Political News

Medical Marijuana Advocates File Petition To Place Issue On 2024 Ballot

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 2:00am

LINCOLN — Advocates for medical marijuana announced plans Thursday to mount an initiative petition drive to place the issue on the 2024 ballot.

The group, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, filed papers Thursday with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office.

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Racial Disparities In HIV Epidemic Persist In Nebraska, U.S. Despite Advancements In Treatment

Published by admin on Wed, 05/17/2023 - 5:00am

Tommy Dennis, outreach manager with the Nebraska AIDS Project, encourages people who are sexually active to get tested for HIV. The tests can be done at the organization’s office in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood.
(Abiola Kosoko / Flatwater Free Press)

It started with a weird breakout on his face.

So Tommy Dennis, who was 22 years old at the time, had the bumps checked out by an Omaha dermatologist. The doctor told him that the breakout looked like the symptoms of a potential HIV infection. "Then he ordered a blood test. I came back a week later and found out that my test came back positive."

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How Corporations Use Greenwashing To Convince You They Are Battling Climate Change

Published by admin on Wed, 05/17/2023 - 4:00am

Many corporations claim their products are “green-friendly.” But how do you know if what they’re selling is truly eco-safe? SciLine interviewed Thomas Lyon, professor of sustainable science, technology and commerce at the University of Michigan, on how to buy environmentally sustainable products, whether carbon credits actually work and the prevalence of greenwashing.

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Series Of Events Planned May 19-21 To Commemorate Birthday Of Malcolm X

Published by admin on Wed, 05/17/2023 - 2:00am

OMAHA — A performance of the play, “The Meeting,” and a panel discussion on re-entry efforts for inmates leaving prison are planned as part of an annual commemoration of the birthday of Malcolm X.

The events will be held on May 19-21 at the Malcolm X Birthplace at 3448 Evans St., in Omaha.

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US Postal Service Honors Civil Rights Leader, Ponca Tribe Chief Standing Bear, With Stamp

Published by admin on Wed, 05/17/2023 - 1:00am

The Chief Standing Bear stamp is being unveiled by attendees from left, UNL journalism professor Joe Starita, Lincoln Parks and Recreation director Maggie Stuckey-Ross, Steve Laravie Jr., a descendant of Standing Bear, USPS Board of Governors vice chairman Anton Hajjar, Ponca tribal chairwoman Candace Schmidt, Nebraska Indian Affairs executive director Judi M. gaiashkibos, Friday, May 12, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.
(Justin Wan / Lincoln Journal Star via AP)

A Ponca tribe chief whose landmark lawsuit in 1879 established that a Native American is a person under the law was honored Friday with the unveiling of a U.S. Postal Service stamp that features his portrait.

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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.