Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Jan. 2, 2026, include: flu and COVID-19 cases are rising quickly across Nebraska, a western Nebraska hospital is transitioning to Rural Emergency Hospital designation to maintain emergency care access, unemployment remains low statewide but layoffs and new jobless claims are increasing, soda and energy drinks are no longer eligible for SNAP purchases in Nebraska, new AI-powered tool is helping teachers work with Mayan-language students, Nebraska football closed its season with a bowl loss to Utah.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 31, include: A child in Platte County has been diagnosed with measles, the second known case in Nebraska this year and the first cases reported in the state in eight years. Health officials say the unvaccinated child may have exposed others at a church and a hospital in Columbus, NU regent plans to resign from the Board of Regents following a crash earlier this year in Omaha, where she was accused of driving drunk, State Sen. Dan McKeon continues to deny allegations of misconduct involving a legislative staffer and suggests Gov. Jim Pillen interfered with a vote to boot him from the Legislature, Gov. Pillen’s administration outlines how it plans to offset decreased tax revenue amid a budget shortfall, Nebraska’s minimum wage rises to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, a new law regulating how online platforms design content for children takes effect, Lee Enterprises announces the sudden retirement of its president and CEO and new $50 million investment into the company, and Gifford Farm in Bellevue expands agricultural education with a $100,000 grant.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 30, include: Nebraska will receive $218 million in federal grant funding to strengthen rural health care access and services, expanded federal funding could intensify workplace immigration raids, worsening farm labor shortages, advocates warn funding for domestic violence victim services is shrinking as number of murder-suicides rise statewide, state health officials report an increase in respiratory illnesses during the holiday season, Nebraska football prepares for the Las Vegas Bowl with changes to the coaching staff.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 29, include: murder-suicides were alarmingly common in Nebraska this year, sports betting at Nebraska racetrack casinos reached record high in November, voters approved majority of school bond measures in 2025, regional trucking waiver expands fuel deliveries during cold weather, trade tensions complicate planning for farmers after strong harvest.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 26, include: NioCorp moves closer to building proposed mine near Elk Creek, rising electricity demand is putting pressure on Nebraska's power grid and energy prices, spread of equine herpes virus across eight states appears to be slowing, Nebraska elevators often include unique feature: inspector's name, longtime Christmas village display in Howells welcoming visitors again after nearly a decade.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 24, include: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability study estimates closure of Tyson Foods plant in Lexington will lead to billions of dollars in long-term economic losses statewide, former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse announces stage-four pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Attorney General Mike Hilgers dismisses lawsuit against Omaha Public Power District, debate continues over whether public universities should disclose athlete compensation records, Nebraska churches report growth and expanding congregations in 2025.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 23, include: human remains found in outbuilding on Furnas County farm have been identified, Amtrak trains crossing Nebraska are nearly sold out most nights this holiday season as demand outpaces available rail cars, funding for Nebraska's Business Innovation Act has been reinstated, University of Nebraska at Kearney reduces planned budget cuts after faculty and staff feedback, forecasters say Nebraska could see record warmth heading into Christmas.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 22, include: Nebraska moving ahead with plans to build canal from Colorado, Omaha Public Power District delays decommissioning coal-fired units, Nebraska Supreme Court rejects second appeal from man convicted in long-running Peru State College murder case, Nebraska Athletics sets $10,000 rental fee for weddings at Memorial Stadium, Rebekah Allick signs with professional volleyball team, Nebraska volleyball players earn recognition from coaches association.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 19, include: President Donald Trump signs executive order directing federal government to expedite rescheduling marijuana, Warren Buffett prepares to wrap up final year as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, new audit finds Nebraskans use state's online system for Medicaid and economic assistance while phone applicants often face long wait times, University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty in eliminated programs are given December 2026 deadline to find new roles, Lincoln Airport announces new nonstop flights beginning next summer.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 18, include: Nebraska will become first state to roll out Medicaid work requirements approved in One Big Beautiful Bill, State Sen. Dan McKeon changes plea to not guilty in disturbing the peace case tied to alleged groping incident, Omaha boxer Terence "Bud" Crawford retiring after undefeated career, Nebraska and Creighton athletes earn spots on American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American teams.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 17, include: Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen says ongoing market uncertainty is making it harder for producers to plan and stay afloat, Omaha leaders are calling for statewide support for workers facing layoffs tied to the upcoming closure of the Tyson Foods plant in Lexington, report finds dual credit scholarships for low-income students are boosting college enrollment and completion rates, Lincoln police say residents have lost millions to cryptocurrency scams this year, Husker football offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen addresses reports that quarterback Dylan Raiola plans to enter transfer portal.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 16, 2025, include: Nebraska state senators toured state-run ICE detention facility in McCook on Monday, Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced he is seeking reelection, new gambling winnings program collected more than $500,000 in first three months, Omaha Jewish leaders gathered to address deadly terrorist attack targeting Australia’s Jewish community, search for first full-time jobs emotionally draining for many Midwestern college graduates, Nebraska setter Bergen Reilly was named finalist for national player of the year honors.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 15, include: more than 3000 people will lose their jobs when Tyson Foods beef processing plant in Lexington shutters in January, Nebraska Huskers and Creighton Bluejays both fall in NCAA Elite Eight volleyball matches, Nebraska Legislature's Executive Board recommends expelling Sen. Dan McKeon, Nebraska Supreme Court revives lawsuit over Creighton University's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, state leaders warn rural broadband funds could be left unused.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 12, include: US senators reject two partisan healthcare proposals, state senators to tour McCook's ICE detention center as officials withhold detainee numbers, Nebraska volleyball prepares to host Kansas in Sweet 16, Creighton volleyball returns to Elite Eight to face Kentucky, Bezos-funded grant supports new supportive housing units in Grand Island.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 11, include: emails show DHHS sought additional security measures before federal and state governments paused SNAP payments, Gov. Jim Pillen renews proposal to expand sales taxes to fund schools. Sen. Dan McKeon pleads no contest to disturbing the peace, COVID-19 and other respiratory cases increasing, Santee Sioux Nation hosts land dedication ceremony near South Yankton, Nebraska tribal colleges receive major donation from MacKenzie Scott Foundation.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 10, include: AltEn cleanup update, Nebraska Public Service Commission approves Black Hills Energy rate increase, UNK proposes $4.8 million in cuts, Sen. Daniel McKeon charged with disturbing the peace, staffing shakeups for Nebraska football.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 9, include: rural public transportation demand grows as agencies absorb a 30-percent budget cut, Nebraska farmers weigh federal trade-war payments as crop prices stay low, lawmakers meet privately on groping allegation involving Sen. Dan McKeon, Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh blocked from McCook ICE center during November visits, Grand Island considers selling Camp Augustine for development as state park, Husker basketball programs both land in national rankings.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 8, include: Nebraska Board of Regents eliminates four UNL academic programs, new athletics facility approved for UNO, Playfly Sports commits over $10 million toward UNL NIL deals, State Board of Education member criticizes Omaha Public Schools over funding overpayment, Lexington officials outline challenges as Tyson plant closure approaches, Nebraska unemployment rate holds at 3 percent.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 5, include: Tyson's Lexington plant closure set to shift cattle operations across Nebraska, Nebraskans weigh traditional Medicare against Medicare Advantage, Rep. Don Bacon criticizes recent military actions, professional indoor football returns to Grand Island next year.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 4, include: one Lincoln mother describes how she confronted food insecurity while SNAP assistance was paused, ongoing legal challenge to medical marijuana ballot signatures, Foster Care Review Office report shows more kids aging out of care, NU regents face protests over proposed department cuts, three Omaha officers shot in confrontation.