WENDY DEBOER AND LOU ANN GODING FACE OFF FOR DISTRICT 10 LEGISLATURE RACE

OMAHA- Two experienced individuals hope to claim the District 10 legislative seat.

Incumbent Wendy DeBoer was elected in 2019 and is hoping to retain her seat to tackle a new agenda of priorities.

“Making sure that we have strong public schools, safe neighborhoods. Lower taxes on the middle class. And affordable health care,” will be DeBoers focus if reelected she said.

Lou Ann Goding, a fiscal conservative, is looking to bring her efficient business outlook to the unicameral.

"Trying to make sure we have a more efficient government. When I was in business, I did efficiency audits. So, I know the benefits that can come from those. Using that business experience for sure is important. I also want them to know that I care about students and I care about our families. I care about our future. I care about the future of Omaha, and I care about the future of Nebraska,” Goding said.

Abortion divides the two candidates. DeBoer voted against it in the last session and says she will back up that vote in the upcoming session. Goding considers herself pro-life and said, "I believe we need to think about those regulations that impact and have restrictions for those unborn children specifically related to viability and the ability to feel pain."

The candidates agree on lowering taxes, they also agree on the value of medical marijuana.

For the full article click HERE

RALSTON RACE FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 12

RALSTON- The race to represent District 12 in the Nebraska Legislature is between two Ralston School Board members.

Robin Richards and Merv Riepe will be on the November ballot to decide who will be in the Nebraska legislature.

Robin Richards, the current vice president of the school board, said if elected she will focus on secure schools in the district.

"When Ralston passed the $83 million bond last year one of the things that is part of that is making sure that every single school in our district has a secure entry," Richards said. "Right now, the only school where you have to check in with an adult before you walk into the building is our high school."

Merv Riepe represented the district from 2004-2018 and currently sits on the school board. Riepe wants schools to remain focused on curriculum and avoid what he called "radical" ideas.

"You can have your diversity and your wokeness and your equity and everything else, but you have to do that in addition to not in lieu of math, reading and all of the stem courses," Riepe said.

Abortion divides the candidates with Richards saying the government does not belong in the doctor's office, and Reipe calling himself pro-life but does support some exceptions.

Both candidates said they want to grow the state economy and work to retain more young people in Nebraska.

For the full article click HERE

JOHN ARCH AND CORI VILLEGAS RUN FOR DISTRICT 14 LEGISLATIVE RACE

PAPILLION- District 14 which covers portions of Papillion and La Vista has two candidates running, both of whom want reforms for child welfare in the state.

Cori Villegas has been canvassing neighborhoods, talking to voters about her experience in mental health care. She said she has seen the hardships that are faced firsthand and wants to do much more to help, hence her bid at the legislature.

Villegas says the Nebraska Foster Care system and the ongoing crisis weigh heavily on her mind.

"It's a hard job, and it's discouraging people from entering the workforce there. And the pay; we need to make sure we are paying these people more than what they are getting."

Her challenger, Incumbent John Arch who actually chaired the committee that investigated state foster care says Nebraska needs to change how the state contracts with outside agencies.

"We have a history of giving the job to the lowest bid, they do not perform, we provide more money and they still do not perform, and we cancel the contract. We want to stop that."

If re-elected, Arch wants to make sure the state has a better way to manage child welfare.

"There is a lot of what I would say are reform issues that are in place right now, and I want to make sure to see those to completion over these next four years as well."

For the full article click HERE

FIRST LADY SUSANNE SHORE ENDORSES PANSING BROOKS FOR CONGRESS

LINCOLN- Susanne Shore, the wife of Governor Ricketts has endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Patty Pansing Brooks in Nebraska's 1st District House of Representatives race.

"My life's work has always been about serving others, but especially our kids," Shore said in a video message aired online by the Pansing Brooks campaign.

"I'm passionate about helping all our children thrive and succeed: mine, yours and those across Nebraska," Shore said.

"I want to be sure those who can't always advocate for themselves have a person in their corner fighting for them.

"During my time as your first lady," Shore said, "one legislator has proven that she will always use her voice to fight for not only those kids and their families, but all Nebraskans -- that's Patty Pansing Brooks."

Shore's endorsement came in the form of a video message that is being used to raise campaign funds for Pansing Brooks.

"Patty is exactly the type of leader I would be proud to call my congresswoman," she said.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA OFFICIALS TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON CARES ACT HOUSING FUNDS PLAN

LINCOLN- State officials announced Thursday that they will be holding a hearing next week to welcome public comment on plans to reallocate CARES Act funds.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is set to decide how to allocate and administer the $14 million in funds, which were received from the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Fund as part of the CARES Act. 

The Nebraska DED called the funds, and specifically the changes they will allow for, a "substantial amendment to its 2019 Annual Action Plan." The DED intends to use some of the award to add to funds currently earmarked for housing development, allowing for more building opportunities.

The public hearing is scheduled for next Thursday, Oct. 13th, at 9:30am, and will be held in Lincoln's Ogallala Aquifer Conference Room in the Fallbrook State Office Building.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA SEN. BREWER HEADED BACK TO UKRAINE, THIS TIME TO TAKE BIBLES, EVACUATE ELDERLY

LINCOLN- State Senator Tom Brewer is headed back to the front lines of the war in Ukraine. 

“You can either sit on the sidelines and watch history go by or dive in and try to make a difference,” said State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, a decorated military veteran, who represents Nebraska’s Sandhills in the State Legislature.

Brewer, 64, will return to Ukraine on Oct. 14, just after undergoing another chemotherapy treatment for an ongoing bout with leukemia.

Sen. Brewer is no stranger to Ukraine, he spent a month in Ukraine this summer touring the country and aiding those in need. 

But this time, his mission will be to deliver electronic Bibles to Ukrainian soldiers and chaplains through a Kyiv-based Christian outreach group, Young With a Mission. He said he has also been asked, because of his military experience, to help evacuate some elderly people in “no-man’s land” between the Ukrainian and Russian lines.

The mission group is funding the bibles, Sen. Brewer is funding his travel expenses. Sen. Brewer will visit the front of the battle lines, and will spend time near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southeast Ukraine, which the Russians have occupied since March and where fighting has been fierce in recent weeks. 

For the full article click HERE

A PAIR OF LONGTIME NEBRASKA NONPROFITS SERVING REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS JOIN AS ONE LEGAL ENTITY

OMAHA- The Immigrant Legal Center has absorbed the Refugee Empowerment Center as a program, officials announced this week. The move will not prompt any layoffs, according to a media release, and current services offered in Nebraska and southwest Iowa are to remain intact.

“Our passion is to help our clients in the entirety of their needs, to set them up for success and a life without fear,” said Erik Omar, executive director. “With the merger, we are building a unified organizational culture as the only agency of its kind that serves the legal and transitional needs of immigrants in the Heartland.”

The Immigrant Legal Center's practices are staying the same, and the firm recommends clients stick with them.

The merger announcement comes about a year after the refugee center’s former executive director left and the Immigrant Legal Center leadership took on management of the refugee center’s operations and administration.

Over the past year the groups have helped resettle nearly 600 newcomers to Nebraska.

The combined organizations represent more than 50 years of service to the area and serve people from over 60 countries with legal representation, social work and resettlement.

For the full article click HERE

HHS TEAM APPLAUDS WORK OF UNMC, NEBRASKA MEDICINE

OMAHA- Following a visit to UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, the Department of Health and Human Services is praising the preparedness, collaboration, sustainability commitment, and sharing of knowledge of the facilities. 

The HHS team had the opportunity to visit and observe the med center campus, the Davis Global Center, the national Training, Simulation and Quarantine Center, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and the Nebraska State Public Health Lab. HHS was also briefed on the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training & Education Center (NETEC), the Regional Disaster Health Response System, Air Force C-STARS Omaha, iEXCEL and UNMC’s nursing and public heath training programs. 

Region 7 HHS Director Joseph Palm shared the following remarks, "The UNMC/Nebraska Medicine biocontainment and quarantine units are known worldwide because of their work handling patients with Ebola virus disease and COVID-19, but to see it up close is truly impressive." 

"This entire operation is an incredible commitment to the security of the United States of America and provides a largely unseen and unheralded security layer for the nation." 

The operation was called a leader not only for the region, but for the entire nation. 

Nebraska Medicine has said they continue to build relations and collaborate with HHS and Region 7 which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and of course Nebraska.

For the full article click HERE

MAKING BEEF SUSTAINABLE: PLANT'S IMPACT ON NORTH PLATTE COULD RIPPLE THROUGH GENERATIONS

NORTH PLATTE- Nebraska ranchers say they are leading their financial future by putting their dollars to work to get their product to consumer tables.

“We got together and decided to do something about it,” Trey Wasserburger says.

Fed up with packing plants controlling their product, Nebraska ranchers decided to do it themselves. And nearly 2 years after they started talking about ways to make the industry sustainable, Sustainable Beef breaks ground.

Construction has begun on a packing plant for the ranchers and it estimated to employ nearly 800 workers. 

The North Platte mayor highlighted the jobs, housing purchases, and the migration of workers coming into North Platte in a press release.

While it's all rancher-led, CEO David Briggs says that investment alone wasn't enough.

“We are incredibly proud to call North Platte home at Walmart,” a Walmart rep told the crowd in Lincoln County.

The world's largest retailer now joins forces with Nebraska's biggest industry, with a minority stake.

“When you had Walmart step in, that was huge to make this viable,” said Sen. Deb Fischer.

For the full article click HERE

WILDFIRE IN NEBRASKA NATIONAL FOREST DEEMED 94% CONTAINED

HALSEY- High humidity and lower winds aided firefighters seeking to corral a blaze that has blackened over 18,000 acres of the Nebraska National Forest in Halsey and nearby ranchland. 

Brian Scott, a spokesman for the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team, said some rainfall also helped to slow the so-called Bovee Fire, which destroyed a 4-H camp and lookout tower at the Halsey forest on Sunday.

The fire was deemed 94% contained as of October 6th.

A mapping airplane, deployed earlier in the week, calculated that 18,932 acres had burned on the forest and on adjacent ranches.

About 200 firefighters, including two elite “hot shot” crews, were fighting the fire, Scott said.

He said there had been no additional loss of life or structures.

Although, on October 2nd, Mike Moody, 59, the assistant chief of the Purdum Volunteer Fire Department, died after experiencing a “medical emergency” while working the initial attack on the fire. 

For the full article click HERE

STATE EDUCATION BOARD CANDIDATES SPAR OVER NEBRASKA TEST SCORES, HOT BUTTON ISSUES

OMAHA- Incumbent Deborah Neary and challenger Marni Hodgen sparred Tuesday over student test scores at a public forum where they were asked about some hot-button education issues.

The two are running for the Omaha-area District 8 seat on the Nebraska State Board of Education. 

Hodgen and Neary were asked about transgender issues, social-emotional learning and parent concerns that some school libraries are stocking inappropriate books. Hodgen pointed to Nebraska public school students’ proficiency levels on state tests, saying they are “all below 50%.”

In 2020-21 state testing, 48% of students in grades third through eighth were proficient in English language arts, and 46% in math, according to the Nebraska Department of Education. In 2019-20, testing was canceled because of the pandemic. Scores for tests taken last school year have yet to be made public.

Neary said state proficiency scores are not a good indicator of student achievement.

Asked whether biological male students who identify as female should be allowed to use girls restrooms and participate in girls sports, Hodgen said she’s “adamantly against” it. 

Neary said Nebraska schools have been dealing with such issues for many years “because it’s a real biological thing.” 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA COVID CASES FALL, BUT LOW VACCINATION RATES CONTRIBUTE TO MOUNTING DEATH TOLL

LINCOLN- Cases continue to fall in both the country and the state, but vaccinations and deaths are still a large focus.

The 35 Nebraskans who were added last week to the state’s toll of confirmed or probable COVID-19 deaths brought the total for the 2½-year pandemic to 4,542. For perspective, that’s over 100 times the 44 people who died in the state’s last pre-pandemic flu season. 

Many experts say that the majority of these deaths were preventable, in fact, Dr. James Lawler of UNMC said "Almost all of them."

“If we had everyone fully vaccinated and were taking precautions (like indoor masking) to reduce spread in high-risk environments, we would not be seeing very many deaths at all," he went on to say.

Vaccination rates were never very strong, and they’ve only lagged further in the past year as additional boosters have been recommended. 

While 76% of Nebraska adults ultimately got their original vaccination series, fewer than half have received even one booster shot. Even among the most vulnerable age 65 and over population, while some 94% received initial vaccinations, only 74% received a booster, and only 34% got the recommended first two boosters. The U.S. figures are even more dismal. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA SCHOOLS USING FEDERAL COVID RELIEF TO INVEST IN SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

OMAHA- Some schools in Nebraska are changing up their morning routines in interesting ways. Through the use of federal COVID-19 relief funds, schools are investing in what they call "social and emotional learning," allowing them to not only pledge allegiance, but also to do morning mood check-ins.

The pandemic has caused sizable mental health problems for certain students over the past two years, so Nebraska is focusing on using its federal relief funds to hire mental health specialists, roll out new coping tools, and expand the aforementioned social and emotional learning curriculum. 

Justina Schlund, spokeswoman for Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, stated that around one-third of Nebraska schools have allocated COVID-19 funds towards mental health improvement.

Superintendent Josh Weber, of Creighton Community Public Schools, is happy with the new funds and is excited to expand mental health care in the schools he represents. According to Weber, this is the first time the schools have been able to do so, making this a big milestone.

Creighton Community Public Schools is allocating around $25,000 for social and emotional learning programs for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

"One week might focus on being a good listener, and the next they will learn what it means to be kind," said Weber, "I hope it is going to be a really positive program for us."

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, around 70% of public schools have reported an increase in students seeking mental health support, and around 76% reported an increase in students exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma.

Ralston school district has begun checking in on students daily through morning meetings, which take place in every classroom and include a greeting, a sharing activity, and an activity focused on a specific behavior.

For the full article click HERE

DATA SHARING BETWEEN NEBRASKA HOSPITALS, UNMC, EXPECTED TO SPUR NEW RESEARCH

OMAHA- A new data sharing agreement has been made between Nebraska's 92 hospitals and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, allowing patients to receive better-tailored care and doctors to know which treatments work best with certain patients.

Leaders with the Nebraska Hospital Association stated that the data is extracted from every health claim that hospitals submit to insurers, and not from medical records, so no names or addresses will be revealed to doctors.

The records, and the data contained within them, could help UNMC researchers improve health care and lower cost. According to Jeremy Nordquist, Hospital Association President, the data UNMC receives will contain ZIP codes, diagnoses, treatments, and readmissions. 

One UNMC researcher gave an example of what this new data would allow them to do. The researcher stated that, by using ZIP code data, they could locate a cluster of pediatric cancer patients, determine the causes, and find ways to prevent more cases.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor of UNMC, is happy that the University got the chance to work with the new data. "The value is huge," said Dr. Gold, "Having access to administrative data, real-time data, allows us to monitor the outcomes and the distribution of access to health care across the State of Nebraska."

One of the most important reasons why the Hospital Association decided to release the data was to study the disparities between rural and urban Nebraskans, and Nebraskans of color and white Nebraskans. "The goal of all of this is to improve access, improve quality, and improve value," Gold stated, "It's very exciting. It's a very forward-thinking relationship, and we're very grateful."

For the full article click HERE

RICKETTS VISITS SOUTHERN BORDER TO THANK NEBRASKA GUARD PERSONNEL AND TAKE A SWIPE AT FEDERAL BORDER POLICIES

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts took an unannounced visit to the Southern U.S. border to thank Nebraska National Guard personnel deployed there and to criticize “failed” current border policy.

“I saw firsthand that you are undermanned and under-resourced,” Ricketts said in a press release. “America urgently needs to change course at the national level to fix this ongoing emergency.”

Jane Kleeb, the executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party, called the trip a “political stunt.”

The Guard members are providing mission-enhancing support to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection security operations.

Nebraska’s 376th Aviation Battalion, a helicopter unit based in Grand Island, has been assisting border patrols since at least June by providing aviation support. The mission is under the direction of U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North.

“By strengthening border enforcement, you’re helping to keep dangerous drugs like meth and fentanyl off of our streets,” he said.

Ricketts also met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection leaders to discuss their mission and the challenges they face.

For the full article click HERE

PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS BROADLY POPULAR, BUT HOW TO EXPAND THEM REMAINS UNCLEAR

LINCOLN- A very low number of accused felons in Nebraska — just over 4% — can access a problem-solving court, touted by officials as a more effective way to turn lives of crime around and a much less costly alternative than prison. 

Last year, about 1,100 individuals were able to get into problem-solving courts across the state, which is 4.2% of those charged with felonies.

“There’s obviously some huge room for improvement,” Nebraska Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Funke told members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

32 such courts are spread across the state in which a district judge, utilizing tough love and highly supervised requirements such as taking a job and remaining drug-free, seeks to turn around the lives of “high-risk, high-need” offenders. 

Funke said a new study found that the cost of problem-solving court supervision was $5,387 a year and that the recidivism rate for those completing the program was 19%.

That is about one-third the cost, or less, of housing someone in a state prison, where the most recent recidivism rate — the percentage of inmates returning to prison within three years — was about 29.8%.

Webb Bancroft, a public defender in Lancaster County whose primary job is working with problem-solving courts, said offenders regularly say that the most important factor in their success was the time they spent with a judge. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA GETS $30 MILLION TO INSTALL CHARGING STATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLES

LINCOLN- Nebraska was recently approved for $6 million in federal funding, and the state is planning to use it to build several charging stations along Interstate 80 and two Omaha highways.

Funding for the charging stations is coming from President Biden's infrastructure bill which was passed in November. The state also has the option to apply for more funding, this time from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation the first installations, which feature four charging stations apiece, will be built along Interstate 80 by Omaha, Kearney, Gothenburg, York, Kimball, Sidney, Big Springs, and along Highways 31 and 6 in the Omaha area.

The charging stations will be publicly accessible. The Federal Highway Administration is seeking to create "alternative fuel corridors" all over the country, and Nebraska is next in line since receiving the new funding.

John Selmer, Director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, is looking forward to the changes. "These funds will allow us to move forward with plans to make EV charging stations available to Nebraskans across the state," he stated.

For the full article click HERE

OPS SUPERINTENDENT CHERYL LOGAN WINS AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP DURING PANDEMIC

OMAHA- Dr. Cheryl Logan, Omaha Public Schools superintendent, was recognized last week by the University of Pennsylvania and McGraw Family Foundation for her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Logan received the 2022 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. According to a media release, Logan enabled "Omaha to be one of the first large, urban school districts in the nation to return to in-person learning in 2020."

Logan's partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center for a Covid-19 testing study also bolstered her case for the award, and showed her dedication to the students of OPS.

Shavonna Holman, school board president, praised Logan for her work in Omaha. "Omaha Public Schools is stronger because of Dr. Logan's student-centered service and leadership. We are proud to share our heartfelt congratulations."

The McGraw prize, which was established in 1988, seeks to recognize educators who empower students and enhance society.

For the full article click HERE

EPPLEY AIRFIELD LEADERS LINK LOW SURVEY RANKING TO ONGOING CONSTRUCTION

OMAHA- A new report released last weekend found that customer satisfaction at Omaha's Eppley Airfield ranked fifth from the bottom among 18 medium-sized North American airports.

Despite this, officials at Eppley Airfield are confident that ongoing construction projects, once completed, will change how customers feel when using Eppley to travel.

In the annual report, which was conducted by J.D. Power, Eppley Airfield scored 791 out of a possible 1,000 points. Michael Taylor, J.D. Power executive, stated that this number is two points shy of last year's. With COVID restrictions being lifted, and heavy inflation increasing the cost to fly, airports all over the country have experienced depressions in their customer satisfaction scores.

Taylor also stated that the many construction projects at Eppley Airfield may be the cause of the airport's sinking scores. "Construction has probably the second-biggest effect on satisfaction," sid Taylor, adding that passenger volume is the largest factor.

One project currently being worked on at Eppley is a $20.3 million roadway and entrance expansion, with a new $600 million effort to "modernize" the airports main terminal slated to begin next year.

Steve McCoy, chief information and development officer for the Omaha Airport Authority, agreed that the factors examined by J.D. Power are important to flyers. "We appreciate the patience of travelers at Eppley Airfield while we work to improve the customer experience," wrote McCoy.

For the full article click HERE

SENATOR BEN SASSE ON PATH TO RESIGN FROM U.S. SENATE TO LEAD UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

LINCOLN- The University of Florida's presidential search committee announced their unanimous recommendation for the next president: Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse.

“This is right for the University of Florida, right for the state of Florida and right for the Sasse family,” said Rahul Patel, chair of the search committee.

In the same announcement, Sasse said he was “thrilled about the opportunity to work alongside one of the nation’s most outstanding faculties.”

Sasse will interview on November 1st. If Sasse is hired at the university, he will resign from the senate allowing Governor Pete Ricketts to select who fills his seat.

The chosen individual would serve through 2025. An election would be held in 2024 to fill the seat for the remaining two years of the term, and the person appointed by the governor would be eligible to run at that time.

With Sasse still in office, Governor Ricketts's office has yet to comment on who or how candidates will be chosen.

The Governor did offer a statement thanking Sasse for his service to the nation and the state of Nebraska. He went on to wish him luck as the University of Florida makes its final decision.

For the full article click HERE