U.S. SENATE DEMOCRATS FAIL TO ENSHRINE NATIONWIDE ABORTION PROTECTIONS, VOW MORE ACTION

WASHINGTON — Efforts to secure the nationwide right to an abortion stalled for a second time Wednesday when U.S. Senate Democrats failed to get enough votes to overcome the legislative filibuster. 

Republicans, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, voted uniformly against limiting debate on the bill while Democrats, save West Virginia’s Joe Manchin, voted to advance the measure toward final passage. 

The bill, sponsored by Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, would have given health care providers the right to perform abortions and for patients to terminate their pregnancy without having to adhere to 11 different government restrictions. Health care providers would not have been required to perform tests or procedures that weren’t medically necessary or to give patients medically inaccurate information before performing an abortion. Governments couldn’t have banned abortions before the viability threshold, typically between 22 and 24 weeks into a pregnancy, and post-viability abortions couldn’t be restricted when “in the good-faith medical judgment of the treating health care provider, a continuation of the pregnancy would pose a risk to the pregnant patient’s life or health.” Health care providers could not be restricted from prescribing medication for abortion as long as it was based on “current evidence-based regimens or the provider’s good-faith medical judgment, other than a limitation generally applicable to the medical profession.”

The 49-51 procedural vote was the second time this year Senate Democrats have attempted to advance a bill to codify the right to an abortion. But it was the first vote on abortion access since Politico published a leaked draft opinion from Associate Justice Samuel Alito showing the U.S. Supreme Court poised to overturn Roe v. Wade within the next two months.

For the full article click HERE

RICKETTS SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR PAHLS' REPLACEMENT IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts is seeking applicants to fill an open seat in the Nebraska Legislature that was created after the death of State Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha.

Applications to fill the vacancy in Legislative District 31 will be accepted until 5 p.m. May 27, according to a press release. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 21, be registered to vote, and must have lived within the district for at least one year. 

District 31 lies in Douglas County and includes most of the Millard neighborhood in southwest Omaha. The boundaries are between South 192nd Street and South 144th Street, and between West Center Road and Harrison Street.

Interested individuals may complete an application for an executive appointment online at governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req.

The appointee will serve until Jan. 3, 2023. During the November 2022 general election, voters will elect a member of the Legislature for District 31 to serve the remainder of Pahls’ original term, which lasts until January 2025. 

For the full article click HERE

PRIMARY SUCCESS ENERGIZES CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES FOR NEBRASKA'S STATE EDUCATION BOARD

LINCOLN- Elizabeth Tegtmeier of North Platte, Sherry Jones of Grand Island, and Kirk Penner of Aurora all finished the primary night holding wide margins over their general election opponents. 

The fourth candidate, Marni Hodgen, advanced to the general election as well, edging out former state board member John Sieler in the Douglas County district. If they maintain their margins in the general election, the board will have some new conservative faces in January. To win seats, they will have to beat four candidates backed by the Nebraska state teachers union: Robin Stevens, Danielle Helzer, Helen Raikes and Deborah Neary. All four of them advanced.

“I think for so long, the state board has flown under people’s radar, and this past year has really highlighted that our representatives are not reflective of the voters,” Tegtmeier said. “Instead, they seem to be the mouthpiece for special interest groups.” 

The four conservative candidates were endorsed by the Protect Nebraska Children PAC, the group that mounted a relentless fight against proposed health education standards last year. 

For the full article click HERE

EVNEN FENDED OFF TWO CHALLENGERS TO WIN GOP PRIMARY FOR SECRETARY OF STATE

LINCOLN- Secretary of State Bob Evnen fended off two challengers in Tuesday’s Republican primary who claimed that widespread voter fraud cost Donald Trump the 2020 election.

Evnen claimed 44% of the last week's primary, outdistancing his GOP rivals, Robert Borer and Rex Schroder, who polled 32% and 24%, respectively. The victory means that Evnen, a 69-year-old attorney from Lincoln, likely will win a second term. No Democrats filed to run for the post this year.

“I am grateful to Nebraska Republicans for putting their trust in me,” Evnen said in a statement Tuesday night. “I will continue to work to secure our elections and to perform the many other responsibilities of the office.” 

Both Borer, a retired Lincoln firefighter, and Schroder, a small business owner from Palmyra, had based their campaign largely on claims that the state’s vote-counting machines have been compromised and that fraudulent voting had occurred under Evnen’s watch. Both questioned whether Joe Biden had truly won an electoral vote in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, where he outpolled Trump by more than 22,000 votes.

For the full article click HERE

POLITICAL PARTIES CONFIDENT ABOUT FLIPPING SEATS IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Republicans could gain a filibuster-proof majority in the Nebraska Legislature if the results of the Nebraska primary election are repeated in November. 

Election tallies from the Secretary of State’s Office show Republican candidates leading in two districts now held by Democrats, while a Democrat leads in one district held by a Republican.

If that proves to be the general election outcome, Republicans would have 33 seats in the 49-member Legislature, enough to push through bills banning abortion, allowing Nebraskans to carry concealed guns without a permit and returning the state to a winner-take-all Electoral College system.  

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, dismissed that possibility. She said she’s confident of keeping all 17 seats held by Democrats and possibly adding one or two. Her watch list includes an Omaha race in which Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek, an independent, is running against R. Brad von Gillern, a Republican. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA REPUBLICANS RALLY FOR 'UNITY' AS PARTY SHOWS CRACKS HEADING INTO FALL

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s Republicans upheld their last week of hosting a “unity rally” the day after GOP candidates compete in contested primary elections. 

Charles Herbster, the second-place finisher in the gubernatorial race, attended, as did Theresa Thibodeau, Herbster’s former running mate, who finished fourth in the governor’s primary. Thibodeau and several others who lost primary elections Tuesday attended the rally to show that they back the winning candidates, including University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, the GOP nominee for governor. State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, who finished third in the governor’s primary race, didn’t attend the rally in order to spend time with his family, although he endorsed Pillen during his concession speech.

GOP incumbents faced stiffer-than-usual protest votes on Tuesday, including many from voters who lodged complaints online about the state’s “political establishment.” 

For the full article click HERE

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BACKERS FILE A LEGAL CHALLENGE IN PETITION PROCESS

LINCOLN- Supporters of medical marijuana in Nebraska have launched a legal challenge to the state’s requirement that 5% of registered voters in at least 38 counties sign a petition to get the measure before voters on the ballot.

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska in filing the federal civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court. 

The organizations requested a decision by July 7 on the constitutionality of the multicounty signature distribution requirement. They also requested a court order to suspend the requirement by that date, which is the deadline for petitioners to submit their collected signatures. 

The lawsuit argues that the multicounty distribution requirement is an unconstitutional roadblock that violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment guarantee of free speech and the 14th Amendment’s equal protection and due process clauses.

“Nebraska’s counties vary widely in population,” the lawsuit says. “As a result, Nebraska’s signature distribution requirement gives disproportionate influence to voters in sparsely populated counties.”

For the full article click HERE

RICKETTS SIGNS OFF ON NEBRASKA CASINO RULES BUT FIRST BETS ARE STILL MONTHS AWAY

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts has signed off on rules to allow casino gaming in Nebraska, but residents are still a ways off from feeding slot machines. 

The regulations approved this week and set to go into effect on May 16th open the window for potential casino operators to apply for licenses some 18 months after voters approved expanded gambling at the state's horse racing tracks. 

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission earlier this year approved licensing forms for casino operators and key personnel. But at the last meeting, the board delayed a vote on the fee structure for those applications.

That means none of the entities seeking to operate casinos can apply until the commission approves the fees, which is likely to happen at its next meeting on June 2, said Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Assuming those fees are approved on June 2, potential casino operators could then apply for licenses the next day.

Tom Sage, Director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, said he expects it will take 30-60 days to process the applications, which will then have to go on a commission agenda for approval. 

For the full article click HERE

NURSES SAY THEIR FIELD IS CHALLENGING AND REWARDING, DESPITE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES

LINCOLN — Nursing remains a rewarding job despite the workforce challenges facing the profession.  

A handful of nurses shared this message Monday, May 9 during a Zoom press conference regarding the annual commemoration of Nurses Week, May 6-12.

The increased workload and stress caused by COVID-19, as well as earlier than expected retirement in the field, is contributing to a workforce shortage in the field.

By the year 2025, Nebraska is expected to be short 5,400 nurses according to Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association.

“We really need to invest in education in the long haul, but if we’re going to get through this workforce crisis, we’re going to have to retain who we have,” Nordquist said. 

He went on to say that the shortage of nurses and certified nursing assistants has run between 15% and 20% in some areas of the state in recent weeks. However, he also noted that some nurses are beginning to return to full-time positions after working as "traveling" nurses during the height of the pandemic. 

The Nebraska Legislature took several steps towards addressing the workforce challenges in the 2022 session, including increased funding for loan forgiveness programs and scholarships for those entering the health care field.

For the full article click HERE

OFFUT AIRMEN ASK JUDGE TO BLOCK COVID VACCINE MANDATE, CITING RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

BELLEVUE- Three current or former Offutt airmen who have refused the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds asked a federal district court judge in Omaha to stop the Air Force from discharging or otherwise punishing them.

Capt. Ian McGee, an RC-135 instructor pilot with the Offutt-based 55th Wing, said he applied for a religious exemption eight months ago but hasn’t received a response from his chain of command. He expects it to be denied, as the Air Force has denied nearly all of the more than 7,800 airmen who have applied for them under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, known as RFRA.

McGee said he would give up his nine-year military career rather than be injected with a vaccine tested with cell lines taken many years ago from aborted fetuses.

“It goes against my sincerely held religious beliefs as a born-again Christian,” McGee testified. 

The three airmen are part of a larger group of 36 — including active-duty, National Guard and reserves — who filed suit in U.S. District Court in Nebraska in March seeking to overturn the mandate issued by the Pentagon last August. They argue it is a violation of their First Amendment rights.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For more on this article click HERE

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