GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS OPENS FOR SMALL NEBRASKA MEAT PROCESSORS AND $10 MILLION IN FEDERAL RESCUE FUNDS

OMAHA- The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has started to accept applications for nearly $10 million in grant money available for projects aimed at enhancing small meat processing facilities.

The Independent Processor Assistance Program grants come from Nebraska’s share of more than $1 billion in federal ARPA funds.

Qualifications to apply for the grant include existing sales revenue less than $2.5 million, fewer than 25 employees, and submission by August 12th.

“Nebraska is a leader in meat production and processing, which is a vital part of our nation’s food supply,” said Steve Wellman, director of the state Department of Agriculture. “Our livestock producers and meat processors have already faced many unique challenges created by the pandemic, and yet they continue to find solutions to keep the food chain operating.” 

State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who sponsored the legislation, has said the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated how easily the food chain can be disrupted, particularly when it comes to fresh beef and pork.

For the full article click HERE

LPS LOOKED TO OTHER DISTRICTS WHEN REVISING PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY, BUT RULES VARY ACROSS STATE

LINCOLN - When the Lincoln Board of Education revised its public comment rules last May, board members said the change would bring Lincoln Public Schools more in line with other school districts in the state. 

The most significant changes include reducing speakers' time from five minutes to three and setting limits on when speakers could sign up.

However, the ways that school boards in the state approach public participation at meetings are almost as varied as the number of state districts. These meetings have become an outlet for parents and patrons to voice concerns over a variety of issues. 

"There's a whole slew of ways of doing it," said David Jespersen, public information officer with the Nebraska Department of Education. 

LPS officials say the revisions to the policy and regulations that govern public comment flesh out practices already in existence, such as defining what people can bring to meetings.

Additionally, they argue the reduction in speakers' time allows for more speakers in the first public comment period while allowing the board to get to its business.

LPS board member Bob Rauner, who serves on the Nebraska Association of School Boards Board of Directors, said the changes were, in part, the result of conversations he had with board members from other districts and how they run public comment. 

For the full article click HERE

FARMLAND PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE IN NEBRASKA, HITTING RECORD LEVEL

LINCOLN- Farmland sales have historically been the most active after harvest and before planting season, generally October or November to April. 

Chris Scow of United Farm and Ranch Management said he has seen a noticeable change in the past couple of years.

"We've kind of had an active sales market all through the year," said Scow. 

The demand for farmland that's driving year-round sales also is pushing prices to heights not seen in Nebraska history.

According to final results from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report, overall farm prices in the state rose 16% this year to $3,360 an acre, an all-time record. Values were strongest in the northeast part of the state, up 21%, while the northern region had the smallest increase of 11%.

A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City estimated Nebraska's fourth-quarter land prices were up 31% for non-irrigated cropland, 21% for irrigated land and 23% for ranchland compared with a year ago.

There are a number of reasons driving both demand and prices, including higher crop prices, political and economic instability, increased interest from investors and historically low interest rates.

For the full article click HERE

PROPERTY TAKEN FROM NEBRASKA GOP HEADQUARTERS FOLLOWING CONTROVERSIAL CONVENTION

LINCOLN- Following a convention that changed the leadership of the Nebraska GOP, about $1,000 worth of property was reported as stolen from the party headquarters. 

A party volunteer had arrived at the party headquarters to meet a locksmith. Upon entering the office, the volunteer noted that the building had “obviously been disturbed,” and that there was a computer missing and the security cameras had been removed.

New party chairman Eric Underwood and other Republicans have preached a message of unity. The new leadership said they hope to bring a “people-first, bottom-up approach” to the party. 

Underwood acknowledged the missing items at a press conference but said he had “no actual facts” regarding what happened at the GOP headquarters. Underwood said he still had the resources he needed to continue running the party. He said he has the party’s bank funds secured, as well as access to the party’s website and social media accounts.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA'S 2022 REVENUE RECEIPTS EXCEED ANNUAL FORECAST BY 30.1%

LINCOLN- Nebraska closed out its fiscal year on a record high note, with net tax revenues nearing $6.35 billion, according to a new state report.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue report shows the state collected $624 million more for the fiscal year that ended June 30 than predicted just four months earlier.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, said the increased revenues mean lawmakers should do more to reduce taxes next year, perhaps by cutting income tax rates more or faster or both.

“This sets the next Legislature up with a prime opportunity to build on the historic tax relief we delivered to Nebraskans in 2022,” said Governor Ricketts.

But Sen. John Stinner of Gering said the increased tax collections will bolster the state’s cash reserve fund and leave Nebraska in a better position to weather economic uncertainties.

The State’s strong revenue numbers come on the heels of news affirming Nebraska’s business-friendly climate.  Earlier this week, CNBC released its annual ranking of America’s Top States for Business.  Nebraska climbed to #7 nationally and is now the top state in the Midwest.

For the full article click HERE

RICKETTS APPOINTS NORFOLK REAL ESTATE AGENT TO FLOOD'S LEGISLATIVE SEAT

LINCOLN - Norfolk real estate agent Robert Dover was appointed Friday by Gov. Pete Ricketts to fill the District 19 seat in the Legislature vacated by the election of Mike Flood to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Dover is the president of Coldwell Banker Dover Realtors in Norfolk and has previously served as chairman of the Madison County Republicans. 

Ricketts introduced him at a brief event Friday, July 22 where he was sworn in by Secretary of State Robert Evnen.

Upon his swearing-in, the event ended somewhat abruptly without giving members of the media to ask the new senator any questions. 

This comes in stark contrast to the event last month when Ricketts appointed and introduced Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha to fill the District 31 seat vacated by the death of Sen. Rich Pahls.

For the full article click HERE

NO HONEYMOON FOR NEW CONGRESSMAN MIKE FLOOD AS DEMOCRATS SLAM HIS 'NO' VOTE ON ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERT SYSTEMS

LINCOLN- Two days after being sworn into office U.S. congressman Mike Flood was blasted by Democrats following a vote on an amber alert type warning system for active shooters.

The bill that was being voted on had fellow Rep. Don Bacon listed as a co-sponsor to the proposal.

The House bill advanced Wednesday to the Senate on a 260-169 vote, with 43 Republicans, including Bacon, voting yes. Flood and U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., voted no.

Pansing Brooks, in a tweet Thursday, slammed the “no” vote, saying the proposal was widely backed by law enforcement.

“His vote is another example of the lock-step partisanship tearing our country apart,” she tweeted.

Jane Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, and Dennis Crawford, a former Democratic candidate for Congress, also tweeted their criticism of Flood’s vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — whom Flood has criticized during his campaign — also slammed Republicans who voted against the proposal.

For the full article click HERE

FLOOD AND PASNING BROOKS SPAR OVER HOUSE ABORTION RIGHTS BILL

LINCOLN- Rep. Mike Flood voted against legislation that sought to restore abortion rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that wiped out Roe v. Wade.

The bill was approved by the Democratic majority in the House on a 219-210 vote and is almost certain to be blocked in the Senate.

Flood, the newly elected 1st District Republican congressman, described the proposal as "abortion-on-demand extremism."

Patty Pansing Brooks responded by saying, "Mike Flood's draconian position on women's reproductive access became even more clear."

Flood "voted against a bill to allow women and children to travel across state lines for life-saving health care services," Pansing Brooks said.

After only over a week with Flood House of Representatives, it is clear that abortion will be a driving topic in the November rematch between Flood and Pansing Brooks.

For the full article click HERE

SLAMA'S LAWYER CALLS HERBSTER'S MOTION TO AMEND HIS LAWSUIT 'FUTILE' AND AN ATTEMPT TO DELAY

LINCOLN — A lawyer for State Sen. Julie Slama is calling an attempt by former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster to amend his defamation lawsuit “futile” and a delaying tactic.

Herbster, a former gubernatorial candidate, filed suit after Slama and seven other women accused him of sexually groping them. Slama reported that Herbster had reached up her dress at a Republican event and toucher her inappropriately.

Slama, a state Sen. for Nebraska's 1st District and law student, countersued.

Now, Herbster has filed legal motions to amend his original lawsuit, citing the allegations against him had changed from "groping" to "sexual assault" and that Slama's attorney was attempting to try the legal battle in the media.

David Lopez, Slama's lead attorney, refuted those claims in a five-page legal response posted Monday, July 18.

Lopez wrote that his comments to the media are within the state's guidelines for conduct by lawyers when dealing with a public trial and that Herbster used his "media bullhorn" to attack the state Senator.

Additionally, Lopez says that Herbster's recent request "only confirms that the true purpose of amendment is to interfere with Senator Slama's counsel and unduly delay this litigation."

The next court hearing in the legal battle is scheduled for August 15.

For the full article click HERE

NEW NEBRASKA GOP CHAIR SAYS FALL RACES WILL FEEL THE SAME, BUT THE PRIMARIES MIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT

HASTINGS- Republicans have already picked their general election nominees, but may notice a difference in elections following November.

New party leadership, like the former leadership, said it will support every GOP nominee in November.

But leaders who were voted into control of the state GOP say they expect livelier primary elections, driven by grassroots Republicans, in the future.

“I think there’s going to be a healthy conversation done that way,” said new state GOP Chairman Eric Underwood.

Some Republicans have worried privately that having more challenges to incumbent Republican officeholders could harm the quality of candidates willing to step forward.

Underwood disagreed, saying “iron sharpens iron.” More frequent challenges to Republican incumbents could be “a healthy thing for the Republican Party … and for Nebraska,” he said.

For the full article click HERE

BACON LEADING VARGAS IN FUNDRAISING WHILE JUNE SPECIAL ELECTION POWERS FUNDRAISING IN NEBRASKA'S 1ST DISTRICT

OMAHA — In the 2nd District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., outraised State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha by June 30, $2.72 million to $1.64 million, campaign finance reports show. Bacon reported spending $1.64 million through June. Vargas reported having spent $1.11 million over the same span.

Bacon and Vargas have spent the summer painting one another as extreme and partisan in a race that is expected to draw a lot of outside money. 

Bacon has already seen more than $800,000 in outside money from police and firefighter SuperPACs come his way. He’s likely to benefit from National Republican Congressional Committee spending, having been identified as a purple seat the national GOP wants to protect. A progressive outside group, Unrig Our Economy, has pledged more than $1 million in outside spending against Bacon. Vargas has also been identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for its “Red-to-Blue” program, targeted at GOP-held swing districts that Democrats want to gain. 

Meanwhile a rare special election in June jolted fundraising in eastern Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, making the dash for dollars nearly as competitive as the fight for votes.

In the 1st District special election, then-State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk won after out-fundraising State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks $1.36 million to $983,000. Flood, who entered the race in January, listed $47,435 in cash on hand at the close of the second quarter. Pansing Brooks, who faced nominal competition in the primary, listed $356,511 in cash on hand as of June 30. 

Pansing Brooks, an abortion-rights Democrat, says she has received more interest from donors since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its longstanding position on Roe v. Wade, sending decisions on the legality of abortion back to lawmakers. Flood, an anti-abortion Republican, has supported an abortion ban at the state level. He has also said that he is willing to pass a ban at the federal level.

As an incumbent congressman, Flood is now backed by Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whose fundraising prowess could help him refill his campaign funds quickly.

For the full article click HERE

TEMPORARY CASINO IN LINCOLN COULD BE OPEN IN JUST OVER 2 MONTHS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission gave WarHorse Gaming and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association the go-ahead to start work on a temporary casino at the Lincoln Race Course that will have up to 300 slot machines.

Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the horsemen's group, said work will include laying out and reconfiguring space in the existing simulcast wagering building and doing wiring for gaming equipment.

McNally said that if all goes as planned, the temporary casino will open Sept. 19 at Lincoln Race Course, which is located near U.S. 77 at West Denton Road.

WarHorse held a groundbreaking on July 12th for its Lincoln casino resort, which has a projected price tag of $220 million and will include 1,200 gaming stations, a 196-room hotel, event space, spa and several restaurants.

Fonner Park in Grand Island also is planning a temporary casino with about 200 slot machines that it hopes to open sometime in the fall.

For the full article click HERE

OPS BOARD APPROVES RAISE AND CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR SUPERINTENDENT

OMAHA- The superintendent of Nebraska’s largest school district received a raise and contract extension.

The Omaha Public Schools board approved a 4.85% raise and an employment contract through June 30, 2025, for Cheryl Logan during its meeting.

“It has been and continues to be the honor of my career to serve here,” Logan said.

Logan will receive $329,113 as her base salary for the 2022-23 school year, according to a pay transparency notice. Last year her salary was $313,890.

Logan’s contract features a $12,000 transportation stipend and a new provision that allows her to take up to 10 paid days of consulting leave per year. This will allow her to provide consulting services outside of OPS.

Five board members who were present supported raising Logan’s salary and extending her contract.

For the full article click HERE

OPA ANNOUNCES NEW $103 MILLION VENUE NEXT TO HOLLAND CENTER

OMAHA - Omaha Performing Arts is adding a new venue downtown. A $103 million Center for Arts Engagement will be built on the east side of the Holland Performing Arts Center. 

The green lawn space between Dodge and Douglas streets will be the home of the new facility. Omaha Performing Arts said it will fill the need for additional rehearsal, workroom, and classroom space.

OPA President Joan Squires said that performing arts education and engagement programs that serve the community are a key part of its mission.

“These activities already reach over 100,000 students and participants annually from across Nebraska and beyond," she said. "With our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we want to broaden these programs and launch new ones, and we simply do not have adequate space." 

The new venue will hopefully help spur other investments downtown Omaha, including a newly renovated Gene Leahy Mall. Fundraising is underway to cover the $103 million facility cost. 

For the full article click HERE

UNL GETS $1M TO HELP DEVELOP EARLY WARNING SYSTEM OF DROUGHT-FUELED POLITICAL INSTABILITY

LINCOLN - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will play a significant role in helping the U.S. military develop an early warning system for global political instability fueled by drought. 

UNL's School of Natural Resources is home to the National Drought Mitigation Center which received $1 million from the U.S. Defense Department to develop a method for forecasting drought hotspots.

Ross Miller, a UNL associate professor of political science, said that drought is often a contributor to violent conflicts globally. Miller pointed to research that indicates drought worsened the civil wars in two African countries: the Darfur region of Sudan and in Burundi.

Research has also found that severe droughts, fueled by climate change, contributed to the Arab Spring protests and uprisings in the Middle East in the early 2010s.

The drought tool is one part of a larger Defense Department effort to get ahead of brewing trouble spots.

Climate change is expected to increase the severity of drought, which affects more people worldwide than any other natural hazard, according to the United Nations. The percentage of the world affected by drought has more than doubled in the last 40 years, according to the U.N. The risk of instability is greater in those countries where there’s little to no social safety net and families depend upon farming and gardening for their food.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA'S SUICIDE PREVENTION 'LIFELINE' IS SWITCHING TO EASIER-TO-REMEMBER 9-8-8 NUMBER

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s suicide prevention “lifeline” is moving to a new, simpler, three-digit number — 9-8-8 — as of Saturday, July 16, as part of a nationwide effort to make help easier to access during a mental health crisis.

The current suicide crisis line, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), will eventually be replaced by a simpler three-digit number. 

Gov. Pete Ricketts and other officials said Wednesday that the easier-to-remember number will also allow a connection to all of the crisis intervention teams that are deployed statewide.

Ricketts and others urged Nebraskans to be proactive and listen to their relatives, friends, and neighbors for signs of depression, isolation, or contemplation of suicide. 

“We know that it can be hard to start conversations about mental health, but they are very important conversations and could save a life,” said Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. 

According to national vital statistics from 2020, 53% of all suicides were committed with a firearm. Ricketts, however, said he would not support changes in gun laws to help prevent suicides.

“I don’t see a need to change gun laws,” he said. “We need to focus on behavioral health and mental health.” 

For the full article click HERE

PROPOSAL FOR STATE'S LARGEST FEEDLOT GETTING BIGGER, SEEKING NEW SITE IN SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA

LINCOLN — A group of veterinarians seeking to build the state’s largest feedlot for cattle is now proposing an even larger facility in a new location in Dundy County.

Eric Behlke, the head of Blackshirt Feeders, is now eyeing a location north of Haigler, Nebraska near the Colorado border.

Eventually, the proposed feedlot would feed 150,000 head of cattle at a time, which is 50,000 head larger than the planned feedlot site 23 miles north of Benkelman which was approved by the county for Blackshirt Feeders in June. That location had drawn complaints about being too close to a residence and possibly threatening groundwater quality and quantity.  

One member of the Dundy County Board, Richard Bartholomew of Benkelman, said Wednesday, July 13 that the new location is much more palatable to him because it impacts fewer neighbors.

Bartholomew added that all of the property tax benefits will go to Dundy County schools via the new location.

Blackshirt’s application for a conditional use permit for the feedlot notes that the new location is farther away from nearby residences and cemeteries and requires only about 1/4 of a mile of county road, which Blackshirt Feeders will pay to pave.

The feedlot will also invest an additional $125 million, the application stated, to build a methane digester, to turn the manure produced by the cattle into fuel.

For the full article click HERE

OMAHA, FREMONT TO SHARE IN $10 MILLION IN HOUSING GRANTS FOR 'BOMB CYCLONE' FLOOD RECOVERY

LINCOLN- Five low-income housing projects in Omaha and Fremont will share $10 million in federal funding, part of $109 million the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sent to Nebraska to recover from flooding in 2019.

HUD set aside about $26 million of that relief money for affordable housing in communities impacted by the “bomb cyclone” floods in March of 2019. 

Douglas, Sarpy and Dodge Counties were deemed the “most impacted” counties by the flooding by HUD, according to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which announced the grant awards Monday.

A total of 231 housing units are planned using the $10 million.

Recipients, which will receive $2 million each, are:

• Kennedy Square East/Brinshore Development LLC, 2912 Spencer St., Omaha, 63 new rental units.  

• Drexel/Foundations Development LLC: 18011 Drexel St., Omaha, 50 new rental units.

• Sahler/Foundations Development, 4150 N. 132nd St., Omaha, 50 new rental units.

• Fremont Northside Townhomes II/Mesner Development, near 29th and North Yager Road, Fremont, 27 new rental units.

• Highlander Phase V/Brinshore Development, 2198 N. 31st St., Omaha, 41 new rental units.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA SEN. MEGAN HUNT OF OMAHA AMONG 48 CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP

OMAHA- State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha is among 48 state leaders in 32 states selected to participate in the prestigious Council of State Government Henry Toll Fellowship program.

The fellowship is a leadership development program for state government officials, said a statement from the CSG based in Lexington, Kentucky. Hunt is the only Nebraskan chosen for this year’s class.

She called it an honor to be recognized among “visionary changemakers” across the country.

“We need fighters in all levels of government and policymaking who are hearing and really responding to the needs and concerns of everyday people,” Hunt said. “I ran for office because I know that we can do more collectively rather than individually.”

Each year, the fellowship brings up to 48 applicants from all three branches of state government to the Council of State Governments’ national headquarters for an extensive, five-day leadership boot camp. This year’s camp is in August.

The program’s sessions are designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth while providing networking opportunities. 

For the full article click HERE

RICKETTS SAYS HE'LL KEEP FIGHTING VACCINATION MANDATE FOR NATIONAL GUARD BUT IS LOSING BATTLE

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts said he’s continuing to battle the federal government over the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Nebraska National Guard members but has been losing that battle.

During the governor’s monthly radio call-in show, he was asked twice to continue fighting the mandate. One Guard member said she was now being barred from participating in weekend drills and gaining points toward retirement because she had not been vaccinated.

The vaccine mandate for members of the Army National Guard went into effect on June 30 according to Maj. Scott Ingalsbe, a spokesman for the Nebraska National Guard.

The Army National Guard has about 3,300 members, Ingalsbe said. Effective June 30, those who are unvaccinated or do not have a pending or approved exception for medical or religious reasons can no longer participate, or be paid, for weekend drills, he said, though they remain in the Guard. Such drills are funded federally.

Ricketts, who signed onto a letter in December with four other Republican governors protesting the military vaccine mandate, said that he continues to oppose the mandate. But he said he has been unsuccessful in arguing that Guard service within a state should be governed by the governor of that state.

For the full article click HERE