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.
118episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Aug. 6 | Child care costs rise, property tax relief falls short
2d ago00:11:59Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 6, include: child care costs continue to strain family budgets across Nebraska and Midwest, Nebraska's property tax relief spending has increased dramatically while property tax bills continue to rise, complaint challenges donations supporting Nebraska online sports betting petitions, Omaha officials say owners of damaged Blackstone building must decide whether to repair or demolish it, Lincoln election reform petitions fall short after signature review, Nebraska farmers rank among nation's hardest hit by higher diesel prices this planting season, Senate lawmakers consider reducing conservation funding in Farm Bill, Nebraska gymnast Elias Edwards chases a junior national team berth.
Transcribe →Aug. 5 | UNL hiring change, Lincoln data center plan
3d ago00:10:52Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 5, include: University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty hiring will now require chancellor approval as university responds to Nebraska's statewide hiring freeze and budget reductions, Lincoln joins 42 global cities in developing standards for data center growth, Omaha joins Youth Climate Action Fund offering $50,000 for youth-led climate projects, Labor Day weekend block party aims to support businesses along Omaha's streetcar route, Lincoln orthopedic surgeon agrees to license suspension and fine in settlement with Nebraska Attorney General's Office, Nebraska school districts increasingly seek voter approval for bonds focused on improving school security and campus safety.
Transcribe →Aug. 4 | Rural hospitals shift model, Forbes ballot fight
4d ago00:11:23Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 4, include: two Nebraska rural hospitals have adopted federally supported business model that is helping keep care available for farm families and other rural residents, Democratic Senate primary candidate is asking court to force Nebraska Democratic Party to fill general election ballot vacancy after nominee withdrew, State Sen. Margo Juarez says she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and plans to continue serving during treatment, former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom appears to have submitted enough signatures to qualify for Nebraska's gubernatorial ballot, Lincoln residents urged city leaders to restore funding for Meadowlane Pool during budget hearings, University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team joins federal AI initiative focused on next-generation wireless technology, Nebraska volleyball opened Big Ten Media Day as Huskers prepare for 2026 season.
Transcribe →Aug. 3 | School supplies affordability, flying squirrels studied
5d ago00:11:40Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 3, include: rising costs are putting added pressure on families as Nebraska students and educators prepare to return to school, Nebraska becomes first state to remove Medicaid recipients under new work requirements as advocates warn thousands could lose coverage, former Nebraska Democratic Party organizer files lawsuit alleging sex discrimination and retaliation, health officials investigate cyclospora outbreak with experts pointing to contaminated irrigation water as likely source, opposition grows over proposed Cherry County livestock facility as dozens of public comments are submitted, UNL researchers receive Wild Kingdom grant to study Southern flying squirrels in Lincoln, cities across the Midwest are enforcing camping bans more aggressively.
Transcribe →July 31 | Gaming revenue for prop taxes, Omaha grocery store
1w ago00:10:59Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 31, include: two Nebraska counties are using gaming and keno revenue to help reduce property tax increases, vacant lot near North Omaha's historic 24th Street corridor will become nonprofit grocery store following community planning meeting, tornadoes continue to strike farther east than traditional Tornado Alley as Midwest experiences another active severe weather season, Western Nebraska Pioneers will fold after this season while Nebraska Outlaws relocate to Colorado, Cake4Kids says rising food insecurity is driving more requests to provide birthday cakes for children in need, Nebraska's higher minimum wage is at center of debate over teen employment.
Transcribe →July 30 | Trade agreement negotiations, UNK flight school
1w ago00:12:45Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 30, include: Nebraska 2nd District Congressman Don Bacon met with Nebraska agriculture organizations to discuss trade policy and future of U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Nebraska Democratic Party leaders say they'll fight lawsuit seeking replacement candidate in U.S. Senate race, Rep. Mike Flood faced questions on affordability and war in Iran during town hall at Nebraska Wesleyan University, University of Nebraska at Kearney launches new Loper Flight Academy this fall, Lancaster County plans to power more county operations with solar after approving state's largest solar farm, Nebraska men's basketball unveils tougher nonconference schedule featuring four power conference opponents ahead of Big Ten play, Once Again podcast investigates TV dinners.
Transcribe →July 29 | Walz picks running mate, Pillen trade mission
1w ago00:11:44Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 29, include: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lynne Walz has chosen Humboldt farmer and agricultural leader Ben Steffen as her running mate, Gov. Jim Pillen departs for trade mission in Asia weeks after ordering state agencies to reduce spending and limit travel, new Inspector General report says a "highly sexualized culture" became normalized at Kearney Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center amid widespread abuse allegations, one Lincoln County commissioner says his family received threats following contentious vote tied to potential recall election, Nebraska's livestock inspection requirements are creating new challenges for animal shelters relocating pets from Texas as New World Screwworm spreads, Nebraska's demolition derby tradition is facing new financial pressures as price of cars continues to climb.
Transcribe →July 28 | U.S. Senate race lawsuit, rodeo complaints
2w ago00:10:28Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 28, include: Democratic U.S. Senate primary candidate who lost race has filed lawsuit against Nebraska Democratic Party to replace nominee who dropped out, longtime Nebraska weather forecaster Kent Boughton has died after battling stage 4 cancer, parents raise concerns after electrical and water issues during National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska men's basketball schedules exhibition game against Kansas State in Grand Island this October, number of school districts in Nebraska is dwindling and it's pushing some Nebraskans to find new purpose for those shuttered schoolhouses.
Transcribe →July 27 | Gov leaves for trade mission, river pesticides
2w ago00:12:17Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 27, include: Gov. Jim Pillen is in Japan and Philippines on trade mission focused on expanding export opportunities for Nebraska agriculture, decade-long study found concerning pesticide levels in rivers across U.S. including Dodge County's Maple Creek, Nebraska's U.S. House delegation is divided over Republican proposal that would grant temporary legal status to undocumented farmworkers, experts say warmer drier conditions and emerging crop diseases could affect this year's Nebraska corn harvest, immigration advocates and business leaders met in York to discuss workforce shortages and immigration reform, Hallam residents raised concerns about proposed partnership involving Monolith and Denver-based AI factory, Nebraska is at forefront of new college athletics business model as schools pursue jersey sponsorships to help fund athlete payments.
Transcribe →July 24 | SNAP participation drop, Omaha streetcar contract
2w ago00:10:26Tap to summarizeYour Nebraska Update headlines for today, July 24, include: Federal SNAP eligibility changes tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill have reduced food assistance participation among many immigrants and refugees in Nebraska, contributing to a 15% drop in household enrollment compared with June of last year. Macy Byars reports on how the changes are affecting families and community organizations, Omaha approves a nearly $39 million contract with Herzog Transit Services to test and operate the city's new streetcar system, volunteers continue Nebraska's annual butterfly census to track prairie butterfly populations and ecosystem health, and Lincoln's first cat cafe signs its lease and plans to open in late 2026 with a community-focused mission.
Transcribe →