Nebraska / Public News Service

A 2022 Pew Research survey found 61% of U.S. adults trust national news, 71% trust local news, and 33% trust news on social media. Among those ages 18-29, however, 50% said they trust news on social media sites. (Scanrail/Adobe Stock)

Friday, December 8, 2023

Report: NE lost 7% of its local weekly newspapers in 2023

A new report says some Nebraska communities have lost a major source of local news this year. The "State of Local News" report evaluates the …

One of the goals of the Biden administration's Justice40 Initiative is that

Thursday, December 7, 2023

New environmental justice center helps NE communities, organizations

There's a new resource for Nebraska communities and organizations facing environmental justice issues: the Heartland Environmental Justice Center (HEJ…

In 2021, 37% of people in the U.S. ages 18 and older used telehealth services at least once. (DC Studio/Adobe Stock)

'Champion' NE state senators helped lower insulin costs, strengthen telehealth

As of Jan. 1, insulin will become a lot more affordable for many Nebraskans, and those who have come to rely on telehealth visits are more likely to …

Of the 12% of Nebraskans reporting food insecurity at some time between 2020 and 2022, almost half of them reported experiencing

NE has until Jan. 1 to opt in to food assistance for 150,000 children

Roughly one in eight Nebraskans who have experienced hunger is a child. The state has a chance to help their families afford groceries, but must 'opt …

Among registered voters surveyed, nearly 90% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans believe support for unpaid family caregivers is important. (Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)

NE Area Agencies on Aging support caregivers

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and many of the 200,000 Nebraskans who help care for loved ones with a health issue or disability could …

Nebraska's school librarians serve an average of 600 students, compared with nearly a third of states where they serve 1,500 or more. (Adobe Stock)

There's a lot going on in NE school libraries

This last day of American Education Week is a great time to highlight school librarians. Nebraska's school libraries have probably changed since you …

Shoppers are encouraged to spend time in downtown Alliance, Nebraska. Since 2010, shoppers have spent more than $160 billion on Small Business Saturdays. (jkgabbert/Adobe Stock)

NE small-town businesses urge support on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25

Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25 and there are plenty of Nebraska small business owners hoping for your business. In 2022, shoppers across the …

An aerial view of Lincoln, Neb., which received an Overall Livability Score of 63 on the 2023 AARP Livability Index, compared with the average city score of 48. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Lincoln, other NE communities rate high for 'livability'

The city of Lincoln scores high for "livability," both in Nebraska and the nation as a whole. In the new AARP Livability Index, Lincoln ranks number …

According to the American Lung Association, around 238,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed this year, and more than 127,000 people will die from lung cancer. (Peakstock/Adobe Stock)

Report: NE lung cancer screening of high-risk individuals among lowest in U.S.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and a newly released report shows far too few Nebraskans at high risk for lung cancer are getting the …

In a 2022 poll by the Pew Research Center, 30% of adults said marijuana should be legal for medical use and 59% supported it being legalized for medical and recreational use. Ten percent did not support legalization for either medical or recreational use. (bukhta79/Adobe Stock)

Advocates hope voters make Nebraska 48th state to approve medical cannabis

When it comes to getting the legalization of medical cannabis in front of Nebraska voters, supporters hope the third time's the charm. Nebraska…

As of 2021, there were more than 17,000 farms with at least one certified organic crop, compared with only around 150 certified biodynamic farms in the United States. (sjredwin1/Adobe Stock)

Biodynamic farming views farms as living organism for greater sustainability

By Ellie Kuckelman for The Reader.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-P…

Nebraska currently ranks 15th in the nation for the amount of electricity generated by renewable sources. In neighboring states, South Dakota ranked 1st, Iowa 6th, Kansas 9th, Colorado 14th, Wyoming 20th and Missouri 29th. (engeL.ac/Adobe Stock)

Nebraska climate advocate receives largest climate grant offered to individuals

Nebraska environmental leader Jane Kleeb has received the largest environmental award offered to an individual, a $3 million Climate Breakthrough …

The 2018 Farm Bill included the Pets and Women Safety Act or PAWS, (renamed Protecting Animals with Shelter) to strengthen protections for pets in domestic-abuse situations and provide grant money to help more shelters be able to accept house pets. (takafoto/Adobe Stock)

Legal protection, sheltering, for pets of NE domestic-abuse victims

For some people experiencing domestic violence, concern about the safety of their household pet can prevent them from leaving. In a survey of 2,500 …

According to the Commonwealth Fund, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is almost three times that of other high-income countries. The CDC has concluded that 80% of pregnancy-related deaths between 2017 and 2019 were preventable. (Adobe Stock)

Black Maternal Health Month: Health disparities persist in NE

Maternal mortality, or death from pregnancy-related issues, nearly doubled in the U.S. between 2018 and 2021 - and a person who is Black is three …

Over one 24-hour period in March 2022, domestic-violence hotlines in Nebraska received 182 calls, an average of eight per hour, and 523 adults and children received services. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Help available in every NE county

It is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, calling attention to an issue affecting up to 12 million men, women and children in the nation …

As of August, more than 20 million households in the country had enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program. (WESTOCK/Adobe Stock)

Financial help available for broadband for tens of thousands of NE households

Many Nebraska households still lack broadband service, and a number of them qualify for monthly assistance with their bill. More than $14 billion …

Nebraska law defines restrictive housing as

ACLU: NE prison progress on 'restrictive housing' not enough

The latest report on the Nebraska Correctional System shows a decrease in the use of restrictive housing. The Office of Inspector General of …

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2020, 4.2 million people used Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) delivered in home and community settings, and 1.6 million used LTSS delivered in institutional settings. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

NE long-term care, caregiver support services rank 18th nationwide

The latest State Scorecard Report from AARP shows Nebraska's long-term care facilities have made some improvements in the last three years. For …

Only 546 of the tenants in the the 5,563 eviction cases filed in Nebraska in the first half of 2023 were represented by legal counsel. (tab62/Adobe Stock)

As evictions rise, NE renters need to know their rights

High rent prices are draining the budgets of many Nebraska renters, who are paying between 30% and 50% of their income on rent. In some parts of the …

Aerial view of Winnebago, Neb., home of Little Priest Tribal College. It is one of 32 fully accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUS) in the United States. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Little Priest Tribal College builds opportunity 'pipelines,' STEM workforce

Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago says its student body and campus are growing - and so are its options for people to study in STEM fields…

With the help of more than 550 partner agencies, including schools, churches, shelters and food pantries, Food Bank for the Heartland distributed more than 22 million meals in its 2023 fiscal year. They expect the number to climb to 26.5 million in FY 2024. (TSViPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Action Month finds NE food bank in "crisis mode"

It is Hunger Action Month, and a Nebraska organization fighting hunger said action is badly needed, at both the national and state levels. In a June …

Approved uses of funds from the $24 billion in Child Care Stabilization Grants for providers included personnel costs, recruitment and retention; mortgage, rent and utilities, and facility upgrades. (Firn/Adobe Stock)

COVID Relief for Providers Ends as NE Childcare Funding Gap Grows

For many in Nebraska's child-care industry, which was struggling even before the pandemic, the "Child Care Stabilization" funds in the American …

Upcoming Youth Climate Summit to Focus on Solutions, Hope

A 2021 survey published in The Lancet showed almost half of U.S. youth ages 16 to 25 feel "heightened worry" about climate change. Sponsors of …

According to the Anti-Defamation League, there were 356 reported anti-LGBTQ hate incidents between June 2022 and April 2023. They

Survey: LGBTQ Youth Affected by Drumbeat of 'Anti-' Policy Coverage

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youths in Nebraska and across the country are exposed to a steady stream of news about anti-LGBTQ …

After the late August heat wave, less than half of Nebraska's topsoil had sufficient moisture, and only slightly more than half of pasture and rangeland was considered in good condition. (Adobe Stock)

Study Hopes to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Nebraska Rural Communities

Although drought conditions in Nebraska have improved since earlier this year, half of the state is still experiencing moderate to extreme drought…

More than 100 U.S. crops depend on pollinators, which provided approximately $18 billion of value in 2020. In Nebraska, fruit orchards and melon crops in particular are dependent upon honeybee pollination. (kosolovsky/Adobe Stock)

Seasoned NE Beekeeper Abuzz Over Bee Lawns, Other Bee-Friendly Practices

Bees and other pollinators are indispensable to a huge number of crops, and in Nebraska as well as across the country their numbers have been …

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture expected to grant more than $800,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant dollars in 2023. (trongnguyen/Adobe Stock)

Students at Eight Rural NE Schools To Learn 'Specialty Crop' Production

Students in eight rural Nebraska schools will soon be getting hands-on experience in "specialty crop" production thanks to a two-year U.S. Department …

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2022, 49% of Nebraska's total in-state electricity generation was from coal, 31% from wind, 14% from nuclear power, 3% from hydropower and 3% from natural gas. (Lise Bennett/Adobe Stock)

NE Electric Utilities Offer Incentives to Conserve Energy, Lower Bills

Nebraskans may not have needed as much air conditioning this summer as have people in the Southwest, but so far 2023 is tied for the most 100-degree …

According to the Department of Labor, 34% of miliary spouses work in professions that require licensure. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

NE, Neighboring States Join First Nationwide Interstate Teaching Compact

For a number of careers requiring professional licensure, especially in the medical field, interstate compacts mean people's licenses are recognized …

Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, says breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Month: Advocates Say Practice Needs 'Normalizing'

August is National Breastfeeding Month, focused on the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies as well as the restrictions some encounter…

According to AARP, Community Challenge Grants can be used

Six NE Communities Receive AARP Grants to Boost 'Livability'

Projects in six Nebraska communities, large and small, are among this year's AARP Community Challenge Grant winners. A total of $3.6 million was …

Nearing 25th Anniversary, Little Priest Tribal College is Growing, Open to All

A community college in Winnebago, Little Priest Tribal College, celebrates its 25th anniversary this September. After more than 20 years of roughly 12…

Three positive trends for seniors nationwide in UnitedHealthcare's 2023 Senior Report were a 6% decrease in the number experiencing food insecurity, a 7% increase in those with access to high-speed internet, and a 16% increase in the number of geriatric providers. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

NE Receives Mixed Reviews on Well Being of State's Seniors

Nebraska received mixed reviews regarding the well-being of the state's seniors in United Healthcare's 2023 Health Rankings Senior Report. The state …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 77% of workers in private industry received paid sick leave in 2022. However, among the the lowest 10% of earners, only 38% earned paid sick leave compared with 96% of those in the highest 10%. (Valerii Apetroaiei/Adobe Stock)

Lack of Paid Sick Leave Disproportionately Affects NE Women

This year, 14 states and even more cities required employers to provide some form of paid sick leave. Supporters of the Paid Sick Leave for …

In addition to their use in crop spraying, drones can help farmers and researchers assess how their plants, animals and property are being affected by

Community Colleges Help Build NE 'Precision Ag' Workforce

Agriculture plays a huge role in Nebraska's economy, and it is the topic of a bill in Congress getting rare bipartisan support. The Community …

About tax credits for private school scholarship donations, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy maintains,

Charity Disparity: NE Opportunity Scholarships Act Benefits Private Donors

Offering tax credits for scholarships to private schools has been a controversial issue in Nebraska. After tax-credit bills failed to pass in 2020 …

Homes in the award-winning Ho-Chunk Village on the Winnebago Reservation. (Photo by Jerry L. Mennenga, courtesy of Ho-Chunk, Inc.)

Winnebago Tribe's Ho-Chunk Village Wins Major Award, Serves as Model

Nebraska's Winnebago Tribe is considered a mid-sized tribe, but it's a big award winner. The tribe's Ho-Chunk Village housing development is one of …

Nebraska's Dakota County, which had 10,855 registered voters in the 2022 election, had the lowest voter turnout, at 34.04%. Arthur County, with 337 registered voters, had the highest, at 76.26%. (Adobe Stock)

Interactive Tool Offers Detailed Information On 2022 NE Voter Turnout

The statewide turnout of Nebraska registered voters in the 2022 general election was roughly 55%. Now it is possible to see where turnout was nearly 8…

The American Postal Workers Union, National Association of Letter Carriers and National Rural Letter Carriers Association are among the 30 unions in the country that have 100,000 or more members. (Robert Latawiec/Adobe Stock)

On National Postal Worker Day, Workers Face Challenges, Changes

Saturday is National Postal Worker Day, a good time to recognize the tens of thousands of employees of the U.S. Postal Service, many of whom work …

Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts were established in 1972

NE Water District Protects Quantity, Quality for Future Generations

Groundwater decline is a serious problem in parts of the country, but not in the Lower Republican Natural Resources District in south-central …

According to Bloomberg, in the first quarter of 2023, U.S. foreclosure filings jumped 22% compared with the same period in 2022. The number of foreclosures had risen for 23 straight months. (Adobe Stock)

June 30 Deadline for NE Homeowners' COVID-Related Expenses

Many homeowners in Nebraska and across the country have struggled financially since the COVID pandemic. They can still receive financial help from …

The percentage of Nebraska children living in single-parent households has fluctuated between 28% and 30% since 2011. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Despite #1 Rank for 'Economic Well-Being,' NE Parents Struggle

Nebraska children rank first in the nation for economic well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2023 Kids Count Data Book, and eighth for …

In his 2021 book, 'Who Graduates from College? Who Doesn't,' author Mark Kantrowitz says three-fourths of college dropouts are first-generation college students, and two-thirds are from low-income families. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Northeast Community College Program Succeeds at Community Building

Amid recent reports of high stress and loneliness among college students, a Nebraska community college has a program focused on community building …

Nebraska was one of 10 states to further restrict abortion access in the 2023 legislative session. At least 48 bills were passed involving restrictions for LGBTQ+ individuals. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

Plaintiffs Speak Out in Suit Against Controversial New NE Law

A new Nebraska law is now the subject of a lawsuit filed in the District Court of Lancaster County. In its amended form, Legislative Bill 574 …

An aerial view of Roca, Neb. Some 37% percent of Nebraska's rural hospitals have lost some services, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Rural Nebraska Faces Outsized Impact of Governor's Budget Vetoes

Rural Nebraska could lose on two fronts if two of Gov. Jim Pillen's budget vetoes are allowed to stand. Pillen struck down a second year of …

In 2021, nearly 61 million Americans volunteered for an organization, reflecting a value of almost $123 billion. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

AARP of Nebraska Seeks Nominations for Top State-Level Honor

If you know of a Nebraskan age 50 or older who actively supports his or her community through volunteering, you might want to nominate them for the 20…

Nebraska's extensive wetlands include marshes, lakes, river and stream backwaters, oxbows, wet meadows, fens, forested swamps, and seeps. (Phyre Sky/Adobe Stock)

Celebrate Nebraska Wetlands During American Wetlands Month

May is American Wetlands Month, and Nebraska has bragging rights when it comes to wetlands. None of the surrounding states have comparable amounts of …

Nationwide, 543 anti-trans bills have been introduced since the start of the 2023 legislative session. So far, 70 have passed. (James Reininger/Adobe Stock)

NE Legislature Faces One Bill Restricting Two Personal Health Care Decisions

This week the Nebraska Legislature will consider a bill containing the two most controversial issues of the 2023 session: restrictions on medical trea…

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