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An undercover investigator looking into abuse at animal auctions says mistreatment becomes normalized, as workers are pressured by management to move animals in and out, quickly. (Photo courtesy of Ron Chiang/We Animals)

Friday, January 3, 2025

Livestock undercover: How good people do bad things to animals

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

EF Go Ahead tours reported a 17% increase in bookings for vacations in Nordic countries and a whopping 60% increase in destinations across Latin America in the past year. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Vacations steeped in cultural learning all the rage

Travel agencies say Americans are still embracing overseas trips, including destinations where the itinerary is loaded with learning opportunities …

As they look for long-term support through the Farm Bill, American farmers said they are facing many evolving obstacles, including climate-change threats and increased global competition for exports. (Adobe Stock)

Farmers no longer feeling Farm Bill anguish, but relief might be fleeting

Farmers in Nebraska and across the nation might not be in panic mode anymore thanks to another extension of the Farm Bill but they still want Congress…

Statehouses in conservative-led states have served as ground zero for policies to enact LGBTQ restrictions. However, political experts note the Trump campaign

NE transgender allies ready to navigate nuanced landscape

The Nebraska Legislature kicks off its new session a few weeks from today and issues related to gender identity are likely to be part of the mix…

According to the Department of Energy, all-electric vehicles are shown to be about 4.4 times more efficient than gas-powered cars. (Adobe Stock)

Consumer experiences with electric vehicles on upswing

A leading consumer publication says electric vehicles are gaining ground on gas-powered cars when it comes to feelings about reliability. However…

A 2022 study of evictions in Lancaster County by the University of Nebraska College of Law found a high level of non-compliance in moving forward with such proceedings when tenants lacked counsel. (Adobe Stock)

NE public housing legal case touches on quality of life for vulnerable renters

The public housing agency serving Nebraska's largest city faces legal action amid claims of poor living conditions for a tenant with disabilities…

Consumer advocates say cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, is less regulated and harder to recover in a scam situation. They say that's why holiday shoppers should steer clear of it if asked to convert their payment to crypto. (Freepik)

Cryptocurrency part of latest scam warnings for Nebraskans

If your holiday shopping list is far from complete, consumer advocates in Nebraska hope you don't ignore warning signs of scams in the rush to buy …

The Annie E. Casey Foundation says in tracking programs that prepare older foster-care kids for adulthood, states inconsistently document participation, which can complicate efforts to ensure they're getting the services they need. (Freepik)

U.S. hits quarter-century mark focusing on kids 'aging out' of foster care

This month marks the 25th anniversary of a federal law designed to give states flexibility in helping older kids transition out of foster care…

Quarter pounders served by McDonald's were the focus of a recent E. coli outbreak. Federal health officials said it was not the beef patties in this case but rather onions used as a topping for the famous burger. (Freepik)

Onions caused McDonald’s E. coli outbreak but beef production still a concern

Nebraska was among the states affected by the recent E. coli outbreak traced to onions in McDonald's hamburgers. Federal officials said they are now …

According to 2021 data, Nebraska was home to more than 1,700 concentrated animal feeding operations. (Freepik)

As candidates are sworn in, some will be reminded of factory farm health impacts

When newly elected candidates take office next month, they will hear from a range of constituents and special interest groups about a wide range of …

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women and one in 71 men will experience a violent sexual assault at some point in their lives. (Freepik)<br />

NE advocates: Anonymity an option in reporting sexual assault

More than 60% of sexual assaults are never reported to police, due to concerns like fear of retaliation or negative social interactions. But Nebraska …

According to federal data, Nebraska has more than 45,000 people with dual enrollment for Medicare and Medicaid. Mental healthcare providers say there's been a bump in the road dealing with reimbursement rates, meaning some of these patients will fall through the cracks. (Adobe Stock)

In NE, reimbursement hang-up threatens mental health care access for some

The mental healthcare landscape in Nebraska is being upended by policies for reimbursing providers who see patients covered by both Medicare and Medic…

According to the National Education Association, American Education Week is meant to honor the team of people who work in U.S. public schools, including classroom teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria crews and administrative staff. (Adobe Stock)

During American Education Week, public asked to reset K-12 views

American Education Week is underway, and Nebraskans are asked to find trust again in public school systems, including rural areas. There have been …

Johns Hopkins researchers have found that counties with state minimum wages between $7.26 and $9 per hour saw obesity levels reduced by 0.6 percentage points, while counties with minimum wages of more than $9 experienced an obesity reduction of 2.8 percentage points. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Higher wages mean lower obesity

If state and local governments want healthier populations, new findings suggest they should be more aggressive in tackling income inequality…

According to the RAND Corporation, more than 14 million Americans provide daily care to veterans and service members who are ill, injured or wounded. (Adobe Stock)

New Nebraska caregiver tax credit has military focus

As Nebraskans anticipate the upcoming holiday season, some might also be looking ahead to the 2025 tax season, which will include a new tax credit …

Author and academic Nick Jacobs says rural voter resentment of the Democratic Party didn't start with Donald Trump, arguing that over the decades, these communities have grown increasingly distrustful of Democrats. (Adobe Stock)

Post-election analysis: Rural voter nuance is deeply entrenched

Donald Trump's victory in the race for the White House was again aided by wins in rural states such as Nebraska. While other contributing factors …

Election reform chatter shadows close NE Senate race

Political analysts have been caught off guard by the close polling results for Nebraska's U.S. Senate race. Just ahead of Election Day, some are …

Small rural hospitals often struggle financially to provide services such as emergency care because of high costs and low reimbursement rates. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Emergency Hospital program aims to keep rural facilities from closing

With many rural hospitals on the financial critical list, Congress created a Rural Emergency Hospital model in 2021 to help deliver critical care to …

For 2024, Medicare changed its prescription drug programs to capped at $2000 in annual out-of-pocket expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska seniors urged to review options during Medicare open enrollment

Experts are encouraging Nebraska seniors and others to review their health care needs during open enrollment season. Medicare's open enrollment is …

A law enshrined in Nebraska's 1875 Constitution has been overturned, restoring the rights of Nebraskans with a felony conviction to register and vote. (Adobe Stock)

Court clears way for Nebraskans with past felony convictions to register, vote

The state Supreme Court has upheld a law giving Nebraskans with prior felony convictions the right to vote once they have completed their sentence…

A 2024 North Dakota State article about China's tendency to respond to trade tariffs with

NE Farmers Union head on administrations' ag policy, impact

Agriculture is the single largest industry in Nebraska and one that different administrations can impact differently. When Nebraska Farmers Union …

The oldest continuously running LGBTQ+ film festival is San Francisco's Frameline, formerly called the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, which was started in 1977. (Andrey Lapshin/Adobe Stock)

OutNebraska's 14th Prairie Pride Film Fest in 3 locations this week

OutNebraska's Prairie Pride Film Festival returns for its 14th year this week. Johnny Redd, communications manager for OutNebraska, said the …

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey found the $2,000 Medicare out-of-pocket cap would have saved money for roughly 1.5 million seniors in 2021, over 200,000 of whom spent $5,000 or more on their prescriptions that year. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

AARP NE highlights 2025 Medicare cost savings

Medicare's open enrollment period starts tomorrow and runs through Dec. 7. AARP Nebraska is encouraging Medicare recipients to review their …

A 2022 University of Indiana report concludes recent studies on voucher programs show that students attending private schools through voucher programs have experienced

Skeptics weigh in on school voucher issue facing NE voters

Nebraska is one of four states with measures about state funding of private-school vouchers on the ballot this year. Referendum 435 asks voters to …

Winnebago adults and children husking corn during the 2024 Indian Corn Harvest. (Photo courtesy Ho-Chunk, Inc.)

Ho-Chunk Farms revitalize, preserve tribal culture with Indian Corn Project

Ho-Chunk Farms' annual Indian Corn Harvest is reviving and preserving this tradition for the northeast Nebraska tribe. Corn from a Winnebago family's …

In 2022, fewer than 40% of workers with incomes below the federal poverty threshold earned paid sick leave compared with 77% of those with earnings at least four times the federal poverty threshold. (nicoletaionescu/Adobe Stock)

250,000 Nebraskans stand to benefit from paid sick-leave ballot initiative

Nebraska is one of three states with paid sick leave on the ballot next month. Nebraska women are disproportionately affected by a lack of paid sick …

A 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation report showed 25.7% of Nebraskans reported having had a mental health illness over the previous year compared with 23.1% nationwide. (bnenin/Adobe Stock)

Strain on NE behavioral health system could worsen; need remains high

A 2024 study showed almost 26% of Nebraskans reported having a mental-health illness in the past year -- nearly 3% higher than the national average…

The American Postal Workers Union says inadequate staffing levels make it nearly impossible to meet their performance targets for delivery time for three- to five-day letters. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

NE town understands issues highlighted by nationwide Postal Union rallies

American Postal Workers Union members are holding a nationwide "Day of Action" rally today to draw attention to a number of concerns, several of them …

The percentage of adult immigrants in the United States with a bachelor's degree or higher is roughly 35%, virtually the same as for U.S.-born adults. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

Coalition: Immigrants needed for NE economy, communities

A diverse new coalition of dozens of Nebraska organizations is drawing attention to the state's need for more immigrants. Members of the Nebraska …

Nebraska is one of 10 states to confirmed abortion-related constitutional amendment measures on the ballot in November. (Alcorn Imagery/Adobe Stock)

NE ballot initiatives survive legal challenges

Some ballot initiatives this year have taken more than voter signatures to get onto the ballot in Nebraska. They've already withstood major court …

Nebraska homeowners lost about $17 million in home equity between 2014 and 2021, when more than 300 homes were taken for property tax debts. (blvdone/Adobe Stock)

Court's 'home equity theft' ruling helps homeowners in NE, nationwide

A year-old U.S. Supreme Court case means relief for two Nebraskans who faced losing their homes and all the equity they had built, when investment …

According to the Center for American Progress,

Climate change worsens food insecurity in NE, U.S. and globally

By Kristi Eaton for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Nebraska News Connection reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News Se…

The Bold Alliance is composed of landowners from several Midwestern states who oppose allowing private companies to use eminent domain to build a CO2 pipeline. (Bold Alliance)

Midwestern group opposes plans for carbon-capture pipeline system

Landowners in several Midwestern states, including Nebraska, have organized in opposition to a plan to use eminent domain to construct a carbon-…

According to Redfin, in 2019 Minneapolis became the first city to eliminate exclusively single-family zoning citywide. (Delores Harvey/Adobe Stock)

AARP NE grant funds design contest for one type of 'missing middle housing'

Drawing attention to a housing option that could make it easier for older Nebraskans to "age in place" is one of the goals of an AARP Community Challe…

Of the 10 states with abortion ballot initiatives this November, Nebraska's

NE Supreme Court to hear 3 abortion ballot initiative cases Monday

In an unusual set of circumstances, the Nebraska Supreme Court will hear arguments in three lawsuits about the two abortion-related ballot …

Eviction can significantly disrupt a child's life and is experienced by more than 19% of children born to Black mothers and more than 11% born to white mothers. (Rafael Ben-Ari/Adobe Stock)

Grant helps Legal Aid of NE Housing Justice Project amidst rising evictions

From July, 2023 to July, 2024, Nebraska landlords filed more than 10,000 eviction cases. That's compared with an average of around 8,400 filings per …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported research showed Gay-Straight Alliances or Gender and Sexualities Alliances in schools can give LGBTQ+ students

NE schools play huge role in safety, well-being, rights of LGBTQ+ students

As the new school year starts, Nebraska teachers will again be focusing on their students' emotional well-being and safety as well as academic …

Grand Island program keeps at-risk NE youth out of detention facilities

A Grand Island-based organization is offering a diversion program cited in a new report as one of the most effective with at-risk youths. The …

By the end of fiscal 2025, the number of unionized workers at USCIS locations in Nebraska and California will drop from almost 1,000 to slightly more than 300, according to the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America. (USCIS)

Union workers cry foul over layoffs at immigration service centers

Unionized workers with the federal agency responsible for processing immigration and asylum paperwork claim they are being forced to turn their jobs o…

A field of sunflowers is shown on fourth-generation Koelling land in Ord, Nebraska. The Koellings grew their sunflower oil business with the help of the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program. (Photo courtesy of Alan Koelling, Simply Sunflowers)

Federal funds back renewable energy, efficiency upgrades for NE ag, small business

Nebraska ag producers and small businesses have until Sept. 30 to apply for the latest funding round of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural …

In the U.S. in 2023, 500,000 more youth ages 12-17 and 3.4 million more adults sought mental health treatment than in 2022. (HBS/Adobe Stock)

DHHS faces cuts despite demand for mental health, substance use programs

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has seen a $15 million cut to its Behavioral Health Division this year and more cuts are being pr…

The American Psychological Association said a new school year can be stressful for children and encourages parents to talk with them about any fears and or worries they may have. (Adobe Stock)

Healthy routines, well-child checks good for NE back-to-school

Many Nebraska children have already started school and others will do so within the next week or so. Parents can play a big role in making sure …

An AARP survey found 89% of people age 50+, and 90% of those ages 18-49, own a smartphone.(Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

AARP grant funds Lincoln 'Digital Literacy' project for seniors

Many seniors report using technology on a regular basis but those who do not risk missing out due to its role in so much of daily life. "Digital …

In an article on the Food and Water Watch website, reporter Rebecca Wolf writes,

New organic rules for livestock: What will they mean?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

According to EPA statistics, only about one-third of the nation's roughly 21,000 CAFOs have permits regulating their discharge of waste. (eyetronic/Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans get advice on dealing with growing number of CAFOs

Iowa has thousands fewer square miles than Nebraska but it has almost 3,000 more concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. Opponents of the …

On a 2023 Forbes ranking, only seven U.S. states had higher property tax rates than Nebraska. (Randy Runtsch/Adobe Stock)

NE policy org: Special session wrong venue for Pillen's tax overhaul

Nebraska legislators are in the first full week of the special session focused on Gov. Jim Pillen's goal of decreasing property taxes by as much as 50…

According to the Tax Policy Center, for higher-income earners, sales taxes consume a lower share of their income than for other households. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

NE ag group leader: Governor's tax plan unfair to lower-wage earners

As Nebraska state lawmakers convene for a special session on property tax reform called by Gov. Jim Pillen, groups are weighing in on the details …

In Vermont, Maine and the District of Columbia, people with felony convictions do not lose their right to vote. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

NE AG's opinion could set voting rights restoration back decades

About 7,000 Nebraskans with felony convictions who thought they'd be able to register to vote, now face uncertainty. In question is the …

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