Humanities Desk | Net Radio

More than 15,000 influenza cases have been reported this flu season, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

A proposed state budget from Gov. Jim Pillen includes cuts to several water recreation projects in Nebraska. But a bill from Sen. Barry DeKay would give authority to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to carry out other, cheaper park enhancements. DeKay, who represents a northeast Nebraska district that includes Lewis and Clark Lake and Niobrara State Park, said in a hearing Wednesday his legislation will help get projects across the finish line despite potential budget cuts.

Faith leaders from across the state and across denominations have responded to a recent immigration enforcement policy that would allow arrests in places of worship. Here's how some Nebraska church leaders disagree with the policy and even plan to disregard it.

Sen. Barry DeKay, a rancher from Niobrara, introduced a bill at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen that would ban the manufacturing, sale and distribution of cultured protein products. These products are made by cultivating animal stem cells for several weeks and combining them with other ingredients. They are not yet for sale in Nebraska. DeKay said he wants the product banned until there is more information about its health ramifications.

The Nebraska Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee heard a proposal to merge two state agencies Thursday. Sen. Tom Brandt introduced a bill to merge the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environment and Energy. Gov. Jim Pillen testified in favor of the bill, citing it as an important step to protect Nebraska’s water.

Nebraska has never had a State Poet like Jewel Rodgers. She is the youngest person to hold the position at 27 and she is the first African American. Nebraska Public Media's Dale Johnson caught up with the Omaha native as she travels the state impressing audiences with her form of spoken word poetry.

The Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee considered a bill Wednesday to tax the cryptocurrency industry. Sen. Mike Jacobson introduced the legislation at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. The bill would place an excise tax of one cent per kilowatt hour on electricity used for cryptocurrency mining operations .

A Neligh teacher was surprised with the Milken Educator Award on Tuesday. The honor comes with a $25,000 check.

Each year, volunteers venture out nationwide on a single night for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual point-in-time count in an effort to tally the country’s homeless population. Rural volunteers say they rely on the count to aid their unhoused populations. Meanwhile, experts say HUD may be undercounting the country’s homeless.

A grant program for teacher mental health training is at a standstill after falling short at the State Board of Education on Friday.

Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Brian Maher outlined the state’s plan to improve K-12 literacy in schools. The State Board of Education will vote on the plan at its meeting Friday.

Nebraska lawmakers considered a bill to strengthen a federal drug discount program this afternoon. Sen. Brian Hardin introduced the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act to help rural hospitals. The 340B program allows certain hospitals and pharmacies to purchase drugs from manufacturers at a reduced cost. In recent years, some pharmaceutical companies restricted pharmacies from accessing the discounted drugs. Hardin said his bill would prohibit these companies from interfering with drug delivery.

As misinformation about immigration enforcement spreads throughout some communities, some nonprofits across the state are working to ensure people know how to get reliable information and understand their constitutional rights.

A bill to limit the addictive design elements of social media apps was discussed at the Nebraska Legislature Monday afternoon. Sen. Carolyn Bosn introduced the bill at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. The legislation prevents minors from having their private information shared and requires companies to curb features like infinite scroll and frequent push alerts. Opponents of the bill say it is likely unconstitutional, citing a similar California law that the courts struck down. Bosn said the Nebraska proposal has addressed the legal concerns.

More than 15-thousand signatures were turned in Monday to place a measure on the upcoming Lincoln city election ballot aimed at helping renters. The Lincoln for Fair Housing coalition is leading the push to prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to tenants based on the source of their income. Elizabeth Engman, a community organizer with Nebraska Appleseed, says it would provide more housing options for renters.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to make arrests as part of President Donald Trump’s administration plans. Meanwhile, misinformation has reached immigrant communities around the state. Here's how some cities have been impacted by the false reports.

Nebraskans would no longer have their utilities, like electricity and natural gas, taxed by the state under a legislative proposal from Sen. Rick Holdcroft. At a hearing Friday afternoon, Holdcroft said heat and electricity are necessities, not luxuries to be taxed.

Companion, a film written and directed by Omaha native Drew Hancock, hits theaters today. Hancock graduated from Westside Highschool, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for film. In a conversation with Nebraska Public Media’s Arthur Jones, Hancock discusses how Omaha shaped his first feature length film.

Sen. Deb Fischer spoke with Nebraska Public Media's Brian Beach about her role in Trump inauguration, immigration policy and the Senate's cabinet nomination process.

Sen. Merv Riepe recently introduced a bill at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen that would lower the age at which juveniles can be detained and charged as adults in felony cases. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said the bill is well timed, as the county has seen a recent increase in the number of juveniles committing repeat felonies. North Omaha Senators Ashlei Spivey and Terrell McKinney are against the bill because they said it would disproportionately impact minority youth.