Nebraska Examiner

ICYMI: Barring last-minute hiccups, candidates unopposed in five of Nebraska's 42 highest statewide races this year will be among the first confirmed winners after voting ends Nov. 3. Four are seeking reelection. One is campaigning for an open legislative seat. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/D4XL5Rz

President Donald Trump’s eleventh-hour campaign to intervene in California’s vote counting encountered the first signs of resistance in federal court over the weekend, with appellate judges expressing deep skepticism over the effort's legality. From States Newsroom's D.C. Bureau buff.ly/CCpqV2t

ICYMI: State Sen. Rick Holdcroft is facing off with Darin Tompkins for reelection to Legislative District 36, which includes one of the fastest-growing areas of the state. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/4jMD0on

As the political environment has worsened for Republicans, Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District is now viewed as more competitive than earlier in the cycle. From Juan Salinas II buff.ly/GAtbxkB

Voters of Legislative District 36 will choose between a retired U.S. naval officer and a retired manufacturing executive to represent one of the fastest-growing areas of the state. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/jchDnLe

Iowa regulators have reinstated the license of a nurse previously sanctioned for alleged drug thefts in four different states. From Iowa Capital Dispatch buff.ly/CXh8XHt

In a year of twists and turns for some of Nebraska’s highest elected positions, there are no declared write-in candidates for congressional offices or for constitutional officers, the Legislature and state education boards. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/WoTYSgN

ICYMI: Both candidates sat down with the Nebraska Examiner in Omaha to discuss how they would approach the budget, tax policy and more if they’re elected to represent Legislative District 4. From Zach Wendling nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/10/23/v...

ICYMI: The town hall, for Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate, featured California Democratic U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh and former Republican National Committee chair Marc Racicot. From Juan Salinas II buff.ly/31wjvub

ICYMI: Participation comes with up to $750,000 in grant funding, but local leaders say a key benefit is technical expertise from field-leading specialists and mentoring from cities deemed to have pioneered best strategies. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/ZMFX2mI

ICYMI: RNC Chair Joe Gruters said he believes Republicans still have a path to maintain control of both the U.S. House and Senate because the GOP has the fundraising advantage and candidates who he thinks can win. From Juan Salinas II buff.ly/pmsmifq

ICYMI: A ballot sponsor and a state senator are defending Initiative Measures 440 and 441 as 45 current and former Huskers student-athletes and coaches, including Tom Osborne, speak out in opposition. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/KGymcXY

"We interrupt this election season to bring you a seismic, geopolitical event: We have met the enemy … and bought him a gift card. Written in Cyrillic. " Commentary by George Ayoub buff.ly/SWCyY0N

Registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn held a town hall Saturday with California Democratic U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, and former Republican National Committee chair Marc Racicot.  From Juan Salinas II buff.ly/31wjvub

Nebraskans will have the final say Nov. 3 on whether to legalize and regulate online sports betting as advocates and opponents clash in the final days of the 2026 race. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/KGymcXY

Omaha is among 14 cities nationwide selected for a Bloomberg Philanthropies program intended to boost creation of local housing — particularly “accessory dwelling units,” known also as granny flats or in-law suites. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/ZMFX2mI

"We don't always get to come to Nebraska because you guys aren't usually competitive, but this cycle you are, and so hopefully we won't have to come back here again in two years,” RNC Chair Joe Gruters said in an Omaha interview. From Juan Salinas II buff.ly/pmsmifq

ICYMI: The 2026 candidates for Legislative District 48, in western Nebraska, are state Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering and Jessica M. Landers of Scottsbluff. buff.ly/E6rBIcb

ICYMI: State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln is running unopposed for a fourth nonconsecutive four-year term to Legislative District 46, in central Lancaster County. nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides...

ICYMI: The AG's Office had requested $19,107 in costs and attorney fees. The Supreme Court, by a 5-2 order, will require Lincoln to pay $9,150. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/0p2rOZi

State Sen. Brad von Gillern and Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek are in a rematch for Douglas County’s Legislative District 4 as both candidates say affordability, taxes and divisiveness ring top of mind for voters. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/PCcKr6f

ICYMI: The hearing before the Economic Recovery Special Committee featured a question-answer period between four lawmakers and invited managers of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/saP5nwA

The U.S. Department of Justice is stepping up its legal campaign over the midterm elections, suing Alaska over its U.S. Senate election and appealing a lawsuit against suspected noncitizen voters in California. From States Newsroom buff.ly/rS0g7x0

ICYMI: Audiologist Cindy Johnson and small business owner Rebecca Rens are fighting for the seat currently held by state Sen. Wendy DeBoer, who is term-limited. From Erin Bamer buff.ly/zJkMe8i

ICYMI: Each of the District 18 candidates argues that their respective skill sets and professional backgrounds would be more valuable to constituents and help grow the state’s economy. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/Kreclwk

ICYMI: State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner is running unopposed for a second four-year term to Legislative District 44, in west-central Nebraska. nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides...

ICYMI: The vice president announced Nebraska as one of the states selected for the Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply Program, which U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced earlier this year. From Juan Salinas II buff.ly/ZbUsOAz

Federal regulators are cracking down on the nonprofits responsible for coordinating organ donations, aiming to begin shutting down substandard groups by early next year. From Stateline buff.ly/IFYb1nd

ICYMI: The 2026 candidates for Legislative District 42, in west-central Nebraska, are state Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte and Shaylee S. Scranton of Thedford. buff.ly/uTtyjSU

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Today is the final day to register to vote in person at local county election offices or to request an early voting ballot, until 6 p.m. The deadline for write-in candidates to file an affidavit for their candidacy is 5 p.m. buff.ly/JF4AuzX

JD Vance became the first vice president to visit North Platte on Thursday, campaigning for Sen. Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen as they face challenging reelection bids.  From Juan Salinas II buff.ly/fIFDktr

In Nebraska's Legislative District 18, candidates Jess Goldoni and Taylor Royal both seek first elected post. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/Kreclwk

ICYMI: The 2026 candidates for Legislative District 41, in central Nebraska, are Jeremy Heneger of Cairo and Joe Johnson of rural Buffalo County. This is a special election for a two-year term. buff.ly/Frcsf0X

ICYMI: State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara is running unopposed for a second four-year term to Legislative District 40, in northeast Nebraska. buff.ly/eqW9cqX

The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, as did the deductible many people must pay before those plans begin covering most healthcare costs. From States Newsroom buff.ly/MiJQxjD

ICYMI: The 2026 candidates for Legislative District 38, in south-central Nebraska, are Tim Anderson of Sutton and Janell Anderson Ehrke of Orleans. buff.ly/cmrFhGR

A federal judge on Wednesday night blocked the Department of Homeland Security from conducting election-related field operations that could sweep up U.S. citizens in nine states. From States Newsroom buff.ly/fHAZsIG

The Nebraska Supreme Court on Wednesday said Lincoln must pay the Attorney General’s Office $9,150 in costs after a court fight about three petitioned charter amendments. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/0p2rOZi

National Democrats are suing President Donald Trump, accusing his administration of intimidating election officials and asking a federal court to block him from interfering in the midterm elections. From States Newsroom buff.ly/ZsWtJ7U

Amid concerns raised by a Nebraska legislative committee, the state’s director for economic development Wednesday defended her team’s handling of a roughly $235 million grant program aimed at lifting North and South Omaha. From Cindy Gonzalez buff.ly/saP5nwA

In the politically split District 10, a seat in the Nebraska Legislature is up for grabs with its current representative ineligible for reelection. From Erin Bamer buff.ly/N6dcxM3

More children from mixed-status families are being separated from their parents through detention or deportation. Researchers and advocates believe the trauma of being split up predisposes a generation to health, academic and economic consequences.  From Midwest Newsroom buff.ly/4RbqAOx

ICYMI: The 2026 candidates for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4, in eastern Douglas County, are Susanne Shore and Justin Solomon, both of Omaha. This is a special election for a four-year term. buff.ly/NYFkXiJ

ICYMI: Auditor Mike Foley’s report estimated that NPERS would be paying its outgoing executive director roughly $23,000 in salary and benefits for roughly five weeks of unperformed work. From Erin Bamer buff.ly/zISB2VC

ICYMI: In addition to the recommendations, a portion of Tuesday’s discussion focused on a guideline for policymakers to maintain state support for K-12 schools at least 51% alongside property taxes, or whether the state should pick up more of the tab. From Zach Wendling buff.ly/8QV3YPV

ICYMI: Representatives for Nebraska's four licensed cultivators urged a state commission to consider the licensing and availability of cannabis testing laboratories and the assessment of fees before the cultivators even have a “viable path to revenue.” From Zach Wendling buff.ly/XVTn2RI

Nine states and the District of Columbia lost jobs in the year ending in September, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. From Stateline buff.ly/KlGN40l

State and local government employees report high levels of job satisfaction across the country, but face significant rates of burnout and on-the-job harassment. From Stateline buff.ly/lDJrdrd

ICYMI: The 2026 candidates for Legislative District 36, in eastern Nebraska, are state Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and Darin Tompkins of Papillion. buff.ly/eh28HRF

Nebraska has the ingredients to build a stronger bioeconomy. The opportunity now is to turn those assets into a focused strategy for growth. Commentary by Rob Owen of Bio Nebraska buff.ly/XRaPTPE