OMAHA — National Democrats are investing some green in helping the Nebraska Democratic Party reach voters in and beyond the purplest congressional district in a red-led state. Nebraska voters in the state’s 2nd Congressional District will face a rematch between Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas, left, and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. (Courtesy of the candidates; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
The Democratic National Committee announced Monday that it will spend $40,000 to fund a political staffer who will work with national, state and local Democrats in Nebraska.
Jane Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said the Nebraska Democrats raised another $40,000 locally to pay the same staffer, who will help them with legislative elections in rural Nebraska.
“We now have enough resources to hire somebody full-time and make sure that they have resources to do organizing,” she said.
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Rebuilding a blue party in red states
It is the latest step in a multi-year process of the DNC trying to help rebuild the party in rural states. This cycle alone, the DNC has spent more than $510,000 in Nebraska.
Kleeb has spent much of her seven-year tenure trying to persuade the national party to increase its annual support for state parties. Spending is up 25% since January 2021.
DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison has described this push as a 50-state strategy, fighting back against single-party GOP rule in largely rural states.
“Today’s announced investment in the Nebraska State Democratic Party shows that priority in action,” he said in a statement to the Nebraska Examiner.
“Nebraska Democrats have fought tirelessly to better the lives of Nebraskans and defend against Trump and Republicans’ extreme agenda,” Harrison said.
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Helping in 2nd District and rural races
Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb, at left, addresses a crowd of more than 40 Democrats gathered to hear second gentleman Doug Emhoff speak. To her right is 1st District Democratic House candidate State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
Much of the staffer’s time will be spent helping Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas in his Omaha-based 2nd District House race against Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon.
The new political organizer will work to help turn out Democratic voters in local and state races, particularly in rural races with Democrats down the ballot, the Democrats said.
The staffer also will help President Joe Biden’s bid against former President Donald Trump’s attempt to win back the single Electoral College vote that Biden won in 2020.
Nebraska, like Maine, awards an electoral vote to the winner of the presidential popular vote in each of its congressional districts. The statewide winner receives two more.
Republicans in the state’s officially nonpartisan Legislature want to shift Nebraska’s method of awarding those votes to winner-take-all, which would benefit Trump. President Joe Biden seen speaking from the White House on Feb. 8, 2024. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Democratic state lawmakers in Maine have said if Nebraska does make that change, they might cancel out the action by doing the same thing, which would benefit Biden.
A spokeswoman for the Nebraska Republican Party said Sunday that the Republican National Committee had not funded a Nebraska campaign staffer but that it could.
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Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have started adding staff in the state as well.
No. 3 seed Texas A&M stunned the college volleyball world Sunday in Lincoln, Neb. with a 3-2 victory (25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 35-37, 15-13) over No. 1 overall seed and previously undefeated Nebraska in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
The win puts the Aggies (27-4) into the Final Four for the first time in program history. They will face No. 1 seed Pittsburgh in the national semifinals on Thursday.
Kyndal Stowers and Logan Lednicky led the way for Texas A&M with 25 and 24 kills, respectively. Their performances helped the Aggies to a slight attacking edge, with A&M having 75 kills to Nebraska’s 73. The Aggies thrived at the net though, out blocking the Cornhuskers 30-16. Middle Blocker Morgan Perkins led the way in that respect with eight block assists and one block solo.
Texas A&M survived a comeback attempt from Nebraska (33-1) after winning the first two sets. The Cornhuskers rallied to win the third set and then fought off three Aggie match points in a marathon fourth set to force a decider. In the end, Texas A&M overcame Nebraska’s best effort to win the final set and the match on the Huskers’ home court.
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The huge win comes after the Aggies needed a reverse sweep to beat No. 2 seed Louisville in the Sweet Sixteen.
See full game highlights here:
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Texas A&M routs Jacksonville at home as six Aggies score in double figures
Rylan Griffen scored a season-high 19 points and was hot from deep, making 5 of 6 from 3-point range.
Texas A&M leads college football in alcohol revenue, per report
Texas A&M topped the list with $4,740,922 in revenue generated by 277,156 alcohol units sold.
Find more Texas A&M coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
No. 22 Nebraska basketball upset No. 13 Illinois on the road, 83-80, on Saturday afternoon. Jamarques Lawrence had a game-winning three-pointer as time expired.
Nebraska improved to 11-0 on the season, the best start to a season in school history. The Huskers also won its 15th straight game, breaking the school record of 14 consecutive wins.
Pryce Sandfort had an incredible game, scoring a career-high 32 points. It was the former Iowa Hawkeye’s fifth 20-point game of the season and sixth of his career.
The victory improved Nebraska’s record in Big Ten play to 2-0. It’s the first 2-0 in conference play for the Huskers since 2016-17.
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Fans were overjoyed about the victory on social media, and we picked some of the best information and reactions.
Cornhusker crusher
He hit it
Celebrate
Nebraska may be a basketball school
Nebraska football alums are weighing in…
The success of Nebraska Basketball is baffling many….
The national respect continues to grow….
Fans are excited about the program
Great win
What a week
Dream season
Courtside
Legit
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
The Nebraska Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Lottery players in Nebraska can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, Pick 3, Pick 5, MyDaY and 2 by 2.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 results for each game:
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Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
07-11-20-52-60, Powerball: 24
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
1-1-6
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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-07-18-31-32
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
Red Balls: 19-22, White Balls: 07-12
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
Month: 05, Day: 30, Year: 81
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
