By Joan von Kampen | Editor-in-chief
Debating Wednesday evening, 2nd Congressional District candidates Brinker Harding and Denise Powell jabbed at each other while answering questions on topics including the Iran war, affordability, bipartisanship, Social Security and immigration.
Republican nominee Brinker Harding, left, and Democratic nominee Denise Powell before the 2nd Congressional District debate in Lincoln on Oct. 14, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
Competing to replace U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, Democratic nominee Denise Powell and Republican nominee Brinker Harding dueled Wednesday in the second of three debates.
Advocates for medical cannabis join together before a public hearing at the Nebraska State Office Building in Lincoln, Nebraska, on state-drafted regulations for the new medicine approved by Nebraska voters in November 2024. Oct. 15, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
HEALTHCARE
By Zach Wendling
As the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission and advocates continue to clash over the agency’s direction, people can weigh in on the latest regulations in person this afternoon or by sending in written comments by the end of the day.
The 2026 candidates for Legislative District 12, state Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston and Christy Knorr of Omaha, in the district on Oct. 8, 2026. (Photos by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Erin Bamer
In the politically diverse District 12, Republican incumbent Merv Riepe faces Democrat challenger Christy Knorr in a race to keep his seat in the Nebraska Legislature.
While both have backgrounds in the medical field, they differ on approaches to specific healthcare issues: abortion limits, Medicaid expansion and medical cannabis.
Terrace view of the public market set to rise in downtown Omaha, creating another attraction for tourists and Nebraskans in the riverfront area. (Courtesy of Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture and OJB)
TOURISM & HEALTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
The $80 million indoor public market being built along downtown Omaha’s riverfront is envisioned as a year-round draw for tourists as well as statewide farmers and locals seeking to sell and buy specialty and Nebraska-centric goods.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, joined by, from left, fellow state attorneys Kris Kobach of Kansas, JB McCuskey of West Virginia and Mike Hilgers of Nebraska, held a news conference Oct. 14, 2026 at the Iowa State Capitol on state AGs pursuing litigation against OpenAI. (Photo via Iowa Attorney General's Office's Facebook page)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and counterparts from three other states announced plans Wednesday to sue OpenAI in state courts, alleging ChatGPT harmed children and violated each state’s consumer fraud act.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Social Security benefits increase will hit 3.6% in 2027 | States Newsroom
COMMENTARY
Letting them read ‘The Vanities of October’ | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
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