By Erin Bamer | Reporter
For the third year in a row, the number of abortions performed in Nebraska increased from the previous year, mostly due to an influx of patients traveling to Nebraska from other states.
Mifepristone, a common abortion-inducing medication, sits on a counter in Planned Parenthood’s Omaha Health Center. (Erin Bamer/Nebraska Examiner)
ABORTION POLICY
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — The number of abortions performed in Nebraska rose 7.8% in 2025 as the dust begins to settle on some of the state’s — and neighboring states’ — newer abortion restrictions.
Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District nonpartisan candidate Austin Ahlman in Lincoln on June 17, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — Nonpartisan candidate for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, Austin Ahlman, says he has enough signatures to be on the November ballot, setting up a likely four-way race with Democratic nominee Chris Backemeyer, Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, and Libertarian Nik Sandman.
A man stands in the Rio Grande north of Albuquerque, N.M., after summer storms briefly bumped up flows in mid-June. New research suggests climate change could nearly double the costs of household water in some American cities. (Photo by Laura Paskus/Source New Mexico)
ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE
By Kevin Hardy
Household water costs could nearly double in some American cities, new research suggests, as climate change further stresses municipal water systems.
U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner claims victory in the Democratic primary during a watch party in Blue Hill on June 9, 2026. (By Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)
ELECTION 2026
By Emma Davis
Democratic nominee Graham Platner dropped out of Maine’s U.S. Senate race on Wednesday, two days after an accusation of sexual assault tanked support from his party.
Graduate-level programs such as nursing are, for now, considered “professional” degrees by the U.S. Department of Education after a court order in late June halted the agency’s new “professional” definition while a legal challenge unfolds. (Photo by Getty Images)
EDUCATION
By Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — Students pursuing several advanced degree programs can now access higher loan caps, but the temporary relief has ushered in a wave of uncertainty amid an ongoing legal battle.
Republicans in Congress are quarreling on social media and rebelling on the House floor as they try to pass legislation prior to the November midterm elections and keep their majority. In this photo, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., left, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., appear at a news conference on the Upper West Terrace of U.S. Capitol Building on Oct. 1, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Republicans are campaigning to keep control of Congress for another two years, but their message about being the “grown-ups” in the room keeps getting overshadowed by public feuds that have sidetracked work on major legislation.
A Special Public Policy Briefing from States Newsroom and KFF
The public is invited to a special public policy briefing on significant changes coming to Medicaid. The free virtual event will be hosted by healthcare policy experts from KFF and journalists from States Newsroom, the nonprofit news organization that operates 39 state news outlets, including the Nebraska Examiner. The in-depth discussion will focus on the impacts that federal funding cuts, work requirements and state policy are having on healthcare in the United States. Journalists and policy experts will explain the latest developments and discuss the political debate around these changes. The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A. The event will be held Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m. CT.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Pillen pivots focus from primary to general election | Zach Wendling
Bellevue cybersecurity campus poised for takeoff | Cindy Gonzalez
Nonpartisan NE-03 candidate enters race as write-in | Juan Salinas II
COMMENTARY
OPINION: The Supreme Court headline is not what you think | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
North Omaha officials see change at ‘innovation district’ | Cindy Gonzalez
Nebraska Secretary of State calls RNC lawsuit ‘a little baffling’ | Juan Salinas II
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