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Citizen Portal News Nebraska
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A new Nebraska bill aims to protect livestock handlers on the roads by requiring motorists to yield the right of way and allowing them to stop traffic—could this be the key to safer agricultural practices?

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#NE #TrafficLegislation #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #RuralCommunity
Nebraska bill would give livestock handlers clear right‑of‑way and limited authority to stop traffic
LB977 would make persons leading, herding or driving livestock vulnerable road users, require motorists to yield to them, preserve a handler distress signal to stop traffic, and prevent livestock movements on roads with posted minimum speeds of 20+ mph; supporters said it clarifies long‑standing practice for rural Nebraska.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 1:15 AM
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Nebraska's future of student aid and teacher programs hangs in the balance as budget proposals threaten vital funding sources.

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#NE #StudentAid #CitizenPortal #TeacherSupport #WorkforceDevelopment
Coordinating Commission warns fund repeals and transfers in bills would deplete student aid and teacher programs
The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education told Appropriations the proposals in LB 10 71/72 — including repeal of a trust fund and removal of a $2 million transfer supporting need‑based aid — would reduce Nebraska Opportunity Grant resources, undermine Excellence in Teaching program balances, and require the committee to restore offsets to keep programs whole.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 12:49 AM
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Senator McKinney's bold proposal to create a Nebraska Public Housing Preservation Trust could be the lifeline needed to save our aging public housing stock, but concerns about oversight and collaboration loom large.

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#NE #AffordableHousing #HousingPreservation #CitizenPortal
Sen. McKinney proposes Public Housing Preservation Trust to replace aging units; housing agencies urge collaboration
LB 10‑45 would establish a Nebraska Public Housing Preservation Trust to mobilize voucher‑backed bonds, municipal contributions and philanthropy to preserve and rehabilitate aging public housing; housing authorities support the goal but warned the bill lacks practitioner input and could create duplicative state oversight.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 12:42 AM
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Nebraska senators are pushing for a crucial $250,000 investment to boost K–12 cybersecurity and combat alarming threats like ransomware and phishing attacks.

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#NE #GrantPrograms #CitizenPortal #StatewideCoordination #CybersecurityEducation
Senators hear $250,000 proposal to coordinate K–12 cybersecurity, proponents cite recent costly incidents
Senators considered LB 10 54, a targeted $250,000 request to assess K–12 cybersecurity posture, create statewide coordination and seed a grant program; proponents including ESU coordinators, the CIO and school leaders argued modest upfront spending will reduce the higher costs of ransomware and phishing incidents.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 12:17 AM
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Nonprofit leaders are sounding the alarm as proposed legislation could strip vital funding for programs that support marginalized communities across Nebraska.

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#NE #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding #DiversityEquityInclusion #CivilRights
Nonprofits and legal groups warn DEI ban in LB1071 would cut services, risk federal funding
Several nonprofit coalitions, legal‑aid organizations and service providers urged the committee to remove broad DEI restrictions in LB1071, saying the language is vague, would bar many programs serving underserved groups, and may conflict with federal grant rules.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 12:08 AM
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The Omaha Public Schools Board is taking a stand on key legislative bills that could reshape the future of education funding and staffing in Nebraska.

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#NE #CitizenPortal #SchoolPolicy #LegislativeAction #EducationFunding
OPS board approves legislative positions and authorizes testimony on several state bills
The Omaha Public Schools board on Feb. 19 approved its legislative committee's updated positions on bills in the Nebraska Legislature, including support and opposition letters and planned testimony; the board voted to approve the committee report by an 8-0 tally.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 11:49 PM
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Omaha’s council just voted to place a resolution urging support for a national infrastructure bank on hold, with members raising concerns over its timing and potential federal overreach.

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#DouglasCounty #NE #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #FederalPolicy
Council places on file resolution urging Omaha delegation on HR 5356 after members call it premature
Council placed on file (5–2) a proposed resolution asking Nebraska’s congressional delegation to support HR 5356 — a proposal to charter a national infrastructure bank — after multiple council members said it was premature for the council to take a position on a bill still in multiple committees.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 11:04 PM
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Senator Mike Jacobson is championing a new bill that empowers communities to self-finance essential neighborhood improvements without tapping into state funds.

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#NE #HousingSolutions #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #InfrastructureFinancing
Sen. Jacobson pitches voluntary Community Improvement Districts to finance neighborhood infrastructure
Sen. Mike Jacobson introduced LB 11‑30 to allow property owners inside municipalities to form voluntary Community Improvement Districts that issue tax‑exempt debt and levy district‑specific assessments to pay for streets, sidewalks and utilities, with city approval and audit oversight.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 10:39 PM
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Douglas County's new Election Commissioner, Danielle Jensen, is committed to transparency and accessibility as she gears up for the May 12 primary, revealing key dates and exciting improvements for voters!

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#DouglasCounty #NE #CitizenPortal #ElectionTransparency
Douglas County election commissioner outlines early‑voting dates, ADA access and staffing plans ahead of May 12 primary
New Douglas County Election Commissioner Danielle Jensen pledged transparency, listed deadlines and early‑voting milestones for the May 12 primary, and said the office will expand in‑person voting stations and improve ADA access.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 8:50 PM
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Beatrice City Council is weighing a stunning aquatics study that reveals repair costs starting at $1.5 million and options for a luxurious $11 million pool replacement featuring a lazy river!

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#NE #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityRecreation #InfrastructureDevelopment
Beatrice hears aquatics study that outlines $1.5M repairs to $11M replacement with ‘lazy river’ most popular
Consultant Waters Edge presented a three-tier study for the aging Beatrice pool, with Tier 1 repairs estimated at $1.5–$2 million, Tier 2 upgrades at $6–$8 million, and a full replacement (including a lazy river) at $9–$11 million; council discussed funding options and next steps.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 8:11 PM
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Sen. Glenn Meyer’s LB1107 could revolutionize rural road financing in Nebraska, allowing communities to spread costs over 20 years and empowering local voices!

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#NE #InfrastructureImprovement #CitizenPortal #LocalFinancing #CommunitySupport
Committee advances discussion on extending road‑district bonds, clarifying advisory committees (LB1107)
LB1107 would limit when counties must form advisory committees and extend rural road improvement district bond maturities from 10 to 20 years; supporters said the change modernizes financing for rural road projects, while members sought details on liability and levy impacts.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 7:19 PM
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A new bill could open the doors for seventh and eighth graders to join high school sports, pending safety measures and parental consent—could this change the game for young athletes?

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#NE #SafetyStandards #CitizenPortal #EducationPolicy #YouthAthletics
Bill would let seventh and eighth graders play high school sports when 'ready'; committee hears safety, logistics concerns
LB 7 42 would allow seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students to participate in high school athletic programs on a case‑by‑case basis if school officials document skill, medical clearance and parental consent; sponsor emphasized flexibility for small schools while witnesses urged NSAA coordination and safety safeguards.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 6:59 PM
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Nebraska is stepping into the digital age with LB835, a groundbreaking bill aimed at overhauling outdated filing and fee systems for the Secretary of State's office!

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#NE #DigitalTransformation #CitizenPortal #FeeModernization #GovernmentEfficiency
Bill to modernize Secretary of State filing and fee systems draws support from clerks, bankers
LB835 would update filing procedures and fee structures for the Secretary of State's office, eliminating obsolete fees, consolidating deposit accounts, and making certain small fees nonrefundable; proponents said upgrades already launched and the changes improve efficiency for UCC, EFS and tax-lien filings.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 5:58 PM
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Senator Margot Juarez's bold new bill aims to boost teacher salaries and tackle the alarming rise of burnout, but is it a solution or an unfunded mandate?

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#NE #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #RuralSchools #TeacherPay
Bill urging districts to prioritize teacher pay draws support and concern
Sen. Margot Juarez presented LB 12‑08 to encourage districts to allocate at least 50% of general funds toward instructional teacher pay and benefits. Supporters called for action to address teacher burnout and low salaries; rural and school-board groups warned it could function as an unfunded mandate and disproportionately harm small districts.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 3:35 PM
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The Omaha Planning Board unanimously approved a series of major developments, including a downtown soccer stadium and multiple rezoning initiatives, paving the way for exciting changes in the city!

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#OmahaDouglasCounty #NE #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal #OmahaPlanning
Votes at a glance: key approvals from the Feb. Planning Board meeting
The Omaha Planning Board approved the consent agenda, multiple administrative plats, a downtown stadium TIF plan, several rezoning and special‑use items and a major amendment for a scrap and salvage operation; all recorded votes in this meeting were unanimous (6‑0).
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 1:29 PM
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Omaha Public Schools is celebrating a remarkable 27% increase in AP student enrollments, but the journey to ensure equitable access for all students continues.

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#NE #AdvancedAcademics #CitizenPortal #EquityInEducation #OmahaPublicSchools #EducationAccess
Omaha Public Schools reports big gains in AP and dual-enrollment but participation gaps remain
Omaha Public Schools officials told the board Feb. 19 that AP and dual-enrollment participation has grown substantially since 2022, with course enrollments and passing rates rising, while students eligible for educational benefits, English learners and those with IEPs remain underrepresented; the district described targeted strategies to expand access.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
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Omaha is set to kick off an exciting new chapter with a proposed $316 million open-air soccer stadium and mixed-use development that could transform downtown!

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#OmahaDouglasCounty #NE #UrbanDevelopment #OmahaSoccer #PublicFinancing #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvestment
Planning Board backs downtown 6,500‑seat soccer stadium, forwards TIF plan to city council
The Omaha Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of a proposed downtown 6,500‑seat soccer stadium and adjacent mixed‑use district, advancing a plan that includes roughly $48.2 million in TIF support and more than $316 million in total project investment. Developers said construction could start in 2026 and aim for a 2028 opening.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 11:45 AM
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Lincoln Public Schools is set to build a state-of-the-art 50,000-square-foot student support facility, with a low bid of $19.57 million paving the way for a transformative space by Fall 2027.

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#NE #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #StudentSupport #EducationInnovation
Board hears bid recommendation for student support facility; $19.57M low bid reported
Lincoln Public Schools staff reported that nine bids were opened for a 50,000-square-foot student support facility from the 2020 bond; Sheeley Caton Construction was identified as the lowest responsible bidder at $19,569,000, with project budget listed at $24,800,000 and a target opening in Fall 2027 pending second-reading approval.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 8:52 AM
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Senator Rountree's new bill could revolutionize Nebraska's housing landscape by paving the way for accessory dwelling units, but it’s sparking fierce debate over local control and community standards.

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#NE #AgingInPlace #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #CommunityPlanning
Statewide ADU bill draws broad support and sharp local‑control pushback
Sen. Victor Rountree's LB 10‑41 would require municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units statewide. Builders, AARP and housing advocates supported the bill; cities and municipal leagues urged amendments, saying the draft would preempt local zoning and create inspection and infrastructure burdens.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 6:21 AM
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Sen. Wendy DeBoer is proposing a new bill that could revolutionize safety in highway work zones by using cameras to catch speeding drivers, but privacy concerns are raising red flags.

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#NE #CitizenPortal #WorkerProtection #PublicSafety #PrivacyConcerns
Sponsor asks committee to hold bill to let work-zone cameras flag drivers 11+ mph over limit
Sen. Wendy DeBoer introduced LB1176 to permit camera-assisted enforcement in highway work zones for drivers 11+ mph over the limit, but asked the committee to hold the bill after privacy and implementation concerns were raised by civil-liberties groups.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 4:15 AM
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The Omaha City Council just greenlit a $9 million TIF for the ambitious Saddle Creek Marketplace redevelopment, promising major investment but sparking heated debates over affordability and neighborhood impact.

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#DouglasCounty #NE #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal
Council approves Saddle Creek Marketplace rezones and $9M TIF after heated neighborhood debate
The Omaha City Council approved rezoning and a $9,005,590 tax‑increment financing request for the multi‑phase Saddle Creek Marketplace redevelopment despite objections from nearby residents and questions about affordability and neighborhood outreach.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 11:35 PM
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Omaha's City Council just greenlit a controversial $9M TIF for the Saddle Creek Market redevelopment, but local voices are raising alarms over affordable housing and community impact.

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#DouglasCounty #NE #CommunityEngagement #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal
Omaha council approves Saddle Creek mixed-use redevelopment with $9M TIF amid neighborhood objections
After extended public testimony, the City Council approved rezoning and a tax-increment financing request for the Saddle Creek Market redevelopment—a five‑phase, market‑rate project that includes 223 residential units—while neighbors and council members pressed developers on affordable housing, parking and community engagement.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
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Nebraska's Department of Labor is pushing for a new employer fee to stabilize funding amid declining federal support, but business groups are raising concerns about fairness in the flat-rate approach.

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#NE #EconomicStability #CitizenPortal #WorkforceDevelopment
Department of Labor seeks state fee to stabilize staffing and program administration amid declining federal grants
LB1173 would authorize an annual employer fee (up to $250) remitted via existing quarterly wage reports to fund the Department of Labor's administration, including unemployment insurance administration, wage‑and‑hour enforcement and workforce programs. The department argued federal admin grants are shrinking; business groups raised fairness and flat‑fee concerns.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 8:37 PM
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Lincoln City Council has taken a significant step in flood safety by approving a $30 million interlocal agreement to advance the Dead Man’s Run project and ensuring FEMA grant eligibility with an updated hazard mitigation plan.

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#LincolnLancasterCounty #NE #CitizenPortal
Lincoln approves interlocal agreement and hazard-mitigation update with Lower Platte South NRD for Dead Man’s Run
The City Council approved an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Lower Platte South NRD to advance the Dead Man’s Run flood reduction project (estimated at about $30,000,000) and adopted an updated multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan required for FEMA grant eligibility.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 7:17 PM
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Omaha is set to transform its downtown with a groundbreaking $316 million soccer stadium and mixed-use development, sparking excitement for the future of the Millwork Commons district!

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#DouglasCounty #NE #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal #EconomicGrowth #DouglasCountySoccer
Omaha planning board approves downtown 6,500‑seat soccer stadium and mixed‑use TIF plan
The Omaha Planning Board voted 6–0 to approve a TIF redevelopment plan for a 6,500-seat downtown soccer stadium and adjacent mixed‑use site, endorsing a financing package that includes city bonds, TIF support, and state “turn-back” sales tax revenue. The project targets a 2026 start and 2028 opening.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 3:59 PM