LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Today) – Nebraska’s Leading Economic Indicator, designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, rose 0.42% in April.
“The monthly report suggests the Nebraska economy will grow during the fourth quarter of 2024,” said economist Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research, department chair and K.H. Nelson College Professor of Economics. “Overall, while the Nebraska economy struggled in the first quarter of 2024, growth is expected to accelerate mid-year and continue through to the fourth quarter.”
The six components of the indicator are business expectations, building permits for single-family homes, airline passenger counts, initial claims for unemployment insurance, the value of the U.S. dollar and manufacturing hours worked. Three components improved during April.
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“Nebraska manufacturing hours worked grew again in April, as the state and national manufacturing industry continued to strengthen,” Thompson said. “The labor market also strengthened during April.”
Business expectations were positive, as respondents to the April Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase sales and employment over the next six months. Initial claims for unemployment insurance also fell.
Read the full report and a technical report describing the indicators.
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The Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division (DOR), reminds property owners that the Nebraska Homestead Exemption Application, Form 458, and all required forms and documentation must be filed with their county assessor on or before June 30, 2026.
The homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the taxable value of the residence.
The State of Nebraska reimburses counties and other governmental subdivisions for the property taxes lost due to homestead exemptions.
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In Nebraska, a homestead exemption is available to the following categories of property owners:
Persons age 65 or older before January 1, 2026;
Qualified disabled individuals; or
Qualified disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
Some categories are subject to household income and residence valuation limitations. The income limitations are on a sliding scale based on filing status and homestead exemption category.
Homestead exemption forms and information are available at revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD/homestead-exemption. For more information on the homestead exemption program, please contact your county assessor or DOR at 888-475-5101.
ALLIANCE, Neb. (WOWT) – Carhenge, a replica of the world-famous Stonehenge made of old cars, opened in the Nebraska Panhandle in 1987.
According to Visit Nebraska, it was constructed in Alliance by the Jim Reinders family in memory of his father during a family reunion.
Carhenge also includes sculptures made of old cars and car parts.
It is open year-round and free to visit.
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