Nebraska
Dentists testify on Nebraska bill taking aim at fluoride in water
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – For decades, fluoride has been added to drinking water—a process called fluoridation—to help combat tooth decay.
However, State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair has a bill in front of the Nebraska Legislature that would put a limit the amount of fluoride cities put in water to 0.7 milligrams per liter. It would also require cities and towns to pass ordinances during general elections to decide whether or not their water should be fluoridated.
The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on Hansen’s proposal Thursday.
Among those who spoke in favor of it were Austin, Texas-based dentist Dr. Griffin Cole, who said fluoridation should be an informed decision between a patient and practitioner, instead of being mandated.
“Most peer-reviewed research, and even the CDC, now acknowledge that any benefit from fluoride is derived through topical use—toothpaste, mouthwash and dental treatments.”
Hansen cited a recent review from the National Toxicology Program that states that 18 out of 19 studies with low risk of bias linked lower IQ to fluoride exposure.
Another dentist pushed back on that though.
Dr. Jessica meeske/pediatric dentist
“The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine conducted a peer review of the draft report that was mentioned earlier by the National Toxicology Program,” said Dr. Jessica Meeske, a Hastings-based pediatric dentist. “These national academies found that this report failed to make a clear and convincing argument to support its conclusions about the negative effects of fluoride.”
Critics of the bill also said it wouldn’t make much of a difference because they said the levels of fluoridation it would set are already being implemented across the state.
Other opponents said water fluoridation is a benefit for people who don’t have the money to afford topical dental treatments.
This bill must first make it out of committee before being debated on the floor.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Britt Prince scored 20 points and Jessica Petrie added 17 for No. 25 Nebraska in a 78-73 win over Indiana on Thursday night.
Prince, who buried her 700th career point in the fourth quarter, scored 15 of her points in the second half after holding off a late surge from the Hoosiers (11-6, 0-5 Big 10) in the third quarter. Logan Nissley added 11 points.
Indiana went on a 14-1 run in the third to take the lead from Nebraska (14-2, 3-2) for the first time since the beginning of the game, leading briefly at 51-49. Indiana took a 1-point lead with 5:32 to play, but Nebraska scored 16 points over the final 6:14.
Shay Ciezki scored 31 points on 13-of-21 shooting for Indiana, her fourth time this season scoring more than 30 points. Zania Socka-Nguemen added 19 points and 11 rebounds. Maya Makalusky had 12 points. The Hoosiers shot 51% as a team from the field compared to Nebraska’s 42%, but have dropped their fourth straight game.
Up next
Indiana: Hosts No. 14 Iowa on Sunday.
Nebraska: Hosts No. 4 UCLA on Sunday.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
Nebraska
33 Nebraska senators urge Board of Regents to delay vote on $800M acquisition of Nebraska Medicine
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Thirty-two Nebraska state senators joined Sen. Brad von Gillern’s letter calling on the Nebraska Board of Regents to delay a vote on the proposed $800 million acquisition of Nebraska Medicine.
The letter, dated Thursday and bearing a total of 33 signatures from state senators, shared concerns about the proposed acquisition, including the lack of transparency to the public and the Legislature.
According to the letter, the regents’ Jan. 9 meeting agenda item summary indicates that the Board has “negotiated the final agreement over a series of meetings in the past 18 months”.
The regents will consider a proposal in which Clarkson Regional Health Services would give up its 50% membership in Nebraska Medicine. The deal would give full control of the health system to the University of Nebraska.
However, the letter said the public and Legislature have had little time to understand the proposal, its impact and any financial implications of the transaction.
“The University of Nebraska and Nebraska Medicine are two institutions of tremendous significance to our state, and any major changes to the existing structures must be carefully considered,” the letter stated.
Senators are asking the Board to delay the vote to “ensure all viable alternatives have been considered and until all stakeholders understand the impact of the proposal for the state” and the two institutions.
The Board of Regents meeting, previously set for Friday, will now be held Thursday, Jan. 15 at 9 a.m.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
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