Nebraska

Nebraska senators to consider Gov. Pillen’s medical marijuana commission appointees

Published

7 months ago

May 22, 2025

Nebraska senators to consider Gov. Pillen’s medical marijuana commission appointees

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – A day after Nebraska lawmakers rejected a bill to regulate medical marijuana, many are wondering what happens next.

It was State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, a Republican, who sponsored the regulation bill, LB677, which his colleagues rejected on Tuesday.

The fate of medical marijuana is in question, especially since Governor Jim Pillen appointed two people to a commission to regulate it who have repeatedly shared their opposition to even the idea of the drug.

Lorelle Mueting and Monica Oldenburg are Pillen’s appointees. This year, Mueting testified in opposition to Hansen’s regulation bill, saying his bill was not restrictive enough.

Two years ago, she testified in front of senators saying in part: “I’m here on behalf of myself today. And I just want to offer you a perspective from a Nebraska citizen who is not in favor of medical marijuana.”

In 2021, Pillen’s second appointee, Monica Oldenberg, testified before senators about medical marijuana.

“The cost to society is tremendous,” said Oldenberg. “Are we willing to sacrifice our teens? Will we put profits over people? I hope Nebraska can resist this detrimental influence and continue to be the good- sober-life.”

Given these stances, Hansen worries access to medical marijuana for those who need it is in jeopardy.

“My biggest concern is restricting it too much,” said Hansen.

He believes the people may rise up again and vote for something else if the cannabis commission takes restrictions too far.

“If you leave them no choice, I can only assume that they’re going to run a recreational cannabis petition and possibly be successful,” said Hansen.

Opponents yesterday said they believe Hansen’s regulation bill would lead to recreational marijuana.

“If we’re about honoring the people as passed in the ballot box, we should be focused only on completing the task they gave us, confirming the appointees to the medical cannabis commission,” said State Sen. Jared Storm of David City.

Hansen said the commission cannot impose taxes like the legislature can.

“I’m assuming the people of Nebraska are not going to be happy we cannot tax this anymore like we did in my bill,” said Hansen. “That money would’ve gone towards the property tax credit relief fund,” said Hansen.

Hansen’s bill outlined 15 medical conditions along with the legal forms to take the drug. Now, those are the finer points the commission will need to create and do so by early July.

“In my opinion is if the medical cannabis commission restricts this too much, I would not be surprised to see my bill prioritized and up early in January for debate again,” said Hansen.

The hearings for the two appointees are set for Thursday at 2 p.m.

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Nebraska

FAFSA participation increases among Nebraska high school seniors

Published

9 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

FAFSA participation increases among Nebraska high school seniors

New data shows Nebraska high school seniors are completing the FAFSA at higher rates following a new state requirement. Education leaders say the increase could help more students access financial aid and plan for life after graduation.

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Nebraska

Nebraska Court of Appeals upholds conviction of Grand Island man in sexual assault case

Published

21 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

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.

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Nebraska

Nebraska collects $200k in child support from gambling winnings

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Nebraska collects 0k 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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