Monday - May 25, 2026
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Nebraska Newsletter for Thursday May 21, 2026 ( 27 items )  

ACLU of Iowa: Black Hawk County Sheriff Jail Fees Case Reversed
DES MOINES, Iowa, May 21 -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa issued the following news release: * * * Black Hawk County Sheriff Jail Fees Case Reversed A federal appeals court reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit against the Black Hawk County sheriff. * Civil rights groups today won an appeal in a federal class action lawsuit that seeks to block the Black Hawk County Sheriff's office from wrongly extracting money from people before releasing them from jail and from demanding paymen  more

AFP-NE Thanks Sen. Ricketts for Standing Up for Nebraska Families
ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 20 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release: * * * AFP-NE Thanks Sen. Ricketts for Standing Up for Nebraska Families * Lincoln, NE - Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska (AFP-NE) launched a new digital and mail thank you campaign this week featuring Sen. Pete Ricketts. The effort highlights the senator for his vote to pass the Working Families Tax Cuts, providing relief to Nebraska families at a time when many continue to fa  more

ATR Congratulates Nebraska Pledge Signer Bill Bowes on Advancing to the General Election
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary: * * * ATR Congratulates Nebraska Pledge Signer Bill Bowes on Advancing to the General Election Nebraska taxpayers secured an important victory this week as taxpayer protection pledge signer Bill Bowes officially advanced to the November ballot in the race for the 14th district of the Nebraska Legislature. Bowes, as a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, has committed to opposing and voting against any and al  more

Attorney General Murrill Urges DOJ to Restore States' Authority for Swift Justice in Heinous Crimes
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, May 20 -- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Murrill Urges DOJ to Restore States' Authority for Swift Justice in Heinous Crimes * Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill joined Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall in filing a 16-state coalition letter supporting a rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to help streamline federal review of state capital murder convictions. In support of the rule, DO  more

Common Cause: Voting Rights Group Seeks Ruling to Prevent Federal Interference in Elections Before 2026 Midterms
NEW YORK, May 20 -- Common Cause - New York issued the following news release on May 19, 2026: * * * Voting Rights Group Seeks Ruling to Prevent Federal Interference in Elections Before 2026 Midterms Today, Common Cause and four individual voters filed a motion for partial summary judgment in their federal lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from attempting to compile voters' personal data and take over elections from the states. With just months before the midterm elections and primarie  more

DOE Awards $94 Million to Support Deployment of Small Modular Reactors
ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 21 -- The National Association of State Energy Officials posted the following news on May 20, 2026: * * * DOE Awards $94 Million to Support Deployment of Small Modular Reactors By Camille Norton, NASEO On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the awardees of $94 million in funding to spur the deployment of advanced light-water small modular reactors (SMRs). The funding for the eight companies selected through the Generation III+ SMR Pathway to Deploym  more

EPA Announces $46 Million to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water in Iowa
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA Announces $46 Million to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water in Iowa * LENEXA, KAN. (MAY 20, 2026) - Today, EPA is announcing $46,116,000 in funding to protect Iowans from exposure to lead in drinking water. This investment will go directly to states through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and is part of EPA's unwavering commitment to Making America Healthy Again. This funding w  more

EPA Announces Nearly $35 Million to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water in Nebraska
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA Announces Nearly $35 Million to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water in Nebraska * LENEXA, KAN. (MAY 20, 2026) - Today, EPA is announcing $34,901,000 in funding to protect Nebraskans from exposure to lead in drinking water. This investment will go directly to states through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and is part of EPA's unwavering commitment to Making America Healthy Again.   more

Gov. Pillen Announces the Nebraska Pavilion at the Great American State Fair
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 20 -- Gov. Jim Pillen, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: * * * Gov. Pillen Announces the Nebraska Pavilion at the Great American State Fair * LINCOLN, NE - Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement highlighting Nebraska's participation in the Freedom 250 " Great American State Fair " this summer in Washington, D.C., as part of the national celebration commemorating America's 250th birthday. "America's turning 250 years old - and that deserves a  more

Gov. Pillen Appoints Huxoll as District Court Judge in the Third Judicial District
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 20 -- Gov. Jim Pillen, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: * * * Gov. Pillen Appoints Huxoll as District Court Judge in the Third Judicial District * LINCOLN, NE - Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Jennifer A. Huxoll of Palmyra as district court judge in the Third Judicial District. The district consists of Lancaster County. Huxoll has been with the Nebraska Attorney General's office since 2006, first as an assistant attorney general a  more

Housing & Insurance Chairman Flood Applauds House Passage of Updated 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act as Landmark Housing Reform
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: * * * Housing & Insurance Chairman Flood Applauds House Passage of Updated 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act as Landmark Housing Reform * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood, who serves as Chairman of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee, released a statement following House passage of the amended text to the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act." The amendment includes several provisions intr  more

IRFA Urges Iowa Utilities Commission to Take Timely Action on Summit Carbon Solutions Permit
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, May 21 -- The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * IRFA Urges Iowa Utilities Commission to Take Timely Action on Summit Carbon Solutions Permit Rural Iowa Economies Forgo Over $5 Million Every Day the Project is Delayed * The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) yesterday filed a formal request with the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) asking that a hearing schedule be established for Summit Carbon Solutions' carb  more

NDE Seeking Public Input on College and Career Ready Standards for Social Studies Draft
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 21 -- The Nebraska Department of Education issued the following news release: * * * NDE Seeking Public Input on College and Career Ready Standards for Social Studies Draft The Nebraska Department of Education has released the first draft of the proposed revisions to Nebraska's 2019 College and Career Ready Standards for Social Studies and is seeking input from the public. The information collected will be used as part of the standards review and revision process. Nebra  more

Neb. HHS Urges CMS to Simplify Rural Health Transformation Program Reporting Requirements
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expressing concerns about the proposed information collection for the Rural Health Transformation Program Reporting. Nebraska DHHS acknowledged CMS's efforts to promote accountability and evaluate progress but cautioned that the proposed reporting framework could impose excessive administrative burdens and duplicate existing federal reportin  more

Nebraska Attorney General Sues ISS for Misleading Investors and Pushing ESG Agenda
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 20 -- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued the following news release: * * * Nebraska Attorney General Sues ISS for Misleading Investors and Pushing ESG Agenda * Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is suing Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), claiming the company misled Nebraska investors by promising objective advice while promoting an undisclosed ESG agenda and coordinating with activist groups. ISS is the world's largest proxy advisor firm.   more

Nebraska's small-grains program produces award-winning wheat for baking
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 20 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news: * * * Nebraska's small-grains program produces award-winning wheat for baking * For generations, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's small-grains breeding program has produced new wheat varieties that offer robust yields and disease resistance. Now, the program has produced a wheat line that is a standout on an additional dimension -superior milling and baking quality. And private industry is cheering. Spec  more

New AI Engine Huey by NRC Health Eliminates Manual Documentation to Protect Patient Connections During Rounds
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 21 -- NRC Health, a provider of customer intelligence in healthcare, issued the following statement on May 20, 2026, by senior product director Katie Haifley: * * * The Best Rounding Conversation Is the One You Didn't Have to Write Down Let's talk about clipboards. If you've ever rounded on a unit, you know the drill. You're mid-conversation with a patient who's finally telling you the thing--the real thing--about their stay. Maybe it's about the nurse who went above  more

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service issued the following news: * * * NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY * Nebraska: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has prepared a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) titled "Elm and Turkey Creeks Watershed Plan, Environmental Impact Statement, and Record of Decision" in partnership with the Central Pl  more

Nunn Introduces Resolution Recognizing May as Renewable Fuels Month
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Nunn Introduces Resolution Recognizing May as Renewable Fuels Month * WASHINGTON, D.C. -Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today introduced a resolution to designate May 2026 as Renewable Fuels Month, recognizing the vital role renewable fuels play in powering Iowa's economy, lowering costs at the pump, and advancing American energy independence. U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) is leading companion resolut  more

Penn State-Scranton: Student Writing Tutors Attend Mid-Atlantic Writing Center Association Conference
DUNMORE, Pennsylvania, May 21 -- Pennsylvania State University's Scranton campus issued the following news: * * * Student writing tutors attend Mid-Atlantic Writing Center Association Conference This spring, a group of student peer writing tutors from the campus' Writing Center attended the annual Mid-Atlantic Writing Center Association (MAWCA) Conference at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. This year's theme for the conference was "Cities that Write: Place, Space and Writing Ce  more

R.I. Gov. McKee Announces Nominations to the Coastal Resources Management Council
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, May 21 -- Gov. Daniel J. McKee, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on May 19, 2026: * * * Governor McKee Announces Nominations to the Coastal Resources Management Council Today, Governor Dan McKee announced appointments of six individuals to serve on Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC): Carder Starr, Scott Rabideau, Richard Bernardo, Raymond Coia, W. Michael Sullivan , and Stephen Izzi. "Rhode Island's oceans, coastline, and be  more

Ricketts on the Senate Floor: Proud of Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: * * * Ricketts on the Senate Floor: Proud of Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) expressed his support for Nebraska farmers and ranchers and highlighted Nebraska's leadership in beef and renewable fuels. May is Beef Month and Renewable Fuels Month. Senator Ricketts also discussed the MARKET Act, legislation he introduced today  more

Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center Announces 2026 Book and Journalism Award Winners
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * The Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center Announces 2026 Book and Journalism Award Winners NEW YORK - The Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center today announced the winners of its 2026 Book and Journalism Awards during a virtual ceremony featuring remarks by Kerry Kennedy, Michael Beschloss, Margaret "Peggy" Engel and CNN's lead Washington anchor Jake Tapper. Selected from mo  more

UW's Ingwerson-Niemann Receives Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award
LARAMIE, Wyoming, May 20 -- The University of Wyoming posted the following news: * * * UW's Ingwerson-Niemann Receives Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award For more than a decade, Jennifer "Jenny" Ingwerson-Niemann, a senior lecturer in the University of Wyoming's Department of Animal Science, has served as UW's only equine science instructor. For her dedication to hands-on education and the UW community, Ingwerson-Niemann is among 10 recipients of the John P. Ellbogen Meritorious C  more

Wayne State College: First AGS Degrees Awarded as Part of ReEngage Program
WAYNE, Nebraska, May 21 -- Wayne State College issued the following news release: * * * First AGS Degrees Awarded as Part of ReEngage Program A total of 76 Associate of General Studies degrees were awarded May 9 during WSC's Spring 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony. Wayne State College awarded its first Associate of General Studies degrees May 9 at its undergraduate commencement ceremony as part of its ReEngage Program, which is designed to help students with some college credit but n  more

Weaver earns $4M grant to target future flu pandemics
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 20 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news: * * * Weaver earns $4M grant to target future flu pandemics * A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research effort aims to strengthen defenses against future flu pandemics by advancing a vaccine designed to provide strong, durable immunity against multiple high-risk avian strains. By targeting both mutating surface proteins and more stable viral components, the approach could create a universal vaccine capable o  more

West Virginia Sues Major Proxy Advising Firm for Misleading Investors While Pushing Radical Climate Agenda
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, May 21 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * West Virginia sues major proxy advising firm for misleading investors while pushing radical climate agenda Today, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey filed a lawsuit against Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), the world's largest proxy advisor firm, claiming the company misled West Virginia investors. ISS promised objective advice whil  more