Latest Nebraska state government News

A conservative member of the Nebraska Supreme Court has been named as its new chief justice

Oct. 25, 2024 15:10 PM EDT

Gov. Jim Pillen has selected a sitting member of the Nebraska Supreme Court to fill the role of the court's top judge following the announcement of longtime Chief Justice Michael Heavican that he will retire at the end of the month. Jeffrey Funke will fill the role of chief justice,...

Conservatives could win control of Kansas and Nebraska state school boards

Oct. 25, 2024 00:11 AM EDT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservatives could capture majorities on the Kansas and Nebraska state school boards in this year's elections, making it easier for them to shape what's taught in classrooms. At issue are familiar efforts by conservative Republicans and groups to limit what...

People with felony records can now vote in Nebraska — and it could help tip the balance in November

Oct. 16, 2024 18:23 PM EDT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s top election official had no authority to strip voting rights from people convicted of a felony, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a decision that could add hundreds of new voters to the rolls and potentially help tip the balance on Nov. 5. ...

A state senator has thwarted a GOP effort to lock down all of Nebraska's electoral votes for Trump

Sep. 23, 2024 16:21 PM EDT

A Republican effort to lock down all of Nebraska's electoral votes for former President Donald Trump appeared doomed Monday when a state lawmaker denied backers his crucial support for the move. GOP Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha said in a statement that he opposes awarding Nebraska's...

Nebraska will vote on pro-pot measures despite some invalid signatures

Sep. 13, 2024 16:33 PM EDT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska certified two ballot measures Friday to legalize medical marijuana even though the state’s Republican attorney general said their supporters may have submitted at least several thousand invalid signatures, which could keep them from becoming law. ...

Nebraska's high court rules that a measure to repeal a private school funding law should appear on the November ballot

Sep. 13, 2024 10:01 AM EDT
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's high court rules that a measure to repeal a private school funding law should appear on the November ballot.

Women lawmakers take the lead in shaping policy in Nebraska. Advocates hope other states follow.

Sep. 05, 2024 20:59 PM EDT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — When Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen called a recent special legislative session to address soaring property taxes, it was women who largely stepped up to both advance parts of his main bill and to block his unpopular plans to raise sales and excises taxes to pay for it. ...

Nebraska's Supreme Court to decide if those with felony convictions can vote in November

Aug. 28, 2024 17:20 PM EDT

Nebraska's top election official has no authority to declare unconstitutional a state law that restores the voting rights of those who’ve been convicted of a felony, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union told the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. ACLU attorney Jane Seu...

Honoring Malcolm X: supporters see $20M as ‘down payment’ on struggle to celebrate Omaha native

Aug. 22, 2024 15:24 PM EDT

Every morning Karen Gamble flips on the lights in the old worship hall and glances to her left at a black banner reading: “Who is the most famous person from Omaha, NE?” She turns to her right in this room of old photos and yellowing newspaper clippings and locks eyes with a...

Nebraska's special legislative session is high on conflict, low on progress to ease property taxes

Aug. 19, 2024 20:40 PM EDT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — In the more than three weeks since the Nebraska Legislature kicked off its special session aimed at cutting property taxes, lawmakers have seen long days and plenty of conflict but few results. The special session has featured several filibusters and days that...