Aaron Sanderford

Competition for Nebraska's 'Carhenge' rises near South Dakota's Badlands • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska’s quirky replica of England’s prehistoric Stonehenge, “Carhenge,” is about to get some new competition in a neighboring state.

START YOUR SNOWY SATURDAY: With a story about a new competitor for Nebraska’s “Carhenge” in the Badlands of neighboring South Dakota. Built with fire trucks.

From Paul Hammel:

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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.

START YOUR THANKSGIVING: With a story about Nebraska SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, the special session that almost was and the people left scrambling after the disruption.

From Zach Wendling, with help from Cindy Gonzalez and Erin Bamer:

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Has 2026 GOP primary for Nebraska governor already started? • Nebraska Examiner Trump donor Charles Herbster says Pillen’s “shortcomings make it hard to say no” to running. He says he will decide around the new year.

GOVERNOR'S RACE? Nebraska's 2026 GOP primary for governor might not have officially started, but one of the candidates from the 2022 race, Charles Herbster, is acting like it has. This time, there's an incumbent.

From Juan Salinas II:

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Nebraska’s first woman Supreme Court justice hangs up robe, mulls next move: ‘I’ll be useful.’ • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska's first woman Supreme Court justice, Lindsey Miller-Lerman, hangs up her jurist robe and mulls her next move.

NEW THIS MORNING: Conversations with retiring Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, the first woman to serve on the Nebraska Supreme Court. A great story from @cgonzalez_NE about a different kind of pioneer.

A Saturday special from the Nebraska Examiner:

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Nebraska school finance commission looks to ‘thread the needle’ on policymaking, recommendations • Nebraska Examiner A new commission to offer long-term solutions for funding public schools in Nebraska hopes to land at more stability and predictability.

SCHOOL FUNDING: A commission meeting to find ways to better design Nebraska's system of funding K-12 education met Monday and might have laid some groundwork for how it will pursue potential recommendations.

From Zach Wendling:

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Former Nebraska lawmaker Tony Vargas launches bid for Douglas County treasurer • Nebraska Examiner Former Nebraska State Sen. Tony Vargas announces his bid to run for Douglas County Treasurer in the 2026 election.

VARGAS RUNNING: Former State Sen. Tony Vargas is running for office again in the Omaha area, but not for Congress. He's running for the mayor's old job, Douglas County treasurer.

First in the Examiner from CIndy Gonzalez:

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Nebraska's Bacon says Trump must view Putin clearly at summit, avoid becoming ‘Chamberlain 2’ • Nebraska Examiner President Donald Trump must see Russian President Vladimir Putin for who he is, not how Trump might want him to be, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon says.

BACON ON TRUMP-PUTIN SUMMIT: Nebraska GOP U.S. Rep. Don Bacon says President Donald Trump should remember who Vladimir Putin is and what he wants, which is more than Ukraine. He says Trump doesn't want to be "Chamberlain 2."

From Aaron Sanderford:

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State Sen. Wendy DeBoer running for Nebraska Public Service Commission in 2026 • Nebraska Examiner State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha will look to trade her legislative experience for a seat on Nebraska's Public Service Commission.

DEBOER RUNNING: Term-limited State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha seeks a seat on Nebraska’s catch-all regulator, the Public Service Commission.

From Zach Wendling:

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Pounding the Rock: Panhandle monument to come under 'attack' during Guard training exercise • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers, training in the state's Panhandle, will descend from Blackhawk helicopters near iconic Chimney Rock.

CHIMNEY ROCK ATTACKED? As part of a training exercise for the Nebraska Army National Guard, soldiers will descend from Blackhawk helicopters near iconic Chimney Rock.

From Paul Hammel:

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Nebraska farmers, ranchers talk to Trump ag secretary about tough times • Nebraska Examiner Trump Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins heard about tariffs and trade in an ag roundtable at a facility in Saunders County operated by UNL.

ROLLINS VISIT: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins heard about tough times from Nebraska farmers and ranchers during a tour and roundtable Saturday with the state's congressional delegation and hinted that more federal help might be on the way.

From Aaron Sanderford:

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Deputy Douglas County attorney says she was ‘fired’ after telling boss she was seeking his seat • Nebraska Examiner A deputy Douglas County attorney of 13 years says she was "fired" after telling her boss that she would be seeking his seat.

COUNTY TUSSLE: Deputy Douglas County Attorney Amy Jacobsen, who has prosecuted some high-profile cases, says she was fired by Douglas Co. Attorney Don Kleine after telling him she was running against him.

First in Examiner rom Cindy Gonzalez:

Nebraska might join national ‘wildfire’ of mid-decade redistricting • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska GOP U.S. Rep. Don Bacon confirmed conversations are happening about the state potentially redrawing the 2nd Congressional District.

NEBRASKA REDISTRICTING? Count Nebraska among the GOP-led states discussing mid-decade redistricting, depending on how Democratic-led states respond to Texas' push to help Republicans hold the U.S. House.

First in the Examiner by Juan Salinas II:

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Nebraska Democrats have outraised the Nebraska GOP since 2022. Does it matter? • Nebraska Examiner After its 2022 convention, donations to the Nebraska GOP fell, but the decline hasn't made much of an impact on elections in the years since.

PARTY FUNDRAISING: The Nebraska Democratic Party has outraised the Nebraska Republican Party since 2022. Does that matter?

From Erin Bamer:

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Crystal Rhoades jumps into crowded Nebraska 2nd District field • Nebraska Examiner Crystal Rhoades joins five other Democrats trying to replace U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. She describes herself as a “unique candidate."

NEW CANDIDATE CONFIRMED: Nebraska's Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District has another familiar face seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades. #NE02

First in the NebEx from Juan Salinas II:

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Advocates fear for autistic Nebraska youths as cuts come to Medicaid reimbursement rates • Nebraska Examiner Advocates fear for autistic Nebraska youths as cuts come to Medicaid reimbursement rates that state officials said are highest in nation.

ICYMI: Advocates for Nebraskans with autism are watching closely as the State of Nebraska tweaks its reimbursement rates that it says were the highest in the nation for some services.

From Cindy Gonzalez:

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$700M soybean crushing operation to start in Nebraska’s David City by late August • Nebraska Examiner A new soybean crushing plant, investment tagged at $700M, is to start commercial operations by the end of August in Nebraska's David City.

BIG PLANT: A new soybean crushing facility that owners say brings a $700 million investment to Nebraska’s David City and will support 80 jobs is set to launch commercial operations by the end of August.

From Cindy Gonzalez:

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Retired Navy veteran Kishla Askins joins Nebraska 2nd District U.S. House race • Nebraska Examiner Retired U.S. Navy veteran Kishla Askins is running to be the first Democrat to represent the district in nearly a decade.

NEW CANDIDATE: Nebraska’s 2nd District U.S. House race is getting more crowded. Democrat Kishla Askins announced her bid Tuesday in #NE02.

From Juan Salinas II:

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Historic Chadron bed and breakfast inn and saloon goes up for sale • Nebraska Examiner The historic Chadron bed and breakfast inn and saloon are up for sale, rekindling talk of a host of memorable guests and events.

START YOUR MORNING: With thoughts of a historic Nebraska bed and breakfast in Chadron possibly changing hands.

A fun one from Paul Hammel:

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ICE says it arrested MS-13 'kingpin' in Omaha • Nebraska Examiner ICE arrested a man Wednesday from El Salvador that the feds described as one of that country’s most wanted criminals and found him in Omaha.

ICE says it arrested MS-13 ‘kingpin’ in Omaha, Nebraska.

The federal agency did not identify the man, telling reporters the investigation was not yet complete.

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Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom running for Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd District • Nebraska Examiner After speculations, Former Omaha State Sen. Brett Lindstrom became the second Republican to join the race for the open U.S. House seat.

CONGRESS: Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom kicks off his GOP bid for Congress in Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District (#NE02) today. He faces @BrinkerHarding in the 2026 primary to replace @DonJBacon.

From Juan Salinas II:

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Nebraska abortions rise 7% same year voters cement restrictions • Nebraska Examiner The same year Nebraskans voted to cement an abortion ban beyond the first trimester, the number of abortions in the state rose 7.6%.

ABORTION STATISTICS: A total of 2,501 abortions were reported to have been performed in Nebraska in 2024, a 7.6% increase from the previous year.

From Erin Bamer buff.ly/QoPAU5F

Pillen approves Nebraska emergency medical cannabis regulations, applications now sought • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has officially approved emergency regulations for a commission to begin licensing medical cannabis establishments.

MEDICAL CANNABIS REGS: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has approved the state’s emergency medical cannabis regulations. A regulatory commission can now solicit licensing applications.

From Zach Wendling:

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Omaha City Council VP Brinker Harding jumps into Nebraska 2nd District U.S. House race • Nebraska Examiner Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding is the first Republican to announce a bid after U.S. Rep. Don Bacon said he would not seek reelection.

REPUBLICAN IN NE-02 RACE: Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding announced a bid Tuesday for the House seat held by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in Nebraska's Omaha-based 2nd District. He's the first Republican to announce.

First in NE Examiner from Juan Salinas II:

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Nebraska U.S Rep. Don Bacon announces he won’t run again in NE-02 • Nebraska Examiner It's official. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., is not running in 2026. Now it's a dash for both parties to fill an open seat in the midterms.

BACON BOWS OUT: U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., made it official Monday, confirming what had leaked Friday, that will not to run for a sixth term in 2026. He talked about his time in the House and what comes next.

From Juan Salinas II:

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Immigration enforcement ‘hit home’ for Trump supporter worried about ‘little buddy’ ICE detained • Nebraska Examiner Ramped up immigration enforcement "hit home" with a Nebraskan once a fan of President Donald Trump's enforcement crackdown.

NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS? The reality of stepped-up immigration enforcement is hitting home in Nebraska, including for some who voted for the Trump administration. New polling hints at a shift.

A local look from Cindy Gonzalez:

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Nebraska fireworks sales begin this week after lawmakers increased State Fire Marshal fees • Nebraska Examiner The return of retail fireworks sales comes after lawmakers increased State Fire Marshal fees, many for the first time in nearly four decades.

FIREWORKS FEES: The return of retail fireworks sales this week comes after Nebraska lawmakers increased State Fire Marshal fees this spring, many for the first time in nearly four decades.

From Zach Wendling:

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Worker detained in June 10 Omaha immigration raid released on bond, believed to be group's first • Nebraska Examiner One of the nearly 80 workers detained in a June 10 Omaha immigration raid is released on bond, believed to be the first so far of the group.

RAID UPDATE: A Glenn Valley Foods worker detained in a June 10 worksite immigration raid that ensnared nearly 80 people was released this week on a bond set by an immigration judge.

From Cindy Gonzalez:

Nebraska U.S. Rep. Don Bacon will not seek reelection in Nebraska’s 2nd District • Nebraska Examiner GOP U.S. Rep. Don Bacon’s decision causes national political shockwaves. He represents one of a handful of true swing districts nationally.

BACON RETIRES FROM CONGRESS: Five Republicans familiar with @RepDonBacon's decision-making process confirmed to the @NE_Examiner that he is set to step away next week from the 2026 House race, creating an open seat in NE-02.

From Juan Salinas II:

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Douglas County District Court Clerk exploring bid in Nebraska's crowded 2nd District field • Nebraska Examiner Crystal Rhoades says her decision to run for U.S. House in Nebraska's Omaha-based 2nd District will be ‘data-driven.'

NEW IN NE-02: Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades told the Nebraska Examiner this week that she is “testing-the-waters” for jumping into the Omaha-based 2nd District U.S. House race.

First from Juan Salinas II:

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