FRED MEYER APPOINTED TO LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Fred Meyer to the District 41 legislative seat, which was previously held by Nebraska's new State Treasurer Tom Briese. Meyer hails from Saint Paul, Nebraska. The newly-appointed senator was selected from among 16 applicants. Meyer holds a Bachelor of Science, Ag Education, and Animal Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Meyer previously served as President of the Nebraska Board of Education, and was sworn in by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who also served on the Board with Meyer.

Meyer said he’s passionate about education, agriculture, and natural resources. Meyer he said he didn’t think, as a new senator, he would be spearheading any major initiatives, but said he wanted to look at how ag land is valued in Nebraska, particularly scrutinizing profability versus selling price. Meyer said that the biggest issue facing education in Nebraska was the lack of certified teachers. He said the state needs to prioritize encouraging young people to get into — and stay in — education, suggesting that investing in student teaching to make sure such interns are paid might help overcome that hurdle.

Treasurer Tom Briese, who previously served District 41 in the Legislature, vacated his seat after being appointed to the Treasurer's Office by Gov. Pillen following the resignation of former Treasurer John Murante. A spokeswoman for the governor confirmed after Wednesday’s announcement that Meyer will not be running for the district’s state senate seat once the remainder of Briese’s term comes to an end.

District 41 is comprised of Wheeler, Boone, Greeley, Valley, Sherman, and Howard Counties, as well as portions of Buffalo and Hall Counties.

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DIFFERENT SPECIAL PROSECUTOR APPOINTED IN NEBRASKA GOP BREAK-IN CASE

LINCOLN- Lincoln lawyer Ryan Swaroff, a former Lancaster County prosecutor who previously worked with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office, was tapped to replace Special Prosecutor Tim Noerrlinger in a case revolving around an alleged break-in during the 2022 transition between the old and new leadership teams at the headquarters of the Nebraska Republican Party.

Noerrlinger filed a court form seeking his replacement in the GOP probe, and on October 8th, Lancaster County District Judge Andrew Jacobsen appointed Swaroff. On October 2nd, Noerrlinger was hired as a staff attorney for the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, and therefore could not continue his probe.

The new state GOP leadership filed a police report in the summer of 2022 alleging that a break-in had occurred on July 9th, leading to the loss of around $1,000 in property and data from their downtown Lincoln headquarters. Items listed as missing included security cameras and digital fears, with the new leadership team believing the crime to be one of sabotage. Lincoln Police Department determined that no crime was committed, but was challenged by the Nebraska GOP, prompting the appointment of a special prosecutor to probe the incident.

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ARIZONA'S KARI LAKE TO HEADLINE NEBRASKA GOP FUNDRAISER FOR UP TO $10,000 A TICKET

OMAHA- The first Nebraska Republican Party fundraiser of 2024, which is to be held on January 5th, is set to feature former television reporter, U.S. Senate candidate, and 2020 election denier Kari Lake, who will visit Omaha on the eve of the third anniversary of the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Lake, a Republican who lost her 2022 gubernatorial bid against Democrat Katie Hobbs in Arizona, is running a 2024 race against Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Senator who left the Democratic Party in December. Her event, according to NEGOP spokespeople, is the latest push to excite the base by the new party leadership, who, in July of 2022, ousted a team loyal to then-Gov. Ricketts.

Party Spokeswoman Dawn Liphardt said Nebraska conservatives will be watching the 2024 Senate races very closely, and called Lake "a strong speaker" who will "get Republicans excited" about the upcoming election. The Nebraska GOP announced the event by email, selling a wide range of tickets that includes one for $10,000, which grants purchasers access to a VIP event prior to Lake's speech.

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CHILLY CONDITIONS COULDN'T HAMPER THE FIRST RACE AT LEGACY DOWNS WARHORSE LINCOLN

LINCOLN- Following last week's inaugural race at Legacy Downs Racetrack, the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association couldn't have been happier, despite the not-so-ideal conditions. Optimism was pervasive among the association's team, and Lynne McNally, CEO of the organization, said she couldn't help but imagine what the future of racing would look like in Nebraska.

The race, which lasted a little more than a minute, saw Julie Jean, a horse ridden by Bryan McNeil, win the race by five lengths over Inewageallikethat as about 200 onlookers braved the cold, standing on the hard pan near where a grandstand is set to be built. "From now on, it's all up from here," said Garald Wollesen, president of the Nebraska Horsemen.

While the amenities might've been spartan, the track itself fared well on its inaugural run. "I think it did pretty good for the conditions," said Grant Dreher, superintendent of Legacy Downs, "I'd like to see a little bit more moisture, but we did what we could with the freezing temperatures."

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NEBRASKA DMV FORCED TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE EIGHT OFFICES DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES

LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles announced that it would be temporarily shuttering eight offices in south-central Nebraska due to severe staffing shortages. DMV Director Rhona Lahm said more employees are currently being trained in the hopes of opening at least a few of the offices as soon as possible, but did not specify a timeline.

"We're hoping that it won't be a lengthy period," said Lahm. The offices closed include: Kearney County in Minden, Phelps County in Holdrege, Franklin County in Franklin, Webster County in Red Cloud, Gosper County in Elwood, Furnas County in Beaver City, Harlan County in Alma, and Dawson County in Lexington.

The Nebraska DMV is just one of many organizations struggling with a years-long labor shortage. Normally, according to Lahm, offices within the south-central Nebraska area operate with 14 examiners, but currently have only seven working in the district. In the meantime, Lahm said that residents in the area in need of driver's licensing services can access what they need through the DMV's website, and suggested that residents keep track of the expiration dates on their licenses so they can plan ahead.

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FIRST FIVE NEBRASKA HONORS BOSTAR, OTHER SENATORS FOR CHILD CARE AND EARLY ED TAX CREDITS

LINCOLN- Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln received an award from a Nebraska group pressing state lawmakers to adopt policies recognizing the value of quality child care and early education in improving children’s lives. Leaders First Five Nebraska said they chose Bostar because of his work to add parts of his contributions to LB754.

First Five Director Jason Prokop credited Bostar and other state senators involved in the tax package for leading “from the front on these issues” and “thinking and acting strategically” about investments that make a difference in human development. The new tax law provides a tax credit for childcare costs based on family income. It also provided tax breaks to those that boost child care operations and a tax break for child care workers.

Bostar said senators understand that “some of the most pressing challenges” facing Nebraskans are rooted in child care and early childhood policy needs. He said that he is “proud of the progress we’ve made” but that more must be done. He said discussions this year during legislative hearings and elsewhere at the Capitol helped create momentum for investments in early childhood development that can improve outcomes in public health, criminal justice, housing and workforce needs.

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'OPEN HOUSE' EVENTS IN NORTH AND SOUTH OMAHA HOSTED BY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

OMAHA- The Department of Economic Development, a state agency responsible for the selection and oversight of millions of dollars in grants, will host a pair of open houses next week in South and North Omaha. Organizers say the events provide an opportunity for residents of the urban areas to meet staff members who work in the North and South field offices, and to learn about the department’s many programs.

“DED places a premium on developing these relationships, which we see as key to unlocking the immense potential for growth in North and South Omaha,” said chief strategy officer Trevon Brooks, who guided the opening of the North Omaha office in 2021. The South Omaha field office opened just last year. Both offices are playing a large role in the North and South Omaha Recovery Grant Program.

Registration is requested for both open houses, which are to include Spanish-speaking interpreters, according to a media statement. The first open house will be on November 13th from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at 2909 Edward Babe Gomez Avenue. The second open house will be on November 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at 5730 N.30th Street. For additional information regarding registration and meeting rooms, see below.

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STATE READIES FOR 2024 MOTORCYCLE LAW REPEAL

LINCOLN- Motorcyclists eager to ditch their helmets next year can start getting ready now, according to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Department officials on announced the procedure for Nebraskans to submit proof that they have completed a motorcycle safety course, as required for them to go without a helmet. The new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024 for ages 21 and older.

LB138, passed this year, will allow any adult who has completed a basic certification course by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to ride without a helmet. Riders from other states can also ride without a helmet in Nebraska if they have taken an equivalent course and carry proof of completion. The law requires riders and passengers to wear protective glasses or have a windshield on their bikes.

Motor Vehicles Director Rhonda Lahm said Nebraskans who want to ride without helmets can submit information about safety course completion on the agency’s website or provide a course completion card in person to a DMV license examiner at one of the field offices through the state.

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MAJORITY OF NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS SIDE WITH ISRAEL IN WAR WITH HAMAS

LINCOLN- Thirty-eight of Nebraska’s 49 lawmakers signed on in recent days to an informal resolution siding with Israel and condemning Hamas in the war between the two. The resolution affirms the signers’ “unwavering commitment to the welfare, security and survival of the State of Israel” and their “support for Israel’s right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas.”

State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha, who crafted and circulated the resolution, said he thought it was important for Nebraska lawmakers to speak out against “the atrocities happening against the Israeli people” and in defense of innocent life. “We are leaders in the state and people look to elected officials to lead on important matters," said von Gillern.

Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said state lawmakers would do better to spend their energy on Nebraska issues and on pushing the state’s congressional delegation to take action to save lives in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Von Gillern said he doesn’t anticipate introducing any follow-up legislation addressing the war during the 2024 legislative session.

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SPORTS-BETTING APPS POPULAR IN NEBRASKA DESPITE STATE LAW REQUIRING IN-PERSON WAGERS

LINCOLN- Sports wagering via internet and mobile applications is a huge industry nationally, and while mobile wagering is illegal in Nebraska, that’s not stopping the state’s residents from betting online — or at least trying. GeoComply Solutions identified 64,000 mobile sports betting user accounts in Nebraska. One user may have accounts with multiple online sportsbooks.

But according to advocates of online sports wagering, the data reveals a potential demand that Nebraska could tap. “The potential for sports betting is much larger if it becomes mobile,” said Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the parent company of WarHorse Gaming and the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

GeoComply says 79% of the attempts were accessing legal betting apps in Iowa. Another 8% of the attempts were accessing legal betting apps in Pennsylvania, 6% in Colorado and 3% in Kansas. It is not legal to place a bet online in Nebraska, but you can load money into your account. GeoComply found that players with accounts in Nebraska are crossing the river to bet in Iowa.

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OMAHA STREETCAR ROUTE TO SHRINK SEVERAL BLOCKS, TO ACCOMMODATE POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS

OMAHA- The latest design for Omaha’s $300 million-plus streetcar project calls for a shortened route, at least initially, through the urban core of Nebraska’s largest city. Architects of the plan say the modifications would make it easier if, in the future, the route was to be extended into North Omaha or westward onto the growing University of Nebraska Medical Center campus.

The recommended changes were discussed during a news conference. Changes require approval by the Omaha Streetcar Authority.

Streetcar supporters said they held the event to provide updates on various project elements. They also shared new conceptual images of stations that will rise at 16 stops along the streetcar route, which is to run east on Harney Street and west on Farnam Street.

“This is really the community’s first opportunity to see images that are a product of a tremendous amount of work,” said Jay Noddle, chairman of the Omaha Streetcar Authority. Noddle and the mayor said the City of Omaha has applied for a $300,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study an extension of the streetcar path to North Omaha and possibly to the airport.

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STATE MUST UPDATE ITS DROUGHT MITIGATION AND RESPONSE PLAN, OFFICIALS SAY

LINCOLN- Even though drought conditions have eased in Nebraska in recent months, the state needs to update its 23-year-old drought response plan, members of a state climate committee claims. Mark Svoboda, the director of the National Drought Mitigation Center, based at UNL, said several states have updated their drought response plans in recent years, including Iowa and South Dakota.

But Nebraska, Svoboda said, still relies on a plan from 2000, one that doesn’t have the rich store of data now available and one that doesn’t provide great guidance on how to avoid or respond to a drought. “I fear that we’re missing out on being ahead of the curve,” he told fellow members of the State Climate Assessment Response Committee (CARC). “You want to be proactive, and not reactive.”

While Nebraska’s natural resources districts already monitor groundwater use and issue directives if water is short, Svoboda said that a state drought plan would encompass a wider scope than just irrigation. Steps to update the state’s drought management plan come as Nebraska is developing a Climate Pollution Reduction Plan, utilizing a $3 million grant as part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

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RICKETTS INTRODUCES BILL MODELED AFTER NEBRASKA LAW THAT WOULD CUT TAXES FOR VETERANS

WASHINGTON D.C.- U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts introduced a bill that would eliminate federal taxes on military retirement pay for veterans.

The Tax Cuts for Veterans Act is modeled after a similar effort that was enacted at the state level in Nebraska when Ricketts was governor. LB387 passed in 2021 and eliminated state taxes on military retirement benefits and was signed into law by then-Gov. Ricketts.

“During my time as governor, we eliminated state taxes on veterans’ benefits in a bipartisan way. It’s time the federal government did the same,” Ricketts said in a press release. The Tax Cuts for Veterans Act would exclude all military retirement and related benefits from federal income tax, according to the bill's text. If passed, the bill could save an enlisted member of the military who served for 20 years over $500 per month and over $6,000 per year.

The bill is the fourth piece of legislation in Ricketts’ “Proven Nebraska Solutions Ready for America” package. The bill is the fourth piece of legislation in Ricketts’ “Proven Nebraska Solutions Ready for America” package. Ricketts introduced the SNAP Next Step Act in July. Ricketts introduced the SNAP Next Step Act in July.

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NEBRASKA GENDER CARE LAW CAUSES CONFUSION AMONG MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s new gender care restrictions are causing confusion among mental health providers as the law first affects therapy sessions. The state law took effect Oct. 1 prohibiting transition surgeries and requiring state regulation of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones prescribed before the age of 19. However, the law is having a chilling effect on therapy sessions before any medications are dispensed.

Camie Nitzel, a licensed psychologist and founder of Kindred Psychology in Lincoln, wrote a Nov. 1 letter to Dr. Timothy Tesmer, the state’s chief medical officer, saying that the temporary rules currently in place force providers to violate state law regarding unprofessional conduct by psychologists. Unprofessional conduct is defined as behavior that deviates from accepted standards in the profession.

“The language as it currently stands leaves mental health providers in a personal and professional quandary for how to practice both legally and ethically in the State of Nebraska,” Nitzel wrote Tesmer, who created the regulations. Nitzel said the regulations further reduce transgender people to their gender identity and push them to seek care outside Nebraska.

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NEBRASKA EDUCATORS TALKS SOLUTIONS TO STATE'S TEACHER SHORTAGE

KEARNEY- Nearly 200 Nebraska-based educators from various school districts, universities, and educational service units convened last week in Kearney to discuss the challenges plaguing education in the state, as well as potential solutions. The conference, formally titled the Nebraska Educator Shortage Summit, included several hours of lively discussion surrounding the rising teacher shortage in Nebraska.

According to April Buschelman, a professor at Creighton University who attended the summit, there's a long list of factors that contributed to Nebraska's waning teacher population. The shortage is being exacerbated by an increase in K-12 student enrollment paired with a stagnant number of college students participating in the state's teacher preparation programs.

However, Buschelman highlighted that the number of high school graduates enrolling in teacher preparation programs has actually increased over the years, from 2,822 in 2017 to 4,149 in 2021. However, Buschelman added, many students fail to complete these programs. "We have a lot of people starting, saying 'I would love to be a teacher,' and then they're not really quite completing their degree," said Buschelman, "Are they leaving because they get into the classroom and it's not what they epxected?"

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OMAHA MAYOR SIGNS OFF ON COUNCIL'S GUN KIT ORDINANCE, GUN RESOLUTIONS

OMAHA- On Wednesday, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert signed several new ordinances introduced by City Councilman Pete Festersen, one of which will ban the possession of kits used to build firearms at home, and another that disallows the possession of firearms on city-owned or city-leased land so long as adequate signage is posted around the perimeter.

These city ordinances came in response to Sen. Tom Brewer's recently-passed LB77, which allows for the permitless concealed carry of handguns across Nebraska. LB77 also eliminated state-mandated handgun training for those seeking to carry a concealed handgun, but Mayor Stothert also signed a resolution encouraging firearm owners to voluntarily seek training in the safe use and storage of firearms.

Stothert said that the measures she signed on Wednesday will "further our ability to reduce crime and promote responsible gun ownership." She added, "They provide law enforcement with additional provisions to help keep our citizens safe. We will pursue steps on gun safety while not infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners."

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NEBRASKA CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL EXAMINES COVID-19 IMPACTS ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

LINCOLN- A Nebraska panel on civil rights continued diving into the effects of COVID-19 on K-12 education on Wednesday with a focus on youth mental health, the third such meeting held by the Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Jen Pollock, a representative of the Nebraska School Psychologists Association, said there is a dramatic national workforce shortage, particularly in education.

But, she added, teachers cannot be expected to be mental health experts. "They are experts in the content," she said, "and that's what we need them to be." Liesel Hogan, a licensed mental health practitioner who works in Educational Service Unit #3, added that the shortage has had a direct impact on students. Hogan also highlighted the pandemic as an issue, saying that it has led to more anxiety, more school absences, and more students lacking motivation.

Corey Lieneman, an assistant professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychiatry, highlighted that, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a 25% increase globally in anxiety and depression. Nationally, around 20% of youths aged 3-17 have at least one mental or behavioral health disorder, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in children ages 10-14, more than doubling since 2008.

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CHILD CARE OPTIONS LACKING IN RURAL NEBRASKA, POLL SUGGESTS

LINCOLN- According to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll, just over 60% of rural Nebraskans surveyed agree that there is a shortage of affordable childcare options in their community, with just 6% of respondents disagreeing with that statement. More than three-quarters of those surveyed also agreed or strongly agreed with the idea that increasing access to high-quality, affordable childcare should be a high priority for their communities.

"Access to high-quality childcare is an economic and social investment," said Holly Hatton-Bowers, an associate professor of child, youth, and family studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, "Childcare providers are essential for supporting families and businesses, and the provision of high-quality early learning and care is an investment in our children's futures."

57% of those surveyed echoed that sentiment, agreeing with the idea that their communities should invest public resources to support the availability of childcare. "This data reinforces what we've been hearing from communities across the state," said Becky Vogt, the poll's manager, "When community residents are advocating for investing public dollars to address this issue, that speaks volumes as to how important childcare is to their communities."

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS EYE FILM INDUSTRY FOR YOUTH RETENTION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Legislature's Revenue Committee heard testimony from a handful of independent filmmakers and actors who emphasized the importance of the film industry, and the tourism it would bring to Nebraska. Stacy Heatherly, film commissioner for the Eastern Nebraska Film Office, told the committee that creating a stable budget for the office and its independent partners could be a first step in expanding the industry.

Ishma Yusaf Valenti, a teacher of 19 years, said the legislative resolution could positively impact the youth of Nebraska as well, who, right now, believe that the only places to pursue such a career are in Hollywood or New York. Valenti told the committee that he wanted to change that, and turn Nebraska into a place where the film industry can flourish and give up-and-coming actors the ability to hone their craft in their home state.

"Really, that's all you can ask for as a teacher is when you can find a student that's able to be fulfilled by something that makes them truly happy," said Valenti. He added that film work in Nebraska could help youth in the state find their purpose. "We're not just positively impacting the state," he said, "We're also...keeping the talent of our young people in Nebraska..."

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FIFTY COMPANIES PLEDGE TO CREATE 2,500 JOBS, INVEST $1.5 BILLION UNDER NEW NEBRASKA INCENTIVE ACT

LINCOLN- Nebraska's newest and most substantial program to spur economic growth in the state, the ImagiNE Act, has so far attracted agreements with 50 companies, who have pledged to create a total of 2,481 jobs and invest $1.55 billion in the state. The largest of these proposed investments comes from Mutual of Omaha, who project the creation of 100 new, full-time jobs after their skyscraper headquarters is finished in downtown Omaha.

Other big agreements were signed with Clean Harbors of Kimball, who seek to invest nearly $180 million and create 80 new jobs, and Perfect Day Inc. of Blair, who plans on investing $275 million and creating 70 jobs. Through the ImagiNE Act, according to the state Departments of Revenue and Economic Development, the state will provide nearly $112 million in state tax refunds and credits to all of the companies who have signed agreements.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who chairs the Legislature's Revenue Committee, said that it was "excellent" to see so many local companies pledge investments, but questioned if the state was "investing in the right things?" According to Linehan, the state might be wiser to provide incentives for people to move to and work in Nebraska, rather than give them to companies already located in the state.

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