Erin Bamer

State Sen. Dan McKeon changes plea to not guilty on misdemeanor disturbing the peace charge • Nebraska Examiner After first filing a plea of no contest on a misdemeanor charge, State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst changed course. He now plans to fight.

CHANGED PLEA: After first filing a plea of no contest that wasn’t accepted when he didn’t attend his hearing, State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst changed course and plans to fight the allegation against him.

From Erin Bamer:

UNL faculty overwhelmingly pass historic ‘no confidence’ vote against chancellor • Nebraska Examiner Faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln overwhelmingly passed a resolution expressing “no confidence” in Chancellor Rodney Bennett.

HISTORIC VOTE: Faculty leaders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln passed a "no confidence" resolution Tuesday in Chancellor Rodney Bennett. It's the first such measure to pass in UNL’s nearly 157-year history.

From Zach Wendling:

buff.ly/USWLxFP

State Sen. John Cavanaugh defends U.S. House bid against risks to state filibuster • Nebraska Examiner The Omaha lawmaker called the criticisms a “loser mentality” and said he plans to run a campaign that raises “all boats."

NE-02 QUESTIONS: In an off-year election when Dems might win the NE-02 race for Congress, some worry about the risks of narrowing the party’s thin margin for statehouse filibusters if State Sen. John Cavanaugh wins.

First in the Examiner from Juan Salinas II:

nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/19/s...

Accused Nebraska lawmaker’s statements allude to ‘joke’ in incident during party • Nebraska Examiner Statements and a letter from State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst reveal his perspective about an alleged groping of a woman at legislative party.

NEW TODAY: State Sen. Dan McKeon apologized in a a July letter to the woman accusing him of having groped her at a party. But this week, he sought to clarify what he was apologizing for, and her lawyer defended the investigation.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/UYjTefU

Gov. Jim Pillen requests state senator resign amidst groping allegation • Nebraska Examiner Gov. Jim Pillen says he has requested Sen. Dan McKeon's resignation in light of allegations that he groped a woman at a lawmaker party.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen requests state senator resign amidst groping allegation via @erinbamer.bsky.social

“Pillen said the accusations against McKeon refer to a “serious” and “unacceptable” offense.”

nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/03/g...

Nebraska’s projected budget deficit grows to $451 million after new forecasts • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska's projected budget deficit ballooned to about $451 million after new estimates from the state's Economic Forecasting Advisory Board.

BUDGET HOLE GROWS: Nebraska's lawmakers and Gov. Jim Pillen know they're going to have to adjust the state budget, and the latest meeting of the Economic Forecasting Board shows why.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/wyv0Wi9

Tune in to this developing story in Nebraska.

This is exclusive to @nebraskaexaminer.com and features relentless reporting from @erinbamer.bsky.social.

Nebraska DHHS post questioned for political message on public agency website • Nebraska Examiner State law prohibits public resources from being used for political purposes; DHHS says Gov. Jim Pillen can issue partisan statements.

START YOUR FRIDAY: With questions about whether a banner post on the @NEDHHS website crossed a line into political action using state resources.

From Juan Salinas II:

buff.ly/GO0n7ia

Fate of McCook Work Ethic Camp up in the air as judge weighs temporary injunction • Nebraska Examiner The process of converting a state prison in McCook into an immigration detention facility is still underway as a judge considers a temporary injunction motion filed by McCook residents and a former…

ICYMI: The future of the McCook Work Ethic Camp as a state-run federal immigration detention center could hang in the balance in a lawsuit that was argued Friday in Red Willow County District Court.

From Erin Bamer:

nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/24/f...

Dispute over maintenance of rural cemeteries in Tekamah may spur creation of new cemetery board • Nebraska Examiner In Tekamah, a months-long dispute over maintenance of rural cemeteries in the region may spur the creation of a new local cemetery board.

CEMETERY FIGHT: A local dispute over whether a board that once cared for rural cemeteries should be doing more has spilled into a political discussion about how to make sure the resting places are treated with proper respect and care.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/OOctpHC

Nebraska lawmakers consider cutting unfunded local mandates to ease property tax burden • Nebraska Examiner A push to limit unfunded state mandates remains alive in the Nebraska Legislature through an interim study on the impacts on county budgets.

State senators are renewing a push to reduce unfunded mandates on Nebraska counties in hopes of reducing local reliance on property taxes.

From Erin Bamer:

nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/03/n...

New Nebraska property tax relief petition adds push for $50K base salary for public school teachers • Nebraska Examiner A nonprofit launched a third petition for the 2026 ballot. This one seeks a state-funded base salary of $50,000 for Nebraska public school teachers.

PETITION DRIVE: Property taxpayers would foot less of the bill for local K-12 teachers under a petition that organizers say is aimed at lifting the base salary of Nebraska public school teachers and having the state pay.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/JnWd9U0

Shuttered Dana College campus revived as space for young adults aging out of foster care • Nebraska Examiner The former Dana College campus in Blair has transformed into Dana Village, housing young adults aging out of Nebraska's foster care system.

BLAIR AFTER DANA: Losing a college is a gut punch to the local economy. But Blair after the loss of Dana College is one of the few communities to bounce back. Let Erin Bamer and Rebecca Gratz take you to campus, where foster kids aging out of the system find help.

Unanswered questions remain about Nebraska-ICE jail after private legislative briefing • Nebraska Examiner State lawmakers say Nebraska was the one to initiate conversations about repurposing McCook's Work Ethic Camp into an ICE detention center.

ICE JAIL: Some new details about the Nebraska prison in McCook headed for use as a federal immigration jail emerged in a briefing Gov. Jim Pillen's staff attended for members of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/z2TvX3P

Nebraska tax revenues $20 million above projections for July • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska's July tax receipts were $20 million above forecasts, but it may not be the sign of change some state officials were hoping for.

Nebraska's July tax receipts were $20 million above projections, but it's up for debate how that will impact the state's new budget deficit.

Read more here:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/19/n...

Nebraska’s Education Future Fund on track to depletion within five years • Nebraska Examiner Created in 2023, Nebraska's Education Future Fund could deplete within five years of its creation if lawmakers don't find new revenues to support it.

K-12 FUND RUNNING OUT? The Education Future Fund, Nebraska's billion-dollar initial investment and yearly additions paying a baseline of state aid and a higher share of special ed costs, is on track for depletion.

First in the Examiner from @ErinBamer:

Inspector probes Nebraska DHHS review process for suspected child abuse • Nebraska Examiner A new OIG report questions how Nebraska DHHS is using a family intervention program in cases of potential child abuse or neglect.

CHILD ABUSE REVIEW: The Inspector General of Child Welfare dug into how Nebraska DHHS used a program meant to keep kids suspected of being abused or neglected at home longer and out of foster care.

From Erin Bamer:

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:

Feds say Nebraska GDP shrunk more than 6% in first quarter of 2025, led by ag • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska tied with Iowa for the largest losses of Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2025, of 6.1%, according to federal report.

WARNING SIGNS: Nebraska's GDP shrunk by a nation-leading 6.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Only Iowa lost as much, based on federal statistics. Tough times in agriculture led the way, which could signal trouble.

From Erin Bamer:

Nebraska Democrats have outraised the Nebraska GOP since 2022. Does it matter? • Nebraska Examiner After its 2022 convention, donations to the Nebraska GOP fell, but the decline hasn't made much of an impact on elections in the years since.

Since 2022, the Nebraska Democratic Party has outraised the Nebraska GOP, both at the state and federal level. But it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference in elections. We break it down here @nebraskaexaminer.com:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/29/n...

Nebraska is back in a projected deficit of $95 million due to lower tax revenues • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska is back in a projected budget deficit of roughly $95 million after tax revenues fell below projections.

FALLING BACK: It’s official. Nebraska is back in the big red, a projected deficit of about $95 million after tax revenues for the year came in below forecasts.

From Erin Bamer:

Nebraska is back in a projected deficit of $95 million due to lower tax revenues • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska is back in a projected budget deficit of roughly $95 million after tax revenues fell below projections.

Nebraska is officially back in a projected deficit of about $95 million due to tax revenues falling below projections. #neleg
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/24/n...

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."

Crystal Rhoades jumps into crowded Nebraska 2nd District field

Now, six Democrats are campaigning to be the nominee to be in a position of being the first Democrat to represent the state in about a decade.
 
My latest @nebraskaexaminer.com

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

Gov. Jim Pillen celebrates Nebraska ban on lab-grown meat at O’Neill butcher shop • Nebraska Examiner Gov. Jim Pillen celebrates a win over lab-grown meat, ceremonially signing a bill in O'Neill banning the sale and production of the products.

New favorite Pillen quote just dropped:
"When anybody is talking about meat and it does not come from a live critter, a four-legged critter, it ain’t meat."

Poultry and fish industry, you have 24 hours to respond.
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/17/g...

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:

buff.ly/IT1U0VD

Nebraska ends fiscal year $86 million short on expected tax revenues • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska appears to be headed back into a budget deficit after ending the fiscal year $86 million short of revenue projections.

STATE RECEIPTS DOWN: Nebraska ended the fiscal year about $86 million below its expected state tax revenues, further cementing the budget challenges lawmakers will face next session.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/sV4tIaI

Nebraska’s US senators will decide on $9.4B funding cuts from public media, foreign aid • Nebraska Examiner President Donald Trump seeks to do what two previous GOP administrations talked about but didn’t — strip federal funding from NPR and PBS.

BIG VOTES: This week, as early as today, the Nebraska’s members of the U.S. Senate could vote on the rescission package Congress is considering at President Donald Trump’s request to pull funding from foreign aid and public media.

From Juan Salinas II:

Auditor probes Nebraska African American Affairs Commission in new report • Nebraska Examiner State Auditor Mike Foley, in a new audit, says some struggles continue for Nebraska’s African American Affairs Commission.

STATE AUDIT: State Auditor Mike Foley says some struggles continue for Nebraska’s African American Affairs Commission, citing how the commission has documented its meetings and expenses.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/XuBevzK

Nebraska grocers raise concerns about ban on soda, energy drinks from public grocery aid • Nebraska Examiner Local grocers sounded alarm about potential negative impacts from restrictions to Nebraska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Nebraska grocers sounded alarm bells Tuesday about the potential negative impacts that incoming restrictions to SNAP could have on businesses and more than 150,000 people.

From Erin Bamer:

buff.ly/xpHP6iF

Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom running for Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd District • Nebraska Examiner After speculations, Former Omaha State Sen. Brett Lindstrom became the second Republican to join the race for the open U.S. House seat.

Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom is running for the Republican nomination to defend Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District seat. 

He said his “pragmatic” approach and record will “speak for itself.”

My latest @nebraskaexaminer.com

nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/07/f...