By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“The hard core reality is that … there are some bad people that come here,” Pillen said of the College World Series. “Criminals come to do trafficking and bad activities.”
A dozen top law enforcement and elected officials in Nebraska gather for a news conference June 8, 2026, at the Omaha home of the NCAA men’s College World Series to urge vigilance about human traffickers who prey during big events. Gov. Jim Pillen is at the microphone. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
PUBLIC SAFETY
By Cindy Gonzalez
OMAHA — With a national spotlight and economic impact set to hit Omaha this week with the start of the men’s College World Series, a lineup of Nebraska officials met Monday at the baseball stadium to underscore the underbelly of such crowd-drawing events: human trafficking.
The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers, composed of State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Gov. Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley, from left, meets to certify Nebraska’s May 12 primary election. June 8, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s top state officials finalized the state’s May primary election results Monday, which also set a countdown clock on when one such official will leave his post.
The Lincoln headquarters of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a short walk from the Nebraska Capitol. A new president and CEO is set to begin in mid-July. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s largest statewide business lobbying group will have a familiar face at the helm in mid-July, following a recent stretch of leadership turnover.
State Sen. Margo Juarez and State Sen. Dunixi Guereca, both of Omaha, hold a town hall in South Omaha in April 2025. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — Two Nebraskans are among 39 state lawmakers selected to participate in a bipartisan training program that each year “identifies and assists promising state leaders” in the Midwest.
An auditor with the Nebraska State Auditor’s Office speaks with Nebraska State Employees Retirement Systems executive director John Murante during Monday’s NPERS board meeting. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
ICYMI
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — A year-and-a-half after John Murante left his post as director of Nebraska’s Public Employees Retirement System, the board is poised to recommend his potential replacement.
President Donald Trump’s $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled workers was struck down Monday, June 8, 2026, by a federal judge. In this photo, Trump looks on during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on May 27, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Ariana Figueroa
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Massachusetts Monday struck down the Trump administration’s efforts to require a $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled immigrant workers, finding the policy is an unlawful tax.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nebraska DED official leaves for Omaha post | Cindy Gonzalez
Work requirements waiver sought for Dawson County | Zach Wendling
Pillen celebrates law boosting private energy help | Erin Bamer
COMMENTARY
EDITOR'S CHOICE
DHHS reviewing federal Medicaid work requirements rule | Zach Wendling
Powell-Harding race added to DCCC program | Juan Salinas II
House passes Ukraine aid package amid GOP concerns | Zach Wendling
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