Political News

Omaha Streetcar Survey Shows High Opposition, But Mayor Stothert Criticizes It As ‘Push Poll’

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 04/17/2023 - 5:00am

OMAHA — A majority of Omaha voters participating in a recent survey about the $300 million-plus urban streetcar project gave it a thumbs down.

The Heartland Strategy Group, a government relations, political and public affairs consulting firm with offices in Omaha and Lincoln, commissioned the poll as part of a “public opinion series.”

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Nebraska Lawmakers Advance Bill To Vastly Restrict Abortion

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 04/17/2023 - 4:00am

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, in the Nebraska state Capitol rotunda, during a rally to oppose the bill that would ban abortion once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, which is generally around the sixth week of pregnancy. (Margery A. Beck / AP Photo)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would ban abortion once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, which is generally around the sixth week of pregnancy and before most women even know they are pregnant.

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Nebraska Governor Names New Lawmaker Amid Filibuster Fight

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 2:00am

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Republican Gov. Jim Pillen named a former prosecutor Thursday as the newest member of the Nebraska Legislature, which has been largely hamstrung by progressive lawmakers who are filibustering every bill before the body this session.

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The Real Reasons Long Trains Keep Derailing

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 04/10/2023 - 5:00am

A train sits derailed near Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort west of St. Regis, Mont., Sunday, April 2, 2023. (Ben Allan Smith / The Missoulian via AP)

Just before 5 a.m., Harry Shaffer’s wife called to him from across the living room, where he’d fallen asleep on the couch, exhausted from installing an aboveground pool. Did he hear that sound, that metallic screeching from up the valley? She opened the door of their double-wide trailer and walked outside as Shaffer closed his eyes.

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Governor Pillen Announces New Corrections Director

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 04/10/2023 - 3:00am

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Pillen announced Rob Jeffreys as the next director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). Jeffreys will start April 17, 2023.

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Nebraska Lawmakers Advance School Safety Package To Full Legislature

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 04/03/2023 - 5:00am

A person kneels in front of an entry to Covenant School which has become a memorial for shooting victims, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Six people were killed at the small, private Christian school last Monday after a shooter opened fire inside the 200-student school. (John Amis / AP Photo)

LINCOLN — A Nebraska legislative committee advanced a package Wednesday designed to improve school safety, coming just days after another school shooting, this time in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Education Committee voted 7-0 to send Legislative Bill 516, proposed by State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, to the full Legislature. State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha was not present for the vote.

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This Course Uses Science Fiction To Understand Politics

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 04/03/2023 - 4:00am

Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.

What prompted the idea for the course?

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Nebraska Trans Health Bill Advances, Despite Filibuster Vow

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 03/27/2023 - 5:00am

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature voted Thursday to advance a contentious bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors, despite threats from some lawmakers that they would filibuster the rest of the session.

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Nearly 300,000 Women Served During The Iraq War. Two Decades Later, They Remain ‘The Invisible Veterans.’

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 03/27/2023 - 2:00am

Christina Schauer deployed to Baghdad in March 2003 during her sophomore year in college. At age 20, Schauer was part of an 800-member reserve battalion that consisted mainly of engineers, truck drivers, mechanics and a handful of medics like herself, tasked with building up the military bases that are there now. About 10 percent were women, she said.

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Supreme Court Honors Legacy Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 2:00am

The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was remembered during ceremonies at the Supreme Court. (Charles Dharapak / AP Photo)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose death ahead of the 2020 election led to a conservative shift on the Supreme Court, was remembered Friday during ceremonies at the high court as a legendary champion for women's rights.

Speaking just two days after what would have been the justice's 90th birthday, Chief Justice John Roberts called her a "woman of conviction, courage and quiet compassion."