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The initiative, called Nebraska Backs the Blue, aims to recruit officers to Nebraska by highlighting the state’s support for law enforcement, recreational opportunities and free college tuition program for law enforcement officials. “Our message today, while very important in Nebraska, is really a message to the rest of America. Nebraska is the best state in the union to work as a law enforcement official,” Flood said.

A former women’s basketball player at the University of Nebraska has filed a lawsuit claiming the school and the team’s head coach were aware of and mishandled an inappropriate sexual relationship between her and a member of the coaching staff.

A robot developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is among the first to complete a surgical simulation in space. A research team led by UNL engineering professor Shane Farritor received grant funding from NASA to send the robot to the International Space Station. The 2-pound robot, controlled by surgeons from across the United States, cut ten rubber bands as part of its initial space test.

Raybould’s LB1383 would establish Nebraska Tribal Community Assistance Program. The program would be funded through an initial transfer of $10,000,000 from the Intern Nebraska Cash Fund and provide at least one grant per year — up to $2,000,000 — to tribal water and sewer projects.

Spanish-speaking breast cancer survivors in the state now have a new resource for helping with mental health.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced a bill that aims to help financially struggling hospitals by increasing federal Medicaid reimbursements.

Doulas are trained birthing coaches who help women through pregnancy and childbirth. And if a bill passes through state legislation, this resource could be available to Nebraskans who use Medicaid. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena has the story.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced a bill adding Medicaid services for pregnant women, and senators reached a temporary deal with the Pillen administration restoring some legislative oversight of corrections and child welfare.

Two bills that would impact state colleges had hearings in the Nebraska Legislature’s Education Committee today. One would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and the other would eliminate tenure at state colleges.

. The Nebraska Legislature considered proposals Tuesday aimed at improving railroad safety and expanding broadband coverage.

A bill that would stop schools from punishing or prohibiting employees engaging in religious expression outside of class went in front of the state legislature’s Education Committee on Monday. State Senator Loren Lippincott said he wants to solidify the protections in state law following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that recognized a football coach’s right to pray after a game.

Gov. Jim Pillen said Nebraska will apply for the summer EBT program, and senators are considering money to prepare sites to attract industrial projects.

Despite the law requiring the government to accommodate interpretation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska said that doesn’t always happen in Omaha Immigration Court. A new report by the ACLU said Omaha Immigration Court violates due process in many cases.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved transitioning out the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Theatre program along with two other programs at their meeting Friday.

A District Court Judge in Hall County will decide if a 17-year-old should stand trial as an adult for allegedly extorting sex and explicit photos from other teenagers in central Nebraska. Details of the complex, disturbing case came to light during the Wednesday hearing to consider a motion to transfer the case to juvenile court. Seventeen-year-old Cody Holum of Doniphan faces 13 charges of human trafficking and four charges of 1st degree sexual assault. At an earlier hearing, he pled not guilty to all the accusations.

Each of Nebraska’s three continuum of care regions in Omaha, Lincoln and the rest of the state received more than $5 million in federal funds to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. Nebraska Field Office Director Kitty Amaya says this year’s grants are HUD’s largest annual investment nationally and reflect the need for services in smaller cities.

Grocery store owners and managers in Nebraska are excited about the prospects of a bill proposed in the Nebraska Legislature. LB 1116 would create a grant or loan program for locally run grocery stores. A store in west central Nebraska said they could use this money to try and grow its customer base.

Financial issues are plaguing Nebraskans’ ability to access long-term care. Bills in the Nebraska Legislature would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted living and nursing homes.

The idea of raising sales taxes in order to lower property taxes got a less-than-rousing reception in a hearing before the Legislature’s Revenue Committee Wednesday.

Counties would have to offer to buy properties for their assessed value, under a proposal heard Wednesday by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. And senators advanced a bill aimed at making dental services available for more Medicaid recipients.