By Erin Bamer | Reporter
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who has opposed the creation of the state’s Medical Cannabis Commission and questioned the legality of its existence, signed off on the constitutionality of regulations proposed by the same commission Tuesday.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, center, leads a news conference against Legislative Bill 677 that sought to help implement medical cannabis regulations in the state. About a dozen law enforcement officials joined him in standing against the legislation as it awaited full legislative debate. May 7, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers on Tuesday signed off on the constitutionality of regulations from the state Medical Cannabis Commission, a key step toward final approval.
Former Dunbar state Sen. Julie Slama speaking at the Capitol about the Fairness for Girls’ ballot measure on June 30, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — A ballot measure that would let Nebraska voters decide whether to limit sports participation in public K-12 schools and colleges to teams that are biologically male, female or co-ed has enough signatures to be on the November ballot, the conservative-leaning group behind it announced Tuesday.
State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering. July 31, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — With time ticking on an aging youth treatment facility in Lincoln, some state lawmakers remain concerned about a proposed transition plan from the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Michael Maroney of the Omaha Economic Development Corp. speaks to community members in January about one of multiple sites the OEDC-led private development team was seeking to buy for a business park project funded in part by a $90 million state grant. The developer, working with the Omaha Inland Port Authority on the initiative, hosted the community meeting to seek input. Tuesday, the OEDC-led group announced its first business tenant in one of the sites it has purchased. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
OMAHA — The sometimes controversial Omaha Airport Business Park project created by a 2022 Nebraska law and seeded with $90 million in public funds has landed its first major tenant.
Kirsten Johnson spends time with her children Nash, 1 1/2, and Colt Trosper, two months, at her parents’ home on on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Shelton. (Photo by Lily Smith/Flatwater Free Press)
HEALTH
By Kaitlyn Kelly
Kirsten Johnson was sitting at home on Christmas Eve when a sharp wave of pain stole her next breath. More than a week past her due date, the first-time mother immediately recognized the first sign of labor.
Midwife Sheila Simms Watson treats Isis Daaga during a pregnancy checkup at the Southern Birth Justice Network’s mobile midwifery clinic in Miami on March 21. (Photo by Nada Hassanein/Stateline)
HEALTH
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — Nebraska is the only state in the U.S. where it is illegal for nurse midwives to assist in home births, and a group of mothers is challenging that restriction in federal court.
Protesters held a rally on protecting birthright citizenship outside the U.S. Supreme Court as President Donald Trump attended oral arguments on April 1, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Ariana Figueroa
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday struck down President Donald Trump’s attempt to redefine the constitutional right to birthright citizenship.
A voter drops off his ballot at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City as votes are cast in Utah’s 2024 primary election. Utah and at least eight other states enacted voting laws this year that will make it more difficult for some voters to cast their ballots during the midterm elections in November. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
ELECTION 2026
By Anna Claire Vollers
At least nine states have passed voting laws this year that will make it more difficult for some voters to cast their ballots during the midterm elections in November.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 29, 2024. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jacob Fischler and Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday kept in place state laws banning transgender athletes from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
District judge blocks Nebraska Environmental Trust diversions | Zach Wendling
Construction starts on South Omaha plaza project | Cindy Gonzalez
US Supreme Court takes Perkins County Canal case | Zach Wendling
COMMENTARY
OPINION: Hoping, imagining will not be enough | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
A new political party could be in the works in Nebraska | Juan Salinas II
NU president talks Omaha Community Foundation | Zach Wendling
Omaha dental school gets $4.6M of federal rural health fund | Cindy Gonzalez
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