LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has collected more than $200,000 from gambling winnings to go toward child support arrears just three months after implementing the program.

The Gambling Winnings Setoff for Outstanding Debt Act was approved through the passage of Legislative Bill 1317 and signed by Gov. Jim Pillen in 2024.

“This program ensures funds are being used to help support kids across Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “Parents have an obligation to their children, and we’re guaranteeing their well-being by collecting these winnings.”

The collections began Sept. 2, 2025. The act requires gaming operators to withhold a portion of winnings from individuals who have an unpaid debt with the state and remit the funds to the Department of Revenue.

From there, the collected funds are distributed to various agencies, including DOR, Department of Labor, Department of Motor Vehicles, and DHHS.

Within the first 13 weeks, $529,091.47 was dispersed to these agencies, with DHHS receiving $215,852.98 for the Child Support Enforcement Program.

“By administering these dollars directly to families, the Child Support Enforcement Program is setting our state’s children up for success,” said Shannon Grotrian, director of the Office of Economic Assistance. “It’s making an immediate impact on their livelihoods and making sure they have what they need to grow and thrive.”

For more information on Nebraska’s Child Support Program, visit the DHHS website.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Copyright 2025 KOLN. All rights reserved.

Another week of college basketball action saw significant movement in the Big Ten Conference. Out of nowhere, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are 11-0 to start the season and are quickly ascending the national rankings. They dominated the Wisconsin Badgers on Wednesday night, handing Greg Gard the most lopsided loss of his coaching career.

Along with Nebraska, Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State and UCLA are tied atop the conference standings at 2-0. That top group will likely remain consistent over the next few weeks before the Big Ten schedule intensifies in early January.

As we enter the final stretch of nonconference play, here is an updated snapshot of the full conference power rankings. Michigan remains the leader.

Updated Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Dec. 15)

1. Michigan Wolverines (10-0, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 1 in KenPom) — No change
2. Purdue Boilermakers (10-1, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 6 in KenPom) — No change
3. Michigan State Spartans (9-1, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 12 in KenPom) — No change
4. Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 14 in KenPom) — No change
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-0, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 21 in KenPom) — Up 6
6. Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 20 in KenPom) — No change
7. USC Trojans (10-1, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 38 in KenPom) — No change
8. Indiana Hoosiers (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 26 in KenPom) — Up 2
9. Wisconsin Badgers (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 37 in KenPom) — Down 4
10. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-2, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 39 in KenPom) — Down 1
11. UCLA Bruins (7-3, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 31 in KenPom) — Down 3
12. Washington Huskies (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 48 in KenPom) — No change
13. Northwestern Wildcats (6-4, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 58 in KenPom) — Up 1
14. Oregon Ducks (5-5, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 84 in KenPom) — Up 3
15. Maryland Terrapins (6-5, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 100 in KenPom) — No change
16. Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 108 in KenPom) — No change
17. Penn State Nittany Lions (8-3, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 107 in KenPom) — Down 4
18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-6, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 147 in KenPom) — No change