One old soldier isn't fading away, still trying to help freedom fighters in Ukraine

“Old soldiers don’t die, they just fade away.”Gen. Douglas MacArthur, a World War II hero, used that phrase in his farewell address to the U.S. Congress more than 70 years ago.But the comment doesn’t come within a country mile of describing one, old Nebraska soldier.

State’s legal minds raise concern about attacks on ‘rule of law’

A rarely discussed legal term is getting its day in the sun.“The rule of law” is the crazy idea that everyone in a democracy is accountable to the same laws and that everyone is entitled to their day in court (and to be represented by an attorney).

Auditor says corporate tax breaks are putting a drain on state budgets

LINCOLN — When it comes to the whys and hows of state tax policy, it’s hard to beat public hearings of the Revenue Committee at the Nebraska Legislature.

Trade war would bring more pain to state’s farmers

Even in the best of times, farming is a precarious enterprise.There’s drought, floods, hail, wind storms and pests of all kinds to deal with.

No STARWARS for you as big money for nicer lakes may go elsewhere

It’s daylight savings time, so let’s turn back the clock … to four years ago when the state was still contending with the COVID-19 pandemic.There was a silver lining of sorts to those awful days – a huge influx of federal funds to keep the economy going.

Merging agencies always sounds good, give the illusion of progress

As a young reporter, I got the opportunity to cover, and learn a few things, from maybe the greatest state senator ever, Jerome Warner.He was the kind of state senator who just commanded respect, and unlike some politicians, had a well-formed group of beliefs that guided his decision making.

Could the Legislature dish up a 'state dessert?'

As the State Legislature gets to work on its 90-day session, it’s time to consider whether the Unicameral should resolve an important, and regularly overlooked matter — designating a state dessert.Face it, we all love dessert and naming an official state dessert is long overdue.

Voting in 2024 election showed a definite east-west, urban-rural divide

We’re all glad the election is over and we’re no longer subjected to wall-to-wall campaign ads on TV and radio.The faster we can get back to watching “Green Acres” reruns the better!But I can’t get over how differently Nebraskans in the east, and Nebraskans in the west voted this year.

Big money, contributions rule in elections these days

The election is thankfully over, but I still can’t get over how much money pours into these campaigns.Back in the day, if a state legislative candidate spent more than $100,000 on a campaign to get elected to a $12,000-a-year post at the State Capitol, it was a big deal.

Big lake dreams dashed by feasibility report

Like a comet that swings by the earth every few years, there’s been talk now and then about placing some huge development between Omaha and Lincoln along the Platte River.