CONFLICT ARISES OVER HOW BEST TO USE PUBLIC FUNDS TO TRANSFORM SOUTH OMAHA'S 'PLAZA DE LA RAZA'

OMAHA- Conflict is brewing over how public funding should be used to improve the South Omaha historic business district, centering specifically on how best to transform the Plaza de la Raza, which acts as an anchor spot along the commercial spine where occasional pop-up events and annual Latino heritage celebrations are held.

A spotlight has been shined on the plaza over the last year after a community-based organization, Canopy South, pursued and was given a $25 million state grant to help transform it into a permanent "corridor centerpiece and tourism draw." Canopy South, as well as the Latino Economic Development Council, proposed a plan to jazz up the plaza with features like an amphitheater, stage, playground, and cultural center.

However, a group of 24th Street merchants and workers, led by the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, are criticizing the plan, and argued in a letter to public officials that the funding should instead be used to invest in building a parking structure. "It will enhance the ability of clients to shop and get services in the area," the group said in the letter, "therefore improving the financial standing of the South Omaha stakeholders."

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NEBRASKA TOURISM COMMISSION HOPES A 40% INCREASE IN SPENDING AUTHORITY AWAKENS 'SLEEPING GIANT'

LINCOLN- Last Thursday, several representatives from the state's tourism industry testified to the Legislature's Revenue Committee, arguing that the Nebraska Tourism Commission spending authority should be increased by 40% in 2024. Commissioner Rob Sabin, chair of the Tourism Commission, asked the Legislature to increase the authority from its current $7.5 million to $10.5 million.

While receipts have exceeded $7.5 million, said Sabin, commissioners have been unable to use those excess funds. "Nebraska is a sleeping giant in the landscape of U.S. tourism," said Sabin, adding that it's the job of his commission to awaken the beast. Sabin outlined that the spending authority increase would allow the commission to beat inflation, spend the extra balance accrued from reduced spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reach out to and attract populations further away from Nebraska.

State Sen. John Lowe, who requested the interim study, said that he hates spending Nebraska taxpayers' money, but noted that the spending authority increase would come from already raised funds. David Fudge, of the Nebraska Travel Association, echoed Sabin's comments, and requested that the commission's spending authority should be tied to lodging tax revenues so commissioners can "make adjustments on the fly" based on yearly revenue outcomes.

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RACING AND GAMING COMMISSION PARTNERS WITH GAMBLING HOTLINE

LINCOLN- Tom Sage says he's seen nothing that leads him to believe that contracting with an anonymous gambling integrity hotline is necessary in Nebraska. "We want to be ahead of the curve," said Sage, the Racing and Gaming Commission's executive director. "We want to be proactive."

Sage announced on that the Racing and Gaming Commission has become the first state regulatory organization to partner with RealResponse to launch a program for the public to anonymously report concerns or questionable activities regarding horse racing, casino gaming at racetrack enclosures and sports gaming in Nebraska.

Founded in 2015, RealResponse offers real-time, two-way anonymous communications, surveys, compliance support, competitive benchmarks and metrics. Sage encouraged the public to use the program to report any concerning or questionable activities related to horse racing, casino gambling and sports gaming activities throughout the state.

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NEBRASKA GOV. PILLEN IS CONSIDERING 2024 PROPOSAL FOR A LEGAL DEFINITION OF 'SEX'

LINCOLN- Laura Strimple, Gov. Jim Pillen's communications director, confirmed Thursday that the governor is exploring ways to prioritize a legal definition of "sex" through legislation during the 2024 session, but that the process "remains under ongoing consideration" as Pillen shapes his 2024 priorities.

Last Friday, a similar proposal was introduced by the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, but would have to be introduced by one of Nebraska's 49 senators to become law. State Sen. Megan Hunt criticized the proposal, which was revealed to the public through a records request.

In a tweet, Hunt said no such bill should be any agency's "second priority" for 2024. "Not workforce. Not growing our economy. Not reducing government waste," Hunt said, "Just crotch watch." Sarah Skinner, policy adviser to DAS Director Jason Jackson, said the 'sex-defining' proposal was introduced to complement Gov. Pillen's August 30th "Women's Bill of Rights," which defined "male" and "female" as the development of someone's reproductive system.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE RACES DRAW MORE CANDIDATES AS 2024 APPROACHES

LINCOLN- With the 2024 Nebraska primary just under six months away, several more candidates for the Nebraska Legislature have thrown their hats into the ring. This includes Tim Benak and Flint Harkness for District 5, Julia Palzer in District 9, Glen Meyer for District 17, and Jason Prokop for District 27.

Benak is a ten-year veteran of the Omaha Fire Department, and said his focus will be on "public safety through our public school system, rehabilitation of those involved in the justice system and well-paying jobs." Harkness, running for the same seat, is currently a resource teacher for special education, and promises "real progress" toward safe, high-quality schools.

Palzer, a private attorney, is set to challenge incumbent Sen. John Cavanaugh for the District 9 seat, and previously served as the dean of admissions at Creighton University School of Law. Palzer is a Republican. Meyer, chairman of the Thurston County Board, said his priorities will be lowering taxes, protecting the Second Amendment, and ensuring parental rights. Prokop announced his bid with the endorsement of Sen. Anna Wishart, and said he seeks to fix the tax system, grow the economy, and keep neighborhoods safe.

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NEBRASKA'S PRISON WATCHDOG RELEASES FINDINGS AFTER USE OF FORCE INVESTIGATION AT RTC IN LINCOLN

LINCOLN- In response to a complaint filed against the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln, the Nebraska Inspector General of Corrections said a use of force incident there shows the need for a slew of changes, ranging from staffing to organization. The complaint was filed in May by a man incarcerated at the facility who said he saw a staff member slam another inmate onto the floor, press him down, and place a knee on his neck.

"The individual involved in this was somebody with a serious mental illness. And he was in an area where there's a lot of coming and going, a lot of traffic of individuals and he did not comply with the direction given to him," said Doug Koebernick, Inspector General of Corrections. Koerbernich said that his office's investigation into the incident revealed that the man fell to the ground, curled into a ball, and pulled away while facility staff tried to restrain him.

"It was maybe an unnecessary use of force," said Koebernick, "but not an excessive use of force." The Inspector General's report also revealed that the restrained inmate usually had a health porter with him, but not in this case. "And what we learned was that if he had been with him, this probably would not have taken place," said Koebernick, "We don't know for sure, but it would be less likely." In response, the Inspector General's Office recommended to the Department of Corrections that it revamp its health porter program, make a list of all inmates who require one, and ensure that the program is well staffed.

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WHO'S BUYING NEBRASKA? CORPORATIONS, INVESTORS GRABBING GIANT CHUNKS OF NEBRASKA FARMLAND

KEYSTONE- There’s never a Black Friday discount when a piece of Nebraska farmland hits the market in 2023, be it a fertile field in the Platte River Valley or a vast swath of Sandhills pastureland.

The market’s hot. And corporate farms, both in-state and out, are dipping into their deep pockets to claim the increasingly pricey agricultural land they desire. The nine buyers who spent the most money on Nebraska farmland in the past five years are all corporate farming operations, real estate developers or investment firms, an analysis by the Flatwater Free Press found.

The average price of Nebraska farmland has shot up 41% since 2018, to a record-high $3,835 per acre, according to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln annual survey.

The buyers of that land – especially the biggest chunks – include multinational corporations, out-of-state corporate farms and investors who live hundreds or thousands of miles away, according to five years of land sales gathered by a UNL data journalism class and analyzed by the Flatwater Free Press. Seven of the top 10 buyers who spent the most money in the past five years – often for pricier farm ground or suburban development – are located outside Nebraska, the analysis shows.

Together, these seven out-of-state owners spent $246 million on Nebraska land.

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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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