NEW OPENING? Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s questions about private and city investment in two Omaha soccer projects seeking state sales tax incentives may hint at a possible thaw in his attitude toward them.
From Cindy Gonzalez and Aaron Sanderford:
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For the first time, the Nebraska Examiner brings you a primary election guide. This has been countless hours of work with voters in mind — calls, emails and coordinating with 125 campaigns, and days stretching 18+ hours.
Hope it helps before May 12. nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebra...
LAWMAKERS WEIGH IN: State Sens. Brad von Gillern and Dan Quick say Woodsonia Real Estate can’t simply be nudged out of participation in the Grand Island good life district.
ICYMI from Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/ZFt99Vl
START YOUR MORNING: With a little good news from the former corporate headquarters of Cabela's. Sidney found a new anchor tenant, the University of Nebraska, and it's already sparking interest in other spaces there.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
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ICYMI: Women's History Month is being celebrated in Omaha and elsewhere across Nebraska.
From the Examiner:
NE-02 ATTACKS: State Sen. John Cavanaugh called a GOP group's ads a sign of his strength. Some of his opponents questioned whether Republicans were meddling in the Dem primary to boost him and blunt some recent criticisms of his bid.
From Juan Salinas II:
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HISTORY MADE: The Nebraska Legislature approved its first bill related to a state medical cannabis program Wednesday. It would give the voter-created regulatory commission the ability to set fees and raise revenue.
From Zach Wendling:
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NO PRIMARY IMPACT? Secretary of State Bob Evnen said Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s new executive order to restrict voting by mail and create a national voter list would not change how Nebraska handles the state’s May 12 primary.
From Juan Salinas II:
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BUDGET HEADS TO GOV: Lawmakers passed final adjustments to Nebraska’s two-year budget Wednesday, with several revenue-raising bills passing later that morning to help fill the state’s deficit. But work remains.
From Erin Bamer:
Nebraska passes budget bills with work still needed to fill projected deficit nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/01/n...
“The claim about lice caused me a great deal of harm. It subjected me to the abusive and humiliating treatment in the shower. It meant I had to spend five days in isolation.” Nashville journalist released from ICE detention details retaliation claims www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nash...
Amid support, Nebraska restaurateur in U.S. since age 10 ordered deported nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/01/a...
Salt Lake City mayor says her opposition to the ICE detention center “has not changed.” Mega center warehouse to hold 10,000. utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/30/i...
NO KINGS NEBRASKA: Hundreds of Nebraskans protested against the Trump administration Saturday in Lincoln and Omaha as part of 18 No Kings demonstrations planned statewide.
From Juan Salinas II and Cindy Gonzalez:
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McCOOK VISIT: A Nebraska lawmaker’s second visit to a state-owned prison in McCook serving as an ICE detention hub ended Friday with mixed reactions.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
COURT REPRIMAND: An Omaha judge has been reprimanded for violating the state’s judicial code of conduct for referring to fellow officials as a “goober,” a “dumb ass” and a “bimbo,” the high court announced.
From the Examiner:
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READING HELP: State lawmakers narrowly gave first-round approval Thursday to add more support for students reading below grade level by the end of third grade, up to repeating the grade once.
From Zach Wendling
C IS FOR COMPROMISE? After two failed attempts at advancing Nebraska’s main budget bill, Nebraska lawmakers moved the state budget forward Thursday with little fanfare or fuss.
From Erin Bamer:
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ICYMI: Four migrants represented by ACLU Nebraska over about a month’s span were released from ICE custody. But a new ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals — which covers Nebraska — throws continuation of that streak into doubt.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
WIN STREAK OVER? ACLU Nebraska had won several efforts to free or force hearings for detained migrants, but a new ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals — which covers Nebraska — throws continuation of that streak into doubt.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
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BUDGET STALLED: For the second time in a row, Nebraska’s main budget bill failed to advance due to disagreements over a new school voucher program and child care subsidies added outside of traditional lawmaking channels.
From Erin Bamer:
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ICYMI: A former ACLU Nebraska legal team lead is taking on the most emotionally complex case of her career, defending her older brother from deportation.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
FAMILY MATTER: A Nebraskan who trained as an immigration and civil rights attorney now faces a test of her brother — a staple of the Kearney small business scene — facing possible deportation to Guatemala.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
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Nebraska Democratic Senate candidate is back on the ballot after the state's Supreme Court ruled the SOS acted too late. This is the second Democratic candidate that Republicans have tried to get off the ballot this cycle.
My latest @nebraskaexaminer.com
nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/03/23/n...
ITCHING FOR CHANGE? The latest version of an anti-bedbug proposal seeking stronger remedies by Omaha’s public housing agency crept forward Friday in the Nebraska Legislature.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
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MED CANNABIS FRAMEWORK COMING? Nebraska's voter-approved Medical Cannabis Commission is banking on the Legislature to pass the state’s bill related to its medical cannabis program as a key step toward a regulated, functional system.
From Zach Wendling:
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GROWING A HUB IN SOUTH O: The landmark el Museo Latino celebrated a $10.5 million renovation that carved out underground space, modernized infrastructure and doubled exhibit and gathering space in South Omaha.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
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#BREAKING: A Nebraska Supreme Court justice put Democratic Douglas County sheriff candidate Mark Martinez back on the county’s May primary election ballot Wednesday, ruling him eligible to run.
From Juan Salinas II:
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