Omaha, NE: The Nebraska Broadcasters Association Foundation (NBAF) is awarding $1,000.00 scholarships to four Nebraska high school seniors with plans to earn a broadcasting-related degree and aspirations to work in broadcasting.&nbsp; Applications were reviewed by a panel of NBA board members resulting in the following students earning a scholarship:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Brody Heidemann, Gretna East High School.&nbsp; Brody will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a degree in Sports Media &amp; Communication;&nbsp;

George Knockenhauer, Creighton Preparatory School.&nbsp; George will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a major in Sports Media &amp; Communication;&nbsp;

Grace Vidlak, Millard North High School.&nbsp; Grace will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a degree in Broadcasting;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Samuel Whittaker, Millard West High School.&nbsp; Samuel will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a degree in Sports Media &amp; Communication.&nbsp;&nbsp;

NBAF Board Chairperson Jessie Johnson, Vice President of News Channel Nebraska Tri-Cities/General Manager – Kearney, said: “Today, we celebrate our scholarship winners, whose talent and ambition promise to illuminate the future of our industry. Their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are the driving forces that will shape a brighter tomorrow for broadcasting. From all of us on the NBA Board of Directors, congratulations to each of you!”&nbsp;

The NBAF also offers scholarships to assist students enrolled in radio and/or television broadcasting or broadcast journalism educational programs at designated colleges and universities in Nebraska.&nbsp; Over $300,000 in scholarships have been awarded by the NBA and NBAF since the NBA first began a scholarship program in 1977.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705610071408.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Omaha, NE: The Nebraska Broadcasters Association Foundation (NBAF) is awarding $1,000.00 scholarships to four Nebraska high school seniors with plans to earn a broadcasting-related degree and aspirations to work in broadcasting.&nbsp; Applications were reviewed by a panel of NBA board members resulting in the following students earning a scholarship:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brody Heidemann, Gretna East High School.&nbsp; Brody will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a degree in Sports Media &amp; Communication;&nbsp;George Knockenhauer, Creighton Preparatory School.&nbsp; George will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a major in Sports Media &amp; Communication;&nbsp;Grace Vidlak, Millard North High School.&nbsp; Grace will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a degree in Broadcasting;&nbsp;&nbsp;Samuel Whittaker, Millard West High School.&nbsp; Samuel will attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a degree in Sports Media &amp; Communication.&nbsp;&nbsp;NBAF Board Chairperson Jessie Johnson, Vice President of News Channel Nebraska Tri-Cities/General Manager – Kearney, said: “Today, we celebrate our scholarship winners, whose talent and ambition promise to illuminate the future of our industry. Their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are the driving forces that will shape a brighter tomorrow for broadcasting. From all of us on the NBA Board of Directors, congratulations to each of you!”&nbsp;The NBAF also offers scholarships to assist students enrolled in radio and/or television broadcasting or broadcast journalism educational programs at designated colleges and universities in Nebraska.&nbsp; Over $300,000 in scholarships have been awarded by the NBA and NBAF since the NBA first began a scholarship program in 1977.

NBA Foundation Announces 2025 High School Senior Scholarship Recipients

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/new-program-to-bring-more-pediatric-nurses-to-growing-childrens-nebraska-campus/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — As thrilled as they are about a $114 million pediatric mental health care facility rising in Omaha, local health care officials expect challenges, including assembling the necessary workforce during the current nursing shortage.

Helping to address such demand is a new partnership between Children’s Nebraska and the Creighton University College of Nursing, which is designed to bring additional skilled pediatric nurses to the Children’s campus.

Buoyed by the Omaha-based&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryan.foundation/" target="_blank">Ryan Foundation</a>, 40 full-tuition scholarships will be available in Creighton’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.creighton.edu/academics/programs/accelerated-bsn" target="_blank">(ABSN) program.</a>&nbsp;In exchange for the free schooling, recipients, who already must have a bachelor’s degree, will commit to two years of work at Children’s Nebraska.

Jessica Clark, dean of Creighton’s College of Nursing, said she’s talked to many professionals interested in pursuing nursing as a different career choice but who are deterred by cost, especially if mired in student debt. She says tuition and fees for the program run about $55,000. The new scholarship is designed to help break down the financial barrier.

Clark said the 12-month accelerated program — now in its 50th year — typically draws older students and professionals with more life experience.&nbsp;

“They make phenomenal workers when they hit the workforce,” she said.

Marcie Peterson, vice president and associate chief nursing officer at Children’s, said she expects the initiative to produce nurses who “really have a calling to nursing.”

“What we find is they bring a lot of value to the workforce because of those experiences they already have and they know what they want,” Peterson said. She said they provide “a lot more bang for our buck.”

The scholarship idea emerged as various factors collided, Clark said, including the planned 2026 opening of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/114m-omaha-mental-health-center-for-kids-on-track-for-2026-opening/">Behavioral Health &amp; Wellness Center</a>&nbsp;at the Children’s Omaha headquarters site. Of that facility’s total price tag, $16 million comes from federal American Rescue Plan Act funding earmarked by the Nebraska Legislature.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a study by state health care entities showed Nebraska on pace to be short nearly 5,500 nurses this year. In the backdrop, Clark said, conversations with nurse wannabes working in other professions explained that the top barrier to a nursing career was financial.

Clark said she met with representatives at Children’s, who talked to the Ryan Foundation. They hoped for 10 scholarships — and received funding for 40.

Peterson and Clark expect that nurses who go through the program will stay at Children’s beyond the promised two-year commitment. Peterson said Children’s has a track record of high nurse retention rates.

She said that Children’s provides an environment to expand one’s career. Her own ascent is an example. Peterson started as a receptionist at Children’s right out of high school, 26 years ago. She entered nursing school and said in an interview this week that along the way to her current position she was helped by mentors and colleagues to reach her goals.

The scholarship program, beginning this fall and supporting five cohorts, will help students as they develop pediatric skills and prepare to serve in one of 89 pediatric subspecialties across multiple Children’s Nebraska facilities.

&nbsp;“We are building a workforce that is prepared to meet the evolving needs of children and families across our region,” said Pam Johnson-Carlson, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s. “This partnership ensures that highly skilled pediatric nurses will be ready to deliver exceptional care in both acute and specialized settings for years to come.”

Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/new-program-to-bring-more-pediatric-nurses-to-growing-childrens-nebraska-campus/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — As thrilled as they are about a $114 million pediatric mental health care facility rising in Omaha, local health care officials expect challenges, including assembling the necessary workforce during the current nursing shortage.Helping to address such demand is a new partnership between Children’s Nebraska and the Creighton University College of Nursing, which is designed to bring additional skilled pediatric nurses to the Children’s campus.Buoyed by the Omaha-based&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryan.foundation/" target="_blank">Ryan Foundation</a>, 40 full-tuition scholarships will be available in Creighton’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.creighton.edu/academics/programs/accelerated-bsn" target="_blank">(ABSN) program.</a>&nbsp;In exchange for the free schooling, recipients, who already must have a bachelor’s degree, will commit to two years of work at Children’s Nebraska.Jessica Clark, dean of Creighton’s College of Nursing, said she’s talked to many professionals interested in pursuing nursing as a different career choice but who are deterred by cost, especially if mired in student debt. She says tuition and fees for the program run about $55,000. The new scholarship is designed to help break down the financial barrier.Clark said the 12-month accelerated program — now in its 50th year — typically draws older students and professionals with more life experience.&nbsp;“They make phenomenal workers when they hit the workforce,” she said.<h2>Call to nursing</h2>Marcie Peterson, vice president and associate chief nursing officer at Children’s, said she expects the initiative to produce nurses who “really have a calling to nursing.”“What we find is they bring a lot of value to the workforce because of those experiences they already have and they know what they want,” Peterson said. She said they provide “a lot more bang for our buck.”The scholarship idea emerged as various factors collided, Clark said, including the planned 2026 opening of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/114m-omaha-mental-health-center-for-kids-on-track-for-2026-opening/">Behavioral Health &amp; Wellness Center</a>&nbsp;at the Children’s Omaha headquarters site. Of that facility’s total price tag, $16 million comes from federal American Rescue Plan Act funding earmarked by the Nebraska Legislature.&nbsp;Meanwhile, a study by state health care entities showed Nebraska on pace to be short nearly 5,500 nurses this year. In the backdrop, Clark said, conversations with nurse wannabes working in other professions explained that the top barrier to a nursing career was financial.Clark said she met with representatives at Children’s, who talked to the Ryan Foundation. They hoped for 10 scholarships — and received funding for 40.Peterson and Clark expect that nurses who go through the program will stay at Children’s beyond the promised two-year commitment. Peterson said Children’s has a track record of high nurse retention rates.She said that Children’s provides an environment to expand one’s career. Her own ascent is an example. Peterson started as a receptionist at Children’s right out of high school, 26 years ago. She entered nursing school and said in an interview this week that along the way to her current position she was helped by mentors and colleagues to reach her goals.The scholarship program, beginning this fall and supporting five cohorts, will help students as they develop pediatric skills and prepare to serve in one of 89 pediatric subspecialties across multiple Children’s Nebraska facilities.&nbsp;“We are building a workforce that is prepared to meet the evolving needs of children and families across our region,” said Pam Johnson-Carlson, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s. “This partnership ensures that highly skilled pediatric nurses will be ready to deliver exceptional care in both acute and specialized settings for years to come.”

New program to bring more pediatric nurses to growing Children’s Nebraska campus

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Jim Pillen has declared April as Financial Awareness Month.

During a March 25 ceremony at the State Capitol, the governor signed a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zKIVXmJOD4RR3dpd6vZlAlXuWNZQS7QB/view?usp=sharing">proclamation</a>&nbsp;to spotlight the importance of financial awareness and how it affects Nebraskans. In attendance were approximately 80 school children who participate in Nebraska’s in-school savings program, which is being implemented by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://business.unl.edu/outreach/econ-ed/nebraska-council-on-economic-education/student-programs/in-school-savings-program/#:~:text=71%20In%20School%20Savings%20Programs%20Operate%20in%20Nebraska">more than 70 schools</a>&nbsp;statewide.

<a>Coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance&nbsp;</a>(<a target="_blank" href="https://ndbf.nebraska.gov/">NDBF</a>) and Nebraska Council on Economic Education (<a target="_blank" href="https://business.unl.edu/outreach/econ-ed/nebraska-council-on-economic-education/">NCEE</a>), Financial Awareness Month spotlights activities in schools, workplaces, and communities to enhance the knowledge of money-related topics. Throughout April, NDBF and NCEE will distribute financial awareness updates and information via social media and traditional media outlets.

“Helping Nebraskans build financial awareness — so they can save, invest, and protect their hard-earned dollars — is a worthwhile pursuit of state government,” Gov. Pillen said. “Financial Awareness Month serves as a powerful reminder that Nebraska’s future prosperity depends on the financial well-being of our residents.”

During the proclamation ceremony at the Capitol, Tanner Ellis of Ravenna Public Schools was recognized as the 2025 economic educator of the year. Gov. Pillen honored Ellis by making him an admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska – the state’s highest civic award.

Later in the day, Nebraska’s bestselling children's author Julia Cook spent time with the students who participated in the proclamation ceremony. Cook’s “I Am Money” is an acclaimed book that teaches younger students the principles of financial literacy. A hardback copy of “I Am Money” has been mailed to each of Nebraska’s 680 elementary school libraries.

<a>NDBF Director Kelly Lammers said: “Financial awareness is about ensuring that we, as individuals, make wise decisions with our money. The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is proud to support Financial Awareness Month and provide information to help Nebraskans secure their future.”</a>

<a>Dr. Jennifer Davidson, NCEE President, said: “As president of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education, I’ve seen firsthand how economic and financial literacy can change lives. It’s not just about numbers – it’s about empowerment.”</a>

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Jim Pillen has declared April as Financial Awareness Month.During a March 25 ceremony at the State Capitol, the governor signed a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zKIVXmJOD4RR3dpd6vZlAlXuWNZQS7QB/view?usp=sharing">proclamation</a>&nbsp;to spotlight the importance of financial awareness and how it affects Nebraskans. In attendance were approximately 80 school children who participate in Nebraska’s in-school savings program, which is being implemented by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://business.unl.edu/outreach/econ-ed/nebraska-council-on-economic-education/student-programs/in-school-savings-program/#:~:text=71%20In%20School%20Savings%20Programs%20Operate%20in%20Nebraska">more than 70 schools</a>&nbsp;statewide.<a>Coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance&nbsp;</a>(<a target="_blank" href="https://ndbf.nebraska.gov/">NDBF</a>) and Nebraska Council on Economic Education (<a target="_blank" href="https://business.unl.edu/outreach/econ-ed/nebraska-council-on-economic-education/">NCEE</a>), Financial Awareness Month spotlights activities in schools, workplaces, and communities to enhance the knowledge of money-related topics. Throughout April, NDBF and NCEE will distribute financial awareness updates and information via social media and traditional media outlets.“Helping Nebraskans build financial awareness — so they can save, invest, and protect their hard-earned dollars — is a worthwhile pursuit of state government,” Gov. Pillen said. “Financial Awareness Month serves as a powerful reminder that Nebraska’s future prosperity depends on the financial well-being of our residents.”During the proclamation ceremony at the Capitol, Tanner Ellis of Ravenna Public Schools was recognized as the 2025 economic educator of the year. Gov. Pillen honored Ellis by making him an admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska – the state’s highest civic award.Later in the day, Nebraska’s bestselling children's author Julia Cook spent time with the students who participated in the proclamation ceremony. Cook’s “I Am Money” is an acclaimed book that teaches younger students the principles of financial literacy. A hardback copy of “I Am Money” has been mailed to each of Nebraska’s 680 elementary school libraries.<a>NDBF Director Kelly Lammers said: “Financial awareness is about ensuring that we, as individuals, make wise decisions with our money. The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is proud to support Financial Awareness Month and provide information to help Nebraskans secure their future.”</a><a>Dr. Jennifer Davidson, NCEE President, said: “As president of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education, I’ve seen firsthand how economic and financial literacy can change lives. It’s not just about numbers – it’s about empowerment.”</a>

Governor Pillen: April Is Financial Awareness Month

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump Tuesday signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/preserving-and-protecting-the-integrity-of-american-elections/" target="_blank">sweeping executive order</a>&nbsp;that overhauls the administration of U.S. elections, including requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

It’s likely to face legal challenges from voting rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general.

The order is an extension of the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/05/06/though-noncitizens-can-vote-in-few-local-elections-gop-goes-big-to-make-it-illegal/" target="_blank">rhetoric on the campaign trail</a>&nbsp;about noncitizens voting in federal elections and his crackdown on immigration since returning to office.

Trump has often pushed back against other issues in elections administration, railing against early voting and vote-by-mail. He falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him through voter fraud.&nbsp;

Tuesday’s order aligns with&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/12/trump-supports-u-s-house-speaker-johnson-elections-agenda-in-joint-appearance/" target="_blank">a priority for House Republicans</a>&nbsp;to pass the&nbsp;Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22" target="_blank">&nbsp;SAVE, Act</a>&nbsp;that would require proof of citizenship in federal elections. That bill, if signed into law, would codify parts of the executive order.

States are responsible for administering elections&nbsp;—&nbsp;even those at the federal level&nbsp;— but the order uses federal funding to compel states to follow it. Those&nbsp;that do not comply with the order will have federal funds revoked, according to the order.

The order directs the federal&nbsp;Election Assistance Commission, which distributes grants to states, within 30 days to start requiring people registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or state-issued identification that indicates citizenship.

The order also prohibits the counting of absentee or mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day. States set their own rules for ballot counting and many allow those that arrive after Election Day but postmarked before.

The order also instructs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with Trump megadonor Elon Musk’s&nbsp;U.S. DOGE Service, to gain access to state voter rolls in order to ensure the voter lists are up to date. Those entities will also have access to immigration databases and states will be allowed to request DHS to verify if any noncitizen is on the state’s list of voters.

The Department of Government Efficiency, which is not actually a federal department, has come under scrutiny for the access it has been given to Americans’ private data housed in other federal departments.

The order instructs DHS Secretary Kristi Noem within 90 days to provide the attorney general “information on all foreign nationals who have indicated on any immigration form that they have registered or voted in a Federal, State, or local election, and shall also take all appropriate action to submit to relevant State or local election officials such information.”

While noncitizens are not allowed to vote in federal elections,&nbsp;certain municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, allow noncitizens to participate in local elections. If someone who is not a U.S. citizen votes, it could lead to a felony charge and subject that person to deportation.

Congressional Republicans and the president have taken aim at noncitizen voting, even though it’s extremely rare. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritage.org/voterfraud/search?combine=citizenship&amp;state=All&amp;year=&amp;case_type=All&amp;fraud_type=24491&amp;page=0" target="_blank">conducted an analysis of election conduct</a>&nbsp;from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742940038269.png" alt="Image from White House video of the signing during a Tuesday cabinet meeting" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video of the signing during a Tuesday cabinet meeting</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump Tuesday signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/preserving-and-protecting-the-integrity-of-american-elections/" target="_blank">sweeping executive order</a>&nbsp;that overhauls the administration of U.S. elections, including requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.It’s likely to face legal challenges from voting rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general.The order is an extension of the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/05/06/though-noncitizens-can-vote-in-few-local-elections-gop-goes-big-to-make-it-illegal/" target="_blank">rhetoric on the campaign trail</a>&nbsp;about noncitizens voting in federal elections and his crackdown on immigration since returning to office.Trump has often pushed back against other issues in elections administration, railing against early voting and vote-by-mail. He falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him through voter fraud.&nbsp;Tuesday’s order aligns with&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/12/trump-supports-u-s-house-speaker-johnson-elections-agenda-in-joint-appearance/" target="_blank">a priority for House Republicans</a>&nbsp;to pass the&nbsp;Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22" target="_blank">&nbsp;SAVE, Act</a>&nbsp;that would require proof of citizenship in federal elections. That bill, if signed into law, would codify parts of the executive order.States are responsible for administering elections&nbsp;—&nbsp;even those at the federal level&nbsp;— but the order uses federal funding to compel states to follow it. Those&nbsp;that do not comply with the order will have federal funds revoked, according to the order.The order directs the federal&nbsp;Election Assistance Commission, which distributes grants to states, within 30 days to start requiring people registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or state-issued identification that indicates citizenship.The order also prohibits the counting of absentee or mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day. States set their own rules for ballot counting and many allow those that arrive after Election Day but postmarked before.The order also instructs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with Trump megadonor Elon Musk’s&nbsp;U.S. DOGE Service, to gain access to state voter rolls in order to ensure the voter lists are up to date. Those entities will also have access to immigration databases and states will be allowed to request DHS to verify if any noncitizen is on the state’s list of voters.The Department of Government Efficiency, which is not actually a federal department, has come under scrutiny for the access it has been given to Americans’ private data housed in other federal departments.The order instructs DHS Secretary Kristi Noem within 90 days to provide the attorney general “information on all foreign nationals who have indicated on any immigration form that they have registered or voted in a Federal, State, or local election, and shall also take all appropriate action to submit to relevant State or local election officials such information.”While noncitizens are not allowed to vote in federal elections,&nbsp;certain municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, allow noncitizens to participate in local elections. If someone who is not a U.S. citizen votes, it could lead to a felony charge and subject that person to deportation.Congressional Republicans and the president have taken aim at noncitizen voting, even though it’s extremely rare. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritage.org/voterfraud/search?combine=citizenship&amp;state=All&amp;year=&amp;case_type=All&amp;fraud_type=24491&amp;page=0" target="_blank">conducted an analysis of election conduct</a>&nbsp;from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

Trump signs broad elections order requiring proof of citizenship

Wildfires have dominated headlines not only in Nebraska but across the entire country, reminding us that no area is completely immune to the threat. While it might feel like such a disaster could never happen in your backyard, it’s always better to be prepared. By creating a fire-smart landscape and following FIREWISE practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your property. Defensible spaces, fire-conscious planning, and thoughtful landscape management all play a crucial role in helping protect your home from wildfire.

Wildfires behave according to three key factors: fuels, weather, and topography. Of these, fuel is the only one humans can influence. Creating a defensible space establishes a buffer zone around your home or property and reduces the available fuel for fires, which in turn helps slow their spread.

Not all plants are created equal when it comes to fire risk. Certain plant traits can increase their flammability, including high oil or resin content, low moisture levels, and tall or open growth forms. On the other hand, plants with low oil content, high moisture levels, compact growth, and drought-tolerant characteristics tend to be more fire-resistant.

When planning your landscape, it’s not just about avoiding flammable plants; it’s about selecting the right plant for the right place. Consider how and where each plant is placed, and how it will be managed, rather than simply focusing on its flammability. Your goal should be to create an aesthetically pleasing landscape that is also fire-ready.

To keep your property safe year-round, it’s crucial to regularly evaluate your landscape and remove any dead, dry plants, branches, or leaves before fire season starts. Make sure to clear any combustible debris from around decks and under eaves, and be mindful of equipment use in dry conditions, as sparks can be a hazard. Routine maintenance, including pruning and clearing overgrown plants, is key to reducing fuel and keeping your property fire-safe.

To help you take proactive steps in preparing your property, Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County and the Nebraska Forest Service are hosting a free Wildfire Ready Workshop on April 8, 2025. The event will be held at the Buffalo County Extension office at 6:30 p.m., where experts will provide practical advice on making your property wildfire-ready.

In addition to experts from Nebraska Extension and the Forest Service, you'll hear from representatives of Buffalo County Emergency Management, Nebraska Game and Parks, the Central Platte Natural Resource District, and the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. Topics will include the wildland-urban interface, the FIREWISE initiative, Fire Smart Landscaping, and local cost-share opportunities to help with fire-preparedness improvements.

To reserve your spot, please RSVP by April 4th by calling the Nebraska Extension office in Buffalo County at 308-236-1235. Don’t wait for a wildfire to strike – take action now to protect your property and be ready for the unexpected. With a few simple changes, your landscape can become fire-smart and your property more prepared for any wildfire threat.

UNL ExtensionWildfires have dominated headlines not only in Nebraska but across the entire country, reminding us that no area is completely immune to the threat. While it might feel like such a disaster could never happen in your backyard, it’s always better to be prepared. By creating a fire-smart landscape and following FIREWISE practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your property. Defensible spaces, fire-conscious planning, and thoughtful landscape management all play a crucial role in helping protect your home from wildfire.Understanding Wildfire BehaviorWildfires behave according to three key factors: fuels, weather, and topography. Of these, fuel is the only one humans can influence. Creating a defensible space establishes a buffer zone around your home or property and reduces the available fuel for fires, which in turn helps slow their spread.Choosing Fire-Resistant PlantsNot all plants are created equal when it comes to fire risk. Certain plant traits can increase their flammability, including high oil or resin content, low moisture levels, and tall or open growth forms. On the other hand, plants with low oil content, high moisture levels, compact growth, and drought-tolerant characteristics tend to be more fire-resistant.When planning your landscape, it’s not just about avoiding flammable plants; it’s about selecting the right plant for the right place. Consider how and where each plant is placed, and how it will be managed, rather than simply focusing on its flammability. Your goal should be to create an aesthetically pleasing landscape that is also fire-ready.Maintaining a Fire-Smart LandscapeTo keep your property safe year-round, it’s crucial to regularly evaluate your landscape and remove any dead, dry plants, branches, or leaves before fire season starts. Make sure to clear any combustible debris from around decks and under eaves, and be mindful of equipment use in dry conditions, as sparks can be a hazard. Routine maintenance, including pruning and clearing overgrown plants, is key to reducing fuel and keeping your property fire-safe.Join Us for a Wildfire Ready WorkshopTo help you take proactive steps in preparing your property, Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County and the Nebraska Forest Service are hosting a free Wildfire Ready Workshop on April 8, 2025. The event will be held at the Buffalo County Extension office at 6:30 p.m., where experts will provide practical advice on making your property wildfire-ready.In addition to experts from Nebraska Extension and the Forest Service, you'll hear from representatives of Buffalo County Emergency Management, Nebraska Game and Parks, the Central Platte Natural Resource District, and the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. Topics will include the wildland-urban interface, the FIREWISE initiative, Fire Smart Landscaping, and local cost-share opportunities to help with fire-preparedness improvements.RSVP Today!To reserve your spot, please RSVP by April 4th by calling the Nebraska Extension office in Buffalo County at 308-236-1235. Don’t wait for a wildfire to strike – take action now to protect your property and be ready for the unexpected. With a few simple changes, your landscape can become fire-smart and your property more prepared for any wildfire threat.

Make Your Property Wildfire-Ready: Free Workshop In Kearney on April 8th

Omaha, Neb&nbsp;–<a></a>&nbsp;Nebraska Medical Center is among impressive company in earning a spot on Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Hospitals 2025. In addition, the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center earned a spot on Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2025, the only hospital in the region to make the list.&nbsp;

The lists were announced on Feb. 26th, 2025, and can be viewed on Newsweek’s website.&nbsp;

“This is an achievement that everyone who works at Nebraska Medicine can be proud of,” says Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD. “Having Nebraska Medical Center and the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center named to these lists reinforces what we already know—that patients will receive world-class care when they walk through our doors.”&nbsp;

"Being recognized on Newsweek's World's Best Specialized Hospitals list is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team at the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center,” says Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “This honor reflects our commitment to providing exceptional care and advancing cancer research for the benefit of our patients and the state of Nebraska.”&nbsp;

Nebraska Medical Center was the only Nebraska hospital in the top 100 of American hospitals listed. The Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is the only Nebraska cancer center on the worldwide list.&nbsp;

The World’s Best Hospitals 2025 ranking lists the best hospitals in 30 countries: USA, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, United Kingdom, South Korea, Brazil, India, Spain, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Colombia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Israel, and Singapore. Newsweek and Statista awarded the best hospitals based on four data sources:&nbsp;

Based on the above four pillars and their respective weights, a final score was calculated for each hospital.&nbsp;

UNMCOmaha, Neb&nbsp;–<a></a>&nbsp;Nebraska Medical Center is among impressive company in earning a spot on Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Hospitals 2025. In addition, the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center earned a spot on Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2025, the only hospital in the region to make the list.&nbsp;The lists were announced on Feb. 26th, 2025, and can be viewed on Newsweek’s website.&nbsp;“This is an achievement that everyone who works at Nebraska Medicine can be proud of,” says Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD. “Having Nebraska Medical Center and the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center named to these lists reinforces what we already know—that patients will receive world-class care when they walk through our doors.”&nbsp;"Being recognized on Newsweek's World's Best Specialized Hospitals list is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team at the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center,” says Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “This honor reflects our commitment to providing exceptional care and advancing cancer research for the benefit of our patients and the state of Nebraska.”&nbsp;Nebraska Medical Center was the only Nebraska hospital in the top 100 of American hospitals listed. The Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is the only Nebraska cancer center on the worldwide list.&nbsp;The World’s Best Hospitals 2025 ranking lists the best hospitals in 30 countries: USA, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, United Kingdom, South Korea, Brazil, India, Spain, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Colombia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Israel, and Singapore. Newsweek and Statista awarded the best hospitals based on four data sources:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Recommendations from Medical Experts:&nbsp;Online survey among tens of thousands of doctors, health care professionals and hospital managers in 30 countries&nbsp;</li><li>Results from Patient Surveys:&nbsp;Survey of patient satisfaction with hospitalization&nbsp;</li><li>Hospital Quality Metrics: Medical indicators e.g., data on quality of care for treatments, hygiene measures, patient safety and waiting times.&nbsp;</li><li>Statista PROMs Implementation Survey:&nbsp;Optional online survey on the implementation and use of PROMs in hospitals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Based on the above four pillars and their respective weights, a final score was calculated for each hospital.&nbsp;

Nebraska Medical Center named to Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals List  

The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) was dispatched to 13775 Dove Hill Road for the report of a fire&nbsp; in a tree line that was approaching a home. KVFD responded and requested mutual aid from Amherst Fire Department&nbsp; prior to KVFD's arrival. KVFD crews initiated a fire attack trying to protect the home that was being threatened by the&nbsp; fire. KVFD then requested mutual aid from multiple departments including the State Wildland Incident Response and&nbsp; Assistance Team (WIRAT).

Due to dry conditions of the vegetation and the 40-45 mile per hour winds, the fire spread very quickly. The direction of the wind also shifted multiple times, which complicated the fire attack. Multiple water supply locations were set up to re-service brush trucks and other fire apparatus. Resources were assigned to multiple areas of the fire to attempt extinguishment of the field fires, as well as protect structures and extinguish multiple structure fires. 

Approximately a dozen farmers responded with tractors and discs to assist in making fire breaks to slow&nbsp; the progress of the flame line. Other farmers and ag companies responded with water tankers to assist with water&nbsp; supply. Approximately 27 fire departments responded to assist with the extinguishment of the fire. It took several hours to bring the fire under control. The fire is estimated to have burned approximately 640 acres. Unfortunately 1&nbsp; home, 1 shop, 1 barn, and 1 Kearney Fire Department brush truck was also lost in the fire. There were no civilian injuries reported. Two firefighters were seen at the ER for minor injury and illness. Both were treated and released. 

The State Fire Marshal was called to assist with the fire cause and origin investigation. The cause was determined to be from a&nbsp; secondary power line that was being rubbed by a tree branch and caused an electrical arc. The sparks from the arc then ignited the dry vegetation and spread quickly due to the high winds.&nbsp;&nbsp;

From KVFD Deputy Fire Chief, Jason Whalen: "We are so very thankful for all of the assisting fire departments, agencies, businesses, farmers, volunteers, and those who donated food and drinks for our responders. This took everyone to&nbsp; bring under control and we are so thankful that there were no serious injuries. We would like to send our deepest&nbsp; condolences to everyone impacted by this devastating fire, especially the Wietjes family who lost their home."

Kearney Volunteer Fire DepartmentThe Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) was dispatched to 13775 Dove Hill Road for the report of a fire&nbsp; in a tree line that was approaching a home. KVFD responded and requested mutual aid from Amherst Fire Department&nbsp; prior to KVFD's arrival. KVFD crews initiated a fire attack trying to protect the home that was being threatened by the&nbsp; fire. KVFD then requested mutual aid from multiple departments including the State Wildland Incident Response and&nbsp; Assistance Team (WIRAT).Due to dry conditions of the vegetation and the 40-45 mile per hour winds, the fire spread very quickly. The direction of the wind also shifted multiple times, which complicated the fire attack. Multiple water supply locations were set up to re-service brush trucks and other fire apparatus. Resources were assigned to multiple areas of the fire to attempt extinguishment of the field fires, as well as protect structures and extinguish multiple structure fires. Approximately a dozen farmers responded with tractors and discs to assist in making fire breaks to slow&nbsp; the progress of the flame line. Other farmers and ag companies responded with water tankers to assist with water&nbsp; supply. Approximately 27 fire departments responded to assist with the extinguishment of the fire. It took several hours to bring the fire under control. The fire is estimated to have burned approximately 640 acres. Unfortunately 1&nbsp; home, 1 shop, 1 barn, and 1 Kearney Fire Department brush truck was also lost in the fire. There were no civilian injuries reported. Two firefighters were seen at the ER for minor injury and illness. Both were treated and released. The State Fire Marshal was called to assist with the fire cause and origin investigation. The cause was determined to be from a&nbsp; secondary power line that was being rubbed by a tree branch and caused an electrical arc. The sparks from the arc then ignited the dry vegetation and spread quickly due to the high winds.&nbsp;&nbsp;From KVFD Deputy Fire Chief, Jason Whalen: "We are so very thankful for all of the assisting fire departments, agencies, businesses, farmers, volunteers, and those who donated food and drinks for our responders. This took everyone to&nbsp; bring under control and we are so thankful that there were no serious injuries. We would like to send our deepest&nbsp; condolences to everyone impacted by this devastating fire, especially the Wietjes family who lost their home."

Crews respond to fire call outside of Kearney, one home lost

Lincoln, NE – March 25, 2025 – Starting with the April 8 drawing, Mega Millions players will see changes that include larger jackpots, better odds of winning and a built-in multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes.

Mega Millions drawings will still consist of five white balls and one gold Mega Ball®, for a total of six winning numbers. Under a new matrix, the number of white balls will stay at 70 and the number of gold balls (the Mega Ball) will decrease from 25 to 24. The result will be improved odds of winning the jackpot prize (1 in 290 million) and many other prize levels. The starting Mega Millions jackpot will also increase from $20 million to $50 million.

“We anticipate that the larger Mega Millions jackpots and new features will appeal to our players,” said Brian Rockey, Nebraska Lottery Director. “The Mega Millions Consortium that sets the game rules does not include Nebraska, but under a licensing arrangement we’ve offered Mega Millions since 2010. It’s produced several Nebraska millionaires along with millions in proceeds for good causes across our state.”

Here are some of the other enhancements that players will see:

The price of each Mega Millions play will be $5. The overall odds of winning any prize will be 1 in 23.07. Tickets for the enhanced game will go on sale beginning April 5.

The Nebraska Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March 2010 after a cross-selling agreement was implemented between the members of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and Mega Millions member lotteries. Mega Millions is a national game with tickets sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 10 p.m. Central Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. Profits from every Mega Millions ticket sold remain in the state in which the ticket was sold. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iAuI3qUyZqtRffZQ3zfUp6vkLeMz9xWWk2usNlOONp-2BuquvHcFVHm7ECXtG2yet1GtQ0_zp2viNv8WmCDmvKbS8g-2FumCH-2BSIkHTUhcISA1gweg93LIwGEu7Eu0ohNOhpJ1nCtJT3xXLcGnwndj0t64QaXbVDk0wvL65KD1iN4vYB7rKAhKu1l-2FBLlTpj0KgRYXUJnLi-2F6IURvEG0oh8wQWbMaC4D8WCDVBM9HcZij-2BIFQChdn8a-2BVUZDhFZrPbJvtGHAGzu-2Bk5nBy-2FiWmhX9QNFGo824G0mX-2BY0kHWqWHhtEW2rVSQbXr2Np8KHNT231f6-2B6jldchAl3lqdMj-2B5l5iS7Kyy2JzCrUUKHEHX6Uao-2FN83eqAnJuihSHdsW7-2BX44ulcMlJduEZkyhLAvTFAygK0O9Pcd6tdDxPcV3hYLtjcS41EpJUKucTUP1Dmr9itlSedW6zy-2FnkEAY87XTA7cdYjtHg-3D-3D" target="_blank">www.megamillions.com</a>.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. $1.015 billion has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Nebraska LotteryLincoln, NE – March 25, 2025 – Starting with the April 8 drawing, Mega Millions players will see changes that include larger jackpots, better odds of winning and a built-in multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes.Mega Millions drawings will still consist of five white balls and one gold Mega Ball®, for a total of six winning numbers. Under a new matrix, the number of white balls will stay at 70 and the number of gold balls (the Mega Ball) will decrease from 25 to 24. The result will be improved odds of winning the jackpot prize (1 in 290 million) and many other prize levels. The starting Mega Millions jackpot will also increase from $20 million to $50 million.“We anticipate that the larger Mega Millions jackpots and new features will appeal to our players,” said Brian Rockey, Nebraska Lottery Director. “The Mega Millions Consortium that sets the game rules does not include Nebraska, but under a licensing arrangement we’ve offered Mega Millions since 2010. It’s produced several Nebraska millionaires along with millions in proceeds for good causes across our state.”Here are some of the other enhancements that players will see:<ul>
 <li>Bigger jackpots more frequently</li><li>Faster growing jackpots</li><li>A built-in multiplier on every play, automatically improving every non-jackpot prize by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X – up to $10 million for matching the five white balls</li><li>No breakeven prizes, meaning when a player wins, they’ll always win more than the cost of a play</li>
 </ul>The price of each Mega Millions play will be $5. The overall odds of winning any prize will be 1 in 23.07. Tickets for the enhanced game will go on sale beginning April 5.The Nebraska Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March 2010 after a cross-selling agreement was implemented between the members of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and Mega Millions member lotteries. Mega Millions is a national game with tickets sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 10 p.m. Central Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. Profits from every Mega Millions ticket sold remain in the state in which the ticket was sold. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iAuI3qUyZqtRffZQ3zfUp6vkLeMz9xWWk2usNlOONp-2BuquvHcFVHm7ECXtG2yet1GtQ0_zp2viNv8WmCDmvKbS8g-2FumCH-2BSIkHTUhcISA1gweg93LIwGEu7Eu0ohNOhpJ1nCtJT3xXLcGnwndj0t64QaXbVDk0wvL65KD1iN4vYB7rKAhKu1l-2FBLlTpj0KgRYXUJnLi-2F6IURvEG0oh8wQWbMaC4D8WCDVBM9HcZij-2BIFQChdn8a-2BVUZDhFZrPbJvtGHAGzu-2Bk5nBy-2FiWmhX9QNFGo824G0mX-2BY0kHWqWHhtEW2rVSQbXr2Np8KHNT231f6-2B6jldchAl3lqdMj-2B5l5iS7Kyy2JzCrUUKHEHX6Uao-2FN83eqAnJuihSHdsW7-2BX44ulcMlJduEZkyhLAvTFAygK0O9Pcd6tdDxPcV3hYLtjcS41EpJUKucTUP1Dmr9itlSedW6zy-2FnkEAY87XTA7cdYjtHg-3D-3D" target="_blank">www.megamillions.com</a>.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. $1.015 billion has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Mega Millions® Enhancements Start April 5

University of Nebraska Medical Center nursing student&nbsp;<a>Nolan Parks knows firsthand the difference a scholarship can make.</a>

He works part time as a certified nursing assistant at Nebraska Medicine and lives with his parents in Elkhorn to save money. Still, he was worried he would need to take out student loans to finish his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. So, he was incredibly grateful to learn he was the recipient of the Sharon Bonham Holyoke Nursing Scholarship.<a></a>

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for providing me with the means to finish college,” said Parks, a senior who plans to work in the Nebraska Medicine ICU after graduation. “This is a gift which I will never forget, one which I will remember each time I clock in and every time I receive that heartwarming feeling of discharging a patient who has made a full recovery.”

Raising funds for student scholarships is one of the many priorities of For the Greater Good, a 24-hour giving day to support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. From noon-to-noon March 26-27, 2025, gifts may be made online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>&nbsp;to fuel the future of health care in Nebraska.

“Giving, no matter the amount, has the power to transform lives,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “Every dollar an individual gives during For the Greater Good supports scholarships, student groups, patient care and groundbreaking research that shapes the future in the areas about which they are most passionate. This is our chance to make a difference, and I invite everyone to be part of something truly meaningful.”

Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, said, “We are surrounded by examples of how our generous supporters have made positive impacts on the care we provide and the research we conduct. Even relatively small donations add up quickly and help people feel even more connected to that important work.”

Supporters have committed more than $200,000 for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/prizes" target="_blank">challenges and matching gifts</a>&nbsp;to encourage others to give. Donors can maximize their gifts by supporting these funds.

One of the challenges was established by College of Nursing alumna Sharon Bonham Holyoke of Omaha, a 1966 graduate and retired longtime nursing faculty member. If&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/organizations/college-of-nursing-unmc" target="_blank">250 donors give</a>&nbsp;to the College of Nursing, $25,000 will be unlocked to support nursing scholarships. Two other challenges support the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/newborn-intensive-care-unit" target="_blank">Nebraska Medicine Newborn Intensive Care Unit</a>, which has been providing specialized care to infants and their families since 1968.&nbsp;

The goal of the 2025 giving day is 2,100 gifts. Anyone who makes a gift totaling $75 or more will receive a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/info/giveaway" target="_blank">UNMC and Nebraska Medicine custom hat</a>. Supporters are encouraged to share on social media why UNMC and Nebraska Medicine are important to them, using the hashtag #GreaterGoodGivingDay.

Several other important causes will benefit from the third annual day of giving, including:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a variety of departmental funds within Nebraska Medicine, supporting fields such as nursing development and patient support. One of those is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/organ-transplant-program" target="_blank">Transplant Patient and Family Assistance Fund</a>, which provides crucial support to transplant patients and their families facing financial challenges by helping with the costs of travel, lodging, rent, utilities and other expenses;

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than 40 registered student organizations within UNMC, assisting in reducing operational costs and enhancing students’ experiences on campus; and

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/search?query=scholarships" target="_blank">dozen scholarship funds</a>&nbsp;aimed at investing in the next generation of Nebraska’s health care professionals, including for the Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Allied Health Professions, Public Health, Medicine and Nursing.&nbsp;

Learn more and track the giving day’s progress at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742831552138.jpeg" alt="For the Greater Good logo (UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>For the Greater Good logo (UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center nursing student&nbsp;<a>Nolan Parks knows firsthand the difference a scholarship can make.</a>He works part time as a certified nursing assistant at Nebraska Medicine and lives with his parents in Elkhorn to save money. Still, he was worried he would need to take out student loans to finish his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. So, he was incredibly grateful to learn he was the recipient of the Sharon Bonham Holyoke Nursing Scholarship.<a></a>“From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for providing me with the means to finish college,” said Parks, a senior who plans to work in the Nebraska Medicine ICU after graduation. “This is a gift which I will never forget, one which I will remember each time I clock in and every time I receive that heartwarming feeling of discharging a patient who has made a full recovery.”Raising funds for student scholarships is one of the many priorities of For the Greater Good, a 24-hour giving day to support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. From noon-to-noon March 26-27, 2025, gifts may be made online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>&nbsp;to fuel the future of health care in Nebraska.“Giving, no matter the amount, has the power to transform lives,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “Every dollar an individual gives during For the Greater Good supports scholarships, student groups, patient care and groundbreaking research that shapes the future in the areas about which they are most passionate. This is our chance to make a difference, and I invite everyone to be part of something truly meaningful.”Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, said, “We are surrounded by examples of how our generous supporters have made positive impacts on the care we provide and the research we conduct. Even relatively small donations add up quickly and help people feel even more connected to that important work.”Supporters have committed more than $200,000 for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/prizes" target="_blank">challenges and matching gifts</a>&nbsp;to encourage others to give. Donors can maximize their gifts by supporting these funds.One of the challenges was established by College of Nursing alumna Sharon Bonham Holyoke of Omaha, a 1966 graduate and retired longtime nursing faculty member. If&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/organizations/college-of-nursing-unmc" target="_blank">250 donors give</a>&nbsp;to the College of Nursing, $25,000 will be unlocked to support nursing scholarships. Two other challenges support the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/newborn-intensive-care-unit" target="_blank">Nebraska Medicine Newborn Intensive Care Unit</a>, which has been providing specialized care to infants and their families since 1968.&nbsp;The goal of the 2025 giving day is 2,100 gifts. Anyone who makes a gift totaling $75 or more will receive a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/info/giveaway" target="_blank">UNMC and Nebraska Medicine custom hat</a>. Supporters are encouraged to share on social media why UNMC and Nebraska Medicine are important to them, using the hashtag #GreaterGoodGivingDay.Several other important causes will benefit from the third annual day of giving, including:•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a variety of departmental funds within Nebraska Medicine, supporting fields such as nursing development and patient support. One of those is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/campaigns/organ-transplant-program" target="_blank">Transplant Patient and Family Assistance Fund</a>, which provides crucial support to transplant patients and their families facing financial challenges by helping with the costs of travel, lodging, rent, utilities and other expenses;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than 40 registered student organizations within UNMC, assisting in reducing operational costs and enhancing students’ experiences on campus; and•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;more than a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/search?query=scholarships" target="_blank">dozen scholarship funds</a>&nbsp;aimed at investing in the next generation of Nebraska’s health care professionals, including for the Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Allied Health Professions, Public Health, Medicine and Nursing.&nbsp;Learn more and track the giving day’s progress at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatergoodgivingday.org/" target="_blank">greatergoodgivingday.org</a>.

For the Greater Good fuels future of health care in Nebraska

March 24, 2025 (Holdrege, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrested the suspect of a domestic violence investigation early this morning in Holdrege.

Sunday night, the Holdrege Police Department and Phelps County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic assault that had occurred in Holdrege. Upon investigation, officers identified a suspect and learned that he had barricaded himself in an apartment in the 300 block of Nobes Street in Holdrege. The suspect was believed to be armed. Officers obtained an arrest warrant and requested the NSP SWAT Team to assist just after 12:30 a.m. Monday.

The SWAT Team and NSP Crisis Negotiators made numerous attempts to communicate with the suspect, who refused to exit the apartment. After hours of the suspect’s refusal to exit, the SWAT Team deployed tear gas into the apartment, which lead to the suspect voluntarily exiting the residence at approximately 5:20 a.m. Monday. He was immediately taken into custody.

The suspect, Lucas Barrow, 39, of Holdrege, was remanded to the custody of Holdrege PD and the Phelps County Jail for assault by strangulation and third-degree domestic assault. Holdrege PD is the lead investigating agency.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716320706146.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolMarch 24, 2025 (Holdrege, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrested the suspect of a domestic violence investigation early this morning in Holdrege.Sunday night, the Holdrege Police Department and Phelps County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic assault that had occurred in Holdrege. Upon investigation, officers identified a suspect and learned that he had barricaded himself in an apartment in the 300 block of Nobes Street in Holdrege. The suspect was believed to be armed. Officers obtained an arrest warrant and requested the NSP SWAT Team to assist just after 12:30 a.m. Monday.The SWAT Team and NSP Crisis Negotiators made numerous attempts to communicate with the suspect, who refused to exit the apartment. After hours of the suspect’s refusal to exit, the SWAT Team deployed tear gas into the apartment, which lead to the suspect voluntarily exiting the residence at approximately 5:20 a.m. Monday. He was immediately taken into custody.The suspect, Lucas Barrow, 39, of Holdrege, was remanded to the custody of Holdrege PD and the Phelps County Jail for assault by strangulation and third-degree domestic assault. Holdrege PD is the lead investigating agency.

Domestic Assault Suspect Arrested After Standoff in Central Nebraska

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/24/committee-advances-bill-with-57-salary-hikes-for-nebraska-constitutional-officers-except-governor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A legislative committee has narrowly advanced a bill that would provide all Nebraska constitutional officers, except the governor, a roughly 57% salary raise effective in 2027.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59243&amp;docnum=LB345&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 345</a>, introduced by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, includes no specific dollar amounts as introduced. However, the committee unanimously adopted an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AM-710-to-LB-345-Amendment.pdf">amendment</a>&nbsp;to the bill, advanced in a 5-1 vote, offering the raises effective Jan. 7, 2027, if passed by the full Legislature and signed into law by the governor.

The proposed 57% raise was calculated by a committee staffer who compared inflationary increases compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor between Jan. 4, 2007, and earlier this month.&nbsp;That was the last time the offices got a salary bump.

“As we know, a 2025 dollar is not worth what a 2007 dollar was worth,” State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, chair of the committee, said at the bill’s Feb. 5 hearing.

The changes would affect the following&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-721" target="_blank">salaries</a>:

The governor would remain at $105,000. It would be the first time the governor was paid the least among this set of constitutional officers since at least 1987, according to a review by the Nebraska Examiner.

Sanders told the Examiner last month that if the bill increased the governor’s salary, Pillen had promised to veto it.

In a Feb. 7 statement to the Examiner, Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said “being a public servant requires sacrifice.”

“Governor Pillen is humbled to serve the people of Nebraska,” she said in an email. “He does not support a pay increase for himself or other elected officials.”

Salary changes must come at the start of an officeholder’s term, so January 2027, after the November 2026 elections. If LB 345 or a version of it doesn’t pass, a raise is prohibited until January 2031 at the earliest.

If passed at the amended amounts, LB 345 would require an additional $456,000 each fiscal year&nbsp;to cover the raised salaries.

Sanders, who leads the bill as chair of the Government Committee, said the constitutional officers oversee essential state functions full time. She said that if lawmakers want Nebraskans with families to be able to serve in the roles, they must consider “appropriate” salary levels.&nbsp;She has said it’s also about attracting candidates, noting current officials are&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB345-Exh-2-Mike-Foley-Auditor.pdf">paid less than their counterparts in all six surrounding states</a>.

Former State Treasurer John Murante left his post in September 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/21/nebraska-state-treasurer-to-exit-elected-role-to-head-state-retirement-agency/">head the agency overseeing state retirement plans,</a>&nbsp;going from a salary of $85,000 to $205,000. He left that role&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/06/former-nebraska-state-treasurer-john-murante-leaves-state-retirement-job-to-lobby/">at the end of last year</a>&nbsp;for a local lobbying firm.

“No one should get rich from a career in public service,” Sanders told her colleagues. “I’m not even advocating for salaries that are equivalent to similar responsibility levels in private industry. It is an honor to serve, and it is appropriate for elected officials to make some personal sacrifices as part of their service.”

She continued: “At some point, however, we do have an obligation to adjust the salary levels to make sure the best candidates can afford to serve.”

State Sens. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County, Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, Dan Lonowski of Hastings and Dan McKeon of Amherst joined Sanders in advancing the bill. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha was the lone “no” vote.

State Sens. John Cavanaugh of Omaha and Dave Wordekemper of Fremont took no position and were “present, not voting.”

Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley, now in his 11th year in the role, was the only person to speak on the bill in February, where he was described as an “invited guest.” He indicated he’d support whatever the committee decided.

His lengthy tenure in state government began in 2001, stretching six years as a Lincoln state senator, eight years as auditor and eight years as lieutenant governor to former Gov. Pete Ricketts. He returned to the auditor spot in 2023, where Foley, a longtime Republican, is often praised by senators regardless of party for&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">his office’s dogged work</a>.

For example, State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, a pragmatic Democrat now in her 11th year as a state senator in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, has filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/MO40.pdf" target="_blank">motion to kill the bill</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/AM337.pdf" target="_blank">amendment to limit the salary increase to Foley alone</a>.

LB 345 likely has no viable path as a standalone bill this year, but committee staff said it could be attached to a bill from Speaker John Arch of La Vista,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58836" target="_blank">LB 346</a>, which was introduced at Gov. Jim Pillen’s request to eliminate various boards and commissions.

Previous salary bills, at least to 1973, have all passed as stand-alone proposals and have most recently faced opposition from the governor.

Pillen would not be alone if he vetoed the bill, though lawmakers have a history of overriding vetoes on the raises, such as in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Slip/LB246.pdf" target="_blank">1973</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. James Exon) and each of the last three approved bills, in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Slip/LB503.pdf" target="_blank">1990</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Kay Orr),&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Slip/LB956.pdf" target="_blank">2000</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Mike Johanns) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Slip/LB817.pdf" target="_blank">2006</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Dave Heineman). Each veto came in the respective governor’s first term.

Bills in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/85/PDF/Slip/LB541.pdf" target="_blank">1978</a>&nbsp;(Exon) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/89/PDF/Slip/LB43.pdf" target="_blank">1986</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Bob Kerrey) were not vetoed. Exon was term-limited and Kerrey didn’t run for reelection.

Each governor that used their veto pen cited budget constraints or,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1597" target="_blank">in the case of Heineman</a>, said the raises did not “represent a spending priority.”

Orr said in 1990 that she was vetoing “<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1999" target="_blank">worthwhile programs</a>” due to budget constraints and that officials “must share in these efforts to keep state spending to a minimum.” Johanns said in 2000 that he appreciated lawmakers’ willingness to examine the constitutional officer salaries compared to other states.&nbsp;

“At a time, however, when I have vetoed many meritorious proposals due to our current budget constraints, I cannot in good conscience agree to raise my salary, along with those of other constitutional officers,” Johanns wrote in his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1748" target="_blank">April 11, 2000, veto letter</a>.

The very next day, lawmakers in a 45-1 vote — the largest margin of the override motions — rebuffed Johanns. He then got the 31% pay bump after he won reelection in 2002.

Exon in 1973 said he appreciated lawmakers not raising the governor’s salary. However, he cautioned that “substantial increases to only a few constitutional officers is not the only point” and that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Journal/r1journal.pdf#page=1906" target="_blank">assistants traditionally also see large increases</a>, “and a chain reaction sets in.”

Asked whether Pillen would veto the bill if passed, Strimple said “we will not speculate on hypotheticals in the legislative process.”

Pillen has eyed a second term but has not yet announced reelection for 2026. He ran in 2022 alongside Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, who presides over the Legislature.

This time around, lawmakers face a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">projected $457 million budget shortfall over the next two fiscal years</a>, prior to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/18/preliminary-appropriations-committee-budget-unveiled-includes-pillen-cuts-to-nu/">any legislative action</a>. The next state budget must pass by mid-May.

Conrad, a former member of the Appropriations Committee during all eight of Foley’s first eight years as auditor, echoed budget concerns. She’s also been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/17/ag-hilgers-issues-opinion-that-threatens-new-felon-voter-registrations-in-nebraska/">highly critical</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/16/improving-oversight-eyed-as-a-hallmark-issue-of-2025-legislative-session/">other officers’ job performance</a>, namely Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Pillen.

“My bottom line is I don’t think we should raise salaries for highly paid politicians amid a budget crisis, and it’s highly hypocritical to seek such as many of these same leaders seek to undermine the will of the voters and undercut working families’ access to minimum wage and sick leave,” Conrad said in a Thursday email.

Lawmakers just last week also moved away from a conversation about changing their own compensation levels, which haven’t been raised since 1988, and parked a proposal for a nonpartisan, independent compensation review commission at the end of 2025 priorities, including after the state budget.&nbsp;

Any changes to lawmaker compensation would require a constitutional amendment, and state senator salaries have been more rigid because they are locked in the Nebraska Constitution, unlike salaries for constitutional officers or judges, the latter of whom almost always get salaries adjusted each July 1.

Foley told the Government Committee last month that it is appropriate to review and perhaps update compensation from time to time, but he didn’t have “any particular number in mind.”

“That’s your call, not mine,” he testified. “Whatever compensation figures you determine to be correct, that’s the right number. You’ll hear no quibbling from me.”

Foley confirmed that stance again in a Thursday email, telling the Examiner: “Whatever number the committee decides is fine with me.”

A spokesperson for Attorney General Mike Hilgers said he hadn’t weighed in on the proposal “and believes that he should not advocate for any changes to his own salary. He trusts that the body will make an appropriate decision that is right for the State of Nebraska.”

A spokesperson for the Public Service Commission said the commission hadn’t taken a position and would not speak on pending legislation. A spokesperson for Treasurer Tom Briese, a former state senator appointed to the role in November 2023, said the office had no comment.

A spokesperson for Evnen said by email after reviewing the amended bill: “The secretary indicated that no one had discussed the figures … with him. The proposal was not made at his behest, and this is a legislative determination.” Of current constitutional officers, Evnen was the first to announce a&nbsp;<a href="https://klin.com/2025/03/06/secretary-of-state-evnen-to-seek-re-election-in-2026/" target="_blank">reelection bid for 2026</a>.

Foley was in the Legislature in 2006 when former State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha led the last bill to raise the salaries, which also included the governor.

“My philosophy is that we should look past the individuals who happen to be occupying the office and annex to that office a salary commensurate with the duties entailed and the dignity that the office should be cloaked with,” Chambers said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/transcripts/view_page.php?leg=99&amp;bill=LB%20817&amp;key=3&amp;pages=7541%208319%209438%2010665-10668%2010795%2010829%2010909%2011208%2011464%2012710%2012752-12753%2012968%2013118%2013120%2013297%2013367%2013553-13554%2013587" target="_blank">March 14, 2006, floor speech regarding his bill</a>.

Foley was in the middle of his campaign for auditor and was “present, not voting” when Chambers’ bill came for a final vote that year.

“I think it’s the right thing to do, every 20 years or so, to revise the salaries for the constitutional officers of the State of Nebraska,” Foley said last month. “That’s why we’re here: to simply do the right thing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742823738627.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers meets to certify the November 2024 general election results on Dec. 2, 2024. From left: State Auditor Mike Foley, Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Gov. Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and State Treasurer Tom Briese. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers meets to certify the November 2024 general election results on Dec. 2, 2024. From left: State Auditor Mike Foley, Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Gov. Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and State Treasurer Tom Briese. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/24/committee-advances-bill-with-57-salary-hikes-for-nebraska-constitutional-officers-except-governor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A legislative committee has narrowly advanced a bill that would provide all Nebraska constitutional officers, except the governor, a roughly 57% salary raise effective in 2027.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59243&amp;docnum=LB345&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 345</a>, introduced by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, includes no specific dollar amounts as introduced. However, the committee unanimously adopted an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AM-710-to-LB-345-Amendment.pdf">amendment</a>&nbsp;to the bill, advanced in a 5-1 vote, offering the raises effective Jan. 7, 2027, if passed by the full Legislature and signed into law by the governor.The proposed 57% raise was calculated by a committee staffer who compared inflationary increases compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor between Jan. 4, 2007, and earlier this month.&nbsp;That was the last time the offices got a salary bump.“As we know, a 2025 dollar is not worth what a 2007 dollar was worth,” State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, chair of the committee, said at the bill’s Feb. 5 hearing.The changes would affect the following&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-721" target="_blank">salaries</a>:<ul>
 <li>Attorney general, from $95,000 to $149,000.</li><li>Secretary of state, from $85,000 to $133,000.</li><li>Auditor of public accounts, from $85,000 to $133,000.</li><li>State treasurer, from $85,000 to $133,000.</li><li>Lieutenant governor, from $75,000 to $118,000.</li><li>Five members of the Public Service Commission, from $75,000 to $118,000 each.</li>
 </ul>The governor would remain at $105,000. It would be the first time the governor was paid the least among this set of constitutional officers since at least 1987, according to a review by the Nebraska Examiner.Sanders told the Examiner last month that if the bill increased the governor’s salary, Pillen had promised to veto it.In a Feb. 7 statement to the Examiner, Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said “being a public servant requires sacrifice.”“Governor Pillen is humbled to serve the people of Nebraska,” she said in an email. “He does not support a pay increase for himself or other elected officials.”Salary changes must come at the start of an officeholder’s term, so January 2027, after the November 2026 elections. If LB 345 or a version of it doesn’t pass, a raise is prohibited until January 2031 at the earliest.If passed at the amended amounts, LB 345 would require an additional $456,000 each fiscal year&nbsp;to cover the raised salaries.<h2>Setting an ‘appropriate’ salary</h2>Sanders, who leads the bill as chair of the Government Committee, said the constitutional officers oversee essential state functions full time. She said that if lawmakers want Nebraskans with families to be able to serve in the roles, they must consider “appropriate” salary levels.&nbsp;She has said it’s also about attracting candidates, noting current officials are&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB345-Exh-2-Mike-Foley-Auditor.pdf">paid less than their counterparts in all six surrounding states</a>.Former State Treasurer John Murante left his post in September 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/21/nebraska-state-treasurer-to-exit-elected-role-to-head-state-retirement-agency/">head the agency overseeing state retirement plans,</a>&nbsp;going from a salary of $85,000 to $205,000. He left that role&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/06/former-nebraska-state-treasurer-john-murante-leaves-state-retirement-job-to-lobby/">at the end of last year</a>&nbsp;for a local lobbying firm.“No one should get rich from a career in public service,” Sanders told her colleagues. “I’m not even advocating for salaries that are equivalent to similar responsibility levels in private industry. It is an honor to serve, and it is appropriate for elected officials to make some personal sacrifices as part of their service.”She continued: “At some point, however, we do have an obligation to adjust the salary levels to make sure the best candidates can afford to serve.”<h2>The bill’s path forward</h2>State Sens. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County, Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, Dan Lonowski of Hastings and Dan McKeon of Amherst joined Sanders in advancing the bill. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha was the lone “no” vote.State Sens. John Cavanaugh of Omaha and Dave Wordekemper of Fremont took no position and were “present, not voting.”Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley, now in his 11th year in the role, was the only person to speak on the bill in February, where he was described as an “invited guest.” He indicated he’d support whatever the committee decided.His lengthy tenure in state government began in 2001, stretching six years as a Lincoln state senator, eight years as auditor and eight years as lieutenant governor to former Gov. Pete Ricketts. He returned to the auditor spot in 2023, where Foley, a longtime Republican, is often praised by senators regardless of party for&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">his office’s dogged work</a>.For example, State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, a pragmatic Democrat now in her 11th year as a state senator in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, has filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/MO40.pdf" target="_blank">motion to kill the bill</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/AM337.pdf" target="_blank">amendment to limit the salary increase to Foley alone</a>.LB 345 likely has no viable path as a standalone bill this year, but committee staff said it could be attached to a bill from Speaker John Arch of La Vista,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58836" target="_blank">LB 346</a>, which was introduced at Gov. Jim Pillen’s request to eliminate various boards and commissions.Previous salary bills, at least to 1973, have all passed as stand-alone proposals and have most recently faced opposition from the governor.<h2>Governor vetoes are common</h2>Pillen would not be alone if he vetoed the bill, though lawmakers have a history of overriding vetoes on the raises, such as in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Slip/LB246.pdf" target="_blank">1973</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. James Exon) and each of the last three approved bills, in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Slip/LB503.pdf" target="_blank">1990</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Kay Orr),&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Slip/LB956.pdf" target="_blank">2000</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Mike Johanns) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Slip/LB817.pdf" target="_blank">2006</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Dave Heineman). Each veto came in the respective governor’s first term.Bills in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/85/PDF/Slip/LB541.pdf" target="_blank">1978</a>&nbsp;(Exon) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/89/PDF/Slip/LB43.pdf" target="_blank">1986</a>&nbsp;(former Gov. Bob Kerrey) were not vetoed. Exon was term-limited and Kerrey didn’t run for reelection.Each governor that used their veto pen cited budget constraints or,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1597" target="_blank">in the case of Heineman</a>, said the raises did not “represent a spending priority.”Orr said in 1990 that she was vetoing “<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/91/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1999" target="_blank">worthwhile programs</a>” due to budget constraints and that officials “must share in these efforts to keep state spending to a minimum.” Johanns said in 2000 that he appreciated lawmakers’ willingness to examine the constitutional officer salaries compared to other states.&nbsp;“At a time, however, when I have vetoed many meritorious proposals due to our current budget constraints, I cannot in good conscience agree to raise my salary, along with those of other constitutional officers,” Johanns wrote in his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/96/PDF/Journal/r2journal.pdf#page=1748" target="_blank">April 11, 2000, veto letter</a>.The very next day, lawmakers in a 45-1 vote — the largest margin of the override motions — rebuffed Johanns. He then got the 31% pay bump after he won reelection in 2002.Exon in 1973 said he appreciated lawmakers not raising the governor’s salary. However, he cautioned that “substantial increases to only a few constitutional officers is not the only point” and that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/83/PDF/Journal/r1journal.pdf#page=1906" target="_blank">assistants traditionally also see large increases</a>, “and a chain reaction sets in.”Asked whether Pillen would veto the bill if passed, Strimple said “we will not speculate on hypotheticals in the legislative process.”Pillen has eyed a second term but has not yet announced reelection for 2026. He ran in 2022 alongside Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, who presides over the Legislature.<h2>‘Highly hypocritical’</h2>This time around, lawmakers face a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">projected $457 million budget shortfall over the next two fiscal years</a>, prior to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/18/preliminary-appropriations-committee-budget-unveiled-includes-pillen-cuts-to-nu/">any legislative action</a>. The next state budget must pass by mid-May.Conrad, a former member of the Appropriations Committee during all eight of Foley’s first eight years as auditor, echoed budget concerns. She’s also been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/17/ag-hilgers-issues-opinion-that-threatens-new-felon-voter-registrations-in-nebraska/">highly critical</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/16/improving-oversight-eyed-as-a-hallmark-issue-of-2025-legislative-session/">other officers’ job performance</a>, namely Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Pillen.“My bottom line is I don’t think we should raise salaries for highly paid politicians amid a budget crisis, and it’s highly hypocritical to seek such as many of these same leaders seek to undermine the will of the voters and undercut working families’ access to minimum wage and sick leave,” Conrad said in a Thursday email.Lawmakers just last week also moved away from a conversation about changing their own compensation levels, which haven’t been raised since 1988, and parked a proposal for a nonpartisan, independent compensation review commission at the end of 2025 priorities, including after the state budget.&nbsp;Any changes to lawmaker compensation would require a constitutional amendment, and state senator salaries have been more rigid because they are locked in the Nebraska Constitution, unlike salaries for constitutional officers or judges, the latter of whom almost always get salaries adjusted each July 1.Foley told the Government Committee last month that it is appropriate to review and perhaps update compensation from time to time, but he didn’t have “any particular number in mind.”“That’s your call, not mine,” he testified. “Whatever compensation figures you determine to be correct, that’s the right number. You’ll hear no quibbling from me.”<h2>‘Look past the individuals’</h2>Foley confirmed that stance again in a Thursday email, telling the Examiner: “Whatever number the committee decides is fine with me.”A spokesperson for Attorney General Mike Hilgers said he hadn’t weighed in on the proposal “and believes that he should not advocate for any changes to his own salary. He trusts that the body will make an appropriate decision that is right for the State of Nebraska.”A spokesperson for the Public Service Commission said the commission hadn’t taken a position and would not speak on pending legislation. A spokesperson for Treasurer Tom Briese, a former state senator appointed to the role in November 2023, said the office had no comment.A spokesperson for Evnen said by email after reviewing the amended bill: “The secretary indicated that no one had discussed the figures … with him. The proposal was not made at his behest, and this is a legislative determination.” Of current constitutional officers, Evnen was the first to announce a&nbsp;<a href="https://klin.com/2025/03/06/secretary-of-state-evnen-to-seek-re-election-in-2026/" target="_blank">reelection bid for 2026</a>.Foley was in the Legislature in 2006 when former State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha led the last bill to raise the salaries, which also included the governor.“My philosophy is that we should look past the individuals who happen to be occupying the office and annex to that office a salary commensurate with the duties entailed and the dignity that the office should be cloaked with,” Chambers said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/transcripts/view_page.php?leg=99&amp;bill=LB%20817&amp;key=3&amp;pages=7541%208319%209438%2010665-10668%2010795%2010829%2010909%2011208%2011464%2012710%2012752-12753%2012968%2013118%2013120%2013297%2013367%2013553-13554%2013587" target="_blank">March 14, 2006, floor speech regarding his bill</a>.Foley was in the middle of his campaign for auditor and was “present, not voting” when Chambers’ bill came for a final vote that year.“I think it’s the right thing to do, every 20 years or so, to revise the salaries for the constitutional officers of the State of Nebraska,” Foley said last month. “That’s why we’re here: to simply do the right thing.”

Committee advances bill with 57% salary hikes for Nebraska constitutional officers, except governor

Unknown travel direction, unknown of any associated vehicles. Please help us bring Ellen home!

If you have seen her or have any information, please contact the Alliance Police Department 308-762-4955&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742823276359.jpeg" alt="Ellen Rose Wilson (Alliance Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Ellen Rose Wilson (Alliance Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>Alliance Police DepartmentName: Ellen Rose WilsonAge: 32Last Seen: March 20, 2025 at 11:00pmLocation Last Seen: 400 block of LaramieClothing Description: UNKNOWN Height: 5'7Weight: 125LBSHair: BROWNEyes: BROWNAdditional Info:Unknown travel direction, unknown of any associated vehicles. Please help us bring Ellen home!If you have seen her or have any information, please contact the Alliance Police Department 308-762-4955&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAlliancePoliceDept%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0fSHxr2P2m9ifjnzQ74nUxdK9fVBZUUsGF8Ux9aWmu16DCzCaoxF6Ndc7J9GDG1Hel&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="552" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Alliance Police Department seeking help to locate missing Panhandle Woman 

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly say they are encouraged that the pursuit for justice for Sarah Root and her family is taking another significant step forward. Wanted fugitive Eswin Mejia will be extradited to Nebraska to face charges for her death in a 2016 crash. Mejia, who was in the U.S. illegally, disappeared after posting bail. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly say they are encouraged that the pursuit for justice for Sarah Root and her family is taking another significant step forward. Wanted fugitive Eswin Mejia will be extradited to Nebraska to face charges for her death in a 2016 crash. Mejia, who was in the U.S. illegally, disappeared after posting bail. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen and Lt. Gov. Kelly React to Announced Extradition of Eswin Mejia

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency for more than 20 counties impacted by this week’s winter storm. The combination of rain, sleet, hail, heavy snow, and high winds resulted in closures across multiple roadways, including Interstate 80. Conditions also did considerable damage to trees and power lines, resulting in a loss of electricity across multiple service areas. The heaviest damage occurred along the eastern part of the state.&nbsp;

Since Wednesday, significant progress has been made in getting customers reconnected. &nbsp;The public power districts have received assistance from crews in other states, through mutual aid agreements.&nbsp; According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the peak outage was reported Thursday afternoon with 119,199 customers without power. That has now been reduced to just over 29,000 customers.

Gov. Pillen has received regular updates from the utilities, as well as from leadership within the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while storm recovery has continued over the last few days. His proclamation will allow Nebraska’s adjutant general to take any steps necessary and to utilize funds for protecting lives and property impacted by the storm.&nbsp;

Counties covered by today’s emergency declaration include Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Platte, Polk, Nuckolls, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York. It is possible the list of counties will change as NEMA continues to receive damage assessment data from local emergency management agencies. If so, an additional declaration may be issued by Gov. Pillen. Initial damage estimates currently exceed $21 million. Again, it is possible that number will fluctuate with ongoing damage assessments. &nbsp;

Today, Gov. Pillen reiterated his appreciation to those who have been managing aspects of storm since its onset early Wednesday.

“From state troopers who assisted stranded motorists, to snow removal crews and now those involved in repairing downed lines to re-establish our power grid – a lot of people have stepped up very quickly to ensure that our safety has been the number one priority,” said Gov. Pillen.

Once all damage assessments are completed, steps will be undertaken to seek a federal disaster declaration.

In conjunction with this proclamation, Gov. Pillen also issued an executive order waiving the use of dynamic pricing for the remainder of the emergency order. &nbsp;

Copies of both documents are attached to this release.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency for more than 20 counties impacted by this week’s winter storm. The combination of rain, sleet, hail, heavy snow, and high winds resulted in closures across multiple roadways, including Interstate 80. Conditions also did considerable damage to trees and power lines, resulting in a loss of electricity across multiple service areas. The heaviest damage occurred along the eastern part of the state.&nbsp;Since Wednesday, significant progress has been made in getting customers reconnected. &nbsp;The public power districts have received assistance from crews in other states, through mutual aid agreements.&nbsp; According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the peak outage was reported Thursday afternoon with 119,199 customers without power. That has now been reduced to just over 29,000 customers.Gov. Pillen has received regular updates from the utilities, as well as from leadership within the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while storm recovery has continued over the last few days. His proclamation will allow Nebraska’s adjutant general to take any steps necessary and to utilize funds for protecting lives and property impacted by the storm.&nbsp;Counties covered by today’s emergency declaration include Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Platte, Polk, Nuckolls, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York. It is possible the list of counties will change as NEMA continues to receive damage assessment data from local emergency management agencies. If so, an additional declaration may be issued by Gov. Pillen. Initial damage estimates currently exceed $21 million. Again, it is possible that number will fluctuate with ongoing damage assessments. &nbsp;Today, Gov. Pillen reiterated his appreciation to those who have been managing aspects of storm since its onset early Wednesday.“From state troopers who assisted stranded motorists, to snow removal crews and now those involved in repairing downed lines to re-establish our power grid – a lot of people have stepped up very quickly to ensure that our safety has been the number one priority,” said Gov. Pillen.Once all damage assessments are completed, steps will be undertaken to seek a federal disaster declaration.In conjunction with this proclamation, Gov. Pillen also issued an executive order waiving the use of dynamic pricing for the remainder of the emergency order. &nbsp;Copies of both documents are attached to this release.

Gov. Pillen Declares Emergency for Counties Impacted by Winter Storm

More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.

Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.

Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.

The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.

Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.

“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.

Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.

“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.

“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.

Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.

The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.

The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.

Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.

Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.

“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.

“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”

“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)

Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.

Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.

In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732863479.png" alt=" A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)" />
 <figcaption> A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732798762.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).States with the highest flu vaccination rates by December were Maine (37%), Connecticut and Vermont (33%), and Wisconsin and Minnesota (31%). But even those were down since 2022.People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.”A&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569234/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year. (Doctors recommend flu vaccinations annually and note that even vaccinated patients who get the flu usually face less severe forms.)And in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X25001033" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;published in February in the journal Vaccine, researchers found that people refuse flu vaccinations for many of the same reasons they refused COVID-19 shots: a feeling of “social vulnerability” that leads to distrust of government and medical guidance. One hopeful sign, the report noted, is that vaccine recommendations from trusted health care professionals can turn around such attitudes.“Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is deeply entangled with misinformation, political rhetoric and public distrust,” said Khan, the Oregon pulmonologist and the study’s author. “Scientific data alone may not be enough to shift public perceptions, as many vaccine decisions are driven by gut feelings and external influences rather than evidence.”