Zach Wendling
@zachwendling2.bsky.social
Government & #NELeg » @nebraskaexaminer.com reporter.
A bill introduced Friday would make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office. Another would protect physicians who want to recommend the medicine. 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 2:31 AM
A bill introduced Friday would make the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission an elected office. Another would protect physicians who want to recommend the medicine. nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-...
As one senator fights to stay in the Legislature, his colleagues don’t yet know how they’ll vote, largely because most evidence isn’t yet public. Legislative leaders say there is a “pattern of behavior” and recommended expulsion.
Nebraska state senators await evidence against Sen. Dan McKeon before possible expulsion vote • Nebraska Examiner
The fate of State Sen. Dan McKeon's continued service in the Nebraska Legislature will likely be decided by yet-to-be-released evidence.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
As one senator fights to stay in the Legislature, his colleagues don’t yet know how they’ll vote, largely because most evidence isn’t yet public. Legislative leaders say there is a “pattern of behavior” and recommended expulsion.
Major changes could be coming to one of Nebraska’s Medicaid waivers that is critical to more than 10,000 Nebraskans who are 65+ or who have disabilities. Public comments due end of day Jan. 5. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/24/f...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Major changes could be coming to one of Nebraska’s Medicaid waivers that is critical to more than 10,000 Nebraskans who are 65+ or who have disabilities. Public comments due end of day Jan. 5. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/24/f...
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska's five-member federal delegation — Reps. Mike Flood, Don Bacon and Adrian Smith and Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts — spoke with me about Ukraine and life after Russia's invasion is over. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/17/p...
Pillen, Nebraska’s federal delegation reflect on Ukraine, Putin, eventual end to Russian invasion • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska’s governor and congressional delegation speak out in defense of Ukraine and Nebraska’s interests.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska's five-member federal delegation — Reps. Mike Flood, Don Bacon and Adrian Smith and Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts — spoke with me about Ukraine and life after Russia's invasion is over. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/17/p...
Former State Sen. Tom Brewer is back in Ukraine for his eighth mission since 2022. He spoke with me from his hotel in Kyiv to talk about the latest mission, peace talks, why United States involvement matters and more. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/17/n...
Nebraska veteran, former lawmaker leads eighth mission to Ukraine during Russian invasion • Nebraska Examiner
A Nebraska veteran is halfway through his eighth visit to Ukraine since 2022 as the country continues to fight Russian invasion.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Former State Sen. Tom Brewer is back in Ukraine for his eighth mission since 2022. He spoke with me from his hotel in Kyiv to talk about the latest mission, peace talks, why United States involvement matters and more. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/17/n...
‘This hurts’: Regents approve shuttering four academic programs at UNL • Nebraska Examiner nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/05/t...
‘This hurts’: Regents approve shuttering four academic programs at UNL • Nebraska Examiner
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted to eliminate four academic programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:11 AM
‘This hurts’: Regents approve shuttering four academic programs at UNL • Nebraska Examiner nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/05/t...
The Nebraska Supreme Court appeared skeptical about a case alleging fraud in and seeking invalidation of last year’s medical cannabis petition campaign, which voters widely supported. A breakdown on legal arguments here. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/03/n...
Nebraska Supreme Court hears appeal in medical cannabis, election notary case • Nebraska Examiner
The Nebraska Supreme Court appeared skeptical of possible invalidation of the 2024 medical cannabis petition campaign.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The Nebraska Supreme Court appeared skeptical about a case alleging fraud in and seeking invalidation of last year’s medical cannabis petition campaign, which voters widely supported. A breakdown on legal arguments here. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/03/n...
The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments over whether state officials needed to bargain with a state employees union over a 2023 executive order seeking to limit remote work. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/02/n...
Nebraska Supreme Court considers state bargaining, remote work dispute • Nebraska Examiner
The Nebraska Supreme Court considered arguments in a multi-year fight over state bargaining rights and remote work requirements.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments over whether state officials needed to bargain with a state employees union over a 2023 executive order seeking to limit remote work. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/02/n...
A second look at the Nebraska Supreme Court this morning looking into its decisions and a very high unanimity rate. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/02/a...
An inside look into Nebraska Supreme Court and its often unanimous decisions • Nebraska Examiner
The seven justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled unanimously in all but one of 105 written opinions issued in the past year.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A second look at the Nebraska Supreme Court this morning looking into its decisions and a very high unanimity rate. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/02/a...
A one-on-one look into the Nebraska judicial branch with Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke, one year into the top judicial role. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/02/k...
‘Keep the ship afloat’: Nebraska Chief Justice Funke reflects on first year in top judicial role • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke reflects on his first year leading Nebraska's judicial branch.
nebraskaexaminer.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A one-on-one look into the Nebraska judicial branch with Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke, one year into the top judicial role. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/02/k...
Happy Thanksgiving to all. A look back at how Nebraskans stepped up for SNAP recipients this fall and the Nebraska SNAP special session that could have been. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/27/s...
SNAP gap: Nebraskans help Nebraskans and an almost special session • Nebraska Examiner
The 43-day federal shutdown left uncertainty for some Nebraska SNAP recipients and could have spurred a special session in Nebraska.
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to all. A look back at how Nebraskans stepped up for SNAP recipients this fall and the Nebraska SNAP special session that could have been. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/27/s...
Nebraska “got our butts kicked” by the Tyson Foods decision, Gov. Jim Pillen said Monday.
“We’re working our tails off,” Pillen said of his team. “This was a bad lemon drop day. But we gotta make lemonade out of it.”
From Cindy Gonzalez/Aaron Sanderford nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/24/s...
“We’re working our tails off,” Pillen said of his team. “This was a bad lemon drop day. But we gotta make lemonade out of it.”
From Cindy Gonzalez/Aaron Sanderford nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/24/s...
State hunts way forward after Nebraska got ‘butts kicked’ by Tyson plant closure • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska is hunting a way forward after getting "our butts kicked" by the announced closure of a Tyson plant, Gov. Jim Pillen says.
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Nebraska “got our butts kicked” by the Tyson Foods decision, Gov. Jim Pillen said Monday.
“We’re working our tails off,” Pillen said of his team. “This was a bad lemon drop day. But we gotta make lemonade out of it.”
From Cindy Gonzalez/Aaron Sanderford nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/24/s...
“We’re working our tails off,” Pillen said of his team. “This was a bad lemon drop day. But we gotta make lemonade out of it.”
From Cindy Gonzalez/Aaron Sanderford nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/24/s...
Former State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont launched an exploratory committee for Nebraska governor today. Our exclusive sit-down with the potential candidate, first in the Nebraska Examiner. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/24/f...
Former State Sen. Lynne Walz steps toward run for Nebraska governor • Nebraska Examiner
Former State Sen. Lynne Walz launched an exploratory committee to step toward a run for Nebraska governor in 2026.
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Former State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont launched an exploratory committee for Nebraska governor today. Our exclusive sit-down with the potential candidate, first in the Nebraska Examiner. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/24/f...
Meet Justice-designate Derek Vaughn, a district judge in Douglas County who will soon join the Nebraska Supreme Court.
“I see people for people, and I’m going to treat people the way that I would want to be treated, with respect, with dignity." nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/10/p...
“I see people for people, and I’m going to treat people the way that I would want to be treated, with respect, with dignity." nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/10/p...
Pillen appoints first justice of color to Nebraska Supreme Court • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Douglas County District Judge Derek R. Vaughn as the next associate justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Meet Justice-designate Derek Vaughn, a district judge in Douglas County who will soon join the Nebraska Supreme Court.
“I see people for people, and I’m going to treat people the way that I would want to be treated, with respect, with dignity." nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/10/p...
“I see people for people, and I’m going to treat people the way that I would want to be treated, with respect, with dignity." nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/10/p...
Ukrainians and Nebraskans continue to stand together in the fight since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A night of gratitude for Nebraskans supporting Ukraine from home and abroad, including on the warfront. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/10/u...
Ukrainians honor Nebraskans for support during Russian invasion • Nebraska Examiner
Members of the Ukrainian community in Nebraska honored dozens of neighbors at an event spotlighting direct support since Russia invaded.
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Ukrainians and Nebraskans continue to stand together in the fight since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A night of gratitude for Nebraskans supporting Ukraine from home and abroad, including on the warfront. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/10/u...
This Veterans Day, an 11-month look into a budget decision for a program originally designed to address whether veterans' military-connected conditions contributed to alleged criminal offenses. While still in state law, it was defunded and delayed by two years. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/11/l...
Law in limbo: Nebraska veterans justice diversion program defunded, delayed until at least 2027 • Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska was set to have a statewide criminal justice diversion program for eligible veterans. Budget troubles delayed its rollout.
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This Veterans Day, an 11-month look into a budget decision for a program originally designed to address whether veterans' military-connected conditions contributed to alleged criminal offenses. While still in state law, it was defunded and delayed by two years. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/11/l...
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...
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.”
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
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...
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...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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...
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...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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...
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...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:36 PM
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...
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...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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...
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...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
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 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...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:03 AM
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...
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...
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…
nebraskaexaminer.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
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...
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...
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...
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.
nebraskaexaminer.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:21 PM
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...
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...