NEBRASKA COVID CASES INCREASE FOR SECOND WEEK IN A ROW

LINCOLN- Covid-19 cases in Nebraska jumped 25% last week, possibly signaling another winter surge is ready to make way.

Nebraska recorded 1,405 new cases — up from 1,127 the prior week — marking the second straight weekly increase, according to data from the CDC.

The percentage increase in cases for the week was the 10th highest in the country, though Nebraska’s overall virus levels are about the same as the U.S. average.

Case numbers were up 24% in Douglas County and 48% in Sarpy County. Six counties in Nebraska are recording high levels of virus transmission, five of them in the state’s Panhandle.

The last two winters have been accompanied by a surge in cases, many officials believe the trend may be returning for its third straight winter.

An average of 138 Nebraskans were hospitalized with the virus last week, up slightly from the prior week. 

Nebraska added four COVID deaths last week, increasing the toll of confirmed or probable deaths in the pandemic to 4,550. 

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AT $27,400 AN ACRE, RICHARDSON COUNTY FARM SALE COULD BE A NEBRASKA RECORD

FALLS CITY- Nine original bidders have driven an initial price of $1000 an acre for a Falls City farmland to prices no one expected.

The UNL 2022 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report’s average of $6,070 per acre for all farmland in the southeast region. 

The months-long auction has continued to grow, and Auctioneer Jason Smith of DreamDirt didn’t know what to think. 

“It’s close to Falls City. It’s on a hard-surface road. But other than that, it’s fairly unremarkable. A lot of people call me and joke and say there must be gold buried out there.” 

Once the bidding had surpassed $17,000, only two bidders remained of the original nine. Those two bidders drove the price all the way to $27,400, which could be a record sale for Nebraska farmland. The previous high price was $17,800, which has been seen only once.

Jim Jansen, an agriculture economist extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who helps compile the farmland real estate report, knew of farmland that sold for higher, but it was bought by developers for uses that didn’t include farming. 

Gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster even had his eye on the land saying, "It’s right on the highway, it’s a very good farm. It’s a beautiful farm that lays totally flat."

He was one of the final two bidders but stopped at $27,000 leaving the last bidder with a $3.2 million dollar bill.

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SEN. SASSE APPROVED AS PRESIDENT OF UNV. OF FLORIDA; RICKETTS EXPRESSES INTEREST IN SENATE SEAT

GAINESVILLE- After the University of Florida's board of trustees voted unanimously to recommend U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse for the role of president, the decision will now go to the University's board of governors.

In the meantime, Sasse sat down for several interviews to address the concerns surrounding his appointment. Two trustees told the Senator that he would have to "climb a hill of trust" after both students and staff voiced concerns about his stances on sexual orientation. However, the University's board of trustees said they believe Sasse to be a transformative leader who can lead the school through the "disruptions of technology and politics."

Sasse told the trustees that he would pledge to take a period of "political celibacy," stating that he will not remain active in partisan politics. "I would have no activity in partisan politics in any way as I arrive to the University of Florida," said Sasse, "I wouldn't speak at political events, I wouldn't make political contributions, partisan political contributions. I wouldn't surrogate or assist any candidates."

Sasse also stated that he looks forward to meeting the LGBTQ, Chinese, and Chinese-American students at staff at the University.The board of trustees also unanimously agreed that Sasse should make no more than $1.6 million per year.

Following Sasse's approval, for the first time publicly, Gov. Pete Ricketts expressed interest in being appointed by the next governor to the soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat held by Ben Sasse. Ricketts told Politico reporter Jordain Carney that the Senate is "still very relevant and important," and acknowledged that a move from the Governor's office to the U.S. Capitol would require a "mind frame shift."

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan likes the idea of a Ricketts Senate appointment. "I don't know who else would be more qualified," she said, "I'd support him.

Linehan went on to state that governors have almost all of the experience necessary for a successful Senate career. However, as reported earlier, Ricketts reaffirmed that he would not appoint himself to the Senate. Instead, he said he'd let the next governor make that decision.

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RICKETTS WAIVES DRIVER HOUR REGULATIONS ON FUEL TRANSPORATION

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Gov. Pete Ricketts issued an executive order in the hopes of helping ease Nebraska's fuel shortages. 

The order, which temporarily allows truck drivers to work extended hours hauling gasoline, diesel, fuel, oil, ethanol, and propane, took effect immediately and will remain in effect through the end of November.

The Governor noted that, in order for Nebraska to obtain fuel products, commercial motor vehicles are having to transport fuel longer distances and wait longer times at terminals. The order, he said, aims to make fuel more readily available to consumers by facilitating fuel transportation. 

According to an Energy Information Administration released last month, the nation's supply of diesel fuel was at its lowest point since 2008.

The chief cause of this shortage is the cutoff of Russian oil imports. Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. was importing nearly 700,000 barrels per day of petroleum products.

On top of this, normal seasonal demands, which increase as farmers harvest crops and citizens by fuel oil for winter, is exacerbating the problem.

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USDA GIVES $73 MILLION TO CREATE, EXPAND SMALLER LIVESTOCK PROCESSORS

WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday that it would be rewarding its first grants, totaling around $73 million, to increase the processing capacity of smaller, independent meatpackers in 16 states.

$20 million of those funds are being given to a small meat processor in Omaha, and is expected to help increase capacity by around 29%.

The funds are coming from the Department's $375 million Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, which seeks to reduce the market share of a small number of livestock processors. The program was announced this summer, and 21 grants have been awarded thus far.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack believes the grants will help the country's food supply chain become more resilient. "It will give the consumer the ability and potentiality to be able to purchase locally," said Vilsack, "They may be able to know that the ribeye or the hamburger or the pork chop of the chicken breast that they're purchasing was actually raised and processed locally."

The Greater Omaha Packing Company, which received the $20 million grant, processes around 2,400 cattle per day. The grant money will help that facility expand to boost processing to 3,100 cattle per day and add an expected 275 jobs.

"We'll be returning hundreds of jobs to a small rural community," said Vilsack.

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NEBRASKA STATE SENATOR RETURNS TO UKRAINE TO DELIVER BIBLES, STOVE, FOOD--AND MESSAGE OF SUPPORT

UKRAINE- State Sen. Tom Brewer, a decorated military veteran, returned to Ukraine this week to deliver Bibles and portable cookstoves, while narrowly missing a missile strike.

On Monday, two Russian missiles hit just 300 yards from Sen. Brewer's position as he and his party were leaving Zaporizhzhia in southeast Ukraine.

Luckily, one of the missiles that hit closest to Brewer's truck was a dud. "It would have taken the entire road out," said Brewer, "You would have seen pieces of the road. It would have been a bad day."

This is the second trip Brewer has taken to Ukraine since the war with Russia started just months ago. Brewer was deployed six times in Afghanistan, receiving serious wounds in one of these.

The 64-year-old Senator, who is battling leukemia, said his mission is to provide a hands-on look at what's happening at the front of the war and give a detailed explanation to Congress about whether or not American aid is helping, as he did after his last mission there.

Brewer believes he arrived in Ukraine at a pivotal moment in the war, and he described the battle to retake Kherson, a south Ukrainian region capital, as "a Stalingrad-type battle."

Brewer is also pushing for more American aid to the embattled country. "If we don't provide long-range rockets, then we guarantee them a cold, dark winter," said the Senator, "They will eventually lose their ability to generate electricity and pump water. Without water, things degrade pretty quickly."

Brewer stated that he's in regular contact with Nebraska's U.S. House members and plans to travel to Washington, D.C. to tell his story. "We have a chance to help them, by just giving them the tools, to defeat the top army in the world. Without filling one American body bag," said Brewer.

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STATE PAYS OVERDUE $11 MILLION IN BILLS TO PROVIDER OF HEALTH CARE DATA

LINCOLN- The State of Nebraska has now paid $11 million in delinquent bills to a state contractor who provides critical health care data to doctors and hospitals.

CyncHealth, a LaVista-based statewide Health Information Exchange operator, hadn't been paid since early this year for its $14 million-a-year contract. 

The lack of payment from the State prompted a group of hospitals and healthcare administrators who use the critical data to implore the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to fulfill its contract and avoid threatening the flow of essential data.

Nebraska Methodist, CHI Health, Nebraska Medicine, and Children's Hospital were among the institutions imploring the Department.

However, last week both the state and CyncHealth officials confirmed that the past-due bills were paid.

"We're not going to have to lay off any people," said Jamie Bland CyncHealth's president and CEO, "We can continually deliver the data to the providers."

The firm, which employs around 78 workers, had to borrow money and was unable to pay some subcontractors because of the lack of payment from the state.

State officials blamed the lack of payment on a change in federal Medicaid programs that funded 90%-100% of the costs of the Health Information Exchange and a prescription drug monitoring programs run by CyncHealth.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Jeff Powell said the agency is using leftover funds appropriated to the department's administrative budget to pay the contract.

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GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE CHARLES HERBSTER AND STATE SEN. JULIE SLAMA AGREE TO DROP DUELING LAWSUITS

OMAHA- A filing last week from lawyers representing both Charles Herbster and Sen. Julie Slama confirmed that the two parties had negotiated an agreement to drop their lawsuits with prejudice, disallowing them from suing each other again for the same reason. 

Neither side would discuss details about the move, but Sen. Slama's lawyer stated that "the Parties have dismissed their litigation against each other and will make no further statement on the matter."

Herbster originally sued Sen. Slama in April, denying Slama's accusation that the former gubernatorial candidate had groped her and saying that the claims were "damaging to his character and reputation and was political."

Slama sued Herbster back just days after, reaffirming her claim that Herbster had touched her inappropriately during a 2019 fundraising dinner in Omaha. Slama's lawsuit alleged that the former gubernatorial candidate had reached up her skirt and touched her without her consent.

Both lawsuits followed allegations by eight women stating that Herbster had groped them. He denied all of them. Slama was, for a while, the only woman to speak on the record by name, until another woman came forward. This woman was not sued by Herbster.

Herbster's team claimed that the allegations were part of a political conspiracy by Gov. Pete Ricketts to help his endorsee Jim Pillen. Both men denied being part of any political conspiracy.

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FORMER U.S. REP. JEFF FORTENBERRY APPEALS FEDERAL FELONY CONVICTION

OMAHA- In late June, former 1st District Rep. Jeff Fortenberry filed notice that he intended to appeal his three federal felony convictions. On Friday, the former congressman formally appealed by filing a 61-page argument stating that he should've been charged in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., rather than in California.

Fortenberry was convicted in March for lying to or misleading FBI agents investigating foreign funds that were illegally donated to the former Reps. campaign. In the Friday filing, Fortenberry's lawyer argues that "venue for a criminal prosecution is proper only in the State and district in which the defendant committed the acts that constitute an alleged crime."

Fortenberry's lawyer also stated that U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfield should have given jurors a more specific definition of the crime of misleading federal agents, claiming that there is no way to know whether jurors convicted the former congressman based on what his team argued was a misinterpretation of the scope of the law.

During the trial, Prosecutors laid out the argument that Fortenberry had accepted $30,000 of illegal campaign funds from Gilbert Chagoury, a Lebanese billionaire living in France at the time of the donation. Fortenberry had previously spoken with Chagoury's organization, In Defense of Christians, which works to condemn the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East.

Federal investigators recorded a call between Fortenberry and an informant who stated at least three times that some of the money raised in the former congressman's 2016 campaign was probably from Chagoury, making it illegal. 

Fortenberry denied knowledge of any illegal contributions during his two interviews with the FBI, and his lawyer argued that the former congressman had bad cell service, that he spaced out during the call, and that he didn't remember the specifics of the call.

Fortenberry was sentenced to two years probation, 320 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. The sentence is currently on hold until the appeal is resolved.

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OMAHA WORLD-HERALD BACKS DEMOCRAT BLOOD: PILLEN 'REBUFFED US'

OMAHA- For the first time in years, the state's largest newspaper, the Omaha World-Herald, is endorsing a Democrat for Governor.

The newspaper is backing Sen. Carol Blood over her Republican candidate Jim Pillen, largely because the latter refused to meet with the paper's editorial board.

According to the editors, "Blood met with us. But Pillen rebuffed us, something that major candidates have rarely done."

The editors go on to note that Pillen's "no-show [is] not surprising, given that Pillen also refused to debate with Blood or, before the May Primary, with his fellow Republican candidates."

During the past few months, several news channels and papers have attempted to reach out to Pillen, but to avail. News Channel Nebraska, when reporting on one of Pillen's ads and his apparent flip-flop regarding roads, attempted to contact the candidate but was denied a meeting.

Most recently, News Channel Nebraska requested an on-camera interview with Pillen to discuss taxes, abortion, roads, and broadband, but was told that the candidate had a "dynamic schedule...but we will let you know if anything opens up."

They never heard back.

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SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN BACKED BY PILLEN COULD COST DISTRICTS $270 MILLION PER YEAR, REPORT SAYS

LINCOLN- According to the OpenSky Policy Institute, Jim Pillen's proposal to change Nebraska's school funding formula to a per-student basis could cost some districts in Nebraska up to $270 million.

The report doesn't mention the gubernatorial candidate by name, but the per-student funding system studied in the report is the same that Pillen has been pushing for the past few months.

In a campaign ad, Pillen states, "We should never, ever give up on a kid. As governor, I'll reform education funding and stop the state from picking winners and losers so that every single Nebraska kid has the opportunity they deserve."

Under Nebraska's current formula, most of the funding, around $880 million, comes in the form of equalization aid, which often goes to high-need districts in the state. Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, and Millard Public Schools receive most of the equalization aid given to the state.

Pillen argues that this system is unfair for the remaining 158 districts that don't receive any equalization aid.

Despite this, the OpenSky report suggests that most districts receiving equalization aid are already near their property tax levy limits, so a drop in funding through a per-student system would force many districts to begin increasing taxes to avoid major service cuts.

State Sen. Lynne Walz, of Fremont, believes the current school funding system utilized in the state is the most effective tool the state has for discerning the true funding needs of all districts. "It's easy to just throw out an idea and then step away," said Sen. Walz, "However, those ideas affect every single Nebraskan."

In an email responding to the OpenSky report, Pillen attacked the company, saying that it was back by "entrenched interests" intent on maintaining the status quo.

For the full article click HERE

DISTRICT 38 CANDIDATE MADE HIS CASE AHEAD OF NOVEMBER 8TH

McCOOk- At a candidate forum hosted by KICX radio, District 38 incumbent Dave Murman made his case to voters ahead of next week's election day.

Dave Murman spoke on multiple topics at the forum without opposition as challenger Tyler Cappel was not there.

Murman told the gathering that progress had been made in property tax relief during his first four-year term in office. Two years ago, his personal priority bill was to offer a state income tax credit for 25 percent of property taxes paid for K-12 education districts, which was passed. Last year, the legislature passed his personal priority bill to accelerate that tax credit to 30 percent.

Murman said workforce attraction goes hand-in-hand with tax policy. He said infrastructure and broadband expansion should be used with federal money “being shoveled” out of Washington.

He believes he will have a high position on the Education Committee in the next session if he is re-elected and the election goes well for other conservatives throughout the state. On the Education Committee, he wants to keep comprehensive sex education and critical race theory out of schools.

A high position on the Education Committee would also possibly give him a seat on the Revenue Committee, where he would like to find other methods for funding schools and lowering property taxes.

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PARTY NUMBERS COULD PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN NONPARTISAN LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- The importance of the upcoming November 8th election has been the talk for months. As decision days looms closer, take a look at just how significant your vote will be.

Just over half the Nebraska Legislature – 25 of 49 seats – is up for election this year. While the Legislature is officially nonpartisan, the split between Republicans and Democrats could have big consequences for the state.

Last session, there were 32 Republican senators, and 17 Democrats. It takes 33 votes to overcome a filibuster and vote on a bill. Major proposals, such as banning abortion and loosening gun laws, came within a few votes of moving forward.

This election will produce a significant turnover. At least 15 senators will be new since those votes were taken last spring, and those closely fought, hot-button issues, along with school finance, property taxes, and a host of others, will again be up for debate.

Because Legislature is officially nonpartisan, candidates appear on the ballot without party designations, there are no majority or minority leaders, and committees aren’t organized along party lines.

Many point out that the country’s only nonpartisan body is becoming and has been somewhat partisan.

Whether Nebraska voters cross party lines when they vote, and how “nonpartisan” the senators they elect actually behave, could have an important effect – not only on issues next session, but on the very idea of nonpartisanship going forward.

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NIOBRARA RANCHER, CROFTON BUSINESSMAN RUN FOR DISTRICT 40

PONCA- Incumbent State Senator Tim Gragert is not running again, opening the door for either Barry DeKay and Keith Kube to take the reigns.

District 40, which was redrawn by lawmakers following the 2020 census, covers the northern two-thirds of Dixon County, northern Pierce County and all of Cedar, Holt and Antelope counties. The district stretches from Atkinson in the west, north to the South Dakota border, east to the Iowa border and south to the Neligh area.

Barry DeKay, who has operated a farm and ranch near Niobrara for 44 years, won a four-way primary in May with 36 percent of the vote. Keith Kube, who had an extensive career as a management consultant and investment banker before returning to his native Crofton, narrowly finished second to DeKay in the primary.

DeKay, a former member of the Nebraska Public Power District Board, cites his extensive ties to Northeast Nebraska and community service. He served 15 years on the Niobrara Valley Electric Membership Corporation, one of the three distribution cooperatives in the state, including an eight-year stint as president. He also is a former state president of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association.

In the Legislature, DeKay said his top issues would be to tax reform, economic development and infrastructure.

Kube grew up in Crofton and earned his bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Nebraska College of Engineering. At UNL, he directed the Newman Center Folk Choir for three years and ran on the Huskers track team for one year.

After college, he worked in the real estate, investment banking and manufacturing industries in Wisconsin and later relocated to California. He said his work in finance, sales and tax preparation prepared him for his career as a business analyst with Chicago area-based George S. May International, where he worked from 1995 until his retirement in 2011.

Kube said his priorirties in the Legislature would be to address taxes and inflation, inequities in the school funding formual and “preserving Nebraska’s values.”

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LUNCH LADY CHALLENGES BANKER TO SERVE AS EAST LINCOLN'S NEXT STATE SENATOR

LINCOLN- Democrat Sarah Slattery and Republican incumbent Rob Clements are facing off for the District 2 East Lincoln seat.

The seat at hand that Slattery and Clements are campaigning for once stopped at the Lancaster-Cass county line. But redistricting pushed District 2’s western boundary across the border and all the way to east Lincoln.

Republicans have the advantage in the Lancaster County swath of District 2 — 5,312 to 3,375 Democrats. That leaves nearly 2,500 residents registered as nonpartisan, Libertarian or with the pro-marijuana party.

Slattery has a team knocking on doors in Lincoln on her behalf; she has arthritis in one knee and torn meniscus in the other, so her mobility is limited. But she’s trying to organize events where she can personally reach as many potential voters as she can.

She’s running as a working-class parent, and believes her background of culinary helps her relate better to Nebraskans than her opponent can, because she’s shared their everyday struggles. She believes that connection is more important to voters than her political affiliation.

Clements has been knocking on doors in Lincoln, and he knows his way around. Elmwood is a small town, so he routinely makes the 20-mile trip west.

Clements is a former banker, he says this is a key aspect that has helped him create connections with his constituents since he values face-to-face visits.

“I’m glad to represent District 2. This election is about the economy and inflation, controlling government spending. We need to cut taxes to help family budgets. The low-income and fixed-income people are hurting more than ever.”

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JIM PILLEN CENTERS ON CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT, JOBS FOR NEBRASKA KIDS

LINCOLN- If elected, a conservative and restricted-cost government will be the goal for Jim Pillen.

The focus does not stop there, he wants to focus just as much on workforce development and drastic change in the distribution of state aid to public schools.

His number one focus is keeping Nebraska kids in Nebraska. The state loses too many jobs to other states, and Pillen thinks he can make the changes to retain the younger age group.

How will he do this? By providing targeted education options and job opportunities that would swiftly and directly address Nebraska's dramatic workforce shortage, which currently leaves perhaps as many as 100,000 job opportunities in the state unfilled, Pillen says.

"The first step is the university and state colleges have to do better in keeping our kids here," the University of Nebraska regent said. "We're not competitive with scholarships. We have to get in the game."

Pillen noted that it isn't all about the university. He says we need to focus on hooking up children with businesses and with community colleges and trade schools. By focusing on all of the categories, the state will effectively generate economic development and value.

"Outside of our kids and our people, our second greatest resource is water," Pillen said. "We have to protect it. It's our future along with our kids."

Pillen supports Gov. Pete Ricketts' efforts to retain and protect the South Platte River water flowing into Nebraska from Colorado through the construction of a dam and canal system. That $500 million project was authorized by the 2022 Legislature.

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DISTRICT 42 CANDIDATES DIFFER ON LITTLE, BUT SPAR ON RESUMES AT DEBATE

NORTH PLATTE- Incumbent Mike Jacobson, who was appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts to finish out Mike Groene’s term, and challenger Chris Bruns answered questions in front of a crowd of about 100 people at a recent debate.

The candidates agree on almost everything, so they were asked what qualifies them for the role.

“I spent nearly 10 years of active duty service for our country,” Bruns said. “During that time I learned a lot of really important things. I’ve had experiences that my peers and contemporaries and my seniors will never be able to say they’ve experienced.”

Bruns also pointed out that serving the community is important to him as he is the chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

“As it relates to experience, I’ve had more than just two years in the role that I’m serving in,” Jacobson said. “My opponent will be finishing his second year on the county board here by the end of the year.

“I have been here in North Platte for 28 years. I’ve been involved in economic development from the day that I got here.”

The pair answered questions about abortion — they are both pro-life; issues related to the Nebraska Department of Education including critical race theory and proposed health standards — both are opposed to including either in public schools; constitutional carry — both agree 2nd Amendment is a fundamental right; both wish to eliminate secret ballots in the legislature and both are opposed to the “epic consumption” tax, which they said would take away local control and give too much control to the legislature.

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DOUGLAS COUNTY'S ELECTION COMMISSIONER PREDICTS VOTER TURNOUT COULD BE CLOSE TO RECORD HIGH

OMAHA- Brian Kruse, Douglas County's election commissioner, believes that voter turnout next Tuesday could reach a record high.

Specifically, Kruse predicts a turnout of 57%, which would equal around 204,000. The highest turnout in Douglas County topped 57.7% in 2018, and Kruse believes may be exceeded this year.

"We always encourage voters to prove me wrong in the right direction," stated Kruse, "That's one mistake I'll be happy to admit I was wrong on, if we go over that 57%."

Kruse thinks that the highly contested races in Nebraska and special issues and amendments will be the top reasons for a potential higher-than-normal voter turnout.

As of Tuesday night, around 65% of the roughly 100,000 early ballots that were requested have been returned. Kruse stressed that, since the election is less than a week away, citizens should place their ballots in one of the 13 county election drop box locations to ensure arrival by next Tuesday.

In Sarpy County, Election Commissioner Emily Ethington predicted a 53% voter turnout, which would amount to around 65,000 votes. According to Ethington, the 2018 gubernatorial election saw a 60.25% turnout, but the county had around 10,000 fewer voters that year.

Both Kruse and Ethington claimed that all polling locations in their districts will be fully staffed, and don't expect exceptionally long lines because of the early voting ballots.

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PONCA TRIBE OF NEBRASKA TO BREAK GROUND ON PRAIRIE FLOWER CASINO EXPANSION

CARTER LAKE- The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska plans to expand their Prairie Flower Casino in Carter Lake beginning next Monday.

The tribe will break ground on the new 60,000-square-foot expansion of the casino in recognition of the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Ponca Restoration Act, which restored the federal government's formal recognition of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. 

The Prairie Flower Casino opened on November 1, 2018, and has contributed over $28 million to support Tribal services since its opening. This money has gone towards expanded healthcare, job training, cultural preservation, and social services for members of the tribe. 

Around $2.3 million has also gone to the City of Carter Lake to support its police and fire departments, infrastructure, and community improvements.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION HONORS NEBRASKA HEALTH CARE HEROES WITH 'THE CARING KIND' AWARD

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Hospital Association will be recognizing 83 Nebraska hospital employees by awarding them with The Caring Kind award.

For 43 years, The Caring Kind award has recognized Nebraska's most caring and compassionate healthcare heroes. The award honors outstanding healthcare employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities.

"This award demonstrates the kindness, caring, dedication and commitment these individuals make to their hospitals,” commented Jeremy Nordquist, President, NHA. “The Caring Kind award is a celebration of our Nebraska health care heroes and the extraordinary work they do each and every day to deliver top notch patient care in our hospitals."

More than 2,700 caring, skilled and dedicated health care professionals have received this award since its inception in 1979.

Hospitals across the state select one The Caring Kind award recipient from within their respective institutions to be recognized. Award winners were recognized at a special luncheon as part of the NHA Annual Convention.

For the full article click HERE