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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 …

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 …

In 2021, more than 40% of the nearly four mil�lion stu�dent par�ents nationwide were attending a community college. (foxyburrow/Adobe Stock)

Community college program helps first-generation students, others

Postsecondary enrollment data for 2023 shows community college enrollment increased nationwide by more than 100,000 students, and a large percentage …

En 2021, m�s del 40% de los casi cuatro millones de padres estudiantes de todo el pa�s asist�an a un colegio comunitario. (foxyburrow/Adobe Stock)

Programa de colegio comunitario ayuda a estudiantes de primera generación y a otros

Los datos de inscripción en educación postsecundaria para 2023 muestran que la inscripción en colegios comunitarios aumentó en tod…

The Educare Winnebago Center in Winnebago, Neb., can serve up to 191 children from birth through age 5, and usually has a waiting list of 20 to 30 children. (Educare Winnebago)

NE Winnebago Educare promotes children's well being

Nearly 60% of Nebraska three- and four-year-olds are not enrolled in preschool programs, which are associated with increased success in school and …

Between 2019 and 2022, the number of Nebraska children living in poverty increased from 51,000 to 64,000. (WavebreakMediaMicro/AdobeStock)

NE ranks in top 10 for childhood well-being despite rising poverty rates

Nebraska ranked in the top 10 for children's well-being on the 2024 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. Josh Shirk, research coordinator …

Ho-Chunk, Inc., Apprenticeship Program participant Marquez Bass (right) works with Information Technology Technician Blade Smith to run network cable at one of the company's buildings in Winnebago, Nebraska. (Ho-Chunk, Inc.)

NE Winnebago Tribe apprenticeships prepare students, build workforce

Workforce watchers project the country could face critical worker shortages in many of the skilled trades in coming years. The Nebraska Winnebago …

A Washington Post study found the number one issue cited by callers to LGBTQ+ help lines in 2023 was

NE LGBTQ+ community, advocates see wins at state, federal levels

Members of Nebraska's LGBTQ+ community and their supporters saw positive actions at both the state and federal level this month. At the state level…

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says state programs supporting private schools, such as vouchers and scholarships,

NE lawmakers work to circumvent private-school referendum vote

Nebraskans this November will be able to vote on whether to keep the Opportunity Scholarships Act, which gives a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to …

Southeast Community College Ford ASSET instructor Mark Berggren with students. (Photo courtesy of Southeast Community College)

NE college graduates fully certified Ford auto technicians

A unique collaboration between Ford Motor Co. and 41 community and technical colleges across the country is helping students and the automotive …

El instructor de Ford ASSET de Southeast Community College, Mark Berggren, con estudiantes. (Foto cortes�a de Southeast Community College)

Graduados de NE son técnicos de automóviles certificados por Ford

Una colaboración única entre la Compañía de Motores Ford y 41 colegios comunitarios y técnicos de todo el país está…

Nebraska's school librarians serve an average of 600 students, compared with nearly a third of states where they serve 1,500 or more. (Adobe Stock)

There's a lot going on in NE school libraries

This last day of American Education Week is a great time to highlight school librarians. Nebraska's school libraries have probably changed since you …

Aerial view of Winnebago, Neb., home of Little Priest Tribal College. It is one of 32 fully accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUS) in the United States. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Little Priest Tribal College builds opportunity 'pipelines,' STEM workforce

Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago says its student body and campus are growing - and so are its options for people to study in STEM fields…

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture expected to grant more than $800,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant dollars in 2023. (trongnguyen/Adobe Stock)

Students at Eight Rural NE Schools To Learn 'Specialty Crop' Production

Students in eight rural Nebraska schools will soon be getting hands-on experience in "specialty crop" production thanks to a two-year U.S. Department …

According to the Department of Labor, 34% of miliary spouses work in professions that require licensure. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

NE, Neighboring States Join First Nationwide Interstate Teaching Compact

For a number of careers requiring professional licensure, especially in the medical field, interstate compacts mean people's licenses are recognized …

Nearing 25th Anniversary, Little Priest Tribal College is Growing, Open to All

A community college in Winnebago, Little Priest Tribal College, celebrates its 25th anniversary this September. After more than 20 years of roughly 12…

In addition to their use in crop spraying, drones can help farmers and researchers assess how their plants, animals and property are being affected by

Community Colleges Help Build NE 'Precision Ag' Workforce

Agriculture plays a huge role in Nebraska's economy, and it is the topic of a bill in Congress getting rare bipartisan support. The Community …

About tax credits for private school scholarship donations, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy maintains,

Charity Disparity: NE Opportunity Scholarships Act Benefits Private Donors

Offering tax credits for scholarships to private schools has been a controversial issue in Nebraska. After tax-credit bills failed to pass in 2020 …

The percentage of Nebraska children living in single-parent households has fluctuated between 28% and 30% since 2011. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Despite #1 Rank for 'Economic Well-Being,' NE Parents Struggle

Nebraska children rank first in the nation for economic well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2023 Kids Count Data Book, and eighth for …

In his 2021 book, 'Who Graduates from College? Who Doesn't,' author Mark Kantrowitz says three-fourths of college dropouts are first-generation college students, and two-thirds are from low-income families. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Northeast Community College Program Succeeds at Community Building

Amid recent reports of high stress and loneliness among college students, a Nebraska community college has a program focused on community building …

More than 2,400 buses, 95% of them electric, will go to 402 school districts from this first of five rounds of the EPA's Clean School Bus Rebate Program. (Robert Peak/Adobe Stock)

Infrastructure Act-Funded EPA Program Sends Electric Buses to NE Schools

Students in six rural Nebraska school districts will be riding to school in new electric school buses beginning next fall. The districts were …

Estudiantes del Central Community College con la mascota del colegio,

'Master of Puppets?' CCC concede becas de Metallica

El Colegio Comunitario Central de Nebraska es uno de los 32 centros de enseñanza superior que han recibido 100 mil dólares para otorgar beca…

Central Community College students with the school's mascot,

'Master of Puppets?' CCC Grants Scholarships from Metallica

Nebraska's Central Community College is among 32 colleges that have each received $100,000 to award as scholarships - from a most unlikely source…

Experts advise Nebraskans to review their credit card, banking and other accounts at least once a month. If you notice charges that could be fraudulent, file a dispute before protections expire, generally 60 days after your statement drops. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for Avoiding Holiday Season Scams

Three out of four U.S. consumers have experienced or been targeted by at least one form of fraud that can be tied to the holidays, according to new …

There are five types of childcare facilities licensed in Nebraska, although people can care for up to three children in a home setting without being licensed by DHHS. (Adobe Stock)

$66 Million Grant Aims to Reward Nebraska Childcare Workers

As a way to reward those who have stayed in the child care field, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is offering $66 million in …

Makerspaces allow Native American youths, communities and teachers to engage with culturally connected making activities using high- and low-tech materials, leveraging existing indigenous technologies and craft practices. (Adobe Stock)

Native American Makerspace Coming Soon to Macy and Santee

The Center for Rural Affairs is launching collaborative work spaces on Nebraska Indian Community College campuses in Macy and Santee for making…

Western Nebraska is home to food deserts, where there is no easy way to get good, healthy food regularly, which disproportionately impact seniors in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Reimagining Ways to Get Struggling Nebraska Families Back on Track

With a new legislative session on the horizon and new legislators after the November elections, the Coalition for a Strong Nebraska is bringing …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers training for military veterans, and has grant programs available to help purchase and develop land and facilities, as well as equipment and supplies.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Military Veterans Wanted for Service in Ag Industry

This winter, military veterans will have an opportunity to translate hard-won skills on the battlefield into Nebraska's fields and pastures through …

Nearly three in four Nebraska jobs that pay a living wage will require at least some postsecondary education by 2027. (Adobe Stock)

Cost Biggest Barrier for Native Nebraska Students

The biggest obstacle facing indigenous students in Nebraska completing college degrees is cost, according to a new collaborative study by the …

Climate scientists say pollution from fossil fuels must peak, and then begin to go down, within three years in order to avert the most catastrophic impacts of a warming planet. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska’s Onramp for Good-Paying EV Tech and Clean-Energy Jobs

Central Community College of Nebraska is putting students of all ages on a path to good-paying jobs in the state's growing clean-energy sector…

Students who complete a post-graduate degree or certificate are more likely to earn far more money over their lifetime than students with just a high school diploma. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Struggles to Get Students Back into College

The COVID public health emergency forced many Nebraska students to put their college careers on hold. More than 300,000 Nebraskans have completed …

Omaha Public Schools reported that being able to offer meals to all students at no charge reduced childhood hunger, supported academic achievement, eliminated stigma associated with school meals and improved student behavior. (Adobe Stock)

Time Running Out to Extend School Meal Waivers

School meal waivers that allowed districts to be more flexible getting food to kids during the pandemic are set to expire at the end of June…

Las Escuelas P�blicas de Omaha informaron que poder ofrecer comidas a todos los estudiantes sin cargo redujo el hambre infantil, apoy� el rendimiento acad�mico, elimin� el estigma asociado con las comidas escolares y mejor� el comportamiento de los estudiantes. (Adobe Stock)

Se acaba el tiempo para extender exenciones de comidas escolares

Las exenciones de comidas escolares que permitieron a los distritos ser más flexibles en la entrega de alimentos a los niños durante la pand…

Of 62 large districts surveyed, 98% identified challenges with supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages, and said providing school meals would be even greater if not for USDA child-nutrition waivers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: School Meal Waivers a Game Changer During Pandemic

During the COVID health emergency, Congress removed a lot of red tape in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) school meals programs, and a new …

People new to Nebraska interested in starting their own business are frequently not familiar with how things such as zoning, employment law, tax codes and accounting practices can impact daily operations. (Adobe Stock)

Latina Women’s Business Conference Coming to South Sioux City

Registration is open for the Empowerment for Latina Women in Business Conference, set for May 3 in South Sioux City. Jessica Campos, director of the …

Critics of Critical Race Theory have called for lawmakers to allow parents to take their kids, along with tax dollars meant for public schools, into schools that more closely adhere to their political and religious beliefs. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Lawmakers to Debate How Race is Taught in Public Schools

Since January of last year, following national unrest over the police killing of George Floyd, 37 states have introduced measures designed to …

Children who have reliable access to housing and nutritious foods are more likely to have better health and financial outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Denies Emergency Assistance to 90% of Poor Families

Nebraska and other states are hoarding more than $5 billion intended for struggling families, according to new analysis. In 2019, for every 100 …

Hair is a sacred symbol for Lakota tribal members, and should only be cut by a Native American woman or a child's grandfather in ceremony. (Adobe Stock)

Lakota Racial Justice and Religious Freedom Case Headed for Trial

ROSEBUD, Neb. -- A lawsuit accusing a Nebraska school district of violating a Lakota family's First Amendment rights and unlawful racial …

Advocates for extending pandemic-related universal free school meals say the program helps remove the stigma of so-called

Congress Urged to Make Free School Meal Program Permanent

GOTHENBURG, Neb. -- During the COVID health emergency, the federal government made school meals available for free to all students, regardless of …

Indigenous early-childhood education programs at tribal colleges and universities aim to improve students' educational attainment by revising school curriculums to be more culturally relevant. (Adobe Stock)

American Indian College Fund to Strengthen Native Teacher Pipeline

OMAHA, Neb. -- Tribal colleges and universities in Nebraska and across the nation are teaching the next generation of pre-K and elementary-school …

Beginning in 2022, Nebraska's Department of Education will begin offering farm-to-school producer training in various regions of the state. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Farmers Fueling Students with Locally Produced Food

GERING, Neb. -- With school back in session, many Nebraska students will be fueled by fresh beef, fruits and vegetables sourced from local farms…

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help identify and overcome cognitive distortions and replace them with new, more helpful thoughts. (Adobe Stock)

Tips to Avoid Common “Thinking Traps” While Adjusting to College Life

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As young adults across Nebraska leave home for college, psychologists are offering tips to avoid falling into common "thinking …

More than half of Nebraska's home internet users in non-rural parts of the state have a cable internet connection, compared with just one in 10 rural homes, who rely on DSL, satellite or wireless. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: 79% of Voters Want Lawmakers to Expand High-Speed Internet Access

LINCOLN, Neb. -- More than half of Nebraska voters age 50 and older in rural parts of the state are having a hard time accessing high-speed internet…

In early July, the Biden administration canceled nearly $56 million in student-loan debt, mostly connected to institutions engaging in misconduct, including promising jobs or falsely claiming credits would transfer to universities.(Adobe Stock)

Scammers Targeting Nebraska Student-Loan Holders

LINCOLN, Neb. - Student-loan forgiveness has become an increasingly popular scam targeting young adults, and as an October deadline looms, consumer …

Permanently expanding the Child Tax Credit is projected to lift as many as half of the nation's children in low-income families out of poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nebraska's Families of Color Hit Hardest by Pandemic

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska as a whole is performing well for families with children, ranked seventh in the nation overall, according to the Annie E…

Women in Nebraska typically make $0.80 for every dollar paid to men. Black women in Nebraska typically make $0.61 cents for every dollar paid to Caucasian men. (Piqsels)

Report: Women Paid Less than Men Regardless of Job Choice

LINCOLN, Neb. - Wednesday is national Women's Equal Pay Day, a date symbolizing how far into the new year women must work to earn what men earned in …

Advocates want lawmakers to prioritize children's physical and mental health by guaranteeing that COVID vaccines will be available without cost. (Pixabay)

Nebraska Children, Families Continue to Struggle with COVID Recovery

OMAHA, Neb. -- Families in Nebraska are struggling to meet their basic needs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new Annie E. Casey …

Thirty-three percent of working women between the ages of 23 and 39 say school and day-care closures are a significant reason for not working, compared with just 11.8% of men. (Wokandapix/Pixabay)

Report: Child Care Key for Equitable Economic Recovery

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, women in Nebraska and across the U.S. have left the workforce in unprecedented numbers…

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NE: Education