Nebraska
Diaper drive helps Omaha organizations replenish Nebraska Diaper Bank
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A third of Nebraska families struggle to afford diapers for their children.
That’s according to the Nebraska Diaper Bank, which provides 80,000 diapers to more than 1,200 area children.
Tuesday, a few local organizations — North Omaha Community Partnership, Nebraska For Us, I Be Black Girl, and Black Men United — worked together to help take a little pressure off the Diaper Bank and help families in need.
A stack of diapers and baby wipes is a prize to such families.
“It’s something that you really don’t think about, but it is a huge expense to families,” said Tamika Mease, executive director of North Omaha Community Partnership.
She says the need for diapers in the community is growing.
“We get about, I would say, five to 10 new clients per week that call in for our diaper and wipes program,” Mease said.
The organization also helps families with baby items and formula.
“In addition to offering formula, we offer baby essential items. We offer personal hygiene items for the families, and other kids in the family,” she said.
They also help with other hygience items and baby food — but diapers are the main focus.
Nebraska For Us Executive Director Angie Lauritsen says diapers are an expensive necessity.
“So families are having to make choices when the cost of necessary goods go up,” she said. “They’re making choices: ‘Do we fix the car? Are we late for a rental payment? Are we not going to make our medical payments?”
Mnay people who donate often give the smaller, or newborn diapers; but there is also a need for pull-ups or diapers for little ones moving around.
“You need those bigger diapers for a longer period of time,” Lauritsen said. “The other issues is with shelves in the stores — less diapers are in those large diper sizes. You need more of those; that doesn’t mean that you need them less, or less often. They just come in smaller packages.”
All the diapers and baby supplies are here for free for families in need. Mease says it’s about helping people, not about income brackets.
“There are so many families that are experiencing crisis, you know; that’s not my main focus. I focus on the need,” she said.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A mix-up in the Nebraska governor’s office has likely cost Gov. Jim Pillen his veto power for the state’s biennium budget.
Gov. Pillen signed LB 261 and LB 264 with line-item vetoes on Wednesday. They made it to his desk on May 15. He made multiple modifications to the 2025-2027 biennial budget, which included:
- Reducing the Supreme Court’s budget increase to mirror the rate of increase provided to the University of Nebraska
- Using existing agency funds to cover Fire Marshal salary and health insurance premium increases
- Reducing the additional appropriation provided to public health departments, thereby, bringing funding back to a pre-pandemic level
- Cutting an $18 million cash fund reappropriation for recreational upgrades at Lake McConaughy
Gov. Pillen’s office was supposed to deliver the line item vetoes to the Clerk of the Legislature by midnight Thursday. However, 10/11 learned that the vetoes got there after 9 a.m. this morning.
Per State Statute lV-15, the Governor has five days – excluding Sundays – to get his vetoes to the Clerk’s office after a bill is passed, or it becomes law.
Communications Director for Gov. Pillen’s office, Laura Strimple, said the bills were properly signed into law and given to the Secretary of State on May 21.
“As has been past practice, copies of the actions and the bill were made and delivered and received by the Clerk’s Office on the evening of the 21st,” Strimple said. “The timely transmittal of line-item veto items to the Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office yesterday was not only consistent with past procedural practice for such actions, but also with the express and specific logistical requests of those offices.”
She said that through the process, Gov. Pillen “took the legally required steps to exercise his veto authority by surrendering physical possession and the power to approve or reject the bills.”
The governor’s office will consult with the Attorney General’s Office and other council on next steps.
It’s unclear where the Nebraska Legislature goes from here, but per state constitution, LB 261 and LB 264 without the vetoes are now law.
Read the budget veto letter below.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2025 KOLN. All rights reserved.
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – A day after Nebraska lawmakers rejected a bill to regulate medical marijuana, many are wondering what happens next.
It was State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, a Republican, who sponsored the regulation bill, LB677, which his colleagues rejected on Tuesday.
The fate of medical marijuana is in question, especially since Governor Jim Pillen appointed two people to a commission to regulate it who have repeatedly shared their opposition to even the idea of the drug.
Lorelle Mueting and Monica Oldenburg are Pillen’s appointees. This year, Mueting testified in opposition to Hansen’s regulation bill, saying his bill was not restrictive enough.
Two years ago, she testified in front of senators saying in part: “I’m here on behalf of myself today. And I just want to offer you a perspective from a Nebraska citizen who is not in favor of medical marijuana.”
In 2021, Pillen’s second appointee, Monica Oldenberg, testified before senators about medical marijuana.
“The cost to society is tremendous,” said Oldenberg. “Are we willing to sacrifice our teens? Will we put profits over people? I hope Nebraska can resist this detrimental influence and continue to be the good- sober-life.”
Given these stances, Hansen worries access to medical marijuana for those who need it is in jeopardy.
“My biggest concern is restricting it too much,” said Hansen.
He believes the people may rise up again and vote for something else if the cannabis commission takes restrictions too far.
“If you leave them no choice, I can only assume that they’re going to run a recreational cannabis petition and possibly be successful,” said Hansen.
Opponents yesterday said they believe Hansen’s regulation bill would lead to recreational marijuana.
“If we’re about honoring the people as passed in the ballot box, we should be focused only on completing the task they gave us, confirming the appointees to the medical cannabis commission,” said State Sen. Jared Storm of David City.
Hansen said the commission cannot impose taxes like the legislature can.
“I’m assuming the people of Nebraska are not going to be happy we cannot tax this anymore like we did in my bill,” said Hansen. “That money would’ve gone towards the property tax credit relief fund,” said Hansen.
Hansen’s bill outlined 15 medical conditions along with the legal forms to take the drug. Now, those are the finer points the commission will need to create and do so by early July.
“In my opinion is if the medical cannabis commission restricts this too much, I would not be surprised to see my bill prioritized and up early in January for debate again,” said Hansen.
The hearings for the two appointees are set for Thursday at 2 p.m.
—
Get a first alert to breaking news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for First Alert 6 email alerts.
Copyright 2025 WOWT. All rights reserved.
The Nebraska Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Lottery players in Nebraska can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, Pick 3, Pick 5, MyDaY and 2 by 2.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Tuesday, May 20, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 20 drawing
18-30-33-55-64, Mega Ball: 11
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 20 drawing
4-9-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 20 drawing
03-18-33-36-39
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 20 drawing
Red Balls: 15-20, White Balls: 02-12
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from May 20 drawing
05-06-16-29-34, Lucky Ball: 08
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 20 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 09, Year: 76
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
'Leap together,' Kermit the Frog says in address at University of Maryland graduation
Oregon seal pup stabbed multiple times as NOAA seeking to track down person of interest
Trump administration investigates school district near Chicago amid reports of 'antiracist training'
Democrat faults his own party for picking wrong battle with case of deported MS-13 suspect
Burned remains of missing Alabama woman discovered after suspect allegedly hit her with car
-
Education1 week agoHarvard Letter Points to ‘Common Ground’ With Trump Administration
-
Culture1 week agoBook Review: ‘Original Sin,’ by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
-
News1 week agoAs Harvard Battles Trump, Its President Will Take a 25% Pay Cut
-
News1 week agoAustin Welcomed Elon Musk. Now It’s Weird (in a New Way).
-
Culture1 week agoBook Review: ‘Death Is Our Business,’ by John Lechner; ‘Putin’s Sledgehammer,’ by Candace Rondeaux
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Opinion | We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the U.S.
-
News1 week agoMenendez Brothers Resentenced to Life With Parole, Paving Way for Freedom
-
Politics1 week agoRepublicans say they're 'out of the loop' on Trump's $400M Qatari plane deal