SINGLE-SUBJECT COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST ‘RESPECT NEBRASKA VOTERS’ BALLOT MEASURE

LINCOLN -  Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen will decide whether the Respect Nebraska Voters ballot measure violates the state Constitution’s single-subject requirement. State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh and former State Sen. Curt Friesen filed the challenge, arguing the proposal covers multiple subjects. Supporters maintain it was carefully drafted and say the challenge threatens voters’ ability to protect laws they approve.

The proposed constitutional amendment would raise the number of senators needed to amend or overturn voter-approved laws from 33 of 49 to 40 of 49 and further restrict what changes lawmakers could make. It would apply to voter-approved measures dating back to 2004, including minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, casino gambling, medical cannabis and paid sick leave. At least 138,473 valid signatures are needed to qualify, and Evnen expects to rule before the Sept. 11 ballot-certification deadline. The issue could ultimately reach the Nebraska Supreme Court.

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LANCASTER COUNTY CONSIDERS HITTING PAUSE ON DATA CENTERS

LINCOLN — Lancaster County could become the latest county to issue a moratorium on data center construction. County Commissioner Matt Schulte brought the idea to the commission’s staff meeting Thursday. Schulte said residents in his southern Lancaster County district raised concerns about utility usage and health issues over two potential data centers near Hallam. Residents in the rural district are also concerned with farmland in the area being converted for other uses.  

“They’re saying this isn’t an industrial zone; this is my neighborhood,” Schulte said. Hallam's planning commission delayed a vote last week on Monolith's proposed data center, which would fund its carbon black expansion. Stark Power, an Israeli-based developer, also appears to be planning a 1.7-gigawatt hyperscale campus on 1,400 acres of land, according to Nebraska Public Media reporting. 

The moratorium, if passed, would halt new construction and permitting of data centers in Lancaster County for a year, according to a copy of the resolution provided to the Journal Star. The resolution would also establish a committee to research how to avoid potential harms associated with data center development. The committee would consist of two county commissioners and three employees within the planning and development services or engineering departments. Commissioner Chelsea Johnson said the commission is exploring the idea but is waiting for more information before taking any action.

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BRETT LINDSTROM JOINS NEBRASKA'S NEW AMERICA FIRST PARTY. IS GOVERNOR BID IMMINENT?

OMAHA - Former Republican Omaha state lawmaker Brett Lindstrom has registered with the new America First Party, according to the state's voter database and the Douglas County Election Commission. Lindstrom, who until recently was pursuing a nonpartisan bid for governor, did not immediately respond to World-Herald questions about whether he plans to pursue public office or what race he might join. Nor did his spokeswoman.

John Cartier, the chair of the America First Party, said the party plans to nominate candidates for office Thursday evening. Lindstrom had seemed poised to join the governor's race as a nonpartisan. Still, numerous signatures he submitted to get on the ballot were invalid, according to the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office.

"Nothing has changed other than the vehicle we're using to reach the ballot," Lindstrom said after his petition effort failed. "We still have a plan, and we still have a message of moving beyond the extremes of both political parties that still matters to many Nebraskans." Lindstrom was a Republican during his two terms in the Legislature. He ran for the GOP nomination for governor in 2022 and finished third. He also launched a campaign to become the Republican nominee in the 2nd Congressional District, but he dropped out. 

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TRUMP FLOATS REVIVING KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE, DRAWING MIXED REACTIONS FROM NEBRASKANS

LINCOLN— The Keystone XL pipeline could reemerge as a political issue after President Donald Trump suggested reviving the project as part of broader trade discussions with Canada. The pipeline was designed to transport Canadian crude oil through Nebraska and other states to Gulf Coast refineries, but years of political and legal disputes culminated in President Joe Biden revoking its permit in 2021.

Former Nebraska state Sen. Jim Smith and Rep. Mike Flood, both longtime supporters, argue Keystone XL could improve U.S. energy reliability, affordability and independence. However, Flood acknowledged that restarting the project may no longer be economically realistic because of uncertainty surrounding federal permits and years of changing energy policy.

Opponents, including Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb and retired rancher Randy Thompson, say they would fight the project again. Their concerns center on potential environmental impacts and the use of eminent domain on Nebraska farmers and ranchers. A revival would therefore likely renew many of the same disputes over energy development, environmental protection and private property rights that surrounded Keystone XL for more than a decade.

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STATE AUDITOR RAISES ALARM ABOUT 'HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE BILLING' IN PROGRAM FOR AGED AND DISABLED

LINCOLN— Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley found serious billing and oversight concerns in the state’s Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver program, which helps older adults and people with disabilities receive care at home or in community settings. Spending on the program has increased nearly 600%, from about $65 million in 2016 to $434 million in 2025, while the number of recipients has grown to nearly 8,700.

Auditors identified several questionable billing practices, including providers billing for more than 24 hours of work in a day—with one claiming 47 hours—and 15 providers who appeared to be working other jobs while billing DHHS. Auditors also found providers could alter hours after they had been verified electronically, including one agency that added 434.5 billable hours in a single month. Foley also questioned four one-person agencies that may have structured themselves as agencies to receive higher reimbursement rates.

DHHS said it has already made changes to address some concerns, including a system update that rejects visits exceeding 24 hours, and said it will investigate other findings. Foley emphasized that stronger oversight will become increasingly important as Nebraska’s aging population increases demand for the program, while ensuring legitimate providers are fairly paid and taxpayer dollars are properly accounted for.

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HHS SECRETARY RFK JR. VISITS NEBRASKA TO PRAISE HANTAVIRUS OPERATION AT UNMC

OMAHA— U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha alongside Gov. Jim Pillen and NU President Jeffrey Gold, touring the National Quarantine Unit that recently housed 18 cruise ship passengers exposed to hantavirus. The passengers spent six weeks in quarantine from May through June after an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius. Kennedy praised UNMC’s biocontainment capabilities, calling the facility the “mecca for biocontainment,” and highlighted Nebraska’s role in training workers for a developing biocontainment center in Kenya.

Kennedy and Pillen also discussed state-federal health initiatives, including Nebraska’s new Medicaid work requirements and efforts to restrict soda and candy purchases through SNAP benefits. Nebraska was the first state to receive approval for such restrictions, but a federal judge later blocked them. Kennedy criticized the ruling and expressed hope it will be overturned, while Pillen argued the restrictions are intended to improve children’s nutrition and encourage healthier food choices.

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NEBRASKA TO GET $201M OF LANDMARK $17.1B SETTLEMENT WITH META

NEBRASKA— Nebraska will receive up to $201 million as part of a historic $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta over allegations that its social media platforms harmed children through addictive features and inadequate safety protections. Attorney General Mike Hilgers called it the largest state consumer protection settlement outside the tobacco settlements of the 1990s and said it represents a major step toward protecting children online.

As part of the agreement, Meta will introduce significant safeguards for minors on Instagram and Facebook, including a combined two-hour daily usage limit, mandatory breaks after extended scrolling, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m., limiting notifications during school hours, and stronger age-verification measures. The settlement follows a nationwide investigation alleging Meta knowingly designed features to keep children engaged despite internal evidence of potential mental health harms.

The agreement also resolves separate claims involving Meta's past sharing of Facebook user information with third parties, including Cambridge Analytica. Nebraska is set to receive about $5.15 million specifically from that portion of the settlement, while its total potential recovery under the broader agreement is up to $201 million.

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LAWSUIT FILED WITH SUPREME COURT TO FORCE LINCOLN TO PUT CHARTER AMENDMENTS ON BALLOT

Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a lawsuit on Thursday evening with the Nebraska Supreme Court to force the city of Lincoln to put several charter amendments on the November ballot. The lawsuit was filed after the city signaled it would wait to put the amendments up for a vote until the May 2027 ballot.

“For an issue to be included on the November general election ballot, the City Council must pass a resolution authorizing the ballot issue and provide it to the Election Commissioner by September 1st,” City Attorney Yohance Christie said in a Thursday statement.

Christie claimed several processes needed to be followed in addition to the petition getting verified, including the consideration of alternative amendments, a resolution by the City Council, providing public notice regarding the amendments, and holding public meetings.

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GOV. PILLEN APPOINTS 17 MEMBERS TO NEBRASKA DATA CENTER TASK FORCE

LINCOLN— Gov. Jim Pillen has appointed 17 members to Nebraska’s newly created Data Center Task Force, which will examine how the rapid growth of large-scale data centers affects the state’s electricity supply, water resources and local infrastructure. The task force was established through a July executive order that also ended state taxpayer subsidies for large data centers. Its work will include developing zoning guidance and policy recommendations to help local governments manage future projects while protecting Nebraska’s resources.

The task force brings together leaders from the energy, utilities, construction, government and economic development sectors, including representatives from Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Tenaska, Kiewit, OPPD, NPPD, Lincoln Electric System, the Nebraska Public Service Commission and county governments. Overseen by the Nebraska Department of Water, Environment and Energy, the group is expected to hold its first meeting in September. Pillen said the goal is to balance the economic opportunities created by data centers with the need to protect Nebraska’s land, electricity and water.

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NEBRASKA DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO VOTE ON SENATE VACANCY AS LAWSUIT CONTINUES

.LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has notified a Lancaster County district judge that he plans to participate in a lawsuit seeking to force the Nebraska Democratic Party to replace former U.S. Senate nominee Cindy Burbank. Former Democratic primary candidate William Forbes argues state law requires the party to fill the vacancy, while Democrats maintain the law only establishes a process if the party chooses to name a replacement. Judge Susan Strong previously rejected Forbes’ request for a temporary injunction, finding his argument raised serious constitutional concerns and was unlikely to succeed.

The Nebraska Democratic Party will now vote at its August 21 state central committee meeting on whether to fill the vacancy. Party Chair Jane Kleeb said leaving the position vacant would align with the party’s strategy of supporting registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn in his effort to defeat Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts. Burbank withdrew one day after Osborn qualified for the November ballot, and Forbes has said he is willing to serve as the replacement Democratic nominee. Kleeb, however, said she would not consider Forbes even if the party was ultimately required to fill the vacancy.

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MOST REJECTED LINDSTROM SIGNATURES CAME IN LANCASTER COUNTY, WHERE ONLY 25% WERE APPROVED

LINCOLN— Former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom failed to qualify for the Nebraska governor’s race after too many of his petition signatures were rejected, with the largest problems occurring in Lancaster County. Lindstrom submitted 5,765 signatures statewide but needed at least 4,000 valid signatures and 750 from each congressional district. Only about 58.2% were accepted statewide, and in Lancaster County just 543 of 2,210 signatures — 24.6% — were valid.

Three petition circulators who worked for Lindstrom’s campaign are also facing felony charges related to suspected fraudulent signatures collected for separate Lincoln ballot initiatives. Lindstrom said he was unaware of any suspected fraud and blamed the circulators for keeping him off the ballot, adding that his campaign is considering legal action. Allegations involving his petitions have been referred to Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ office. Lindstrom’s signatures performed much better in Douglas and Sarpy counties, where more than 82% were accepted, but the Lancaster County rejections ultimately contributed heavily to his failure to qualify for the November 3 ballot.

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LINCOLN POLICE STAFFING INITIATIVE WILL NOT BE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

LINCOLN — Advocates for All Nebraskans has paused its petition campaign seeking to require Lincoln to employ at least 450 full-time police officers, citing concerns about the integrity of the local petition process and what the group described as a “toxic political environment.” The decision follows a separate Lincoln petition controversy in which more than 13,000 signatures were suspected of being fraudulent, and five petition circulators were arrested. Organizer Eric Underwood said the controversy made it unrealistic to gather enough signatures before November deadlines, but the group plans to pursue the proposal in a future election or special election.

The group maintains that Lincoln’s police staffing has not kept pace with the city’s population of more than 300,000 and argues that 450 officers would improve the officer-to-resident ratio and public safety. Lincoln officials have previously questioned the proposal’s legality and warned that hiring enough officers to meet the requirement could cost as much as $13 million annually, potentially requiring higher property taxes or cuts to other city services.

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NONPARTISAN MARK COHEN CERTIFIED FOR NEBRASKA'S 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BALLOT

LINCOLN — Registered nonpartisan Mark Cohen has qualified for the November ballot in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District after election officials verified at least 2,207 valid signatures, exceeding the 2,000 required. Cohen, a former Air Force judge advocate and former special assistant U.S. attorney for Nebraska, submitted about 3,680 signatures and becomes the second nonpartisan candidate to qualify for a Nebraska congressional race this year, following Dan Osborn in the U.S. Senate race.

Cohen will face 10-term Republican incumbent Rep. Adrian Smith, Democrat Becky Kelly Stille, and Legal Marijuana NOW nominee David Else, while Macey Budke is running as a write-in candidate. Cohen faces a difficult race in one of the country’s most conservative congressional districts, where President Donald Trump received about 76% of the vote in 2024, and Smith won reelection with 80.4%. The general election is November 3.

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PETITION FRAUD INVESTIGATION EXPANDS TO ALL 2026 NEBRASKA-WIDE BALLOT MEASURES

LINCOLN— The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office has expanded its investigation into suspected petition fraud to all four statewide citizen-led ballot initiatives in Nebraska. Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said investigators are reviewing “thousands and thousands” of potentially fraudulent signatures, with the total still unknown. The initiatives involve online sports betting, restrictions on school sports participation based on sex at birth, and limits on lawmakers’ ability to change voter-approved laws. The investigation also includes petitions submitted by former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom for his unsuccessful independent gubernatorial bid, bringing the total number of signatures connected to petitions under investigation this election cycle to more than 750,000.

The investigation originally began with suspected fraudulent signatures on three proposed Lincoln City Charter amendments backed by Good Government Lincoln. Six out-of-state petition circulators have now been arrested, including Michael Smith, 28, of St. Louis, while authorities are searching for another suspect. The original five defendants face two felony counts each for allegedly falsely swearing to circulator oaths and have waived extradition to Nebraska. Houchin said petition organizers have been cooperative and are providing investigators with requested information.

Campaign officials behind the statewide measures remain confident their initiatives will qualify for the ballot. Representatives for Fairness For Girls and Tax Relief Nebraska, which backs the online sports betting measures, said they believe they collected enough legitimate signatures despite the investigation. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has until Sept. 11 to determine whether the four initiatives have enough valid signatures to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. Sheriff Terry Wagner said investigators will follow the evidence regardless of political affiliation and forward their findings to the appropriate prosecutors.

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CONSERVATIVE GROUP SUBMITS NEW SIGNATURES FOR 3 PETITIONS TO RESHAPE LINCOLN CITY ELECTIONS

LINCOLN— Good Government Lincoln, a conservative campaign led by former state Sen. Tony Fulton, has submitted a second round of more than 9,000 signatures for each of three proposed Lincoln City Charter amendments. The measures would move Lincoln municipal elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years, allow certain residents living within three miles of city limits to vote in city elections, and limit City Council members to two consecutive four-year terms. The campaign needs at least 4,981 valid signatures for each proposal to reach the Nov. 3 ballot.

The new effort comes after more than 65% of the campaign’s original signatures were rejected, with many flagged as potentially fraudulent. Six out-of-state petition circulators have been arrested and authorities are searching for a seventh. The campaign restarted signature gathering Aug. 5 and has denied knowledge of any wrongdoing, while supporting the investigation and potential prosecution of those responsible. The same signature-gathering firm was involved with petitions for former gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom and at least one statewide ballot initiative, as a broader Lancaster County investigation into suspected petition fraud continues.

The Lancaster County Election Commission will now review the new signatures. Good Government Lincoln says the second submission demonstrates continued support for its proposals, while Lincoln City Council Chair Brodey Weber has criticized the group for restarting the effort while the criminal investigation remains active. If enough signatures are validated, Lincoln officials have until Sept. 1 to place the three charter amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot.

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REPUBLICANS APPEAL TO NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT REGARDING OVERSEAS VOTER LAW

LINCOLN— The Republican National Committee and two Lancaster County voters have appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court after a district judge upheld a 2005 state law allowing certain U.S. citizens living overseas who have never lived in Nebraska to register and vote in the county where a parent is registered. The RNC argues the law violates the Nebraska Constitution’s residency requirements and dilutes the votes of lawful Nebraska voters. Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post dismissed the challenge Aug. 12, finding that the law has at least one constitutional application and therefore could not be declared unconstitutional on its face.

As of July, 116 overseas voters were registered under the law, with six voting in the May primary. The RNC says its lawsuit does not challenge the voting rights of military members, diplomats or other overseas Nebraskans who previously lived in the state. The appeal comes as election deadlines approach, with some overseas ballots required to be mailed by Sept. 3, the statewide ballot certification deadline set for Sept. 11, and the general election scheduled for Nov. 3.

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NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS APPEAL RULINGS ALLOWING TWO NEW POLITICAL PARTIES

LINCOLN— Nebraska’s Republican and Democratic parties have appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court after a Lancaster County District Court judge rejected their efforts to block two new political parties from forming ahead of the November election. Republicans challenged the America First Party, arguing its name could confuse conservative voters and accusing organizers of “political sabotage.” Democrats and the national Working Families Party challenged the Nebraska Working People Party, arguing its name was too similar to the Working Families Party and could mislead voters.

Judge Darla Ideus rejected both challenges, ruling that objections to the Nebraska Working People Party were filed too late and that state law does not address the type of voter confusion Republicans alleged regarding the America First Party. An emergency injunction delaying certification of the parties has since been lifted. The Nebraska Working People Party has submitted its organizational documents, while the America First Party had not yet done so. Both major parties filed appeals Thursday seeking to overturn Ideus’s rulings, with the deadline for political parties to name candidates for the Nov. 3 general election set for Sept. 1.

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PROPERTY TAX RELIEF SWAMPS ALL OTHER STATE SPENDING IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN— Nebraska now spends more than $3 billion annually on property tax relief, accounting for roughly 47% of the state's more than $7 billion budget. Property tax relief spending has grown significantly, from about $1.6 billion in 2017, as lawmakers expanded programs including the Property Tax Credit Fund, Education Future Fund, Community College Future Fund and TEEOSA school funding. Despite the increased state support, total property taxes collected in Nebraska have continued rising, reaching an estimated $5.3 billion in fiscal year 2025.

The growing commitment to property tax relief comes as Nebraska faces increasing budget pressures. The state currently projects a $208 million deficit for FY2027 and an approximately $846 million shortfall in the following biennium, while cash reserves stand at more than $526 million. Gov. Jim Pillen and Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Robert Clements argue Nebraska can continue providing tax relief by reducing government spending and using reserves when necessary. Critics, including OpenSky Policy Institute, warn that maintaining billions in property tax relief while revenues decline following recent income tax cuts could make balancing future state budgets increasingly difficult.

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STATUTORY CHANGES IN THE WORKS AS NEBRASKA JUDGES FREE VIOLENT DEFENDANTS

OMAHA— Nebraska law enforcement officials and state lawmakers are considering changes to state law that they say would give judges more authority when handling criminal defendants with severe mental illness. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson argued that current statutes requiring the "least restrictive" treatment options often prevent judges from keeping potentially dangerous individuals in secure mental health care. He emphasized that the issue lies more with the law than with the judges themselves, citing cases where defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity or under mental health supervision were released despite concerns about public safety.

The discussion follows several high-profile cases in Douglas County, including the dismissal of charges against Zachary Vinton, who admitted to police he intended to sexually assault two young girls, and the ruling that Shedrick Mills, accused of shooting an Omaha police officer, was not responsible by reason of insanity. Hanson also pointed to a repeat offender who was released from the Lincoln Regional Center, relapsed into drug use, and later had to be recommitted, arguing the case exposed a lack of supervision and support between inpatient treatment and community care.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth said she is working with sheriffs, county attorneys, mental health professionals, and other stakeholders to draft legislation that would provide judges with clearer authority while balancing public safety and the civil rights of mentally ill individuals. She stressed that the proposal is still in the early stages and that lawmakers are carefully reviewing potential changes to avoid creating unintended consequences. Kauth said the process will take time, but the goal is to address gaps in the current system rather than simply shifting responsibility elsewhere.

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NEBRASKA RARE EARTH PROJECT ENTERS POTENTIAL DEAL WITH WORLD'S LARGEST DEFENSE CONTRACTOR

ELK CREEK— Nebraska's proposed Elk Creek critical minerals mine moved closer to development after NioCorp entered a non-binding agreement with Lockheed Martin outlining a potential 10-year deal for up to 15 tons of scandium oxide. Scandium can be combined with aluminum to create strong, corrosion-resistant alloys used in defense and aerospace applications. Once operational, NioCorp expects the mine to produce about 100 tons of scandium oxide annually, along with niobium and titanium.

The agreement could also strengthen NioCorp's effort to secure a $780 million loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The project previously received a $10 million Department of Defense award to help establish a domestic scandium supply chain. NioCorp expects construction and mineral production could begin within about three years, with the mine eventually supporting 450–500 permanent jobs and generating an estimated $608 million in tax revenue over its initial 38-year lifespan.

The project comes amid a broader federal push to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign critical minerals, particularly supplies from China. NioCorp officials argue that developing a domestic supply of scandium and other critical minerals would strengthen national security and provide materials needed for defense systems and advanced technologies.

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