By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“I think one of our great problems in our political culture today is when people don’t get the outcome that they want, then they are trying to achieve it by other means.” - Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, in response to a question about a lawsuit challenging the city of Lincoln’s minimum wage ordinance.
Nebraska Attorney General logo on a podium on June 18, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Juan Salinas II
OMAHA — On June 16, when the Omaha City Council was discussing a proposal to alter the city’s minimum wage, putting it at odds with the state rate, Council member Don Rowe, a registered Republican, worried aloud that the move would send the city on a course for “conflict with the state of Nebraska.” Other city officials questioned the legality of what they were considering.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released its 2026 Farm Bill draft. (Photo from USDA)
ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE
By Cami Koons
Nearly two months after the U.S. House passed a farm bill proposal, the Senate Agriculture Committee has released an initial draft of the omnibus legislation that covers everything from crop insurance to nutrition assistance.
Sustainable Beef employees, formerly employed at Lexington’s Tyson plant, exit the school bus that takes them to and from work in North Platte. The bus service is an attempt to allow people who want to stay in Lexington to live there while working in nearby cities. (Molly Ashford/Nebraska Public Media)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Molly Ashford and Jessica Meza, Nebraska Public Media News
On a warm Friday in late May, Travis Harvey sat behind the wheel of a big yellow school bus in a packed parking lot. Cottonwood trees sent summer snow – tufts of white fuzz – blowing across the sky and through the open doors of the bus.
(Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
By George Ayoub
Somewhere among the White House’s fractured fairy tale about its reflecting pool faceplant, the ongoing whodunit masquerading as peace talks now being waged to end the war with Iran and, despite some glimmers of hope, Congress’ continued sycophancy, are some court decisions Nebraskans would do well to check in on.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nebraska Supreme Court rules voter data case moot | Juan Salinas II
Class-action lawsuit alleges Hy-Vee failed to pay overtime | Clark Kauffman
State officials get creative for U.S. 250th anniversary | Zach Wendling, Cindy Gonzalez
COMMENTARY
In defense of ‘those people’ | Julie Masters
UFC Freedom 250 plot highlights emerging trends | Gina Ligon, Austin Doctor
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Nebraska barred from restricting soda purchases from SNAP | Juan Salinas II
Regents vote to increase NU tuition 4.25% | Zach Wendling
All 18 UNMC hantavirus patients return home | Cindy Gonzalez
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