BIDEN PLEDGES MORE SUPPORT FOR FARMERS, 'THE BACKBONE OF FREEDOM'

WASHINGTON D.C.- President Joe Biden announced federal assistance to alleviate costs for farmers and consumers and to ensure there is enough food to meet world demand as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

Biden said he will double the recently announced federal funding to boost domestic fertilizer production. He also pledged to extend crop insurance coverage for farmers who grow two crops in one field in the same year — a riskier practice known as double cropping.

“You feed America,” Biden said of farmers. “You got us through the pandemic, and you’re literally the backbone of our country. That’s not hyperbole. But you also feed the world, and we’re seeing with Putin’s war in Ukraine, you’re like the backbone of freedom.”

The Biden administration also said Wednesday it hopes to involve more farmers in existing federal programs to expand precision agriculture, which can make fertilizer usage more efficient in an effort to reduce the demands for the products.

Biden and Tom Vilsack said they are further supporting farmers by expanding export opportunities, allowing a wider availability of ethanol fuel blends in the summer months, and scrutinizing the business practices of the four major meatpackers who have made record profits amid soaring meat prices for consumers and dwindling profits for small livestock producers. The administration has also pledged money to boost the number of smaller meat processors.

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RICKETTS TO APPOINT NEW STATE SENATOR TO SEAT LEFT BY PAHLS PASSING BEFORE POSSIBLE SPECIAL SESSION ON ABORTION

LINCOLN — Gov. Pete Ricketts said Thursday that he expects to name a replacement for Omaha State Sen. Rich Pahls before possibly calling a special session on abortion.

Pahls died April 27, not quite halfway through his term in office, leaving a vacancy in the Nebraska Legislature. By state law, the governor must appoint a replacement within 45 days.

Ricketts said he will follow his usual process of taking applications, reviewing them and doing interviews. In the past, the governor has not confined his searches to the pool of applicants. He said he does not have a timeline for starting the process. However, he said he will have the vacancy filled before any special session might be called in response to a potential U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The decision is expected late in June. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers has said he would work with Ricketts to call a special legislative session on abortion if the court rules as anticipated.

Whoever is appointed to replace Pahls now may not keep the seat for long. That person will have to run for the office and be elected in November to finish out the last two years of Pahls’ term. To get on the ballot, the appointee and other interested candidates must submit at least 2,000 valid petition signatures from registered voters in the district by Sept. 1. Pahls represented District 31, which encompasses the Millard area.

For the full article click HERE

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION VOWS TO SPEED UP ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS NEEDED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

WASHINGTON - President Biden's administration will seek to hasten construction of roads, bridges, wind farms, and more by tweaking the federal review process for environmental and other permits, officials said Tuesday. The new permitting plan includes five components, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory said. They are:

• Consolidating decision-making among agencies to reduce the number of federal permits a project would need. The White House will also set up teams of sector-specific experts in an effort to streamline permitting applications from various industries.

• Establishing timeline goals and tracking project information.

• Engaging in “meaningful outreach and communication” with states, tribes and local governments to gain support and input from projects’ starting points.

• Improving technical assistance and support to nonfederal partners.

• Using existing agency resources to prioritize permitting review.

The permitting plan is meant to build on provisions in last year’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure law. That law created a permitting council to bring agencies together at the beginning of the permitting process. 

Less than 10% of the funding in the infrastructure law will be spent by the federal government, said Samantha Silverberg, the White House’s deputy infrastructure implementation coordinator. To encourage states, tribes, cities and private companies to build quickly, the administration wants to reduce permitting delays. 

For the full article click HERE

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

LINCOLN - Nebraska's May 10th primary election results are in, finally setting the stage for November's election. Turnout was 32.01%, with 396,228 voters heading to the polls to cast their votes. Keya Paha County had the highest turnout with over 70% of voters casting a ballot, followed by Rock County at 63.7%, and Boone County at 61.7%.

The following results are those presented by the Nebraska Secretary of State as of 8:20AM, May 11th, 2022. For more results please click HERE.

Incumbents are denoted by * in the results listed below. 

- - - -

GOVERNOR

Republican Primary

1. Jim Pillen- 33.9% (88,362)

2. Charles Herbster- 30.2% (78,856)

3. Brett Lindstrom-25.8% (67,302)

4. Theresa Thibodeau- 6.06% (15,861)

Democratic Primary

1. Carol Blood, 82,320 votes, 88.5%

2. Roy Harris, 10,726 votes, 11.5%

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1st District Republican Primary

1. Mike Flood-73.7% (58,599)

2. Jeff Fortenberry-12.0% (9,512)*

1st District Democratic Primary

1. Patty Pansing Brooks- 86.7% (30,212)

2. Jazari Kakaria- 13.3% (4,616)

2nd District Republican Primary

1. Don Bacon-77.13% (49,537) *

2. Steve Kuehl- 22.87% (14,686)

2nd District Democratic Primary

1. Tony Vargas- 69.30% (28,547)

2. Alisha Shelton- 30.70% (12,644)

3rd District Republican Primary

1. Adrian Smith- 76.02% (89,258) *

2. Mike Calhoun- 23.98%(28,162)

3rd District Democratic Primary

1. David Else- 52.26% (8,707)

2. Daniel M. Wik- 47.74% (7,953)

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

4th District Republican Primary

1. Eric Kamler- 57.5% (31,652)

2. Rod Johnson- 42.5% (23,403) *

5th District Republican Primary

1. Kevin Stocker- 43.5% (22,553)

2. Mary Ridder- 40.7% (21,094) *

3. Dakota Delka- 15.9% (8,239)

Note: There were no candidates from the Democratic Party primary ballot in PSC races

LEGISLATURE

District 2                                                                                                                         

1. Robert Clements (R)- 54.14% (5,057)*

2. Sarah Slattery (D)- 23.14% (2,161)

3. Janet Chung (D)- 16.97% (1,585)

4. Schuyler Windham (L)- 5.75% (537)

District 4 (Open Seat- Sen. Hilkemann Term Limited)

1. Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek (I)- 52.64% (4,564)

2. R. Brad Von Gillern (R)- 47.26% (4,106)

6th District Primary                                                                

1. Machaela Cavanaugh (D)- 47.10% (3,891)*

2. Christian Mirch (R)- 38.50% (3,181)

3. Elizabeth Hallgren (R)- 14.40% (1,190)

8th District Primary

1. Megan Hunt (D)- 65.29% (4,572)*

2. Marilyn Arant Asher (R)- 24.20% (1,695)

3. Katie Opitz (R)- 10.51% (736)

10th District Primary                                                            

1. Wendy DeBoer (D)- 52.53% (3,649)*

2. Lou Ann Goding (R)- 47.47% (3,297)

12th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Lathrop not seeking another term)

1. Merv Riepe (R)- 45.56% (2,809)

3. Robin Richards (D)- 19.68% (1,213)

4. Haile Kucera (R)- 17.76% (1,095)

5. Bob Borgeson (R)- 17% (1,048)

14th District Primary

1. John Arch (R)- 57.81% (3,269)*

2. Cori Villegas (D)- 25.31% (1,431)

3. Rob Plugge (D)- 16.89% (955)

16th District Primary

1. Ben Hansen (R)- 73.99% (6,455)*

2. Connie Petersen (R)- 26.01% (2,269)

18th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Lindstrom Term Limited)

1. Michael Young (D)- 34.12% (2,189)

2. Christy Armendariz (R)- 33.43 (2,145)

3. Clarice Jackson (R)- 32.45% (2,082)

20th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. McCollister Term Limited)

1. Stu Dornan (R)- 43.48% (3,975)

2. John A. Fredrickson (D)- 34.28% (3,134)

3. Julie Fredrickson (R)- 22.25% (2,034)

22nd District Primary

1. Mike Moser (R)- 76.44% (4,999)*

2. Roy M. Zach (I)- 12.81% (838)

3. Mike Goos (D)- 10.75% (703)

24th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Kolterman Term Limited)

1. Patrick Hotovy (R)- 50.08% (4,640)

2. Jana Hughes (R)- 49.92% (4,462)

26th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Matt Hansen Term Limited)

1. Russ Barger (R)- 40.99% (2,685)

2. George C. Duncan III (D)- 36.53% (2,393)

3. Larry Weixelman (I)- 11.88% (778)

4. Bob Van Valkenburg (I)- 10.60% (694)

28th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Pansing Brooks Term Limited)

1. Jane Raybould (D)- 63.95% (4,573)

2. Roy A. Christensen (R)- 36.05% (2,578)

30th District Primary

1. Myron Dorn (R)- 100% (8,873)*

32nd District Primary

1. Tom Brandt (R)- 100% (8,015)*

34th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Friesen Term Limited)

1. Loren Lippincott (R)- 69.67% (6,368)

2. Michael Reimers (R)- 30.33% (2,772)

36th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Williams Term Limited)

1. Rick Holdcroft (R)- 51.57% (3,424)

2. Angie Lauritsen (D)- 48.43% (3,216)

38th District Primary

1. Dave Murman (R)- 65.97% (6,866)*

2. Tyler R. Cappel (L)- 34.03% (3,541)

40th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Gragert not to seek another term)

1. Barry DeKay (R)- 36.02% (4,426)

2. Keith F. Kube (R)- 25.85% (3,176)

3. Mark Patefield (R)- 24.93% (3,063)

4. Robert E. Johnston (R)- 13.19% (1,621)

42nd District Primary

1. Chris Burns (R)- 45.44% (4,031)

2. Mike Jacobson (R) - 43.79% (3,885)*

3. Brenda K. Fourtner (R) - 10.78% (956)

44th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Hughes Term Limited)

1. Teresa J. Ibach (R)- 76.08% (6,526)

2. Edward Dunn (R)- 23.92% (2,052)

46th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. Morfeld Term Limited)

1. Danielle Conrad (D)- 42.89% (1,497)

2. James Michael Bowers (D)- 38.94% (1,359)

3. James A. Herrold (L)- 18.17% (634)

48th District Primary (Open Seat- Sen. StinnerTerm Limited)

1. Brian Hardin (R)- 45.17% (2,638)

2. Don L. Lease II (R)- 23.39% (1,366)

3. Scott Shaver (R)- 22.50% (1,314)

4. Jeremiah Jake Teeple (R)- 4.98% (291)

5. Talon Cordle (R)- 3.96% (231)

HILGERS TO SEEK SPECIAL SESSION OF NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE IF ROE V. WADE IS STRUCK DOWN

LINCOLN — Speaker Mike Hilgers announced that he will work with Gov. Pete Ricketts to quickly call a special session if, as is expected, the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the landmark abortion rights ruling, Roe v. Wade.

State Sen. Mike Hilgers spoke this week on a Supreme Court opinion draft that was leaked which indicated the court would be overturning Roe v. Wade.

A bill that would have immediately banned abortion in Nebraska upon the Roe v. Wade decision was debated last month but died at the end of the 2022 session after it was blocked by a filibuster.

“If the court overturns Roe and Casey, and Nebraska reclaims its constitutional ability to prohibit abortion, I will work with the governor to schedule a special session to protect the unborn,” he said.

Hilgers, a former law clerk for a federal judge, added that the unauthorized leak of the opinion was "both unfathomable and unconscionable."

The leader of the filibuster against LB933, Sen. Megan Hunt, promised to make the potential special session, "the most painful and excruciating political experience my colleagues have ever had.”

“Banning abortion care won’t end abortion, it will just make it unsafe for people who need this care,” Hunt said. It will also “criminalize” the patients and doctors trying to make the best decisions for their health and families, she said.

For the full article click HERE

WILDFIRES CAUSE EXTENSIVE AGRICULTURAL LOSSES IN NEBRASKA

CAMBRIDGE, NE - Ranchers and farmers, the foundation of Nebraska’s economy, is reeling from an onslaught of problems caused by drought and fire.

The total extent of the losses is still unknown, and so are the consequences — the weather will be the key.

“There’s not a good answer for the drought conditions until we get some relief from Mother Nature and the rains come,” said Steve Wellman, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. He added that it’s too early to estimate the extent of losses.

Ground cover and pasture land has burned off, topsoil is eroding, fences and center pivot irrigation systems have been destroyed, some livestock have been lost and others have been scattered.

Topsoil is blowing away at a rate some farmers and ranchers haven’t seen in years. Also lost in the fires was some of the fertilizer and other soil treatments farmers had put on the ground, leading to lost investments and uncertainty about how much to do over.

To make matters worse, likely hundreds of center pivot irrigation systems have been damaged in the fires. It is not yet clear whether insurance will cover the losses.

Fencing was destroyed in the fire as well, leaving the cattle that survived to roam without boundary. The cattle are likely in continuous search of food after the fires burned pasturelands and bales of hay.

For the full article click HERE

PROPOSAL TO BUILD STATE'S LARGEST FEEDLOT HITS SNAG, BUT NOW HEADED FOR ANOTHER VOTE

LINCOLN- A proposal to build perhaps the state’s largest cattle feedlot in a rural, southwest Nebraska county is getting a second chance after the Dundy County Board refused to approve the idea last month.

The proposal by Blackshirt Feeders LP to construct a $65-million feedlot, holding up to 100,000 cattle and consuming 10 million bushels of corn a year, has stirred controversy and been the center of debate over the past couple of months in southwest Nebraska.

One side is greatly advocating for the project pitching the idea that it is needed for economic development, jobs, and a new customer for corn. Opponents draw attention to the small county that would house the lot, claiming they do not have abundant water resources.

A decision on whether the project moves forward is now expected to be announced by the county board May 16.

On Thursday, the three Dundy County commissioners met in a closed, executive session in Benkelman to consider what to do after the board failed to approve the feedlot project at its April 5 meeting.

The manager of Blackshirt Feeders, Dr. Eric Behlke, a veterinarian and native of Benkelman who now works as a feedlot consultant for a Canadian company, said he’s hopeful the project will get the OK.

“We have a chance to capitalize on our two most important resources, corn and cattle,” he said.

For the full article click HERE

EGGERS: 'BEST, LAST CHANCE' FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

LINCOLN- Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana says time is running out on the state’s best, last chance to get medical cannabis on the November ballot.

A petition drive needs 87,000 signatures by July 7, but Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana does not have any professional petition circulators.

Eggers: “We need people to come out and sign. Time is of the essence. Our campaign is not going to survive if people do not step up, find a signing location, contact our campaign Nebraska Marijuana.org.”

Eggers, whose son battles intractable epilepsy, said the success of the petition would be among the first grassroots campaign to make it on the ballot without paid circulators.

She said the campaign was tossed in the last election after collecting 196,000 signatures based on a technicality, but she feels the legal experts have drafted the new petitions based on court and secretary of state rulings.

For the full article click HERE

UNO PARTNERS WITH EMPLOYERS TO EXPAND PAID INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

OMAHA - In an effort to retain young talent and make graduating from college more attainable in Nebraska, the University of Nebraska at Omaha is partnering with more than 50 employers to offer paid internships to UNO students. 

The Career Connect program focuses on helping college students obtain relevant career experience and giving employers access to interns who can help support their operations.

Announced Monday, May 2, the initiative will partner with Fortune 500 companies like Charles Schwab and Mutual of Omaha. Additionally, community-focused organizations such as Latino Center have partnered with the program. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li expects students to be able to earn a fair wage at the positions. 

A "fair wage" according to Li could be between $15 and $17 per hour. She also said paid internships are expected to benefit a student body where 80% are working and one-third are Pell-grant eligible. 

“We don’t want to just talk about it (and) write about it. We just want to do it,” she said. 

Participating employers must pledge at least one paid internship position for a UNO student. The positions must be in fields that the state has designated as H3 — high wage, high skill, and high demand. Many H3 jobs are focused in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

“You don’t have to flee to the coast to get an incredible experience in tech,” Li said, noting Nebraska opportunities in fields such as health care and agriculture.

For the full article click HERE

CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BROUGHT ON BY PANDEMIC COULD BE FELT FOR GENERATIONS

WASHINGTON — Experts and psychologists are continuing to warn of the consequences the COVID-19 pandemic will have on children’s mental health. 

Multiple studies have found that children are suffering mentally due to the pandemic and related lockdowns, disruptions, and ill effects on the health of kids and their loved ones. 

An analysis of the recent studies found increased rates of anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders, and various other mental health issues. Children and adolescents were found to have more difficulties with impulse control and were more likely to harm themselves. 

Dr. M. Mahbub Hossain of Texas A&M University coauthored the analysis which found that students of lower socioeconomic status were being hit the hardest. 

While the impact of the pandemic is already rearing its head, the full consequences will take much longer to fully come out. 

“There are many factors related to COVID-19 that are affecting mental health in children,” Hossain said. “Social distancing, lack of meaningful social interactions, closure of schools and disrupted psychosocial connections, internet addiction, adverse household experiences such as domestic abuse, lack of coping resources and skills, and experiencing health-related events within the household or community have negatively impacted mental health in young people.” 

Being aware of the problem is the first step to addressing it, experts say. 

For the full article click HERE

HOLLAND CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE POLL FINDS DISCONNECT BETWEEN VOTERS AND THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- There’s a disconnect between voter opinions about tax breaks for the wealthy and actions by the Nebraska Legislature, according to a recent poll commissioned by the Omaha-based Holland Children’s Institute.

A March 16-21 survey of 620 registered Nebraska voters found majorities of respondents believe that state government has prioritized tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy over help for children and families.

The poll comes after state lawmakers passed what was billed as the largest tax cut in history — gradual reductions in corporate income taxes, taxes on Social Security, and state income taxes for families earning more than $60,000 a year. 

The Holland poll found strong support for “fully funding K-12 education” (71%) and “ensuring Medicaid covers all uninsured, eligible Nebraska children” (70%), as well as increasing access to polling places and ballot drop boxes (74%). The poll indicated 69% of respondents opposed cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy.

Support for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour rose by 16 percentage points since July, to 60% in March, the poll indicated.

Results were mixed concerning education, with 51% support for tax credits for private school savings accounts, but 65% opposition to public funding of charter schools.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS BID TO BE AMONG THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES IN 2024

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Democratic Party is bidding to be among the first presidential primaries in 2024.

The party announced that its executive committee has submitted a letter of intent to the Democratic National Committee to make Nebraska one of the early states conducting its primaries prior to Super Tuesday in early March 2024.

The Democratic National Committee recently decided to open up bidding for the earliest primaries, asking states to explain why they should be included among a batch of five states to hold the first primaries. 

Jane Kleeb, who chairs the Nebraska state party, said Nebraska should be among the first primaries because if Democrats “want to win everywhere, we need to compete everywhere” and to show they can win in more than “the coasts” and a “handful of battleground states.”

For the full article click HERE

NEW HEAD OF GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER PLANS TO WORK TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CITY

OMAHA - The new CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber said she sees great potential for Omaha to become an even better place for workers, businesses and families.

Veta Jeffery said she was attracted to Omaha by the proven ability of the city’s civic and corporate sectors to work together to move the city forward. She wants to continue that. 

Jeffery said she will work to make Omaha a place where young people will want to stay, as well as to make sure that Omaha’s businesses are well cared for and can thrive and grow for generations to come.

Jeffery will start work next month. She said she’s looking forward to moving her family — including husband Tony and 12-year-old daughter Toni — to Omaha and to getting to know the community better. The couple also has a 21-year-old daughter.

She noted Forbes magazine already ranks Omaha among the nation’s great places to raise a family.

“Families want to be part of something that they feel is growing and thriving,” she said. “Omaha has all of the right combinations of ingredients to continue that.”

For the full article click HERE

HERBSTER'S ASSISTANT AND TWO WOMEN ALLEGING GROPING DISAGREE ABOUT 2019 DINNER

OMAHA — Nebraska governor candidate Charles Herbster’s campaign on Monday again challenged the accounts of two women who said Herbster groped them during a 2019 political fundraising dinner in Omaha.

The campaign issued a statement from Herbster’s paid personal assistant, Michelle Keithley. Keithley said in the statement that she rarely leaves Herbster’s side at “most political and social events.” Someone is “always there,” she said. 

However, Keithley acknowledged in her statement that she wasn't with Herbster during the entirety of the 2019 Elephant Remembers dinner, where the two women said they were groped. 

State Sen. Julie Slama has said Herbster reached up her skirt and touched her inappropriately while she walked by him at the dinner. 

Then-legislative staffer Elizabeth Todsen has said that at the same event Herbster pulled her into a hug as they were shaking hands, and he grabbed her buttocks.

Todsen had originally spoken anonymously but came forward Friday, April 29 to share her identity. The other six women accusing Herbster have remained anonymous. 

Slama's lawyer, Dave Lopez, said the legal process “will require Mr. Herbster, and others connected to him, including Ms. Keithley, to answer questions and make statements under penalty of perjury.” Herbster has sued Slama for defamation. Slama has counter-sued him for sexual battery. 

For the full article click HERE

DON KLEINE ENDORSES JIM PILLEN FOR GOVERNOR, WEIGHS IN ON SLAMA AND HERBSTER

OMAHA- Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, one of Nebraska’s top prosecutors, endorsed University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen in the GOP primary race for governor.

Kleine said he knows Pillen and his running mate, former U.S. Attorney for Nebraska Joe Kelly. Both, he said, will work to help those who enforce the law.

Kleine said he expects Pillen to hold criminals accountable and improve the state’s prisons so people get the help they need to re-enter society.

“He understands that public safety and the safety of the citizens of the state of Nebraska is the most important thing in the role of government,” Kleine said.

Pillen, asked about the impact of law enforcement endorsements, said he was “incredibly, incredibly proud” to be standing next to Kleine and Kelly.

Kleine was asked what he thought of State Sen. Julie Slama’s allegation that she was groped by one of Pillen’s top opponents, Conklin Co. CEO Charles Herbster.

Kleine said he shouldn’t weigh in but said he knows Slama and several senators who work with her and who stand by her side. He said coming forward took courage.

For the full article click HERE

IN NEBRASKA GOP GOVERNOR'S RACE, PILLEN OUTRAISES OPPONENTS; HERBSTER SELF-FUNDS; LINDSTROM A STRONG THIRD

LINCOLN- Fundraising in Nebraska’s three-way GOP governor’s race continues the trend set earlier in the campaign: Heading into the May 10 primary election, Charles Herbster is still largely self-funding his campaign; Jim Pillen has raised the most from donors; and Brett Lindstrom is exceeding expectations.

Herbster gave his campaign another $2.4 million from April through early May and received $17,330 from donors. To date, he has given his campaign $11.5 million of the $11.8 million total raised. His report listed $771,783 in cash on hand.

Pillen raised $296,460 from donors and another $280,625 from corporations and political action committees from April through early May. He has raised $8.4 million to date. His report listed $1.5 million in cash on hand.

Lindstrom raised $134,675 from donors from April through early May and another $311,000 from corporations and PACs. He also loaned his campaign $50,000. He has raised $2.52 million to date. His report listed $486,227 in cash on hand.

The next closest GOP candidate, former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, raised $4,718 from donors in April to early May. Including in-kind donations, she raised $6,082 for the period and $307,628 to date. Her report listed $15,979 in cash on hand.

Democrat Carol Blood raised $18,911 from donors and $3,100 from corporations of PACs. Blood has raised $147,000 to date. Her campaign listed $49,591 in cash on hand.

For the full article click HERE

PARTY REGISTRATION SWITCH AHEAD OF PRIMARY ACCELERATES AS GOP PICKS UP 8,400

LINCOLN- The switch in political party affiliation — likely fueled by a desire to vote in the hotly contested Republican primary race for governor — has increased in Nebraska, according to the latest figures

The Nebraska GOP has picked up more than 8,400 members over the past two months, including about 6,400 more just during the month of April, according to figures from the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office.

The increase in Republicans compares to a loss of 5,625 registered Democrats during that period and 2,631 fewer voters registered as nonpartisan — a total of 8,256.

Over the past two months, total voter registration increased by only 595 voters.

John Hibbing, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science professor, said it is only “sensible” that Democrats and nonpartisans would want to vote in the tight, three-way race between University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, Falls City businessman Charles Herbster and State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha.

“I don’t think it means they’re being disloyal,” Hibbing said of Democrats who switched. “(But) the odds are extremely strong that the winner of the Republican primary is going to be the next governor.”

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS QUESTION SARPY COUNTY EARLY VOTING NUMBERS AHEAD OF PRIMARY

OMAHA — The state Democratic Party chair questions if it's newly appointed Sarpy County Election Commissioner Emily Ethington's inexperience or something else when it comes to a low number of early voting ballot requests.

Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed her in the fall of 2021.

"The one thing we have heard from voters in Sarpy County is that they are very confused," Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said.

Kleeb is questioning Ethington's lack of proactivity in regard to encouraging the practice of early voting ballots.

"The election commissioners in Lancaster and Douglas have been very good about having a permanent vote by mail list sending out regular communication to voters on how they can vote by mail. The Sarpy County Election Commissioner has not," Kleeb said.

Ethington wrote in an email that Sarpy County historically has not sent out early voting ballot applications.

"This has not been the practice. Sending early voting ballot applications doesn't give more people a chance to vote," Ethington wrote.

KETV found that early voting has decreased in Sarpy County by roughly half in comparison to the 2018 Gubernatorial Primary.

Now that the May 2nd, deadline for early voting requests has passed, voters who don't already have an early ballot in their hands can only vote in person at the election office or their polling place.

For the full article click HERE

TWO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF

OMAHA- Two Republican candidates are facing off for Douglas County sheriff and hoping to bring changes to the office if elected.

Aaron Hanson is the current fugitive task force supervisor for Omaha police and George Merrithew is a retired Omaha police lieutenant.

Hanson is an Omaha native with 25 years of law enforcement experience and has served in multiple capacities. Outside of the uniform, he works with the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development, helping young people break the cycle of poverty.

"We have to keep criminals safe from themselves sometimes and that includes arresting or taking enforcement action and unfortunately, putting some people in jail and prison. But at the same time, we have to have that equal counterbalance," Hanson said.

Hanson said his goals are to make everyone feel safe, protect second amendment rights and build partnerships through community policing.

Merrithew is a retired police lieutenant, lawyer, and serves in the Army Reserve. He said with 25 years on the force and serving in almost every bureau, he brings the skills, education, and experience to hold the office.

"You ask anyone who knows me and I'm always standing up for the little guy and making sure that that system doesn't crush the individual that the individual is respected and their position is respected," Merrithew said.

Merrithew wants to offer free gun safety courses, work with police to tackle crime and ensure second amendment rights are protected.

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TRUMP RALLIES FOR HERBSTER, DEFENDS FORTENBERRY AND ATTACKS BACON, SASSE

GREENWOOD, NE — Former President Donald Trump and more than 3,000 of his fans brought his 2020-focused roadshow to Nebraska on Sunday, where Trump defended GOP gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster from groping allegations by eight women.

Trump has supported Herbster in Nebraska's May 10 Republican governor's primary race against University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen and State Sen. Brett Lindstrom.

Although, Trump spent the majority of the hour and 40-minute speech discussing his own loss to President Joe Biden. Additionally, he attacked two Republican elected officials from Nebraska.

Trump called U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse a “gnat” who was good to him for two years, when Sasse needed an endorsement to win re-election, but he said Sasse showed his true self afterward. Trump called 2nd District Rep. Don Bacon “bad news” and asked Nebraskans not to vote for him again.

Trump, Herbster, and My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell criticized the Nebraska political establishment generally, without naming anyone specifically.

“The establishment has taken over … the Nebraska Republican Party,” Herbster said. “They’re trying to scare me out of the race. It’s not going to work.”

Trump tried to give Herbster cover against the allegations of groping. Herbster is “the last person to do any of this stuff,” Trump said.

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