By Aaron Sanderford | Editor-in-chief
The fight continues over the criminal convictions of a notary who helped gather signatures for Nebraska’s medical marijuana ballot initiatives — with an appeal.
Jacy Todd of York takes the witness stand during a criminal trial against him in Hall County Court on day two of the trial in Grand Island on Feb. 24, 2026. (Kasey Mintz-Pool/KSNB Local 4)
HEALTH
By Zach Wendling
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — A former notary for separate Nebraska petitions to legalize and regulate medical cannabis in 2024 is appealing his 24 criminal convictions related to improper notarizations.
Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding celebrates his Republican primary win in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District on May 12, 2026, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Scott Conference Center. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Molly Ashford, Nebraska Public Media News
OMAHA — Brinker Harding, the Republican nominee in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, missed the deadline to file both of his required personal financial disclosures to run for Congress — one of which was due last August.
Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen looking at sample ballots at the Lancaster County Election Commission office on April 24, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ICYMI
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — As she did to get on the ballot, Nebraska Democratic Party-backed U.S. Senate candidate Cindy Burbank might have to sue the state to get off it. Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers confirmed that election officials asked whether they could leave her on.
Rooftop guards stand in October 2025 at the Broadview immigration detention center in Illinois, which was accused in a lawsuit of pressuring immigrants to sign voluntary departure papers during detention in squalid conditions. (Andrew Adams/Capitol News Illinois)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Tim Henderson
A surge in voluntary departure agreements in immigration courts is raising concerns that Trump administration tactics are unfairly pressuring immigrants into leaving the United States, even if they have a legal right to stay.
Demolition work continued where the East Wing once stood at the White House on Dec. 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump ordered the 123-year-old East Wing and Jacqueline Kennedy Garden leveled to make way for a new ballroom. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Ashley Murray
WASHINGTON — Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche argued in a court filing that a shooting Saturday in the vicinity of the White House further proves the need for an East Wing ballroom.
Protestors march in Selma, Alabama as part of the All Roads Lead to the South rally on May 16, 2026. A three-judge federal panel Tuesday blocked Alabama’s use of a congressional map it had previously ruled racially discriminatory. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)
ELECTION 2026
By Anna Barrett
A three-judge panel on Tuesday blocked Alabama from using a 2023 congressional map the panel ruled racially discriminatory and ordered the state to use a remedial map aimed at giving Black Alabamians a chance to elect their preferred leaders.
A group of protestors hold a banner saying “Black Voters Matter” with a quote from Allen v. Milligan, a 2023 case that required Alabama to draw a second congressional district to give Black voters an opportunity to elect their preferred leaders, on May 4, 2026, at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jonathan Shorman
The Congressional Black Caucus on Tuesday urged American corporations to condemn efforts to dilute Black voting strength, as Southern states eliminate congressional districts where most residents are Black.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Burbank endorses Ahlman in 1st District race | By Juan Salinas II
Ex-Nebraska lawmaker readies ninth Ukraine mission | By Zach Wendling
Bacon helping get ‘Ukraine Support Act’ to full House | By Zach Wendling
COMMENTARY
OPINION: Worker’s race against time and a company | By Jeff Miller
OPINION: New Nebraska law correctly keeps books | By George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
A BEAD on Nebraska broadband: $300M still in limbo | By Erin Bamer
Environmental Trust backers sue state over funds | By Paul Hammel
HUD Secretary visits Nebraska | By Cindy Gonzalez
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