NEBRASKA STATE AUDITOR TO EXPLORE $3 MILLION GRANT FOR RED WAY AIRLINES FOLLOWING THEIR DEPARTURE

LINCOLN- Citing concerns expressed to his office, State Auditor Mike Foley announced that his office will begin examining a $3 million grant given to Red Way Airlines earlier this year after the company announced, after just a short three months, that it would be ending service at the Lincoln Airport.

Foley, in a letter to the Lincoln Airport Authority, said his office has received numerous concerns about the substantial funding given to Red Way by the state. An audit of how the money was spent and used, Foley wrote, would provide "accurate information to taxpayers" and might clear up "misperceptions about government." Continuing, Foley said, "We will try to do so in a timely manner, believing this to be a valuable service to the state's citizens." Before it came to Lincoln, Red Way had received $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

Red Way announced last week that it would be ceasing operations in Lincoln, citing concerns that it had not been able to attract enough passengers. One official described Red Way, following their departure, as a "failed experiment." Foley, in his letter, pointed that state law will require the Lincoln Airport Authority to pay the costs of the audit.

For the full article click HERE

BIG NAMES INTERESTED IN BECOMING NEXT NEBRASKA STATE TREASURER

LINCOLN- Following the recently announced departure of Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante, who will now lead the state's Retirement Agency, rumours swirled about who will assume the role of the next state treasurer. In a press release announcing Murante's resignation, Governor Jim Pillen's office indicated that it would "announce an application process to find a well-qualified new treasurer." While this application process has yet to be formally enacted, several big names in the state have already shown interest in the role.

First and foremost, State Sen. Julie Slama, chair of the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee flagged her interest, saying she is "interested and will be applying." Next, Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, a business owner who finished fourth in the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary, also indicated that she would be throwing her hat into the race. "I think I could do the job well," she said. Sen. Ben Hansen, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, also indicated his interest, but seemed reluctant. "I'm not saying yes, and I'm not saying no," Hansen said.

Taylor Royal, Murante's GOP primary election opponent in 2018 and an Omaha financial adviser thinks she's qualified for the job too, having said that she's "considering it." Finally, Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg, who received substantial praise for helping the city grow, said he's "heard from people" about the role, but is still mulling it over. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb announced that she does not expect any high-profile members of her party to apply "because there is "no chance Pillen would pick one."

For the full article click HERE

'SPIRITUAL WARFARE': FORMER KENTUCKY SWIMMER ENCOURAGES NEBRASKA TO RESTRICT TRANS ATHLETES

LA VISTA- On Sunday, Riley Gaines, a now-infamous college swimmer who tied for fifth at the 2022 NCAA championship against Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, told a large crowd Sunday to consider pushing for further transgender sports bans in Nebraska. Gaines has testified before Congress and various state legislatures, describing women's sports as one issue in a fight against what she called "textbook Marxism."

"Me, myself, as a Christian, what I see this as is entirely spiritual warfare," Gaines told the crowd of Nebraskans, "This really is no longer right versus wrong or good versus bad. This is moral versus evil." Other attendees at the event included state Sens. Barry DeKay, Carolyn Bosn, Tom Brewer, Rob Clements, Loren Lippincott, Myron Dorn, and Brad von Gillern, as well state Board of Education member Kirk Penner, former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbseter, and multiple candidates for office next year.

Bill and Evonne Williams, owners of the nonprofit Patriot Productions, hosted the event, saying that it was "not about hating transgenders," but about a "common sense" topic. While Gaines' story centered around college athletics, Sen. Kauth's LB575, which is expected to be taken up next year in the Legislature, would define school sports as either male of female based on sex assigned at birth for K-12 Nebraska students.

For the full article click HERE

SEVERAL NEW NEBRASKA LAWS TAKE EFFECT SATURDAY

LINCOLN- During this year's tumultuous legislative session, a large handful of bills were passed and signed by Gov. Pillen. Many of these lacked emergency clauses, which means that they would go into effect come Saturday, including Sen. Tom Brewer's long-sought permitless concealed carry bill. Described by Brewer and supporters as a "constitutional carry" law, the now-passed bill will allow any Nebraskans over the age of 21 to carry concealed firearms without a state permit, which usually costs $100.

Beginning Saturday, however, firearm dealers will also be required to distribute information on suicide prevention, a change prompted by Sen. John Fredrickson's amendment contained within the now-passed LB50. LB77, the concealed carry bill, and LB50 are just two of a dozen laws taking effect over the weekend. Many 'Christmas tree' bills, including LB50, which provides for broad criminal justice reform, will take effect. Sen. Blood's LB157, which allows for the inclusion of household pets in domestic abuse protection orders, also begins on Saturday.

The killing of certain damage-causing predators by landowners will now also become legal over the weekend, as per Sen. Bruce Bostelman's LB565. Finally, Sen. McKinney's LB705 and Sen. Lou Ann Linehan's LB298 will also begin Saturday, disallowing the suspension of pre-K through second-grade students and requiring Nebraska school districts to report information relating to dyslexia, respectively. Many more bills don't go into effect until later this year or sometime in 2024, with a small handful only taking effect in 2025.

For the full article click HERE

LINCOLN TO END VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Lincoln city officials announced plans to end the long-running voluntary water conservation efforts, which have been in effect all summer. The original plan encouraged residents and businesses to only water their lawns on designated days based on their address.

Put in place on June 2nd in response to extreme drought conditions detected earlier in the summer, the efforts will be officially canceled on Thursday. At the height of the drought, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliott said the city's aquifers were only at 65% capacity. This was further exacerbated by a lack of substantial rainfall, causing Lancaster County to experience its first bout of exceptional drought conditions in the 23-year history of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Drought Monitor.

Thankfully, conditions in the city have improved significantly since then. While roughly 60% of Lancaster County is still facing severe drought, the area received above-average rainfall in June, July, and August, which has helped greatly to restore the city's water supply to levels typically seen last year. "Lincoln is in a good place right now thanks to the water conservation efforts our community put forth the last three months," said Steve Owen, Lincoln Water System Superintendent.

For the full article click HERE

MAYOR NOMINATES WOMAN TO FILL LINCOLN AIRPORT AUTHORITY SEAT

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced that Vanessa Emlich will fill an open seat on the Lincoln Airport Authority, which was vacated after Nick Cusick resigned amid disagreements over the airport's budget. Emlich will still need to be approved by the Lincoln City Council.

"Vanessa's desire to support strategic innovations and good governance of the airport, coupled with her commitment to public service, make her the best candidate for this vacancy," said Gaylor Baird in a news release. Emlich, who currently serves as the director of pharmacy audit for Prime Therapeutics, and previously worked for Lufthansa Airlines, ran for one of two seats on the Lincoln Airport Authority in May, but finished third.

"I look forward to applying my experience in the airline industry and operations to service on the Lincoln Airport Authority Board," said Emlich, "I hope to use my unique background and skillset to expand opportunities for Lincoln and surrounding area residents to travel to other parts of the country and world." Cusick, the Board member who resigned, said he has met with Emlich and was impressed with the skills she will bring to the table. "I believe she will make a great addition to the Lincoln Airport Authority Board," he said.

For the full article click HERE

DIPLOMATS FROM SOUTH OF THE U.S. BORDER OPEN TO NEW CONSULATES IN OMAHA TO SERVE NEBRASKA MIGRANTS

OMAHA- In the coming weeks, a new Consulate of Guatemala will officially open its doors in Omaha, joining the nearby Consulate of El Salvador, which was established earlier this year, in serving migrants from those two nations. Once the Guatemalan Consulate officially opens, that will increase Nebraska's number to three diplomatic offices, as a Mexican Consulate has existed in the state since 2000. While they operate as separate entities, the three embassy-like satellites collectively reflect the growing influence of Latino immigrants in Nebraska, who account for half of the state's estimated 150,000 foreign-born residents.

"We know that Nebraska is an important state for our people," said Javier Prudencio, the interim Salvadoran Consul, "It looks like they've discovered the life you have here, the good life." Consulates, which are headed by government-appointed consuls, serve as a link for expatriates, providing them with official documents such as passports and IDs. According to several familiar with Omaha's Consulates, they are believed to open doors to business, academics, and labor markets for those coming from abroad as well as those already living in the state.

"It's going to be easier for us to approach the consuls and learn from them and to understand the challenges, say, of the entrepreneur from El Salvador," said Yesenia Peck, leader of the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. According to Billy Munoz, the Guatemalan Consul, the new Consulate in Omaha will help strengthen the existing embassies' outreach and advocacy efforts, and help more immigrants move to the state, a move that may argue will help the workforce shortage.

For the full article click HERE

RICKETTS ANNOUNCES RUN FOR ELECTION TO HIS APPOINTED SEAT IN U.S. SENATE

OMAHA- On Wednesday, and after much speculation and expectation, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts made it official that he would launch a campaign to retain his Senate seat, to which he was appointed by his successor, Gov. Jim Pillen. At a small gathering, Ricketts touted his business and government experience. "Nebraska is what America is supposed to be," Ricketts told a crowd, "We have the values that our founders demonstrated when they created this country."

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine introduced Ricketts at the event, and said that Nebraskans need him in the Senate since he has been an ally to both police and prosecutors. Kleine went on to state that Ricketts understands the threat posed by fentanyl, and will work in Congress to curb its sale and use in Nebraska.

"Nine years ago, he took that office (as governor) and showed us what Nebraska leadership really means," finished Kleine, "Lowering taxes. Cutting excess government. All the great things that are common sense for Nebraskans and leading in the Nebraska way." Up for his turn to speak, Ricketts told those gathered that Congress needs more people willing to push back against "the radical left," who he claimed attack the values of beliefs of Nebraskans. Following the announcement, Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said they still plan on locating and introducing an opponent for both upcoming Senate races.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA, DOUGLAS COUNTY OFFICIALS CELEBRATE LONGTIME POLL WORKERS

OMAHA- On Wednesday, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse, and Douglas County Board Chair Mary Ann Borgeson held an event to celebrate the local poll workers who have served the state for over twenty years as Nebraska nears the 2024 general and primary elections. Seventeen poll workers were celebrated at the event.

"You are actually indispensable to our election process, and I know these last few years have been a little tough on not only election staff, but on poll workers themselves," said Borgeson, referencing the bouts of criticism poll workers have faced nationally since the 2020 presidential election. Borgeson went on to say that the poll workers' dedication to the state has fostered, over the years, an "honorable and honest election process."

As of right now, Douglas County alone still needs a few hundred more poll workers before the next election, and is seeking to train around 2,800 poll workers just for the Omaha area. "I encourage citizens all across our state, all across Douglas County...to consider serving as a poll worker," Evnen told the crowd at the event, "It's a grind. It's a long day, but it's a pleasure, isn't it? Because you are making democracy work."

For the full article click HERE

LINCOLN'S REDWAY CEASING OPERATIONS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AFTER INAUGURAL FLIGHT

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Red Way, the startup airline that had been providing flights from Lincoln to several desirable locations, such as Las Vegas and Orlando, announced that it would be ceasing operations on the final day of the month. "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the decision to cease operations," representatives from Red Way said in a statement, "After careful consideration and evaluation, we have come to the difficult conclusion that we must close our doors."

Lincoln Airport officials confirmed that Red Way had told them of the decision last week. "The Lincoln Airport Authority Board is disappointed by the ultimate outcome of Red Way's services in Lincoln," said Airport Authority Chairman John Olsson in a statement, "Board members have met to discuss the result of the service, actions necessary to both address this situation and chart future efforts and oversight on what's to come."

The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners issued a written statement as well, echoing sentiments of disappointment at this unexpected turn of events. Lancaster County Commissioner Matt Schulte lamented the almost $3 million in lost American Rescue Plan Funds, which were given to Red Way after it had decided to reside in the Lincoln Airport. "I personally voted for this project believing that the air service would develop long-term service," said Commissioner Schulte, "Unfortunately, it didn't work."

For the full article click HERE

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST, FACING A DECLINE IN GRANT APPLICATIONS, SETS EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

LINCOLN- Following several months of decline in the amount of grant applications it receives, the Nebraska Environmental Tr4sut has scheduled three questions-and-answer events in an attempt to make clearer the grant process. The director of the Trust said the sessions are about the agency's "ongoing process improvement effort," and not solely about increasing the amount of grant applications.

Annually, the Trust awards around $20 million in grants for local recycling programs, environmental research, and habitat projects, but faced a bout of criticism last year for declaring many of the applications it had received "ineligible." This year, the Trust only awarded 81 grant applications, as opposed to last year's 118, a decline of nearly 31%.

The surplus of funding left by the decline in grant awards prompted Gov. Jim Pillen to obtain a controversial approval from the Nebraska Legislature to transfer $14 million of the Trust's funds to a fund run by the Natural Resources Commission. Advocates of the Trust called the transfer "a mockery," and argued that it might have even been unconstitutional. The three events will be held this Friday at 10:00am via Zoom, Monday at 10:00am via Zoom, and Monday at 1:00pm at the Environmental Trust's State Office.

For the full article click HERE

FORMER NEBRASKA SENATOR FROM GRAND ISLAND TO RUN AGAIN IN 2024

GRAND ISLAND- A former Nebraska Senator from Grand Island is announcing he is seeking election in 2024. Dan Quick announced that he is seeking election in 2024 to Nebraska’s 35th Legislative District, which encompasses Grand Island. Quick was originally elected to the District 35 seat in 2016, narrowly defeating Gregg Neuhaus. He lost his seat to current Sen. Ray Aguilar by about seven points despite beating Aguilar in the 2020 primary by about 25 points.

"I'm announcing my candidacy for state legislature because for me it’s about caring for the people you serve and introducing policy that will improve their lives," Quick said. “The last session of the legislature was difficult to watch and even more difficult to understand, especially with what could have been accomplished. We need to focus on policy that will benefit Nebraskans with issues they face each and every day. I will work to improve the economic wellbeing of our residents - supporting small businesses and bringing back manufacturing jobs to the area, lowering the cost of healthcare, and shielding Nebraskans from the impact of out-of-control property taxes and valuations.”

Quick currently serves on the Central Community College Board of Governors, a position he would have to step down from if elected. At the moment, the office of Sen. Ray Aguilar hasn’t commented on whether he is planning to run in 2024. The official campaign kickoff will be held on Sept. 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 pm at the Chocolate Bar in Grand Island.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA DISTRICT JUDGE EARNS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL JUDICIAL HONOR

DAWSON COUNTY- District Judge James E. Doyle IV has been named the recipient of the 28th Annual William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, one of the highest judicial recognitions in the country. Doyle will receive the award from Chief Justice John Roberts at a recognition ceremony at the United States Supreme Court in November.

The award, presented by the National Center for State Courts, honors state court judges who demonstrate the outstanding qualities of judicial excellence, "including integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, professional ethics, creativity, sound judgment, intellectual courage and decisiveness." Doyle has spent his more than two decades of judicial service focused on solving problems for the people of central Nebraska.

Mary McQueen, president of the National Center for State Courts, said "The solutions he has developed have served as models for other courts across rural America." McQueen said he also has promoted the use of technology to allow people in his rural community to more easily access justice. Doyle is set to retire from the post on August 31st.

For the full article click HERE

STATE LEADERS TRYING, THUS FAR FAILING, TO RAISE DENTAL MEDICAID RATES

LINCOLN- There's a push in the Nebraska Legislature to substantially increase Medicaid funding and raise dental reimbursement rates, but so far it hasn’t succeeded. Sen. Lynne Walz, a Democrat from Fremont, introduced a bill in January that would increase dental services reimbursement under the Medical Assistance Act by 25%. The increase would cost roughly $6 million.

The proposed increase would raise reimbursements on average to match one of the state’s lowest paying private insurance plans, Ameritas, said David O’Doherty, Executive Director of the Nebraska Dental Association. The Health and Human Services Committee unanimously voted for LB358, sending it to the full Legislature, but it has not yet been debated on the floor.

The bill is on general file and can be brought up for debate during the 2024 session, a representative from Walz’s office said. In the 2023-2025 biennium budget, all Medicaid reimbursement rates were increased by 3% for FY2023-24, but Gov. Jim Pillen used a line-item veto to remove a 2% rate increase for the second fiscal year.

For the full article click HERE

GOOGLE CONFIRMS LINCOLN'S $600M DATA CENTER, TOUTS THIS YEAR'S $1.2B SPEND ON NEBRASKA INFRASTRUCTURE

PAPILLION- Google officials confirmed publicly that it is behind the $600 million Lincoln data center poised to rise on roughly 580 acres near Interstate 80 and North 56th Street. The project continues Google’s sprawl in Nebraska, adding to the tech giant’s other data campuses in Papillion and Omaha. This year alone, Google officials announced, the company is investing $1.2 billion in Nebraska infrastructure.

“We’re here. We’re here to stay, and we’re here to expand,” Allie Hopkins, Google’s head of data centers in Nebraska and Iowa, said during a media event at the company’s growing Papillion site. While some of the Lincoln center’s cost is within that 2023 total, Hopkins said that further investment in the multi-phased project will spill into future years.

Construction work has already started, with ground preparation. When complete, Google representatives said, the Lincoln center should create at least 30 full-time jobs. “That’s all to support these digital services that everyone is so used to using every day,” Hopkins said, citing Google Cloud, Gmail, Docs, Search, Maps and more. Google officials declined to reveal more than basic details of a project.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA'S TED CARTER TO BE NEXT PRESIDENT AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

LINCOLN- Barring any last-minute changes, the University of Nebraska will soon need to begin the search for a new president. Ted Carter, the former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, was named Tuesday as the next president of Ohio State University in Columbus. Ohio State University made the decision at its most recent Board of Trustees meeting, but declined to confirm any details about the selection.

Members of the NU Board of Regents also declined to comment on the move. Carter had just recently received a positive evaluation by the NU System for his work during the 2022-23 academic year, and also received notice that he would be awarded a $144,000 bonus. The Regents who made that decision cited Carter's work on a private fundraising campaign, which raised over $3 billion.

Over his tenure, Carter has made great progress in persuading both liberal and conservative lawmakers to invest in and trust Nebraska's largest public university system. Carter was also pivotal in launching the Nebraska Promise Program, which helps low- and middle-income Nebraskans attend NU tuition-free.

For the full article click HERE

CLEANUP OF PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED SOLID WASTE TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH AT FORMER MEAD PLANT

MEAD- A coalition of seed companies that have assumed the responsibility of cleaning up contaminated solid and liquid waste at the former Mead ethanol plant is ready to begin removing pesticide-laden wet cake starting next month. The AltEn Facility Response Group, made up of six seed industry organizations that formerly sent unused seed to the biofuel plant, will detail plans for the disposal of roughly 24,000 tons of wet cake at a town hall in Saunders County this week.

So far, the initial plan will be to send around 20% of the solid waste, which is now entombed under a concrete and clay cover at the site, to the Pheasant Point landfill near Bennington over a period of four to five months. The facility response group, having completed that first phase of cleanup, will then reevaluate the situation and formulate the second plan of attack.

"It may seem pretty straightforward," said Bill Butler, a senior engineer working on the cleanup project, "but there are some technical things that we have to look at to evaluate whether this is something we can do on a full scale." The initial cleanup project is expected to give the coalition an idea of how fast it can process, load, and transport the wet cake in a safe way that will have minimal impact on Mead and the surrounding area.

For the full article click HERE

'HISTORIC' GIFT TO CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY AIMS TO HELP NEBRASKA'S NURSING SHORTAGE

OMAHA- On Monday, a $5.2 million gift was given to Creighton University with the intention of creating a new scholarship fund to help meet a critical need for Nebraskan nurses, a field which has plateaued of late. The gift comes from the Harper Family, who is best known for owning and growing ConAgra Foods. The funding given to the university's College of Nursing is one of the largest in the history of the institution.

"Creighton nurses are leaders who advance quickly at the hospitals and clinics where they practice," said Catherine Todero, dean of the College of Nursing, "And now, the Harper Scholars Program will help us attract top talent and form even more innovative leaders." The scholarship's namesakes are the late Charles Harper and his wife Joan Bruggema Harper, who took the reigns of ConAgra in the 1970s. Joan was a nurse herself.

Almost immediately following the gift, Creighton is now looking for its first round of Harper Scholars awardees, which will be selected before the 2024 fall semester. University officials said nurses can't arrive fast enough, noting that, by 2025, Nebraska is expected to face an estimated shortage of nearly 5,500 nurses.

For the full article click HERE

GOV. PILLEN ASSEMBLES A GROUP TO HELP SOLVE NEBRASKA'S WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

LINCOLN- On Monday, Gov. Pillen announced the creation of a new group, made up of representatives from the state government, chambers of commerce, education, and private business, to examine the state's pressing workforce shortage, and perhaps find answers as to how it can be reversed. "We need to solve this problem if we are to continue to grow Nebraska," said Pillen in a statement.

Gov. Pillen acknowledged that many Nebraskans over the last decade have left for employment in other states. Ernie Goss of Creighton University, an institution that produces an annual economic forecasting report, said that Nebraska's low unemployment rate, while seemingly a positive, becomes a barrier when local businesses and companies want to expand their operations.

"It's always one of the biggest issues for companies: finding and hiring qualified workers," said Goss. Pillen, according to the statement, will act as chairman of the working group. Among those also in the new group is NU President Ted Carter, as well as Sens. Kathleen Kauth, Lou Ann Linehan, and Tom Briese. Representatives from Byran Health, Buildertrend, Chief Industries, First National Bank of Omaha, and the Lincoln and Omaha Chambers of Commerce will also offer assistance.

For the full article click HERE

PILLEN EXPRESSES 'DISBELIEF' ABOUT SITUATION AT U.S. SOUTHERN BORDER, CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP CONDEMNS 'BARBARIC WASTE' OF FUNDS

TEXAS- On Monday, a group of Republican governors visited the U.S. Southern Border in Texas, some of whom after sending troops and aid to the state at the behest of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, after sending a handful of Nebraska National Guardsmen, was in attendance, using the word "disbelief" to describe his first visit to the border.

Pillen said at the event that a series of buoys authorized for use by Abbott are being misrepresented in the news media, calling them a "deterrent" to Mexican drug cartels that are shipping drugs across the border to "kill our kids." The governors of Iowa, South Dakota, and Oklahoma were also in attendance at the border, echoing similar sentiments.

In response to the visit, Domingo Garcia, head of the League of United Latin American Citizens, called the saw-fitted buoys on the border "sadistic instruments" that are "a basic failure of human dignity." Garcia went on to say that the group of governors in attendance were wasting taxpayer money and should "redirect their attention to their own states and refrain from becoming pawns in a failed policy of hatred and fear." The deployment of Nebraska personnel by Gov. Pillen could cost the state up to $2 million.

For the full article click HERE