Nebraska
Bill for Nebraska epinephrine injector cost cap, severe allergy response plans advances
LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) – Lawmakers took a step Wednesday to cap the out-of-pocket cost for epinephrine injectors and ensure Nebraska schools and licensed child care programs have policies to respond to allergic reactions.
Legislative Bill 457, from State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, advanced 31-0 to the second stage of debate. It would limit out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary epinephrine injectors, including EpiPens, to no more than $60 for a two-pack, regardless of the type.
Bostar said some generic injectors can cost between $320 and $750, while name brand injectors can cost between $650 to $730. If passed, the cap would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
“The absence of a cure for life-threatening food allergies underscores the critical importance of epinephrine auto injectors for preventing fatal anaphylaxis, which is a life threatening allergic reaction that, without prompt administration of epinephrine, the consequences can be dire,” Bostar said at his bill’s Feb. 10 hearing.
Dr. Hanna Niebur, a board-certified physician specialized in pediatrics and allergy immunology, spoke in favor of the bill at its hearing. She represented the Nebraska Medical Association and the Nebraska Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Niebur said LB 457 would save lives and that she’s seen firsthand the “terrifying speed at which anaphylaxis can take hold.”
“Starts with itching or swelling but within minutes, a child may struggle to breathe as their airway swells shut,” Niebur testified. “Without immediate access to epinephrine, anaphylaxis can be fatal.”
Bostar noted at the hearing that an eighth-grader in a Papillion school died three years ago at the age of 14 after a severe allergic reaction from eating a granola bar with peanuts that his teacher had given him. Papillion-La Vista Public Schools paid a $1 million settlement in connection to the teen’s death.
Roughly 200,000 Nebraskans have food allergies, and more than 36,000 are children, Bostar said.
LB 457 would require the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Department of Education to create model policies for preventing and responding to anaphylaxis.
The policies would need to include:
- Procedure and treatment plans, including emergency protocols and responsibilities for child care staff, school nurses and other school staff.
- Appropriate guidelines for developing and implementing an individualized health care plan for children with an allergy that could result in anaphylaxis.
- Communication plans for the intake and dissemination of information provided by the state regarding children with an allergy that could result in anaphylaxis, including methods, treatments and therapies to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
- Strategies for reducing the risk of exposure to allergens.
- Communication plans for discussing with children and all parents or guardians of children attending the school district or a licensed child care program about foods that are safe and unsafe and strategies to avoid exposure to unsafe food.
Licensed child care providers or schools without an anaphylaxis prevention and response policy would need to adopt one by July 1, 2026. Officials could adopt the model policy put forward by the state.
Niebur, speaking at the hearing, said financial barriers should never determine whether a child lives or dies.
While the Department of Education already requires schools and approved early childhood education programs to have an emergency response plan for life-threatening asthma or anaphylaxis, there is no universal standard, Niebur said, so the bill would provide “consistent, medically sound guidance.”
About 11% of schools report at least one episode of anaphylaxis each year, she added.
Robert Bell, executive director for the Nebraska Insurance Federation, said many health plans already cap out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens.
His organization was “neutral” on the bill, “because the Federation understands the lifesaving nature of EpiPens in emergencies but generally opposes health care insurance mandates.”
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Nebraska
Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection
LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.
On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.
During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.
After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.
Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.
According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.
“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”
Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.
“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.
“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.
Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.
“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.
Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.
“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”
Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.
“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”
Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.
“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.
Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.
“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.
“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.
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Nebraska
Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.
Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.
ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year
“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”
Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.
The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.
His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.
“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”
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