NU COMMUNITY REFLECTS ON EFFORTS TO REINVENT, IMPROVE THE UNIVERSITY'S FUTURE

LINCOLN- Across the county, higher education institutions are facing the headwinds of declining enrollment, budget cuts, and questions over the value of postsecondary education. In Nebraska, those conversations will carry over into 2024. As the University of Nebraska System eases into the 2024 spring semester, it still faces a $58 million budget shortfall over the next two years.

However, some have hope that the university can prevail despite these challenges. "We want to be world class for Nebraskans," said Chris Kabourek, NU's chief financial officer who will take on the role of interim NU president beginning Monday following the departure of the current university head Ted Carter.

Kabourek said his goals include keeping the NU's "railroad" running, addressing affordability and access despite the budget cuts, and executing as much of Carter's previous "Five-Point Plan" as possible. "We're a good university, but we have all the potential to be a great university and to help formulate a strategy to get us from good to great," said Kabourek, "That's what really kind of gets me up every morning and gets me going."

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MARKET ANALYSIS REVEALS PRIME LOCATIONS FOR CASINO EXPANSION IN NEBRASKA

OMAHA- Currently, there are only six licenses issued for commercial casinos in Nebraska, and they’re all required to have a horse racing component. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission was presented with a market analysis examining where additional licenses would best fit in the future.

The research — conducted by a consulting firm called the Innovation Group — looks into the industry as a whole in Nebraska and surrounding states. It examines the gaming and the horse racing, and how expansion could add revenue to the state’s bottom line, while possibly cannibalizing other nearby casinos. The analysis examined eight different scenarios of expansion.

One of the scenarios would expand to seven different Nebraska cities: Bellevue, Norfolk, York, North Platte, Gering, Kimball, and Ogallala. Expanding to those areas comes with the highest gain for the state, but it impacts the current six license holders the most. Bellevue would be the first to receive a license despite its proximity to other casinos. Adding a casino in Bellevue is expected to generate the most revenue for the state at an estimated $61 million. Along with Bellevue, the analysis suggests Kimball and Gering would be best suited for the license.

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NEBRASKA STRUGGLING OVER HOW TO USE NEARLY $180 MILLION IN OPIOID SETTLEMENT MONEY

LINCOLN- Opioids are taking a growing toll on Nebraskans while the state struggles to determine how best to utilize millions in settlement payments from purveyors of highly addictive drugs, which began in March 2021. However, the money, which has been earmarked for treatment and prevention efforts, might not be used for that purpose until well into 2024.

Sara Howard, a former state lawmaker who now serves on Nebraska's Opioid Remediation Advisory Committee, called the funding delay "heartbreaking." "The fact that we're going to see another long delay before these dollars can start to get out and be used for their highest purpose, to me, that's really tragic," said Howard during the committee's December meeting.

Nebraska is part of several multistate settlements with 10 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies, and is set to receive nearly $180 million over the next 18 years. However, many of the proposed uses of the funding issued by the Remediation Committee had to be redone after they had violated the Open Meetings Act.

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HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON VISITS OMAHA, ENDORSES REP. DON BACON

OMAHA- Newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson headlined a breakfast fundraiser on Tuesday in Omaha for U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, a candidate expected to face an exceedingly competitive re-election race in 2024. In a statement issued by Bacon's campaign, Johnson endorsed Bacon and described him as a "common-sense conservative" and "majority maker."

At the event, Bacon thanked Johnson for attending and promised he would work to help Republicans hold a 221-213 majority in the House of Representatives. "Nebraskans are ready to do our part to again hold this seat," he said, "and I am thankful to have the Speaker's support in that effort."

During October's tumultuous House Speaker votes, Bacon supported Johnson and applauded his vision for the United States, but disagreed with Johnson's stances on who won the 2020 presidential election and gay marriage. State Sen. Tony Vargas, Bacon's likely opponent in 2024, released a statement criticizing Bacon, for supporting "the most radical Speaker in U.S. history." "It should be concerning to all Nebraskans that Bacon would embrace the support of someone who attacks women and the LGBT community and is an election denier and Trump defender," wrote Vargas.

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PAIR OF NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS VISIT OMAHA COUNCIL TO URGE CREATION OF INLAND PORT AUTHORITY

OMAHA- Just a week after they expressed interest in its creation, State Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney went before the Omaha City Council on Thursday to urge the city to establish a nine-member inland port authority near Eppley Airfield, arguing that it could bring in as much as $500 million in investments. "We just need some more laser focus in this area," said Wayne.

Supported by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, the authority, if approved by the Council, would become the fourth such entity in Nebraska, a state where only five inland port authorities are allowed by law. While the Council won't vote on the matter until next year, several members spoke favorably about the proposal. Councilwoman Juanita Johnson, while supportive, said that she and her constituents would need to be more involved in the authority's establishment and discussions surrounding the topic.

In response to a question from Councilman Danny Begley, Wayne told the Council that he expects the district could get at least $10 million from the state to launch, and that Sen. McKinney plans to pursue legislation this session that could redirect up to $120 million from the Department of Economic Development towards to the project. Wayne also told the council that he is supportive of yielding state power over the port authority to the city, which would allow Mayor Stothert to appoint the governing board.

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NEBRASKA RETURNS TO HEALTHY POPULATION GROWTH AFTER PANDEMIC LULL

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the Census Bureau estimated that Nebraska's population reached 1,978,379 as of July of this year, up 10,319 people from the same estimate last year, indicating that Nebraska's population growth is beginning to rebound to healthy levels after two years of slowed, pandemic-affected growth.

The increase this year was more than double the combined growth in 2021 and 2022, when the state was estimated to have added 980 and 3,807 respectively. Those numbers were believed to have been further held down by an increase in pandemic-related deaths, as well as much decreased immigration.

"It's kind of a return to more normal growth," said David Drozd, a demographer with Community Health Development Partners in Omaha, "To be back above the 10,000-per-year level indicates we are coming out of the more COVID-related impacts to more typical growth years." Nebraska's growth this year also exceeded the U.S. growth rate, and is ranked 24th among all states.

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BIDEN NOMINATES SUSAN BAZIS TO FEDERAL JUDGESHIP IN NEBRASKA

OMAHA- Suzan Bazis, a magistrate judge from Omaha, was appointed to the United States District Court of Nebraska by President Joe Biden. Bazis has served as a magistrate judge since 2017, and previously served on the bench of the Douglas County Court. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and earned her law degree at Creighton University.

Bazis received support from both U.S. Senators in Nebraska, Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts. Fischer's office said she had recommended in January that Biden appoint Bazis to the federal bench, calling the former magistrate judge a "bright legal mind" and "dedicated public servant."

Sen. Pete Ricketts echoed a similar sentiment about Bazis. "Judge Susan Bazis's varied experience, strong intellect, and temperament will benefit us all," he said in a statement, "I have every confidence she will receive strong, bipartisan support." Having been nominated for appointment by the President, Bazis will now need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

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NEBRASKA'S LANCASTER COUNTY SENATORS ADDRESS BRAIN DRAIN, HIGHER EDUCATION IN TOWN HALL

LINCOLN- Just weeks before the 2024 legislative session begins, nine of the 10 lawmakers representing Lancaster County joined together on Monday at Union College for a town hall to preview the issues they're looking to tackle come next year. The delegation present included Sens. Ballard, Bosn, Bostar, Brandt, Clements, Conrad, Dorn, Dungan, Raybould, and Wishart.

Many lawmakers at the town hall highlighted workforce development as a means to address the state's worsening brain drain. According to Sen. George Dungan, solutions to this issue will be multi-faceted and nuanced, and will attempt to avoid becoming a culture war issue. "Nebraska, I think, for the better part of the last many decades, has been a sort of bastion of reasonableness amongst a lot of this ire that we've seen in a lot of other states," said Dungan.

Sen. Carolyn Bosn brought up licensure issues seen in industries like hair care, teaching, and law enforcement, highlighting that people who are licensed in other states must often go back to school in Nebraska after moving here to obtain a similar license. "I don't know that they cut hair differently here than they do in Iowa, but I can't imagine they do it that differently," said Bosn, "I don't think that's a good use of our time or our money."

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OPS STILL MAKING PLANS FOR $8 MILLION LEFT OF $304 MILLION IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF

OMAHA- Last Wednesday, Omaha Public Schools officials updated school board members on the status of the remaining federal COVID-19 funding it had received, which must be allocated by September 2024. "There is approximately $8.19 million at-risk, unobligated funds that we originally budgeted for in an activity that we don't think we need that much money for," Shane Rhian, chief financial officer for OPS, told the board.

Over the next three months, said Rhian, district officials will be discussing what to do with the remaining funding before coming to the board with a formal proposal in March or April. Allocation options, according to Rhian, include facility upgrades or new staff technology which could be utilized by teachers and paraprofessionals. "We feel we will be able to use funds fully within the time frame allotted," Rhian said.

Since March 2020, three pandemic relief bills have been passed by Congress to help schools recover academically and emotionally from COVID-19, with OPS, the largest school district in the state, having received the most money in Nebraska, nearly $304.2 million. Purchases made by OPS with the additional funding included additional staff wages, facility upgrade projects, and tutoring for students who missed school early in the pandemic.

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FORMER NEBRASKA LAWMAKER, DOUGLAS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSIONER SCOTT LAUTENBAUGH DIES

OMAHA- Former Douglas County Election Commissioner and State Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh, who represented northwest Omaha from 2007 to 2014 after being appointed by then-Gov. Dave Heineman, died on Saturday at 59. Current Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse praised Lautenbaugh for his "leadership of fair and free elections" in the county.

Others paid tribute to Lautenbaugh as well. "I was saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague Scott Lautenbaugh this morning," said U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, "Scott was a valuable member of the Legislature of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. I enjoyed working with him on the infrastructure needs of Nebraska. He helped build a stronger Nebraska and was always guided by his conservative values."

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood was also stunned by Lautenbaugh's passing. "He was an enterprising, creative, and skilled orator who challenged the status quo and fought for conservative values," said Flood, "In the Legislature, he championed fair election laws and was an early advocate for school choice. We are praying for his family and will long remember his incredible sense of humor and his friendship."

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HEALTH AGENCY FILES ITS OWN REPORT ON INSPECTIONS OF ITS INSTITUTIONS

LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services filed a 20-page report with the State Legislature detailing site inspections made by DHHS staff of its facilities. The report comes after the State Ombudsman's Office, which had previously conducted the annual inspections, was blocked from doing so after Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a nonbinding legal opinion arguing against the authority of the Inspectors General for Corrections and Child Welfare.

In response to the report, State Sen. Ben Hansen, who chairs the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, said it's essential that such inspections take place and that the Legislature continue to perform its oversight role over state institutions and "vulnerable" populations they serve. Asked whether the self-conducted DHHS report gives lawmakers enough information, Hansen said:

"I would think it's adequate, but could there be more? Yes."

Hansen finished by saying he expects legislation to be introduced in early 2024 to resolve the separations of power dispute centered around the Office of the Inspector General. The report issued by DHHS does not address citizen or staff complaints at these facilities, which the Ombudsman's Office is required by statute to investigate and resolve.

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NEBRASKA AG OPINION CALLS OMAHA AND LINCOLN GUN EXECUTIVE ORDERS ILLEGAL, FIREARMS GROUP SUES CITIES

LINCOLN- According to a formal opinion penned by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, the leaders of Nebraska's two largest cities do not have the authority to prohibit people using public parks, trails, and sidewalks from carrying concealed handguns. Hilgers' opinion is just one piece of the months-long fight over the specific meaning and reach of Sen. Tom Brewer's LB77, which allows for the permitless concealed carry of handguns statewide.

Brewer requested the Attorney General's opinion this fall after LB77 was challenged in part by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. Both mayors issued executive orders restricting concealed handgun possession on city property, which includes most public buildings and outdoor spaces like parks, trails, and sidewalks. Stothert, in introducing the order, said she wanted people to "feel safe" while visiting Omaha's public buildings and spaces.

Hilgers wrote in his opinion that the cities do not have the authority to enact blanket prohibitions on weapons possession in public spaces. Although Hilgers' opinion does not have the force of the law behind it, Sen. Brewer said he was grateful for the Attorney General's clear language. "I was very happy with it," said Brewer, "It was perfect."

Following Hilgers' opinion, the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association filed district court lawsuits in Douglas and Lancaster Counties alleging that the mayors went too far in issuing their executive orders. The group is seeking preliminary injunctions allowing concealed handguns to be carried in public spaces. The Omaha area lawsuit is also targeting the city's recent ban on bump stocks and online firearm kits, which can be utilized to build homemade guns.

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SMALLEST RECRUIT CLASS EVER FOR NEBRASKA STATE PATROL SWORN IN FRIDAY

LINCOLN- On Friday, six new State Troopers were sworn in during a ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol, the smallest graduating class ever for the Nebraska State Patrol. However, despite concerns over the number of graduates, Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the Patrol, expressed hope that recruiting will turn around.

In fact, according to Bolduc, a new recruit class of 17 will begin training in January. "We hope that begins a new trend," he said, "We don't think this will be the standard, this will be a one-off." Nationally, interest in law enforcement careers has slumped, in part due to the negative publicity following the police-custody death of George Floyd.

"This is a national trend," said Bolduc, "We're thankful for their willingness to step up and serve." Despite adding 16 new recruits in 2023, the Nebraska State Patrol still has 68 vacancies in its authorized strength of 482 sworn positions. On July 1st, the state increased trooper paychecks by 22%, but Nebraska's hike came as other competing law enforcement agencies also upped their pay.

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NEBRASKA 'BRAIN DRAIN' PERSISTS, PLUS ANOTHER ALARM IS RAISED BY NEW CENSUS DATA

LINCOLN- According to newly released U.S. Census data, Nebraska's 'brain drain,' or the phenomenon of individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher leaving the state, is worsening, with the survey raising an alarm about who is fleeing. "Notably, the data reveals that individuals 25 years and older with other levels of educational attainment also are leaving the state," said Josie Schafer of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Schafer said the data did not allow for to definitely answer why the people with less education than a bachelor's or professional degree are leaving the state as well, but believes these patterns could be driven by job availability, better wages, and job benefits offered elsewhere. "The idea of Nebraska being a low cost-of-living-state...they might not be feeling it," said Schafer.

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce has identified affordable workforce housing and child care as the top challenges to filling vacant jobs and spurring economic growth. Erin Porterfield, executive director of Heartland Workforce Solutions, believes negative experiences with racism "contribute to feeling unsafe" in Nebraska and might be prompting her clients to eye the exit door. Porterfield also highlighted Nebraska's relatively new "employment pipeline," which she argues leaves some young adults unsure about their employment and career opportunities.

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STATE SEEKS NEW CLIMATOLOGIST AS BATHKE NAMED INTERIM HEAD OF NEBRASKA STATE CLIMATE OFFICE

LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is conducting a national search for a new state climatologist to replace Martha Durr, who resigned in November after eight years in the position. In the meantime, UNL appointed Deborah Bathke, in an interim capacity, to lead the State Climate Office until a full-time replacement is found.

Bathke is a climate scientist and research associate professor at UNL, and formerly served as assistant state climatologist in New Mexico. The Nebraska State Climate Office, housed in UNL's School of Natural Resources, is the main source of climate information for Nebraska, and oversees the Nebraska Mesonet, a network of weather observation stations.

The Legislature recently allocated $150,000 to update and modernize the state's climate systems, and Bathke, now leading the Climate Office, will lead that effort, with an expected completion date next year. Larkin Powell, director of UNL's School of Natural Resources, said Bathke is "uniquely positioned" for the interim role. "She is known for her work in climate science and has the ability to translate complex data for the public," Powell wrote in a press release.

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AltEn CLEANUP MAKING PROGRESS DESPITE SETBACKS, CONTRACTOR SAYS THERE'S 'ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT'

MEAD- The environmental contractor managing the cleanup of millions of pounds of pesticide-laden waste at the former ethanol plant near Mead, formally titled NewFields, indicated that the initial efforts to dispose of that toxic material have been largely successful. Over the course of the fall season, the company has transported 10,208 tons of solicited wet cake from the former AltEn plant to the Pheasant Point landfill in Bennington.

That's roughly 10% of the solid waste currently entombed under a cement and clay shell at the now-defunct biofuel plant, but not close to the estimated 24,000 tons that NewFields had originally sought to dispose of in a feasibility study conducted in August. Bill Butler, a partner at NewFields, said issues securing bentonite, a reagent used to solidify the wet cake for transport, led to less waste being hauled than originally planned.

Butler, however, praised NewFields' work in removing, solidifying, and loading the wet cake without stirring up pungent odors, which were the subject of complaints from nearby residents that ultimately brought attention to AltEn and the biological waste it created. "We were able, in the last two weeks, to step up production and get things rolling," said Butler, "But we still have room for improvement." According to Butler, operations will be ramped back up in April or May of 2024, depending on the state of the weather.

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NEBRASKANS CAN BECOME TEACHERS IN LESS THAN A YEAR WITH NEW ONLINE CERTIFICATION PATH

LINCOLN- As a result of legislation passed this year in the Nebraska Legislature, Nebraskans can now participate in an online teacher certification program called American Board, which was founded by the U.S. Department of Education to offer an alternate path for future teachers who didn't go to school for education.

The legislation, initially spearheaded by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, was introduced to address Nebraska's teacher shortage, and was amended into a substantial education package of 23 bills. The new pathway allows Nebraskans with a bachelor's degree to get their teaching certificate without attending a traditional in-person teacher preparation program usually operated by a college or university.

"With this legislation, it specifically does not call for an expiration of any permit," said David Jespersen, a spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Education, "The way it is right now, at least, if they got the American Board certificate, they would get an alternative path to teach and it would not have an expiration." Despite this, concerns have arisen over the educational effectiveness of such expedited programs.

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GOV. PILLEN DECIDES NEBRASKA WON'T OPT INTO NEW $18 MILLION CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM, LAWMAKERS URGE PARTICIPATION

LINCOLN- Gov. Pillen's administration has decided that Nebraska won't be participating in a new child nutrition program that could have delivered an estimated $18 million in grocery-buying benefits next summer for kids and their families. The decision comes despite a monthslong effort by food banks and other advocates to persuade the governor to opt into the Summer EBT program.

Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple said free meals continue to be available to youths during the summer through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, summer camp programs, schools, and community centers. "In addition to in-person meals, those locations offer recreational, educational, and other enrichment opportunities," said Strimple, "as well as resources that are of added benefit to kids and important for their development."

Nebraska Appleseed and several Nebraska foodbanks were among the groups urging Pillen to opt into the program, which has a cut-off date of January 1st. "Come summer, we know that more families will struggle with food insecurity because of this decision," said Eric Savaino, Appleseed's food and nutrition access manager. Savaino estimated that up to 150,000 Nebraska children would have benefited next summer if the state had opted into the new program.

Following Pillen's announcement, fifteen Nebraska lawmakers penned a letter urging the state to reconsider opting into the program. The letter, signed by Sens. Day, Bosn, Bostar, Dungan, Raybould, Conrad, Hughes, John and Machaela Cavanaugh, Hunt, Vargas, McKinney, Fredrickson, Walz, and Blood, argued the state's decision is "a message to Nebraskans that their representatives are out of touch with their very real, very immediate needs."

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MINIMUM WAGE RISING TO $12 AN HOUR IN NEBRASKA AFTER VOTERS APPROVED GRADUAL INCREASES A YEAR AGO

LINCOLN- Beginning January 1st, the minimum wage in Nebraska will increase by $1.50 and sit at $12 an hour, the result of a ballot measure passed last year to make gradual increases to the minimum pay that must be provided to employees. An initiative launched by Raise the Wage Nebraska helped to qualify the issue for the 2022 ballot, which passed by a margin of 6-to-4.

Nebraska is among 20 states that are increasing their minimum wage next year. In 2024, the minimum hourly wage for tipped employees will remain at $2.13 an hour, but employees are meant to ensure that wages and tips for such workers, when combined, equal at least the new state minimum wage.

Over the next three years, the minimum wage will increase by an additional $1.50 each year. Starting January 1st, 2025, employers will now be required to pay $13.50 an hour. On January 1st, 2026, that number will rise to $15 per hour. Finally, on January 1st, 2027, the minimum wage increase, if it's determined to be necessary, will be based on the cost-of-living increase as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

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NEBRASKA SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS RATIONALE IN COLORADO TO KEEP TRUMP OFF BALLOT 'NOT PERSUASIVE'

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled, based on the 14th Amendment, that Donald Trump's name could not appear on the 2024 primary ballot, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen said the rationale utilized in forming that decision was "not persuasive."

"In accordance with the usual practice of this office," said Evnen, "the decision of whose names will appear on the Nebraska presidential primary ballot will be made and announced in the latter half of February 2024." Just a day prior, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to remove Trump's name from the ballot, citing the Civil War-era clause of the 14th Amendment, which disqualifies those who "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer called the ruling "deeply un-American," while Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said there was "no doubt" Trump incited the January 6th Insurrection. However, Kleeb said that the Nebraska Democrats will leave it up to the Supreme Court to decide Trump's fate, adding that her party's strategy "remains laser-focused on registering more voters" and securing an Omaha-area electoral vote for Pres. Joe Biden.

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