Zach Wendling

Former State Sen. Julie Slama runs for state treasurer • Nebraska Examiner A former Republican state senator is running for state treasurer, saying she will “work tirelessly to deliver conservative wins.”

Former State Sen. Julie Slama will run for the Nebraska State Treasurer's Office in 2026, a seat currently held by State Treasurer Tom Briese, a 2023 appointee and former state lawmaker who has not announced whether he'll seek election next year. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/03/f...

Omaha Tribe moves ahead with marijuana, accuses Nebraska AG of ‘retaliation’ in tobacco tax talks • Nebraska Examiner The Omaha Tribe is moving ahead with legalizing marijuana, which paused negotiations on an unrelated state-Tribal tobacco tax compact.

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is moving forward with medical cannabis. The tribe's attorney general says it led the state attorney general to shut off unrelated negotiations on a tobacco tax compact in "direct retaliation." nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/03/o...

Legislative committee briefed about possible impeachment of NU regent • Nebraska Examiner A possible impeachment of University of Nebraska Regent Elizabeth O’Connor appears more likely after lawmakers are briefed on the process.

Impeachment continues to be top of mind for some, including a committee last week briefed on the process. Committee leadership called for NU Regent O'Connor's resignation, and a video of the alleged crash involving alcohol has also been made available. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/27/l...

Nebraska signed contract with ICE on Sept. 30 to turn state prison into migrant detention center • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska official signed a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sept. 30 to convert a state prison into an ICE facility.

The state prison in McCook is now under contract to house migrant detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, based on a redacted copy of a contract Gov. Jim Pillen released Friday. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/17/n...

13 McCook residents, former lawmaker sue to stop Nebraska-ICE detention center • Nebraska Examiner Thirteen McCook residents filed a lawsuit to stop Nebraska officials from converting a state prison into an immigration detention facility.

Thirteen McCook residents filed a lawsuit to stop Nebraska officials from converting a state prison into an immigration detention facility. They filed suit with the backing of a former lawmaker who helped pass the law directing the state’s use of the facility. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/1...

AG’s Office: All inmates moved from Nebraska’s McCook prison, planned ICE detention center • Nebraska Examiner Officials have moved out all inmates at a state prison Gov. Jim Pillen plans to convert into an immigration detention center by November.

A state attorney says all inmates have been moved from a state prison Gov. Jim Pillen plans to convert into an immigration detention center by the end of the month. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/a...

Nebraska’s first medical cannabis cultivators offered licenses as legal threats loom • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission offered the state’s first medical cannabis cultivator licenses Tuesday.

Nebraska is on the verge of licensing its first medical cannabis growers after the state's Medical Cannabis Commission approved offering cultivator permits to two applicants. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/07/n...

Lawmaker challenges medical cannabis regs he says ‘override’ Nebraska voter intent • Nebraska Examiner LINCOLN — A state lawmaker is formally challenging regulations from the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission that he says “override the clearly expressed will of Nebraska voters.” A Thursday…

State Sen. John Cavanaugh is formally challenging regulations from the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission that he says “override the clearly expressed will of Nebraska voters.” nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/02/l...

Funding restored to Nebraska drug disposal program after midsummer cuts • Nebraska Examiner Officials will continue a Nebraska drug disposal program, reversing a decision not to renew a contract despite having state funding.

Nebraska’s drug disposal program will still have state funds, for now, as officials reverse a decision not to renew a contract despite having the funds to do so.

A blue whale’s worth of meds, or 16 male African elephants, disposed of in 10 years and counting. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/11/f...

State Sen. Kauth takes steps toward impeaching NU regent, Pillen weighs in • Nebraska Examiner A state senator says she is pursuing steps to possibly impeach a University of Nebraska regent who faces a felony DUI charge.

Legislative pressure is on for NU Regent Elizabeth O’Connor. Plus, Gov. Jim Pillen says if the allegation of a DUI causing serious injuries is true, O’Connor should consider whether to stay in her position. @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/07/s...

‘All systems go’: Medicine now flows in Nebraska-Iowa prescription drug donation program • Nebraska Examiner Medicine collected by Iowa’s SafeNetRx nonprofit is flowing back to Nebraska in the first multi-state prescription drug donation program.

The planned partnership between Nebraska and Iowa for the nation’s first multi-state prescription drug donation program is finally in action. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/19/a...

NU regent faces felony DUI charge from crash that could jeopardize her office • Nebraska Examiner A University of Nebraska regent faces a felony charge alleging driving under the influence and crashing into another car in mid-May.

A review of public records + reaching out to witnesses and colleagues to Regent Elizabeth O'Connor, who allegedly drove under the influence and caused serious injury to another. Plus, a look at what this could mean for her elected role. @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/12/n...

Nebraska lawmakers reflect on, look ahead from contentious 2023 legislative session • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska lawmakers in the Legislature were invited to review the 2023 session and offer a preview into what they're looking ahead to in 2024.

This is one of my favorite projects after long sessions, with a near 100% participation rate and more senators responding than when I first did this all-49 response wheel in 2023. Expect at least one more 49-senator review on a different topic later this year. nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/07/12/n...

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.

A review of Nebraska's 2025 legislative session with short reflections from 48 of our 49 state senators, including their proudest moments and early focuses heading into 2026. For @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/04/n...

Medical cannabis advocate, targeted notary running for Nebraska governor • Nebraska Examiner A grassroots advocate for medical cannabis at the center of some Nebraska state officials’ efforts against the drug is running for governor.

Jacy Todd, a longtime advocate for medical cannabis, is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2026 in a challenge to Gov. Jim Pillen. Todd is also among those targeted in legal efforts against Nebraska's medical cannabis laws. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/08/m...

Nebraska K-9s injured in line of duty newly authorized for EMS care, transportation • Nebraska Examiner A new state law authorizes emergency medical services care and transportation for Nebraska K-9s if ever injured in the line of duty.

A new state law that took effect this week authorizes emergency medical care or transportation for Nebraska K-9s injured in the line of duty. @nebraskaexaminer.com

Nebraska’s Pillen among 17 Republican governors to oppose congressional AI moratorium • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and 16 other Republican governors oppose a nationwide moratorium on state-level AI laws or regulations.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is one of 17 Republican governors opposing a federal ban on state-level AI laws or regulations, which could entangle laws that Nebraska lawmakers passed in May. @nebraskaexaminer.com

A spokesperson for the governor just now telling me: "Governor Pillen is carefully reviewing the emergency regulations and will have a decision by July 1.”

If you have any questions, tips or concerns, please keep sending them. I know how personal this is to many families — I’ve gotten more than a dozen emails in the past 24 hours. Please reach me at zwendling@nebraskaexaminer.com. Thank you. (10/10)

Here’s where the previous legal challenge stands that the Supreme Court will be considering. The same district court judge considered both challenges. (9/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/26/d...

Judge dismisses federal preemption case against Nebraska medical cannabis laws • Nebraska Examiner A Lancaster County District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to void Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws for violating federal law.

The attorney general and a former state senator are currently seeking to void the state laws. The Nebraska Supreme Court could hear oral arguments as early as September. Yesterday, a district court judge rejected a second lawsuit. (8/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/26/j...

There will be a FORMAL regulations process moving forward later this summer that will include more public comment, including an in-person hearing, likely in September. Next Medical Cannabis Commission is Aug. 4. (7/10)

Public comment on emergency regs can still be submitted by July 15 to lcc.frontdesk@nebraska.gov. Applications can also officially be submitted as soon as the governor signs off. (6/10)

Also, the medical cannabis emergency regs are NOT in effect. The governor has NOT signed off yet as far as we know (and yes, we're asking). If/when he does, it would be for 90 days. Final regs are planning to be done by Oct. 1 — the latest licensing could begin. (5/10)

Proposal to ban most THC, consumable hemp products in Nebraska delayed until at least 2026 • Nebraska Examiner An effort backed by the Nebraska attorney general to ban most consumable hemp and THC products in the state will wait until at least 2026.

Yes, the Nebraska attorney general is cracking down on delta-8, but no, a regulatory board has not taken over that mantle. Lawmakers passed over such a bill in May, which will more than likely return in 2026, but that’s for the future, not now. (4/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/30/p...

I still have not seen a formal copy of the emergency regs online, but here is a quickly put-together copy from me here: nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/u... (3/10)

Patients/caregivers could still possess 5 ounces of medical cannabis, including flower, smoke/vape products, food/drinks infused with cannabis, delta-8, sugar gummies. BUT the emergency regs would NOT allow Nebraska licensed dispensaries to sell those products. (2/10)

Nebraska commission approves emergency medical cannabis regulations • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved emergency regulations to soon begin accepting medical cannabis applications.

Many questions on emergency regs, so I want to uplift a few questions I’m seeing quite often. First: the regulations would NOT outlaw any forms of cannabis. The Legislature could do so, but lawmakers have not yet. 🧵 (1/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/26/n...

Judge dismisses federal preemption case against Nebraska medical cannabis laws • Nebraska Examiner A Lancaster County District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to void Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws for violating federal law.

CASE DISMISSED: A Lancaster County District Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to void Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws on the grounds that they violate federal laws against marijuana.

From Zach Wendling:

buff.ly/41FXcyI

Nebraska commission approves emergency medical cannabis regulations • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved emergency regulations to soon begin accepting medical cannabis applications.

MED CANNABIS REGS: The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission on Thursday approved emergency regulations to begin accepting medical cannabis applications after Gov. Jim Pillen gives a green light.

From Zach Wendling:

buff.ly/RBMGcBh