19 COMMUNITIES AWARDED COLLECTIVE $6.18M IN 'COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS'

LINCOLN- Nineteen Nebraska communities have been awarded a collective $6.18 million in community development block grant funds to help spruce up their downtowns. The CDBG awards provide support to projects that upgrade amenities, enhance public health and safety and economic well-being, said K.C. Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

“In today’s economic climate, people attraction is our top priority,” Belitz said in a media statement. “When making career decisions, working professionals increasingly consider the place right alongside the job.” The program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the DED on behalf of “non-entitlement communities.”

The entitlement cities of Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue and Grand Island administer their own CDBG program for their areas. The funds are going to three categories including downtown revitalization efforts, planning efforts, and public works. Beatrice, Columbus, Cozad, Falls City, Fremont, and Norfolk all received the most money with $435,000 awarded.

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LINCOLN AREA SEEING INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department reported an increase in COVID-19 activity, including a handful of cases in certain long-term care facilities. For the week ending Saturday, there were 185 cases of the virus reported, a slight increase from the average 113 recorded over the past four weeks.

Wastewater analysis conducted by the Health Department also revealed a rise in viral particles, with levels last week at their highest point since mid-April. "The rise in COVID-19 activity is happening when holiday gatherings are right around the corner and we'll be spending more time with others indoors where respiratory viruses can spread more easily," said Health Director Pat Lopez.

However, COVID-19 cases are considerably lower than they were at this time last year. Although far fewer Nebraskans are testing and reporting cases, there were roughly 273 cases reported during the same week of November 2022. Of the tests reported to the Health Department last week, 21% were COVID-19 positive, compared with around 13% at the same time last year.

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PILLEN APPOINTS FRED MEYER TO REPLACE TOM BRIESE IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, after several weeks of anticipation, Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Fred Meyer from among 16 applicants to serve in the Legislative District 41 seat, which was previously held by Nebraska's new State Treasurer Tom Briese. Meyer, a resident of Saint Paul, Nebraska, will fill the final 13 months of Briese's final term, and will not seek reelection.

Former Gov. Mike Johanns appointed Meyer to the State Board of Education in 1999, where he served until 2010, spending several of those as vice president and president of the Board. "I'm just really excited, and I have a lot to learn," said Meyer of the appointment, just before taking the oath of office, "I have a good team to work with, with the governor's staff, and I'm ready to get started."

Secretary of State Bob Evnen, with whom Meyer served on the Board of Education, said Meyer's work as president demonstrated great leadership, and swore in the new senator. Following his swearing-in, and when asked by a reporter about the controversial Sport and Spaces Act expected to be brought into the spotlight during the next legislative session, Meyer said he wanted to focus on the lack of certified teachers in Nebraska, saying that this is the biggest issue plaguing the state.

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NEBRASKA LAGS IN LUNG CANCER SCREENING AMONG HIGH-RISK GROUPS

LINCOLN- While lung cancer remains the deadliest form of cancer both in Nebraska and nationally, survival rates are improving among all groups, according to an American Lung Association report. But Nebraska lags when it comes to using a key tool — screening high-risk groups with annual, low-dose CT scans — that could help further improve patients’ chances of survival.

Nebraska ranked 33rd among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in screening high-risk residents, with just 3.7% of that group getting scanned. Nationally, the rate isn’t much higher at 4.5%, according to the State of Lung Cancer report. By detecting the disease at an earlier stage when it’s more easily treated, screening can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20%, according to the report.

“To me, that’s an awareness issue,” said Sara Prem, director of advocacy for the lung association in Nebraska and Kansas. “We need to make more people in the high-risk category aware” that the screening is available. The good news in Nebraska is that Medicaid covers lung cancer screening for people who qualify.

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GROUP LOOKS TO ENSHRINE ABORTION ACCESS UNTIL FETAL VIABILITY IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- An abortion rights group is petitioning to put the topic in front of Nebraska voters during the 2024 election. Documents filed with the Secretary of State’s office show the new petition aims to amend the state constitution to provide the right to an abortion until fetal viability – usually 23 to 24 weeks of pregnancy – and when needed to “protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.”

The effort, spearheaded by the Protect our Rights Campaign, goes further than Nebraska’s previous 20-week restriction, which lawmakers tightened to 12 weeks during the contentious 2023 legislative session. The petition’s language echoes the constitutional amendment Ohio voters recently passed, which guarantees abortion access until fetal viability in that state.

The Protect our Rights Campaign will need signatures from 10% of Nebraska’s registered voters to get it onto the 2024 ballot.

As of November 1, that means just under 123,000 signatures. They’ll also need to collect signatures from 5% of registered voters in 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.

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BIOBASED PRODUCTS 'OUR SILICON VALLEY,' GOV. PILLEN SAYS

LINCOLN- According to Gov. Jim Pillen at the Nov. 12th Alternative Fuels and Chemical Coalition Conference, the federal government's multibillion-dollar investments to develop plant- and microbe-based products and build markets for them offer the U.S. profound opportunities. However, other speakers argued, high interest rates for loans and the need for carbon offset measurements methods are among the challenges holding the nation back.

The conference was held just a year after President Biden issued an executive order requiring agencies to push forward the development of products derived from plants, trees, microorganisms, and food waste, as well as to develop carbon impact technologies. "The biobased economy is gigantic for the future," said Pillen at the conference, "It's our Silicon Valley."

Sustainable farming practices that create products with lower carbon scores were also discussed at the conference, and Gov. Pillen told the crowd about his pivot irrigation system at Pillen Family Farms, which can be "started with cell phones" rather than having to drive out to the field, which would produce carbon emissions.

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LINCOLN SEN. ELIOT BOSTAR ANNOUNCES REELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR LD29 SEAT

LINCOLN- Sen. Eliot Bostar announced this week that he will seek reelection next year to the Legislative District 29 seat that he has occupied since 2020. Pointing to his work on issues that include the economy, health care access and affordable housing, Bostar, who represents a portion of south Lincoln, said he's running again "because there’s more work to do."

“I want to ensure that Nebraskans who work hard can provide for their families, and that our community is safe, affordable and vibrant — a place everyone is proud to call home," he said in a news release. Bostar touted his work to fund a second water source and a new convention center for Lincoln as well as efforts to lower health care costs for patients by capping the cost of insulin and requiring insurance companies to pay for breast cancer and colorectal cancer screenings.

A south Lincoln resident originally from New York, Bostar also highlighted his efforts to make child care and housing more affordable while aiming to stimulate workforce development by adding resources to training programs to help workers gain access to higher-paying jobs. He serves on the Legislature's Revenue Committee, the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, the Rules Committee and the Planning Committee, among others.

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NEBRASKA TO HOLD FIRST STATEWIDE PRIMARY ELECTION IN SIX MONTHS AFTER NEW VOTER ID LAW WAS IMPLEMENTED

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Secretary of State reminded citizens on Tuesday that the state was just six months out from the next statewide primary election, which will be held on May 14th, 2024. This will also be the first Nebraska election to require voter ID, as per the bill signed into law by Gov. Pillen in the spring.

If voters plan to vote by mail for the primary election, Secretary of State Bob Evnen indicated that driver's license or state ID number will need to be written on the ballot application, or voters can enclose a copy of their valid photo ID with their application. To allay concerns, Evnen also reiterated to voters that, if an ID is forgotten on election day, a provisional ballot can be filled out instead, which would require voters to show a valid ID on a later date.

In the case of the May 14th primary, voters will have until May 21st to provide their ID if they forget to bring it while voting in person. Valid forms of identification include Nebraska driver's licenses or state IDs, Nebraska college or university IDs, passports, military IDs, tribal IDs, or hospital, assisted living facility, or nursing home records.

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'GOOD LIFE' DISTRICT AIMS TO CREATE 30,000 JOBS NEAR NEBRASKA CROSSING

OMAHA- The grand vision to create an entertainment and shopping district with regional drawing power between Omaha and Lincoln is seemingly moving forward after the Nebraska Department of Economic Development received an application to create a Good Life district in the area surrounding the popular Grenta shopping center Nebraska Crossing.

During the last legislative session, state lawmakers passed the Good Life Transformational Projects Act, which will allow the creation of such districts for the purpose of economic development. Districts approved by the department, and designated as a 'Good Life' district, will receive a reduction in state sales tax from 5.5% to 2.75% for sales made within its boundaries.

Nebraska Crossing owner Rod Yates testified last spring as a proponent of the bill, and described to lawmakers his vision for transforming the area around Interstate 80 into a regional entertainment, dining, and shopping destination. More specifically, Yates outlined a plan to assemble 1,000 acres around the current Nebraska Crossing site for a project that he said could attract as many as 15 million annual visitors.

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SURGE OF BOOK REMOVAL REQUESTS TURNING NEBRASKA LIBRARIES INTO CULTURAL BATTLEGROUNDS

LINCOLN- Administrators at Plattsmouth Community Schools removed roughly 49 books last Spring from their shelves and placed them in a box for "further review" by the high school prinicpal's office, a move that came as a response to requests from a school board member. However, Plattsmouth isn't the only Nebraska community in recent years receiving such requests, as many cities and towns have seen a flood of book challenges.

The influx mirrors a national trend, one pitting parental rights and content concerns against fear of censorship and allegations of intolerance. School board members and library staff from across the state say they've received dozens of irate emails and have even been verbally attacked at board meetings by individuals seeking to remove certain books from Nebraska libraries.

"We simply cannot allow a few loud voices to determine what information and ideas our students have access to," said Chris Haeffner, a liaison for the Nebraska School Librarians Association. In some places, however, the anger and outrage are being directed in the opposite direction, and Plattsmouth residents launched a petition to recall Terri Cunningham-Swanson, the board member who had requested to have the 49 books removed.

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GOVERNOR ORDERS END TO REMOTE WORK, DIRECTS STATE WORKERS BACK TO OFFICES

LINCOLN- On Monday, Gov. Jim Pillen, stating that the COVID-19 pandemic was over, ordered an end to remote work for state employees and directed them to return to their offices full-time by January 2nd of 2024, just a day before the next legislative session begins. Pillen characterized the order as a "common sense expectation."

Justin Hubly, the executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents nearly 8,000 state workers, said that he's aware of only a few problems related to remote work in Nebraska, and argued that Pillen's move may hurt recruitment and retention at a time when many state agencies are understaffed.

Hubly said it is also very appropriate for some jobs to be done remotely, adding that it might have saved state money as well, up to $500,000 for certain agencies. "We're still super short-staffed," he said, "I'm really fearful if we force people back, we're going to lose a workforce." Pillen, in his executive order calling for the end of remote work by state employees, said he simply wants to bring the state's workforce "to the posture it was prior to the pandemic."

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WINNEBAGO TRIBE TO GET BACK 1,600 ACRES OF LAND ONCE TAKEN FOR PROPOSED RECREATION AREA ALONG MISSOURI RIVER

LINCOLN- The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska stands to receive 1,600 acres of land that was taken from them half a century ago for a recreation area that never materialized. The land, which rests on the Iowa side of the Missouri River, would be returned to the Tribe under a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, as well as Sen. Pete Ricketts and Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.

The chairman of the Winnebago Tribe, Victoria Kitcheyan, said the return of the land will be a "historic and beautiful moment" for her people, whose reservation is located north of Omaha. "We have been waiting for this wrong to be made right," said Kitcheyan in a press release that expressed thanks to the Nebraska and Iowa senators.

Sen. Fischer said it was wrong for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to seize the land back in 1970, and that "it's time to make this right." Today, the land is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, who, in a recent management renewal agreement with the Army Corps, agreed to give the land back to the tribe.

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OFFICIALS BREAK GROUND ON NEBRASKA VETERANS CEMETERY IN GRAND ISLAND

GRAND ISLAND- Several hundred people, including local and state officials, gathered last Friday for the groundbreaking of the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in Grand Island, which is meant to improve and expand the existing Soldiers and Sailor Cemetery, a plot of land connected to the Grand Island Veterans Home.

The underlying theme throughout Friday's speeches at the event was how much successful collaboration was needed to make the project come together. Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele started conversations about a potential add-on two years ago, and said that he had placed the idea in front of John Hilgert, director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs.

At the time, Stelle knew that the endeavor was "going to require the cooperation of the city, the state and federal government. That's a huge organizational lift." Gov. Pillen, who spoke at the event, said the project was only possible "because of the dogged undeniable determination of Sen. Aguilar," who would "not take no." Rep. Adrian Smith, also in attendance, said he wasn't surprised by the size of Friday's turnout, "because I know Grand Island shows up for veterans."

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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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