PSC GRANTS $7.8 MILLION TO BUILD CELL TOWERS IN RURAL AREAS OF NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Public Service Commission announced $7.8 million in funding to two wireless phone companies to build cellular towers in rural areas of the state, several of them in Southeast Nebraska.

U.S. Cellular will receive a little more than $5.1 million to build 11 towers, including sites in Adams, Brainard, Elmwood, Murray and Tobias.

The other grant, for nearly $2.8 million, went to Viaero Wireless to build towers in DeWitt, Diller, Filley and Goehner.

The money, which comes from the Nebraska Universal Service Fund's dedicated wireless fund program, was approved at the PSC's latest meeting.

“The continued funding of cell towers through NUSF is another example of our efforts to improve communication in the unserved and underserved areas of our state,” PSC Chair Dan Watermeier said in a news release.

It is unclear when the construction of the new cell phone towers will begin.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE TEAM DRILLS DOWN INTO DETAILS OF SPENDING $335 MILLION IN NORTH, SOUTH OMAHA

OMAHA- After hearing highlights from meetings held earlier this week with North and South Omaha leaders, a special legislative committee moved closer to resolving a $335 million question.

The question: How best can the panel identify projects that will spark wealth-building, well-paying jobs and generational change in the poorest areas of Nebraska?

The committee, led by State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, is tasked with defining specifically how to invest the $335 million that Nebraska lawmakers earmarked earlier this year to North and South Omaha and other communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee and representatives from engineering and design consulting firm Olsson met with community leaders at the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus to share results of four “stakeholder” meetings held earlier this week in North and South Omaha.

The specific plan is to be turned in by Olsson on December 1st. Olsson plans to create a website to provide further guidance on the process and how applicants can compete for the grants.

Public meetings will be scheduled during the week of Sept. 19 at which people can discuss and submit ideas for potential ways to use the funds.

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TEMPORARY CASINO CONSTRUCTION IN GRAND ISLAND TO START AFTER NEBRASKA STATE FAIR

GRAND ISLAND- Construction of a temporary casino at Grand Island’s Fonner Park is expected to start in September, following the Nebraska State Fair.

Fonner Park Chief Executive Officer Chris Kotulak gave an update to the Grand Island Noon Rotary Club on the upcoming “Grand Island Casino Resort” planned for the campus, via Elite Casino Resorts.

The plan is to “get started as soon as we can after the fair,” said Kotulak. The state fair ends on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

The temporary casino is expected to open around Thanksgiving. It will be operational for “at least two years.”

“All along, we said we’re not going to just open up some metal shed and throw in some slots and call it done,” said Kotulak. “We want people to have as good a customer experience as they can without the final result.”

A 30-second commercial for the temporary casino will start airing soon, Kotulak announced. It was shown to the club.

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RICKETTS SAYS HE WANTS 'RESIGNATIONS' IF MAR-A-LAGO RAID WASNT BASED ON A SERIOUS ALLEGATION

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts said that he wants “more transparency” from the FBI and Department of Justice about the decision to search former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

If it’s not, the governor said, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christoper Wray should resign.

Ricketts said he wants to see the affidavits that supported the search warrants that were approved by a Florida judge — affidavits that the Justice Department has asked to remain sealed because of an ongoing investigation.

He said that both the FBI and Department of Justice have had “a recent track record” of “appearing to be politically motivated.”

Ricketts cited the handling of the Steele dossier, which alleged a conspiracy between the Trump campaign in 2016 and the Russians—- allegations that were later discredited — and the handling of the affair involving Hillary Clinton and her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.

Many Republicans have called for more oversight of the Department of Justice in the last week.

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PETITION TO BAN ABORTION WITHIN CITY LIMITS FILED IN BELLEVUE

BELLEVUE- Just a week after Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced there was not enough support to call a special legislative session to ban abortion in the state, a group in Bellevue is taking matter into their own hands. 

Bellevue City Attorney Bree Robbins said a request for a special election was filed with the city on Aug. 1 that would outlaw abortion and abortion-inducing drugs, and declare Bellevue a sanctuary city for the unborn. Robbins said the petitioners have until next February to gather the amount of signatures they need to place the issue on a special election ballot. 

The measure would even go as far as requiring Bellevue's Public Library to limit access to information pertaining to abortion.

Robbins said the petitioners have until next February to gather the amount of signatures they need to place the issue on a special election ballot. 

Two smaller communities, Hayes Center and Stapleton, have already gone through the sanctuary process. 

While Bellevue isn't the first town looking to approve an abortion ban, it is the first Nebraska city that actually has an abortion clinic to be targeted. Officials with that clinic, CARE, told our partners at WOWT 6 News that if the ordinance is approved, they would consider opening a new clinic in Omaha.

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GOP CANDIDATE PILLEN WON'T DEBATE DEMOCRAT BLOOD IN GOVERNORS RACE

LINCOLN- Prior to Nebraska’s Gubernatorial primaries, candidate Jim Pillen made the decision to avoid debates against his opponents in the Nebraska GOP.

Dave Heineman, former Nebraska Governor, called Pillen’s decision a “mistake,” and claimed that it would have cost him the GOP nomination. However, as we know now, it worked very well in Pillen’s favor.

With the primaries long behind us and the election creeping ever closer, Pillen is unwavering in his decision to skip debates. Opponent Carol Blood has accepted several from different news sources, but Pillen has denied them all.

This strategy, according to Joe Kelly, the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, is a “perfect fit for [Jim Pillen].” Kelly goes on to say that “shaking a hand and looking somebody in the eye gives a much better chance of a vote coming his way than Jim Pillen with a lot of other candidates saying essentially the same thing on a stage. So, for Jim and his personality it made perfect sense to me. People who meet Jim Pillen one on one like him.”

As of now, there is no indication that Pillen will change his mind on his decision to skip debates, and only time will tell if the strategy is truly effective. However, based upon Pillen’s performance in the gubernatorial primaries, the no-debate strategy may just work.

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FLOOD SAYS HE WILL DEBATE PANSING BROOKS TWICE IN NEBRASKA’S 1ST DISTRICT HOUSE RACE

OMAHA- After receiving hefty criticism from his opponent, Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, for allegedly not agreeing to televised debates, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood stated that he will, in fact, debate Pansing Brooks two times before the upcoming election.

Pansing Brooks had “long ago” accepted debate invitations from several Omaha and Lincoln news stations, and has claimed that Flood was “stalling” by not agreeing to them. After receiving this criticism, Flood defended his lack-of-action by claiming that he intended to make sure all 1st District voters had the chance to watch the televised debates before agreeing to participate in them.

Flood stated, “I’m very open to debating Senator Patty Pansing Brooks. I want to make sure that people that live in Seward County, Lancaster County…in the Lincoln Designated Market Area are served.”

Chris Triebsch, Sen. Pansing Brooks’ campaign manager, stated that he was happy to see Flood’s willingness to debate, but believes it shouldn’t have taken weeks of “public prodding.”

Triebsch stated, “We will continue to press the case until dates have been agreed upon for debates, and we will watch to ensure that both Lincoln and Omaha television media markets have been covered.”

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SPOTLIGHT ON ABORTION PUSHES NEBRASKA CANDIDATES TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS

LINCOLN- After receiving an insufficient amount of votes, Gov. Ricketts stated that a special session would not be held to consider the matter of abortion in Nebraska after the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Since then, several candidates for different levels of office in Nebraska have expressed their worries, their hopes, and their plans for the future of abortion in the state at the behest of their constituents.

According to John Hibbing, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, many candidates could just state whether they were ‘for’ or ‘against’ abortion prior to the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Now, however, Hibbing stated that constituents want more solid and explicit plans from each of their candidates now that an abortion ban is possible.

Some candidates have complied with their constituents wishes, like legislative candidate Stu Dornan, who clarified that, while he is anti-abortion, he wouldn’t be opposed to specific exceptions for rape, incest, and life-saving procedures. “I believe my views are consistent with a majority in my district,” Dornan stated.

Hibbing stated that the massive focus on abortion rights in the coming month may give Democratic candidates a slight edge in their respective races, but that it likely won’t be enough to win many of the previously Republican-held seats.

Democratic candidates have been complying with their constituents' demands for transparency for the most part, but for many, it may not be enough. Jane Kleeb, Nebraska Democratic State Party chair, stated that Nebraska democratic candidates are mostly okay with the current 20-week abortion cutoff in the state.

“Pushing for a more permissive statute in Nebraska,” says Hibbing, “would be a huge strategic error for Democrats who, given the Court’s recent decision in Dobbs, would be more than satisfied with the status quo.”

Given the fact that a large amount of Republican support would be necessary, it would be almost impossible for Democrats in Nebraska to pass any legislation that would make abortion any more lenient than it already is.

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PANSING BROOKS, FLOOD SHARE DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES AHEAD OF CONGRESSIONAL REMATCH

LINCOLN- Democratic organizers in Nebraska believe they may have a shot at success in the state's 1st Congressional District.

Republicans, who have held the seat since 1964, are thinking otherwise.

With the rematch on the horizon, Patty Pansing Brooks and Rep. Mike Flood have contrasting views and visions for Nebraska.

Compromise and Consensus-building are keystones of Pansing Brooks campaign. She said, "We all care about our families, having a well-paying job, good health care and making sure our children have good schools...Those are things we all have in common and a party does not define."

Flood called that quote lacking and sad he believes that Nebraskans are generally more fiscally conservative and adverse to increased spending.

"When I talk to people I hear about how expensive things are, people want change." Flood said. He followed by saying, " Pansing Brooks wants to keep going down the same path with the same leadership that's gotten us into the biggest mess in 40 years."

Flood believes her message of civility and transcending party boundaries is resonating with voters, Flood responded by saying her string of attacks on Flood says different.

Both candidates said they are confident heading into the November rematch despite their major differences.

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FEDERAL ARPA FUNDS HELP TURN FIRE-DAMAGED SOUTH OMAHA FUNERAL PARLOR INTO JOB CENTER

OMAHA- A fire-devastated South Omaha mortuary is on track to become a hub for citizen job connections. The 85-year-old building, while a simple shell as of now, is being renovated for $1.6 million by Canopy South, the buildings landlord. Canopy South then plans to offer the citizens of South Omaha investments in the property, ranging from $10, to $100, to even more. 

Citizens who invest in the project will have the chance to build up their equity, and will also receive around 6% to 8% annual dividends from rent paid by occupying agencies. 

Canopy South is excited to be able to give such an opportunity to South Omaha citizens, and the company believes that "[They] are breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty with a coordinated and holistic revitalization of the neighborhood." And, after the business proves to run steadily, Canopy South plans to relinquish its stakes in the building and give full control to smaller, South Omaha investors who will have the chance to run it with a locally-led board of directors.

The main tenant in the building is slated to be Heartland Workforce Solutions, which plans to use its $600,000 ARPA grant to launch operations in the facility. Similar to the North Omaha Job Center, the new site will offer resume assistance, computer training, career coaching, employment planning, adult education, and entrepreneurial support. The site will also house bilingual employment experts. 

Erin Porterfield, executive director of Heartland Workforce Solutions, stated that they "want to see this as a hub of talent acquisition for businesses looking for talent to grow their businesses and to serve our community."

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NEBRASKA BOARD OF EDUCATION HIRING CONSULTANT TO REVIEW STANDARDS WRITING PROCESS

LINCOLN- On Friday, members of the Nebraska State Board of Education voted to hire a consultant to examine the state’s process for writing academic content standards.

The Board’s standards-writing process has gone quite smoothly and has introduced a multitude of standards for core subjects over the years, including math, english, and science. Last year, this process became a point of contention for the Board after an optional sex education standard was proposed.

After receiving an unprecedented amount of public opposition, the Board pulled the plug on any health-education related standards. However, since then, the Board has voted 8-0 to allow Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt to create a contract with the American Institutes for Research, a Virginia non-profit which will, under the $50,000 contract, examine the Nebraska standards-writing process and deliver a report by May 1, 2023 with recommendations.

The initial draft of the contentious sex education standard called for the teaching of gender identity and stereotypes to children as young as six. Supporters of the standard believe it will decrease bullying, prevent suicide, and make schools more welcoming.

Opponents of the proposed standards state that they don’t reflect the values of most Nebraska parents, and that they would rob children of their innocence and sexualize them in the process.

A few Board members believe that the failure of the proposed sex education standards stem from a problem in the writing process itself; hence why they hired an external consultant.

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BUFFETT'S FIRM REPORTS $44B LOSS, BUT ITS BUSINESSES THRIVE

OMAHA- Warren Buffett’s company reported a $43.76 billion loss in the second quarter as the paper value of its investments plummeted, but Berkshire Hathaway’s many operating companies generally performed well.

The stock prices of three of Berkshire’s biggest investments — Apple, American Express and Bank of America — all fell significantly during the second quarter. But those stocks have all rebounded during the third quarter, meaning Berkshire’s portfolio is already worth more than it was at the end of the quarter. 

Besides investments, Berkshire owns more than 90 companies outright. Berkshire said operating profits were up at all of its major units including its insurance companies, major utilities and BNSF railroad. 

“This is a business that has its tentacles in all different parts of the economy. To show such broad revenue and earnings strength throughout the franchise, it gives me a lot of confidence that the broader economy is performing pretty well,” Jim Shanahan, an Edward Jones analyst said.

Berkshire said its revenue grew more than 10% to $76.2 billion in the quarter as many of its businesses increased prices

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NEBRASKA AND COLORADO ARE SPARRING OVER WATER RIGHTS. IT COULD BE THE NEW NORM AS RIVERS DRY UP

South Platte- For decades, residents along the Nebraska-Colorado border have built their homes, industries, and livelihoods upon the South Platte River, which stretches from the Rocky Mountains to northeast I-76 in Nebraska. However, over the past year, a devastating drought has decreased flows in the river, prompting Gov. Ricketts to take action. 

In April, Ricketts signed legislation that would allow Nebraska to build a canal in Colorado to siphon water from the South Platte. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the bill a "costly and misguided political stunt." Colorado has pledged nearly $10 billion for 282 projects along the South Platte, which Ricketts sees as a threat to water flows during the non-irrigation months in the fall and winter. 

Kevin Rein, Colorado State Engineer, defended those projects, arguing that "many...are not necessarily going to come to fruition." Rein also stated that Colorado has been holding up its end of the almost 100-year-old water compact the state has with Nebraska, giving Nebraska the exact amount of water it agreed to year after year.   

Rein believes Ricketts' proposed canal would negatively affect Colorado's water flows from the South Platte River. Although the canal is allowed for in the water compact between the two states, Rein sees its construction as a threat to farmers in not only Colorado, but Nebraska too. Even more worrying for Rein is the fact that the compact "grants Nebraska and its citizens the right to acquire by purchase, prescription, or the exercise of eminent domain" any land necessary to build and maintain the canal. 

Lawsuits are likely to be put forward to stop the building of the canal, but they will likely only delay its construction rather than stop it. 

Local farmers in the proposed canal location are worried too. A Colorado rancher, called Goddard, asked the question, "What can they do for me to make sure that it's not disrupting my production, but also my other producers in the area?" This uncertainty seems to be rampant in the areas most likely to be affected by the canal. 

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LINCOLN CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CONTRACT MAKING POLICE OFFICERS HIGHEST-PAID IN THE STATE

LINCOLN- A three-year contract was unanimously approved by the Lincoln City Council that makes Lincoln officers the highest paid in the state.

Council members supported the contract, which will cost the city $3.2 million this year and $5 million in the second year of the biennial budget, saying public safety is a priority.

Beginning Aug. 18, starting pay for officers will increase 8% and for sergeants by 10%. That means officers’ starting pay goes from $28.55 an hour to $30.83. Starting pay for sergeants goes from $37.06 an hour to $40.77. 

Annual salaries for officers will range from $64,128 to $90,646 and for sergeants from $84,793 to $107,369.

Next year officers will get a 6.5% increase and sergeants a 4.5% increase. Pay for both officers and sergeants will increase 3% in 2024.

Police Chief Teresa Ewins said the department already is recruiting, and high wages help.

“This is about competitiveness,” Ewins told the council. “We’re competing nationally for people to be police officers. We need contracts like this to get the best.”

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ACLU NEBRASKA FILES LAWSUIT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT 2018 IMMIGRATION RAID IN O'NEILL

LINCOLN- After claiming that the government has ignored requests for information about an immigration investigation in O' Neill, the ACLU of Nebraska has filed a lawsuit to obtain additional information about the 2018 raid.

In 2018 133 people were taken into custody, the ACLU documented reports of mistreatment and potential civil rights violations during the raid.

Following the federal operation, the ACLU criticized it for failing to provide detainees with adequate food, water, shelter and language interpretation services.

The ACLU is suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the department’s Office of Inspector General to compel a release of records related to the investigation and whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents violated detainee rights.

The ACLU said it initially collaborated with the OIG, which in part is charged with providing independent oversight of immigration enforcement activities. The OIG opened an investigation but never shared the results, said the ACLU.

The Inspector Generals' office and ICE have yet to comment on the building situation.

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MUCH OF NEBRASKA OFFICIALLY BACK IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS

LINCOLN- Excessive heat combined with insufficient rain has pushed much of the state into drought. 

The U.S. Drought Monitor, published weekly by the National Drought Mitigation Center, estimates that 95% of the state is in drought or near-drought, up 5 percentage points from the week before.

The only area of the state not excessively dry is in southeast Nebraska, according to the center, which is housed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

High heat and lack of rain are expected to continue. In the case of rain, forecasts by the National Weather Service don't expect significant moisture to majorily help the current condition.

Nebraska's long-term outlook favors cooler-than-average weather from mid- to late August, according to the national Climate Prediction Center. 

The most recent area to officially declare drought is the Omaha metro area.

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MIKE FLOOD TOURS LINCOLN BUSINESSES, CRITICIZES BIDEN

LINCOLN- While President Biden signed the 'CHIPS' act earlier this week, Congressman Mike Flood visited Lincoln to tour several large Lincoln employers, including Kawasaki, Hudl, and Olsson. While there, Flood denounced the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed in the Senate earlier this week. 

The Inflation Reduction Act seeks to combat climate change, lower healthcare costs, raise taxes on some billion-dollar corporations, and reduce the federal deficit. It is the cornerstone of Biden's economic plan, and the culmination of months of infighting and concession. 

Touting his wish for the United States to become more reliant on local goods, Flood stated that he plans to vote against the Inflation Reduction Act, claiming that it includes massive tax hikes and increases our dependence on Chinese goods. 

During the statement, Flood also stated that "...it starts with supporting businesses in our community, making sure that the people creating the jobs are in an environment where they can create more. That we are easy to work with. And that we secure not only our supply chains and make sure that we can move product around the world, but that we open new markets for American products. I think they're tone deaf. Like we cannot afford this as Americans." 

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TOM DOYLE DIES, DOUGLAS COUNTY ENGINEER SINCE 1983

OMAHA- For 39 years, Tom Doyle served as the county engineer, supervising highway construction, maintenance and snow clearing as the county grew to nearly 600,000 residents. 

Doyle performed that job with grace and good humor, say longtime friends, until his recent death, at age 91.

“He wasn’t the highest-profile guy,” said his son, Mark Doyle, who is president of the Metropolitan Utilities District. “It’s just been steady work — safe bridges, safe roadways. That’s how he did his job.”

A lifelong Democrat with roots in South Omaha, Doyle was appointed county engineer in March 1983. Nearly four decades later, he had become Douglas County’s longest-serving officeholder.

“I can’t say enough good things about the way Tom Doyle treated people,” said County Board member P.J. Morgan, a Republican and former Omaha mayor who has known him for decades. “He had a passion about being county engineer, and serving the people.”

Doyle's career had a short stint in the private sector, Doyle then ran for the Nebraska Legislature in 1982 and won his race by 13 votes. Just two months into his term, however, Doyle accepted the position as Douglas County engineer, the first person to hold the job. He defeated a Republican opponent for reelection in 1986.

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REGENTS APPROVE CONTRACT EXTENSION, PAY RAISE FOR NU PRESIDENT

LINCOLN- University of Nebraska Board of Regents extended President Ted Carter's contract by three years, potentially keeping the university's top leader in Nebraska through 2027.

Carter's new contract, approved unanimously, also raises his base salary by 3% this year and adds a second deferred compensation package to incentivize the president to stay at NU.

In all, Carter's total compensation could top $1.5 million beginning in 2023.

Regents also awarded Carter, a former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, a $105,000 performance bonus for the 2021-22 academic year.

That amount is less than the $140,000 he was eligible to receive; Carter hit 89% of the benchmarks set for him by the board last year after first- to second-year retention numbers fell at several NU campuses.

Omaha Regent Elizabeth O'Connor, who was the lone "no" vote when regents approved Carter's initial contract in 2019, citing concerns about the amount, said she supported the new contract terms.

"Today, we are in a much better financial and operational position, we have more stable funding, we've emerged from a global pandemic stronger," she said.

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NU MOVING FORWARD WITH $85M HEALTH EDUCATION BUILDING

LINCOLN- Even before the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the situation beginning in 2020, Nebraska was projecting a shortage of health care professionals, particularly in rural areas.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has long expected a shortage of 5,435 nurses by 2025, which combined with an aging population will seriously squeeze health care options in several areas of the state. Shortages were also expected in other specialties — primary care physicians, pediatric physicians, OBGYNs, audiologists — even before COVID strained the health care system.

While the statistics are sobering, UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey Gold told the NU Board of Regents Thursday that the university has a plan to build a sustainable workforce that will be key to ensuring patients across Nebraska can see a doctor or will have adequate numbers of nurses available.

UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen said the $85 million expansion — the university will raise $35 million in private funds to build out the full project — will play a lead role in keeping rural Nebraska vibrant for years to come.

“(Health care) is the future of all these communities,” Kristensen said. “We should do things that only the university can solve. There’s no one else in the state of Nebraska who can do this.”

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