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

Friday, September 20, 2024

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 …

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 …

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 …

En Vermont, Maine y el Distrito de Columbia, las personas condenadas por delitos graves no pierden su derecho al voto. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

NE podría retroceder décadas en la restauración del derecho al voto

Alrededor de 7,000 habitantes de Nebraska con condenas por delitos graves que pensaban que podrían registrarse para votar, ahora se enfrentan a …

In a Human Rights Campaign survey from 2019 of 4,000 LGBTQ+ adults, almost 17% overall, and nearly 32% of transgender respondents, said they opted not to vote out of fear of being harassed while voting. (yavdat/Adobe Stock)

NE LGBTQ+ group focuses on new voter ID law during Pride Month

For some LGBTQ+ voters in Nebraska, the state's new voter ID law brought up issues in the May primary election and could again in November's General …

On the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 2022 Rural Poll, nearly 40% of rural Nebraskans reported they had volunteered at least a few times a month over the previous year. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

AARP Nebraska seeks nominees for highest state volunteer award

AARP Nebraska is looking for nominations for the 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service. The award honors an individual or couple over age 50 …

El Instituto Brookings dice que la confusi�n entre el contenido real y el falso

Legislatura de NE estudiará proyectos para regular inteligencia artificial

En la sesión legislativa de 2023, 25 estados introdujeron una legislación relacionada con la inteligencia artificial y más de una …

The Brookings Institution said the blurring of the lines between real and fake content

NE legislature to hear bills regulating artificial intelligence

In the 2023 legislative season, 25 states introduced legislation related to artificial intelligence and more than a dozen states enacted AI …

A study of voting in the 2022 midterms conducted by Civic Nebraska found some of the highest voter turnout rates were in counties with all vote-by-mail. (Michael Vi/Adobe Stock)

NE Legislature mulls bill to reduce early-voting days

Nebraska is among at least 14 states that enacted voting restrictions last year, passing a voter ID law. Next week, a legislative committee takes up …

Un estudio sobre la votaci�n en las elecciones intermedias de 2022 realizado por Civic Nebraska encontr� que algunas de las tasas de participaci�n electoral m�s altas se produjeron en condados con votaci�n por correo. (Michael Vi/Adobe Stock)

Legislatura escuchará proyecto de ley para reducir días de votación anticipada

Nebraska se encuentra entre al menos 14 estados que promulgaron restricciones al voto el año pasado con la aprobación de una ley de identifi…

A 2022 Pew Research survey found 61% of U.S. adults trust national news, 71% trust local news, and 33% trust news on social media. Among those ages 18-29, however, 50% said they trust news on social media sites. (Scanrail/Adobe Stock)

Report: NE lost 7% of its local weekly newspapers in 2023

A new report says some Nebraska communities have lost a major source of local news this year. The "State of Local News" report evaluates the …

Nebraska's Dakota County, which had 10,855 registered voters in the 2022 election, had the lowest voter turnout, at 34.04%. Arthur County, with 337 registered voters, had the highest, at 76.26%. (Adobe Stock)

Interactive Tool Offers Detailed Information On 2022 NE Voter Turnout

The statewide turnout of Nebraska registered voters in the 2022 general election was roughly 55%. Now it is possible to see where turnout was nearly 8…

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 …

A poll conducted in March found that 55% of Nebraskans oppose banning abortions, compared with 40% who support a ban. (Adobe Stock)

Five of Six Nebraska Municipalities Vote in Favor of Banning Abortion

Voters in five Nebraska towns approved local ordinances banning abortion care in this week's midterm elections, but reproductive health care …

Nebraska is home to many industrial-scale operations, where livestock live in densely populated, confined quarters. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Nebraskans Urge Better State Management of Factory Farm Animal Waste

Clean-water advocates are urging the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to do more to protect drinking water and soil quality impacted by i…

None of Nebraska's five members of Congress earned a perfect or even near-perfect score on this year's Democracy Scorecard. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Congressional Delegation Scores Low on “Democracy Scorecard”

The top issue for voters heading into the November elections, even above jobs and the economy, is a growing fear American democracy is under threat…

Ninguno de los cinco congresistas de Nebraska han obtenido una puntuaci�n perfecta o casi perfecta en el Democracy Scorecard de este a�o. (Adobe Stock)

Delegación del Congreso de Nebraska obtiene puntuación baja en “Democracy Scorecard”

El tema principal para los votantes de cara a las elecciones de noviembre, incluso por encima del empleo y la economía, es el creciente temor a …

Even after court cases and claims of voter irregularities produced zero evidence, roughly 70% of Republicans still believe fraud played a major role in the 2020 election. (Adobe Stock)

November Election to Determine State, Local Races in Redrawn Nebraska Districts

With November's elections just over the horizon, voter-rights groups are working to get Nebraskans up to speed on recent changes in voting districts …

According to The Corporation for National & Community Service, Nebraska consistently is among the top 10 states in the nation for the highest rate of volunteerism among adults. (Adobe Stock)">

Award Opportunity to Celebrate Community Volunteers

AARP is now accepting nominations for its 2022 Nebraska Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors Nebraskans age 50 and older who are sharing …

Loss of rural populations to urban centers has caused many hospitals in Nebraska to reconfigure their budgets. (Adobe Stock)

Keys to Keeping Nebraska's Rural Hospital Doors Open

Without federal intervention, a new report warns, rural hospitals across the United States, including many in Nebraska, could be forced to reduce …

Latino leaders and advocates criticized Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts for failing to fund a state count committee, a commonly used tool for reaching historically hard-to-count communities in census surveys. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Outperforms National Census in Tally of Latinos

Nebraska did a better job counting the state's Latino residents in the 2020 Census than new national undercount data suggests. According to analysis …

So far, a ballot signature campaign led by Christa Eggers to legalize medical cannabis has reached Nebraska's 5%-of-voters threshold in four of the required 38 counties. (Rebecca Gratz)

Ballot Initiative Requirements Challenged as Unconstitutional

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging Nebraska's requirements for voter-led initiatives …

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 …

A recent ACLU poll found that more than 90% of Nebraska voters want redistricting to be data-driven, transparent and nonpartisan. (Adobe Stock)

Ensuring Voter Access Within NE's New District Lines

Nebraska voters may be casting ballots at unfamiliar polling sites for the upcoming midterm elections after the Nebraska Legislature established new d…

Una encuesta reciente de la ACLU encontr� que m�s del 90 % de los votantes de Nebraska quieren que la redistribuci�n de distritos se base en datos, sea transparente y no partidista. (Adobe Stock)

Garantizar acceso a votantes dentro de las nuevas líneas de distrito en NE

Es posible que los votantes de Nebraska emitan sus votos en sitios de votación desconocidos para las próximas elecciones de mitad de per…

Nebraskans age 50 and older account for 56 cents of every dollar in consumer spending in the state, and generate $50 billion in economic activity. (Adobe Stock)

NE Lawmakers Consider Dropping Tax on Social Security Income

A bill designed to eliminate state taxes on Social Security benefits by 2025 is making headway in the Nebraska Legislature. Sen. Brett Lindstrom…

An ACLU of Nebraska investigation found mistakes and confusion over Nebraska's two-year waiting period to restore voting rights for people with felony records had caused election officials to send disqualification notices to Nebraskans who should not have received them. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers to Consider Restoring Voter Rights for Former Felons

Lawmakers are considering a bill which would restore Nebraskans' right to vote immediately after they complete their felony sentences, instead of …

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 …

Of the 142,176 veterans living in Nebraska, only 33% have utilized their earned benefits at VA health care, according to U.S. Census data. (Adobe Stock)

New Online Navigator Aims to Streamline Access to Veteran Health Benefits

LINCOLN, Neb. - November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, and AARP has launched a free, one-stop online resource to help more …

Nine out of ten U.S. consumers say they are more likely to shop at a small business that friends or peers have recommended. (Adobe Stock)

Reasons to Shop Local This Holiday Season

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Locally produced honey, artwork and handmade scarves and sweaters will not be stuck on a container ship this holiday season…

Nine in ten Nebraskans told researchers that voter redistricting should be driven by 2020 census data, not by making deals that benefit a political party. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans Can Give Feedback on New Voter District Maps Next Week

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Next week, Nebraska lawmakers will hold three public hearings on how new voter maps should be drawn for the state's 49 districts…

Fifty-eight news segments mentioned Hurricane Ida's rapid intensification, going from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in less than 24 hours, a clear signal of a warming climate, but news outlets failed to report the connection. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Failure to Connect Extreme Weather to Climate “Media Malpractice”

LINCOLN, Neb. - New research suggests the nation's most trusted news sources are dropping the ball when it comes to helping voters in Nebraska and …

New census numbers show that 56% of Nebraska's population now resides in just three counties: Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans to See Narrow Window for Public Input on New Voting Districts

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As Nebraska lawmakers sort through new 2020 Census numbers to update voting districts, watchdog groups are encouraging all residents …

Lobbying firms have enjoyed few limits after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, where the high court confirmed that money was a form of protected speech. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Lobbyist Spending in Nebraska Thrived During Pandemic

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A new Common Cause Nebraska report showed last year, more than $18 million was invested in lobbying efforts in Nebraska. By …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

Just like Black Americans, Black immigrants are more likely to be arrested, convicted and imprisoned than the immigrant population as a whole. (Pixabay)

Groups Launch Immigrants' Rights Guide for Demonstrations

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As President Joe Biden works to make good on promises to overhaul federal immigration policy, a new guide released this week aims to …

Omaha police emails reveal a police lieutenant requesting undercover officers participate in a demonstration days after police received city guidance that it was a lawful activity. (Snappy Goat)

Alarm Sounded Over Omaha Police Surveillance of Black Activists, Allies

OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha Police Department emails obtained through a public records request suggest surveillance activities targeting racial justice …

A recent poll found more than 90% of Nebraska voters want the process of redrawing the state's political districts to be data-driven, transparent and nonpartisan. (Capitolist/Wikimedia Commons)

Nebraska Lawmakers Consider Bill to Curb Gerrymandering

LINCOLN, Neb. -- On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature's executive board heard arguments for the Redistricting Act, sponsored by Sen. John …

A recent Government Accountability Office report found more than 80% of nursing homes were cited for infection prevention failures, including washing hands in between patients, before the pandemic. (Pixabay)

Nebraska Lawmakers to Consider Broad Legal Immunity for Nursing Homes

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Advocates for nursing-home residents are pushing back against a proposal to give broad immunity for businesses that may face …

Nebraskans who lost jobs through no fault of their own because of the coronavirus pandemic are posting their stories at 'essentialnebraska.com.' (Coalition for a Strong Nebraska)

Web Platform Shares Struggling Nebraskans' Stories with Lawmakers

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska's 107th Legislature kicked off yesterday, and a coalition of some 100 nonprofits have launched a new online portal to …

Research has shown a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety and depression. (Pixabay)

Survey Snapshot: Women Managing Loneliness After Age 50

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A new survey of women aged fifty and older found lockdowns and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic have amplified …

Nursing home deaths comprised 54% of all COVID-19 deaths in Nebraska between October and November, the latest data set analysed by AARP (Thedigitalartist/Pixabay).

Nebraska Nursing-Home COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Rise

LINCOLN, Neb. -- New AARP analysis shows nursing home residents and staff in Nebraska still are at significant risk from the coronavirus. Data from …

Demand for food assistance in Nebraska has spiked during COVID-19, with Omaha's Together drive-through food pantry serving some 250 cars daily. (Wikimedia Commons)

Food Pantries Bracing for Holidays, Colder Weather

OMAHA, Neb. -- The number of Nebraskans not sure where their next meal would come from was on the decline in 2019, but that was before the …

An estimated 5.2 million Americans remain disenfranchised because of felony convictions. That's 2.3% of the voting-age population. (Michael Fleshman/Flickr)

In Limbo: Thousands of Nebraskans in Mandatory Two-Year Wait to Vote

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Voters in Nebraska and across the country are heading to the polls today to participate in one of the most fundamental democratic …

In 2018, Nebraskans age 50 and older contributed 250 hours, on average, per year caring for loved ones, at a value of $2.2 billion. (Pxfuel)

Older Nebraskans 'Punching Above Their Weight' in Economic Contributions

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraskans age 50 and older create a big economic impact that should help the state's economy recover from the pandemic and drive …

Final results for the 2020 presidential election may not be available on Election Night due to increased mail-in ballots cast by Nebraskans who want to vote from home. (Pixabay)

Registration Deadlines, and How to Vote Safely in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nov. 3 election is just around the corner, and Nebraskans have until Friday, Oct. 16 to register to vote in an election that …

Hispanics represent 11% of Nebraska's population, but account for at least 60% of confirmed COVID-19 cases. (Jordi Play/Wikimedia Commons)

Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month During Pandemic

LINCOLN, Neb. -- On an average year, September kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with festivals full of food and dancing, celebrating the history and …

The U.S. Census Bureau provides translated web pages and guides in 59 non-English languages, including American Sign Language, as well as guides in Braille and large print. (U.S. Census Bureau)

Window Tightens for Getting Accurate Census Count in Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. -- As the Trump administration works to end the U.S. Census Bureau's once-a-decade tally required by the U.S. Constitution one month …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 20, 2024

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NE: Civic Engagement & Voting