LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) -Nebraska became the first state to implement new federally mandated work requirements for Medicaid recipients in May, and the federal government this week released a first look at what all states would need to follow by Jan. 1.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its interim final rule on the work requirements Monday for public review. Local nonprofit Nebraska Appleseed blasted the proposal as more onerous than Nebraska’s requirements, implemented eight months early, and which the advocacy organization argues could lead to more hurdles down the line.

Broadly, the federal requirements mandate that certain adults receiving Medicaid who are between the ages of 19 and 64 will need to work, volunteer or attend school for at least 80 hours per month, earn at least $580 a month or qualify for an exemption.

Among those who are exempt are people who are pregnant, have a disability, are a parent or caretaker of a young child, or veterans with a total disability rating.

Collin Spilinek, a spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said the agency is reviewing the new guidance “to determine what changes, if any, will be necessary to make.”

The state agency has said roughly 25,000 of the 72,000 adult Nebraskans enrolled through Medicaid expansion will eventually be subject to the updated work requirements to keep or get Medicaid coverage at their renewal period.

The federal proposal includes a new hurdle on top of Nebraska’s requirements, Appleseed argues, that “directly targets” people with disabilities, mental conditions or medical needs, such as cancer or HIV, by requiring Medicaid recipients who have serious medical needs or disabilities to “prove” a condition makes them unable to work to qualify for an exemption.

“This federal rule adds major and punitive new restrictions that will directly hurt Nebraskans, especially those with serious medical needs and disabilities,” said Sarah Maresh, Appleseed’s health care access program director, in a statement.

Maresh said Nebraskans were already “confused, scared and at risk of unnecessarily and inappropriately losing” health care because Gov. Jim Pillen decided to act early.

Collin Spilinek, a spokesperson for Nebraska’s DHHS, said the agency has been able to “successfully manage” the new workload of implementing the requirements with “no issues.”

“Staff members have the foundational expertise to absorb the new requirements without expanding headcount and have received targeted training specific to the work requirements, including new policy content, system workflows and verification standards,” Spilinek said this week.

Maresh and Appleseed urged DHHS to “press pause” and join the rest of the nation in implementing requirements by January 2027. Spilinek said there are “no plans” to do so.

“People’s lives are on the line,” Maresh said.

In April, days before Nebraska moved ahead with the work requirements, Drew Gonshorowski, director of the state’s Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care, told KETV the changes are meant to promote workforce and curb Medicaid misuse.

“Our commitment here is to ensure that our members receive coverage long term,” Gonshorowsk told KETV at the time. “And we will work with our providers to ensure sustainability of our systems.”

Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com.

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FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) -Girls in North Dakota competed on the football field for the first time, and the Fargo Vipers made sure that first chapter ended with a championship.

The Vipers finished the season 11-1, topping the Rampage 40-35 to claim the title.

Vipers player, Jada Khatri, said the opportunity meant everything to her.

“This means like a lot to me. I wanted to play football for like a long time — literally when I was younger and in first grade when they would ask what do you wanna be? I always wanted to be the first girl NFL football player,” she said. “Everybody thought my dreams were crazy, but I feel like an NFL player right now.”

The Vipers weren’t just building a roster this season — they were building something bigger.

“The biggest memory is definitely all the girls. I have never had a team like this connected before and I love how everyone just supports everyone,” one player said. “Everyone loves everyone — and it’s just the first time playing flag football and I already have the best team ever.”

Jennaya Volk said she couldn’t describe the feeling.

“I can’t even describe it. I’m just so happy — so happy that I got to be part of this,” she said.

The opportunities from the sport are already opening doors. Volk said she is heading to Mayville to play football for the first North Dakota college that started the sport.

Head coach, Devin Fry, said this is just the beginning and has a message for any girl still on the fence.

“Football is the greatest sport on planet earth — now you have the opportunity to do it. Take full advantage of it,” he said. “We’re waiting for you here at the Vipers.”

TOLEDO, Ohio – Twelve people were shot, including two who suffered critical injuries, during a shooting near Toledo’s annual Old West End Festival.

The incident occurred on Saturday (June 6) in Ohio.

Update: Police: Victims in Toledo festival shooting range in age from 14 to 61

Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan said officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 5:37 p.m. near the popular community festival, which is held annually in Toledo.

Heffernan said police were already in the area when the shooting occurred and responded immediately.

Preliminary information indicates that at least two shooters were involved and may have been firing at one another.

Investigators believe the exchange of gunfire resulted in 12 people being struck by bullets.

“Officers were quick to respond. They were right there when the shots were coming out,” Heffernan said.

Two victims were reported in critical condition, while the conditions of the remaining victims were not immediately available.

Heffernan said police secured the scene and began processing evidence shortly after the shooting.

Officials said they have collected evidence and are actively pursuing leads.

The investigation remains in its early stages, and no suspects have been taken into custody as of Saturday evening.

“We’re still very early in the investigative process,” Heffernan said.

The Old West End Festival is an annual event that draws large crowds to one of Toledo’s historic neighborhoods.

Police said the scene was being dismantled as investigators completed their initial processing, but the investigation remains active.