Podcast
Nebraska Update
Hosted by Nebraska Public Media · EN
From the Capitol to your community, Nebraska Public Media’s local journalists bring you top stories and essential context every weekday morning.
71episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
June 2 | Drinking water nitrates, drought kills sugar beet crops
Yesterday00:10:40Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, June 2, include: researchers call for review of federal nitrate standards after new findings on drinking water contamination, Western Nebraska sugar beet farmers face severe crop losses as irrigation canals run dry, Lincoln Public Schools Security Director retires after 13 years and reflects on school safety challenges and progress, retired University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen discusses dedication of new rural health care facility bearing his name and examines how colleges are responding to increased political scrutiny, quarantined patients at UNMC may be allowed to finish isolation in their home states.
Transcribe →June 1 | Trans health debate, Husker seasons end
2d ago00:13:01Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, June 1, include: Nebraska's restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors remain focus for some lawmakers three years after becoming law, Husker softball and baseball both see standout seasons come to close, Gov. Jim Pillen issues executive order addressing antisemitism concerns, Omaha's Kellogg plant prepares for layoffs ahead of its planned closure, worker-owned homecare cooperative seeks to address assisted living gaps in rural Nebraska, conservation advocates discuss farmland transitions as older farmers retire, Nebraska libraries expand services through community seed libraries.
Transcribe →May 29 | UNMC candidate tour, governor candidate poll
5d ago00:11:36Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 29, include: The priority candidate to lead the University of Nebraska Medical Center says he wants to improve patient care and reshape training for future healthcare providers. Dr. Dele Davies toured Nebraska as part of the search process while discussing innovation and statewide collaboration; Gov. Jim Pillen announces his choice to lead the Nebraska Crime Commission; A new poll commissioned by Lynne Walz’s campaign shows her narrowly trailing Pillen in the 2026 governor’s race; Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joins a lawsuit challenging federal marijuana reclassification efforts; Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion is sold to a new owner.
Transcribe →May 28 | NDP calls for Harding investigation, SNAP declines
6d ago00:12:34Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 28, include: The Nebraska Democratic Party is requesting the Department of Justice to investigate a financial disclosure issue with Republican Brinker Harding, who’s running for the 2nd Congressional District; SNAP food assistance participation in Nebraska fell 11% between April 2025 and April 2026 according to state data. Macy Byars reports on how federal legislation helped drive the decline and what it could mean for families relying on assistance; Emergency room visits for tick bites reached their highest April levels in nearly a decade. Jess Savage reports on how to protect yourself from tick-borne illnesses; Work is underway on the Niobrara State Park pond as part of Nebraska Game and Parks’ aquatic habitat plan; Nebraska softball opens Women’s College World Series play Thursday night against Arkansas in Oklahoma City; Some are watching for a “Godzilla El Nino” that could develop this year and bring distinct weather changes to Nebraska.
Transcribe →May 27 | Nebraska literacy push, WWII family story
1w ago00:12:43Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 27, include: Nebraska education leaders continue statewide push to improve literacy skills, French researcher traveled to Nebraska to share World War II records with family of fallen Nebraska soldier, Lincoln's new minimum wage ordinance became law earlier this month, Nebraska's Pancreatic Cancer Center for Excellence director is suing University of Nebraska Board of Regents over alleged discrimination and retaliation, Union Pacific's Big Boy steam locomotive is making stops across Nebraska this week, retired state trooper is helping former Nebraska troopers stay connected, Cindy Burbank announced her endorsement of independent congressional candidate Austin Ahlman.
Transcribe →May 26 | Softball to CWS, baseball regional, bird flu study
1w ago00:11:58Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 26, include: Nebraska softball is headed to Women's College World Series after dominant showing against Oklahoma State, baseball will also host NCAA regional for first time since 2008, University of Nebraska-Lincoln virology team received $4 million NIH grant to develop vaccine targeting multiple strains of bird flu, Dr. Dele Davies will begin statewide engagement tour as leading candidate to become next chancellor of University of Nebraska Medical Center, experts warn invasive jumping worms are spreading across Nebraska and are damaging gardens and forests, Holdrege-area nonprofit is doubling incentives for child care providers to expand extended-hour care services, how two Nebraska restaurants are helping formerly incarcerated people feel reconnected to their communities.
Transcribe →May 22 | Perkins Canal fight, prison oversight, NWS hiring
2w ago00:12:10Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 23, include: federal lawyer urges U.S. Supreme Court to focus on Nebraska's irrigation water dispute with Colorado instead of Perkins County canal project, weekend rainfall brought some drought relief to parts of Eastern Nebraska, Nebraska National Weather Service offices are rehiring staff ahead of severe weather season, Nebraska's prison oversight office has new Inspector General, Lake Minatare Elementary closes this week ending generations of history for one Western Nebraska family, one Nebraska kindergarten classroom is marking final week of school with alphabet-themed countdown.
Transcribe →May 21 | Trans sports petition funding, Ebola outbreak
2w ago00:10:58Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 21, include: Nebraska petition groups are working to qualify ballot measures for November, five-year Farm Bill and E15 expansion are both under discussion in Senate as lawmakers explore whether measures could advance together, dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Public Health says Ebola outbreak is another reminder that public should prepare for next pandemic, Nebraska softball opens super regional series against Oklahoma State at Bowlin Stadiumm, UNL chancellor Katherine Ankerson talks about stepping into role after Rodney Bennett abruptly resigned earlier this year and what she’s doing to keep university moving forward.
Transcribe →May 20 | Genoa boarding school graves, Malcolm X site
2w ago00:12:18Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 20, include: decades-long search continues for graves of Native American children buried at former Genoa Indian Industrial School, storm cleanup begins across Southeast Nebraska after multiple tornadoes touched down Monday evening, immigrants detained under new federal policies are challenging their confinement in Midwest courts, Lincoln marks midpoint for musician attempting record-breaking international tour, North Omaha leaders unveil plans for $120 million Malcolm X mixed-use campus, Cameron the Capitol cat officially ends his time at Nebraska state capitol, Nebraska Public Service Commission approves payments to farmers affected by grain company bankruptcy, Omaha Supernovas hire Chris McGown under new two-year contract.
Transcribe →May 19 | Social media law challenge, missing women effort
2w ago00:09:38Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, May 19, include: Nebraska's new social media age verification law is set to take effect July 1 but not without legal challenge, Union Pacific has filed federal complaint accusing BNSF Railway of sharply increasing train switching rates, Nebraska is launching new effort to improve awareness and response to cases involving missing Black women and children, some communities are trying to tap new sources for water as much of Nebraska grapples with drought.
Transcribe →