NEBRASKANS COULD SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DURING MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT

NEBRASKA- Volunteers with a local nonprofit group have been able to help seniors save hundreds — or in some cases thousands — of dollars during Medicare open enrollment this year.

Volunteers Assisting Seniors helps seniors review Medicare plans and find the one that best fits their needs, often saving them lots of money on prescription drugs.

One Omaha man will save more than $2,300 by switching plans, said Sue Fredricks, executive director of Volunteers Assisting Seniors. The man, who is in his 80s, recently was prescribed a new — and expensive — eyedrop medication. His current plan wouldn’t cover it. But volunteers with the group found a plan that would.

Last year, the group helped 1,200 people save a total of nearly $1.1 million, averaging about $895 a person.

Medicare open enrollment, which runs through Dec. 7, gives beneficiaries the opportunity to review their Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, also known as Part D.

If beneficiaries like what they have, they can keep those plans. But Fredricks said because plans change every year — changing premiums and copays and even dropping medications and pharmacies from their preferred lists — seniors should review their plans each year.

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GOP CANDIDATES HERBSTER, THIBODEAU GOT PANDEMIC RELIEF LOANS

LINCOLN- Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, who has criticized government handouts, received a $1.55 million federal loan forgiven under a pandemic relief program last year.

The loan was provided to Conklin Company’s manufacturing operations and distribution warehouse in Shakopee, Minnesota, through the Paycheck Protection Program. Herbster is the owner and CEO of Conklin, as well as other farms and agriculture-related businesses.

The loan was forgiven under the terms of the pandemic relief program, which required businesses to keep employees on the payroll and spend the money for certain types of expenses.

But Herbster, who aligns himself with former President Donald Trump, denied any contradiction between taking the loan and his position on “government handouts.” He described that position in an April radio interview, saying that “every time we ask for a handout from the federal government or even the state level, we give up something.”

“President Trump’s Payroll Protection Program was not a government ‘handout,’” he told The World-Herald. “It was developed in response to a once-in-a-century pandemic that forced business to shut down and workers to be shut out.

Two other GOP gubernatorial contenders also received PPP loans.

University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen got pandemic loans totaling $7.8 million for 16 businesses affiliated with his Columbus-based Pillen Family Farms. Those loans also were forgiven; however, Sarah Pillen, co-CEO of Pillen Family Farms, said the businesses later returned $5.08 million of the loans.

Former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, the newest entrant in the race, got two loans totaling $440,745 for her corporation, Anjoel. The company operated her daycare business, the Primrose School of La Vista. She has since sold the daycare.

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DRAFT RULES SET PRICE TAG FOR NEBRASKA CASINO LICENSE AT $1 MILLION

NEBRASKA- Companies that want to open a casino at a Nebraska horse racetrack will have to pony up $1 million for a license.

That’s one of the requirements of the rules released by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission.

The 67-page document lays out everything from license applications to how to handle money to how to deal with problem gambling and sex trafficking.

Included are two key provisions that are likely to make some people happy and others unhappy: All casinos will be smoke-free, and only law enforcement officers or licensed security guards will be allowed to carry firearms.

Tom Sage, executive director of the commission, said the proposed regulations are a “hodgepodge of best practices” from casino regulators across the Midwest.

The commission hired Gaming Labs International, an industry consultant that has worked with other states, including Ohio, to help it write rules for casino gambling.

“They basically took what worked in some of those other states and incorporated it into our rules,” Sage said.

The $1 million fee, to be paid upfront, would secure a license for 20 years. Casinos would also face an annual assessment to help fund the activities of the commission.

Sage said that details of the annual assessment still have to be worked out but that it would likely be based on how many gambling machines and table game spots a casino has.

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NEARLY $1 TRILLION IN WEALTH EXPECTED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO NEBRASKA GENERATIONS

NEBRASKA - Historic amounts of wealth will be transferred from one Nebraska generation to the next in the decades ahead, according to a study released this week by the Nebraska Community Foundation. And if families bequeath a small percentage to their communities, the effect could be transformational, according to the foundation.

Nebraska families are expected to transfer roughly $100 billion in assets to the next generation over the coming 10 years, said Nebraska Community Foundation CEO Jeff Yost. However, more than $950 billion is expected to be transferred over the next 50 years.

Assets expected to transfer consist of real estate, securities, retirement accounts and other assets.

This is a common theme across the United States as baby boomers and their parents continue to transfer wealth to the next generations.

It would be the largest transfer of wealth in Nebraska's history.

An estimated 5% of the expected transfer would be enough to place communities in a position to flourish, regardless of the current uncertainties, Yost said.

With that figure in mind, the Nebraska Community Foundation has launched a campaign entitled "Five to Thrive," which encourages people to bequeath 5% of their passed-along estates for their communities.

One of the main concerns for the foundation is the high proportion of younger generations that have moved out of their hometowns, which could benefit greatly from the influx in wealth. This is a driving factor in their latest campaign.

In 71 of Nebraska’s 93 counties, the transfer of wealth is expected to peak within the next 25 years, Yost said.

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LEADER OF NEBRASKA TEACHERS UNION STEPS DOWN CITING FAMILY HEALTH ISSUES

NEBRASKA- Maddie Fennell, executive director of the Nebraska State Education Association, is stepping down, the association anounced.

Fennell, who has held the post since 2017, cited family health reasons, the association said. The association board has named Trish Guinan as her replacement. Guinan was the association's director of advocacy.

In a statement, Fennell said she's grateful for the faith that the board and members placed in her during her time as director.

“Unfortunately, the continued health needs of my husband, my son, and other members of my family require more attention than I can give while also fully executing the responsibilities of executive director," she said.

Fennell, the 2007 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, has been a member of the NSEA since 1986. She said she "will continue my support of the important work done by the incredible members, leadership, and staff of the association.”

Guinan, a 43-year member of the NSEA, taught mathematics at the secondary and college levels, the association said. She began her association work as a field representative for members in 1996, becoming director of member rights in 2000, and director of advocacy in 2012.

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2022 NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE SESSION EYED AS RARE MOMENT OF OPPORTUNITY

LINCOLN - The approaching 2022 legislative session is emerging as a rare moment of challenge and opportunity for Nebraska, state senators and business leaders told a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast audience.

A strong stream of state revenue accompanied with $1 billion in federal pandemic recovery assistance offers "some significant opportunities," Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said.

Workforce development is atop of the list of the state's economic challenges, remarked Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 92% of employers now say that is the No. 1 challenge for Nebraska businesses.

Among strategies to combat economic challenges, Hilgers has his sights set on the potential water development project that could lead to long lasting benefits for recreation, tourism, flood control, economic development and water sustainability.

Hilgers is chairman of the Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resources Sustainability (STAR WARS) Committee that is considering projects throughout the state, including the possibility of constructing a large reservoir between Lincoln and Omaha.

Kristen Hassebrook, the Nebraska Chamber's executive vice president for legislation and policy, said the Chamber is "very excited" about the recently signed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill as it provides funding for roads, ridges, and broadband. The Chamber is less excited about the proposed $2 trillion social spending package that could follow.

Senator Suzanne Geist is focused on small-business needs and was supportive of the Ricketts administration's action which negotiated a significant pay increase for state correctional officers.

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RICKETTS CALLS ON FANS TO ACT RESPECTFULLY, SPEAKS OUT ABOUT RESPONSE TO KNEELING PLAYERS

LINCOLN - Gov. Pete Ricketts urged Husker fans to treat opposing players respectfully, even those who kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Fans at the Nebraska-Maryland volleyball match last week shouted at three Maryland players who knelt during the national anthem. One yelled, "Stand up you piece of trash."

“I think it’s disgraceful to kneel during the national anthem, especially when we’re talking about Veterans Day,” the governor said. “We have people who died for this flag.

“Having said that, however, we’re also known for having the best fans in college sports, and two wrongs don’t make a right here,” he said. “Our fans should be respectful to the teams that come in from other places.”

Coach John Cook said that he was disappointed in the behavior of the fans and that a volleyball match is not a place to express personal views.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green and Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts followed suit and called for more respect from fans to visiting teams, while also apologizing to the Maryland volleyball program.

The Nebraska volleyball team met with Maryland players after the game and apologized for the pre-game incident, as well.

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UNMC, NEBRASKA MEDICINE TO TEST COVID-19 ANTIVIRAL DRUG

OMAHA - Thekisselkohoutes.com/news University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine have launched a new clinical research trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an oral drug that could prevent COVID-19.

The trial will reportedly evaluate the drug Molnupiravir which is sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

The trial is randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Adult participants will be used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Molnupiravir, specifically whether it prevents hospitalization or death in adults who are living with a person who has COVID-19.

For 12 hours a day for five days, participants will randomly receive either the drug or the placebo and be asked to follow-up over the course of the next 30 days.

The study plans to research the effectiveness and safety of the medication in over 1,300 international participants.

Those who qualify for the study must be at least 19 years of age, have not gotten a COVID-19 vaccine, have never had COVID-19, and live with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

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BUFFALO CREEK WILDFIRE CONTINUES TO BURN IN WESTERN NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA - The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency says the Buffalo Creek Wildfire burning in Western Nebraska is now 40 percent contained.

Approximately 2,538 acres have burned since the Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area caught fire last weekend.

The fire is roughly eight miles south of Gering and is burning mostly in Banner and Scotts Bluff Counties.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, accompanied by nine Army National Guard soldiers, have provided support to the crews from surrounding areas and from Lincoln.

Gering Fire Chief Nathan Flowers and Banner County Fire Chief Tim Grubbs, in coordination with Nebraska Game and Parks and the Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team, have established Unified Command.

“Rugged, inaccessible terrain and wind-driven runs have hampered firefighting efforts,” Flowers said. “Potential Red Flag warnings might continue to hamper suppression efforts.”

Low humidity, strong winds and warm temperatures are associated with increased fire weather danger, and have led to a Red Flag Warning designation.

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'WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVING': NEBRASKA'S TEACHER STAFFING CRISIS

NEBRASKA - Educational leaders in Nebraska are calling on local school boards, state lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts to address a growing school staffing crisis.

More than 1,000 teachers have left the state's two largest school districts since the pandemic began.

Omaha Public Schools reported 239 teachers left in 2019-2020 and 320 in 2020-2021. Lincoln Public Schools saw similar departures with 251 teachers leaving in 2019-2020 and 241 in 2020-2021.

One former Nebraska teacher says she left the profession for a less stressful 9 to 5 job and claims that many of her colleagues have considered the same.

The Nebraska State Education Association calls it a crisis. They have since asked their 28,000 members what needs to be done in order to not only retain teachers, but to attract future teachers to the profession.

"We need to really listen to educators who are in the classroom doing the work and that's very important for our school boards and our legislators," Benson said.

Benson said they've already made some recommendations including using Federal American Pandemic Recovery Act funds to give $1,000 bonuses, allowing more planning time for teachers and additional family leave for COVID-19 related exposures.

Governor Pete Ricketts said that the issue is more in the hands of local school boards than it is the state's, but he is open to conversation on the topic if the legislature decides they want to discuss it.

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AS COVID CASES RISE, DOUGLAS COUNTY HEALTH DIRECTOR URGES MASK WEARING, DISTANCING

DOUGLAS COUNTY- With local hospitals brimming, COVID cases rising and flu season coming, Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse is pleading with people to not let down their guard — or their face masks.

She used her weekly appearance before the Douglas County Board to make an urgent appeal to people to get vaccines against COVID and the flu, wear masks indoors, be socially distant, and be aware and cautious in settings where there may be a lot of unvaccinated people.

“While we were cautiously optimistic in previous weeks presenting this data, I really wanted to make sure that I was expressing concern today,” Huse told the County Board. “Especially having heard from our hospitals and knowing that flu season is on the way. And we still have RSV circulating. We kind of have a convergence of a lot of things besides COVID that are all kind of mixing to create a really bad situation for our hospitals.”

Hospital occupancy rates in metropolitan Omaha are higher than at any point during the pandemic, Huse said. The hospitals’ staffed beds have hovered around 90% full over the past week.

People are hospitalized for a host of reasons besides COVID. But COVID hospitalizations have been holding steady at an elevated level of about 190, with more than 30 of those people on ventilators, according to data Huse presented. The county recorded 10 more COVID deaths last week.

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CONTROVERSIAL SOLAR FARM IN LANCASTER COUNTY FINALLY CLEARS PLANNING COMMISSION

LINCOLN- It took two votes, but the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission finally signed off on the second part of a large proposed solar farm east of Lincoln.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to approve a special permit for Ranger Power to put solar panels on about 1,430 acres of land stretching from 148th to 190th streets and from O Street to Havelock Avenue.

On Oct. 27, the commission voted to approve a special permit for the other half of the proposed 250-megawatt farm, on land stretching from 120th to 148th streets and from O to Havelock, which is in the city's zoning jurisdiction.

But they failed to approve the county portion, mainly because of a provision that allows panels to be placed on agricultural outlots, something that sparked strong opposition from homeowners in the area.

Several commissioners again voted against allowing the special permit because of the outlot issue. But they failed to get the required five votes.

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NEBRASKA SETS NATIONAL RECORD WITH 1.9% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

LINCOLN - For the first time ever, Nebraska's unemployment rate has dropped below 2%.

According to data released Friday by the Nebraska Department of Labor, the state's unemployment rate for October was 1.9%. Not only has the rate never been that low in Nebraska, it's never been that low in any other state, either. A big part of the reason the unemployment rate continued to drop so low last month was the increase in people working. The number of filled jobs in the state grew by more than 30,500 compared with October 2020 and by more than 10,700 from September.

Commissioner of Labor John H. Albin said the month-to-month jobs increase was the highest ever recorded for October.

Despite the increase in people with jobs, Nebraska still faces a huge labor shortage. As of this week, there were more than 50,000 jobs being advertised statewide on the Department of Labor's website. A recent study from the Pew Charitable Trusts found that Nebraska has the largest shortage of workers in the country based on available jobs to unemployed workers, with a ratio of three open jobs to every one unemployed worker.

The state's unemployment rate was less than half the national rate of 4.6%

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NEBRASKA SCHOOL AID CHANGES WOULD SHIFT BURDEN TO STATE, SAVE $715 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES

LINCOLN - A trio of Nebraska education leaders unveiled a plan Thursday aimed at revamping the state’s school aid formula and saving property taxpayers $715 million a year.  Application of the plan this year would have meant $1.762 billion for state school aid instead of the currently budgeted figure of $1.047 billion. The plan would require a similar figure to be matched by state dollars, resulting in a 68% increase in state support for K-12 education.

Chair of the Legislature's Education Committee, State Senator Lynne Walz, announced that she would be introducing the bill in the upcoming legislative session. It is more than an education funding plan to her, citing the funds saved by property owners which can help improve local communities as well. 

“We recognize that education is the cornerstone to economic development and a strong workforce,” Walz said. “Education is a priority for every Nebraskan. We need to be responsive and assure that the funding and resources are available not only today but well into the future.” 

Nearly 60% of the total property tax bill statewide is funded by school property taxes, leading lawmakers to continually increase state aid to schools as a means of easing property taxes. Recently, however, lawmakers have preferred property tax credit programs that provide money directly to property owners to offset their tax bills. The state will provide nearly $1 billion for those programs in the coming year.

This shift in preference is likely the cause of Education Committee members not signing off on the plan yet. Other groups, like Greater Nebraska Schools Association, are still studying the issue as well.


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RICKETTS REBUKES UNL ON RACIAL EQUITY PLAN, SINGLES OUT CHANCELLOR GREEN

LINCOLN - Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on Thursday rebuked UNL for its new racial equity plan and singled out Chancellor Ronnie Green for criticism. The comprehensive plan would examine everything from hiring to financial aid and from enrollment to classroom instruction. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln released the plan Wednesday.

Ricketts said the plan would inject critical race theory “into every corner of campus.”

“It will pit people against each other by conditioning everyone to see others through the lens of race rather than as individuals with unique strengths,” Ricketts said in a statement. “I urged Chancellor Green to avoid divisive policies,” the governor said. “Since then, Chancellor Green has misrepresented my position on it in conversations with university stakeholders. He has told people that I support it, and nothing could be further from the truth.” 

Ricketts said Green called him Tuesday to advise him of the plan’s pending release. Green and the UNL administration declined to respond to Ricketts’ comments. University of Nebraska President Ted Carter also declined to comment.

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NEBRASKA STATE SENATORS REACH THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO

TANZANIA- Nebraska’s mountain-climbing state senators reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro Wednesday morning.

“Summit,” read a one-word text message from Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon that was received in Lincoln at 12:16 a.m. Wednesday. It was 9:16 a.m. on the storied mountain in Tanzania.

A map-tracking site showed Brewer at an elevation of 19,315 feet at Uhuru Peak, near a glacier at the summit at 12:32 a.m. Lincoln time.

The peak of the mountain reaches 19,340 feet.

Brewer and four fellow state senators, Anna Wishart of Lincoln, Justin Wayne of Omaha, Ben Hansen of Blair, and Dave Murman of Glenvil, were scheduled to descend on a long journey down to a base camp after leaving the summit.

That would complete a challenging 18-hour day of climbing and descending the mountain that began with a departure from a base camp below the summit at midnight.

Summit night, as it is called, is considered to be the most challenging part of the ascent — cold, dark, usually windy, and the steepest part of the journey up the mountain.

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FEDS HAVE MORE THAN 11,600 PAGES OF EVIDENCE, 50 RECORDINGS IN REP. FORTENBERRY CASE

LINCOLN -  Federal prosecutors have turned over more than 11,600 pages of documents and more than 50 audio and video recordings to lawyers defending U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry from allegations that he lied and misled federal investigators. 

The revelation, contained in a court filing this week, prompted the Republican congressman's attorneys to seek a two-month delay in the trial to provide more time to review the evidence. The request, which was granted, means the trial will now begin on February 15th, 2022.

Fortenberry, 60, was indicted last month by a federal grand jury on three charges: two counts of making false statements to investigators, and one count of concealing material facts. If found guilty, the congressman — who has represented Nebraska's 1st District since 2005 — would face up to five years in prison on each count.

The allegations stem from a federal investigation into $180,000 of illegal "conduit" campaign contributions given to four American candidates by a foreign national, Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian-born billionaire now living in Paris. Fortenberry received $30,200 from a group of Los Angeles residents at a fundraiser there in 2016. The money was provided by Chagoury, through at least two go-betweens. 

Fortenberry faces reelection in 2022 and has a campaign staff working on the race. One Democrat, State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, has indicated that she will run for the post and has planned an announcement for Monday in Lincoln.

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GROUP THAT FOUGHT NEBRASKA SEX ED STANDARDS FORMS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

LINCOLN -  Members of a coalition that successfully fought against statewide health and sex education standards have launched a political action committee. The members of the Protect Nebraska Children Coalition want to turn their momentum into victories at the ballot box. 

The political committee, which was formally announced Thursday, will raise money and support candidates. Initially, the group will focus on school board races, but if it has enough resources, it may support candidates for other offices, said Katie McClemens, a director of the PAC.

The group has already endorsed two candidates for the Nebraska State Board of Education in 2022: Elizabeth Tegtmeier and Sherry Jones. Both candidates identify as conservatives. Tegtmeier, of North Platte, is running in District 7. The incumbent is Robin Stevens of Gothenburg. Jones, of Grand Island, is running in District 6. Maureen Nickels of Chapman is the incumbent and president of the board.

“It’s not enough to just stop these standards; we have to have a next-level strategy, and that’s where the PAC comes into play,” McClemens said.

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STATE SENATORS READY TO CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO WITH BAD WEATHER AHEAD, AND DOCUMENTARY FILM CREW IN TOW

TANZANIA - "It looks much bigger up close," Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon texted Thursday as five state senators finished preparations for their ascent up Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa with the threat of bad weather ahead.

The trip to and then up the storied mountain, which is 19,340 feet high at its peak, was to begin in eight hours, Brewer texted at about 11 p.m. in Tanzania, nine hours ahead of Lincoln time

"In eight hours we start," he said. "Weather will move in on Sunday for 3 days snow and winds will come up," Brewer texted in answer to a question.

Sens. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, Justin Wayne of Omaha, Ben Hansen of Blair, and Dave Murman of Glenvil are joining Brewer on the climb accompanied by an embedded film crew that will document the adventure for Educational Media Enterprises. The plan is to provide the film to Nebraska Public Media's statewide network at no cost, with national distribution through Amazon Prime Video.

Brewer, a retired U.S. Army colonel who led troops in Afghanistan and was seriously wounded in combat, is leading the adventure that has begun to attract some national attention, partly because of its nonpartisan and multicultural nature.

The group is composed of three Republicans and two Democrats; a Native (Brewer) and an African American (Wayne); one woman; two urban senators and three rural senators.  

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FORMER STATE SEN. THIBODEAU ENTERS REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY

LINCOLN — The race for the Republican nomination for governor now has one more competitor.

Former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, of Omaha, officially announced her entry into the primary race on Wednesday. She joins veteran Michael Connely, businessman Charles Herbster, State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, and businessman Breland Ridenour. Former Governor Dave Heineman is also actively exploring a run for his former job. Current Gov. Pete Ricketts is term-limited and cannot run.

Thibodeau was appointed by Ricketts to the Nebraska Legislature in 2017 to fill a vacancy in Omaha's 9th Legislative District. She was defeated in her bid for re-election in 2018 by Machaela Cavanaugh. Thibodeau has also served as chair of the Douglas County Republican Party. She was previously announced as Herbster’s running mate, but she dropped out of his campaign in July. 

The newly announced candidate is expected to participate in a town hall event in Weeping Water on Saturday. Also expected to participate are Connely, Lindstrom, and Ridenour.

The lone Democratic candidate to announce their candidacy is State Sen. Carol Blood. Libertarian candidate Scott Zimmerman has also announced his intentions to run.

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