NEBRASKA'S PAID SICK LEAVE PETITION DRIVE RAISES MORE THAN $500,000

LINCOLN- According to its most recent campaign finance report, the newly-created organization Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans has brought in over $509,000 in donations between June and July, with the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a national organization promoting economic equity, donating $475,000 of that total.

The Sixteen Thirty Fund, despite being a national group, is no stranger to helping out petition efforts in Nebraska. In 2020, the organization donated a substantial amount of money to a Nebraska-based group seeking to cap interest rates charged by payday lenders and increase the state's minimum wage. Both of these initiatives were placed on the ballot, and both were passed by Nebraska's voters.

A state-mandated paid sick leave requirement, as with capping payday loan interest rates and raising the minimum wage, is an idea that has been brought up repeatedly in the Nebraska Legislature. The current proposal, which, with enough signatures, could end up on the 2024 ballot, would ensure paid sick leave for all Nebraska workers.

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CONSISTENT RAIN HELPS IMPROVE DROUGHT CONDITIONS ACROSS NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Consistent rain has continued to take a bite out of drought conditions across the state. The latest drought monitor released Thursday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows significant improvement, especially in the amount of severe drought. According to the monitor, severe drought in Nebraska, the third-worst category, declined from covering more than 46% of the state a week ago to less than 32% this week.

Extreme drought also declined from 19.27% last week to 15.7% this week, although the amount of exceptional drought remained the same at 2.63%. Many areas of the state, especially in eastern Nebraska, have gotten significant amounts of rain over the past few weeks. Lincoln got 5.61 inches in July, which is more than 2.3 inches above normal, and the most in a single month in more than four years.

Omaha got 6.3 inches in July, 2.75 inches above normal, and Norfolk received 5.37 inches, about 2.4 inches above average. Other places that saw much-above-normal precipitation in July included Beatrice, Columbus and Fremont. Rain is expected to continue over much of the state for the next two weeks of August.

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TWO REPORTS SUGGEST NEBRASKA ECONOMY SLOWING DOWN

LINCOLN- According to two reports released earlier this week, Nebraska's economy could be headed for a slowdown over the next few months, despite recent revenue increases. One of the studies, released by Creighton University's Mid-America Business Conditions Index, suggested that Nebraska's economic conditions have fallen below growth neutral.

Overall, and according to the report, Nebraska's index fell from 50.8 in June to 46.1 in July, with anything below 50 indicating a decline in economic conditions. "This is the lowest overall reading since the beginning of the pandemic in May 2020," said Ernie Goss, director of Creighton's Economic Forecasting Group. For this reason, according to Goss, a recession in the second half of the year is still very much a possibility.

The second report, detailed by the Nebraska Business Conditions Index, indicates an even lower economic dip, from 46.1 in June to 40.4 in July. The state's Leading Economic Indicator grew only 0.06% in June in its worst performance since December, suggesting that the rate of economic growth in Nebraska will slow by the end of 2023.

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SPENDING TOPS $2 MILLION IN BATTLE TO RESCIND, OR RETAIN, STATE'S NEW OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP LAW; OPPONENTS OF LAW SAY THEY ARE MEETING SIGNATURE GOALS

LINCOLN- Spending to rescind a new school choice law in Nebraska, along with expenditures to retain it, have topped $2 million, according to the most recent state campaign spending reports. The bulk of the money came from two sources: teachers unions that oppose school-choice laws; and an organization backed by former Trump administration official Betsy DeVos that promotes use of state funds for private and parochial education.

The reports, which covered up to July 26, indicated that Support Our Schools, a group seeking to place a referendum on the Opportunity Scholarships Act on the 2024 ballot, had raised over $1.3 million and spent more than $1.2 million. The referendum drive has set a goal of collecting 90,000 signatures of registered voters in Nebraska. It must submit about 61,000 valid signatures by a deadline of Aug. 30.

Meanwhile, an organization called Keep Kids First that is urging Nebraskans to “decline to sign” the petitions, reported raising $746,665 through late July to oppose the signature drive. It reported spending of about $582,000. Some of the funds are being spent to employ “blockers” who shadow the Support Our Schools petition circulators and attempt to discourage people from signing. 

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NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER SECURES $15 MILLION MATCH FOR RESEARCH INTO PANCREATIC CANCER

OMAHA- Private funds have been raised to match a state allocation of $15 million to bolster research into pancreatic cancer at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Among the leading donors of the $15 million private match for UNMC’s Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence were two prominent Omaha families who lost loved ones to the deadly cancer.

Jim Young, who was president, chairman and CEO of Union Pacific, died at age 61 in 2014 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Young’s family foundation donated, as did members of the Noddle family. Harlan Noddle, a developer and community leader, died in 2005 from the cancer at the age of 69.

Last year, the Nebraska Legislature agreed to allocate $15 million of the state’s $1.04 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Med Center’s program, if private donors could match that amount. The private donations will help UNMC build its research program, recruit world-class physicians and scientists, and pioneer novel approaches into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pancreas cancer.

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NEBRASKA REP. BACON SUPPORTING STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT REFORM BILL

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, Nebraska's second congressional district representative, announced that he would be co-sponsoring House Resolution 4144, or the Federal Assistance to Intiaite Repayment Act, a bill that, according to the Congressman, will help "simplify the repayment process, end ballooning loan balances, provide repayment assistance, and provide targeted student loan relief." As laid out in the bill, student loan borrowers would only have to pay back 10 years’ worth of interest accrual, and interest would stop increasing after ten years, should the borrower fail to pay the loan in full within 10 years.

On top of that, the bill would also forgive unpaid interest for those earning below 300 percent of the federal poverty level if they are enrolled in an income-based repayment plan and complete the payment schedule. "This fiscally responsible alternative to President Biden's plan will be a critical step towards fixing our student loan system," said Bacon, "and will provide a path for 40 million borrowers to pay back their loans."

Bacon was previously an outspoken opponent of President Biden's now-defunct student loan forgiveness plan, which was shot down earlier this month by the Supreme Court. "I do not support forcing the 83% of Americans who don't have student loan debt from carrying the burden of those who do," he said. Instead, Bacon indicated that he was more interested in establishing more robust and feasible payment plans for those who have fallen behind on payments, a goal he will pursue through HR4144.

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NEW U.S. MILITARY ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM OFFICE LAUNCHES FROM STRATCOM, OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

OMAHA- On Wednesday, it was announced that the U.S. military's electromagnetic spectrum operations, which is used across the world, will now be based out of Offutt Air Force Base. The new office, unveiled by Air Force and military officials at an emblem reveal ceremony, will be titled the Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Center. "I can think of no better than USSTRATCOM to take on this responsibility," said General Anthony Cotton during the event.

The electromagnetic spectrum, or EMS, is used for navigation, missile threat warning systems, radio transmissions, radar, and cellular phones all over the world. The new JEC office will lead the U.S. in attaining EMS dominance over other world powers. However, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon acknowledged that other nations, especially since the Cold War, have had, at times, better EMS capabilities than the U.S. "Two decades later," said Bacon, "it was clear to me and others that China and Russia were ahead of us in important aspects of electronic warfare."

Despite this, Brig. Gen. AnnMarie Anthony and General Cotton believe the new office at STRATCOM will put the U.S. on a path to "remain the dominant force within EMS." Following the unveiling of the office, it was announced that the JEC will begin looking for staff. Of particular interest are people with physics, engineering, radio frequency engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, and computer science backgrounds.

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CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WORKING TO SAVE MOBILE HOMES FROM REMOVAL

WASHINGTON, D.C.- A group of trailer owners faced with the removal of their summer cabins from alongside two Nebraska reservoirs may soon find reprieve as a Congressional delegation seeks to stop the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the reservoirs, from going forward with their plans. This month, U.S. Sens. Fischer and Ricketts, as well as U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, met with 20 of the trailer owners, and vowed to introduce legislation that would transfer management of the two concession areas away from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and instead place that power into the hands of Hitchcock and Frontier Counties, where the reservoirs are located. 

"Local, as opposed to federal control, is best," said Nathaniel Sizemore, a spokesman for Sen. Fischer, "and community members have indicated they support transferring the land to the relevant county entities." Fischer and Ricketts, after hearing from the two trailer communities, agreed that their removal would hurt local businesses and end traditions. The Bureau, in a new improvement plan, sought to remove 110 trailer sites at Swanson and 71 at Red Willow Reservoirs by November 2024. In doing so, the federal organization sought to make way for the construction of new campgrounds, rental cabins, playgrounds, and walking trails. 

Hitchcock County Commissioner Paul Nichols, who was among those who traveled to Washington, argued that the two trailer communities, during the summer, pump substantial amounts of funding into the local economy. Nichols went on to state that Hitchcock is ready to assume management of the land, and would be able to handle road maintenance, gross sales, and trailer leasing. If the legislation passes, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would continue to operate the campgrounds at both reservoirs, and, according to Nichols, the Bureau of Reclamation would still have the power to build new facilities, should it want to. 

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PILLEN TOUTS SCHOOL FUNDING DURING PETITION FIGHT OVER TAX CREDIT FOR PRIVATE K-12 SCHOLARSHIPS

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Pillen held a news conference celebrating the state's first $1 billion pledge towards the Education Future Fund, highlighting that such an investment in public education far outweighs the costs of Nebraska's new Opportunity Scholarship Act, which provides tax credits for those funding scholarships for children seeking to attend private K-12 schools. As a petition fight is being waged against the Act by several oppositional groups, including the Nebraska State Education Association, Pillen argued at the conference that it will not, as many argue, divert funding from the state's public schools.

"That's not true at all," said Pillen of this argument, "We have added through this priority funding $305 million more in education funding. The Opportunity Scholarship Act is $25 million off the top of state funding through a tax credit." When asked to clarify his argument, Pillen said, "That money comes off the top line of the budget of six and a half billion dollars of revenue from the state. It has not tie-in with education at all." The Education Future Fund, which would provide $1,500 in baseline aid to every public school district in Nebraska, is certainly a welcome disbursement of state aid, but some, including NSEA and Support Our Schools Nebraska, are skeptical that the $1 billion pledge will be achieved.

To back this up, NSEA and Support Our Schools Nebraska pointed to the fiscal estimate for the impact of the Opportunity Scholarships Act, which predicts that state aid to public schools could decrease by around $12 million, if enough students transfer from certain aid-receiving school districts to private schools. Jenni Benson, president of the NSEA, went on to argue that public school costs would not necessarily decrease because a few students leave a district and attend a private school instead. Benson also added that the Opportunity Scholarship Act is a stepping stone toward a full-blown voucher system. "They say this isn't tax money, but it is," said Benson, "The general fund funds public education. It will affect public school funding because it has to if it continues to grow."

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SENATORS URGE AG HILGERS TO CLARIFY STANCE ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PRIVACY

LINCOLN- In a letter sent on Wednesday, a group of nine state lawmakers asked Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers to clarify his stance on reproductive health privacy and medical autonomy, just one month after Hilgers signed onto a letter opposing a federal rule change that would expand protections for the medical information. Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh, Megan Hunt, Danielle Conrad, Jen Day, John Cavanaugh, George Dungan, John Fredrickson, Carol Blood, and Jane Raybould penned the letter, arguing that the state already has an "unfortunate history" of prosecuting women and health care providers for pregnancy outcomes. 

Cited in the letter were recent abortion-related prosecutions in Norfolk, and the senators said they have "grave" and "serious concerns" about the role of law enforcement and prosecutors in investigating and charging women who seek abortions in Nebraska. In the letter, the group of senators say they seek a "prompt and clear response" from Hilgers relating to why it's important for the state's Attorney General to have people's medical records from other states, whether or not that information will be used to aid investigations into individuals who seek reproductive care over state lines, and whether it is Hilgers' intention to prosecute individuals who receive care in other states. 

"If these are not your intentions," the group wrote, "please share clearly why it would be necessary to have access to this information without due process of a court order or subpoena." A spokesperson from Hilgers' office confirmed that the Attorney General had received the letter, and will work promptly to answer the questions contained therein after reviewing it. 

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RED WAY DROPPING LINCOLN FLIGHTS TO ATLANTA, MINNEAPOLIS AND AUSTIN IN EARLY AUGUST

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Red Way Airlines, a recent addition to Lincoln's ever-expanding airport, announced that it will pull the plug on three of its original destinations: Austin, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. The leisure air carrier, which began flying out of Lincoln's airport in June, will hold its final flights to these destinations on August 5th. Those air travel markets, according to Red Way CEO Nick Wangler, "unfortunately don't make sense to continue."

Wangler said he was saddened to have to cancel those flight paths, but that he also understood that such decisions would have to be made as Red Way eases into Lincoln's airport system. "I'm more disappointed in myself that we picked a couple of markets that ultimately didn't work," he said, adding that those flight paths likely won't come back any time soon.

Since announcing that it would make the Lincoln Airport its home in March, Red Way has sold more than 36,000 tickets and has exceeded expectations in markets like Dallas and Nashville. Recent market additions, like Tampa and Phoenix, have been successful as well for Red Way, according to Wangler. "We have a bunch of flights that are working incredibly well," said Wangler, "There's a lot of good stuff coming."

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NEBRASKA INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT REVEALS 3 YOUTH DIED BY SUICIDE WHILE IN CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM

LINCOLN- A new report from Nebraska's inspector general reveals three children died by suicide while involved with the Division of Children and Family Services. According to the report, the children who died were ages 11 to 16. They were from different areas of the state, and their family dynamics were diverse, but all were involved in the division of children and family services, just at different points in the system.

Inspector General Jennifer Carter said the Division of Children and Family Services were "not responsible," but they were lacking "training, policies, and procedures to address suicide prevention." Youth involved in the child welfare system reported higher rates of suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors. Also, youth who are wards of the state were three times more likely to attempt suicide than those who were in the system but not under state care.

Carter said DHHS has committed to putting together a comprehensive suicide prevention plan by the end of 2025. As a result of the findings, the Office of the Inspector General provided DHHS with a lengthy list of recommendations including procedures and gatekeeper training.

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NATIVE OMAHA DAYS GROUP GETS UPDATE ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING TO EAST OMAHA

OMAHA- The more than 350 North and South Omaha entities that applied last year for a chunk of the multimillion-dollar Economic Recovery Act should get prepared for their next shot at the grant dollars. State Sen. Terrell McKinney offered an update on the $225 million dollars at a town hall early this week.

The North Omaha lawmaker said he expects the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to reveal the new application timeline in the next few weeks and said the competitive process has been slowed in part because of a top leadership change in the DED. He said he will continue to strive for transparency in this process and recognized there was confusion and frustration in the first go-around attempt.

“It’s not about me or you individually, it’s about the betterment of our community,” McKinney said. “These resources can bring positive change.” Not everyone who applies this time will be funded, he added, noting that the earlier requests totaled about $3 billion. Sen. McKinney was joined by Omaha City Councilwoman Juanita Johnson and Omaha State Sen. Justin Wayne.

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IRS PLANS TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE CENTER IN HASTINGS NEXT WEEK TO HELP NEBRASKANS

HASTINGS- The Internal Revenue Service plans to host a special event in Hastings in August to help local taxpayers face-to-face.

The IRS will set up a temporary Taxpayer Assistance Center Aug. 1-3, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, so people will be able to meet one-on-one with IRS assistors. The Hastings Public Library is partnering with the IRS to host the event at 314 N. Denver Ave.

The efforts stem from the IRS’s new Strategic Operating Plan and congressional funding approved last year through the Inflation Reduction Act. Christopher Miller, IRS spokesperson for Nebraska, said this level of activity is certainly new for the IRS and part of a larger goal to transform and improve services and reach out to taxpayers “in ways that work best for them.” This includes expanding access particularly in underserved and rural communities.

The IRS states Hastings was selected partly because the nearest center is more than 100 miles away in Lincoln, which reopened this summer. The IRS has started to offer special Saturday hours at select assistance centers, including the one in Omaha, and has increased employment across centers nationwide.

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GOV. PILLEN APPOINTS BRYAN McQUAY TO NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT JUDGESHIP

LINCOLN- Earlier this week, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Bryan McQuay of Alma as a county court judge in the Ninth Judicial District of Nebraska. That district includes Hall and Buffalo counties. McQuay has actively practiced law in rural Nebraska for the past 24 years. He has served as a county attorney in Harlan, Kearney, and Phelps counties and operates the private practice of Person & McQuay in Alma.

McQuay’s legal experience covers a variety of areas including juvenile issues, criminal and civil law, real estate and personal injury. He has served as a special prosecutor in Adams, Buffalo, Franklin, Furnas, Phelps, and Webster counties. McQuay holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska --Lincoln. He earned a juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

The McQuay appointment is a unique one as he is the first judge in this new position. McQuay fills a judicial position created by amendments to Neb. Rev. Stat. §24-503 (Laws 2023, LB799) establishing a fifth county court judge. That new seat will become effective September 1, 2023.

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SENATOR DEB FISCHER SECURES FUNDING FOR CRITICAL NEBRASKA TRANSPORTATION IN UPCOMING BILL

KEARNEY- Senator Deb Fischer says she's secured 45 million dollars to fund critical Nebraska transportation in an upcoming Transportation bill. If passed this bill will provide funding for highway construction, more modern airports in Nebraska and also water and energy needs. These projects will each receive millions of dollars to improve what they have to offer.

The assistant city manager of the City of Kearney, Brenda Jensen, noted the funding would help with the Kearney Regional Airport and expressed her thanks to Sen. Fischer. "We really appreciate Senator Fischer's support for the state of Nebraska and the city of Kearney. Specifically, she's always willing to support transportation.

In this regard, it's going to be for our airport to ensure that we have safe access, logistics and safety, really just improvements at the airport. So it is crucial and we really appreciate her support to submit that on the Senate and House," said Jensen. It is also estimated that the Nebraska Department of Transportation would be getting over 12 million dollars.

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NEBRASKA STATE SEN. TOM BREWER CALLS LATEST HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO UKRAINE MOST DANGEROUS

LINCOLN- State Sen. Tom Brewer has returned safely to Nebraska after spending a month on the front lines of the war with Russia.

He said his latest trip to Ukraine was more dangerous than the other two trips he's been on. "It was a more violent war than any of the other trips. We were under fire a lot," Brewer said. Brewer arrived right as Ukrainian forces began to push Russian troops back near their border.

Brewer helped deliver first aid kits, supplies and radios to a network of pastors on the front lines. "The tragic situation is it's so heart-wrenching to see some of it, but it's also refreshing to see their spirit to continue and want to win this because for them to have a future, they have to win the war," Brewer said. Multiple places that Brewer visited are now leveled by Russian missile attacks.

Brewer said the Ukrainian forces equipped with NATO weapons were advancing slowly. "It's difficult because the minefields are covered with artillery. So as they're trying to clear the mine, fields are getting hammered with artillery," Brewer said. He said the Ukrainians could be better aided by longer-range missiles and aircraft. He said the Ukrainians are grateful and are doing what they can, including using cheap drones with bombs attached.

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NEBRASKA CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL SETS PUBLIC FORUM ON COVID-19's IMPACT ON K-12 EDUCATION

LINCOLN- A civil rights panel is seeking in-person comment in August regarding the effects of COVID-19 on K-12 education in Nebraska, with a focus on the digital divide and mental health. The Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is following up a duo of virtual briefings this month with an in-person forum Aug. 9 in Lincoln. Students, teachers and other stakeholders are asked to describe their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and what areas are still in need of support.

Committee Chair Nikitah Imani, a professor of Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, noted the committee has heard from subject matter experts so far and now has invited the public to engage. “We need to hear the stories of directly impacted individuals in order to ensure that the recommendations we develop are relevant to current needs,” he said in a news release.

The Aug. 9 forum will be at Embassy Suites Lincoln, 1040 P St., in Room Regents B from 1-4 p.m. The event will be transcribed and recorded for the public record. Written testimony will be accepted until Sept. 11 and can be sent to Victoria Moreno at vmorena@usccr.gov. People wishing to speak can sign up the day of the forum.

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WITH PROPERTY VALUATIONS SKYROCKETING, PILLEN APPOINTS 'WORKING GROUP' TO CONSIDER REFORMS

LINCOLN- With recent valuations of homes skyrocketing, and farmers still smarting over a steep rise in agricultural land values, Gov. Jim Pillen is forming a “working group” to look at reforming the state’s property valuation system. It might lead to caps on valuation increases, or automatic “rate rollbacks” of property tax increases when valuations spike. It might also lead to a proposed change in the state constitution, said Kenny Zoeller, who heads the Governor’s Policy Research Office.

“We’re kind of opening the hood and allowing all ideas to be brought to the table,” Zoeller said, with a goal of introducing legislation in 2024. “The governor has some initial ideas,” he added. “His hope is that we can work with the counties and state senators and other interested parties to come to a unified solution.” Property valuations have been on the rise due to the increase in prices of homes and land.

This year, the cost of farm and ranch land rose 14% across the state, to a new record high. Valuations of homes for property tax purposes, meanwhile, have risen dramatically as well. The increases varied between 10% and 30% in Lincoln, and rose an average of 12.7% in Douglas County. Pillen, in a press release, called such increases “reckless” and an “unbearable burden.”

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NEBRASKA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HOLDS STEADY AS ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE NATION

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s unemployment rate has held steady at 1.9%, tying with Vermont for the third lowest rate in the nation. The Nebraska Department of Labor released preliminary data for June last week, with Nebraska’s rate remaining the same from May at the same time. The rate is down 0.3% since June 2022. The national unemployment rate is 3.6%, dropping 0.1% over the month.

New Hampshire and South Dakota edged Nebraska and Vermont for the lowest unemployment rates, tying at 1.8%. This is according to seasonally adjusted, preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. New Hampshire and South Dakota were tied with Nebraska for the lowest national rates last month based on May 2023 data. John Albin, Nebraska’s labor commissioner, said this is the second consecutive month for a new high in filled jobs, largely attributed over the month to increases in the Omaha metropolitan area.

Today, Nebraska’s labor force includes 1,062,783 people — 1,042,324 employed workers and 20,458 people who are unemployed but seeking employment. A few private industries saw growth from month to month, such as leisure and hospitality (up 3,455 jobs), mining and construction (up 1,833 jobs) and trade, transportation and utilities (up 1,457 jobs).

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