Nebraska Examiner
@nebraskaexaminer.com
A nonprofit, independent news source committed to providing news, scoops and reports important to our state.
CATCHING UP: Don't miss this deep dive from Zach Wendling about proposed changes to a Medicaid waiver allowing aging Nebraskans and those with a disability to remain at home that are causing panic for some caregivers.
In the Examiner:
In the Examiner:
Families fear ‘devastating’ changes to Nebraska program serving people with disabilities, elderly • Nebraska Examiner
The proposal would make changes to a Medicaid waiver that allows aging Nebraskans or those with disabilities to remain at home.
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
CATCHING UP: Don't miss this deep dive from Zach Wendling about proposed changes to a Medicaid waiver allowing aging Nebraskans and those with a disability to remain at home that are causing panic for some caregivers.
In the Examiner:
In the Examiner:
NEW TODAY: Term-limited Speaker John Arch spoke with Erin Bamer about his final session in the Nebraska Legislature, set to start next month.
From the Examiner:
From the Examiner:
Budget first: Speaker John Arch breaks down biggest tasks for Nebraska Legislature • Nebraska Examiner
Going into his final session as speaker, John Arch said balancing Nebraska's budget and filling a deficit are his top priorities for 2026.
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
NEW TODAY: Term-limited Speaker John Arch spoke with Erin Bamer about his final session in the Nebraska Legislature, set to start next month.
From the Examiner:
From the Examiner:
START YOUR MORNING: With a story about the increasing role that state courts might play in deciding the future of congressional gerrymandering by state legislatures as the U.S. Supreme Court steps back.
From Stateline:
From Stateline:
As Supreme Court pulls back on gerrymandering, state courts may decide fate of maps • Nebraska Examiner
As some states redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, state courts may decide the fate of the new maps.
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 12:49 PM
START YOUR MORNING: With a story about the increasing role that state courts might play in deciding the future of congressional gerrymandering by state legislatures as the U.S. Supreme Court steps back.
From Stateline:
From Stateline:
HOMELESS YOUTH: As more cities impose bans, fines or jail time for adults living on the streets, young people who have been homeless say they face unique problems that could have been addressed earlier.
From Stateline:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/25/r...
From Stateline:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/25/r...
Homeless youth say they need more from schools, social services • Nebraska Examiner
Young people who have been homeless tell researchers they face problems that could have been addressed earlier.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:39 AM
HOMELESS YOUTH: As more cities impose bans, fines or jail time for adults living on the streets, young people who have been homeless say they face unique problems that could have been addressed earlier.
From Stateline:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/25/r...
From Stateline:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/25/r...
UPDATE: The case of the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., is moving to federal court, where whether to pursue the death penalty still must be decided.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
National Guard shooting case moved to federal court as prosecutors weigh death penalty • Nebraska Examiner
The man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House last month, killing one, was charged in federal court.
buff.ly
December 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
UPDATE: The case of the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., is moving to federal court, where whether to pursue the death penalty still must be decided.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
COMMENTARY: We all know what’s coming. Legislative sessions are rough whenever state government is short of money, and Nebraska spent the last session checking the couch cushions. But take a minute before then to relax and maybe to help others.
From Aaron Sanderford:
From Aaron Sanderford:
OPINION: Take time to breathe, help before the legislative storm • Nebraska Examiner
No matter your politics or beliefs, this season is set aside for breaks from the daily grind. It's meant for love, kindness and reflection.
buff.ly
December 25, 2025 at 7:15 PM
COMMENTARY: We all know what’s coming. Legislative sessions are rough whenever state government is short of money, and Nebraska spent the last session checking the couch cushions. But take a minute before then to relax and maybe to help others.
From Aaron Sanderford:
From Aaron Sanderford:
FAMILIES WEIGH IN: A proposal from Nebraska DHHS for changes to a Medicaid waiver allowing aging Nebraskans and those with a disability to remain at home is panicking some families and caregivers.
From Zach Wendling:
From Zach Wendling:
Families fear ‘devastating’ changes to Nebraska program serving people with disabilities, elderly • Nebraska Examiner
The proposal would make changes to a Medicaid waiver that allows aging Nebraskans or those with disabilities to remain at home.
buff.ly
December 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
FAMILIES WEIGH IN: A proposal from Nebraska DHHS for changes to a Medicaid waiver allowing aging Nebraskans and those with a disability to remain at home is panicking some families and caregivers.
From Zach Wendling:
From Zach Wendling:
ICYMI: Start your morning with a story about some hope for people who feel overwhelmed by holiday stress.
From States Newsroom:
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From States Newsroom:
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Feeling holiday stress? University of Iowa research looks into ways to cope • Nebraska Examiner
A UI researcher's study of stress and how different coping strategies impact risk helps inform him of how to de-stress during the holidays.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
ICYMI: Start your morning with a story about some hope for people who feel overwhelmed by holiday stress.
From States Newsroom:
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From States Newsroom:
buff.ly/lJI246E
PRODUCT LIMITS: Even where menstrual products are available, limited supplies, low quality, strict rules and delays in medical care can result in incarcerated people facing avoidable health issues or discipline.
From Stateline:
From Stateline:
Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products • Nebraska Examiner
Many incarcerated women face challenges accessing menstrual products, even in facilities that provide them for free.
buff.ly
December 25, 2025 at 2:27 AM
PRODUCT LIMITS: Even where menstrual products are available, limited supplies, low quality, strict rules and delays in medical care can result in incarcerated people facing avoidable health issues or discipline.
From Stateline:
From Stateline:
ICYMI: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers is ending his lawsuit against the Omaha Public Power District, for now, after the public utility board delayed plans to modify power production in North Omaha until 2028.
From Zach Wendling:
From Zach Wendling:
Nebraska AG will drop lawsuit against OPPD, North Omaha power plant — for now • Nebraska Examiner
The state lawsuit against the Omaha Public Power District ends, for now, after the board voted to delay transitioning North Omaha Station.
buff.ly
December 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
ICYMI: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers is ending his lawsuit against the Omaha Public Power District, for now, after the public utility board delayed plans to modify power production in North Omaha until 2028.
From Zach Wendling:
From Zach Wendling:
CHANGES SPARK FEAR: A DHHS proposal to change a Medicaid waiver program allowing aging Nebraskans and those with a disability to remain at home is causing panic for some families and caregivers.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/rgVYG5y
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/rgVYG5y
Families fear ‘devastating’ changes to Nebraska program serving people with disabilities, elderly • Nebraska Examiner
The proposal would make changes to a Medicaid waiver that allows aging Nebraskans or those with a disability to remain at home.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
CHANGES SPARK FEAR: A DHHS proposal to change a Medicaid waiver program allowing aging Nebraskans and those with a disability to remain at home is causing panic for some families and caregivers.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/rgVYG5y
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/rgVYG5y
TRUMP CHICAGO: President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
US Supreme Court in defeat for Trump blocks deployment of National Guard in Chicago • Nebraska Examiner
President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 7:59 PM
TRUMP CHICAGO: President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
NEED TO KNOW: Former Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse has a terminal form of pancreatic cancer. He announced the diagnosis with social media posts aimed at multiple audiences, especially the ones at home.
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix:
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix:
Former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse announces terminal stage-four cancer diagnosis • Nebraska Examiner
Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer," he announced Tuesday.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
NEED TO KNOW: Former Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse has a terminal form of pancreatic cancer. He announced the diagnosis with social media posts aimed at multiple audiences, especially the ones at home.
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix:
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix:
START YOUR THURSDAY: With some hard news for some student loan borrowers who have had trouble paying back their loans. Garnishments might be coming.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
Trump administration to garnish wages for defaulted student loans • Nebraska Examiner
President Donald Trump’s administration will start garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers in default beginning early next year.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
START YOUR THURSDAY: With some hard news for some student loan borrowers who have had trouble paying back their loans. Garnishments might be coming.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
ICYMI: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers sued tech company Resideo, alleging “deceptive and unfair business practices" involving Chinese-made cameras.
From Juan Salinas II:
From Juan Salinas II:
Nebraska sues Resideo alleging 'serious security risks’ of Chinese video cameras • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers has sued other tech companies tied to China, including Chinese e-commerce giant Temu and camera manufacturer Lorex.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 3:07 AM
ICYMI: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers sued tech company Resideo, alleging “deceptive and unfair business practices" involving Chinese-made cameras.
From Juan Salinas II:
From Juan Salinas II:
NEW ENVOY: President Donald Trump announced this week that Gov. Jeff Landry would serve as his special envoy to Greenland.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry selected by Trump to be special envoy to Greenland • Nebraska Examiner
President Donald Trump announced Sunday night that Gov. Jeff Landry would serve as his special envoy to Greenland.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 12:59 AM
NEW ENVOY: President Donald Trump announced this week that Gov. Jeff Landry would serve as his special envoy to Greenland.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
ICYMI: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is recommending restoring state funding for an early investment program for local startup companies that he had pushed previously to cut.
From Aaron Sanderford:
From Aaron Sanderford:
Pillen will fully fund $15 million business startup program he had cut by 25% • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced plans Monday to restore funding to a state program that invests early in local startups.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
ICYMI: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is recommending restoring state funding for an early investment program for local startup companies that he had pushed previously to cut.
From Aaron Sanderford:
From Aaron Sanderford:
SASSE DIAGNOSIS: Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer,” he announced Tuesday. He had served as president of Midland University and the University of Florida.
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester:
buff.ly/m9IoPEh
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester:
buff.ly/m9IoPEh
Former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse announces terminal stage-four cancer diagnosis • Nebraska Examiner
Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer," he announced Tuesday.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
SASSE DIAGNOSIS: Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer,” he announced Tuesday. He had served as president of Midland University and the University of Florida.
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester:
buff.ly/m9IoPEh
From Aaron Sanderford and Jay Waagmeester:
buff.ly/m9IoPEh
COAL DELAY? Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers is ending his lawsuit against OPPD, for now, after the Omaha-area public utility board delayed plans to modify power production in North Omaha until 2028.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/HAUT9ea
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/HAUT9ea
Nebraska AG will drop lawsuit against OPPD, North Omaha power plant — for now • Nebraska Examiner
The state lawsuit against the Omaha Public Power District ends, for now, after the board voted to delay transitioning North Omaha Station.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
COAL DELAY? Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers is ending his lawsuit against OPPD, for now, after the Omaha-area public utility board delayed plans to modify power production in North Omaha until 2028.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/HAUT9ea
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/HAUT9ea
START YOUR TUESDAY: With a tally of the number of people who have seen their temporary immigration status change under the second Trump administration.
From States Newsroom:
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From States Newsroom:
buff.ly/BQhZYWF
Trump canceled temporary legal status for more than 1.5 million immigrants in 2025 • Nebraska Examiner
Since President Donald Trump's inauguration, more than 1.5 million immigrants have lost or will lose their temporary legal status.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
START YOUR TUESDAY: With a tally of the number of people who have seen their temporary immigration status change under the second Trump administration.
From States Newsroom:
buff.ly/BQhZYWF
From States Newsroom:
buff.ly/BQhZYWF
KANSAS CHIEFS? The KC Chiefs are moving to Kansas with a deal to use more than a billion in taxpayer funds to help build a domed stadium, entertainment district, new team headquarters and a training facility.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
Chiefs moving to Kansas with $3.3 billion plan for domed stadium, training facility • Nebraska Examiner
Kansas legislative leadership voted unanimously Monday in a closed door meeting to issue STAR bonds to build a new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 3:27 AM
KANSAS CHIEFS? The KC Chiefs are moving to Kansas with a deal to use more than a billion in taxpayer funds to help build a domed stadium, entertainment district, new team headquarters and a training facility.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
COMMENTARY FROM GEORGE AYOUB: While two high-profile cases must go forward, remember Nebraskans send elected representatives to Lincoln to solve problems and create good laws and policy.
In the Examiner:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...
In the Examiner:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...
Necessary tasks, challenging session, first but fair • Nebraska Examiner
While cases must go forward, remember Nebraskans send elected representatives to Lincoln to solve problems and create good laws and policy.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:25 AM
COMMENTARY FROM GEORGE AYOUB: While two high-profile cases must go forward, remember Nebraskans send elected representatives to Lincoln to solve problems and create good laws and policy.
In the Examiner:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...
In the Examiner:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...
CHINESE CAMERAS? Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers has sued Resideo, alleging some video cameras the company sells risk leaving Nebraska consumers’ “intimate images and private locations vulnerable to exploitation and intrusion by foreign actors.”
From Juan Salinas II:
From Juan Salinas II:
Nebraska sues Resideo alleging 'serious security risks’ of Chinese video cameras • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers has sued other tech companies tied to China, including Chinese e-commerce giant Temu and camera manufacturer Lorex.
buff.ly
December 22, 2025 at 11:21 PM
CHINESE CAMERAS? Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers has sued Resideo, alleging some video cameras the company sells risk leaving Nebraska consumers’ “intimate images and private locations vulnerable to exploitation and intrusion by foreign actors.”
From Juan Salinas II:
From Juan Salinas II:
CUTS GONE? Gov. Jim Pillen plans to restore $15 million to a startup investment program he previously cut. He announced the change the same day Omaha business leaders called for updates to state incentive programs.
From Aaron Sanderford:
buff.ly/eMG4ofS
From Aaron Sanderford:
buff.ly/eMG4ofS
Pillen will fully fund $15 million business startup program he had cut by 25% • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced plans Monday to restore funding to a state program that invests early in local startups.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:23 PM
CUTS GONE? Gov. Jim Pillen plans to restore $15 million to a startup investment program he previously cut. He announced the change the same day Omaha business leaders called for updates to state incentive programs.
From Aaron Sanderford:
buff.ly/eMG4ofS
From Aaron Sanderford:
buff.ly/eMG4ofS
START YOUR WEEK: With a new Omaha Chamber report saying state incentive programs for business and other state approaches to job growth and retention should be reimagined in Nebraska.
First in the Examiner from Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...
First in the Examiner from Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...
New Omaha Chamber report urges state business incentives overhaul, ways to stem ‘brain drain’ • Nebraska Examiner
A new report from the Greater Omaha Chamber urges a revamp of state business incentives and other changes to help stem "brain drain."
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:08 PM
START YOUR WEEK: With a new Omaha Chamber report saying state incentive programs for business and other state approaches to job growth and retention should be reimagined in Nebraska.
First in the Examiner from Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...
First in the Examiner from Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/22/n...