By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“What we have to do is we’re going all over the country, including states that we wouldn’t normally go to, because it’s all about turnout.” - RNC Chair Joe Gruters, commenting on the pattern of national Republicans visiting Nebraska in the weeks leading up to the 2026 midterm election.
Republican Sen. Joe Gruters, of Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
OMAHA — Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters sipped a vanilla latte at Rally Coffee Co. in a state where he hadn’t expected to spend time at the beginning of the midterm cycle.
“But I love Nebraska,” Gruters quickly told the Examiner Wednesday. “I’m glad I’m here … we don’t always get to come to Nebraska because you guys aren’t usually competitive, but this cycle you are, and so hopefully we won’t have to come back here again in two years.”
Officials celebrated the launch of Maryland’s legal sports betting market at MGM National Harbor in December 2021 in Oxon Hill, Md. As many states legalize sports betting, officials are increasingly eyeing a certain type of wager known as a prop bet for increased regulation. (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — Nebraskans will have the final say Nov. 3 on whether to legalize and regulate online sports betting as advocates and opponents clash in the final days of the 2026 race.
State Sen. Brad von Gillern and Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek are facing off again for to represent west-central Douglas County’s Legislative District 4. They are pictured in Omaha in early October 2026. (Photos by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
OMAHA — State Sen. Brad von Gillern and Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek are in a rematch for Douglas County’s Legislative District 4 as both candidates say affordability, taxes and divisiveness ring top of mind for voters.
Vice President JD vance walking to podium to speak in North Platte on Oct. 22, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ICYMI
By Juan Salinas II
NORTH PLATTE — JD Vance became the first vice president to visit North Platte on Thursday, campaigning for Sen. Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen as they face challenging reelection bids.
The Organ Transplant Service teams at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center started using robotic surgery for kidney transplants in 2018. Nationwide, more than 109,000 people are on waiting lists for organ procurement. (Photo courtesy of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)
HEALTH
By Nada Hassanein
Federal regulators are cracking down on the nonprofits responsible for coordinating organ donations, aiming to begin shutting down substandard groups by early next year.
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