TWO COMMISSIONERS CENSURED BY PSC BOARD; THEY CLAIM IT WAS 'RETALIATION'

LINCOLN- Two members of the Nebraska Public Service Commission censured by the rest of the five-member board claimed they were victims of “retaliation.” Board members Christian Mirch of Omaha and Kevin Stocker of Scottsbluff were censured by the board on a 3-2 vote following an investigation by an attorney hired by the board. The probe looked at complaints of mistreatment of staff members of the Public Service Commission by the two commissioners.

A press release quoted Dan Watermeier, the chairman of the elected board, stating that “the Commission will not condone the conduct that led us to today’s decision”. But both Mirch and Stocker that the official reprimand was in retaliation in large part because they have pushed too hard to get the PSC to act more quickly in distributing $1 million in grants for “precision agriculture.”

But the PSC, after conducting hearings on how to best utilize the funds, later determined that it couldn’t use BEAD funds for the precision ag program. Mirch and Stocker wanted the PSC to move quickly to hand out the grants, arguing that public hearings had already been held on the idea. But the rest of the commission disagreed. Commissioner Tim Schram of Gretna said that a new round of hearings and comments was necessary.

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LANCASTER COUNTY GOP CHAIR ACCUSED OF STALKING, ABUSE IN CIVIL COURT FILING

LINCOLN- Last month, a judge ordered former U.S. Senate candidate and current head of the Lancaster County Republican Party, Matthew Innis, to cease communication with his wife and stay away from their once-shared home after she accused him of abuse and stalking in civil court filings. The judge's ruling came just a week after Innis was elected chairman of the Lancaster County GOP.

The order, issued on an emergency basis and can be either kept in place for a year, modified, or vacated altogether, came in response to the civil petition from Innis' wife, who also filed for divorce in January. In March, Judge McManaman also issued an order barring Innis and his wife from "disturbing the peace and quiet" of each other, but Innis' wife, in a July filing, argued that Innis had violating this exlusion order 11 times.

The July filing requested that the judge enact a protection order, with Innis' wife accusing the Lancaster GOP chairman of "severe post-separation abuse" in the form of repeated unannounced visits to her home. Neither Innis' attorney nor the Lancaster County GOP responded to questions regarding the accusations.

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AFTER 100 YEARS, NEBRASKA REVIVES PLANS TO BUILD A CANAL, STIRRING CONTROVERSY WITH COLORADO

LINCOLN- The South Platte River, which flows from Colorado to Nebraska, has prompted controversy among lawmakers and water users in both states and led to arguments surrounding ownership of the water. That controversy burst into public view at the beginning of last year, when then-Gov. Pete Ricketts outlined a plan to capture that water for usage in Nebraska.

"To secure Nebraska's water supply I am recommending $500 million to construct a canal and water reservoir system from the South Platte River," said Ricketts a year ago, "Access to this water enables our farmers and ranchers to produce. It provides for quality drinking water." That original $500 million proposal has now reached $628 million, and is being spearheaded now by Gov. Jim Pillen. Supporters of the project argued that if Nebraska doesn't build the canal, Colorado could divert almost all of the water away from the state.

Colorado officials called these fears exaggerated, and even some Nebraska lawmakers, including former Sen. Steve Lathrop, questioned why Ricketts brought up an almost 100-year-old canal proposal. Despite the skepticism, Nebraska lawmakers approved money for a feasibility study, and were greeted with four conclusions from consulting firm Zanjero. The state also recently contracted HDR Engineering to design the canal and reservoir system, and Jesse Bradley, assistant director of the Department of Natural Resources, said the project is moving forward.

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NEBRASKA'S PLATTE INSTITUTE CALLS FOR FOCUS ON WORKFORCE SHORTAGES, TAXES, SCHOOL CHOICE

LINCOLN- A Nebraska-based conservative think tank, The Platte Institute, recently called on state lawmakers to focus on issues relating to workforce shortages, taxes, and education during the upcoming 2024 legislative session. Each of these subjects was highlighted at a Thursday panel held by the Institute. Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, who was present at the panel, confirmed that these subjects will likely be addressed next year.

However, Arch told a crowd that the first order of business during the 2024 legislative session will be another rules debate, which he hopes will provide clarity on the Legislature's procedures. This year, lawmakers spent multiple days debating the rules, which was prompted by an almost session-long filibuster conducted by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh.

Arch also confirmed that the Legislature's Executive Committee will tackle the recent opinion issued by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, which limited the powers of the Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare and Inspector General of Corrections. Tweaks to a large tax relief package passed this year, according to Arch, will also be made, along with certification and licensure changes to reduce the state's workforce shortage.

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ROUND TWO OF EMERGENCY RENT AID, ONCE A POLITICAL HOT POTATO, NOW AVAILABLE TO 91 NEBRASKA COUNTIES

LINCOLN- Just a few days into accepting applications for a new batch of emergency rental aid, representatives from around the state of Nebraska said they've already fielded more than 600 requests from 55 different counties. "It's been insanely busy," said Tanya Gifford of Lift Up Sarpy County. Gifford's organization is among those helping the Nebraska Investment Authority disburse $48 million in pandemic-related rent and utility aid, this time towards the state's 91 more rural counties.

The federal funding for these smaller counties had become shrouded in controversy in past years, after then-Gov. Pete Ricketts refused to tape into the federal dollars set aside for Nebraska. Ricketts, following the announcement that Nebraska would receive the funding, claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic was over and that Nebraska should guard against becoming a "welfare state." Despite this, state lawmakers became involved, but fell one vote short of overriding a veto on a bill that would have forced Ricketts' hand.

Gov. Jim Pillen, upon assuming the governorship, accepted what was left of the original $120 million in federal funding for these counties, bucking his predecessor's stance. A spokeswoman from Pillen's office said that the new governor recognized that housing stability and affordability issues still plagued rural Nebraska, and that accepting the funding would help ease those burdens. For the second round, applicants must demonstrate that they faced financial hardship during the pandemic, and then can receive up to $30,000 for past-due and future rent and utility payments.

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LINCOLN AIRPORT AUTHORITY BACK AT FULL STRENGTH WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF VANESSA EMLICH

LINCOLN- Vanessa Emlich recently served her first day as a member of the Lincoln Airport Authority after being appointed by Lincoln May Leirion Gaylor Baird following the resignation of Nick Cusick in late July. Emlich said she hopes to lend a hand to the airport board that has, in recent weeks, taken hits after the closure of Red Way Airlines.

"I want to see the airport grow," she said, "I definitely want to see more air services come into Lincoln, but I think there are obviously other opportunities to help the community grow." Emlich previously ran for a seat on the airport authority in May and lost, but said she found a lot of positivity in her time spent campaigning.

During that time, Emlich said she spent a lot of time with current board members and the airport's executive staff, and learned how things work. "I wanted to understand kind of what the issues were," she said, "I wanted to be as informed as possible. That was enjoyable because I got to a better education about what the airport was working on."

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ONE YEAR IN, WARHORSE LINCOLN HAS DONE WHAT IT PROMISED

LINCOLN- While WarHorse Lincoln is still a work in progress, it's an endeavor that has only just scratched the surface of its potential, according to its ownership group. "It's really going to be something," said Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, which operates the casino.

For now, the casino is being housed in a small building, but phase two of its development, which will double the size of the facility, began last month, with an expected completion date of October 2024. A year on, the numbers generated by the casino seem to suggest that it has been nothing short of successful. Financially, WarHorse Casino has contributed just over $4.7 million to a property tax credit fund, as well as roughly $845,000 each to the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County.

"I think everybody said, 'Wow that's a lot of Money,'" said Tom Sage, executive director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, "But I don't know what the expectations were...I had no expectations, and I don't believe the commission had any expectations." According to Morgan, the casino's generated revenue has lived up to past projections, and has done so without causing many of the problems opponents claimed it would. "I think it's very good, and it probably will only get better when the permanent facilities become operations," said Morgan.

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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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