NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS REFLECT ON 2025 SESSION, LOOK AHEAD TO 2026

LINCOLN — After a labor-dominated 89-day legislative session, Nebraska lawmakers are looking ahead to a little time off to reset before coming back for a 60-day session in January.

The Nebraska Examiner invited all 49 senators to review the most recent legislative session, and 48 have responded so far. The collection of reflections, in lawmakers’ own words, is available below or see the full project in its own tab here.

Among the responses, lawmakers described the 2025 session as a “mixed bag,” “very successful,” “deeply disappointing,” “highly productive” or “decent.” Some early priorities identified for 2026 include the state budget, property taxes and economic development.

While the Legislature will conduct interim studies and hold hearings this summer and fall, official action is on pause — at least for a while — after state lawmakers adjourned June 2. No plans have been announced for a special session. Some laws took effect immediately during the session. Others will be enacted this fall, most on Sept. 3, or later on.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA AUDITOR TARGETS PROBATION SERVICES, QUESTIONS ‘MILLIONS’ IN STATE PAYMENTS

LINCOLN — The Nebraska State Auditor is taking aim at the state office that manages probation services for lawbreakers — alleging that an “extraordinary” spike in state costs was at least partly spurred by scant oversight.

Released Monday, a 41-page report by Auditor Mike Foley examined the Nebraska Administrative Office of Probation. A division of the Nebraska Supreme Court, the probation office supervises roughly 16,000 Nebraskans who broke the law, including about 5,500 youths and adults who receive specific court-ordered services.

According to Foley, expenses of probation services jumped to roughly $62 million last calendar year — an increase of about $19.5 million from two years earlier. 

The “cost explosion,” he said, was driven by programming for juveniles convicted of crimes. Such services include psychiatric and substance abuse treatment, family support, transportation and community youth coaching.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEARLY 2,000 AFFORDABLE HOMES SEEN FOR NEBRASKA’S LARGEST CITY UNDER NEW PLAN TIED TO STREETCAR

OMAHA — Nebraska’s largest city would add an estimated 1,900 affordable homes to its urban core with a $40 million boost tied to the property tax growth expected from Omaha’s controversial streetcar project. 

The dwellings would be a mix of rental, for-sale and rehabbed properties in a 770-block area around the streetcar’s initial downtown-midtown route, which is set to be up and running in 2027.

They’re to be targeted to people making under a certain income. And they’ll be built by developers selected by Front Porch Investments, the nonprofit partner the city chose to distribute the millions in the form of grants and low-interest loans.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA MIGHT JOIN NATIONAL ‘WILDFIRE’ OF MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING

LINCOLN — Nebraska could join the national mid-decade redistricting fight that Texas and President Donald Trump started. 

Retiring Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon confirmed to the Examiner that national and state conversations are happening about Cornhusker State legislators potentially redrawing the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District — though he emphasized that, to him, it was “nothing serious.” Yet.

Much depends on how national Democrats react to Texas Republicans’ efforts to consider a new map designed to give the GOP up to five additional seats in the U.S. House in 2026, a mid-term election when the party out of federal power, the Democrats, typically gains seats and perhaps control of Congress. 

For the full article, click HERE.

CENTRAL NEBRASKA'S SEN. LIPPINCOTT TO SEEK ANOTHER TERM IN LEGISLATURE

Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City announced Monday he’ll seek a second term in 2026 representing District 34 in the Nebraska Legislature.

Lippincott, a registered Republican, said he wants to continue to be a strong voice for rural Nebraska and traditional values.

“It’s been the honor of my life to represent the people of District 34, and I’m running for re-election to continue the fight for lower taxes, fewer regulations, and Nebraska values,” Lippincott said in a press release.

“We’ve made progress, but there’s more work to do to support agriculture, protect innocent life, uphold the Second Amendment, and ensure our elections are secure and transparent,” he added.

For the full article, click HERE.

RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMPLETE 3-YEAR BOND PROJECT AHEAD OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR

RALSTON — Ralston Public Schools has completed its multi-year bond project a full year ahead of schedule, finishing upgrades across eight schools in the district. Originally set for completion in 2026, the work wrapped early thanks to a partnership with Westside Schools. The improvements include new technology, renovated hallways, classrooms, and gyms, as well as refreshed exteriors. Superintendent Jason Buckingham said the renovations were necessary and have produced “phenomenal” results, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to enhance student learning environments.

Teachers, like Ralston High School English teacher Melanie Peltz, are excited to start the school year without the disruptions of ongoing construction. Peltz highlighted new sound systems and interactive boards, noting that students can now fully engage from anywhere in the classroom. Over the past three years, staff and students had adapted to temporary spaces and borrowed classrooms during renovations. With the work complete, educators are eager to welcome students back into updated, technology-rich learning spaces designed to improve the overall classroom experience.

This article is based on a live TV segment. A full transcript is included in the article.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION PRAISES ‘ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’ AMID SIGNS OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

ASHLAND — Nebraska’s congressional delegates spoke optimistically about federal policies helping the state’s economic future, despite some warning signs that Nebraska’s agricultural industry is struggling.

Three of Nebraska’s federal representatives — U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, Sen. Pete Ricketts and Rep. Mike Flood — shared their thoughts Tuesday at a summit hosted by a collaboration of three of Nebraska’s largest chambers of commerce. Reps. Don Bacon and Adrian Smith did not attend. Bacon was out of town, and Smith’s flight was delayed out of Scottsbluff, though both sent video messages.

All five said good things about the federal budget reconciliation bill that passed in early July, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Ricketts said the bill is “fantastic for families,” because it prevents potential tax increases. He estimated the changes would increase families’ average annual income between $4,000 and $7,000 over the next three years.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA AG EXTENDS ANTI-THC, DELTA-8 FIGHT TO NATIONAL MANUFACTURER AND DISTRIBUTOR

LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ efforts to crack down on delta-8, marijuana and other THC products crossed state lines Friday with a new lawsuit against a nationwide manufacturer and distributor.

Hilgers and his office filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court against Savage Enterprises, a Wyoming corporation based in California. The lawsuit accuses Savage of falling “woefully short” on Nebraska labeling and safety laws and argues that it aims to “entice and ultimately ensnare” children and teenagers.

A Nebraska consumer alerted the Attorney General’s Office to Savage Enterprises, leading to the investigation, according to the lawsuit. 

The investigation included the testing of at least seven vape, gummy or edible products that purported to include certain types or levels of THC that were ultimately inaccurate. The lawsuit alleges the corporation also “recklessly ignored” health warning signs against delta-8 and other tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products and did not appropriately warn consumers.

For the full article, click HERE.

DEPUTY DOUGLAS COUNTY ATTORNEY SAYS SHE WAS ‘FIRED’ AFTER TELLING BOSS SHE WAS SEEKING HIS SEAT

OMAHA — Amy Jacobsen, a prosecutor for more than 33 years, has announced a run for Douglas County Attorney, a bid that could unseat her former boss whom she contends “fired” her less than 24 hours after she told him her plans.

Jacobsen, a Democrat, had served the last 13 years as a deputy Douglas County attorney and led a team of criminal prosecutors. 

She told the Nebraska Examiner on Wednesday that she told Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine on Tuesday about her intent to run against him. According to Jacobsen, he fired her the next day. 

Kleine, a Republican seeking a sixth term, said he was restricted on what he could say in response because the “separation” was a personnel matter.

For the full article, click HERE.

MEDICAL CANNABIS, LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSIONS SEEK TO COMBINE RESOURCES AS FRUSTRATIONS FLARE

LINCOLN — Frustrations are boiling over for the members of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission as they seek “creative” solutions due to a lack of state funding to get started, which has complicated the need to pay staff, purchase software and create a robust regulatory system for the drug.

Commissioners were blunt at their third official meeting Monday, saying that without the statutory authority to set or collect fees and no funding to hire new staff or inspectors, the process of crafting formal rules and regulations has been difficult.

The board this summer approved temporary regulations, including licensing criteria, which took effect in late July and are in place through Sept. 28. Those guidelines can be extended for one 90-day period, if needed.

For the full article, click HERE.

RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATE RUNNING TO REPRESENT NEBRASKA’S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

A Lincoln man who works in the renewable energy industry is stepping into the race to represent Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Eric Moyer, a registered Democrat, is set to formally announce his run next week during a Lincoln campaign event.

The Nebraskan, who grew up in the northeastern town of Madison, said a prominent issue he would like Congress to focus on is energy security. He said Nebraska is in a position to better harness natural resources such as sunlight, wind and water.

“I want to support legislation that allows for domestic energy production to come back, and reverse the cuts that were made in the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that are going to damage wind and solar industry, as well as a renewed focus on nuclear,” Moyer said.

The 1st Congressional District covers 12 counties in Nebraska, including the cities of Lincoln and Norfolk. Moyer seeks to capture the congressional seat from current representative Republican Mike Flood, who’s represented the district since 2022.

For the full article, click HERE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL HILGERS LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT URGING U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO HELP CURB ILLEGAL OFFSHORE GAMING

LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers co-led a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general on Tuesday in urging the U.S. Department of Justice to help address the spread of illegal offshore gaming.

The request to the DOJ was made in a letter sent by Hilgers and the coalition to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“Illegal online sports betting and gaming operations have no place in Nebraska or anywhere else,” Hilgers said. “These bad actors violate both state and federal law to exploit vulnerable populations and must be stopped. We are grateful to our sister states for supporting this effort to bring these criminal enterprises to a halt.”

According to the Nebraska Attorney General’s office, illegal online gaming is estimated to exceed more than $400 billion in volume annually, leading to more than $4 billion in lost tax revenue for states.

For the full article, click HERE.

REGENTS APPROVE 5% TUITION INCREASE, $20 MILLION IN CUTS FOR UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Thursday approved a 5% tuition increase for the next academic year, coming as state dollars for NU have slowed under the latest budget from Gov. Jim Pillen and the Legislature.

The regents, by a 6-2 vote, approved NU’s operating budget beginning July 1 through June 30, 2026. Nebraska lawmakers approved a 0.625% increase in state dollars ($4.35 million), which is well short of the 3.5% annual increase regents had requested last August, primarily to cover inflationary pressures. The budget that the regents passed also calls for $20 million in additional cuts across NU’s $1.1 billion “state-aided budget.”

Regents Rob Schafer of Beatrice and Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City opposed the regents’ budget.

Had Pillen’s initially proposed 2% cut to NU this next fiscal year been approved, regents said they could have considered a larger tuition increase or greater cuts. NU President Jeffrey Gold and Pillen, who served as a regent for 10 years before becoming governor, negotiated for what Gold described as a “modest” state increase.”

For the full article, click HERE.

UNION PACIFIC TO RESHAPE US FREIGHT RAIL WITH $85 BILLION DEAL FOR NORFOLK

Union Pacific said on Tuesday it would buy smaller rival Norfolk Southern in an $85 billion deal to create the first U.S. coast-to-coast freight rail operator and reshape the movement of goods from grains to autos across the country.

If approved, the deal would be the largest ever buyout in the sector and combine Union Pacific's stronghold in the western two-thirds of the U.S. with Norfolk's 19,500-mile (31,400-km) network that primarily spans 22 eastern states.

The two railroads are expected to have a combined enterprise value of $250 billion and would unlock about $2.75 billion in annualized synergies, the companies said.

Railroad operators since the robber baron days of the late 1800s Gilded Age have dreamed of linking the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific Coasts by rail, and President Donald Trump's administration may be conducive to such a mega deal.

For the full article, click HERE.

OMAHA MAYOR URGES ‘SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT’ IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WITH HELP FROM STREETCAR

OMAHA — The City of Omaha is poised to make what Mayor John Ewing Jr. called its “single largest investment” in affordable housing as part of his effort to close the gap between the “haves and have-nots.”

Seed money would come, the mayor and his team said, via the sale of bonds to be repaid by anticipated tax-increment financing revenue tied to the streetcar project.

The city’s plan for the controversial streetcar already had called for some TIF-related proceeds to help create affordable housing — but not until around 2031 or later, said Ewing, who campaigned partly on finding solutions to make renting or buying homes more accessible. 

For the full article, click HERE.

CAVANAUGH TOUTS POLL SHOWING FRONTRUNNER IN 2ND DISTRICT PRIMARY; MARK JOHNSTON WITHDRAWS FROM DEMOCRATIC FIELD

OMAHA- The first campaign-released poll in the crowded race for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District shows State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha with an early lead and wide name recognition among Democrats likely to vote in the May 2026 primary.

Results from an earlier poll by Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades also showed Cavanaugh leading the race, but with Rhoades only a few points behind. The two candidate polls provide an early glimpse at the standings in the race to win the Democratic nomination in May and eventually vie for the seat in November. 

With no incumbent running in the deeply purple district, the race has already drawn big dollars and a lot of attention — it's the only one major pollsters have identified as leaning towards a flip.

Mark Johnston, 69, told the Nebraska Examiner this week that he has withdrawn from the race for the Democratic nomination. Johnston said he lacks the infrastructure to raise funds and feels Democrats have an “extremely good chance” of winning the open seat with the number of candidates running. Johnson is a retired eye surgeon in Omaha.

For the full article on John Cavanaugh, click HERE.

For the full article on Mark Johnston’s withdrawal, click HERE.

IN VALLEY, PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS PAY FOR PRIVATE LAKES, NEIGHBORHOODS WITH MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR HOMES

VALLEY — The pool unfurls like a ribbon under a cloudless sky. Past the private beach and docked boat is Bluewater: 250 acres of lake water — an area larger than Disneyland Park — surrounded by 7 miles of sandy shores and some of Douglas County’s most expensive homes.

Ten years ago, this was a “blighted” pit. Now, neighbors like whoever buys the five-bed, six-bath house listed on Zillow for $3.25 million can fish, windsurf and kayak in this upscale neighborhood in Valley, about 30 minutes west of Omaha. 

The transformation was made possible by tax increment financing, a tool state lawmakers designed to incentivize building in “substandard” areas by freezing property values for 15 to 20 years and reimbursing developers the difference as they make improvements.

For the full article, click HERE.

SMALL NEBRASKA FARMS FEEL BRUNT OF USDA FEDERAL CUTS

LINCOLN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in the middle of July that they would be cutting funding to the Business Builder Grants awarded from the Heartland Regional Food Center.

The Heartland Regional Food Center was planning on doing two rounds of funds through the grants helping small farms and businesses in five states including Nebraska expand their operations.

The first round of applicants are set to still receive the funding, however the second round with an $8.3 million pool has been slashed, leaving thousands of applicants in the dust. It’s the same news that Katie Nixon, the co-director of the Heartland Regional Food Center had to break to those who applied.

“There’s a huge disappointment that we won’t be able to disperse those that almost $9 million in funding that was going to go to these food and farm businesses to expand their businesses and build what they need to build in.”

For the full article, click HERE.

FISCHER ADVANCES OVER $200 MILLION FOR NATIONAL AND NEBRASKA-BASED DEFENSE PROGRAMS

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced she advanced over $200 million for key national and Nebraska-based defense programs, including U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), 55th Wing, 557th Weather Wing – located at Offutt Air Force Base – in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Defense Appropriations Bill. 

The bill now awaits consideration on the Senate floor.
“The first duty of Congress is to defend the nation, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee and Armed Services Committee, I’m working to ensure our nation is equipped to fulfill that mission. That’s why I advanced critical funding for projects that will boost U.S. Strategic Command, the 55th Wing, and the 557th Weather Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, including critical defense programs our nation relies upon to keep our people safe,” Fischer said.

For the full article, click HERE.

SESSION REVIEW: LEGISLATURE TOOK UP CULTURE ISSUES, PUSHED BACK AGAINST BALLOT INITIATIVES IN 2025 SESSION

LINCOLN — Every Nebraska worker was set to have paid sick leave starting this fall, because voters approved it through a citizen-led initiative.

That change was part of a wave of ballot measures Nebraska voters embraced in recent years, including the legalization of medical marijuana that left lawmakers and a newly created commission to craft the framework of how the new medicine would be regulated.

Voters also approved increasing the minimum wage and tied future annual pay bumps to inflation. And they rejected state funding to help pay some of the costs of students attending private K-12 schools.

But the officially nonpartisan, GOP-led Nebraska Legislature this session, often with gubernatorial support and the support of at least one Democrat, poked and prodded for changes that would have weakened or reversed those ballot measures. 

For the full article, click HERE.