Nebraska
Inspector general puts together an annual report of Nebraska’s correctional system
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OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – For years, the state prisons have been overcrowded and employees underpaid creating severe issues of safety.
“There are issues taking place now that weren’t taking place a 12 months in the past as a result of they didn’t have the employees,” stated Doug Koebernick.
Since 2016, Doug Koebernick as inspector normal has been placing collectively an annual report analyzing the state of Nebraska corrections.
An in-depth evaluation of what’s taking place, good and unhealthy, behind the razorwire for lawmakers to look at as they create coverage and budgetary choices.
Are we nonetheless overcrowded?
“Sure, we’re about the place we had been a 12 months in the past at 150% of our design capability. 140% was what brought on the overcrowding emergency. Later this 12 months, there will probably be 384 new high-security beds added to the system in Lincoln and that can get that design capability to 137%. That’s a optimistic and it’ll create some respiratory room,” stated Koebernick.
The employees has additionally been leaving in droves creating safety issues contained in the concrete partitions. Have worker incentives and pay will increase made a distinction?
“The staffing disaster has actually diminished from the place it was a 12 months in the past which is a optimistic. That’s totally on the safety aspect of the amenities. However then again, we seen vacancies in behavioral well being and medical. So we all know there’s work to be achieved,” stated Koebernick.
Koebernick says the priority now could be retaining the corrections officers and determining learn how to rent and preserve behavioral well being and medical staff.
For instance, there are 12 of 18 scientific psychologist vacancies. If inmates don’t get psychological well being assist whereas inside, in addition to lessons for home violence, anger administration amongst different issues, how will they adapt as soon as they get out?
A legislative examine is underway to look at the place programming stands.
Learn the complete 2022 OIG Annual Report
Copyright 2022 WOWT. All rights reserved.
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Nebraska
Sidney graduate Karsyn Leeling earns Gatorade Nebraska Girls Track and Field Player of the Year
![Sidney graduate Karsyn Leeling earns Gatorade Nebraska Girls Track and Field Player of the Year](https://gray-knop-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7OMBGHLRLBHDVMPYXCM7MMAEVY.bmp?auth=e131ecf6c53b9ad53c35e1c9da03c2cf732d221f8a23a9329331c217b29a1bb6&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
SIDNEY, Neb. (KNOP) – Karsyn Leeling was named 2023-2024 Gatorade Nebraska Girls Track and Field Player of the Year. The Sidney High School athlete had a senior season to remember in track and field. In May she wrapped up her high school career with three Class B state championships claiming titles in the long jump, triple jump and the high jump. She would also break a state record in the high jump back in April.
Leeling went on to win a national title in the high jump at Nike Outdoor Nationals clearing six feet even to earn All-American honors.
She maintained a 3.66 PGA in the classroom and will continue her track and field career at the University of Nebraska this coming fall.
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Copyright 2024 KNOP. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Pillen officially announces intent to call special session for Nebraska tax reform
![Pillen officially announces intent to call special session for Nebraska tax reform](https://gray-wowt-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBXS3S7P6BC2DNXCKBS63ZM5IE.jpeg?auth=00307d3ab2209da92735a473983f3f823ecda558fc486288eae5478d6dd874cd&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen took the next step in securing a special session in the state’s legislature this summer.
Gov. Pillen on Tuesday sent a letter to Speaker John Arch, officially announcing his plans to call senators back to Lincoln on July 25. The purpose of the session is to make more headway on addressing property taxes in Nebraska.
“In my sine die address in April, I stated that I would call a special session this summer to facilitate another opportunity for us to meet Nebraskans’ demand that their elected leaders fix this crisis now,” read the Governor’s letter, in part. “I have traveled extensively across the state since the Legislature adjourned and have heard from a wide range of people. Their message is clear: stop this massive overall tax increase by fixing property taxes.”
Gov. Pillen has been hosting town halls across the state over the past two months since the legislative session ended, working to educate Nebraskans on what he calls a “tax crisis.”
He still has several of those meetings planned:
Wednesday, June 26
1:30 p.m. (CT) Columbus: Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 753 33rd Ave, Columbus
Thursday, June 27
10:00 a.m. (CT) Valentine: Mid Plains Community College, 715 E Hwy 20, Valentine
1:00 p.m. (MT) Chadron: Chadron State College, Student Center – Lakota Room, 1000 Main Street, Chadron
4:30 p.m. (MT) Alliance: Westside Events Center, 2472 County Road 62, Alliance
Friday, June 28
8:30 a.m. (MT) Ogallala: Petrified Wood Gallery, 418 East 1st Street, Ogallala
1:00 p.m. (CT) McCook: Coppermill Steakhouse, 202 Coppermill St., McCook
4:00 p.m. (CT) Lexington: Central Community College – The Opportunity Center, 1501 Plum Creek Pkwy, Lexington
Along with slashing property taxes, Gov. Pillen also wants to ensure that the legislature knows he will call a special session regarding other “unfinished business” leftover from the 2024 legislative session, which could include Nebraska’s move to a “winner-take-all” state during elections.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Nebraska Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 2.5% in May
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Nebraska’s unemployment rate in May was unchanged at a seasonally adjusted rate of 2.5%. That rate is unchanged from September 2023 and up 0.4% from May 2023.
Nebraska’s rate is the fourth lowest in the nation. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2024 is 4.0 percent, up 0.1 percentage points from the April 2024 rate of 3.9 percent and up 0.3 percentage points from the May 2023 rate of 3.7 percent.
“Nebraska’s total nonfarm employment has been on an upward trajectory since February and reached an all-time high in May at 1,077,200,” said Commissioner of Labor John H. Albin. “Omaha’s leisure and hospitality industry saw a large gain over the month, with all the metro areas reaching record highs in total nonfarm employment.”
Further details are available here
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