promised increased state oversight, saying that department officials will be “persnickety” in making sure that St. Francis fulfills its obligations under the new contract and maintains financial stability.

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TAXING CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS IN NEBRASKA COULD RAISE $33 MILLION; SEN. WAYNE AIMES TO REPEAL SALES TAX ON RESIDENTIAL WATER

LINCOLN — State Sen. John McCollister of Omaha said Wednesday his proposal to expand the state sales tax base to include candy and soft drinks would raise an estimated $33 million in state revenue in the 2021-22 fiscal year and suggested “we could talk about where the money should go.”

McCollister’s measure, Legislative Bill 115, is written to funnel that new revenue into the state’s health care cash fund, but he told the Legislature’s Revenue Committee that he is open to “repurposing some of that revenue.”

“Nebraska now has a narrow sales tax, a high income tax and, Lord knows, a high property tax,” McCollister said.

Opponents to the bill spoke about the cost retailers will have to take on to revise current measures and softwares. 

In another hearing, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha introduced LB26 which would repeal the sales tax on the use and consumption of residential water. Wayne and supporters noted that water is not taxed when bought at the store but are taxed for it at home. Opponents testified that this would cost cities a loss of revenue.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS CONSIDER BILL THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN PENALTIES FOR RIOTERS

LINCOLN- The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Sen. Joni Albrecht's bill to create stiffer penalties for rioters who injure law enforcement or other public officers. She said she brought this bill because she was troubled by scenes of police being targeted by protesters. 

“If we expect our first responders to protect our person and property, we must give them the tools to keep themselves safe as well,” Albrecht told the committee. “We must provide law enforcement and county attorneys the tools to discourage and deter.”

The committee heard testimony by several supporters and a one opponent. The ACLU, appearing in opposition, said they believe this will infringe on citizens rights to protest and that there are already laws in place to protect law enforcement. Sen. Albrecht does not believe those laws are enough.

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TEACHER VACCINATIONS GAINING STEAM AS SARPY-CASS SETS START DATE OF MARCH 1

OMAHA- Sarpy-Cass Health Department officials notified school personnel that vaccinations will begin the week of March 1. This news came just days after Douglas County announced their teachers will begin receiving vaccinations next week. Other parts of the state are ahead of the metro including Grand Island which has vaccinated over 700 school employees.

Vaccinations will still be prioritized to teachers by age.

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WHY ISN'T BROADBAND MORE AVAILABLE IN RURAL NEBRASKA?

LINCOLN- Nebraska farmers are starting to become more and more worried about technological advances in agriculture taking their jobs or leaving them behind. This worry is not new, but with rural broadband being a hot topic this legislative session, more people are talking about it. Right now, around 80,000 rural residents lack internet that meets the federal definition of broadband. Nebraska ranks lower than all neighboring states except Wyoming in broadband availability. Nebraska also ranks 48th in terms of access, price and speed. 

Governor Ricketts is proposing spending $40 million in the next two years to help this problem and would be the first time taxpayer funds would be devoted to the effort. Many blame this issue on having to cover a lot of land with very few customers. Measures to ensure more accountability have been taken but it is still not enough. 

Chair of the legislative committee working on increasing broadband coverage, Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson says it is an expensive and complicated process that will take time.

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RESTAURANTS AND STARTUPS TRY TO OUTRUN UBER EATS AND DOORDASH

NEW YORK-  Food delivery apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats have provided business for restaurants throughout the pandemic. Now, restaurants are looking to find ways around these apps and the commissions they charge. These delivery apps charge restaurants upwards of 30% on every order. Some states have started enforcing caps on delivery-app fees in an effort to help small restaurants. 

The newest app, Spread, only charges restaurants $1 for every order with the goal of being a cheaper more small-restaurant friendly alternative. Sales on third-party food-deliver services have doubled since the pandemic began last March. DoorDash has also started a service for smaller restaurants that allows customers to buy directly from the restaurant. The app does not take a commission for this service but instead charges a flat see to deliver those orders. Uber Eats followed and Grubhub have both begun to look into similar programs within their apps, but have not launched services as of yet. 

Chain restaurants are also looking into avoiding the third-party through different pickup options and delivering to customers themselves.

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TESLA TEMPORARILY HALTED U.S. PRODUCTION OVER PARTS SHORTAGE

PALO ALTO- Tesla recently halted production at its car plant in Fremont, CA due to shortages in a variety of parts for their cars. While the production lines have since resumed, other manufacturers such as Ford Motor Co., Volkswagen, and others have also idled some production throughout the ongoing pandemic. The White House, in an effort to continue economic security during the pandemic is attempting to fix the supply chain shortfalls. 

“We are working extremely hard to manage through the global semiconductor shortage as well as port capacity, which may have a temporary impact," said Tesla's Chief Financial Officer. 

These shortages as well as recent videos of battery fires going viral have become a major headache for Tesla as China has cast a wary gaze on the automaker.

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THE TEXAS FREEZE: WHY THE POWER GRID FAILED

DALLAS-  A fundamental flaw in the freewheeling Texas electricity market left millions powerless and freezing in the dark this week during a historic cold snap. The core problem: Power providers can reap rewards by supplying electricity to Texas customers, but they aren’t required to do it and face no penalties for failing to deliver during a lengthy emergency. That led to the fiasco that left millions of people in the nation’s second-most-populous state without power for days. A severe storm paralyzed almost every energy source, from power plants to wind turbines, because their owners hadn’t made the investments needed to produce electricity in subfreezing temperatures.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, facing a political uproar as the state of 29 million people virtually ground to a halt, tacitly acknowledged in a statewide address Thursday that these market incentives weren’t sufficient. He called upon legislators to mandate that power generators prepare for extreme winter storms. The state, he said, should also supply the funding to make it happen.

The system broke down this week when 185 generating units, including gas and coal-fired power plants, tripped offline during the brunt of the storm. Wind turbines in West Texas froze as well, and a nuclear unit near the Gulf of Mexico went down for more than 48 hours. Another problem emerged: Some power plants lost their pipeline supply of gas and couldn’t generate electricity even if they wanted to capture the high prices. Such mechanical problems might have been avoided if operators had chosen to equip their plants like those that operate in traditional cold-weather states.

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EMAILS SHOW OMAHA POLICE MONITORING OF ACTIVISTS IN 2020

OMAHA- The Omaha Police Department monitored activists' posts on social media last year and subsequently planted undercover officers at the protests. The tracking even went so far as to find birthday party plans for a Black protest organizer. This information was found after hundreds of emails were revealed by the ACLU. 

The ACLU called these actions biased and unnecessary surveillance of police critics that echoes the “disturbing historical pattern of police monitoring lawful activities of Black civil rights leaders.”

The Omaha Police Department’s public information office released a statement saying that police used “open source intelligence” such as Facebook announcements “to learn of events that may bring a large number of persons together over the summer during a specific period of civil unrest in our city.” 

Community organizer Ja Keen Fox said the emails revealed police behavior that was “a failure in the building of community trust and just fiscally irresponsible.”

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