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.We might as...

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.Now that kind of spending is...

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.Between the state’s two largest cities would be an ideal location for a new football stadium for the Cornhuskers, the reasoning...

Safeguards, oversight ensures elections are fair and accurate

Over the years, I’ve covered a few elections — probably more than I’d like to remember.Back in the day, we didn’t get the wall-to-wall commercials slinging mud or the daily update on what the polls say.But one thing hasn’t changed — elections are maybe the most observed, double checked and overseen...

Spending in Fischer-Osborn race says something about the views of the candidates

Labels in politics are a tricky thing, particularly in Nebraska.If you’re a “Republican,” do you align with the wing of the party that identifies with former governor and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts? Or do you roll with the new GOP, the group that tossed out Ricketts’ loyalists?

Voters will get to choose whether to revoke state vouchers to attend private and parochial schools

Nebraskans will vote on six ballot issues during this fall’s general election, including two initiatives to legalize medical cannabis.Here’s a rundown of three of those ballot issues, a referendum to repeal a private school voucher law and the pair concerning medical marijuana: In one of the more...

Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ captures national headlines, last-minute push to erase it

Nebraska doesn’t get many national headlines about politics, but a recent, last-minute push by major Republicans to get the state to ditch its unique system of awarding electoral votes for president did just that.Former President Donald Trump and leading GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham were among those...

Pillen names advocate for banning books to State Library Board, ruffling feathers

The State of Nebraska has more than 200 boards and commissions staffed by professionals and regular citizens.They deal with a broad range of subjects, from the recently created Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council and State Child Death Review Team, to more recognizable boards,...

Pick of Nebraska native as vice presidential candidate revs up interest in vote here

Nebraska isn’t known as a battleground state when it comes to presidential elections.That tag usually goes to Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, along with Georgia, Nevada and Arizona.But the recent pick of Nebraska native and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the vice presidential running mate for...