Nebraska
Nebraska Legislature panel advances measure aimed at reducing property valuations
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — As Nebraska lawmakers consider ways to cut property taxes, another idea has made its way to the floor of the Legislature.
The Revenue Committee on Thursday approved Legislative Resolution 2CA, a constitutional amendment that could change how property valuations work.
Right now, houses are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning you pay taxes on the whole thing.
LR2CA, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, would allow the Legislature to set a lower valuation rate for owner-occupied homes.
SEE ALSO: Where is the property tax relief from Nebraska casinos?
Agricultural land is valued at 75% of its market value.
Some have argued that the discrepancy between ag land and housing isn’t fair.
“It is the homeowners of Nebraska that need and depend upon a reduction in their property taxes to survive as homeowners,” Melanie said on the NOW Local News App. “That is who needs the help here the most.”
SEE ALSO: Nebraska senators advance pared-back property tax relief bill
If the Legislature passes the resolution, Nebraskans would vote on it, which likely wouldn’t happen until 2026.
And even if voters approve the amendment, it’s not a done deal. The amendment gives lawmakers the power to change the rate but doesn’t require them to.
The exact rate would also still need to be worked.
So it would be years before taxpayers would see relief from the plan.
SEE ALSO: Committee advances property tax relief plan in Nebraska Legislature
But supporters said this is an important first step.
Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha said other states have changed their constitutions to address similar problems.
“Whether it’s Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, I could keep going on and on,” he said.
SEE ALSO: A Zyn tax: Nebraska lawmakers consider levy on alternative nicotine products
Nebraska
Nebraska Court of Appeals upholds conviction of Grand Island man in sexual assault case
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The Nebraska Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction and sentencing of a Grand Island man charged with sexually assaulting a minor.
Cory Gilmore was sentenced in June to 36 to 48 years in prison on two counts of first-degree sexual assault. Court records said he was initially charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child, first-degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault of a child, but pleaded no contest to the two sexual assault counts as part of a plea deal.
According to an arrest affidavit, a report of a possible sexual assault came into the child abuse hotline that Gilmore sexually assaulted a minor girl when he was intoxicated.
A Grand Island police officer later interviewed the girl – who is younger than 19 years old – who said she was sexually assaulted by Gilmore from early 2021 to December 2023.
In his appeal, Gilmore claimed the District Court abused its discretion by imposing an excessive sentence. He also claimed his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to take the deposition of the alleged victim and failing to move to withdraw Gilmore’s plea before sentencing.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeals denied Gilmore’s claim of ineffective trial counsel. In his appeal, Gilmore said that at sentencing, he notified his counsel that he wished to withdraw his no-contest plea as he didn’t want to plead guilty or to say he did something he didn’t do.
The Court of Appeals said that at no point did Gilmore inform the District Court that he wished to withdraw his plea and that the District Court asked him if he made his plea “knowingly and voluntarily.”
The Court of Appeals also said in its order that at Gilmore’s sentencing hearing, the District Court looked at Gilmore’s risk to reoffend, his criminal history and the fact that he “showed no remorse for the trauma he has inflicted” in imposing its sentencing. The Court of Appeals said this was appropriate and that his sentencing was not excessive.
Nebraska
Nebraska collects $200k in child support from gambling winnings
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has collected more than $200,000 from gambling winnings to go toward child support arrears just three months after implementing the program.
The Gambling Winnings Setoff for Outstanding Debt Act was approved through the passage of Legislative Bill 1317 and signed by Gov. Jim Pillen in 2024.
“This program ensures funds are being used to help support kids across Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “Parents have an obligation to their children, and we’re guaranteeing their well-being by collecting these winnings.”
The collections began Sept. 2, 2025. The act requires gaming operators to withhold a portion of winnings from individuals who have an unpaid debt with the state and remit the funds to the Department of Revenue.
From there, the collected funds are distributed to various agencies, including DOR, Department of Labor, Department of Motor Vehicles, and DHHS.
Within the first 13 weeks, $529,091.47 was dispersed to these agencies, with DHHS receiving $215,852.98 for the Child Support Enforcement Program.
“By administering these dollars directly to families, the Child Support Enforcement Program is setting our state’s children up for success,” said Shannon Grotrian, director of the Office of Economic Assistance. “It’s making an immediate impact on their livelihoods and making sure they have what they need to grow and thrive.”
For more information on Nebraska’s Child Support Program, visit the DHHS website.
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Nebraska
Big Ten basketball power rankings: Look out for Nebraska
Another week of college basketball action saw significant movement in the Big Ten Conference. Out of nowhere, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are 11-0 to start the season and are quickly ascending the national rankings. They dominated the Wisconsin Badgers on Wednesday night, handing Greg Gard the most lopsided loss of his coaching career.
Along with Nebraska, Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State and UCLA are tied atop the conference standings at 2-0. That top group will likely remain consistent over the next few weeks before the Big Ten schedule intensifies in early January.
As we enter the final stretch of nonconference play, here is an updated snapshot of the full conference power rankings. Michigan remains the leader.
Updated Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Dec. 15)
- Michigan Wolverines (10-0, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 1 in KenPom) — No change
- Purdue Boilermakers (10-1, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 6 in KenPom) — No change
- Michigan State Spartans (9-1, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 12 in KenPom) — No change
- Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 14 in KenPom) — No change
- Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-0, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 21 in KenPom) — Up 6
- Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 20 in KenPom) — No change
- USC Trojans (10-1, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 38 in KenPom) — No change
- Indiana Hoosiers (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 26 in KenPom) — Up 2
- Wisconsin Badgers (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 37 in KenPom) — Down 4
- Ohio State Buckeyes (8-2, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 39 in KenPom) — Down 1
- UCLA Bruins (7-3, 2-0 Big Ten; No. 31 in KenPom) — Down 3
- Washington Huskies (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 48 in KenPom) — No change
- Northwestern Wildcats (6-4, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 58 in KenPom) — Up 1
- Oregon Ducks (5-5, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 84 in KenPom) — Up 3
- Maryland Terrapins (6-5, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 100 in KenPom) — No change
- Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 1-1 Big Ten; No. 108 in KenPom) — No change
- Penn State Nittany Lions (8-3, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 107 in KenPom) — Down 4
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-6, 0-2 Big Ten; No. 147 in KenPom) — No change
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