cgonzalez

Lawmaker seeks statewide input on Nebraska passenger rail possibilities • Nebraska Examiner A Nebraska lawmaker is hosting town halls across state to seek public opinion on improving passenger rail service options.

ALL ABOARD? A Nebraska state senator is traveling the state soon to seek public input on the possibility of the Legislature proposing to improve passenger rail service.

From Cindy Gonzalez:

Ballot boxes louder than town halls • Nebraska Examiner As in-person town halls go, Flood’s Lincoln soiree was louder and more raucous than most. Kudos to him for hosting the event.

Ballot boxes louder than town halls. Commentary from George Ayoub. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/11/b...

Wills, wars and knowing what is the people’s business • Nebraska Examiner Governing by ballot initiative is a tedious, meandering process. But I respect that once the votes have been counted, game over.

ICYMI COMMENTARY FROM AYOUB: Nebraska legislators spent much of their recent session debating and parsing the political landscape in two primary areas: the will of the people via the ballot box and the ongoing culture wars.

Federal judge issues temporary restraining order on "Alligator Alcatraz," pausing construction for 14 days The temporary restraining order will put a pause on any construction projects, including lighting, paving, excavation, and fencing.

Just as Nebraska spotlighted as possibly hosting an “Alligator Alcatraz” like immigration detention center… www.cbsnews.com/amp/miami/ne...

Girls Inc. reveals details of new roughly $35M South Omaha center fueled by state funds • Nebraska Examiner Girls Inc. today revealed details and renderings of a new $35 million South Omaha center fueled by $11.2 million from the state.

A group aimed at helping girls succeed regardless of circumstance is growing a new home in South Omaha with help from about $35 million in state funds tied back to pandemic-era federal money.

From Cindy Gonzalez:

Our story, which looked deeper into Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood's Town Halls, made the front page of the national State Newsrooms site

Girls Inc. reveals details of new roughly $35M South Omaha center fueled by state funds • Nebraska Examiner Girls Inc. today revealed details and renderings of a new $35 million South Omaha center fueled by $11.2 million from the state.

Girls Inc. reveals details of new roughly $35M South Omaha center fueled by state funds nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/07/g...

Deputy Douglas County attorney says she was ‘fired’ after telling boss she was seeking his seat • Nebraska Examiner A deputy Douglas County attorney of 13 years says she was "fired" after telling her boss that she would be seeking his seat.

Deputy Douglas County attorney says she was ‘fired’ after telling boss she was seeking his seat nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/07/d...

Police investigate a Kansas city council member’s citizenship after a complaint left via voicemail LENEXA — Melanie Arroyo lives in two worlds. There’s the one where the Lenexa City Council member has to “assimilate and perform” like her white counterparts, she said. Then there’s the authentic worl...

Wow. Police investigate a Kansas city council member’s citizenship after complaint left via voicemail. “Everybody needs to wake the f*** up,” Arroyo said. “You guys are still living in 2024, thinking that our judicial processes are intact, and they’re not.” www.newsfromthestates.com/article/poli...

ICE has a new courthouse tactic: Get immigrants’ cases tossed, then arrest them outside • Nebraska Examiner The Trump administration has begun seeking to dismiss some immigrants’ asylum cases then taking them into custody at the courthouse.

ICE has a new courthouse tactic: Get immigrants’ cases tossed, then arrest them outside nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/06/i...

Public input to help shape North Omaha ‘innovation district’ buoyed by $30M state grant • Nebraska Examiner Public input is sought to shape a North Omaha "innovation district' to be buoyed by a $30 million state grant.

INNOVATION DISTRICT: The future North Omaha ‘innovation district’ launching with $30 million in state funding is the topic of a community workshop hosted Thursday by the Omaha Inland Port Authority.

From Cindy Gonzalez:

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Will Nebraska be home to the next ‘Alligator Alcatraz?’  • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska reportedly is under consideration to host a state-run immigration detention center launched in the likeness of "Alligator Alcatraz."

IMMIGRATION JAIL HERE? Nebraska is on a short list for a state-run, federally funded migrant detention center built to operate much like Florida's “Alligator Alcatraz.”

From Cindy Gonzalez:

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Nebraska lawmakers reflect on 2025 session, look ahead to 2026 • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Examiner invited all 49 lawmakers to review the most recent legislative session, and 43 responded as of the time of publication.

LAWMAKER REFLECTIONS: Each year, @NE_Examiner reaches out to every state senator after the legislative session and asks them their thoughts about what happened and what's next. In their own words.

From Zach Wendling:

ACLU files challenge to prolonged jailing of immigrant snagged in Omaha ICE raid • Nebraska Examiner ACLU of Nebraska has filed a legal challenge to the prolonged jailing of an immigrant arrested during the June 10 ICE raid in Omaha.

Court battle: A well-known defender of civil liberties has gone to federal court on behalf of a worker arrested during an Omaha immigration raid.
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/01/a...

Wisconsin launches child care payment program to give $110 million to providers, stabilize industry The Child Care Bridge Payment Program will provide $110 million to Wisconsin child care providers in monthly direct payments through June 2026.

Ensuring our budget made meaningful investments directly in child care providers statewide was a nonnegotiable for me.

I'm glad our bipartisan, pro-kid budget invests more than $360 million to support child care and help lower costs for working families.

www.jsonline.com/story/news/p...

Omaha mayor urges ‘single largest investment’ in affordable housing, with help from streetcar • Nebraska Examiner Mayor John Ewing Jr. wants Omaha to make what he calls the single largest investment in affordable housing, with help from the streetcar.

A STREETCAR NAMED HOUSING? New Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. wants to speed up investments in affordable housing tied to the city's streetcar project, he says in a sit-down interview with our @cgonzalez_NE.

‘Devastating’ spending cuts: Advocates decry tax law's impact on Latino communities • Nebraska Examiner The tax and spending law President Donald Trump signed this month will likely affect Latinos using safety net programs and more.

‘Devastating’ spending cuts: Advocates decry tax law’s impact on Latino communities nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/29/r...

3 immigration judges speak out about their firings: "It was arbitrary, unfair" Two of the fired federal immigration judges disclosed that they were told how they should rule on immigration cases.

Both Pappas and Peyton (immigration judges) disclosed that they were told how they should rule on immigration cases … now fired and speaking out
www.cbsnews.com/news/immigra...

Child care advocates hope new Nebraska GOP-focused poll spurs more support, public resources • Nebraska Examiner A new Nebraska GOP-focused poll explores views on child care, and an advocate hopes it will spark more support for resources.

Few argue child care is huge issue, but what’s NE doing? Whose responsibility is it? We looked at a poll of NE Republicans that hoped to shed light…
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/26/c...

“It seems like the rules are changing on a daily basis.” - Mindy Rush Chipman, ex dir ACLU Nebraska.

Former Omaha state senator announces bid for Douglas County District Court clerk • Nebraska Examiner Former state senator Justin Wayne announced he is seeking election to be the next Douglas County District Court Clerk in 2026.

WAYNE'S WORLD: Former State Sen. Justin Wayne said Wednesday that he would seek election as Douglas County District Court clerk in 2026. He is seeking to replace Crystal Rhoades, who is running for Congress.

From Erin Bamer:

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Crystal Rhoades jumps into crowded Nebraska 2nd District field • Nebraska Examiner Crystal Rhoades joins five other Democrats trying to replace U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. She describes herself as a “unique candidate."

NEW CANDIDATE CONFIRMED: Nebraska's Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District has another familiar face seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades. #NE02

First in the NebEx from Juan Salinas II:

nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/21/d...

Proud to see UNO Gateway work featured in the Examiner…pulling back the curtain on student elections

Omaha immigration raids are symptom of broken system • Nebraska Examiner Worksite raids are no solution. They are a symptom of a broken system that does not meet the needs of employers or workers.

Commentary: Local professors weigh in on immigration raids they say are out of whack with NE workforce needs nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/17/o...

GOP members of US Senate protest Trump freeze of $6.8B in school funding • Nebraska Examiner GOP senators called on the budget director to release $6.8 billion in K-12 funding for schools that the Trump administration is withholding.

FUNDING LETTER: U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., was one of several GOP senators signing onto a letter asking the Trump administration to release K-12 funding the admin has been withholding.

From States Newsroom:

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More 'Alligator Alcatraz' centers to be built by states flush with cash, experts predict • Nebraska Examiner Former top immigration officials say billions for enforcement signed into law this month will escalate rapid detention and deportations.

IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS? Former top immigration officials warned that billions of dollars for immigration enforcement signed into law earlier this month will escalate the rapid detention and deportations of immigrants.

From States Newsroom:

Native American radio stations part of funding deal as US Senate takes up cuts to NPR, PBS • Nebraska Examiner The U.S. Senate is debating changes to a bill to cancel $9 billion in previously approved spending on public broadcasting and foreign aid.

Native American radio stations part of funding deal as US Senate takes up cuts to NPR, PBS via our D.C bureau.

nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/16/r...

Gov. Jim Pillen touts new efficiencies as he seeks $500 million in budget cuts • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen praises passed government efficiency bills as he seeks 10% cut to state's general fund budget.

CLEANING THE CLOSETS? Gov. Jim Pillen ceremonially signed four bills Wednesday that he said would increase government efficiencies, previewing his intent to tighten Nebraska’s belt by another $500 million.

From Erin Bamer:

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“The Omaha Tribe is not waiting on broken systems to deliver,” says Omaha Tribe AG John Cartier.

Midwest farm economies suffered while some Sun Belt states rolled in early 2025 • Nebraska Examiner Global clashes and trade wars hammered Midwestern states’ agricultural economies early this year, while a continuing boom in Southeastern states’ housing and tech jobs kept their economies humming…

AG ECONOMY: Global clashes and trade wars hammered Midwestern states’ agricultural economies early this year, while a continuing boom in Southeastern states’ housing and tech jobs kept their economies humming along.

From Stateline via States Newsroom: