NEBRASKA LAWMAKER TAKING ACTION TO FIX OUR NATION'S HISTORIC PASSPORT BACKLOG

LINCOLN- If you are attempting to obtain a new passport, that process could last over three months. A Nebraska lawmaker is leading the charge to fix our nation’s historic passport backlog, that’s forced countless people to cancel trips. Senator Pete Ricketts has announced the Passport Act. His plan to crack down on current delays includes the development of a reserve workforce, that can be reassigned to support passport services when demand is high.

The act also calls for an investigation into the quality of customer service, wait times and technology failures. In-person appointments would be expanded at regional passport offices as well, while a chat feature would be added to the National Passport Information Center call line. The passport process has been experiencing an uptick in demand as people begin to travel overseas following the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement sent from Sen. Ricketts he said, “A few years ago, Nebraskans were calling their representatives a couple of times a month with passport delays. For that number to now be in the hundreds is unacceptable.” He went on to say, “American taxpayers deserve better than canceling trips or missing opportunities to visit family because of bureaucracy failures. The State Department needs to address the failing systems in place and solve this problem swiftly.”

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THINK TANK'S POLLING FOUND 55% OF NEBRASKANS OPPOSE 'OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS' ACT

LINCOLN- Polling released by a Lincoln-based think tank, the OpenSky Policy Institute, indicated that 55% of respondents oppose a new state law that grants state tax credits for donations for private and parochial school scholarships. The telephone/text message poll of 600 likely voters was done May 31 to June 1 by a Washington, D.C., polling firm, Lake Research Partners. The margin of error was plus or minus 4%.

The survey found that 47% of respondents strongly supported repeal of the law, which outpaced the 37% of respondents who expressed any level of support to retain the legislation. OpenSky is among those supporting the repeal. The organization contributed nearly $55,000 in staff time to “Support Our Schools Nebraska,” a group led by the state teachers union which is gathering signatures for the referendum, according to the most recent state political spending report.

The law would allow donors to devote up to half of their state income tax payments to organizations that grant scholarships for students to attend private or parochial schools. LB753 initially caps the yearly tax break at $25 million, but it could rise to $100 million a year if the funding is fully utilized. Supporters of LB753 have said it is unfair that lower-income families do not have the same opportunity to send their kids to private schools as more wealthy families do.

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NEBRASKA REP. MIKE FLOOD'S FIRST YEAR IN CONGRESS: NATIONAL SECURITY, FEDERAL SPENDING

LINCOLN- During the final days of his first year in Congress, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., landed in the middle of a global fight over an island nation’s existence. The former state senator from Norfolk said he expected to face complex new issues when he left Lincoln. The scope of the federal government and its challenges forced him to learn quickly, he said.

Flood joined a delegation to Taiwan this month, as China discusses reunifying the island by force. Americans should care about the issue, Flood said, because most of the world’s microchips in consumer goods from refrigerators to cars come from China or Taiwan. “If we thought Ukraine was essential to protect, Taiwan takes it to the next level because it will impact every American’s ability to live their lives the way we do today,” Flood said.

He pointed to debt ceiling negotiations as a crash course on how Congress works and said he was proud Republicans secured $2.1 trillion in spending cuts from the federal budget. “It took a lot of work and I’m very pleased,” he said. Flood said he will focus his second year in Congress on constituent services, taxes, national defense and cutting spending. He also wants to help shore up the banking system, which wobbled a bit after a Silicon Valley shakeup.

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STATE SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR $4 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NURSES IN TRAINING

LINCOLN- The State of Nebraska has $4 million remaining in a $5 million program to provide scholarships for nurses and is seeking more applicants. The scholarships, up to $2,500 per student for the fall semester, are available for any Nebraska resident enrolled in a licensed practical nurse program, associate degree of nursing program or accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program.

Last year, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services was given $5 million through the American Rescue Plan Act for nursing scholarships. Thus far, about $1.1 million in scholarships have been disbursed to nearly 400 nursing students. The remaining funds will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. The ARPA funds are intended to address a shortage of nurses in Nebraska that is projected to grow to 5,400 nurses by 2025.

To qualify, the nursing program must be in Nebraska, and students must have finished all prerequisites and be enrolled in the nursing program to be eligible. Scholarship recipients will be required to practice nursing in Nebraska for a minimum of two years. The deadline for applying for fall 2023 scholarships is July 31.

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HEATH MELLO TO LEAD GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OMAHA- On Tuesday morning, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce announced that Heath Mello, who served in the Nebraska Legislature for eight years, will assume the role of President and CEO. Mello, while serving in the Legislature, was a member of the Appropriations and Nebraska Retirement System Committees.

The former senator will replace Tim Burke, who has served in the Chamber's leadership position since Veta Jeffrey, the former CEO and President, resigned in March of this year. Mello graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and served for a time as Vice President of External Relations and Director of State Relations in the University of Nebraska system.

"Mello brings a breadth of experience across multiple sectors and years of strategic leadership and management to this important role," said Carmen Tapio, chair of the Greater Omaha Chamber, in a statement, "He is passionate about our community and has devoted his career to ensuring it is a great place to live, to prepare our next-generation workforce, and to do business. We believe Mello will continue to grow the business landscape in Omaha and drive strong workforce and economic development in Omaha and eastern Nebraska."

Tapio served on the search committee for the Greater Omaha Chamber, which was established following the resignation of Veta Jeffrey. Ted Carter, president of the University of Nebraska, praised Mello for his work as the chief government liaison for NU. "We are fortunate that Heath will continue to call Omaha home and that he will continue to shape and influence the greater Omaha region." Mello will assume the role on August 2nd.

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NO EVIDENCE OF VOTER FRAUD IN SARPY COUNTY, OUTSIDE INVESTIGATION FINDS

PAPILLION- A recent investigation into allegations of widespread voter fraud, which was funded using $88,000 of taxpayer dollars allocated by Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov, found no evidence of voter fraud and only a handful of mistakes by poll workers, none of which would have changed the 2020 general election results. The investigation explored allegations from 52 different affidavits gathered by activists who went door-to-door following the election to compile information on potential voter fraud.

The 32-page report, issued last Friday after almost a year of work and litigation, said many of the 57 complaints raised real concerns surrounding the integrity of Sarpy County's election system, but were found to be largely untrue. The report did, however, reveal several local issues that appeared during the election. In one instance, a county poll worker thanked a voter for showing their ID before Nebraska required voters to show one, which election experts claimed might've dissuaded other voters in line without a valid ID from voting.

Another voter was given the wrong ballot for a congressional race in Sarpy County, but had already turned it in before being issued the correct ballot, disallowing them from voting again. These issues, according to the report, can be easily fixed through better training for poll workers. Despite this, the Nebraska Voter Accuracy Project questioned Polikov and his fellow investigators about the accuracy of local voting machines, adding that allowing Secretary of State Bob Evnen to decide which precincts get randomly audited to check voting machine counts was unfair.

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STATE SEN. TONY VARGAS ANNOUNCES 2024 RUN AGAINST REP. DON BACON IN NEBRASKA'S 2ND DISTRICT

OMAHA- Voters in Nebraska's most competitive congressional district are set to get another rematch in 2024 following the announcement of a repeat bid for the Democratic nomination by Sen. Tony Vargas on Wednesday. "While we came up just short last November, I was so encouraged by the enormous response we got from voters across the district," said Vargas in the statement indicating his wish to run.

Vargas went on to say that voters, during last year's general election, were excited by his message of "cutting middle-class taxes, growing the economy, protecting women's health care, and keeping our communities safe from gun violence." Over the past month, Bacon has publicly stated that he would welcome another challenge from Vargas, whom the Congressman described as out of step with the 2nd Congressional District, which he claimed was slightly right-leaning.

The issue of abortion is expected to be the key to victory for either Bacon or Vargas, the former of whom stated that he would be content with a 15-week federal ban, a prohibition slightly less extreme than his Congressional colleagues in the 1st and 3rd Districts. In 2020, the 2nd Congressional District voted largely for President Biden in the general election, but also voted for Bacon over Vargas in 2022 by a slim 3-point difference.

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CARMAKER STELLANTIS SIGNS DEAL WITH FIRM SEEKING TO MINE IN NEBRASKA FOR RARE EARTHS NEEDED IN EVs

OMAHA- The company that wants to mine for critical minerals in southeast Nebraska has signed a deal with Stellantis, giving the automaker access to the rare earth elements used to produce high-powered magnets needed for its electric vehicles. NioCorp announced the tentative agreement with the automaker whose brands include Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

The companies didn't disclose how much Stellantis will pay because those details are still being negotiated, but this deal with such a high-profile buyer will likely provide a boost to NioCorp's effort to raise $1.1 billion to establish the mine about 80 miles south of Omaha near the town of Elk Creek. The companies have also not decided what amount of materials Stellantis will be able to take.

The proposed mine's main product would be niobium that's used to make steel lighter and stronger. Most of the rare earth elements available today are produced in China, so President Joe Biden has been pressing for more of them to be mined domestically. “This could really turbocharge our project financing and help to accelerate moving the project to construction and eventual commercial operation,” NioCorp CEO Mark Smith said.

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NEBRASKA CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL PLANS VIRTUAL HEARINGS ON IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON EDUCATION

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is set to receive testimony on the civil rights implications of the Covid-19 pandemic at two separate hearings, with "a focus on the digital divide and increasing mental health challenges." The public testimony will then be used to create a report, which seeks to determine just how much the Covid-19 pandemic damaged Nebraska's education system, if at all.

Committee Chair Nikitah Imani, a professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said in a press release that the goal of the study, more broadly, is to better understand the "lived experiences and lessons learned from the urgent need to shift educational practices" in Nebraska. The Committee, using the testimony from the hearings, will work to identify areas of need and move to improve those as needed. The studies were prompted after Nebraska's student proficiency scores in math were found to be flat and after language arts scores plummeted during the 2021-22 school year.

One of the sessions was scheduled on Monday, July 3rd, and the next will be held on July 13th at 2pm, with a focus on "E-learning and the digital divide." The Civil Rights Act of 1957 established the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, with the goal of gathering facts and guiding the development of national civil rights policy and the enhancement of federal civil rights law.

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STATE AWARDS $520,000 TO NORTHEAST NEBRASKA HOUSING NONPROFIT

LINCOLN- On Monday, it was announced that NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska will be receiving around $520,000 from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The funds, which come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investment Partnerships Program, will be used to help the nonprofit purchase land and construct affordable housing for people in either Columbus or Norfolk, as well as provide homebuyer assistance. This endeavor will use up $500,000 of the funding.

The remaining $20,000 will be used for organizational operating expenses. Demand for an increase in affordable housing has become more widespread across the state following the Covid-19 pandemic, and has even been brought up by the Nebraska Legislature. In fact, a study released earlier this year by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority indicated that Nebraska's economic future might hinge on solving its impending "housing crisis."

The study, which collected input from dozens of statewide experts and lawmakers, called for the construction of at least 35,000 new affordable dwellings in the state over the next five years. No specific allocation of funding to carry out the recommendations of the study were provided, but committees were formed earlier this year to work towards the suggested goal.

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NEBRASKA INVESTMENT COUNCIL TAKES STEP TO ENSURE INVESTMENTS ARE MADE FOR FINANCIAL GOALS ONLY

LINCOLN- During a meeting in June, the Nebraska Investment Council, in response to concerns surrounding so-called "environmental, social, and governance" investing, voted to allow a third-party proxy service provider to cast proxy votes on behalf of the state, meaning that the state will no longer defer to BlackRock, the state's chief financial adviser, when making investment decisions. "We wanted to make sure, to the extent we are able, that our proxy voted for our stockholdings are made solely on the basis of financial materiality," said Michael Walden-Newman, the state's investment officer.

The hiring of a new proxy consultant is expected to cost the state around $100,000. BlackRock, the world's largest investment management company, had become a target of criticism after its CEO Larry Fink declared that environmental, social, and governance issues should be considered when making investments. This drew the ire of then-Attorney General Doug Peterson, who released a critical report last December, and even prompted the introduction of two bills in the Nebraska Legislature that would have banned the use of ESG when making investment decisions.

ESG has become a heated culture war issue, with some arguing that it advances a liberal agenda while investing in companies or ideas that may not offer maximized returns. In his report, Peterson had called ESG "a threat to our democratic form of government," prompting two University of Nebraska-Lincoln professors to accuse Peterson of acting in "political theater." Although the two ESG-related bills in the Nebraska Legislature failed to advance, an interim study, requested by Sen. Kathleen Kauth, is set to discuss its effects on investing in Nebraska.

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STATE SENATOR CALLS FOR STUDIES INTO CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN K-12 NEBRASKA SCHOOLS

LINCOLN- The chair of the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee, Sen. Dave Murman, recently prioritized a set of studies on the use of critical race theory, as well as several other controversial issues, in Nebraska's classrooms. The studies were prompted after several state senators called for an investigation into the Nebraska Department of Education last year over similar issues. The three studies, which will focus on parental involvement in public schools, the use of "social-emotional learning" and critical race theory, and how federal Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief funding was used in Nebraska, are set to be brought up at a hearing on July 31st.

Testimony for this hearing will be heard from invited Department of Education officials, retired educators, and parents. Public testimony will not be heard. Last year, Murman questioned the Department of Education after it was found that its newly-created website, Launch Nebraska, provided materials to teachers promoting critical race theory. However, after calls for an investigation into the Department, it was found that the document, titled Winning Racial Justice in Our Schools, was not actually accessible on the Launch Nebraska website, and instead required the viewer to enter a different website.

Murman claimed that, to this day, resources containing information related to critical race theory and comprehensive sex education remain all over the Launch Nebraska website, but couldn't provide any specific examples. Despite claims from the Department of Education that such materials haven't been utilized in any state school systems, Murman maintains that he's heard concerns from several parents that inappropriate material is being taught in certain schools. These concerns prompted the creation of the three interim studies the Education Committee prioritized.

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COVID-19 CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN LOW BOTH IN LINCOLN AND STATEWIDE

LINCOLN- According to data released by the Lancaster County Health Department, only around two official Covid-19 cases per day have been reported for the past three weeks, moving the Covid-19 risk dial into the green for the first time in more than two months. What's more, Lancaster County reported that it had not had over 25 official cases in a week since May 13th.

Over the past few months, Covid-induced hospitalizations have also significantly decreased, with an average of just five Covid-19 patients per day and a "very limited number" of patients requiring a stay in intensive care, according to the Lancaster County Health Department. On the statewide level, only 80 cases were recorded within the week of June 24th, reflecting the more local decreases.

As of this past Friday, no deaths from Covid-19 complications have been reported throughout the entire month of June. Since October, at least one Covid-related death has been reported each month. However, since many Nebraskans have stopped testing for the virus, it is unclear if the recent, low numbers are incorrectly deflated. In fact, Lancaster County has now gone six straight weeks with fewer than 500 weekly Covid-19 tests recorded, and three weeks straight with only 300.

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PILLEN TWEET ON NEBRASKA'S TOP ACT SCORERS REIGNITES BRAIN DRAIN DEBATE, DRAWS CRITICISM

LINCOLN- In a Twitter post meant to highlight the 31 Nebraska high schoolers who achieved a perfect score on the ACT test this year, Gov. Jim Pillen reignited a debate surrounding the flight of Nebraska's top students, as well as prompted criticism for acknowledging that Nebraska's "best and brightest" students are headed elsewhere for higher education. In the post, Pillen also implored the students "to return and utilize your talents here" after college.

Pillen's office also drew heat after it turned off the ability for the public to reply to the post, limiting debate on the "brain drain" issue that was reignited by the post and that has plagued Nebraska for over a decade. Some, utilizing the "quote tweet" function to reply to the post, argued that a political figure such as Pillen turning off direct replies on a post was censorship and infringed upon citizens' First Amendment rights. Despite this, Rose Godinez, legal director of the ACLU of Nebraska, said such a move sits in a "legal gray area."

"It doesn't promote transparency or accessibility to the top public official in the state," said Godinez, "They should be allowing comments and they should be welcoming the chance to hear from Nebraskans in this digital public square, essentially." According to Laura Strimple, a spokeswoman for the governor, a recent staffing change and a level of miscommunication prompted the replies to be shut off. After being questioned by several sources, the ability to reply to the post was restored, and the renewed attention to the issue of brain drain in Nebraska persisted.

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STATE OFFICIALS REACT TO U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING ON STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS

LINCOLN- On Friday, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to wipe out President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, calling it "a great day for our country" and claiming that the decision helped keep the nation's balance of power in check. "Today, the Supreme Court stopped a very significant attempted, really breathtaking power grab from the Biden administration and its attempt to cancel without Congressional authorization, almost $500 million of student loans," said Hilgers.

Hilgers, who introduced Biden v. Nebraska, the case that decided the fate of student loan forgiveness, was pivotal in the endeavor to stop President Biden from exercising presidential authority to cancel the debt. In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled in Biden v. Nebraska that the Biden administration had overstepped its authority in seeking almost $400 million in student loans. Hilgers went on to state that believed this was the right call, claiming that Americans without college degrees and student loans would have to foot the bill.

Nebraska was one of six states involved in the case. Nebraska Solicitor General James Campbell testified in front of Court in February, claiming that the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, a state-created company that services student loans, would lose around 40% of its revenue if the Biden plan went into effect. Hilgers, in March, also gave testimony to the Court.

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NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CEO RESIGNS

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced the resignation of Department of Health and Human Services CEO Dannette Smith. Appointed previously to the position by former Gov. Pete Ricketts, Smith plans on pursuing a career in a national, privately-owned firm that offers support to health and human services agencies across the U.S.

Smith's final day as CEO of DHHS is set for August 4th. In a press release, Gov. Pillen praised Smith for the work she's done thus far, saying, "CEO Smith has provided leadership to DHHS throughout the start of my administration. I am grateful for her public service and dedication to improving the lives of Nebraskans."

Smith has over 25 years of executive leadership experience, oversaw a staff of over 5,000 employees, and managed an average budget of $6.3 billion annually. while at DHHS. "I look forward to taking the energy and the spirit of my fellow Nebraskans with me as I take on the new challenges in my next chapter," said Smith. According to Gov. Pillen's press release, a new interim director of DHHS will be announced soon, with a national search for a new CEO already underway.

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PETITION TO REPEAL NEBRASKA TAX CREDITS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS RAISES OVER $1.1 MILLION

LINCOLN- Having already received an enormous $800,000 contribution from a national donor, organizers behind a petition to repeal the recently-passed Opportunity Scholarships Act, which provides tax credits for donations to private or parochial school scholarship funds, announced that they have raised over $1.1 million total over the past month. Support Our Schools Nebraska, the organization leading the endeavor to repeal the new law, must gather 60,000 authorized signatures from around the state within 90 days of the end of this year's legislative session.

According to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, only around $400,000 has been spent by the organization. The large donation of $800,000 came from the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the U.S., which represents public school employees. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who introduced the Opportunity Scholarships Act, criticized the substantial contribution, stating that national groups shouldn't be concerned with local issues like scholarship tax credits, and adding that the National Education Association supported school closures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Linehan-backed oppositional campaign, Keep Kids First, is urging Nebraskans to refuse to sign the petition to place the issue on the ballot. According to the Accountability and Disclosure Commission, Keep Kids First is almost entirely backed by the American Federation for Children, a national group, which contributed $494,000 of Keep Kids First's $504,000 spending fund. Thus far, 250 signing events have been organized and held all over the state by Support Our Schools Nebraska. According to Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, Support Our Schools Nebraska has made "great progress" towards its goal of 90,000 signatures, 30,000 more than is required by the Secretary of State's Office.

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GOTHENBURG'S CAN-DO ATTITUDE HELPS IT LAND $750M FERTILIZER PLANT, OFFICIAL SAYS

GOTHENBURG- Every bag of Frito-Lay corn chips sold west of the Mississippi River is made with corn grown in the Gothenburg area and processed at the town’s Frito-Lay plant. This is due to farmers learning how to grow food grade corn more than 20 years ago. Nate Wyatt, president of his community’s economic development organization, Gothenburg Improvement Co., recalled the Frito-Lay story last week to illustrate the collaborative, visionary risk-taking attitude that underpins Gothenburg’s capacity to attract big business.

Wyatt, a financial adviser at Flatwater Bank, said Gothenburg was in the groove last week when JWC Gburg LLC announced plans to build a $750 million plant to produce liquid fertilizer in Gothenburg. Wyatt said it’s tough to put a number like $750 million into perspective, but the investment by JWC Gburg LLC is just below the $900 million tax base of the Gothenburg Public Schools.

The liquid fertilizer plant will boost Gothenburg’s rank to the top three electrical consumers among Nebraska Public Power District’s heavyweight industrial customers. Delivering all that energy will require infrastructure improvements of nearly $100 million, NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent told a standing-room-only crowd at last week’s announcement. The plant is projected to be done within two years and will serve markets from Kansas to Colorado.

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CREIGHTON ECONOMIC INDEX: NEBRASKA BUSINESS GROWTH FORECAST TURNS NEGATIVE

OMAHA- After five consecutive months of showing growth, Nebraska’s business conditions index has taken a turn for the worse, according to Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index. Meanwhile, the June index for the broader nine-state area that includes Nebraska shows the regional economy as growing, albeit at a slower pace. Besides Nebraska, participating states include Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Arkansas.

Since 1994, the group has conducted a monthly survey of manufacturing and supply managers to gauge economic conditions and headwinds. For each state and also for the overall region, the survey looks at components such as employment, prices, confidence level, inventory and trade — and produces a score. Anything above a reading of 50 signals growth.

Nebraska’s collective reading for June declined to 46, compared to 51 a month earlier. Only one individual component — delivery lead time — reached an above-growth score. Nebraska’s score for employment was 40. Goss said that Nebraska’s downturn likely is attributable to factors including recent drought conditions and food processing exports.

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TWO NEBRASKA GOLF COURSES HAVE HIGH NATIONAL RANKINGS

LINCOLN- Nebraska has recently added two new golf courses, both of which have high marks nationally. Which course is better changes depending on different ratings systems and critics. Landmand, the public-access course north of Homer that opened last August, debuts at No. 26 on GolfWeek’s list of the best 200 courses built since 1960. It enters at No. 14 on the magazine’s best courses open to the public. It’s also Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course for 2022.

CapRock Ranch, the private-club course southwest of Valentine, was Golf Digest’s Best New Course for 2021 and ranks No. 2 in the state behind Sand Hills Golf Club on best-in-state rankings by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Landmand is behind CapRock Ranch in the Golf Digest and Golf Magazine lists — but is on the GolfWeek Modern list and CapRock Ranch is not.

On Golf Digest’s America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses list, Nebraska has two courses, Sand Hills and Dismal River Red. Sand Hills rose from 10th to eighth from the previous compilation. Dismal River Red dropped from 154th to 185th. Ballyneal was 36th. Landmand has been fully booked for the season for public play since April. It will begin taking tee times for 2024 this winter.

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