NEBRASKA VOTERS DESERVE RESPECT FROM POLITICIANS, NOT LAME EXCUSES

LINCOLN- Over the past few months, Nebraskans have seen and heard an onslaught of political campaign ads on television and the radio, and have received mass amounts of mail flyers that contain half-truths and out-of-context quotes.

While many in the state understand that these ads aren't quite non-partisan, they seem to be particularly effective. To some, these misrepresented attack ads are disrespectful to voters, for they often abuse the process and misrepresent the truth.

For example, the conservative PAC American Federation for Children sent out mailers depicting Legislative candidate George Dungan in "weird and goofy" attire, or lack thereof, only to find that the pictures used, which were ripped from Dungan's Facebook, depicted an entirely different individual.

In an attempt to save face, the PAC's state director, Lauren Garcia, stated that, although the pictures were indeed not of Dungan, "it's reasonable to conclude the photos posted by Mr. Dungan are of himself." Some critics of the American Federation for Children thought the group's unwillingness to apologize was disrespectful not only to Dungan, but to voters in Nebraska as well.

On the other side of the aisle, Nebraskans saw last week an attempt by Douglas County attorney candidate Dave Pantos, a Democrat, to deny serious allegations of a dramatic workplace affair and undeserved promotion.

Jane Kleeb, Democratic Party Chairwoman, defended Pantos in a Tweet, saying that "Todd Cooper at the OWH just did a GOP hit job on Pantos--an unsourced, unfair hit job on a consensual relationship he had 10 years ago."

It's been a rocky election season in Nebraska so far, and many believe that voters deserve more honesty and respect from the politicians who expect their vote come November.

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CHRISTIAN BROADCASTER STAN PARKER ANNOUNCES RUN FOR LINCOLN MAYOR

LINCOLN- Stan Parker, a Christian radio executive and former UNL offensive lineman, joined the Lincoln mayoral race. Endorsed by his old coach and former U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne, who touted the candidate's "discipline," Parker will run against incumbent mayor and Democrat Leirion Gaylor Baird.

Parker is currently gathering the 300 signatures necessary to join the race, which will begin with an April 2023 primary. The primary election, which is officially nonpartisan, will see Parker facing off against the aforementioned Baird, and also State Sen. Suzanne Geist, who threw her hat in the ring last month.

Parker stated that one key difference between him and Baird is how he would've handled the COVID-19 pandemic in Lincoln. The radio executive said that he would've leaned more heavily into personal choice, trusting people to make decisions for themselves, their businesses, and their families.

Both Parker and Geist stated that they oppose any form of mask mandates in the city, and hope to support law enforcement more than Baird has in the past.

When asked about the permitless carry bill, which Geist was criticized for not supporting in the legislature, Parker stated that he hadn't reviewed it yet. Police unions in Lincoln and Omaha opposed the bill, but Parker stated that he supports completely the 2nd Amendment, believing it keeps "us free as a nation."

Parker's campaign has just begun raising money, and has been targeting smaller donors. Parker's goal is to illicit $100 from at least 5,000 people, and believes he can do so by having "face-to-face" talks with Lincoln citizens.

Parker's experience leading a nonprofit Christian ministry, he believes, has prepared him better for leading the city than political experience.

Tom Osborne, at Parker's mayoral announcement, lauded the radio executive, stating that "he's a good leader. He's not an in-your-face kind of leader. He's a guy who listens."

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DEMOCRAT PANSING BROOKS FACES TOUGH ROAD IN WINNING NEBRASKA'S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL SEAT

LINCOLN- In her bid to usurp the long-held Republican 1st district, State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks must defy conventional wisdom that conservatives have a lock on the seat.

Pansing Brooks plans to show voters in the district, whether they're Republican or Democrat, that she is reasonable and open to compromise.

Despite this, Pansing Brooks has capitalized on the backlash provoked by the Supreme Court ruling that women don't have a constitutional right to abortion.

Should Pansing Brooks usurp the seat, she would be the first woman to ever represent the district. "We can, we will," said the Senator, pointing out the narrower-than-expected margin between her and Flood in the June special election.

Pansing Brooks finished about 5 percentage points behind Flood, showing that she very well may have a chance come November. The margin in June is the closest a Democrat has gotten to take the seat in more than a decade.

However, election analysts claim that her close victory in June was because of both low voter turnout and the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, which happened just days before the special election.

A Democrat hasn't held the seat since Clair Callan's single term in 1967, and the Cook Report doesn't include the district among the races where the general election outcome is in question.

Flood's campaign has pointed to the Cook Report as assurance that Republicans will keep the seat. "Congressman Flood doesn't take a single vote for granted," said Matthew L. Trail, a Flood campaign spokesman, "but we know the polling and we know the district. A Democrat, especially a liberal Democrat like Patty Pansing Brooks, is not competitive in a solidly red district like NE-01."

However, some believe that the Supreme Court's ruling on abortion may give Pansing Brooks the edge she needs to win the seat, but it will be a close race. Flood led efforts in the Legislature to restrict abortion access, and has said he doesn't believe there should be exceptions for rape and incest.

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CINDY MAXELL-OSTDIEK AND BRAD VON GILLERN LOOKING TO FILL DISTRICT 4 LEGISLATIVE SEAT

OMAHA- With Sen. Robert Hilkemann leaving the Legislature, Nebraska's 4th district is up for grabs. Two candidates, Republican Brad Von Gillern, and Independent Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek, are vying for the seat.

Maxwell-Ostdiek, despite her Independent registration, is hoping to defend abortion rights if elected to the Legislature. "No one wants these extreme bans in our state," she said, "I'm talking with voters and they are worried."

Von Gillern has a different approach in mind. Being pro-life, the candidate believes that it goes even beyond protecting the life of the child. "Pro-life means caring for the baby, caring for the mother. It means doing all that we can to care for them. If we're going to restrict abortion further, we need to be sure that we are supporting those parents and those children...," said Von Gillern.

Both candidates, if elected, intend to help tackle inflation. Von Gillern, laying out his plan, stated, "One of the biggest things we can do here in the state is again manage our tax plan. Right now, the state is sitting on about $2 billion in excess revenue," he stated.

Von Gillern also plans on addressing public safety and education. "We need to make sure that we're paying enough to those teachers and para-educators to keep them in the industry and to entice new people into the industry," he said.

Maxwell-Ostdiek has also been setting goals to grow small businesses in Nebraska. "We have more than 50,000 jobs open in Nebraska right now. Companies can't grow if they don't have enough employees to do that," said the candidate.

Both candidates, despite their differences, plan on making changes in the legislature, and hope to work across the aisle to pass bills that would benefit all Nebraskans.

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STATE SENATOR SEEKS RE-ELECTION AGAINST NEWCOMER IN NEBRASKA DISTRICT 6 RACE

LINCOLN- State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, who has held her legislative seat since 2019, is hoping to maintain it against challenger Christian Mirch, a political newcomer.

Sen. Cavanaugh, in an attempt to garner more votes, is promoting heavily her support for medical rights. "This isn't something that you nuance," said Cavanaugh, "You either trust Nebraskans or you don't. I trust Nebraskans to make their healthcare decisions, all of their healthcare decisions. This is why I support medical marijuana, reproductive healthcare, and Medicaid expansion."

Cavanaugh voted 'no' on LB933, a bill that sought to ban abortion in Nebraska. Mirch, on the other hand, considers himself pro-life, and is looking to his potential constituents to vote for him for that reason. "I think there were some major issues with some of the language in [LB933]," stated Mirch, "Really what it comes down to...is I would coming to the districts and asking them, 'How do you want me to vote'".

Mirch, if elected, is looking to work across the aisle on several bills, including Sen. McDonnell's LB661, which seeks to protect public transportation drivers.

Cavanaugh has also been focusing on Nebraska's economic recovery, emphasizing her dismay that the state never held a special session to address it. "We have done a lot of property taxes," said the Senator, "Unfortunately we've done it in a way our property tax rate hasn't been reduced."

Mirch stated that he doesn't want to waste time in Lincoln, claiming that he wouldn't help fellow Senators filibuster bills. "Even if a colleague were asking me to assist them in filibustering a bill, I would have to respectfully decline the invitation to engage in that type of work," said the candidate.

Cavanaugh on the other hand, challenged Mirch's view, saying, "To be on the outside and say you wouldn't do it is a luxury but the reality is, is sometimes there are bad bills that come to the floor that needs to be stopped."

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DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE CAROL BLOOD LIKES LONGSHOT ROLE

LINCOLN- Democrat gubernatorial candidate has spent just 3% of what Republican Jim Pillen has, and she says that is just fine.

“I may have been outspent,” Blood said, “but I’ve never been outworked.”

With Republican voters holding a 2-to-1 advantage over Democrats, Blood is considered a longshot for the statehouse, but she said Saturday in Kearney, “I’m not a sacrificial lamb.”

Blood noted that she has been an underdog in many elections throughout her career, but hard work and determination have been her secret weapon.

She’s defeated what many considered to be stronger candidates for city council in Bellevue and for her District 3 Legislature seat that she’s held for six years.

While speaking at a Kearney town hall, Blood said,"When I’m elected, we’ll decide what our state’s priorities are. We’ll ask communities what their top three needs are, and then we’ll do a strategic plan that’s reflected in our state budget."

Pillen has declined to debate Blood. She said if he were to debate, it would expose his lack of knowledge about Nebraska government.

As November approaches, Carol Blood will continue to push forward and focus on hard work to achieve her end goal.

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REGISTRATION NUMBERS FOR NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT REBOUNDED SINCE PRIMARY

LINCOLN- Democratic voter registrations have been declining since the beginning of this year, contradicting expectations that the party's numbers would bounce back following a surge of Republican registrations ahead of the May primaries.

Jane Kleeb, the Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman, stated that she isn't worried about the declining numbers, believing that the Democratic Party is in a good spot for the November elections. "We're headed to good victories in November," she said.

According to data collected by the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office, Democrats have lost more than 9,500 voters since January, while Republicans have gained nearly 11,800.

This drop in Democrat registrations is largely attributed to voters switching their party registrations to Republican to vote on that side of the primary. Kleeb, back in May, described the losses as "temporary," but may voters haven't switched back since then.

Democrats have seen moderate losses each month since May, while Republicans have gained between 74-1,500 new voters each month.

Randall Adkins, a political science professor at UNO, attributed this data to the fact that Republicans have been more consistent in encouraging voter registration in Nebraska.

Kevin Smith, another political science professor at UNL, said that the many voters who switched to Republican before the May primaries have no reason to switch back, since the November election isn't partisan.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.” 

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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. 

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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.

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