By Aaron Sanderford | Editor-in-chief
May is often a lull after primary elections, but this year in Nebraska politics is different. Complaints are flying about candidates running for the U.S. Senate and House, raising questions about candidate intentions to serve and financial disclosure.
An early voting ballot box at the Lancaster County Election Commission office on April 24, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — A former Republican state lawmaker and an unsuccessful GOP candidate for Legislature sent complaints to Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers asking him to look into the U.S. Senate candidacies of Democrat Cindy Burbank and Legal Marijuana NOW nominee Mike Marvin over allegations that neither of them intends to serve.
Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding at a Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts campaign event on Jan. 16, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Democratic Party is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate 2nd Congressional District Republican nominee Brinker Harding over missing two deadlines for personal financial disclosures.
A Union Pacific train travels along the Colorado River near Cameo on May 16, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Aaron Sanderford
OMAHA — The federal government on Thursday paused a proposed merger of two railroad behemoths, Nebraska staple Union Pacific and Georgia-based Norfolk Southern. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board requested more information.
The Davis Global Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus, which holds the National Quarantine Unit, is seen on May 11, 2026, in Omaha. (Dylan Widger/Getty Images)
HEALTH
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — The director of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence filed a complaint this week against the University of Nebraska, alleging that leaders discriminated and retaliated against him.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. June 6, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ICYMI
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., wants Nebraska to use more fiber in its broadband expansion plans, contradicting Gov. Jim Pillen’s claims that other internet technologies are sufficient.
President Donald Trump looks on during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on May 27, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Ashley Murray
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund has attracted scrutiny for its corruption potential, even splitting congressional Republicans who rarely confront President Donald Trump’s decisions and policies.
A pinned specimen of a full-grown New World screwworm fly is shown in this image. Federal and state officials are preparing for a potential invasion from the flesh-eating parasite that could disrupt livestock markets. (Courtesy of Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE
By Kevin Hardy
Southern states are bracing for a potential invasion of the New World screwworm that could disrupt livestock markets and raise already high meat prices. The parasite has yet to land in the U.S., but it has been spreading across Mexico and Central America.
Two senators have reached a bipartisan deal on legislation dealing with college athletes’ name, image and likeness compensation. (Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — A pair of U.S. senators reached a bipartisan agreement on a sweeping bill aimed at tackling many of the biggest issues surrounding how to compensate players in college sports.
A mail ballot drop box is seen at a polling station on Nov. 4, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. D.C. District Court Judge Carl Nichols on May 28, 2026, declined to block, for now, an executive order by President Donald Trump on mail-in voting. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jonathan Shorman
A federal judge on Thursday declined to block President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, finding that it was too early to challenge the directive. The decision represents a setback for Democratic groups.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nebraska Public Media adds ‘dedicated’ Omaha station | By Paul Hammel
Former medical cannabis notary appeals convictions | By Zach Wendling
Senate candidate might have to sue to get off ballot | By Juan Salinas II
Nebraska suing to stop marijuana reclassification | By Aaron Sanderford
COMMENTARY
OPINION: New Nebraska law correctly keeps books | By George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Omaha stockyards tower turns 100 | By Cindy Gonzalez
Burbank endorses Ahlman in 1st District House race | By Juan Salinas II
Ex-Nebraska lawmaker readies ninth Ukraine mission | By Zach Wendling
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