NEBRASKA STUDENT SCORES ON ACT DROPPED SLIGHTLY, BUT RANK WELL AMONG PEER STATES

LINCOLN- Average ACT composite scores by Nebraska students dropped slightly this year, from 20.0 in 2021, to 19.4 in 2022. Despite this, and according to the Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska still ranks high among states where more than 90% of all high school students take the ACT.

In 2022, 94% of Nebraska public school graduates took the ACT, compared to 36% nationwide. Among the 14 states which had test-taking rates over 90%, only Utah scored higher than Nebraska with an ACT average of 19.9.

Nationally, the average ACT score fell from 20.3 to 19.8 over the past year. Each individual test average, which includes the subjects math, reading, English, and science, was lower in Nebraska compared to national test scores. 

According to the Nebraska Department of Education, states that test a high percentage of students tend to have lower average ACT scores since this might include students who are not on a college course-taking track.

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NEW ASSISTANT CHANCELLOR POSITION AT UNL WILL LEAD ONLINE EDUCATION EFFORTS

LINCOLN- Two years after the movement of classes to zoom due to Covid-19, 9 out of 10 UNL students still enroll in at least one online course.

Online courses have allowed students to increase credit hours and has fueled 4-year graduation rates to their highest levels in a decade.

UNL will aim to build on those successes by creating a new administrative position to work with faculty, staff and administrators to develop credit and non-credit programs, identify new market areas and grow enrollment. 

That means creating online courses for high school students seeking to earn college credit, ensuring the online course catalog is robust enough to meet the needs of UNL's students seeking to earn credit over the summer, and developing offerings for individuals in the workforce seeking to acquire new skills.

UNL had an online program before called NU online. NU Online enrolled 5,500 Nebraskans and 8,000 others from every state in the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As other schools saw the need for online courses, NU online began losing students and spending more many than was needed. 

This prompted UNL to end NU online and begin to focus on this new program that is focused on Nebraska online education rather then national.

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HISTORICAL MARKER UNVEILED AT SITE OF 1891 LYNCHING AT OMAHA COURTHOUSE

OMAHA- People entering the Douglas County Courthouse will now notice two monuments commemorating two lynchings that took place between 1891 and 1919.

One historical marker, unveiled in a ceremony, tells the story of the lynching of George Smith by a White mob outside the courthouse in 1891. The marker also relates the context of the killing: From 1865 to 1950, thousands of Black people were victims of racial terror and lynching. The lynchings were “intended to intimidate Black people and enforce racial hierarchy and segregation.”

The other plaque, unveiled last year, memorializes the lynching of Will Brown outside the courthouse in 1919.

The metal plaques bracket the sidewalk leading to the courthouse’s main entrance at 17th and Farnam Streets.

Their prominent placement “speaks to the importance of reconciliation,” said Brenda Council, a former Omaha City Council member and Nebraska state senator, after the Smith marker was unveiled.

“It contains a tragic but real story of the role that racial injustice played in the City of Omaha,” Council said. “It’s a new day, and we need to move forward — not ignore the wounds, but acknowledge them and seek to heal from them.” 

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SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TO JUMP BY 8.7% NEXT YEAR

WASHINGTON- Millions of Social Security recipients will get an 8.7% boost in their benefits in 2023.

That’s a historic increase and welcome news for American retirees and others — but it’s tempered by the fact that it’s fueled by record high inflation that’s raised the cost of everyday living.

The cost-of living adjustment means the average recipient will receive more than $140 extra a month beginning in January, according to estimates released by the Social Security Administration.

The boost in benefits will be coupled with a 3% drop in Medicare Part B premiums, meaning retirees will get the full impact of the jump in Social Security benefits.

The Social Security Administration's Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said combined with Medicare premiums going down in 2023, the Social Security benefit increase, “will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room.”

"This year’s substantial Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned,” she said. 

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NEBRASKA'S COVID CASE NUMBERS DOWN FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT WEEK

LINCOLN- A positive sign for Nebraska continues to grow as Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations decline for the fifth straight week.

Nebraska recorded 1,028 new cases last week, down 16% from 1,224 the previous week, according to data compiled by the CDC.

Case numbers have dropped more than 75% since the end of July and are now at their lowest level since late May.

Nebraska’s case trends mirror those nationally, as the majority of states have seen declining numbers since July. U.S. cases are at their lowest levels since April. Nebraska’s overall case levels are a number to take pride in, being the 11th lowest among the states.

What the virus will do next, however, isn't entirely clear. Fall and winter brought surges in both 2020 and 2021 as people retreated indoors and new variants took over.

Health officials are urging Americans to get the new bivalent booster shots, which cover both the original strain of COVID-19 and the omicron variants now circulating.

An average of 137 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID from October 2nd-8th, down from 142 the previous week. That's the lowest level since early June, similar to the national trend.  

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DROUGHT-PLAGUED YEAR CONTINUES INTO FALL

SCOTTSBLUFF- Fall has entered the state with a break in the high temperatures and offered scattered clouds and some rain, but that is not nearly enough to get out of the Nebraska drought.

Scotts Bluff County moved into 100% severe drought from 99.19% the previous week and 17.6% three months ago. The southwest corner of the county changed to 8.7% extreme drought from 8.66% the previous week. It is worth noting that 31.36% of the county was in extreme drought in October 2021. 

Gary Stone, water and integrated cropping specialist at the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, said the recent showers will not stop harvest. 

“It is slowing it down but it isn’t going to bring it to a halt, unless we get an inch or more somewhere,” he said.

“Possibly some of the corn will be a little late,” Stone said. “That little extra moisture might give it a boost to get it finished. We haven’t had the hot days and higher wind speeds, it’s been cooler and the winds have dropped off so the corn plants aren’t going to dry out as fast.”

According to the National Weather Service extended forecast on Oct. 6, the  Scottsbluff valley will continue to experience mild conditions with no significant moisture impacts on the immediate horizon.

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$35 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO EXPAND INTERNET ACCESS FOR WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

OMAHA- The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has received a $35 million federal grant to expand high-speed internet access on its land.

The award from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

 It is expected to install fiber connecting about 600 unserved tribal households, 40 businesses and 16 community anchor institutions.

“We’re making an historic investment in tribal communities to ensure reliable affordable high-speed internet for all,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. 

Winnebago Tribe Chairwoman Victoria Kitcheyan said in a statement that the tribe was thrilled and looked forward to the grant “leveling the playing field of opportunity.”

“Throughout the pandemic we saw firsthand the importance of internet access and how critical it is for our tribal members to participate in remote education, telehealth and economic development opportunities,” she said.

The award was among 23 grants amounting to $601 million announced Tuesday. That brings the total awarded to 94 tribal entities to $1.35 billion.

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MCCONNELL TELLS CNN HE WANTS RICKETTS TO REPLACE SEN. SASSE

WASHINGTON- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told CNN on Tuesday that he would like Nebraska Gov. Ricketts to replace the now-resigning Sen. Sasse. McConnell told CNN that he has urged Ricketts to run for the seat.

"I've talked to Governor Ricketts," said McConnell, "We're hoping that he ends up in the Senate. Exactly how that happens under Nebraska law is yet to be determined."

According to a writer at the Nebraska Examiner, McConnell and the National Republican Senatorial Committee "like when wealthy, well-known candidates run in red states because they typically need less national fundraising help."

Sen. Sasse is leaving his Senate seat to reside as president at the University of Florida. The Senator visited the school this week to hold discussion sessions with students and staff, but was met with a barrage of protests. 

Ricketts stated publicly after the news of Sasse's resignation that he does not plan on appointing himself to the vacant Senate seat, and will instead allow the next governor to decide. 

Whoever is appointed to the seat will serve in the Senate until at least 2024, when primary and general elections will be held to fill the remaining two years of Sasse's term.

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NEBRASKA PRISON WATCHDOG SAYS DEATH OF INMATE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH REGULAR HEALTH EXAMS

LINCOLN- According to a Nebraska state prison watchdog, the death of inmate Niccole Wetherell from cervical cancer might have been preventable if she had received regular health check-ups.

Nebraska's Inspector General for the state's Correctional System stated Thursday that the Nebraska Department of Corrections is currently out of compliance with a 2015 law that requires the agency to implement an electronic health record system that would help prison medical staff keep track of patient check-ups.

The Inspector General's report revealed that current inmate health records are just a "jumble" of paper with handwritten nurse and physician notes. These notes are allegedly often barely legible.

Wetherell went almost nine years without a pap smear test before a 2019 prison-administered exam revealed that her cancer had spread to her brain, kidneys, and lungs. The cancer was deemed inoperable. Wetherell died on Feb. 26th, 2021, in the medical unit of the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York. She was 40.

The Nebraska Legislature will be holding hearings to address healthcare issues in the state's vast prison system. The Department of Corrections, after the Inspector General's report, stated that it will have an electronic monitoring system running by the end of the year. 

The Inspector General's report claimed that the type of cervical cancer Wetherell was suffering from is "highly survivable if detected early." The forensic pathologist assigned to the inmate's case stated that "more frequent surveillance" very well may have saved her life. 

Since the death of Wetherell, the nurse practitioner at the facility has begun using an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of patient check-ups, but this is far from what's required by Nebraska law. 

In October 2018, the Department of Corrections held a bid to elicit information about health tracking systems, but abandoned that approach and instead turned its focus to an in-house system. 

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NEBRASKA TO GET $64 MILLION FROM FEDS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

LINCOLN- The U.S. Treasury Department announced that Nebraska is one of eleven states that will be getting a share of $1 billion in funding for the State Small Business Credit Initiative. 

The state's cut is $64 million, to be split equally between a loan participation program and a venture capital program.

The loan program will provide companion loans for up to 50% of the principal loan amount through the Nebraska Growth Loan Fund. The venture capital program will provide direct investments through seed and Series A investment rounds distributed by the Nebraska Seed and Development Fund.

“This is an historic investment in entrepreneurship, small business growth and innovation through the American Rescue Plan that will help reduce barriers to capital access for traditionally underserved communities,” Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said in a news release. 

The latest grants to Nebraska and the other states bring the total to $4.8 billion in funding to 31 states. 

With the $64 million, Nebraska has now gotten $177 million in federal grants in just the past two months. $88 million was awarded to expand rural broadband, and $25 million was awarded to establish a robotics cluster.

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PROTESTORS DISRUPTED SENATOR SASSE'S PUBLIC APPEARANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

GAINESVILLE- Hundreds of student protesters disrupted campus forums Monday with the U.S. senator from Nebraska who is the sole presidential finalist at the University of Florida.

His question-and-answer session with students was cut short by 15 minutes, and a session with staff ended 30 minutes early, both due to rooms being flooded with protestors.

Sasse finished the staff meeting via videoconference from a remote location.

Some of about 300 protesters told the Tampa Bay Times they were upset about his opposition to same-sex marriage and concerned about his willingness to protect LGBTQ student rights. 

Florida professors peppered Sasse with questions about his push as president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, to remove tenure from Midland professors.

Sasse told faculty he would defend tenure in Florida because he sees the need to retain it as a recruitment tool. He also said he supported and affirmed people in the LGBTQ community. His next interview on campus is Nov. 1, with the Board of Trustees.

Sasse, a Republican, has told people in his orbit that he plans to resign his seat in late November or early December if he is chosen by the Florida Board of Trustees as the university’s next president. 

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FRAKES SAYS HE'S LEAVING THE NEBRASKA PRISON SYSTEM IN A BETTER PLACE

LINCOLN- Later this month, Director of Corrections Scott Frakes is leaving his $255,000-a-year position to retire after 40 years in corrections.

During his tenure, the Nebraska prison system was rocked by two deadly riots at Tecumseh, and prisoner overcrowding in the state has risen to the highest in the nation.

However, Nebraska's prison system has also seen a few positives. Wages for security staff have increased since Frakes joined on, easing fears of "staffing emergencies." Around 808 new beds have also been added in Nebraska, and upgraded sentence calculations have been put in place to ensure that every inmate serves the correct amount of time.

As Frakes prepares to leave, the state is preparing to approve a new 1,500-bed prison in eastern Nebraska to replace the derelict State Penitentiary. 

Gov. Ricketts, who hired Frakes in 2015, called the director a "highly effective leader," and applauded the work Frakes has done since joining the Nebraska prison system.

Despite this, some in Nebraska have argued that Frakes did not work fast enough to solve some of the most pressing issues in the Nebraska prison system. The prison overcrowding problem is still haunting Nebraska, and sentencing reforms recommended by experts went unheeded by Frakes. These same experts argued that the building of the 1,500-bed prison will do nothing to allay the overcrowding problem. 

Frakes, in response to these critiques, still believes he's leaving the prison system in better shape than when he arrived, especially in regard to staffing and morale. However, Frakes pointed out that the Nebraska prison system still has a long way to go, pointing out that mental-health experts must still be hired to treat the state's 5,500 inmates. 

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GOV. RICKETTS ANNOUNCES KEY CABINET MEMBER'S TRANSITION TO ROLE OUTSIDE STATE GOVERNMENT

LINCOLN- Today, Gov. Ricketts announced in a press release that Lauren Hill Kintner, a key member of his cabinet, will be transitioning to a role outside state government. Kintner has served in the Governor's cabinet as Director of the Governor's Policy and Research Office for 24 years.

Throughout her time in the position, Kintner has served three Governors: Gov. Ricketts and former Governors Dave Heineman and Mike Johanns. Before serving as a cabinet member, Kintner held the position of Assistant Attorney in former Attorney General Don Stenberg's Office, where she served for 5 years.

Gov. Ricketts, in the press release, praised Kintner's work and commitment to Nebraska. "Thank you to Lauren for her extensive service to the state of Nebraska," stated the Governor, "She has helped the Executive Branch advocate for sound policy through three administrations, and her contributions have left a positive impact in Nebraska that will be felt for generations to come."

During Kintner's tenure as Director of the Policy Research Office, Kintner advanced several key policy initiatives, including one that allowed for billions of dollars in tax relief, one that curbed Nebraska government expenditures, and another that expanded services for Nebraska veterans and law enforcement. 

Kintner worked tirelessly with the Governor to help him communicate with the Legislative Branch and members of the public. She garnered a reputation as a strong coalition builder and tactical strategist. 

"It has been an immense honor and privilege to hold this position of public trust and responsibility," stated Kintner, "I will always value the many special people with whom I've had the opportunity to work in the Nebraska State Capitol."

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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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