Nebraska
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:
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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.
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A majority of Republicans, 61%, think that Nebraska is heading in the right direction, compared to only 16% of Democrats and 41% of independents.
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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).
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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.
Nebraska
Pillen: Nebraska senator tears down historical exhibits by PragerU from Capitol walls
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Parts of a temporary historical exhibit inside the Nebraska State Capitol were torn down by a state senator, Gov. Pillen alleges.
Gov. Pillen said Wednesday on social media that several displays of historical figures, key events in the American Revolution and portraits of those who signed the Declaration of Independence were “ripped off the walls” by state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha.
A 40-second video shared by Pillen appears to show Sen. Cavanaugh taking down several displays and a photo showed the items on the floor of her office.
The displays featuring material made by the controversial conservative group PragerU were put up in the state Capitol as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
“Celebrating America during our 250th year should be a moment of unity and patriotism, not divisiveness and destructive partisanship. I am disappointed in this shameful and selfish bad example,” Pillen wrote.
Cavanaugh told 10/11 that senators are prohibited from putting items on the walls in the hallway outside their offices. She said the posters line the entire hallway around the first floor, but she only took down the ones outside her office.
“When I walked in this morning and saw these poster boards lining the hallway of my office, I thought well I’m not allowed to have things lining the hall of my office… I tried to take them down as gently as I could and not damage any of them, and I stacked them inside of my office and I let the state patrol know that they were there,” Cavanaugh said.
PragerU has previously faced criticism for making content that historians, researchers and scholars have considered inaccurate or misleading. Some parents and educators have also spoken out against the nonprofit, saying its content spreads misinformation and is being used for “indoctrinating children.”
The Founders Museum exhibit in particular has been criticized by The American Historical Association for blurring the line between reality and fiction, according to NPR.
The exhibit is supposed to remain on display during public building hours through the summer.
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Nebraska
Oregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska
Nebraska has picked up a third linebacker commitment from Oregon State transfer Dexter Foster, a sophomore with three seasons of eligibility remaining, including a redshirt year.
The 6-foot-3, 236lb linebacker started in seven games this fall for the Beavers, totaling 52 tackles with 3.0 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. As a true freshman in 2024, he appeared in 12 games, totaling 43 tackles with two tackles for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries.
Foster held just two offers coming out of high school prior to committing to Oregon State, but was at one point a target for new Nebraska defensive coordinator Rob Aurich, when Aurich was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Idaho in 2022-2023.
The sophomore joins a linebacker room that has seen a bit of a facelift through transfer portal additions. San Diego State linebacker Owen Chambliss led the Aztecs in tackles this season and has now signed with the Huskers, following Rob Aurich to Lincoln. Iowa State freshman linebacker Will Hawthorne committed to the Huskers on Tuesday. Nebraska fell just short of Iowa State when Hawthorne was coming out of Gilbert (Ia.) in the 2025 cycle.
Foster is the seventh transfer portal addition for the Huskers this cycle and the fourth defensive addition. The Huskers are expected to be done with linebacker portal recruiting at this point and will turn attention to needs up front, both at defensive tackle and edge rusher.
Quick look at what Nebraska is getting in Foster
Standing 6-foot-3, and north of 235lbs, Foster is rangy and athletic in space. Has the versatility to play true strong-side or weak-side linebacker and could even spin down to edge rusher if needed. Possesses the athletic and physical range to track down ball-carriers in space, arm length to keep would-be-blockers at bay. Shows good eye discipline working through traffic, quick to react and trigger downhill, with the fluidity to change directions quickly. Still more read-and-react than anticipatory at this point in his development, but gets to his spots quickly. Has the athleticism to stick in coverage against running backs, tight ends and even slot receivers.
Has the experience, size and play-style to factor into Nebraska’s linebacker rotation immediately, and could even push to start alongside San Diego State linebacker transfer Owen Chambliss. Has the versatility to be a chess piece of sorts for Aurich and stick on the field regardless of personnel.
Nebraska
Nebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek
QUEEN CREEK, AZ — A slice of the Midwest is coming to the East Valley! Godfather’s Pizza from Omaha, Nebraska, is set to open a new location this month in Queen Creek.
Bruce Cannon, who owns and operates two Godfather’s Pizza locations in Lincoln and Norfolk, Nebraska, will also own and operate the new Queen Creek restaurant.
“This marks the brand’s first traditional Godfather’s Pizza restaurant in Arizona since 2009, signaling an exciting return to the Phoenix metro area,” read the news release sent to ABC15.
The restaurant will open near Queen Creek Rd and Signal Butte Rd.
The restaurant will provide dine-in, carryout, and third-party delivery options, featuring its classic pizza lineup alongside favorites like breadsticks, streusels, and specialty pies.
IF YOU GO
- Opening date: January 19, 2026.
- Address: 22485 Queen Creek Road, Suite 101
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