Nebraska

Governor orders end to remote work, directs state workers back to offices

But concerns remain as one official says the move could hurt recruiting and retention of state employees amid staff shortages.

  • By Paul Hammel, Nebraska Examiner

Farm groups, weather and climate watchers pitch state funding for network of weather stations

The Nebraska Mesonet system, once the envy of the nation, has fallen on hard times because of uncertain funding/

  • By Paul Hammel, Nebraska Examiner

How One State Is Excelling at Process Improvement

Every week Nebraska is contacted by other states to learn how it is saving staff time, streamlining projects and delivering better customer services. Here’s why.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

US Cities Where Rents are (Surprisingly) Going Down

Rents in a number of major metropolitans from coast to coast fell during the past year, although rents are trending upward overall, according to a new report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Some Unusual State and Local Laws to Take Note of This Valentine's Day

A number of state and municipal laws deal with relationships—both good and bad ones.

  • By Andre Claudio

Where Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back the Most and Least

Nebraska tops the list of states where the unemployment rates are bouncing back the most. New Jersey comes in last.

  • By Andre Claudio

Calling All Unvaccinated Nurses: This State Will Hire You

Job ads for open positions in Nebraska’s state-run facilities highlight optional Covid-19 vaccines, a move that contradicts federal mandates for health workers and could cost the state some of its insurance reimbursements.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Shrinking State and Local Government Office Space

COMMENTARY | With states and local officials searching for ways to cut budgets, many are looking to reduce how much real estate they occupy.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

State Fairs Are the Latest Casualty of Covid-19

At least 15 states have canceled their annual fairs due to public health concerns amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, while others are moving ahead with modified, pared-down events.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Home Baker Challenges City Food Ordinance Requiring Inspections

A new lawsuit challenges health ordinances the city of Lincoln enacted after Nebraska lawmakers loosened state restrictions on the sale of home-baked goods and other cottage foods.

  • By Andrea Noble

What Happened When Health Officials Wanted to Close a Meatpacking Plant, but the Governor Said No

New documents obtained by ProPublica show public health officials in Grand Island, Nebraska, wanted the JBS meatpacking plant closed. But Gov. Pete Ricketts said no. Since then, cases have skyrocketed.

  • By Michael Grabell, ProPublica

State Lawmakers Face Uphill Battles as They Seek to Tax More Services

Maryland is the latest state to consider such a proposal. What many experts regard as “good tax policy” is often a tough political sell.

  • By Bill Lucia
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Clinical Trial Underway for Coronavirus Treatment

It's the first test of a treatment for the virus, which federal officials said Tuesday was likely to continue spreading throughout the United States.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

A Nebraska Law Bans People with STDs from Marrying. A Lawmaker Wants to Scrap It

An obscure law in Nebraska prevents people with STDs from marrying—and makes it difficult for people to annul their marriages for similar reasons.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Concerned Roadside Memorials Are Distracting, a State Offers to Install Them

The Nebraska Department of Transportation will offer official memorial signs for victims of fatal car crashes as a way to replace homemade memorials they say can pose safety hazards to drivers.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Customer Service, State and Local Partnerships Key for CIOs

The findings of NASCIO’s 2019 survey of chief information officers highlights areas of concern and evolving priorities among state information technology leaders.

  • By Andrea Noble

Best State for Retirement? The Answer Isn’t Necessarily Florida

A new ranking did give the retirement mecca a nod, but also flagged some more surprising states.

  • By Emma Coleman

State Savings Policies Evolve Amid a Decade of Economic Growth

The amount states have in reserve is at a high mark and savings practices have become more sophisticated. But lawmakers are at times still drawn to tap the large pots of money.

  • By Bill Lucia

States Could See 'Unprecedented' Flooding

NOAA's spring outlook, issued Thursday, predicts a heightened flood risk, even as states in the Midwest are dealing with historic flooding.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Two People Dead in Historic Midwest Flooding

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Louisiana duplicate tax refunds ... New approach to combat teen vaping ... Vermont starts paying remote workers.

  • By Laura Maggi

When Does a Winter Storm Become a Bomb Cyclone?

What raises a common winter storm to the level of 'bomb cyclone'? It's all about rapid, sharp changes in atmospheric pressure— and the scientists who coined the term meant to highlight their power.

  • By Russ Schumacher, The Conversation