CHANGED PLEA: After first filing a plea of no contest that wasn’t accepted when he didn’t attend his hearing, State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst changed course and plans to fight the allegation against him. From Erin Bamer:

HISTORIC VOTE: Faculty leaders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln passed a "no confidence" resolution Tuesday in Chancellor Rodney Bennett. It's the first such measure to pass in UNL’s nearly 157-year history. From Zach Wendling: buff.ly/USWLxFP

NE-02 QUESTIONS: In an off-year election when Dems might win the NE-02 race for Congress, some worry about the risks of narrowing the party’s thin margin for statehouse filibusters if State Sen. John Cavanaugh wins. First in the Examiner from Juan Salinas II: nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/19/s...

NEW TODAY: State Sen. Dan McKeon apologized in a a July letter to the woman accusing him of having groped her at a party. But this week, he sought to clarify what he was apologizing for, and her lawyer defended the investigation. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/UYjTefU

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen requests state senator resign amidst groping allegation via @erinbamer.bsky.social “Pillen said the accusations against McKeon refer to a “serious” and “unacceptable” offense.” nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/03/g...

BUDGET HOLE GROWS: Nebraska's lawmakers and Gov. Jim Pillen know they're going to have to adjust the state budget, and the latest meeting of the Economic Forecasting Board shows why. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/wyv0Wi9

Tune in to this developing story in Nebraska. This is exclusive to @nebraskaexaminer.com and features relentless reporting from @erinbamer.bsky.social.

START YOUR FRIDAY: With questions about whether a banner post on the @NEDHHS website crossed a line into political action using state resources. From Juan Salinas II: buff.ly/GO0n7ia

ICYMI: The future of the McCook Work Ethic Camp as a state-run federal immigration detention center could hang in the balance in a lawsuit that was argued Friday in Red Willow County District Court. From Erin Bamer: nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/24/f...

CEMETERY FIGHT: A local dispute over whether a board that once cared for rural cemeteries should be doing more has spilled into a political discussion about how to make sure the resting places are treated with proper respect and care. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/OOctpHC

State senators are renewing a push to reduce unfunded mandates on Nebraska counties in hopes of reducing local reliance on property taxes. From Erin Bamer: nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/03/n...

PETITION DRIVE: Property taxpayers would foot less of the bill for local K-12 teachers under a petition that organizers say is aimed at lifting the base salary of Nebraska public school teachers and having the state pay. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/JnWd9U0

BLAIR AFTER DANA: Losing a college is a gut punch to the local economy. But Blair after the loss of Dana College is one of the few communities to bounce back. Let Erin Bamer and Rebecca Gratz take you to campus, where foster kids aging out of the system find help.

ICE JAIL: Some new details about the Nebraska prison in McCook headed for use as a federal immigration jail emerged in a briefing Gov. Jim Pillen's staff attended for members of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/z2TvX3P

Nebraska's July tax receipts were $20 million above projections, but it's up for debate how that will impact the state's new budget deficit. Read more here: nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/19/n...

K-12 FUND RUNNING OUT? The Education Future Fund, Nebraska's billion-dollar initial investment and yearly additions paying a baseline of state aid and a higher share of special ed costs, is on track for depletion. First in the Examiner from @ErinBamer:

CHILD ABUSE REVIEW: The Inspector General of Child Welfare dug into how Nebraska DHHS used a program meant to keep kids suspected of being abused or neglected at home longer and out of foster care. From Erin Bamer:

ALL ABOARD? A Nebraska state senator is traveling the state soon to seek public input on the possibility of the Legislature proposing to improve passenger rail service. From Cindy Gonzalez:

WARNING SIGNS: Nebraska's GDP shrunk by a nation-leading 6.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Only Iowa lost as much, based on federal statistics. Tough times in agriculture led the way, which could signal trouble. From Erin Bamer:

Since 2022, the Nebraska Democratic Party has outraised the Nebraska GOP, both at the state and federal level. But it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference in elections. We break it down here @nebraskaexaminer.com: nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/29/n...

FALLING BACK: It’s official. Nebraska is back in the big red, a projected deficit of about $95 million after tax revenues for the year came in below forecasts. From Erin Bamer:

Nebraska is officially back in a projected deficit of about $95 million due to tax revenues falling below projections. #neleg nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/24/n...

Crystal Rhoades jumps into crowded Nebraska 2nd District field Now, six Democrats are campaigning to be the nominee to be in a position of being the first Democrat to represent the state in about a decade.   My latest @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/21/d...

New favorite Pillen quote just dropped: "When anybody is talking about meat and it does not come from a live critter, a four-legged critter, it ain’t meat." Poultry and fish industry, you have 24 hours to respond. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/17/g...

CLEANING THE CLOSETS? Gov. Jim Pillen ceremonially signed four bills Wednesday that he said would increase government efficiencies, previewing his intent to tighten Nebraska’s belt by another $500 million. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/IT1U0VD

STATE RECEIPTS DOWN: Nebraska ended the fiscal year about $86 million below its expected state tax revenues, further cementing the budget challenges lawmakers will face next session. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/sV4tIaI

BIG VOTES: This week, as early as today, the Nebraska’s members of the U.S. Senate could vote on the rescission package Congress is considering at President Donald Trump’s request to pull funding from foreign aid and public media. From Juan Salinas II:

STATE AUDIT: State Auditor Mike Foley says some struggles continue for Nebraska’s African American Affairs Commission, citing how the commission has documented its meetings and expenses. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/XuBevzK

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Nebraska grocers sounded alarm bells Tuesday about the potential negative impacts that incoming restrictions to SNAP could have on businesses and more than 150,000 people. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/xpHP6iF

Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom is running for the Republican nomination to defend Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District seat.  He said his “pragmatic” approach and record will “speak for itself.” My latest @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/07/f...

ABORTION STATISTICS: A total of 2,501 abortions were reported to have been performed in Nebraska in 2024, a 7.6% increase from the previous year. From Erin Bamer buff.ly/QoPAU5F

In the same year that Nebraskans voted to cement an abortion ban beyond the first trimester into the state constitution, the number of abortions performed in the state rose by about 7.6%. Read more @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/02/n...

BACON RETIRES FROM CONGRESS: Five Republicans familiar with @RepDonBacon's decision-making process confirmed to the @NE_Examiner that he is set to step away next week from the 2026 House race, creating an open seat in NE-02. From Juan Salinas II: buff.ly/V74Av8i

Folks who want to weigh in on proposed emergency regulations likely to be considered by the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission have been waiting for a draft to be released. Advocates also worry about the involvement of DHHS. First in the Examiner from Zach Wendling:

START YOUR MORNING: With the abrupt departure of Nebraska's top economic development official, K.C. Belitz. From Cindy Gonzalez:

START YOUR TUESDAY: With a look at how Gretna is changing. A new mixed-use development of up to $200 million is coming to the suburban community between Lincoln and Omaha. From Cindy Gonzalez: nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/23/2...

HEALTH CARE PUSHBACK: As the U.S. Senate prepares for a vote as early as this week on budget reconciliation, Nebraskans called on their members of Congress to consider the bill's negative impacts on health care. From Erin Bamer: buff.ly/Wo4U9tG

The GM of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District has been put on leave, with officials saying only that it’s a “personnel matter.” From Paul Hammel: nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/21/h...

The Nebraska Examiner is growing!! @erinbamer.bsky.social is joining us from the World-Herald. The Examiner now has the biggest share of reporters who cover state government/politics. Having her on the team is a big win for non-profit news in the state and Nebraskans!!