The organizers behind the effort to eliminate property, inheritance and income taxes are launching their newest petition attempt. The EPIC Option group announced Tuesday that it aims to raise $2 million to get paid circulators to collect signatures, instead of relying on a volunteer-based, grassroots collection effort.

The Tuesday announcement said organizers hope to complete this in time to get the petition in front of voters during the 2028 general election. This is the third attempt by EPIC leaders to circulate petitions. Previous attempts in 2024 and again this year didn’t come close to collecting enough signatures to turn into the Secretary of State’s Office. EPIC organizers didn’t return requests for comment.

The two previous petitions attempted to amend the Nebraska Constitution, which means they require a greater number of signatures – about 10% of Nebraska voters, instead of 7% that’s needed to create a new state law. Organizers would also need to collect valid signatures from 5% of registered voters in at least 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.

EPIC President Steve Jessen has previously said that his group can no longer rely on a volunteer grassroots effort, “because no ballot initiative has successfully gathered enough signatures using only volunteers since 1966.”

This time, EPIC leaders are asking around 8,000 people to donate $250 each to raise the $2 million needed to pay petition circulators. They would pay circulators $10 per signature. Leaders are advertising that donors could then essentially earn back their $250 contributions by collecting 25 signatures. If all 8,000 donors collected 25 signatures, the organizers said, “We will reach 200,000 signatures, enough to put EPIC on the 2028 ballot.”

Rising property taxes have been a growing sore spot for Nebraskans and have provided a platform for politicians to run on. Governor Jim Pillen, who’s seeking another term in office this fall, has made property taxes the crux of his platform, going as far as to call a special session of the Nebraska Legislature in 2024 to demand that state senators do more to fix the “crisis.” Pillen recently opened up a property tax hotline to solicit complaints from Nebraskans.

Pillen has pointed the finger at local county officials for property valuations, and a representative for county officials has said the governor’s criticism is misdirected. Economic research groups in Nebraska have also differed on how to solve Nebraska’s rising property taxes.

The state has taken steps to gradually lower the state’s income tax rates, but as those continue to decrease, the state has struggled to make up funding for state agencies. State senators have had to shore up budget shortfalls in the past several legislative sessions, and now Pillen is further reducing monthly allocations to state agencies.

Advocates for the EPIC system want to replace property, income and inheritance taxes with a consumption tax – a sales tax on services and all new purchases. Several former state senators, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and other statewide groups formed an opposing group called “No New Taxes” to tamp down on the 2024 EPIC team’s campaign. And shortly thereafter, the Tax Foundation published a report finding the EPIC consumption tax would need to be around 21.6% or higher to cover the abolished property, income and inheritance taxes. The foundation’s estimate is quite higher than the 7.5% rate the EPIC team initially estimated, which the Tax Foundation said was based on “flawed calculations.”

A nationwide outbreak of the parasite Cyclospora has reached Nebraska, according to health experts at CHI Health.

While only a handful of cases have been identified in the state, doctors say the true number of infections may be higher because many people recover at home without being tested.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and cause gastrointestinal illness. Health officials are still investigating the source of the current outbreak and have not identified a specific food item responsible.

Previous Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce, including pre-cut salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.

Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan with CHI Health says the parasite can be difficult to remove because it can survive in small, porous areas of some produce.

“Even though you’re washing it, they can remain there,” Vivekanandan said. “Ideally, if you buy produce whole, you can wash it thoroughly yourself.”

Symptoms of Cyclospora typically appear about seven days after exposure but can take up to two weeks, making it difficult for investigators to determine where someone was infected.

Symptoms can include prolonged diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, muscle weakness and stomach discomfort.

Doctors say most people recover without hospitalization, but young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications.

Unlike some stomach illnesses, Cyclospora can be treated with antibiotics. Health experts say the most common treatment is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known as Bactrim.

Doctors recommend contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve and say staying hydrated is especially important.

Health experts say Cyclospora typically does not spread easily from person to person.

“If somebody else in your household has this, you’re not necessarily going to get it,” said Dr. Dave Quinby, an infectious disease physician with CHI Health. “Handwashing is always good, but this tends not to go person to person well at all.”

Until investigators identify the source of the outbreak, doctors recommend buying whole produce when possible, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cooking foods when appropriate.

According to the CDC, more than 843 confirmed cases and approximately 1,500 probable cases have been reported nationwide. Eighty-six people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

The recruiting industry has spoken, and Nebraska quarterback commit Trae Taylor has officially become the consensus No. 1 signal-caller in the 2027 recruiting class.

On Monday, Rivals updated its national rankings, elevating Taylor from a high four-star prospect ranked No. 71 nationally to a five-star recruit ranked No. 17 overall, a jump of 54 spots. The rise comes after an impressive stretch for the Chicago native, who is set to quarterback Millard South (NE) this fall.

Here’s what Taylor’s five-star status means for the Big Red, including what he did to reach this point.

Becoming a Five-Star

Taylor first earned a five-star rating from 247Sports shortly after being named the Elite 11 MVP following an impressive performance at the prestigious quarterback competition in May. Competing against 20 of the nation’s top signal-callers, Nebraska’s verbal pledge proved to be the best of the group.

According to 247Sports, Taylor is the nation’s No. 8 overall prospect and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2027 class. By earning MVP honors, he joined an impressive list of QBs that includes former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, 2025 Heisman finalist Julian Sayin, and several other top quarterbacks who have won the award over the years.

Taylor’s Recruitment

Taylor committed to Nebraska on May 1, 2025, and his stock has only continued to rise since then. At the time, he was regarded as a four-star prospect, but the Huskers believed they had secured a commitment from one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.

To his credit, he became just that. He followed that decision with a junior season in which he totaled more than 4,200 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the country’s most electrifying recruits heading into his senior year.

Despite interest from several of the nation’s top programs, Taylor has remained committed to NU. He reinforced that commitment by moving to the state ahead of his senior season, and his leadership has played a significant role in helping the Huskers assemble one of the top 2027 recruiting classes in the country.

Nebraska’s 2027 Recruiting Class

Nebraska’s 2027 recruiting class currently ranks No. 18 nationally and sixth in the Big Ten according to Rivals. Per 247Sports, however, the Huskers sit at No. 16 nationally, trailing only Ohio State and Oregon within the conference.

NU also holds commitments from four top-100 overall prospects in the cycle, its most since the 2005 recruiting class. Taylor is joined by four-star safety Tory Pittman III, four-star interior offensive lineman Jordan Agbanoma, and four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor in that group.

Currently, the Big Red hold commitments from 22 prospects in the 2027 class. While Taylor is the only five-star recruit, nine of Nebraska’s commits are currently regarded as blue-chip prospects.

Nebraska Commits in 2027 Cycle:

1. Trae Taylor- Quarterback (★★★★★) 
2. Tory Pittman III- Safety ★★★★)
3. Jordan Agbanoma- Interior Offensive Line (★★★★)
4. Corey Hadley Jr.- Safety (★★★★)
5. Timi Aliu- Offensive Tackle (★★★★)
6. Bryce Williams- Cornerback (★★★★)
7. Nehemiah Ombati- Defensive Line (★★★★)
8. Jailen Hill- Cornerback (★★★★)
9. Amir Brown- Running Back (★★★★)
10. Matt Erickson- Offensive Tackle (★★★)
11. Barrett Kitrell- Interior Offensive Line (★★★)
12. Jayden Travers- Defensive Line (★★★)
13. KD Jones- Interior Offensive Line (★★★)
14. Antayvious Ellis- Wide Receiver (★★★)
15. Brennan Drummond- Safety (★★★)
16. Joey Hunter- Tight End (★★★)
17. Eli Harris- Linebacker (★★★)
18. Caleb Green- Linebacker (★★★)
19. Errol Demontagnac- Defensive Line (★★★)
20. Ma’atoe Moe- EDGE (★★★)
21. Justyn Lindsay- Wide Receiver (★★★)

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What Taylor’s Bump Means for the Huskers

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By now, every program in the country knows who Taylor is and what he could eventually become. For Nebraska, the task now shifts from recruiting him to proving it can develop him into an NFL quarterback over the next several years. For now, Taylor remains locked in, but signing day is still months away.

The 2026 season means significantly more that getting to a certain number of wins. For Matt Rhule’s staff, though, the pressure should be viewed as a privilege. They’ll need to prove they can develop the talent they already have while also winning football games. It’s as simple as that.

NU’s current staff already had one opportunity with a five-star QB, but that partnership ended after just two years. Taylor represents an opportunity to flip the script. This time, the Huskers will need to maximize it by keeping him in Lincoln, developing him into an NFL-caliber signal-caller, and seeing him finish what he starts, all while wearing the scarlet and cream.

Plenty of quarterbacks have found success while playing football for the Big Red. Plain and simple, Taylor needs to become the next one. Rhule’s staff seems set on seeing that become true. Now, fans will have the opportunity to watch it unfold.

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