Jackie Ourada

Nebraska officials say federal fire help is ‘underway,’ but they’re also seeking assistance from other states Nebraska’s state leaders on Saturday struck an uncertain tone on federal financial assistance in their updates on the wildfires burning in western and central Nebraska.

New: State leaders struck an uncertain tone Saturday when talking about how much aid Nebraska will receive from the feds for these historic wildfires.

So Gov. Pillen is seeking all the help he can get from other cities in Nebraska and other states. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

State of emergency declared for 7 counties as wildfires spread in Nebraska As of midnight, a fire near Halsey had burned nearly 36,000 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, while a fire in Dawson County forced nearly 200 people to evacuate.

Four big wildfires are burning across Nebraska, including one that's near a popular lake in west-central Nebraska. Gov. Pillen has issued a state of emergency for several counties as people are ordered to evacuate.

Here's what we know so far: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Nebraska named in expanded Congressional Medicaid fraud investigation Nebraska is one of 10 states – and the only one with Republican leadership – named in a congressional probe into Medicaid fraud.

Nebraska is one of 10 states – and the only one with Republican leadership – named in a congressional probe into Medicaid fraud. From NPM's Molly Ashford: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Ricketts letter highlights ongoing issues at Omaha postal facility Sen. Pete Ricketts has sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service’s Omaha Processing and Distribution Center calling for improvements based on an audit by the Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General. The audit, done last fall, found numerous problems at the Omaha center, which serves as a hub for all of Nebraska.

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is calling for improvements at the Omaha UPSPS Processing and Distribution Center after an audit found a list of processing and accuracy issues. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/ricketts-letter-highlights-ongoing-issues-at-omaha-postal-facility/

Nebraska immigration law clinic shutting down after 28 years The University of Nebraska College of Law is closing the doors of its immigration clinic, which has operated for nearly 30 years. Head of the immigration clinic, Kevin Ruser, stepped down from the rol...

Immigrants in Nebraska will have one less resource after May. UNL’s College of Law, which has helped people in Nebraska communities for 28 years, is closing down. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Lincoln Police Department now handling investigation of ‘suspect’ $2.5 million no-bid state contract The investigation was initially referred to the Nebraska State Patrol, but a patrol spokesperson said the investigation was turned over to the Lincoln Police Department due to a potential conflict of interest.

New: LPD is now investigating the $2.5 million contract awarded by the Department of Economic Development to an acquaintance of Gov. Pillen. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/lincoln-police-department-now-handling-investigation-of-suspect-25-million-no-bid-state-contract/

‘Third time is the charm': EPIC 2.0 again pauses petition circulation, aims for 2028 ballot Organizers behind a petition that sought to ban the state from collecting property, income and inheritance taxes are pausing signature collection.

EPIC, the petition group that wants to replace property taxes with consumption taxes, is again finding itself back at the drawing board. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/third-time-is-the-charm-epic-20-again-pauses-petition-circulation-aims-for-2028-ballot/

Ranchers concerned about pastures after Nebraska’s warmest winter since Dust Bowl Nebraska farmers and ranchers are preparing for a potentially difficult summer as the state experiences its third-warmest winter on record, according to the National Weather Service. The two warmest w...

Sunday's weather felt beautiful, but these warm days are adding up. Nebraska just wrapped up its warmest winter on record since the 1930s, when the Dust Bowl encased the Great Plains. #newx #drought nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Western Nebraska couple, former K-12 educator challenging District 48 incumbent Three political newcomers, including a husband-wife duo, are hoping to replace incumbent Brian Hardin in Legislative District 48.

Three candidates who hope to replace Sen. Hardin in Nebraska’s 48th District told me they’re running because senators have upended or slow-walked legislation approved by voters, like minimum wage increases and medical marijuana. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

‘There’s fear’: ICE arrests surge in Nebraska with 329% increase in 2025 Thousands of federal immigration officers have deployed to fulfill President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. Nebraska is not insulated from the shock waves. The state saw a 329% year-over-ye...

New on Nebraska Public Media News: Nebraska saw a nearly 330% increase in ICE arrests in 2025.

And compared to previous years, many more of those arrested don't have criminal backgrounds. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

The 50th anniversary of girls state basketball arrives, as participation steadily dips in Nebraska With the 50th year of the girls state basketball tournament in Nebraska tipping off Wednesday, the sport finds itself in uncharted waters. Nebraska high school girls basketball games seem to be gettin...

New on Nebraska Public Media: A few girls basketball teams in Nebraska are hanging on by a thread — losing games by 50+ points week after week.

Hear from NSAA, HS sports writer Stu Pospisil and players about what’s going on in girls HS basketball. #nebpreps nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Senators pitch business incentives to keep Union Pacific in Nebraska during merger Several state senators are again eyeing business tax incentives to try to keep big businesses, such as Union Pacific, in the state.

Nebraska is looking to dish out tax and grant incentives to Union Pacific as it tries to acquire Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/senators-pitch-business-incentives-to-keep-union-pacific-in-nebraska-during-merger/

Maverick to medal winner: Former Omaha hockey standout helps Team USA bring home the gold A former Omaha Maverick hockey player helped Team USA knock off Canada in Sunday’s thrilling gold medal win in Milan, Italy. Jake Guentzel competed for the Americans as they defeated the neighbors up north, 2-1.

A former Omaha Mav is now an Olympic gold medalist. Jake Guentzel is repping #TeamUSA which beat Canada on Sunday in a thrilling match. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/maverick-to-medal-winner-former-omaha-hockey-standout-helps-team-usa-bring-home-the-gold/

Citing political violence, Nebraska senator wants secure parking garage access currently used by state employees The Nebraska Legislature’s Executive Board is considering dedicating parking spots in a secure parking garage near the Capitol that connects to the Legislative chamber via an underground tunnel.

A Nebraska state senator wants access to a secure, tunneled parking garage for safety reasons.

He said lawmakers have needed to use it after voting for controversial bills, including the 2023 law on abortion restrictions and gender affirming care. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Small-business owners testify against legislation that adds sales taxes, removes redevelopment incentive Sen. Dave Murman, who represents seven south-central Nebraska counties and the city of Holdrege, introduced LB 1244 on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen, who’s attempting again to expand Nebraska’s tax base t...

Dozens of small business owners on Wednesday asked a legislative committee to not implement sales taxes on services commonly offered by independent shop owners. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Nebraska teachers’ union rejects state funding private schools Gov. Jim Pillen’s budget proposal allocates $7 million for private and parochial school scholarships. The Nebraska State Education Association strongly opposes a proposed school voucher program, sayin...

Gov. Pillen wants to allocate $7 million to private and parochial K-12 school scholarships. This is the latest attempt to use public money for private school use, which voters rejected in 2024. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

The nation’s wheat belt has been wavering, but hybrid science may help bring it back From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops. New innovations could rejuvenate the economy and pro...

Wheat isn’t grown as much as it used to be across the Great Plains. That’s because of drier weather and because wheat has seen fewer advancements than other crops. But seed companies and universities are working to develop a wheat hybrid. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

NU men reach No. 7 in AP poll, marking highest ranking ever The undefeated Nebraska Men’s basketball team achieved its highest ranking ever Monday, coming in at No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

No. 7! The Nebraska men's basketball team reached new heights Monday when they were listed at No. 7 in the AP Top 25 poll. It's the highest ranking ever for the team. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Omaha native rows solo across Atlantic in World’s Toughest Row After nearly three years of preparation, Omaha native Taryn Smith is rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean in one of the world's most demanding endurance races.

An Omaha woman is currently in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, completely alone, on a quest to prove that you don't need to be an expert to do something extraordinary. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Is Glice as nice as real ice? Mahoney State Park officials think so After nearly 30 years, aging infrastructure at Mahoney State Park's outdoor ice skating rink could no longer keep up with Nebraska's warming winters.

Mahoney State Park replaced the ice in its ice rink with a synthetic surface called glice. Is it as nice? Skaters we spoke to don't mind it. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/is-glice-as-nice-as-real-ice-mahoney-state-park-officials-think-so/

Flu cases drop, but hospitals seeing more patients The number of flu cases in Nebraska declined in the last week of 2025, falling by about 500 from the previous week, but the number of the people in the hospital due to the flu rose 17% statewide, according to data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

A hospital in Nebraska is requiring patients and staff to wear face masks again as the number of patients with flu soars. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/flu-cases-drop-but-hospitals-seeing-more-patients/

Mention of transgender care imperils Douglas, Sarpy learning community plan at State Board of Ed meeting The State Board of Education took no action on the Community Achievement Plan of the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy counties after some members shared concerns about a partnership with an organization that provides transgender health care.

The State Board of Ed was set to decide on a Community Achievement Plan — until discussion of transgender care arose. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/mention-of-transgender-care-imperils-douglas-sarpy-learning-community-plan-at-state-board-of-ed-meeting/

Flood, Ricketts support Greenland negotiations, Bacon calls military action 'one of the silliest things' Several members of Nebraska’s Congressional delegation are open to the United States eventually controlling Greenland, under certain circumstances, as several White House leaders flirt with the idea to make the sparsely populated country a part of the U.S.

There are differing opinions among Nebraska's congressional delegation on whether the U.S. should ramp up its military operations in Greenland. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/flood-ricketts-support-greenland-negotiations-bacon-calls-military-action-one-of-the-silliest-things/

Lincoln pediatrician recommends previous CDC vaccine schedule One Lincoln pediatrician is reminding families that vaccines no longer recommended for children are still safe and available. That follows a Monday announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which altered vaccine recommendations.

As the CDC backs away from vaccines, some Nebraska pediatricians are reminding parents that vaccines are safe and available. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/lincoln-pediatrician-recommends-previous-cdc-vaccine-schedule/

Nebraska Education Commissioner discusses literacy, school funding headed into new year Literacy, funding and the school financing review commission. These topics made headlines in education in 2025. Education reporter Jolie Peal spoke with Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Brian Maher about these topics and more as 2026 gets underway.

After an error that resulted in 3 districts receiving overpayments in state aid, Ed. Commissioner Brian Maher says his department is making some changes. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-education-commissioner-discusses-literacy-school-funding-headed-into-new-year/

Regents meeting to vote on buying Clarkson’s half of Nebraska Medicine delayed The University of Nebraska Board of Regents was set to vote Friday on buying out Clarkson Regional Health Services’ half of Nebraska Medicine. The meeting has now been delayed until Jan. 15.

On the same afternoon state senators sent a letter about NU's for Nebraska Medicine, the NU regents decided to delay the vote. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/regents-meeting-to-vote-on-buying-clarksons-half-of-nebraska-medicine-delayed/

Budget challenges may overshadow initiatives in Legislature Fixing Nebraska's budget shortfall may overshadow new initiatives in the Legislature's 2026 session.

As the Legislature convenes Wednesday, senators will surely be focused on the $471M budget shortfall. One committee chair expects DHHS will be a big target for cuts. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/budget-challenges-may-overshadow-initiatives-in-legislature/

Controversial content creator PragerU displays posted in Nebraska Capitol ahead of America250 celebrations As a part of the United States Semiquincentennial, Nebraska is displaying historical material created by PragerU, a controversial conservative content creator.

Nebraska's going big for the United States' 250th birthday this year. Part of the celebration includes displays from PragerU. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/controversial-content-creator-prageru-displays-posted-in-nebraska-capitol-ahead-of-america250-celebrations/

Nebraska reports more cases of bird flu The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has reported several cases of bird flu in the state since November, including one in a large commercial flock.

In case you missed it: Nebraska's Dept. of Ag revealed Monday that several counties have reported bird flu in flocks in the last two months. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-reports-more-cases-of-bird-flu/

Nebraska's unemployment rate might not be telling the whole story on job market Despite a 3% unemployment rate, many signs point to an increase in people losing their jobs and a slowdown in hiring in the state.

Nebraska's unemployment rate continues to be lower than the national average, but more Nebraskans are losing their jobs. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraskas-unemployment-rate-might-not-be-telling-the-whole-story-on-job-market/