Nebraska

BOSR offering data snapshots of Nebraskan perspectives

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2024

BOSR offering data snapshots of Nebraskan perspectives

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Bureau of Sociological Research is launching the Nebraska Snapshot series — a topical look at Nebraskan perspectives from gold-standard survey research.

The reports, released every other month, will share data from the most recent Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey, a yearly survey of Nebraskans conducted by the bureau. Historical data may be included, too, when necessary to the topic.

“The Nebraska Snapshot highlights what Nebraskans think, feel and do,” said Amanda Ganshert, assistant director for research and methods. “The snapshot series returns to what NASIS was originally designed for, which was to provide information to Nebraskans.”

The annual survey is used by researchers, state entities and policymakers, but also includes a core questionnaire that delves into demographics, quality of life measures, educational attainment and community satisfaction, among other variables. These core questions will inform most of the Nebraska Snapshot series, Ganshert said.

The first issue, which examines how Nebraskans feel about the direction of their state and country, is available now online. Each Nebraska Snapshot will focus on one topic.

“The snapshot is a quick glance at what Nebraskans are thinking,” Ganshert said. “We hope the general public, and researchers and policymakers, will find it useful. Our first report shows some Nebraskans think their state is going in the wrong direction. That raises the question: What can we do to reach those groups who feel that way?”

In that first Nebraska Snapshot, 43% of Nebraska adults think the state is headed in the right direction, while 26% feel the state is going in the wrong direction, and 31% feel unsure.

When asked about the direction of the United States, only 11% think the country is headed in the right direction, and 70% think the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 19% report being unsure.

Some additional highlights from the survey:

Seniors over 65 are significantly more likely than younger adults to think that Nebraska is headed in the right direction: 48% of adults aged 65 and older feel that way, compared with 43% of 45- to 64-year-olds and 40% of those between 19 and 44.
A majority of Republicans, 61%, think that Nebraska is heading in the right direction, compared to only 16% of Democrats and 41% of independents.
People of color are significantly more positive than white respondents about the direction of the country (30% versus 9%), though large fractions of each group consider the country to be going in the wrong direction (74% of white adults, 48% of people of color).
More than half (57%) of adults who live on a farm think Nebraska is headed in the right direction, compared to 49% of adults who live in open country and 41% of adults who live in a town or city.

All Nebraska Snapshots will be available online. To include research questions on the next NASIS administration, send email to bosr@unl.edu.

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Nebraska

Nebraska baseball falls to 16th-ranked Kansas

Published

6 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska baseball falls to 16th-ranked Kansas

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska baseball team lost to Kansas 9-7 on Tuesday in front of a record crowd at Hoglund Park. The Huskers took an early lead on an RBI single by National Freshman of the Week Drew Grego. After giving up three unanswered runs, Nebraska rallied to go back in front on a 3rd-inning single by Will Jesske. Both Grego and Jesske finished with two hits in the game.

Kansas, however, took control in the middle innings. The Jayhawks got home runs from Tyson Owens and Josh Dykoff in the sixth frame. Both round-trippers came off NU relief pitcher Ty Horn. Kansas added insurance in the 7th inning before a late rally by the Huskers.

Nebraska trimmed a five-run deficit to two, but couldn’t complete the comeback on the road.

The Huskers’ loss is their second to the Jayhawks this season. Nebraska’s record drops to 31-10 overall.

Will Bolt’s team returns to action on Friday at Illinois. Game one is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Champaign.

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Nebraska

Nebraska jumps up to No. 2 in college softball Power 10 rankings

Published

18 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

Softball

April 21, 2026

Nebraska jumps up to No. 2 in college softball Power 10 rankings

April 21, 2026

Check out Michella Chester’s updated college softball Power 10 rankings for the week of April 21, which sees Nebraska rise to No. 2 behind an 11-game win streak.

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Nebraska

Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A deeper look tonight as First Alert 6 continues to dig deeper into the state of mental health care in Nebraska and possible solutions, ever since last week’s two instances involving law enforcement.

A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy was shot responding to a domestic call. Investigators said the suspect, Brian Huggins, had a history of behavioral health issues. Huggins died by suicide.

And then Noemi Guzman, who police say kidnapped a 3-year-old from inside an Omaha Walmart and cut him in the arm and face with a stolen kitchen knife. Omaha police officers shot and killed her before she could strike again.

Guzman had been on a court-ordered mental health treatment plan since last summer for her schizophrenia. According to court records, psychiatrists determined she could live in the community. Remember, this was after she was arrested for setting her father’s house on fire and threatening a priest with a knife.

Monitoring system

We wanted to know who is part of the system monitoring those who may not be following their mental health treatment plan and are a risk to others or themselves. When that happens, the Board of Mental Health will often notify the local sheriff so a warrant can be issued and deputies can track the individual down.

Here are the numbers since 2023:

In 2023, 842 warrants were issued for those not following their treatment plans according to the Board of Mental Health. In 2024, 756. In 2025, 690. So far in 2026, 190.

But out of these 2,500 warrants, 85% of them didn’t have a second warrant, meaning deputies picked them up, got them back into treatment and the individuals continued to thrive after the one hiccup.

But in 15% of these cases, the individuals messed up again and had another warrant issued by the Board of Mental Health. Twenty-five individuals had five or more issued in Douglas County.

Sheriff Hanson said there has to be a better way, a more team approach for this.

One model to explore is the way Nebraska’s problem-solving courts work like drug court and veterans’ treatment court where experts from a variety of stakeholders help individuals who are on the fringes to do everything to make them productive citizens.

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