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The over 1000 page ‘big beautiful bill’ covers many things, but rural health leaders are most concerned over what proposed Medicaid cuts will do to an already fragile rural health system.

Specialty producers exporting to China have been hit just as hard as soybeans and beef. But they often have fewer alternative markets for their crops, worsening the impact of retaliatory tariffs.

Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong dismissed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that the state’s medical cannabis program violates state and federal law. The case was brought by former State Sen. John Kuehn, who claimed laws allowing any form of marijuana are unconstitutional because the substance remains illegal at the federal level. Kuehn argued his status as a Nebraska taxpayer gives him the right to sue the state over its “illegal expenditure of taxpayer money.” Strong disagreed, saying that “the Court does not believe that the incidental burdens of implementing a law, like employee time and printing costs, is an ‘expenditure of public funds’ sufficient to confer taxpayer standing under Nebraska law.”

The commission voted unanimously to approve emergency regulations on medical cannabis to meet its deadline of July 1st in the initiative approved by voters last November. The regulations allow only one dispensary in each of the state’s 12 district court judicial districts and prohibit raw plant material or any product that is smoked or vaped. The regulations did not include details about who counts as a qualified patient to receive medical cannabis.

Come the end of the month, Nebraska’s Women’s Health Initiative Advisory Council will also come to an end. The council was terminated in the recent legislative session.

The manufacturing and agriculture sectors are struggling to grow, according to two surveys in the Midwest.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh kicked off his bid to become the next congressman for Nebraska’s Second District Tuesday night. In a speech to several hundred supporters gathered at Omaha’s Firefighters Union Hall, Cavanaugh vowed to stand up to President Donald Trump and work to protect Medicaid, social security and public lands.

New data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services suggest a disconnect between people with developmental disabilities who are offered money by the state and getting them connected to services. More than 3,000 families have been offered state funding, since Governor Jim Pillen launched an initiative last spring to end an eight year waiting list. But data show not many families are using the state funding.

Bur oak trees are some of the most common native Nebraska trees that shade many city parks and congregate in the state’s eastern deciduous forests. They’re hardy trees, known to withstand a range of stresses, including Nebraska’s harshest weather. But they’re dying en masse due to years of devastating drought.

A Lincoln nonprofit collaboration has launched a new website to share immigration information and resources. Its aim is to address misinformation and fear amid heightened attention on immigration enforcement.

Concerned citizens met at Omaha’s Tri-Faith Center to express their concerns about the “big, beautiful bill’s” cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and access to federal loans for medical students.

Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon says he supports President Donald Trump’s attack on Iran and believes the President does not intend to start a long-term war with the country. Monday afternoon, Bacon said people tend to overestimate Iran’s capabilities but underestimate the country’s intentions for the West. He said America’s military is in a strong position to respond to retaliation.

Governor Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on Monday announced the end of the developmental disabilities waiting list.

Since being identified as its own distinct subspecies, the Salt Creek tiger beetle has been receiving help in its fight for survival. How is the project going after over ten years?

Across much of the Midwest, the atmosphere is becoming warmer and retaining more water, leading to heavier downpours. A two-crop system called relay intercropping could help farmers buffer weather whiplash and boost profits.

Frank Lloyd Wright is the most widely known architect in the world. The only structure he designed in Nebraska is the Sutton “Prairie School” house in McCook, built in 1905. David Wendell, of Holdrege, has a sizable collection of Wright artifacts on display for a “first of its kind” exhibit at Pioneer Village in Minden. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson caught up with Wendell at our studios in Lincoln.

The Great American Comedy Festival, celebrating Johnny Carson's Legacy in Norfolk returned for its 16th year.

The 19th superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol comes to the job with 32 years of law enforcement experience. Colonel Bryan Waugh spent the last six years as Police Chief in Kearney. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson asked Colonel Waugh how it feels going from policing 34,000 people in a community to overseeing a statewide law enforcement agency in charge of protecting 2 million people.

Nebraska food bank representatives said they are concerned how cuts to SNAP, Medicare and Medicaid will impact those who rely on the programs. The House of Representatives has already approved the cuts, and now the Senate will decide on them.

Everyday Nebraskans could be on SportsCenter. ESPN’s flagship show SportsCenter will broadcast a show in Nebraska this summer during the Cornhusker State Games.