Nebraska / Public News Service

Results of a survey by Small Business for America's Future show concern about the direction of the economy, with a majority of the 862 respondents uncertain about navigating current economic conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

Nebraska small businesses navigate Trump tariff uncertainty

Results of a new survey of nearly 900 small business owners across the country show they are concerned about an uncertain economy, including the …

Nebraska emitted about 81 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2021, 26th highest in the country, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. (Adobe Stock)

New report stresses EVs for Nebraskans' lung health

A new report from the American Lung Association found air pollution continues to be a problem even as Congress stymies efforts to bolster the electric…

The net loss of college educated people through migration from Nebraska to other states has more than quadrupled in the last decade, according to the Aksarben Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Omaha counters NE 'brain drain' with 'brain gain'

A new report shows housing and transportation are key factors that can keep young professionals from leaving Nebraska for opportunities elsewhere…

Nebraska health care providers grapple with binge drinking

Mental health counselors focused on Nebraska's high rate of binge drinking during Alcohol Awareness Month, which just wrapped up. Alcohol abuse is …

The average driver in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District travels 9,300 miles and spends $1,398 on 430 gallons of gasoline annually, according to a report by Coltura. (Adobe Stock)

Congress could roll back Nebraska's choice on emissions standards

Congress could vote today on a measure to eliminate Nebraska's ability to set its own auto emission standards, which are among the most stringent in …

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to raise the minimum hourly wage to $15 by 2026. An amendment to the bill seeks to boost the wage to $29.51 by 2065. (Adobe Stock)

Labor groups reject Nebraska minimum wage compromise

Nebraska lawmakers have reached a compromise on a measure to roll back a minimum wage increase but labor group advocates said the deal goes against th…

Among Nebraska's 93 counties, 88 are designated mental health care provider shortage areas, according to the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska mental health advocates push back on funding cuts

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to ensure managed health care companies cannot limit the state reimbursement rate for mental health service …

Structures in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois and Minnesota were battered by devastating straight line winds in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska housing market hobbled by insurance price spikes

Nebraska is among the states with the sharpest increases in housing prices between 2021 and 2024, according to a new report. The hike has been …

More than 40% of the 157,000 Nebraskans who receive SNAP benefits are children, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska social justice group pushes back on SNAP changes

The State of Nebraska is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to change which items people are allowed to purchase using Supplemental Nutrition …

The current minimum hourly wage in Nebraska is $13.50. The Legislature is considering a bill to upend a voter approved measure in 2022 that would raise the wage $1.50 an hour until it reaches $15 in 2026. (Adobe Stock)

Minimum wage repeal advances in Nebraska Legislature

The Nebraska Legislature is considering a bill to roll back a 2022 voter approved initiative that would raise the minimum wage in the state. …

Nebraska harvested 9.5 million acres of corn in 2023, making it the third-largest corn producing state in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska farm leaders call for 'trade de-escalation'

Nebraska farm leaders are asking the Trump administration and the European Union to deescalate a trade war developing over tariffs. The National …

An estimated 67,000 people identify at LGBTQ+ in Nebraska, according to the Williams Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska LGBTQ+ group builds community with 'friend raiser'

The organization OutNebraska is holding an event not only to raise money for LGBTQ+ issues but to help people better understand the issues and their i…

A fear of missing out, and social pressure and expectations, are among the most significant drivers among teens 13 to 17 using social media, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska grad students help teens navigate social media

Graduate students at the University of Nebraska are creating lessons plans for middle and high school students to help them navigate the social media …

Agriculture trade groups want to see a rollback of federal environmental regulations on the meatpacking industry, along with fewer worker protections and food safety measures. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska meatpackers call on feds to deregulate industry

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

The latest data from Open Sky Policy Institute show more than 182,000 Nebraska children are enrolled in Medicaid and other social service safety net programs. (Adobe Stock)

NE mental health providers warn Medicaid cuts would 'reverse progress'

Nebraska mental health professionals worry the Trump administration's proposed $880 billion in Medicaid funding cuts would threaten progress the state…

Cryptocurrency scams are on the rise through the use of electronic kiosks. The Nebraska Legislature just passed a measure to tighten regulations on the machines, which are similar to ATMs. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Nebraska ups focus on crypto currency scams

AARP Nebraska has increased its focus on educating people about cryptocurrency scams. A measure tightening restrictions on crypto kiosks, often used …

The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, employs about 120 people, many of whom are facing layoffs. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska USDA workers face unprecedented layoffs

Mass layoffs by the Trump administration are cutting into essential services across the federal government. In Nebraska, that includes overseeing …

Clean energy tax incentives have added more than 1,800 jobs to the Nebraska economy, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska clean energy advocates push for saving tax incentives

Lawmakers in Congress are considering repealing financial incentives for clean energy in order to fund other priorities of the Trump administration…

Participants in the Nebraska RAICES teacher training program receive leadership development and mentoring designed to support them in their teaching careers. (Adobe Stock)

Federal cuts jeopardize rural NE teacher training program

The future of a teacher training program in rural Nebraska is in danger since the Trump administration has cut diversity-related grants in its effort …

A recent University of Nebraska poll found 12% of people spend a month or more feeling depressed during the winter months, characterized by long, dark days often accompanied by bitter cold temperatures. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans take on wintertime doldrums with mental health professionals

With wintertime cold still gripping much of the nation, health experts are offering ways to overcome seasonal depression, which can accompany bitter …

Nebraska proposal would fund housing for domestic abuse survivors

The Nebraska Legislature is considering a bill that would provide nearly $1 million to help survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking pay for em…

There are 278 school districts in Nebraska with a student-to-teacher ratio of just under 14 to 1, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress report card. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska reading and math scores fall, mirror national trend

Despite kids being back in the classroom after the COVID pandemic, the latest numbers from the National Assessment of Education Progress aren't …

Americans lost more than $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, the most recent FBI data available. (Adobe Stock)

NE lawmakers look at tougher regulation of 'crypto kiosks'

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to implement consumer protections and license requirements for the cryptocurrency industry, and they're …

Worldwide economic losses from extreme weather events in 2022 totaled $313 billion, according to the University of Nebraska, where climate researchers work to predict dangerous weather patterns. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska climatologists collaborate for better weather prediction

The University of Nebraska's High Plains Regional Climate Center in Lincoln is working with weather experts in nearby states to collect and use climat…

Nebraska raised about 10.5 million chickens in 2023, a 13% increase from 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting Nebraska workers from avian flu

A bill has been introduced in Lincoln to protect workers in the agriculture sector from dangerous workplace practices and get ahead of a potential avi…

In 2022, 182,000 children were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP in Nebraska, almost 53% of total Medicaid recipients in the state. Last year, Nebraska expanded eligibility for kids with special needs who live with their parents. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid cuts threaten Nebraska youth

Advocates for young Nebraskans worry proposed federal cuts could affect families who rely on Medicaid for their health care. A new national report …

Nebraska produced more than 7.6 billion pounds of beef in 2023, remaining among the nation's leaders in beef production. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska farmers 'cautiously optimistic' about farm policy

Some farm advocates in rural America, including Nebraska, are calling on the Trump administration to continue investing in small communities…

AARP Nebraska's annual Community Challenge grants have funded projects ranging from community paths to traffic-calming installations. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Nebraska opens applications for Community Challenge grants

Many towns and nonprofit groups probably have ideas about how to improve their communities and now, there is a chance to get funding for projects…

Students at the University of Nebraska are designing and constructing small, single-family homes to be erected on vacant lots in Omaha for seniors. Omaha's zoning laws restrict multifamily housing on 80% of currently vacant lots. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska university students address affordable housing shortage

Some University of Nebraska students are gaining career skills as they work to address the state's affordable housing shortage by making small…

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)

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)

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 …

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