By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“I just feel that it’s not right and that the Legislature always has to retain some authority to make changes, even on things I don’t like them changing.” - Former state Sen. Curt Friesen, about a single-subject complaint he and Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh filed against a ballot measure aiming to make it harder for Nebraska legislators to amend voter-approved laws.
Signs for the new Respect Nebraska Voters ballot measure campaign. Jan. 5, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s top elections official will decide whether a ballot measure seeking to make it harder for Nebraska legislators to amend voter-approved laws is too broad for the November ballot.
Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley speaks with reporters after a hearing before the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on a bill brought at his request. Feb. 5, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
SOCIAL SERVICES
By Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — A Nebraska auditor’s probe has discovered examples of “highly questionable billing” and alleged weak oversight in a Health and Human Services program whose costs increased nearly 600% in the past decade.
A new statewide campaign and coalition, Child Care Can, launched Monday in Lincoln with an announcement and gathering of about 200 people. The coalition, started with 65 member entities, will be focused solely on improving child care policy through recurring public investment. Organizers say next steps are developing specific strategies. (Photo courtesy of Child Care Can)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — Carrying and delivering twins didn’t take nearly the toll on Jessica Pallas as what came after: finding suitable childcare so she and husband Cale could hold onto their jobs and health insurance.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, at podium, joins with other state governors, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to announce an initiative and funding to promote farm-to-school programs and more nutritious school lunches at the the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s office)
EDUCATION
By Cami Koons
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday efforts to increase the nutritional value of school lunches, including a push for more locally grown foods at school.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents search the passenger of a truck as they arrest both him and the driver during a February traffic stop in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Minnesota faced a high rate of street arrests after Trump administration officials criticized the state’s sanctuary policies, but even states without such policies have seen street raids to round up immigrants. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
IMMIGRATION
By Tim Henderson
As more states seek ways to limit immigration enforcement, a Stateline analysis shows one tactic has had an effect: making it more difficult for local law enforcement to hand over people they are holding in city or county jails to federal immigration authorities.
President Donald Trump shows helipad construction on the South Lawn of the White House after an event in the Rose Garden on Aug. 24, 2026. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, left, and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon are on either side of Trump. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday touted a national private school voucher program set to launch in early 2027.
Absentee ballots are prepared to be mailed at the Wake County Board of Elections on September 17, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Ashley Murray
WASHINGTON — With just over two months until the November midterms, the U.S. Supreme Court gave way Monday for President Donald Trump to have a hand in regulating mail-in ballots nationwide, a voting method he has falsely claimed is rife with corruption since he lost the 2020 presidential election.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nebraska Democrats vote not to fill vacancy for Senate race | Juan Salinas II
UNO grad’s aim to soar as U.S. pilot dashed by immigration status | Cindy Gonzalez
Online sports betting measures qualify for November ballot | Zach Wendling
COMMENTARY
OPINION: Perspective needed as school begins | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
2nd District candidates try to paint each other as extreme | Juan Salinas II
GOP, Dems appeal to stop other political parties | Juan Salinas II
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