Nebraska
Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers pitches crime package focused on consumer protection | Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Under a crime-fighting package pitched Thursday by Attorney General Mike Hilgers, Nebraskans scammed out of money or property might have another way to recoup some of their losses by freezing the assets of alleged fraudsters.
Potential victims of sex trafficking or exploitation might have a clearer path to stop websites from profiting from posting their images or videos.
Local hemp growers would be regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture instead of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
And the sale of hemp-based delta-8, which often laces food items with THC, would be expressly outlawed.
“All of these have to do with protecting vulnerable Nebraskans, and, in particular, giving our office more tools to protect those who are exploited by bad actors,” Hilgers said.
Three bills from three senators
Hilgers said the three-bill package would be introduced in the coming days by State Sens. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, Christy Armemndariz of Omaha and Teresa Ibach of Sumner. None of the bills had yet been assigned a number, nor were they made available for independent review on Thursday.
Bosn, a former Lancaster County prosecutor, said her bill would create a process for the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office to ask a judge to freeze the financial assets of someone charged with fraud or deceptive trade practices.
Today, she said, Nebraska courts can’t prevent a person or business from spending ill-gotten gains until after a civil case is concluded.
Bosn and Hilgers said the bill might help Nebraskans fighting disreputable online sellers of iPhones or other products who failed to deliver purchases.
“This lets us get a subpoena, get the information that shows that you have the accounts … and then take that information and say … we’re making a formal request with the court,” Bosn said.
Armendariz proposes extending the state’s powers against trafficking online, nonconsensual sexual content beyond Nebraska’s borders. She said she wants to “take power away from traffickers and strengthen our ability to empower victims.”
Hilgers said some adult and child victims of sex assault and others who were recorded without consent struggle to get out-of-state internet content providers to stop sharing such images and videos.
Armendariz’s bill, which Hilgers said also would strengthen the state’s other protections against human trafficking online, would make it easier to stop the distribution.
Hemp changes
A third bill, being brought by Ibach, would shift responsibility for regulating hemp growers back to the federal government from the state. Ibach said she seeks the change because USDA is better equipped to oversee hemp growing, not because she wants to stop hemp from being grown.
“Those that already produce hemp in the state, this will not inhibit their ability to do that if they’re successful hemp farmers already,” she said.
The other part of Ibach’s bill takes aim at delta-8, one of Hilgers’ top targets since the 2023 legislative session ended. He said the bill would clarify that products containing the hemp-based chemicals are illegal.
Today, he said, there is some confusion about whether selling such products is legal, and many stores sell products that look like junk food which are laced with THC. He said his chief reason for outlawing delta-8 is to keep people safe from potential harm.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged hearing concerns about delta-8 products the FDA hasn’t approved that are being sold in dispensaries and vape shops, and concerns about some potentially harmful synthetics used in processing them.
Some people have reported to the FDA instances of hallucinations, vomiting, anxiety and loss of consciousness after consuming some delta-8 THC products.
Local sellers of the items have defended themselves and their products from Hilgers’ accusations, saying that their products are safe and that what they sell is legal.
Ibach and Hilgers said they are not trying to restrict CBD-containing products that are legal under federal law. But Hilgers said he wants to get delta-8 THC products off store shelves in Nebraska. He said the law already prohibits selling the products but said it requires lawsuits to resolve.
“There are a lot of stores around the state, and … making sure that there is no uncertainty as to what the rules of the road are, I think, will help those retailers,” Hilgers said.
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A Nebraska quarterback commit is making headlines heading into his senior season. Five-star prospect Trae Taylor has been named by Rivals as one of the ‘five high school football transfers that will make a big impact this 2026 season.’
Taylor heads into 2026 after a strong 2025 season at Carmel Catholic (IL). In 11 games, he threw 3,571 yards, 38 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also ran 77 times for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The five-star quarterback is transferring to Millard South (NE) this offseason and will join a team that went 12-1 this past season and won back-to-back Class A State championships. He is taking over as the starting quarterback, replacing Jett Thomalla, who signed with Alabama.
Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes that the transfer quarterback is well-rounded and one of the stronger arms in the 2027 cycle. He also believes that the development he has shown this late in his career should be seen as a positive.
“Brings a combination of high-end arm talent and refinement to the table. Has a whippy release that uncoils quickly to generate fast arm action. Added arm strength in the off-season prior to his senior year. Can drive the football to all areas of the field with palpable zip. Rips throws out to the far hash and up the seam. Throws a tight spiral that cuts through the wind. Has proven to be accurate in multiple settings. Hyper-trained and plays with a good level of consistency as a passer.”
Taylor is also the first Cornhusker commit to ever hold the title of Elite 11 MVP. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of The Opening Finals at Nike’s World Headquarters last month.
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College football programs would rather not play true freshmen. Programs would rather give the kids a year to mature, get reps and get stronger. Learn behind experienced players, learn the system, grow mentally and physically. Make inevitable mistakes on the practice field, not in games.
Nebraska is no exception.
But Huskers true freshman running back Jamal Rule might be an exception.
Rule, one of the stars of Nebraska’s spring game, recently was cited by CBS Sports as one of 11 Big Ten true freshmen to watch who could have an immediate impact in 2026.
There is buzz around the Nebraska program regarding Rule, a 6-foot, 205-pound, three-star recruit from Charlotte, N.C. In the spring game, Rule scored on a 75-yard touchdown sprint and had 119 yards on 10 carries. He also caught a pass for 15 yards.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule certainly has noticed. The early enrollee has them talking around the Huskers’ program and around Lincoln, too.
What Rhule said about Rule
“Jamal had a really good spring,” Rhule told reporters after the spring game. “What he looked like today, he looked like all spring long. He’s very conscientious. He’s big, he’s tough, he’s fast, he’s got home run ability.”
Rule comes along at an opportune time for himself and Nebraska, which lost 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year Emmett Johnson to NFL Draft and the Kansas City Chiefs. Without Johnson, who gained a conference-leading 1,451 yards on the ground last season, the Huskers’ running back room was a serious question mark coming into the season.
Now, Nebraska is dealing with the arrest of presumed starting running back Mekhi Nelson in Key West, Fla. Nelson was arrested last week, charged with aggravated battery, as first reported by Pete Nakos, of On3.
Nelson’s legal ramifications are unknown as well as how this will affect his football status.
What CBS Sports said about Jamal Rule
CBS Sports writer Brad Crawford wrote this about Rule in selecting him as a Big Ten freshman to watch: “Some would say he was overlooked a bit by the elite programs during the recruiting process, but this three-star out of Charlotte, North Carolina, was identified early as a must-have for the Huskers and checked every box for coach Matt Rhule and his staff.
“Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Syracuse were in on Rule as well, but Nebraska won his commitment and may have grabbed an unexpected freshman starter as a result.
“Hoping to prove a point during spring camp, Rule showed aggression and ran hard on every rep. The expectation is that the Huskers will take a by-committee approach in the run game this season following the departure of leading rusher Emmett Johnson, and Rule should get some totes along with Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson.”
Rhule, whose Huskers face a brutal schedule in 2026, said after the spring game that Rule is “certainly preparing to play this year as a freshman.”
What it could mean for the offense
An established running attack certainly could help new quarterback Anthony Colandrea and the offense. If Rule is the real deal, Nebraska’s now uncertain running back room could become a much-needed strength.
A running back who can break a big play would add a dimension to the Huskers’ offense that could allow them to run on obvious passing downs and keep defenses off-balance.
Opponents might be forced to specifically game-plan for that aspect of the Huskers’ offense. That added defensive focus on the running game could mean less attention paid to the passing attack — a potential Nebraska advantage.
A strong passing game begins with a strong ground game. That was a go-to, bread-and-butter Nebraska strategy for years.
Everyone will know soon enough, as the season begins in a mere two months.
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