By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“Everything’s been so secretive, that’s what bothers us … It’s a perfect location, right? Rural Nebraska, nobody is going to complain.” - McCook area resident Deborah Walters, about the conversion of a state prison center to an ICE detention facility in the region.
A full bus traveled about 10 hours on the road to attend an Aug. 15 rally within eyeshot of a McCook, Nebraska-based U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center that started holding migrants last November. The rally marks a year since Gov. Jim Pillen’s administration announced a partnership with ICE to house immigrant detainees. (Photo by Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
IMMIGRATION
By Cindy Gonzalez
McCOOK — The sun was still rising as nearly 60 “mothers and others” boarded an Omaha bus and headed across the state to protest what goes on at the ICE detention facility in rural McCook.
Their nearly 10-hour round trip marked a year since Gov. Jim Pillen announced the deal he made with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to convert the state’s rehabilitative-focused Work Ethic Camp into a 300-bed jail for migrants. The bus passengers, set to join other like-minded rallygoers Saturday, wanted McCook, the state and nation to know that time had not dulled their contempt for that decision or concern for those detained.
Then-University of Nebraska Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha, center, talks with NU Regent Tim Clare. Dec. 5, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
PUBLIC SAFETY
By Zach Wendling
OMAHA — A former University of Nebraska regent will spend at least the next six months in jail for driving under the influence and causing serious bodily injury during a May 2025 crash.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers. July 16, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers gave notice to a Lancaster County district judge that he plans to be heard on a lawsuit that seeks to force the state Democratic Party to replace its former Senate candidate.
The top of the Nebraska Capitol Mar. 19, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Jackie Ourada, Noelle Annonen, Nebraska Public Media News
Records obtained Friday by Nebraska Public Media News show state agencies are using a number of strategies – ranging from cutting positions to potentially having employees sleep in cars rather than in hotel rooms – in response to Gov. Jim Pillen’s memo that said his State Budget Division would be withholding at least 5% of state agencies’ monthly allotments. The governor also implemented a hiring freeze on most state positions.
Dr. William Smock, medical director of the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, part of the Alliance for HOPE International, speaks to students about evidence and how to detect staged scenes during a mock crime scene exercise. This year, at least five states have considered “hidden homicide” legislation. (Photo courtesy of Gael Strack/Alliance for HOPE International)
PUBLIC SAFETY
By Amanda Watford
Families who believe local officials prematurely ruled their loved ones’ deaths suicides or accidents — rather than investigating whether domestic violence played a role — are pushing lawmakers in a growing number of states to require additional scrutiny.
The South Carolina delegation’s sign is seen as former President Barack Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 2024. (Photo by Shaun Griswold / Source New Mexico)
D.C. BUREAU
By Sam Gauntt
The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Lincoln petition fraud investigation becomes political | Juan Salinas II
COMMENTARY
OPINION: Debate questions no one asked for | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Most rejected Lindstrom signatures came in Lancaster County | Zach Wendling
Leader of Nebraska’s embattled Medicaid program resigns | Cindy Gonzalez
Former state Sen. Dan McKeon’s case dismissed | Erin Bamer
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