NEBRASKA FARMERS CONTINUE TO BATTLE DROUGHT, PLAN FOR THE WORST

CEDAR BLUFFS- Continous drought conditions have caused farmers to deal with higher expenses and lower profits. Several farming entities have had to start irrigation wells due to the lack of spring rains. "The water usage of the plants is so little, as long as we’ve got them in the moisture where we’ve planted, we’re okay for a little bit," said Cedar Bluffs farmer Tim Shanahan. "Where we’ve got irrigation, we’re going to start running and keep on running and keep running until it rains probably."

All 93 of Nebraska's counties are currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with all but two experiencing at least some level of drought. Eighteen counties, including Saunders County where Cedar Bluffs is located, are currently in exceptional drought, the highest level of dryness possible in the U.S. Drought Monitor's measurements. "If we don’t get the rains where we don’t have irrigation, that will definitely be a problem," Shanahan said.

All 18 of the counties experiencing exceptional drought are located in the eastern third of Nebraska. Shanahan says he is unsure of what the future holds for him and Nebraska farmers. "Depends on what article you read," Shanahan said. "Some say we’re going to work our way out of the drought, and some aren’t so promising about it." The state is nearing its second year of near to extreme drought.

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SANTEE SIOUX NATION OF NEBRASKA AWARDED $500,000 TO BOOST TRIBAL INTERNET SERVICES

LINCOLN- The Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska will receive $500,000 for high-speed internet development as part of the Biden Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. They are one of nine tribal entities to receive a share of $4.5 million from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Alonzo Denney, chairman of the Santee Sioux Tribe said the $500,000 would help the tribe’s continued efforts to become a self-sustaining and solely owned Indian Internet Service Provider for its community in Knox County.

Denney said Covid-19 made the digital divide within the Nation apparent. He said the lack of digital services demonstrated the “urgent need” for the tribe to rely on its own people to seek ways to provide reliable services to its community. “We now have a financial start to our business goals and are grateful,” he said. “We will continue to seek out additional funding opportunities to find complete resolution to our digital needs for our tribal community.”

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said the grant would help provide services necessary for growth in the 21st-century economy. The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is run by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is the advisory agency to the president on telecommunications and information policy matters. NTIA programs focus on expanding broadband Internet access, advancing public safety communications and economic growth.

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NU FACING A NEARLY $50M BUDGET SHORTFALL NEXT YEAR; MINIMAL TUITION INCREASE PROPOSED

LINCOLN- As costs increase and marginal revenue growth is minimal, the University of Nebraska will be closing a $49.4 million budget shortfall in FY23-24. Without cutting costs or finding additional revenue sources, NU's structural budget deficit will balloon to $79.8 million in 2024-25, university leaders told the Board of Regents at a special meeting. The meeting comes just two weeks before the board of regents will approve the new 2-year budget and set tuition rates for the 23-24 school year.

President Ted Carter said the hardship is not unique to Nebraska. "Large flagship institutions, even in the Big Ten, are not immune from these challenges," Carter said. Carter pointed to the number of traditional college-aged students being on the decline, the cost of doing business is on the rise and questions circle about whether a four-year college degree is worth it. Carter plans on using a combination of spending cuts and minimal tuition increases to do so.

Administrators will propose raising tuition rates for NU students by 3.5% in the coming school year at the regents' June 22 meeting as they begin planning how to close the remaining budget deficit. While the additional tuition revenue would alleviate some of the financial strain NU is facing, it would not eliminate it entirely, administrators told the board. If the tuition increases are approved as presented, NU would still be forced to cut $27.2 million from its budget in 2023-24 and $57.6 million in 2024-25.

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FIVE STAFF MEMBERS STABBED BY INMATES AT NEBRASKA PRISON, AUTHORITIES SAY

LINCOLN- Five staff members at the state's Reception and Treatment Center had to be treated in the hospital after being stabbed by three inmates. The staff members suffered injuries "consistent with stabbings utilizing manufactured weapons" and were also kicked and punched, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release. An additional two staffers were injured while trying to stop the assaults.

“The injured team members were primarily concerned with the well-being of their co-workers, which is indicative of the commitment they have to each other,” the prison's warden, Taggart Boyd, said in the news release, noting that staff responded quickly "and contained the situation within minutes.” The inmates were under the influence of alcohol and did the act in response to being 'directed' by the staffers.

The prior moments to the attack have not been released as well as when the attack actually occurred. The alleged attack transpired in one of the two high-security, maximum-custody housing units at the Reception and Treatment Center, which opened last May, combining two state prisons into one massive complex.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS APPROVE OVER $400 MILLION TO REVITALIZE LOW-INCOME OMAHA NEIGHBORHOODS

OMAHA- Lawmakers gave the approval to a bill that will send more than $400 million to North and South Omaha for recovery and revitalization efforts. LB531 was approved thanks to a 37-8 vote, and if signed will go into effect the following day. This is a follow-up bill from last year's session that adds more money to the area to specifically focus on revitalization efforts.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, the bill’s introducer, grew up in North Omaha and said his main focus while in office is economic recovery for that area. He said the projects funded through LB 531 will aim to reduce poverty and crime rates and improve educational and health outcomes. “North Omaha is not a charity case for wealthy individuals to act as our saviors,” McKinney said.

Most of the money would be distributed through the Department of Economic Development to some of the 367 proposals submitted during an earlier phase of the project last year. LB 531 identifies a handful of those proposals to receive guaranteed money, including $20 million for a Malcolm X museum and another $20 million for local health centers.

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NEARLY 1,200 EDUCATORS LEAVING THEIR JOBS IN OMAHA-AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS

OMAHA- As many Omaha-area schools come upon their final days this week, hundreds of resignation letters are being filed by administrators from teachers leaving their districts. While metro districts in Nebraska are losing fewer educators this year compared to previous semesters, the number of people leaving, according to school officials, is still higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Based on the resignation letters filed, it is estimated that around 1,200 Omaha-area educators are leaving their districts, a number expected to grow as additional school staff members exit following resignation deadlines. Last year, that number hovered right around 1,250 educators leaving their positions. In May of 2021, only around 900 educators left their jobs in the Omaha area. The most recent numbers are indicative of the nationwide teaching shortage still affecting many states.

Although the numbers are alarming to many, the Nebraska State Education Association, the State Board of Education, and Nebraska's lawmakers have attempted to allay concerns through the creation of meaningful legislation geared toward teacher retention. Recently, Gov. Jim Pillen even repealed the basic-skills test for teachers, which was previously a requirement for teacher certification. A legislative proposal also sought to give grants to teachers who stayed at their job for a certain amount of years. Reasons for leaving range from family relocation, to extra workload, to student misbehavior.

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LEGISLATURE PASSES NEBRASKA INCOME TAX CUTS, PROPERTY TAX OFFSETS, AND CHILD TAX CREDITS

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature, with little objection, gave final approval to a $6.4 billion tax relief package, which includes income tax cuts, hikes in state property tax credits, tax credits for child care, and a boost to school funding to offset property taxes. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who spearheaded the push to lower Nebraska's top income tax rates and ease the burden of local property taxes, helped secure at least 39 votes in the Unicameral, allowing for the passage of LB243, LB583, and LB754.

"This is a big win for Nebraska," Linehan told her colleagues, "A big win." However, critics of these proposals weren't silent. Sens. Jane Raybould and Danielle Conrad, as well as the OpenSky Policy Institute, have long argued that the state risks cutting taxes too deeply through these proposals, and that spending so much on tax credits and tax offsets puts future funding for state services at risk. Others argued that the proposals only benefit the richest of Nebraskans. "This is a tax cut for the wealthiest in Nebraska, and eventually, if we have enough money, then maybe we'll get some middle-class tax cuts," argued Sen. Wendy DeBoer, "I don't think that's fair."

OpenSky Policy Institute, on Thursday, shared its projections that indicate that most Nebraskans would eventually receive an income tax cut of around $300, while the state's top 1% would pay tens of thousands of dollars less. Linehan argued that critics of the proposals are missing the bigger picture, and are ignoring the expanded child tax credits, which will ensure that parents receive more money back. The largest of this year's tax proposals, LB727, which is a combination of nearly 30 bills relating to tax credits, has still yet to pass.

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LEGISLATURE'S HHS COMMITTEE ADVANCES CONTENTIOUS NOMINATION FOR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted 4-2 to advance the controversial appointment of Dr. Timothy Tesmer, who will now serve as the state's new chief medical officer. Tesmer, an ear, nose, and throat doctor, graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and has practiced in Kentucky, Missouri, and Colorado before establishing a private practice in Lincoln. "I wrote policy, I set standards, and I ensured that my team met those standards," Tesmer told the committee, "These are the skills that I bring to this role today."

Much of Tesmer's confirmation hearing centered around how he would approach the authority granted to him under LB574, the controversial trans care and abortion ban. The authority to decide Nebraska's stance on puberty blockers and hormone therapy was designated to Tesmer after the enactment of LB574 on Monday. Tesmer told the committee that the final rules and regulations that his agency decides on relating to these treatments will be "evidence-based and reasonable."

Sen. Walz, an HHS Committee member, asked Tesmer if he would be willing to review her proposed rules and regulations surrounding puberty blockers and hormone therapy, which she had drafted alongside Sens. John Fredrickson and John Cavanaugh prior to the passage of LB574. "I would be willing to look at that," responded Tesmer, "But I have to apply that to the boundaries of the context of the law." Two doctors, Dr. Helen Grace and Dr. Alex Dworak, both testified in a neutral capacity following Tesmer's own testimony, and offered their guidance as Tesmer crafts the rules surrounding these gender-affirming treatments.

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OMAHA POLICE FORCE MORE DIVERSE, BUT NEBRASKA LAWMAKER SAYS IT'S NOT ENOUGH

LINCOLN- Over the past three years, the Omaha Police Department has intentionally increased the racial and ethnic diversity of its sworn officers, a move that department leaders believe is helping to solve and prevent crime as well as improve local police-community relations. Since 2012, the number of Omaha police personnel who are not White has grown from 17% to 22% this year, with 87 Black police officers and 91 Hispanic officers this year.

However, despite this growth in diversity, Sen. Terrell McKinney, who has worked in the Nebraska Legislature for police reform, said the recent growth is beneficial, but not enough. "I will never be against diversity and making sure we have diverse faces in positions of power," said McKinney, "But diversity to me doesn't mean anything if the system doesn't change itself. We still have a lot of issues with law enforcement...Just hiring a bunch of Black people or Native people or Latino people doesn't change the fact that the system of policing still needs some change."

According to Todd Schmaderer, Omaha Police Chief, however, Omaha will continue to push for more diversity. Schmaderer stated that the Omaha Department is currently working with the Black Police Officers and Latino Peace Officers Associations, as well as the Nebraska Association of Women Police and the Omaha Police Union to attain this goal of diversity. Deputy Chief of the Omaha Police Department Anna Colon, who heads the internal affairs unit, also stated that Omaha's officers are attempting to create more deeply-rooted community relationships through events, volunteering, and coaching.

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LEGISLATURE ENACTS MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES BILL, GOV. PILLEN SIGNS IT ON THURSDAY

LINCOLN- On Friday, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen lauded the passage of Sen. Anna Wishart's LB276, stating that it "will help transform mental health and substance abuse services" in the state. The bill, according to Wishart, would clear a path for certification of community behavioral health clinics that would provide increased access to medication-assisted treatment while expanding community partnerships with law enforcement, the justice system, and local schools.

"We must come together to solve tough problems, and mental health and substance abuse are tough problems," said Pillen, "LB276 is a no-brainer." LB276 will launch the new program in 2025, and requests up to $4.5 million out of the state's general fund. The bill, once signed by Gov. Pillen, would allow qualifying providers to seek daily or monthly reimbursements for certain treatments, potentially allowing providers to hire more staff and increase access to timely care.

Wishart, as well as several other senators in support of the bill, believe the measure will help fill gaps in communities where access to mental health and substance abuse care are lacking, and will provide more holistic treatments for those who need them. The bill was enacted on a 46-0 vote, with almost every senator in support of the intent of the bill.

On Thursday, Gov. Jim Pillen, who was joined by Sens. Wishart and Fredrickson, the latter of whom works as a mental health professional, as well as a handful of Department of Health and Human Services employees and directors, signed LB276 into law. "It is important that we offer help to Nebraskans who suffer from mental health issues and substance abuse problems," said Pillen prior to signing the bill, "This piece of legislation will help transform mental health and substance abuse services in Nebraska. Other states that have adopted CCBHCs have called the results transformational, and that is why signing this legislation is a no-brainer for Nebraska."

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GOV. PILLEN SIGNS NEBRASKA'S NEW ABORTION, TRANS HEALTH CARE RESTRICTIONS INTO LAW

LINCOLN- On Monday, after months of continued debate and filibuster, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB574 into law, which, after having an amendment added onto it, will restrict abortion 12 weeks post-gestation, as well as prohibit youth under 19 from receiving gender-affirming care. Gov. Pillen signed the bill alongside members of his family, as well as a large coalition of Republican senators and one Democrat.

An emergency clause in the bill will enact the abortion ban immediately, while restrictions on gender-affirming care for individuals under 19 won't take effect until October 1st. "All children deserve a chance to grow and live happy, fruitful lives," said Pillen during the signing of the bill, "This includes pre-born boys and girls, and it includes children struggling with their gender identity." LB574 launched the Nebraska Legislature into unprecedented turmoil this session, with the bill very narrowly surviving four contentious rounds of debate on the floor.

Those filibusters appear poised to continue through the next year. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, who led this year's months-long filibuster, promised after the body passed LB574 last Friday to "burn down" the next 60-day session as well. Sen. Hansen's amendment, which was attached to the bill last week, is believed to be far more radical than previous attempts at compromise, since it prohibits abortion based on gestational periods rather than fertilization, meaning it actually cuts off closer to 10 weeks.

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MAJOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILL LIMPS PAST INITIAL DEBATE AMID DISAGREEMENTS, FURTHER COMPLICATED BY COUNTY ATTORNEYS

LINCOLN- Legislative Bill 50, a substantial criminal justice reform package introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, was the subject of immense debate and discussion on Monday, but prevailed despite this. Advancing on a 28-8 vote, supporters and critics of the bill agreed to compromise on it prior to its next round of debate. Generally, the measure is billed as a way to provide incentives for inmates to engage in rehabilitation programming, which may allow for early parole or release, with a larger goal of reducing the need for the construction of a second new prison.

"This bill is probably one of the most fiscally responsible things we can do this year," said Wayne during the debate. Wayne went on to estimate that Nebraska was spending roughly $263 million a year to house inmates, and will be forced to build a second new prison if reform isn't implemented. However, critics say that LB50 goes too far in allowing certain inmates to leave prison earlier than otherwise would have, and argue that it must be amended before they support it. Sen. Carolyn Bosn, a former county prosecutor, said she will only support the bill if changes are made to early parole eligibility and criminal penalties related to repeat criminals.

"As a prosecutor, I'm not willing to look a victim in the face and tell them that the sentence may be 20 years but they're parole eligible in six," said Bosn, "It's a hard conversation." Sen. Terrell McKinney saw the criticisms of LB50 as a repeat of those offered up last year, when a similar criminal justice reform package was shot down last minute. Sens. Ibach, DeKay, and Holdcroft, who recently met with local prosecutors, as well as Gov. Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers, also opposed the reach of LB50. "I believe if you've done the crime," said Holdcroft, "you do the time."

On Wednesday, the body continued the debate of LB50, and new disagreements arose over whether or not the bill was too "extreme." A slew of county prosecutors, including former county prosecutor and now-Sen. Carolyn Bosn, argued that the bill goes too far in permitting the possible early release of some inmates. "I don't know how many of you have asked victims (of crime) what they think of this," said Bosn during the heated debate, "What we have lost in all of this is justice for the crime victims." Proponents of the bill, including Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, argued that the bill is necessary if Nebraska is to avoid building a second new prison. Before being advanced, the bill was heavily amended.

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NEBRASKA VOTER ID IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ADVANCES DESPITE OBJECTIONS, LATER STALLED BY AG CONCERNS

LINCOLN- Despite immense opposition from one key senator, Nebraska's new voter identification requirements cleared a major hurdle on Monday after several hours of debate and filibuster. After adopting an amendment backed by the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, the bill was advanced to its second round of debate on a 43-1 vote, with Sen. Slama, the bill's major critic, being the sole 'no' vote.

Sen. Tom Brewer, one of the main architects of the voter ID proposal, said the Government Committee amendment was the product of weeks of work, and that it aims to carry out the will of Nebraska voters, who overwhelmingly passed a voter ID measure last year, without being too restrictive. Sen. Julie Slama, who sponsored the ballot initiative that paved the way for voter ID in Nebraska, called the amendment "unconstitutional," and claimed that it wouldn't stop people from voting without ID or require verification of citizenship.

"Nebraskans have spoken, and now it's our responsibility to ensure that only the votes of eligible voters are counted," said Slama, arguing that the Government Committee's amendment will "betray the will of the voters." Slama urged her colleagues to adopt her own amendment, which contained more expansive requirements concerning citizenship checks, mail-in ballots, and photo ID exceptions. Despite this, several Slama-backed amendments failed, with the final one garnering only eight votes of support. Slama criticized the Committee's amendment, saying it was drafted by Secretary of State Bob Evnen "to make his job easier" and that it was being pushed for by people historically opposed to voter ID.

On Wednesday, the body was set to continue the debate of the voter ID proposal, but was stopped just minutes before after Nebraska's Attorney General Mike Hilgers raised concerns. According to several sources, Hilgers saw the bill as too expansive in its exceptions for people who say they couldn't obtain a state-approved ID card in time to vote, and asked Sen. Brewer, the sponsor of the bill, to draft an amendment. Thus far, it isn't clear when the bill will come back up for debate.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS PASS BILL THAT INCLUDES CLEAN HYDROGEN HUB SUPPORT

LINCOLN- Among several bills on final reading in the Legislature on Tuesday was Sen. Bostelman's LB565, which was advanced after a short debate. LB565 among several other things, would allocate around $500,000 over the next two years to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which will use the funds to provide grants through public power districts and the Nebraska Hydrogen Hib working group.

The money earmarked for this bill is meant to be utilized for engineering and modeling as Nebraska seeks one of the U.S. Department of Energy's regional clean hydrogen hubs. The bill, according to Sen. Bruce Bostelman, will also help identify workforce needs for the nuclear and hydrogen industries, and will provide educational programming and training as well. "NPPD has been a strong leader in the hydrogen hub process and in this grant application," said Bostelman during debate, "We are now one of 33 [applicants being considered]." 

Monolith Materials, located at NPPD's Sheldon Station near Hallam, will lead the working group and study the needs of a potential hydrogen or nuclear workforce in the state, a workforce that could potentially aid other industries in the state. Sen. Bostelman believes the bill will also inspire young persons to stay in the state. "How do we reach out now into our high schools? How does we start connecting students at that level, to start building their interest and their skills in all these trades, but also professionally as well?" asked Sen. Bostelman.

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'OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS ACT' PASSES FINAL ROUND OF DEBATE IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted, despite a myriad of concerns from Democratic lawmakers, to advance Sen. Linehan's LB753, or the 'Opportunity Scholarship Act,' which would provide tax credits to Nebraskans who donate to organizations that grant scholarships to children attending private school. According to the bill's fiscal note, around $25 million worth of tax credits would be provided each year, with a potential increase cap of $100 million if the yearly credit amount is used.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen reacted immediately to the bill's passage, saying it is a "huge step forward" in giving parents and students more choice in where to attend school. The Nebraska Family Alliance, a Conservative organization that advocates for traditional family values, also lauded the passage of the bill. "Today is an important, hard-fought victory for school choice in Nebraska," said a statement released by the organization, "LB753 puts power back into the hands of parents and will help more families have the choice to send their child to the school that best meets their needs and aligns with their values."

Opponents of the bill, including several Democratic senators and organizations, argue that 'Opportunity Scholarships' hurt public schools by taking away funding. According to Stand for Schools, a nonprofit advocating for public schools, the passage of LB753 will give "tax breaks to the wealthy by supporting unaccountable private schools." During debate of the bill, certain senators also argued that the bill allows public funding to private or parochial schools that can freely discriminate against applicants based on race, religion, or gender.

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NEBRASKA GOV. JIM PILLEN DEPLOYS STATE TROOPERS TO TEXAS DAYS AFTER MEETING WITH ABBOTT

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced that he has ordered the deployment of ten state troopers to the Texas border as part of his "promise to back Texas" and its Governor Greg Abbott. Just days before, Pillen traveled to the Lone Star State to meet with Abbott, as well as several Republican governors from other states.

Pillen cited the end of the Trump-era Title 42 as his reason for deploying the state troopers, which was a measure that blocked migrants from claiming asylum during a public health emergency. "Our nation has a serious unchecked threat on its hands following President Biden's decision to end Title 42," said Pillen in a press release, "Nebraska is committed to using every tool in its toolbox to help stop the influx of illegal immigration at our southern border."

Pillen went on to state that the ten troopers being deployed are all skilled drone operators, and will assist in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering on the border. Texas officials had previously requested assistance via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, allowing member states, including Nebraska, to provide resources and assistance in times of emergency.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE PROPOSAL TO REPEAL MOTORCYCLE HELMET MANDATE

LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers are just one step away from repealing the state's mandated motorcycle helmets after advancing a long-sought proposal in the form of an amendment on Wednesday. During the debate of Sen. Bosn's LB138, a bill related to the DMV, Sen. Ben Hansen, who originally introduced the same motorcycle mandate proposal in LB91, was able to amend it into the bill on a 30-5 vote, despite concerns. 

According to Hansen, such a proposal has been put forth and failed several times throughout the years. "There's actually a coveted helmet that gets passed around to each senator who introduces it," said Hansen after the adoption of the amendment, "So now, I'm such with it, I guess." Hansen's amendment, however, differs from other states who repealed the same mandate, and requires the completion of a DMV-approved basic motorcycle safety course. Similarly, the amendment would require motorcyclists seeking to ride without a helmet to be over the age of twenty-one.

Despite garnering 30 votes, not all senators were on board with the proposal. Sens. Bostelman, Moser, Riepe, Blood, and Hunt all voiced their opposition. Riepe, a former hospital administrator, told his colleagues during the debate that he's seen the harm of motorcycle-involved crashes, as well as what they can cost taxpayers in Medicaid payments. Others, including Hansen, argued that it's an issue of personal freedom. "Your decision to wear a helmet or not wear a helmet does not affect anybody else's civil liberties," said Hansen.

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REP. FLOOD PRAISES LEGISLATIVE ACTION IN NEBRASKA TO BAR HUAWEI TECHNOLOGY

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On Wednesday, Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood praised state Sen. Eliot Bostar, as well as the entirety of the Legislature, for enacting legislation that will "functionally bar Huawei hardware from cell towers in Nebraska," which addresses what is viewed as a national security threat. "Huawei has deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party," said Flood, "and there is widespread agreement their technology can be leveraged for surveillance and sabotage of our communities and military installations."

Flood, who used to serve in the Nebraska Legislature, has previously worked with Sen. Bostar to create legislation that would remove and bar Huawei technology, which is currently attached to several cell towers located near military installations, including Offutt Air Force Base and some missile launch sites in western Nebraska. Bostar's proposal, which was folded into LB683, a package of telecommunications proposals, was passed by the Legislature on Tuesday on a 39-0 vote.

"I applaud Sen. Bostar's leadership to pass this bipartisan bill that will now ensure the dollars of everyday Nebraskans do not subsidize telecommunications companies using technology that can pose a national security threat," finished Flood. The 1st District Congressman believes Bostar's proposal can be a model for other states to pursue in order to protect the nation from surveillance. On the national scale, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer has introduced legislation that would implement a "rip and replace" program all over the country to fund the removal of such technology.

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NEBRASKA'S LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS SLIGHTLY, AS STATE YEARNS FOR MORE WORKERS

LINCOLN- Nebraska's unemployment rate recently dropped from a pandemic-era high of more than 8% three years ago to 2% according to data released last Friday by the Department of Labor. The new number puts Nebraska in the top national ranking for unemployment, with labor officials saying this number ties with Nebraska's historic low. Nationally, Nebraska's unemployment rate is the second lowest among states, with only South Dakota lower at 1.9%.

State Labor Commissioner John Albin noted that the number of Nebraskans in the labor force hit another record as well. "The state's labor force reached a new all-time high for the second straight month," said Albin, citing data that suggests that around 1,061,392 Nebraskans are currently employed or actively searching for a job.

Despite this growth, state Chamber of Commerce leaders still believe, because of Nebraska's 80,000 unfilled jobs, that more work needs to be done to retain and attract workers. Ernie Gross, an economist at Creighton University, also foresees potential challenges. According to Gross, Nebraska's high labor participation rate, juxtaposed with a relatively low supply of workers available to fill new openings, might mean big problems in growing the state's economy in the future.

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RODNEY BENNETT NAMED PRIORITY CANDIDATE IN UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA CHANCELLOR SEARCH

LINCOLN- Following a national search for a new chancellor to replace Ronnie Green, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced that it has selected Rodney Bennett as the priority candidate. Bennett most recently served for nearly a decade as president of the University of Southern Mississippi, a public research institution that enrolls 14,000 students across multiple campuses.

Bennett, while serving there, brought Souther Miss into the top tier of research institutions, delivered improved student outcomes, and invested in faculty and high-growth academic programs. These qualities, according to NU President Ted Carter, made Bennett the top pick for the Lincoln-based University's next chancellor. "We launched this search with a goal of finding the right leader who could articulate an ambitious vision for Nebraska's flagship university," said Carter, "Dr. Rodney Bennett is that leader."

Carter thanked the search committee, which was chaired by Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, for its diligent work in finding candidates for the role. Bennett, while serving as president of Southern Miss from 2013 to 2022, led the university from a Carnegie R2 to an R1 university, signaling its growth in research prestige and funding. As per state law, Bennett's candidacy will now undergo a 30-day vetting period, which will include a series of public sessions during which members of the university community can meet Bennett and ask questions.

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