By Zach Wendling | Reporter
“We all agree our health is our wealth.” - Gov. Jim Pillen, praising U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who visited the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits the University of Nebraska Medical Center alongside University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold (left), and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (right) on Aug. 20, 2026. (Erin Bamer/Nebraska Examiner)
HEALTH
By Erin Bamer
OMAHA — Nearly two months after the last American cruise ship passenger was released from quarantine due to exposure to hantavirus, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Nebraska to tour the quarantine unit that housed them.
The state’s two largest political parties, the Nebraska Republican Party and Nebraska Democratic Party, are fighting the official formation of two new political parties. Republicans are opposed to the creation of the America First Party, while Democrats oppose the proposed Nebraska Working People Party. (Logo photos courtesy of the party websites | Nebraska Capitol photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s two major political parties have asked the state Supreme Court to overrule a judge’s decision allowing two new state political parties to form.
National GOP Committeeman JL Spray speaks during the Nebraska Republican Party’s 2024 annual convention on May 18, 2024. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — The Republican National Committee appealed a district judge’s ruling to the Nebraska Supreme Court that upheld the validity of a state law allowing certain overseas voters to vote.
University of Nebraska, state and federal leaders ceremonially break ground on the new U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service Naitonal Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln. May 6, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — University of Nebraska leaders and Nebraska’s federal delegation are celebrating a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to reappropriate $37 million and fully fund the new precision agriculture facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon, left, and Lancaster County Sheriff Chief Deputy Ben Houchin announce criminal charges and arrests of five out-of-state individuals who helped circulate petitions for three petitions in Nebraska’s capital city at a news briefing Aug. 7, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ICYMI
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — The ongoing Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office investigation into possibly fraudulent petition signatures has expanded to all four statewide citizen-led initiatives.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., left, and registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn will debate at the Nebraska State Fair at a televised debate hosted by News Channel Nebraska. In addition to News Channel Nebraska, reporters from the Nebraska Examiner, Flatwater Free Press and Omaha World-Herald will serve on a panel to ask questions. (Photo courtesy of News Channel Nebraska)
REQUEST FOR QUESTIONS
By Nebraska Examiner staff
Use the form at the link to submit a question intended for Nebraska's U.S. Senate candidates. Your question could be selected to be asked at the Sept. 1 debate. The Nebraska Examiner’s Juan Salinas II will serve on the panel of reporters asking questions.
Louisiana Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy talks with reporters in the Dirksen Senate office building on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration will face challenges securing Senate confirmation after the committee chairman in charge of that process expressed doubts.
A person works on a condominium in Chicago. Some U.S. cities are trying to modernize the housing permitting process by adopting AI tools. (Photo by Robbie Sequeira/Stateline)
HOUSING
By Robbie Sequeira
New housing projects can sometimes stall out as a developer applies to city or county planning boards and goes through cycles of inspections, reviews and approvals.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Advocates of ‘most vulnerable’ call on Pillen to pause funding cuts | By Cind Gonzalez
Nebraska AG sues City of Omaha over minimum wage ordinance | Zach Wendling
COMMENTARY
OPINION: Passion for informing brings editor to the Examiner | By Joan von Kampen
OPINION: Debate questions no one asked for | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Judge allows both new Nebraska political parties on fall ballot | By Juan Salinas II
One year after Pillen announced McCook ICE jail, protests continue | Cindy Gonzalez
Ex-NU Regent given 1-year sentence for felony DUI | Zach Wendling
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