Nebraska
Nebraska lawmakers hear testimony on several prescription drug bills
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), were created decades ago to process claims for insurance companies and save money for consumers.
At a hearing Tuesday, some told the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee that things have changed though.
“Now, PBMs collect rebates from drug manufacturers on top of premiums,” Nebraska Pharmacists Association CEO Marcia Mueting said. “They conduct predatory audits that have become a profit center, they reimburse pharmacies at below-cost rates and offer contracts to pharmacies that are not negotiable, and PBMs are posting record earnings.”
State Sen. Justin Wayne has one bill that would keep PBMs from reimbursing pharmacies at a lower rate for drugs than it costs to dispense them.
Those testifying in favor of it said smaller, independent pharmacies cannot stay afloat with those conditions.
“Even with processing over 12,000-13,000 prescriptions a year, the current losses are unsustainable,” said Tom Choquette, who owns Bert’s Pharmacy in Hastings. “One of the three Nebraska Medicaid Providers, we’ve processed 2,285 claims this year, totaling a loss of $3,084.”
Opponents of the legislation said there are too many other factors at play to just zero in on PBMs.
“Let’s look at what the role the wholesaler and PSAO is in all these transactions because I want to understand more what limits there may be on pharmacies in terms of shopping around,” Pharmaceutical Care Management Association Vice President Bill Head said.
Sen. Eliot Bostar’s proposal would not allow PBMs to restrict how retail pharmacies dispense or deliver prescription drugs to patients.
The Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network in Nebraska welcomed the bill.
“Our sustainability has been compromised by PBM practices that steer our patients away from our care and into big box stores and mail-order services that are often, more often, owned by those same out-of-state PBM companies,” Staci Hubert said.
However, a lobbyist representing Prime Therapeutics said mail-order pharmacies have credentialing requirements for quality and safety measures.
“Community pharmacies should also be following those same requirements if they’re going to be doing mail order, and this bill prevents us from having specific networks that we would require them to join to do mail-order pharmacies,” Michelle Crimmins said.
Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue has a bill that would establish an advisory council consisting of those representing pharmacists, consumers and drug manufacturers. It would negotiate lower prices on medications that are utilized the most in the state and are also considered to be the most expensive.
“I don’t fault any company if they make profits,” Blood said. “But in the United States, we’re making these profits on the backs of consumers.”
Critics said the upper payment limit in Blood’s bill is a price control that would impact purchase and reimbursement prices for medicine.
“It is really not clear how an upper payment limit would operate,” said Katelin Lucariello, a lobbyist for the trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. “It’s still an open question, as no state has done it yet.”
All bills must make it out of committee before being debated on the floor.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 8.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
8-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 8 drawing
01-03-12-24-26
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 8 drawing
Red Balls: 02-20, White Balls: 09-11
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 8 drawing
Month: 01, Day: 16, Year: 17
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life 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.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
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.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska Athletics announced Friday that the expansion of John Cook Arena is in full swing.
The Nebraska Athletics Capital Planning and Facilities Department posted to social media that the effort to modernize amenities and provide new seating options is well underway.
According to the athletic fund, the renovation will enhance Nebraska’s home-court advantage, modernize amenities and provide new premium and general seating options. This includes adding:
- New and improved seats with cup holders in each seat.
- A new centralized student section.
- New and improved courtside seating with both end court and side court locations available. The Courtside Lounge offers access pregame and during intermission and includes private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food, beverage and alcohol.
- New Loge Box seating with hospitality lounge with access pregame and during intermission, including access to private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and beverage with a cash bar.
- Libero Club seating replaces the VIP seats. Located in the back row of the 100 level, seats include access to the Libero Club Lounge pregame and during intermission complete with televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and soft drinks with a cash bar.
- Additional ADA seating with new vantage points and easier access from around the concourse.
The Husker Athletic Fund announced the first-ever reseating and parking process in October 2025. It is timed to coincide with the renovation of the arena to increase overall capacity to 10,000.
For more information about the reseating process, click here.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will face the Indiana Hoosiers in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday evening. The Huskers defeated the Michigan Wolverines, while Indiana defeated Washington to advance to the semis.
Nebraska enters with a 44-6 record and is on a 19-game win streak, the longest active streak in the country. The Huskers have reached the semifinals of each of the last five Big Ten Tournaments. Indiana is 42-13 on the season.
The Huskers won the Big Ten regular-season title, the first conference title since 2014 and the first outright title since joining the Big Ten. The 23 regular-season wins tied for the most in conference history.
The Huskers are led by 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Jordy Frahm. Frahm is hitting .429 with 19 HR and 49 RBI. She is also 16-4 with a 1.26 ERA in the pitcher’s circle.
Indiana is led in the batter’s box by Aly VanBrandt, who is hitting .405 on the season with 15 home runs and 61 RBI. Aubree Hooks is the leading pitcher with an 11-2 record and a 2.35 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched.
This will be the first meeting of the season between these two teams, as they did not face each other during the Big Ten schedule.
Watch Nebraska vs Indiana in the Big Ten Softball Tournament live on Fubo (free trial)
Here’s how to watch the Nebraska-Indiana softball match on Friday, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information:
What channel is the Nebraska-Indiana softball match on Friday?
TV Channel: Big Ten Network
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Nebraska vs. Indiana in the semifinals of the Big Ten Softball Tournament will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Time of the Nebraska-Indiana softball match on Friday
- Date: Friday, March 8
- Start time: 4 p.m. CT
The Nebraska vs Indiana semifinal match in the Big Ten Softball Tournament starts at 4 p.m. at the Maryland Softball Stadium in College Park, MD.
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