MINNESOTA GOVERNOR SAYS NEBRASKA DEMS NEED 'TO FOCUS ON WHAT IMPROVES PEOPLE'S LIVES'

OMAHA- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the leader of a state that has passed progressive legislation related to abortion and education, urged Nebraska Democrats on Friday to emphasize grass-roots efforts and "skate to where the puck is going to be." Walz, a Nebraska native, was one of the keynote speakers at this year's Ben Nelson Gala, an annual dinner organized by the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Also speaking at the event was Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson, one of the "Tennessee Three" who were expelled from office earlier this year but later returned to the Statehouse by voters. Walz told the crowd that his state has been successful in passing progressive legislation because of its strong party organization, as well as its focus on health care and wages, generally less partisan issues.

"Half of what we did moved with bipartisan votes," said Walz, "You can go out and try to message this, but it's kind of hard to vote against kids' meals at the end of the day." Walz emphasized to the attendees of the event that Minnesota is prosperous because people feel safe in their homes and are confident in the state's public education system.

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NEBRASKA APPROVES EMERGENCY REGULATIONS REGARDING GENDER CARE FOR MINORS; LAWMAKERS REQUEST GUIDANCE

LINCOLN-LB574, a bill that prohibits minors from receiving gender-affirming care, officially took effect along with a 90-day guidance that allows certain forms of care to continue. The approval of these regulations came after four months of unknowns, and little indication of when they would be approved and what they would entail for transgender youth in the state.

The regulations, released by DHHS, require a minimum number of therapeutic hours prior to care, define gender dysphoria and gender nonconformity, set guidelines to receive informed patient consent, and mandate a waiting period between consent and prescription of hormone blockers. Gov. Pillen praised the state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, for ensuring children are protected.

This prompted a letter from Sen. Megan Hunt to DHHS requesting additional information. Though the law included a clause to “grandfather in” patients, Hunt said, some of those patients have been denied prescriptions. “Any disruption or delay in a prescribed regimen is inconsistent with the plain letter of LB 574 and is inconsistent with the medical standard of care for these patients,” Hunt told Tesmer.

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UNION LEADER DAN OSBORN KICKS OFF NONPARTISAN U.S. SENATE BID IN OMAHA

OMAHA- On Thursday, Dan Osborn, a union leader running for U.S. Senate without the help or hindrance of party labels, kicked off his 2024 election bid. Osborn, an industrial mechanic who led the labor strike at the Kellogg's Omaha Plant in 2021, will challenge U.S. Sen. Den Fischer, and is running on issues he believes matter to the local workers he helped to secure better pay and benefits for.

Osborn, at his campaign kickoff, said Fischer paid too little attention to the economic realities working families in Nebraska face, including higher costs for food, fuel, and health care. "Our bank accounts feel it as inflation and greed jeopardize our days and our children's tomorrows," he said, "The lifetime politicians in Washington can't do the basics like change the oil, basic preventative maintenance. They can't even balance a budget like each of us do."

In an interview after the event, Osborn said he decided to run against Fischer instead of Pete Ricketts because he doesn't want to run a second campaign in 2026, which he would be required to do if he was able to secure Ricketts' seat. Osborn also highlighted why he is running as an independent, saying that it helps voters from both sides understand his message and feel more comfortable communicating with him on issues they find important.

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NEBRASKA REGENTS CLEAR PATH FOR NEW $2 BILLION HOSPITAL FOR UNMC IN OMAHA

OMAHA- Approval was received for a new $2.19 billion academic medical center in Omaha, which would be the largest project in the history of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The Nebraska Board of Regents voted unanimously to let UNMC begin the process of engaging a team to develop plans for the new facility near the existing hospital complex.

The project has been known as Phase 1 of Project NExT, which UNMC officials have described as a multibillion-dollar hospital that would double as a federal all-hazards response facility. Beyond the bricks and mortar, Project NExT also includes a host of programs focused on providing education and training as well as support for research and surge capacity in the case of a long list of potential hazards.

It’s focused on the health of Nebraskans, said Dr. Jeffrey Gold, UNMC’s chancellor, rather than partnerships with federal agencies or local relationships with organizations such as the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services and Veterans Administration. Gold said he hopes to see construction work begin by winter or spring 2025.

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NEBRASKA MEDICAID TO BE EXTENDED FOR MOMS UP TO 12 MONTHS AFTER BIRTH

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen announced that Nebraska will extend Medicaid coverage for mothers up to 12 months after giving birth. He said the change, which takes effect Jan. 1, is part of the state’s commitment to the health and well-being of mothers and children. Nebraska currently provides only 60 days of postpartum coverage.

“This decision ensures that nearly 5,000 mothers across our state will maintain access to a comprehensive range of behavioral and physical health services,” Pillen said. “Our children are the future of this state, and we are dedicated to providing the strongest possible support system to help them thrive,” he said.

The announcement comes less than four months after Nebraska lawmakers passed a bill requiring the state to offer longer postpartum coverage. LB227 required coverage for at least six months. State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, who introduced the extended postpartum coverage bill, called the governor’s announcement wonderful news. Her bill originally called for 12 months of coverage but was amended down to help win votes.

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UNMC AND NEBRASKA MEDICINE OPEN HUB TO HELP NORTH OMAHANS REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES

OMAHA- Shanda Ross, a nurse by trade and a program director at Nebraska Medicine, will help oversee the new Community Wellness Collaborative that officially opened on the ground level of a new Highlander building. The space at 2120 N. 29th St. is not a medical clinic, but rather will house a small staff tasked with connecting area residents to health-focused resources and career training opportunities. The overall goal is healthier lifestyles.

Ross said she got chills, exclaimed “whoa” and teared up when tapped to help launch the venture in the historically disconnected and disadvantaged area where she grew up. “To be able to be a part of something that now is making sure this community can thrive where they live is a blessing, an honor.”

Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center describe their joint effort as a mission to reduce health disparities facing residents of the 68111 ZIP code. It will start off with the staff “listening” to locals and trying in various ways to glean information to better identify and break down barriers to healthy lifestyles.

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STATE GOVERNMENT STALWART, LARRY BARE, REMEMBERED FOR VAST KNOWLEDGE, NO NONSENSE ADVICE

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, current and former state officials paid tribute to Larry Bare, a state official who had served as the chief of staff for two governors, headed up a handful of State Capitol offices and agencies, and worked under seven different governors, who had passed away on Monday.

Former Govs. Dave Heineman and Mike Johanns both praised Bare, who served as their chief of staff, for his wise counsel and straightforward advice. "He was the most knowledgeable person regarding state government issues that I have ever met," said Heineman, "As governor, I appreciated and trusted Larry because his focus was always on making government work better."

Bare was born on a ranch in the community of Rushville, but later moved to Lincoln where he went on to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Despite earning a degree in education, Bare launched an over five-decade career in state government. A celebration of Bare's life is scheduled on October 29th at Lincoln's Mourning Hope Grief Center from noon to 2:00pm.

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NEBRASKA CASEWORKER SHOT DURING CHILD WELFARE CHECK

LINCOLN- A Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services caseworker is recovering from a gunshot to the leg during a welfare check this week. According to the Lincoln Police Department, officers were called to the area of North 7th and ‘Y’ Streets where officers found a 28-year-old man with one gunshot wound to his leg.

Lincoln Police Department has at this time not released the name of the man shot but he was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries by Lincoln Fire and Rescue. Police investigation found that two DHHS caseworkers were responding to the home for a child welfare check when while on the lawn, Brent Lopez, 38, of Lincoln, came outside and fired multiple rounds with a handgun.

The Lincoln Police Department said police arrested Lopez without incident for assault on an officer, a Class II felony, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and was taken to the Lancaster County Jail. The three children interviewed at the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center and will be "cared for at a safe location", according to the Lincoln Police Department.

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$1.1 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO REVIVE NEGLECTED OMAHA PARK IS LINKED TO NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING

OMAHA- On Friday, it was announced that Omaha's Habitat for Humanity announced that it had received $1.1 million to both resurrect a long-neglected Noth Omaha park and begin rebuilding Bluestem Prairie, an 85-home subdivision that will now become affordable housing. Myott Park, near 52nd Street and Sorenson Parkway, will be expanded to include a new amphitheater, picnic pavillions, walking and bicycle trails, and courts for basketball and pickleball.

The grant will be added to an existing $25 million for affordable housing. Before the revitalization of Bluestem Prairie was planned, the site had been vacant for around 16 years following the demolition of the Wintergreen Apartment Complex, which was originally built in 1975. "People lived here, they made memories here," said Amanda Brewer, director of Habitat for Humanity in Omaha, "We see North Omaha as a cultural oasis full of historic places and vibrant people, and we always want to honor what came before."

Dignitaries at the groundbreaking included a representative of U.S. Rep. Don Bacon's office, Omaha Parks Director Matthew Kalcevich, and City Councilwoman Juanita Johnson. Although Habitat will oversee the park revival, the City of Omaha is to provide continuing maintenance and support. Habitat for Humanity thanked Bacon's office for securing the $1.1 million in congressional community funding, and Bacon said he expects the revival to "change lives and empower a new generation of homeowners within a framework of education and support to ensure the residents' long-term success."

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PLATTE INSTITUTE AWARDS MICROGRANTS TO NEBRASKA GROUPS THAT HELP INTEGRATE FORMER INMATES INTO WORKFORCE

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, six Nebraska organizations that help former inmates find employment and progress in their communities were awarded "microgrants" from the Platte Institute, a nonprofit aiming to remove barriers to growth and opportunity, especially in workforce development.

Institute CEO Jim Vokal said the grants are meant to underscore what the organization sees as a need for Nebraska's lawmakers, which is to adopt workforce licensing reform, particularly for universal recognition of licenses from out-of-state, along with a second chance component to remove the barriers that currently exclude some former inmates from state licensure in certain occupations.

Such legislation, according to Vokal, "will open our workforce to groups that have traditionally faced barriers to work and those impacted by burdensome overregulation." Awardees include the Heart Ministry Center, On The Inside, Omaha Alternatives to Violence Project; Bridges to Hope, Queens Butterfly House, and Nebraskans Unafraid.

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STUDENTS URGED TO GET INVOLVED AND 'USE THEIR VOICE' TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

LINCOLN- Last Friday, nearly 150 college students filed into an event hall for the fifth annual Nebraska Youth Climate Summit, which is organized by Ken Winston, a climate change action activist and attorney, as well as Martha Durr, the Nebraska State Climatologist. The event also featured Louise Mabulo, an environmentalist from the Philippines, who won international acclaim for her Cacao Project, which teaches farmers and students how to build a sustainable, climate-resilient livelihood.

Mabulo told the crowd that much of the work in attaining such a livelihood includes planting a variety of crops that can withstand extreme weather and stop the rapid depletion of soil. "The fact is," Mabulo told the crowd, "sustainable farming has always existed. It has just been cast aside in pursuit of fast, easy, and cheap food."

Durr, who is soon to leave the state climatologist post, also spoke at the event, telling students that climate change is "real and here now." She continued by telling the crowd that if trends continue and efforts don't reduce carbon emissions, Nebraska's summer weather will be like southern Oklahoma's, with temperatures averaging 95 degrees. Nebraska recently applied for $3 million in federal Inflation Reduction Act funds to finance a state climate action plan, which is due next year, and the City of Omaha also announced plans to construct a similar plan, which is expected to cost $1 million.

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$10 MILLION GRANT WILL HELP GREEN UP NEBRASKA COMMUNITIES

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum recently received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service to strengthen the state's urban and community forest infrastructure in disadvantaged communities across Nebraska. Executive Director Hanna Pinneo said the grant will help to improve the health, safety, and well-being of thousands of Nebraskans.

"This investment will not only help to create greener cities and towns, it will also expand access to green space in previously underserved communities and create more jobs in the tree care industry," said Pinneo, "which will in turn deliver tangible economic benefits to Nebraskans for years to come."

Nebraska's grant is one of 385 awards nationwide, which total out to around $1 billion, funded by the USDA and made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. The primary goal of the grants is to plan and maintain trees, which will help to combat extreme heat and climate change and increase equitable access to nature and the benefits it provides.

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NU REGENT DISMISSES RUMOR THAT HE IS INTERESTED IN TOP JOB AT UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- On Monday, the chairman of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents dispelled rumors that he would put his name in the running to become NU's next president following current President Carter's departure. Tim Clare, the chairman and regent, said he will not be a candidate, but will instead head a search advisory committee that will provide input on the qualities needed in a new university leader.

"I'm working hard to attract the best president we can possibly attract," said Clare, "If we can attract the right visionary leaders, we can do some amazing things at the university." Clare, an attorney, has served on the Board of Regents since 2008, having been reelected in 2014 and 2020. In the past, Clare has been the subject of rumors concerning a run for higher political office, like Governor of Nebraska.

Some NU observers expressed concern that if Clare was interested in the job, it would discourage other candidates from applying. During the last Board of Regents meeting, however, Clare pushed away these rumors and announced that a professional search firm and an appointed advisory committee will be selected during the next meeting to aid in the presidential search.

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MORE CANDIDATES JOIN RACE FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Two more candidates have announced bids for seats in the Nebraska Legislature, including one incumbent lawmaker and another candidate involved in multiple community organizations. State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk announced that he plans to seek a complete term in the Legislature after being appointed to replace now-U.S. Rep. Mike Flood last year.

Last week, Lincoln business owner Seth Derner announced he was seeking election to the seat currently held by Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln. Ballard is another appointee who joined the Legislature at the start of this year’s session to replace now-Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and he has yet to officially announce plans to seek a full term.

In his campaign press release, Dover touted his support for significant conservative bills that passed this session, including a large tax relief package and an increase to Nebraska’s existing abortion ban to 12 weeks based on gestational age. Derner called for the Legislature to return to its nonpartisan roots. If elected, he said, he would focus on education, healthcare, jobs and lowering property taxes.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE PONDERS THE DEFINITION OF 'AFFORDABLE HOUSING'

OMAHA- State Sen. Terrell McKinney hosted a Monday Urban Affairs Committee hearing in an attempt to lay out the first steps to address "affordable housing" in the next legislative session, first by learning how constituents define the term. LR138, the study conducted, explored the "revolving definition" of affordable housing during a three-hour period where over three dozen developers and community leaders had the chance to testify.

McKinney himself described affordable housing as a cost-effective way to reduce intergenerational poverty, increase economic mobility, and foster local development. "In Nebraska, we need to ensure that we're making strides to true affordable housing tailored to our state's unique needs," he said, "We have to find creative solutions to solve this problem."

Buey Ray Tut, CEO of Omaha nonprofit Spark and one of the testifiers, said one of the biggest issues is the fact that thousands of Nebraska households are "cost-burdened," or paying more than 30% of their gross income in monthly housing payments and utilities. 21,000 households in Lincoln and 55,000 in Omaha are considered "cost-burdened," according to Tut. Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, said the Legislature should begin offering tuition waivers for jobs such as electrical work and plumbing to ensure that there is a strong workforce willing to build affordable homes.

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STATE SEN. TOM BREWER, A MEMBER OF THE OGLALA LAKOTA TRIBE, CHOSEN FOR 'COURAGE' AWARD FROM STANDING BEAR GROUP

LINCOLN- On Monday, it was announced that Sen. Tom Brewer would receive the "Prize for Courage" at the Chief Standing Bear Project's annual Indigenous People's Day banquet on October 9th. Larry Dwyer, a board member on the Project and an author who was written about Standing Bear, said Brewer has been a "great leader" on Native American causes during his seven years in the Nebraska Legislature.

Those efforts include working to have a Standing Bear statue placed in the National Statutory Hall in the U.S. Capitol and renaming a state office building in Lincoln after a Ponca chief. On top of that, Brewer also worked to designate a 22-mile stretch of a hike-bike trail as "Chief Standing Bear Trail," to mark the route of the Ponca Tribe when it was removed from its reservation in northeast Nebraska in 1877.

The Chief Standing Bear Project was established to honor the titular Ponca Chief, who some argue was the "Martin Luther King" of civil rights for Native Americans. Standing Bear is famous for winning a court ruling in 1879 that recognized Native Americans as "persons" under U.S. law. The Courage Award was established last year, and was previously given to actor Wes Studi.

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DUNIXI GUERECA ANNOUNCES NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE DISTRICT 7 CANDIDACY

OMAHA- Dunixi Guereca, the executive director of Stand for Schools, a nonprofit that advocates for strong public schools, announced his candidacy for the 7th legislative district seat, which is currently held by Sen. Tony Vargas, who will be term-limited in 2024. The district encompasses part of downtown and south Omaha.

Prior to working at Stand for Schools, Guereca was a union organizer for the Service Employees International Union. "As the proud son of two Mexican immigrants who came to the U.S. in search of a better life, I saw up close their struggle to achieve the American Dream," wrote Guereca in a release, "That dream is too far out of reach for so many people across Nebraska."

Guereca said his priorities, should be elected to the seat, will include strengthening Nebraska's public schools, providing higher wages to workers in the state, appropriating funding towards affordable housing and healthcare, and creating a "fair tax system for all hard-working Nebraskans." Guereca studied political science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and served there as president of the Nebraska Young Democrats.

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WHITE HOUSE TO INVEST MORE THAN $15 MILLION IN NEBRASKA RAILROADS

LINCOLN- The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it’s investing $15.22 million in Nebraska’s railroads. The Biden Administration says this funding will go toward rail improvement projects, especially looking into rail safety and supply chain upgrades. Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Grand Island on Monday to tout this new funding.

“Under President Biden’s leadership, we are making historic investments in rail, which means fewer accidents and delays, faster travel times, and lower shipping costs for the American people,” said Buttigieg in a press release.“These projects will make American rail safer, more reliable, and more resilient, delivering tangible benefits to dozens of communities where railroads are located, and strengthening supply chains for the entire country.”

This investment in Nebraska will go toward the “Cornhusker Railroad Regional Connectivity Project.” It involves final design and construction activities for track-related improvements, upgrades to certain grade crossings, and expansion of the railcar repair facility. Nationally, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing more than $1.4 billion into 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C.

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TWO STATE AGENCIES CLAMP DOWN ON NEBRASKA OMBUDSMAN'S PROBLEM-SOLVING WORK

LINCOLN- For over fifty years, Nebraska's Ombudsman's Office has been a place where state citizens could turn to resolve problems they identified within the state government. However, since mid-August, two major state agencies, the Departments of Health and Human Services and of Correctional Services, have turned off access to their cases management systems, barred agency employees from responding to requests for information, and sharply limited visits to state institutions, severely reducing the power of the Ombudsman's Office.

As a result, State Sen. Terrell McKinney said he's been hearing from Nebraskans involved with both agencies, particularly those in the state prison system, who can't get their questions or concerns answered. "There's a lot of issues that are not being addressed because they are not allowed to help," said McKinney, "It's just making a bad situation worse." State Ombudsman Julie Rogers said she and her staff are continuing to take complaints from citizens concerning the two agencies, but that responses are slow.

"Right now it's taking a lot longer," said Rogers, "We're trying to figure out what information we can get." DHHS and Corrections officials curtailed the Ombudsman's Office access within days after Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued an opinion concluding that two watchdog offices aimed at child welfare and prison oversight violated the State Consitution. The watchdog groups are housed within the Ombudsman's Office but are governed by separate laws.

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NEBRASKA ADVOCATES SAY 'WOMEN'S BILL OF RIGHTS' DOES NOT FOCUS ON NEEDED PRIORITIES

LINCOLN- Two of the state’s largest women’s rights groups say a new “Women’s Bill of Rights” misses the mark when seeking to support Nebraska women. Gov. Jim Pillen on Aug. 30 signed the executive order, which defines “male” and “female” for the state’s executive branch and varying agencies, boards and commissions based on the development of peoples’ reproductive systems.

In that “Women’s Bill of Rights,” a “female” is defined as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova and a “male” as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female. However, Erin Feichtinger, policy director for the Women’s Fund of Omaha, said she thinks there are no rights included in the “bill of rights.” It also comes after countless policies and ideas have been brought to the Legislature.

Pillen said in a statement nearly identical to the one he issued when he signed the order that it is “common sense” that men do not belong in women-only spaces. MaryLee Moulton, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, said Pillen’s order is “another volley” in a culture fight that continues to be waged in Nebraska.

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