Nebraska Examiner
@nebraskaexaminer.com
A nonprofit, independent news source committed to providing news, scoops and reports important to our state.
ICYMI: Home buyers could see some help from a new bill sought by Nebraska's new state treasurer that looks a lot like a bill previously sought by an Omaha state senator.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebra...
From Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebra...
Nebraska treasurer pushes bill designed to help first-time home buyers • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg pushes legislation designed to help the state's first-time home buyers get a house.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:43 AM
ICYMI: Home buyers could see some help from a new bill sought by Nebraska's new state treasurer that looks a lot like a bill previously sought by an Omaha state senator.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebra...
From Cindy Gonzalez:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebra...
ICYMI: A legislative bill introduced Friday would make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office. Another bill would protect physicians who want to recommend the medicine.
From Zach Wendling:
From Zach Wendling:
Bill would make Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected post • Nebraska Examiner
Legislative bills seek to make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office and protect physicians recommending the medicine.
buff.ly
January 11, 2026 at 1:24 AM
ICYMI: A legislative bill introduced Friday would make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office. Another bill would protect physicians who want to recommend the medicine.
From Zach Wendling:
From Zach Wendling:
ICE PROTESTS: Protesters gathered around the federal building in downtown Lincoln to protest for “justice” after the shooting death of a Minnesota woman at the hands of immigration agents.
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/kFX0LJL
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/kFX0LJL
Anti-ICE protest comes to Nebraska after shootings in Minnesota, Oregon • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska protests come after an ICE agent shot and killed a Minnesota woman. The Trump administration says the agent acted "in self-defense."
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:34 PM
ICE PROTESTS: Protesters gathered around the federal building in downtown Lincoln to protest for “justice” after the shooting death of a Minnesota woman at the hands of immigration agents.
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/kFX0LJL
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/kFX0LJL
ART APOLOGY: State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh apologized to her colleagues for briefly removing artwork in the Nebraska Capitol hallways by conservative nonprofit PragerU. A fellow lawmaker proposed reprimanding her.
From Juan Salinas II:
From Juan Salinas II:
Nebraska GOP lawmaker seeks reprimand for State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh after PragerU art incident • Nebraska Examiner
State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh apologizes after conservative influencers and outlets had amplified her removing and returning of PragerU art.
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 8:10 PM
ART APOLOGY: State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh apologized to her colleagues for briefly removing artwork in the Nebraska Capitol hallways by conservative nonprofit PragerU. A fellow lawmaker proposed reprimanding her.
From Juan Salinas II:
From Juan Salinas II:
AUDIT CHECK: The state auditor called out a publicly-funded historical society in western Nebraska for potential misuse of a debit card, including the purchase of a pink oil burner from a Colorado vape shop.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
From Cindy Gonzalez:
Former board member’s vape shop purchase captures eye of Nebraska state auditor • Nebraska Examiner
A vape shop purchase by an agent of the publicly-funded Plains Historical Society catches ire of Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley.
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 5:33 PM
AUDIT CHECK: The state auditor called out a publicly-funded historical society in western Nebraska for potential misuse of a debit card, including the purchase of a pink oil burner from a Colorado vape shop.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
From Cindy Gonzalez:
START YOUR SATURDAY: With a recap of a wild first week back for the Nebraska Legislature. #neleg
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
More than 200 new bills introduced in first week of Nebraska session • Nebraska Examiner
Lawmakers will consider a slew of nationally relevant bills in 2026, including around immigration, homeless encampments and AI.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:26 PM
START YOUR SATURDAY: With a recap of a wild first week back for the Nebraska Legislature. #neleg
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
BORDER UPDATE: Senate Majority Leader John Thune, joined at the U.S.-Mexico border Friday by other Republican senators, highlighted the tax cuts and spending package passed last year that provided billions for immigration enforcement.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
Thune, GOP senators at the border tout big hiring boost for immigration crackdown • Nebraska Examiner
Senate Majority Leader John Thune highlighted the president’s signature tax cuts and spending package that provided billions for immigration enforcement.
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM
BORDER UPDATE: Senate Majority Leader John Thune, joined at the U.S.-Mexico border Friday by other Republican senators, highlighted the tax cuts and spending package passed last year that provided billions for immigration enforcement.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
ELECTED CANNABIS BOARD? A bill introduced Friday would make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office. Another would protect physicians who want to recommend the medicine.
From Zach Wendling:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-...
From Zach Wendling:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-...
Bill would make Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected post • Nebraska Examiner
Legislative bills seek to make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office and protect physicians recommending the medicine.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:37 AM
ELECTED CANNABIS BOARD? A bill introduced Friday would make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office. Another would protect physicians who want to recommend the medicine.
From Zach Wendling:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-...
From Zach Wendling:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-...
HOME HELP? Nebraska’s new state treasurer proposes help for first-time home buyers. The bill by State Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse is similar to legislation last session by State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/yRi0hxP
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/yRi0hxP
Nebraska treasurer pushes bill designed to help first-time home buyers • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg pushes legislation designed to help the state's first-time homebuyers get a house.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:02 AM
HOME HELP? Nebraska’s new state treasurer proposes help for first-time home buyers. The bill by State Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse is similar to legislation last session by State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/yRi0hxP
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/yRi0hxP
PAYBACK TALLY: A financial advisor who helped Lincoln businessman Aaron Marshbanks swindle $45 million from nearly 20 banks and savings and loans was ordered to pay more than $37 million in restitution.
From Paul Hammel:
buff.ly/AI19eoi
From Paul Hammel:
buff.ly/AI19eoi
Financial advisor who help swindle banks ordered to pay $37 million in restitution • Nebraska Examiner
A financial advisor who helped a Lincoln businessman swindle $45 million from nearly 20 banks and savings and loans was ordered to pay restitution.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:15 AM
PAYBACK TALLY: A financial advisor who helped Lincoln businessman Aaron Marshbanks swindle $45 million from nearly 20 banks and savings and loans was ordered to pay more than $37 million in restitution.
From Paul Hammel:
buff.ly/AI19eoi
From Paul Hammel:
buff.ly/AI19eoi
FIRST-WEEK BILLS: Nebraska lawmakers are set to consider a slew of nationally relevant topics in 2026, including bills addressing immigration enforcement, homeless encampments and AI.
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
More than 200 new bills introduced in first week of Nebraska session • Nebraska Examiner
Lawmakers will consider a slew of nationally relevant bills in 2026, including around immigration, homeless encampments and AI.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:09 AM
FIRST-WEEK BILLS: Nebraska lawmakers are set to consider a slew of nationally relevant topics in 2026, including bills addressing immigration enforcement, homeless encampments and AI.
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
From Erin Bamer and Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/T8UKuPQ
PORTLAND SHOOTINGS: The federal Department of Homeland Security on Friday morning released the identities of two people shot and injured by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Portland.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
Feds identify two people shot in Portland • Nebraska Examiner
The Department of Homeland Security claims the two are affiliated with a Venezuelan gang but has not yet provided evidence
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 11:20 PM
PORTLAND SHOOTINGS: The federal Department of Homeland Security on Friday morning released the identities of two people shot and injured by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Portland.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
ICYMI: Nebraska business leaders joined advocates in championing a proposed state law to extend current income eligibility levels for a child care subsidy.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
From Cindy Gonzalez:
Business, state lawmaker groups call child care subsidy bill vital to Nebraska workforce • Nebraska Examiner
State business and lawmaker groups call a proposed child care subsidy bill vital to stability of Nebraska's workforce.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 9:04 PM
ICYMI: Nebraska business leaders joined advocates in championing a proposed state law to extend current income eligibility levels for a child care subsidy.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
From Cindy Gonzalez:
MCAV APOLOGIZES: Nebraska State Sen. Jared Storm had asked the Legislature’s Exec Board to reprimand progressive State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh for removing and returning part of a Capitol display from conservative nonprofit PragerU.
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/mMaa6VH
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/mMaa6VH
Nebraska GOP lawmaker seeks reprimand for State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh after PragerU art incident • Nebraska Examiner
State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh apologizes after conservative influencers and outlets had amplified her removing and returning of PragerU art.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:17 PM
MCAV APOLOGIZES: Nebraska State Sen. Jared Storm had asked the Legislature’s Exec Board to reprimand progressive State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh for removing and returning part of a Capitol display from conservative nonprofit PragerU.
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/mMaa6VH
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/mMaa6VH
NU-CLARKSON MEETING DELAYED: The NU Board of Regents has delayed its meeting to decide whether to proceed with an $800 million deal with Clarkson Regional Health Services for a controlling stake in Nebraska Medicine.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/LOH6V21
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/LOH6V21
NU regents delay vote on NU-Clarkson Nebraska Medicine deal; lawmakers ask to ‘tap the brakes’ • Nebraska Examiner
The NU Board of Regents will not meet Friday to decide whether to proceed with an $800 million deal with Clarkson Regional Health Services.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:14 PM
NU-CLARKSON MEETING DELAYED: The NU Board of Regents has delayed its meeting to decide whether to proceed with an $800 million deal with Clarkson Regional Health Services for a controlling stake in Nebraska Medicine.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/LOH6V21
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/LOH6V21
NEW TODAY: The Democratic National Committee threatened to sue Nebraska over any potential agreement with the Justice Department to remove allegedly ineligible voters the feds identify after accessing state voter data.
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/4cfOiBB
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/4cfOiBB
DNC threatens to sue Nebraska over potential deal to remove voters flagged by feds • Nebraska Examiner
The letter from the DNC comes after the state secretary of state is set to hand over state voter data to the DOJ next month.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:27 PM
NEW TODAY: The Democratic National Committee threatened to sue Nebraska over any potential agreement with the Justice Department to remove allegedly ineligible voters the feds identify after accessing state voter data.
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/4cfOiBB
From Juan Salinas II:
buff.ly/4cfOiBB
MINNESOTA UPDATE: The Trump administration ousted the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the investigation into the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis, the head of the BCA said Thursday.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
Feds oust Minnesota investigators from ICE shooting probe • Nebraska Examiner
The Trump administration ousted Minnesota authorities from the investigation into the killing of a woman by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 2:09 AM
MINNESOTA UPDATE: The Trump administration ousted the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the investigation into the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis, the head of the BCA said Thursday.
From States Newsroom:
From States Newsroom:
CHILD CARE HELP: Business leaders joined advocates in championing a proposed state law to extend current income eligibility levels for a child care subsidy.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/n2YKckH
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/n2YKckH
Business, state lawmaker groups call child care subsidy bill vital to Nebraska workforce • Nebraska Examiner
State business and lawmaker groups call a proposed child care subsidy bill vital to stability of Nebraska's workforce.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:55 PM
CHILD CARE HELP: Business leaders joined advocates in championing a proposed state law to extend current income eligibility levels for a child care subsidy.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/n2YKckH
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/n2YKckH
OSBORN FUNDRAISING: Nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn raised $762,000 in the last quarter of 2025, bringing his campaign total for last year to more than $2 million, his team told the Examiner.
From Juan Salinas II:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/dan-o...
From Juan Salinas II:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/dan-o...
Dan Osborn has raised over $2 million in his bid against Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts • Nebraska Examiner
U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn raised $762,000 in the last quarter of 2025, bringing his campaign total to more than $2 million.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
OSBORN FUNDRAISING: Nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn raised $762,000 in the last quarter of 2025, bringing his campaign total for last year to more than $2 million, his team told the Examiner.
From Juan Salinas II:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/dan-o...
From Juan Salinas II:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/dan-o...
AUDITOR RUNNING: Former Lt. Gov. Mike Foley is seeking another four-year term as Nebraska's state auditor, embracing a job designed to help root out fraud, inefficiency and misuse of government resources.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/zBYvGxC
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/zBYvGxC
Mike Foley wants to add another Nebraska auditor term • Nebraska Examiner
Mike Foley is seeking another term as Nebraska auditor of public accounts, embracing a job designed to help root out government inefficiency.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:51 PM
AUDITOR RUNNING: Former Lt. Gov. Mike Foley is seeking another four-year term as Nebraska's state auditor, embracing a job designed to help root out fraud, inefficiency and misuse of government resources.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/zBYvGxC
From Cindy Gonzalez:
buff.ly/zBYvGxC
REGENTS DELAY: The NU Board of Regents will delay a vote regarding an $800 million transaction with Clarkson Regional Health Services until next week, coming as state lawmakers urge regents to "tap the brakes."
From Zach Wendling nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/01/08/n...
From Zach Wendling nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/01/08/n...
NU regents delay vote on NU-Clarkson Nebraska Medicine deal; lawmakers ask to ‘tap the brakes’ • Nebraska Examiner
The NU Board of Regents will not meet Friday to decide whether to proceed with an $800 million deal with Clarkson Regional Health Services.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM
REGENTS DELAY: The NU Board of Regents will delay a vote regarding an $800 million transaction with Clarkson Regional Health Services until next week, coming as state lawmakers urge regents to "tap the brakes."
From Zach Wendling nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/01/08/n...
From Zach Wendling nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/01/08/n...
INTRODUCED YESTERDAY: A roundup of some of the more than 100 bills introduced on the first day of Nebraska's 2026 legislative session.
From the Examiner staff:
From the Examiner staff:
Bill introductions kick off Nebraska's 2026 legislative session • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska's 2026 legislative session began Wednesday morning with more than 100 bills introduced on the first day.
buff.ly
January 8, 2026 at 8:17 PM
INTRODUCED YESTERDAY: A roundup of some of the more than 100 bills introduced on the first day of Nebraska's 2026 legislative session.
From the Examiner staff:
From the Examiner staff:
RULES SUSPENDED: Nebraska lawmakers voted 43-0 Thursday to suspend legislative rules to speed up the process of possibly expelling a fellow senator, State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst.
From Erin Bamer:
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From Erin Bamer:
buff.ly/QswQvWl
Nebraska lawmakers suspend rules to expedite expulsion hearing for State Sen. Dan McKeon • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska lawmakers voted 43-0 Thursday to suspend legislative rules to speed up the process of possibly expelling a fellow senator.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:35 PM
RULES SUSPENDED: Nebraska lawmakers voted 43-0 Thursday to suspend legislative rules to speed up the process of possibly expelling a fellow senator, State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst.
From Erin Bamer:
buff.ly/QswQvWl
From Erin Bamer:
buff.ly/QswQvWl
IMPEACHMENT FILED: NU Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha will officially face one article of impeachment in the Legislature if she does not follow through and resign as expected after Friday.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/tQZJdgu
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/tQZJdgu
Impeachment article filed against NU Regent O’Connor; process ends if she resigns Friday as promised • Nebraska Examiner
NU Regent Elizabeth O’Connor formally faces one article of impeachment if she does not resign as expected late Friday.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:56 PM
IMPEACHMENT FILED: NU Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha will officially face one article of impeachment in the Legislature if she does not follow through and resign as expected after Friday.
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/tQZJdgu
From Zach Wendling:
buff.ly/tQZJdgu
PREPARING FOR NEW: Nebraska state senators have never expelled a member of the Legislature from their own ranks. Here's how the rare process works.
From Erin Bamer:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/as-ne...
From Erin Bamer:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/as-ne...
As Nebraska lawmakers consider first expulsion motion, here’s how the process works • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska lawmakers may vote on the possible expulsion of State Sen. Dan McKeon next week or earlier, based on the Legislature's disciplinary process.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:05 PM
PREPARING FOR NEW: Nebraska state senators have never expelled a member of the Legislature from their own ranks. Here's how the rare process works.
From Erin Bamer:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/as-ne...
From Erin Bamer:
nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/as-ne...