Nebraska
Nebraska organization working to educate seniors about property tax relief program
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – In a couple weeks, a statewide volunteer group will begin a media blitz to get the word out on how senior citizens in Nebraska can save money on their property taxes.
Officials with Volunteers Assisting Seniors say they’ve planned an awareness campaign, using billboards, radio, and newspapers, alerting senior citizens to the possibility of tax savings if they apply for the state’s homestead exemption program.
The Minne Lusa Neighborhood is an historic part of Omaha, and like other neighborhoods in the metro, property taxes are on the rise.
Barb Peters and her husband have applied for the homestead exemption for a few years now, and it’s saving them money.
“This time, when I paid my taxes, I probably paid $1,700 less than I would have if I paid the full amount,” said Barb. “Even in our Minne Lusa neighborhood, the taxes have started going up because real estate values are going up, so that increases taxes and when you’re retired, it’s hard to budget that. The budget only goes so far.”
But there are many senior homeowners who are unaware of the homestead exemption, or they know about it and don’t apply because they don’t think they’d qualify.
“A couple making $62,000 might still qualify for up to 10 percent of property tax relief,” said Toni Roberts, the Executive Director of Volunteers Assisting Seniors.
Toni says the program works, and they have helped many older homeowners save money.
“Through that program, last year we were able to help over 900 people,” Toni said. “900 people made appointments and 800 people were submitted an application for assistance. We helped primarily senior homeowners in Douglas County save approximately $1.75 million in property tax relief.”
Toni says it only takes a few minutes for seniors to find out if they qualify. Barb thinks the time investment is well worth it.
“There could be people who would get a bigger discount than I did because again, it’s income driven,” said Barb.
Volunteers Assisting Seniors will even help homeowners fill out the paperwork. The organization plans a series of community meetings across the Omaha metro to explain the homestead exemption. Those meetings begin April 15.
For more information, visit their website or call 402-444-6671.
Copyright 2025 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture proposes ban on food and beverages containing any amount of THC
LINCOLN, Neb. — A public hearing Thursday drew strong opposition to proposed rules that would label food adulterated and illegal if it contains any amount of THC and its derivatives, potentially decimating Nebraska’s hemp and CBD industry.
The regulations would affect products like gummies, beverages and oral tinctures. Over 490 people wrote in opposition to the new regulations, while only three supported them.
The rule changes stem from an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Pillen in January requiring state agencies to review laws regarding the use of synthetic THC in food and beverages. The order was made to align with federal law coming in November 2026, which bans synthetic THC products and limits total THC concentrations in hemp products to not exceed 0.4 milligrams per container.
The proposed Nebraska rule goes beyond that federal standard.
“I would say it’d be similar other than it does say no THC. It is zero THC,” said Andrew Bish, chief operating officer of Bish Enterprises. “It’s not we are deferring to the federal government standard and aligning with the federal government standard. It is, in fact, a different standard.”
Fifteen speakers testified during the hearing, with many calling for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the industry rather than enforce outright bans.
“I respectfully urge the department to pursue a balanced science-based approach that protects public safety, targets specific problems, strengths and standards where necessary and holds bad actors accountable without unnecessarily eliminating access to products that may Nebraskans find valuable and beneficial,” said Dr. Andrea Holmes, a professor of chemistry at Doane University.
Many who testified were shop owners who said the regulations would result in major business losses and reduced state revenue.
“In 2025, we pay over $1 million in sales tax. We expect to be over $1.3 million in 2026,” one speaker from The Cannabis Factory said. “We’re not opposed to regulation, or oversight, or even additional taxation.”
The Department of Agriculture will review comments and decide if any changes need to be made. If not, the regulations go to the attorney general and the governor for approval.
The regulations include a carve out for the medical cannabis acts, meaning people with medical cannabis cards could get prescriptions that would not be affected by this proposed regulation change.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.
The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.
In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.
Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska
Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News
OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.
The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.
They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).
Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.
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