Civic Nebraska’s new Apiary Fellowship empowers local leaders to strengthen democracy from the ground up. 🐝 Nominations open through Oct. 31. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250929-api...

We're proud to honor Ella Fundus with the 2025 Young Civic Leader Award. Through years of service, Ella has empowered young people, amplified unheard voices, and helped shape Nebraska’s civic future. Join us 10.16.25 to celebrate Ella and her fellow honorees! ›› civicnebraska.org/20250929-str...

Sept. 29 marks the launch of #Nebraska 's first Kid Governor® program, where fifth graders campaign, debate, and vote in a real statewide election. One will become Kid Governor, but all will become civic leaders. civicnebraska.org/20250928-kid...

Join us at noon CDT today! Dr. LJ McElravy will discuss the results of Nebraska U.'s Rural Poll on trust in institutions from 2017, 2021, and 2025. What does each say about changing confidence in local, state, and federal government, and what does it mean for our communities? ›› bit.ly/chitalk02

Civic Nebraska celebrates Nicolas Jaramillo with the 2025 Civic Catalyst Award. From Latino business storytelling to the Latino Golf Association, his leadership is building community and opportunity. Join us Oct. 16 for Strengthening Democracy Awards in Omaha! ›› civicnebraska.org/20250924-str...

Free expression doesn't collapse overnight. It narrows step by step, until silence feels safer than speaking. The sidelining of Kimmel and Colbert is part of that pattern. We unpack what's happening and what citizens can do. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250923-wsw...

The federal government wants Nebraskans' unredacted voter data turned over – for reasons unknown. Our friends at Common Cause Nebraska have answered this demand on behalf of every #Nebraska voter. ›› www.commoncause.org/nebraska/pre...

“Laura finds a path forward when there doesn’t seem to be one.” That’s why Laura Gamboa Urrego of Grand Island is our 2025 Community Builder honoree at Civic Nebraska’s Strengthening Democracy Awards. Join us on 10.16 to celebrate our winners. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250929-str...

Abigail Adams Edith Bolling Galt Wilson Eleanor Roosevelt Rosalynn Carter Barbara Bush Michelle Obama

Democracy is more than laws and elections; it’s about culture, connection, and civic spirit. That’s what we cultivate at Civic Saturday. Our final gathering of 2025 will be Saturday, Nov. 15. Join us for music, poetry, speeches, and fellowship! ›› bitly.com/CivSatNeb

DOJ has demanded Nebraska’s unredacted voter files. Sensitive identifiers like driver’s license numbers and SSN digits should NEVER leave state control. Protecting voter privacy is protecting the right to vote. Tell state leaders to protect your info. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250917-red...

It's Constitution Day! How well do you know our nation's founding document? To celebrate the anniversary of our supreme law of the land, here's a sequel to our 2023 Constitution Day Super-Quiz. Go get 'em! ›› civicnebraska.org/20250917-con...

Civic Nebraska is in D.C. for the National Conference on Citizenship. The theme is civic resilience, and we’re bringing Nebraska’s story to the national conversation about building strength and connection. We're proud to share our work and learn from partners across the country.

Louisiana reviewed decades of voter rolls. Out of tens of millions of votes, only 79 possible noncitizen ballots turned up, and those are unconfirmed. The evidence is overwhelming: Non-citizens aren’t voting. The real danger is the myth. ›› tinyurl.com/5hchkjfu

The newest cohort of Civic Nebraska’s Idea of America Fellowship has begun in Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney. Fellows from across the region are exploring leadership, identity, and belonging to strengthen democracy. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250911-idea-america-fellowship-central-nebraska/

Everyday Nebraskans are the architects of democracy. On Oct. 16, we’ll honor six who are leading with vision and courage at the 2025 Strengthening Democracy Awards. Join us at the Livestock Exchange Ballrooms in Omaha for an evening of recognition and artistry. ››

Who will be honored with Strengthening Democracy Awards on Oct. 16 in Omaha? We'll announce the winners this Wednesday [9.10.25]. Get tickets for our annual shindig at www.civicnebraska.org/sda-2025.

It's high time to consider a nonpartisan redistricting commission for #Nebraska. That is, unless all 2 million of us enjoy being used as pawns in a hyperpartisan game that no one ever wins. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/08/w...

Civic character is how we live and act together in public: showing up to do the work, treating opponents with respect, choosing hope over cynicism. It's also about balancing self-interest and the common good, and then passing these learned habits down. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250908-civ...

Nebraska’s ballot initiative process is a powerful expression of direct democracy — and it’s under pressure. Heidi Uhing shares how ballot initiatives work, the barriers they face, and why protecting them matter. ›› www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp93...

Today [9.5.25] is the International Day of Charity, honoring Mother Teresa’s legacy and encouraging volunteerism and generosity. Giving your time, talent, and treasure strengthens communities and helps build a healthier democracy for the next generation. ›› civicnebraska.org/20220307-dem...

What happens when you give 5th-graders a platform to lead? You get Kid Governor, a statewide civics program where students nominate peers, run campaigns, vote, and build a vision for Nebraska. The 2025 race kicks off this fall. Register your classroom at ne.kidgovernor.org.

Nebraska U.'s Rural Poll measured rural trust in institutions in '17, '21, and '25. What does the data say about changing confidence in local, state, and federal government, and what does it mean for our communities? Join us Sept. 25 for a virtual talk with NU's LJ McElravy. ›› bit.ly/chitalk02

Bad ideas don’t die; they just get rebranded and return, return, return. Whether it's pushing winner-take-all, ending mail-in voting, or worsening ID mandates, the sooner we name these bad policies, the easier it is to stop them. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250902-mai...

Some heroes don't wear capes. ››

On August 21, we launched the State of Civic Life Virtual Series, a monthly examination of the 2025 Nebraska Civic Health Index. The first gathering examined how meaningful dialogue fortifies relationships, fosters understanding, and bridges community divides. Take a peek. ›› youtu.be/uGCqP-R4iAE/

Sage supports Civic Nebraska's voting rights work – from nonpartisan get-out-the-vote efforts to legislative advocacy – in alignment, effectiveness, and impact. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250827-sag...

The nomination window for our 2025 Strengthening Democracy Awards closes at 5 pm CDT this Friday [Aug. 29]. This week is your last chance to recognize Nebraskans who dedicate themselves to building stronger, more connected, and more democratic communities. ›› CivicNebraska.org/sda-2025

Aug. 26, 1920: The 19th Amendment was certified, granting women the right to vote. Women’s Equality Day honors that struggle, and reminds us that voting rights must be defended and expanded in every generation.

Many Americans are seeing friendships and family ties suffer over politics. Boundaries can be healthy, but staying connected across differences keeps our civic life resilient. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250825-end...

Political resistance fights against power. Civic resilience builds the power of community. Both have their place, but resilience keeps democracy alive long after the protest signs are put away. civicnebraska.org/20250722-on-...

Our after-school directors recently gathered with other leaders for a Collective For Youth training in Omaha. Every day, these leaders show up for kids with expertise, heart, and an unyielding faith in the future. They create spaces where young people can learn and thrive beyond the school day.

Know a Nebraskan who fortifies our democracy? Nominations are open for Strengthening Democracy Awards, which honor everyday heroes who lead in their communities and build a more inclusive democracy. Nominate a friend, colleague, or neighbor before Aug. 29. ›› CivicNebraska.org/sda-2025

Another day, another old rant: The president is back on social media, threatening to “eliminate” vote-by-mail. His inspiration: That global paragon of transparency, integrity, and electoral democracy, Vladimir Putin. Our reaction? Meh – we've seen this show before. www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...

Americans aren't moving like they used to. That’s an economic challenge — but also a civic one. Strong local ties can make communities more resilient, but disengagement is a real risk when people feel stuck. Our take on what “hunkering down” means for democracy ›› civicnebraska.org/20250818-ame...

On Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote after decades of marches, vigils, and arrests. But barriers – especially for women of color – remained. The lesson is clear: rights must be fought for, defended, and expanded, generation after generation.

Counting everyone isn’t optional – it's in the Constitution. Besides, a "citizen-only" census would shortchange Nebraska’s funding, skew representation, and erode trust in one of our most fundamental democratic processes. Here's what you need to know ›› civicnebraska.org/20250815-whs...

Nebraskans are deeply connected, but that doesn’t always translate into political power. In this talk, Civic Health Director Lily Sughroue shared Civic Health Index findings: We’ve got the building blocks. Now we need to connect them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JShV...

Today [8.12.25] is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, a reminder that our elections run on people. In #Nebraska, being one is as simple as contacting your county’s election commissioner. You’ll help keep voting safe, secure, and accessible for everyone. bit.ly/NebElex

From Nebraska, you can look in every direction and see the challenges and opportunities facing our nation. Our Midwestern steadiness, neighborliness, and fairness can still have nationwide power – if we use them. ››

Imagine your fifth-grade student running a campaign, giving speeches, and becoming a statewide leader. The Kid Governor® program launches in Nebraska this fall — educators and parents can learn more and sign up today at ne.kidgovernor.org!

We’re tired of watching democracy get distorted while folks' lives are reshaped for partisan gain. A way to stop any chaos here before it starts ›› civicnebraska.org/20250806-bef...

Mid-decade redistricting madness is threatening to sweep the nation, including right here in Nebraska. It begs the question: Do we truly want a system based on trust, or just one governed by shifting political winds? ›› civicnebraska.org/20250806-bef...

We live in a world where the same event can be interpreted in wildly different ways, depending on which reality we inhabit. The result is a Multiverse of Meaning, where consensus becomes harder to find and democracy becomes harder to sustain. ›› civicnebraska.org/20250804-mul...

Jewel Rodgers, Nebraska’s State Poet, is a force. Her words move rooms. Her work moves communities. And this fall, she will help move us toward a stronger democracy. Join us Oct. 16 in Omaha as Jewel headlines our 2025 Strengthening Democracy Awards. ›› CivicNebraska.org/sda-2025

Calling all Nebraska fifth-grade teachers and families! This fall, students can step into real civic leadership through Kid Governor®, a statewide program that teaches democracy by doing. Learn more and register your class for this unforgettable experience ›› ne.kidgovernor.org

Mark your calendars: Our final Civic Saturday of 2025 is set for Saturday, Nov. 15, in Lincoln. It’s your last chance this year to gather with fellow civic-minded Nebraskans for poetry, song, reflection, and inspiration. Venue details are on the way – stay tuned. ›› bitly.com/CivSatNeb

Now's the time to invest in the future of Central Nebraska. Civic Nebraska's Idea of America Fellowship is seeking bold, thoughtful leaders ready to rise above the noise and rebuild civic trust. Grand Island, Kearney, and Hastings will host this fall’s cohort. ›› bit.ly/IoAc325

Our 2025 Youth Civic Leadership Fall Kickoff is wrapping up at UNO — and we’re feeling fired up for the year ahead to serve our students and community. Thanks to Tracy, LeeAnn, Bonnie, and Kwame for guiding a day full of connection, growth, and purpose. Let’s go! 👊 🇺🇸

July's almost over ... how's your summer reading going? ›› civicnebraska.org/20250526-sod... ‹‹