NEBRASKA ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY POLL WATCHER NUMBERS ARE NORMAL AMID RISING NATIONAL CONCERNS

LINCOLN- While several states are bracing for potential conflicts with hostile poll watchers tomorrow, election officials in Nebraska don't share the same concern.

Election Commissioners from Douglas and Lancaster Counties both stated that the number of volunteer poll watchers that will be monitoring the general election tomorrow is slightly lower compared to 2020.

In other states around the country, there are growing concerns that poll workers will face disruption and hostility from a wave of aggressive new poll watchers, many of whom are largely fueled by false theories that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen.

Gavin Geis, executive director of Common Cause Nebraska, said they've yet to witness any signs of open hostility among the volunteers they've recruited alongside Civic Nebraska.

Steve Smith, a spokesperson for Civic Nebraska, said they'd signed up 65 volunteers, which is down from the 100 volunteers recruited in 2018 and 2020. "It seems like people are pretty burnt out on election work," said Geis.

In Nebraska, state law requires that groups hiring poll watchers must provide written notice to the county election official or Nebraska Secretary of State.

Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said he doesn't anticipate any issues with the volunteer poll watchers, but has preemptively trained poll workers to de-escalate fiery situations. 

Many of the states experiencing concerns over hostile poll watchers are those that either President Biden won in 2020, or those that President Trump won by a very slim margin.

For the full article click HERE

SIZABLE DISTRICT 42 FUNDRAISING EDGE TO JACOBSON AS ELECTION DAY NEARS

LINCOLN- State Sen. Mike Jacobson widened his fundraising lead substantially over his candidate Lincoln County Board Chairman Chris Bruns in the District 42 race.

In his most recent campaign filings, Jacobson has raised around $337,283 between his February appointment and the October 24th cutoff date. Bruns raised a not insignificant amount, around $138,655 since announcing his candidacy in 2021, but still trails Jacobson by quite a margin.

However, in the lead-up to the election, Bruns actually had more cash on hand than Jacobson--$40,496 to Jacobson's $21,780.

Thirty PACs in total have given to Jacobson's campaign, including the Nebraska Bankers Association, which gave around $12,000 combined. Besides PACs, over 60 businesses have donated to Jacobson as well.

Jacobson's latest individual donors include Rev Development LLC partners Mike Works and Justin Hernandez. Each gave $5,000 to Jacobson, likely because the Senator's bank, NebraskaLand Bank, helped Rev Development purchase the land needed to build a new mall in North Platte.

Bruns, on the other hand, received donations from nine PACs and the Nebraska Republican Party. His largest donation, which came from the Kennedy Ranch of North Platte, gave a whopping $9,000.

Robert Lundeen, a North Platte resident, has given Bruns the most of any individual contributor, totalling out to $10,000. 

Outgoing Gov. Ricketts, despite contributing millions to other candidates and organizations, has not donated to either District 42 candidate.

For the full article click HERE

UNMC TO PARTICIPATE IN TRIAL OF MONKEYPOX TREATMENT

OMAHA- A trial testing the safety and effectiveness of a drug for the treatment of monkeypox will be explored by 60 sites nationally, UNMC is one of them.

The drug, called tecovirimat or TPOXX, already is being given to patients with monkeypox, said Dr. Sara Bares, an associate professor in UNMC’s infectious diseases division. 

The drug can be obtained only through the CDC, under the agency’s expanded access investigational new drug protocol. The drug is approved for use with smallpox, which is in the same family as monkeypox.

The purpose fo the study is to determine whether the drug is in fact effective in treating monkeypox and, if so, who would benefit most, Bares said. They also want to see how much resistance the virus poses to the drug. 

The researchers hope to enroll about 500 people. The phase 3 trial is being led by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group, a national network. It’s sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. UNMC is the only study site listed in Nebraska. 

One challenge will be to enroll enough participants. Reports of new cases in the U.S. have slowed considerably since peaking in August. Nebraska has had 31 confirmed cases out of 28,302 nationwide.

For information about participating at UNMC, contact Maureen Kubat at mo.kubat@unmc.edu or 402-559-4408; or Jennifer O’Neill at jloneill@unmc.edu or 402-559-4312.

For the full article click HERE

UNL STUDY CONFIRMS IRRIGATION'S IMPACT ON HUMIDITY, YIELDS POSSIBLE LINK TO RAIN

LINCOLN- Intense irrigation in Nebraska is having a complex effect on the weather, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say. 

UNL School of Natural Resources professor, Rezaul Mahmood said, "Irrigation impacts our weather, climate and well-being in many different ways.” 

Scientists have been studying the impact of irrigation on weather for years because of irrigation’s importance to global food security and the need to understand how its increasing use might change the weather. Irrigated fields produce about 40% of the world’s food, and its use is growing.

The most noticeable, localized effect that irrigation has on the weather is to make an area more humid, Mahmood said. People sense that through muggier and more uncomfortable weather. That humidity also suppresses temperatures, so it’s harder for hot weather to generate records. 

This type of research has led scientists to conclude that irrigation is changing wind patterns locally and affecting rainfall patterns over a large area. 

Mahmood said irrigation weakens a type of afternoon wind that is important to cloud formation. It’s not clear, he said, how much impact the change has on clouds and storms.

“The bottom line is that when you change land use, that impacts the weather and climate of an area,” Mahmood said. “Planning and adaption, those are things we need to work on.”

For the full article click HERE

HIGH NUMBER OF RSV CASES IN DOUGLAS COUNTY ISN'T TYPICAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR OFFICIALS SAY

OMAHA- The Douglas County Health Department said it had received 852 positive tests for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, during October, with 65% of those cases among children under 5. Forty percent of the cases were among children between 0 and 24 months.

RSV spreads most often during the winter, health officials said. Children commonly have an RSV infection during their first two years, but people of any age can catch it. A person can have RSV more than once, but usually not in the same season, officials said. 

RSV symptoms generally are like those of the common cold, but it can cause more severe infections, including inflammation of the small airways in the lungs and pneumonia. 

Treatment generally involves reducing pain and fever with over-the-counter medicines, health officials said. One key is for people with RSV to avoid dehydration by drinking enough fluids. 

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha told department officials that during the past seven days, it has treated 245 patients who had tested positive for RSV, including 85 children who were admitted and 160 who were seen in the emergency room and released in less than 24 hours. 

The Douglas County Health Department says although RSV is typical in the winter, this time of the year is not common to see the number of cases that have occurred. Officials are still looking into this surge and its likely causes.

For the full article click HERE

2022 NEBRASKA TEACHER OF THE YEAR RECEIVES NATIONAL EDUCATION AWARD

OMAHA- Lee Perez, an English as a second language teacher (ESL), not only received the award for top Nebraska educator, but has now received the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence.

The NEA Foundation announced that Perez is one of five teachers who received the distinguished award across the country. 

The award has been given out annually for the past 20 years to educators who have exceptional skill in the classroom, pay attention to equity and diversity, engage families and more, according to the NEA Foundation. Each year, one of the five honorees is chosen as the NEA Foundation Member Benefits awardee. 

The award comes with a feature in a mini-documentary put together by the NEA Foundation, along with $10,000.

“It has been an honor to teach English language learners in my classroom from all over the world,” Perez said. “To help educate them to be the future democratic builders of this nation has been my privilege. Learning about different languages, cultures, values and traditions from my students has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.” 

The other four recipients of the Horace Mann award are educators from South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Kansas and New Jersey.

“These talented educators have connected powerfully with students, supporting them in the moment and empowering them for the future,” said Sara Sneed, NEA Foundation CEO.

For the full article click HERE

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. 

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.

For the full article click HERE

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.”

For more on this article click HERE