By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“In sum, under the plain language [of the state law], a political party has the discretion to fill a vacancy after a candidate declines their nomination.” - Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong, in a ruling dismissing an effort to force the Nebraska Democratic Party to replace its nominee for U.S. Senate.
Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong presides over a hearing in a case revolving around legislative authority and lottery proceeds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. June 29, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — A Lancaster County district judge dismissed an effort from the loser of the Democratic Senate race trying to force the Nebraska Democratic Party to replace its nominee who dropped out.
Petition pages reviewed by local county election officials and returned to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office sit in the office for public inspection at the office’s Elections Division in downtown Lincoln on Aug. 24, 2026. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — As law enforcement continues to investigate thousands of possibly fraudulent signatures on at least eight different Nebraska petitions this year, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is speaking out on the historic situation for the first time.
The seal of the Nebraska Supreme Court. May 4, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT& POLITICS
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Working People Party and America First Party will become official parties in Nebraska after the state Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a Lancaster District Court judge’s decision dismissing objections from the state’s two major parties.
(Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — Nebraska will receive up to $201 million from the Meta landmark settlement, Attorney General Mike Hilgers said Wednesday morning.
Facebook owner Meta agreed to pay nearly $18 billion to an array of U.S. states over claims its platforms intentionally addicted teens. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)
TECHNOLOGY
By Anna Claire Vollers
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, on Wednesday agreed to pay 47 states, the District of Columbia, and a handful of U.S. territories, up to $17.1 billion in penalties over claims that its social media platforms are addictive and a danger to children.
Dolly Parton on stage in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 20, 2025, at the premiere of “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony.” Hailing from East Tennessee, Parton’s songwriting, savvy, charm and philanthropy made her a beloved figure globally. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
EDUCATION
By Sam Stockard
Dolly Parton, the personification of Tennessee music, died Tuesday at age 80 after decades of entertaining the world.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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