By Joan von Kampen | Editor-in-Chief
As Nebraska cities seek to solve the affordable-housing problem, Beatrice, Ogallala and Hastings are turning classrooms into apartments in former school buildings.
An old elementary school was repurposed into Stoddard Place, a residential site for seniors 55 and older in Beatrice, Nebraska, helping the affordable housing crunch in the southeastern Nebraska city of about 12,300 residents. (Courtesy of Hoppe Development)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
The project’s name rings a bell. Its exterior shell and playground area also look familiar to neighbors who live in Beatrice, Nebraska.
But the town’s former Stoddard Elementary School underwent a $6.4 million renovation to reopen last week with an entirely new purpose — as Stoddard Place residences.
The Republican and Democratic 2026 candidates for Nebraska governor: Republican Gov. Jim Pillen of Columbus, left, and former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont. (Photos courtesy of the candidates/campaigns | Nebraska Capitol photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Zach Wendling
Republican Gov. Jim Pillen and former Democratic state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont each leaned into conservative support from former lawmakers Monday in dueling events for Nebraska governor that also featured the National Rifle Association.
State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney reads the voter initiative packet from 2022 that led to voter-approved increases to the state's minimum wage. March 31, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Zach Wendling
A Douglas County district judge blocked part of an Omaha ordinance to require employers in city limits to pay youth workers the same minimum wage as adults as the legal fight plays out.
Watches are on display in a Swatch store on April 3, 2025, in Miami Beach, Florida. The Swiss company, and other in 60 countries that make up more than 99% of U.S. imports, is subject to Trump administration tariffs tied to labor standards. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Ashley Murray
WASHINGTON — Small businesses will once again challenge President Donald Trump’s tariffs in federal court this week as they continue to feel the squeeze of the administration’s roller coaster policy on import taxes.
Icons for popular AI virtual assistant apps are seen on a smartphone screen. (Photo illustration by Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By David Lightman
The challenges and dire threats surrounding the unchecked growth of artificial intelligence appear unlikely to move Congress or President Donald Trump to act as the U.S. Senate enters its last week before the midterms.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COMMENTARY
Time has come to ask for ‘proof’| George Ayoub
Resist efforts to roll back tax relief | Lou Ann Linehan, Tom Briese
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Nebraska Senate race has seen tough talk and shifts on immigration | Juan Salinas II
Nebraska Examiner launches 2026 General Election Voter Guide | Zach Wendling
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