Nebraska / Public News Service

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)

Monday, March 17, 2025

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 …

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…

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