Nebraska
Nebraska climate officials are keeping an eye on El Niño, and its potential impact on the Midwest
Parts of Nebraska are devastatingly dry right now, prompting some to look forward to the incoming El Niño weather pattern. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson spoke with the Nebraska State Climate Office’s Eric Hunt about what’s lurking around the corner.
Eric Hunt: Well, I’ve heard lots of things to describe the pending El Niño. Super El Niño I think has been the most common one. The prognosis is certainly that we’re going to be into a stronger El Niño.
Dale Johnson: Most of the El Niño stories that I’ve found tend to focus on hurricanes, and Nebraska doesn’t get too many of those.
Hunt: That would be a first.
Johnson: So let’s talk about tornadoes. Does an El Niño weather pattern lend itself to more tornadoes?
Hunt: It could, I mean, I would just say El Niño’s impacts on our sensible weather tend to be strongest starting in September, October, going through the winter and into at least early portion of the spring of the next year. So I think our biggest impacts from this El Niño are going to be probably the very tail end of summer into the next one, early spring. That being said, it would certainly be possible, given the fact that we would likely have a stormier pattern this fall than we’ve had in recent years, which wouldn’t take much for a lot of the state to be stormier than we’ve been in recent falls. So that may open up the possibility for more chances for severe weather, including tornadoes. That may mean next spring might be the one we really have to watch out for. For example, 2024 we did actually have a couple tornado outbreaks in this portion of the country, the Arbor Day tornado outbreak was probably the most prominent one. That was the first tornado outbreak we’d had here in about 10 years. That was coming off at El Niño, so I would say next spring might be the year that we really would want to watch out for more severe weather, including tornadoes, in this portion of the country.
Johnson: So these patterns last more than a year?
Hunt: El Niño tends to peak in what we call the boreal winter, so the northern hemisphere winter, so it probably would peak sometime between Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Valentine’s Day, and then would start slowly weakening as we head into next summer, and then it would maybe go back to more neutral conditions, or maybe even flip over to a La Nina, but the impacts from El NNiño do tend to stick around for a while, so I would anticipate starting to see some impacts from it. I think we’re already starting to see some impacts from El Niño development. I think they’ll pick up a little bit the summer, then they’ll really be noticeable, at least to a point, in fall, winter, and into next spring.
Johnson: What does an El Niño do to temperatures and precipitation?
Hunt: We tend to get better chances of rain, so we don’t often have major drought development during a summer where we’re going in El Niño. We tend to get some precipitation. We also tend to be about average, maybe some cases a little bit cooler on temperatures. We can get some severe weather. Getting into the fall, I think we do tend to be a bit wetter and sometimes cooler than average in October. We often obtain those really mild winters during a strong El Niño by having a lot of days, the highs of the upper 30s to mid-upper 40s, lows in the maybe the low 20s in this part of the state, maybe further west it’ll be a little bit colder, so it’s not necessarily that just T-shirt weather. It often can actually be kind of damp and to some degree kind of miserable, but we just don’t tend to have as much of the 10 to 15 to 20-below air temperatures and really cold wind chills, but that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t necessarily get more snow than we’ve had in recent years, too. If we have more active weather patterns, we could certainly see some more snowfall, and for the western portion of the state and getting in the front range, I cannot stress how critical it will be that we actually have decent moisture this fall, going this next winter, because if we don’t, next spring, next summer may be even worse in that portion of the state and that portion of the country in general.
Johnson: How does El Niño affect agriculture?
Hunt: Well, in this part of the world, it actually tends to be favorable because we tend to get decent summer moisture during the summers we’re going into an El Niño, and often the year following, depending on how quickly we transition into neutral or La Nina. The next growing season can be decent, too, in terms of getting adequate spring moisture so we actually have good moisture, a decent reserve of moisture for the corn, soybean crop, wheat crops often do fairly well, sorghum would have a pretty good year. But elsewhere in the world though, El Niño can be a major issue, because El Niño does tend to cause more drought in places like Australia, Indonesia, India, parts of Sub-Saharan Africa can also be very dry, so there are some bread baskets that do tend to be kind of dry. One concern I do have is other parts of the world where you tend to have less industrialized agriculture than we have here. With regards to efficiencies, they’re more vulnerable to drought than we are here in the U.S., and I am very concerned about drought being a major issue in, say Kenya, India, parts of China this summer. I do think it’s possible we have to start maybe thinking about the possibility of famine. I don’t say that lightly, but if we do see what’s happened in some years, or we just have a very late onset of the monsoon in India, for example, we could be very, very dry in parts of Australia, so that may really impact some global staple crops like corn and wheat.
Johnson: To circle back to where we began before we end our conversation here. Eric, how do you know the day when you go to work that El Niño has begun?
Hunt: The most official way is NOAA and other global centers that follow sea surface temperature anomalies in the upper winds, the lower part of the atmosphere, say we are already a full blown El Niño. I believe we already have met the criteria for El Niño, but once they say it’s official, then it is truly official.
Johnson: Happy El Niño to you, Eric.
Hunt: Thank you, Dale.
Johnson: Eric Hunt from the State Climate Office, joining me for the conversation on Nebraska Public Media. I’m Dale Johnson.
The organizers behind the effort to eliminate property, inheritance and income taxes are launching their newest petition attempt. The EPIC Option group announced Tuesday that it aims to raise $2 million to get paid circulators to collect signatures, instead of relying on a volunteer-based, grassroots collection effort.
The Tuesday announcement said organizers hope to complete this in time to get the petition in front of voters during the 2028 general election. This is the third attempt by EPIC leaders to circulate petitions. Previous attempts in 2024 and again this year didn’t come close to collecting enough signatures to turn into the Secretary of State’s Office. EPIC organizers didn’t return requests for comment.
The two previous petitions attempted to amend the Nebraska Constitution, which means they require a greater number of signatures – about 10% of Nebraska voters, instead of 7% that’s needed to create a new state law. Organizers would also need to collect valid signatures from 5% of registered voters in at least 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.
EPIC President Steve Jessen has previously said that his group can no longer rely on a volunteer grassroots effort, “because no ballot initiative has successfully gathered enough signatures using only volunteers since 1966.”
This time, EPIC leaders are asking around 8,000 people to donate $250 each to raise the $2 million needed to pay petition circulators. They would pay circulators $10 per signature. Leaders are advertising that donors could then essentially earn back their $250 contributions by collecting 25 signatures. If all 8,000 donors collected 25 signatures, the organizers said, “We will reach 200,000 signatures, enough to put EPIC on the 2028 ballot.”
Rising property taxes have been a growing sore spot for Nebraskans and have provided a platform for politicians to run on. Governor Jim Pillen, who’s seeking another term in office this fall, has made property taxes the crux of his platform, going as far as to call a special session of the Nebraska Legislature in 2024 to demand that state senators do more to fix the “crisis.” Pillen recently opened up a property tax hotline to solicit complaints from Nebraskans.
Pillen has pointed the finger at local county officials for property valuations, and a representative for county officials has said the governor’s criticism is misdirected. Economic research groups in Nebraska have also differed on how to solve Nebraska’s rising property taxes.
The state has taken steps to gradually lower the state’s income tax rates, but as those continue to decrease, the state has struggled to make up funding for state agencies. State senators have had to shore up budget shortfalls in the past several legislative sessions, and now Pillen is further reducing monthly allocations to state agencies.
Advocates for the EPIC system want to replace property, income and inheritance taxes with a consumption tax – a sales tax on services and all new purchases. Several former state senators, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and other statewide groups formed an opposing group called “No New Taxes” to tamp down on the 2024 EPIC team’s campaign. And shortly thereafter, the Tax Foundation published a report finding the EPIC consumption tax would need to be around 21.6% or higher to cover the abolished property, income and inheritance taxes. The foundation’s estimate is quite higher than the 7.5% rate the EPIC team initially estimated, which the Tax Foundation said was based on “flawed calculations.”
A nationwide outbreak of the parasite Cyclospora has reached Nebraska, according to health experts at CHI Health.
While only a handful of cases have been identified in the state, doctors say the true number of infections may be higher because many people recover at home without being tested.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and cause gastrointestinal illness. Health officials are still investigating the source of the current outbreak and have not identified a specific food item responsible.
Previous Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce, including pre-cut salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.
Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan with CHI Health says the parasite can be difficult to remove because it can survive in small, porous areas of some produce.
“Even though you’re washing it, they can remain there,” Vivekanandan said. “Ideally, if you buy produce whole, you can wash it thoroughly yourself.”
Symptoms of Cyclospora typically appear about seven days after exposure but can take up to two weeks, making it difficult for investigators to determine where someone was infected.
Symptoms can include prolonged diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, muscle weakness and stomach discomfort.
Doctors say most people recover without hospitalization, but young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications.
Unlike some stomach illnesses, Cyclospora can be treated with antibiotics. Health experts say the most common treatment is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known as Bactrim.
Doctors recommend contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve and say staying hydrated is especially important.
Health experts say Cyclospora typically does not spread easily from person to person.
“If somebody else in your household has this, you’re not necessarily going to get it,” said Dr. Dave Quinby, an infectious disease physician with CHI Health. “Handwashing is always good, but this tends not to go person to person well at all.”
Until investigators identify the source of the outbreak, doctors recommend buying whole produce when possible, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cooking foods when appropriate.
According to the CDC, more than 843 confirmed cases and approximately 1,500 probable cases have been reported nationwide. Eighty-six people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
The recruiting industry has spoken, and Nebraska quarterback commit Trae Taylor has officially become the consensus No. 1 signal-caller in the 2027 recruiting class.
On Monday, Rivals updated its national rankings, elevating Taylor from a high four-star prospect ranked No. 71 nationally to a five-star recruit ranked No. 17 overall, a jump of 54 spots. The rise comes after an impressive stretch for the Chicago native, who is set to quarterback Millard South (NE) this fall.
Here’s what Taylor’s five-star status means for the Big Red, including what he did to reach this point.
Becoming a Five-Star
Taylor first earned a five-star rating from 247Sports shortly after being named the Elite 11 MVP following an impressive performance at the prestigious quarterback competition in May. Competing against 20 of the nation’s top signal-callers, Nebraska’s verbal pledge proved to be the best of the group.
According to 247Sports, Taylor is the nation’s No. 8 overall prospect and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2027 class. By earning MVP honors, he joined an impressive list of QBs that includes former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, 2025 Heisman finalist Julian Sayin, and several other top quarterbacks who have won the award over the years.
Taylor’s Recruitment
Taylor committed to Nebraska on May 1, 2025, and his stock has only continued to rise since then. At the time, he was regarded as a four-star prospect, but the Huskers believed they had secured a commitment from one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.
To his credit, he became just that. He followed that decision with a junior season in which he totaled more than 4,200 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the country’s most electrifying recruits heading into his senior year.
Despite interest from several of the nation’s top programs, Taylor has remained committed to NU. He reinforced that commitment by moving to the state ahead of his senior season, and his leadership has played a significant role in helping the Huskers assemble one of the top 2027 recruiting classes in the country.
Nebraska’s 2027 Recruiting Class
Nebraska’s 2027 recruiting class currently ranks No. 18 nationally and sixth in the Big Ten according to Rivals. Per 247Sports, however, the Huskers sit at No. 16 nationally, trailing only Ohio State and Oregon within the conference.
NU also holds commitments from four top-100 overall prospects in the cycle, its most since the 2005 recruiting class. Taylor is joined by four-star safety Tory Pittman III, four-star interior offensive lineman Jordan Agbanoma, and four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor in that group.
Currently, the Big Red hold commitments from 22 prospects in the 2027 class. While Taylor is the only five-star recruit, nine of Nebraska’s commits are currently regarded as blue-chip prospects.
Nebraska Commits in 2027 Cycle:
- Trae Taylor- Quarterback (★★★★★)
- Tory Pittman III- Safety ★★★★)
- Jordan Agbanoma- Interior Offensive Line (★★★★)
- Corey Hadley Jr.- Safety (★★★★)
- Timi Aliu- Offensive Tackle (★★★★)
- Bryce Williams- Cornerback (★★★★)
- Nehemiah Ombati- Defensive Line (★★★★)
- Jailen Hill- Cornerback (★★★★)
- Amir Brown- Running Back (★★★★)
- Matt Erickson- Offensive Tackle (★★★)
- Barrett Kitrell- Interior Offensive Line (★★★)
- Jayden Travers- Defensive Line (★★★)
- KD Jones- Interior Offensive Line (★★★)
- Antayvious Ellis- Wide Receiver (★★★)
- Brennan Drummond- Safety (★★★)
- Joey Hunter- Tight End (★★★)
- Eli Harris- Linebacker (★★★)
- Caleb Green- Linebacker (★★★)
- Errol Demontagnac- Defensive Line (★★★)
- Ma’atoe Moe- EDGE (★★★)
- Justyn Lindsay- Wide Receiver (★★★)
What Taylor’s Bump Means for the Huskers
By now, every program in the country knows who Taylor is and what he could eventually become. For Nebraska, the task now shifts from recruiting him to proving it can develop him into an NFL quarterback over the next several years. For now, Taylor remains locked in, but signing day is still months away.
The 2026 season means significantly more that getting to a certain number of wins. For Matt Rhule’s staff, though, the pressure should be viewed as a privilege. They’ll need to prove they can develop the talent they already have while also winning football games. It’s as simple as that.
NU’s current staff already had one opportunity with a five-star QB, but that partnership ended after just two years. Taylor represents an opportunity to flip the script. This time, the Huskers will need to maximize it by keeping him in Lincoln, developing him into an NFL-caliber signal-caller, and seeing him finish what he starts, all while wearing the scarlet and cream.
Plenty of quarterbacks have found success while playing football for the Big Red. Plain and simple, Taylor needs to become the next one. Rhule’s staff seems set on seeing that become true. Now, fans will have the opportunity to watch it unfold.
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
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