LINCOLN, Neb — Nebraskans are feeling more optimistic about the direction of their state than the direction of the nation, according to the latest Nebraska Snapshot, though fewer than half of respondents say either is on the right track.

The Nebraska Snapshot, released by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Bureau of Sociological Research, draws on seven Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Surveys conducted between early 2020 and November 2025 to track how public sentiment has shifted over time.

Negative attitudes about the direction of both the country and the state were highest during the pandemic and the years immediately after. The share of Nebraskans surveyed who said the country was headed in the wrong direction rose from 40% in early 2020 to 62% later that year, then peaked at 76% in 2022.

Views of the state’s direction were less negative but still showed increased pessimism. In early 2020, 11% of respondents said Nebraska was going in the wrong direction. That rose to 17% in late 2020 and peaked at 28% in 2024. In early 2020, 63% of those surveyed said the state was headed in the right direction, compared with 40% in 2024.

By 2025, optimism had rebounded. In the 2025 survey of 977 Nebraska adults, 41% said the state was headed in the right direction, 26% disagreed and about one-third were unsure. Views of the country were more negative: 31% said the nation was going in the right direction, 49% said it was going in the wrong direction and 20% were unsure.

The survey results also showed major differences by age and political party.

Among respondents ages 19-44, 61% said the country was headed in the wrong direction in the 2025 survey. That compares with 40% of those ages 45-64 and 48% of those 65 and older. Younger respondents were also less likely to say Nebraska was on the right track, with about one-third saying the state was headed in the right direction, compared with 45% of those ages 45-64 and 47% of those 65 and older.

Partisan differences were sharper. In the 2025 survey, 87% of Democrats and 59% of independents said the country was headed in the wrong direction, compared with 17% of Republicans. When asked about Nebraska, 21% of Democrats and 39% of independents said the state was headed in the right direction, while 57% of Republicans said the same.

Smaller differences appeared between male and female respondents. In 2025, 46% of men said the state was headed in the right direction and 38% said the country was headed in the right direction. Among women, 36% said the state was going in the right direction and 26% said the same about the country.

The Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey is used by researchers, state entities and policymakers and includes a core questionnaire covering demographics, quality of life measures, educational attainment and community satisfaction, among other topics. Those core questions help inform the Nebraska Snapshot series, which has previously examined issues such as internet access, finances and how Nebraskans feel about their health.

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A Nebraska businessman and pillar of the Omaha community passed away over the weekend.

Michael Yanney, founder of Burlington Capital investment company, has died at 92 years old.

Yanney was born in Kearney in 1933. He and his wife, Gail, founded “Partnership for Kids,” a mentoring and scholarship program back in 1986.

He also founded the E.K. & Mary Yanney Heritage Park in Kearney and named it after his parents.

In May 2024, Yanney received the University of Nebraska – Kearney’s highest honor: the Ron and Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award. The above photo shows Yanney accepting the award.

Governor Jim Pillen and Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon are some of the figures remembering Yanney’s impact on the state.

REACTIONS

Pillen called Yanney a “true friend for a long time” on social media.

Bacon shared his thoughts on social media Sunday.

Sen. Pete Ricketts said Yanney was a “business leader and a true titan” of the community.

In his post, Nebraska Rep. Adrian Smith said that Yanney “embodied the very best of the American Dream, rising from humble beginnings to leave an enduring mark on our state.”

Senator Deb Fischer added in her message Monday morning.

Rep. Mike Flood also shared his condolences.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Whether it’s serving as a substitute or a paraprofessional, retired teachers play a vital role in education.

But new legislation aims to fix a problem in Nebraska: retirees who help too much, too soon might be required to repay some of their retirement benefits.

Currently, retired teachers must wait 180 days before volunteering regularly, with an exception of eight days a month during that period.

Sen. Dan Lonowski of Hastings introduced the bill, which changes the waiting period to 120 days with no volunteer exceptions.

The bill has the support of the Nebraska State Education Association, or NSEA.

“We’ve heard stories from retirees that were forced to pay back tens of thousands of dollars because they didn’t even realize they had helped out too much during that 180 days,” NSEA President Tim Royers said. “So this is a nice, clean, hard break. You’ve just got to sit out on the bench for a few months, but by November, you’re able to get back and help and support your community.”

Beyond filling in the classroom, retired teachers serve another very important purpose, Royers said.

They’re coaches to newer teachers, bringing a wealth of knowledge as veteran mentors to a profession that historically experiences high rates of burnout.

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