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‘Reveal’ planned of contents found in monument at Neihardt spring conference
LINCOLN — We’ll soon know whether some documents buried inside a concrete monument erected by poet/author John Neihardt 100 years ago survived three floods and decades of harsh winters on the plains of northwest South Dakota. On April 27, the contents of a time capsule embedded inside the monument will be revealed as part of […]
‘Fungi fever’ erupts as tasty morel mushrooms emerge from the ground
LINCOLN — Mushroom picking season has begun, with morels now emerging in eastern Nebraska’s river bottoms. In a few weeks, they should be found in more hilly, woodland areas above rivers, according to Greg “Outdoor Guy” Wagner of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Wagner said it takes patience, a sharp eye and selection of […]
Lawyers argue over who gets life insurance proceeds of dead Lincoln businessman
LINCOLN — Who deserves $3.6 million in life insurance proceeds: the family of a Lincoln businessman implicated in a multimillion-dollar fraudulent loan scheme, or the financial institutions ripped off by Aaron Marshbanks? That question was argued Friday in court as the effort continues to resolve more than $34 million in claims against the Marshbanks estate […]
State lawmakers pass updated ‘Opportunity Scholarship’ bill
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to an updated bill that will devote $10 million a year in state funds for scholarships to attend K-12 private or parochial schools. The 32-15 approval of Legislative Bill 1402 on the final day of the 2024 legislative session would end Nebraska’s distinction as one of only […]
Stunning last-minute defeat for Pillen tax shift bill likely ensures special session
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comments from Gov. Pillen during his session-ending speech. LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen’s much-amended plan to raise sales taxes to decrease local property taxes went down in flames Thursday, the final day of the 2024 state legislative session. It was a stunning defeat for the idea […]
Family-run locker plant in Holstein and 75 others share in grants to expand meat processing
LINCOLN — It was hard for Mark Gentert to admit, but the COVID-19 pandemic was probably good, in a “twisted way,” for sales at his small-town meat locker outside of Hastings. “The grocery stores were running out of meat,” Gentert said. “It started bringing people out of the cities and out in the country.” “It […]
Broadcasters mount last-minute blitz to delete tax on ‘digital ads’ from Pillen plan
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s broadcasters are mounting an 11th-hour advertising blitz in hopes of overturning a proposed new tax on “digital ads” by Gov. Jim Pillen to finance his property tax relief plan. The ads, which started running over the weekend on Nebraska radio and television stations, say the 7.5% excise tax on ads that run […]
Nebraska motorists continue to set records for lead-footed driving
LINCOLN — Nebraska motorists are setting records for lead-footed driving. In the first 100 days of 2024, the Nebraska State Patrol wrote more tickets for speeding at over 90 mph and speeding at over 100 mph than in any similar period in the past decade. The superintendent of the Patrol, Col. John Bolduc, said such […]
History Nebraska takes initial steps toward transition to ‘code’ agency
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comments from national officials. LINCOLN — The Board of Trustees of History Nebraska took initial steps Friday to make the transition from an independent entity to a “code” agency under the control of the governor. The board, meeting in Kearney, decided to begin reaching out to […]
Mayor of Bellevue fined $5,000 over conflict of interest complaint; state senator’s committee sanctioned
LINCOLN — Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike has agreed to pay a $5,000 fine for a conflict of interest concerning a vote he took that involved a property he had once partly owned. The penalty was announced Friday by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, which had fielded a complaint about a vote Hike made at […]
Tributes paid to 15 departing state senators as session nears end, 13 leaving due to term limits
LINCOLN — An often funny and sometimes teary tradition in the Nebraska Legislature is paying tribute, in floor speeches, to departing state senators near the end of the two-year session. On Thursday, lawmakers gave short testimonials to their 15 colleagues who are serving their final regular session in the one-house Legislature. Thirteen are departing due […]
Bazis sworn in as newest judge on U.S. District Court bench in Nebraska
LINCOLN — Susan Bazis was sworn in Wednesday as the newest member of the U.S. District Court bench in Nebraska. Bazis has served as a U.S. magistrate judge since 2017 prior to her appointment by President Joe Biden to replace U.S. District Court Judge John Gerrard, who transitioned to senior status last year. Before joining […]