By Zach Wendling | Reporter
“The question remains as to whether the rise of independents running in Nebraska is reactionary to the polarization of state primaries where more moderate political voices feel unrepresented.” — Dona Gene-Barton, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Registered nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaking in Lincoln on June 11, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — Nebraska might have nonpartisan fever. This midterm cycle has seen an increase in nonpartisan — independent — candidates running in partisan races across the state.
The U.S. Education Department will temporarily lower interest rates for student loan borrowers who use the auto pay feature. (Photo illustration via Getty Images)
D.C. BUREAU
By Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education will temporarily reduce interest rates for federal student loan borrowers enrolled in auto pay starting July 1, the agency announced Thursday.
“Land Back,” a reference to a movement aimed at returning Indigenous lands taken by broken treaties, is spray painted on the bottom of a sign explaining the historical significance of the Wounded Knee Massacre in this image from July 30, 2024, at the massacre site on the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
ICYMI
By Joshua Haiar
For Violet Catches, the Defense Department’s decision not to rescind the Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers who were at the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre was a gut punch.
Open Democracy, a New Hampshire voting rights group, has spent several years working to improve the registration rate among 18-year-olds. Shown are New Hampshire voters. (Photo by Will Steinfeld/New Hampshire Bulletin)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jonathan Shorman
American teens are driving less than in previous decades, prompting civic advocates to warn that fewer young people may register to vote.
Annie Moore, co-owner of River Queen Greens in New Orleans, Louisiana, stands in front of a cover crop field with her dog, Penny, on May 27, 2026. The farm uses U.S. NRCS programs to plant cover crops during the off-season to replenish the soil. (Photo by Eva Tesfaye/WWNO)
ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE
By Eva Tesfaye, WWNO
NEW ORLEANS — River Queen Greens, as the name suggests, lies just outside of the levee blocking the Mississippi River, a 20-minute drive from downtown New Orleans. The farm produces certified naturally grown vegetables to sell to local restaurants and at farmers markets.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Planned grocery store aims to feed, uplift Omaha’s Black community | Cindy Gonzalez
Woman’s flair enters history-filled ‘Lawyers Room’ at Capitol | Cindy Gonzalez
Regents vote to increase NU tuition by 4.25% | Zach Wendling
COMMENTARY
OPINION: Rising childcare costs strain Nebraska family budgets, reduce business output | Katie Bass, Sara Brady
OPINION: Thoughts on Nebraska’s ballot petition process | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Omaha Community Foundation in talks about Nebraska Medicine | Zach Wendling
Nebraska AG suing Lincoln over minimum wage ordinance | Juan Salinas II
Women legislators say federal bill jeopardizes rideshare safety | Zach Wendling
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