LINCOLN — More than 80% of respondents in a new statewide survey agree, and about half strongly agree, that Nebraska lawmakers should support child care and early learning programs as they do for K-12 grades and higher education.
About the same proportions believe state legislators should make child care and early learning a higher priority than it is today.
And the bulk of parents, nonparents, rural and urban folks alike favored using a portion of a state budget surplus to help pay for better services.
Those were among results of the survey released Wednesday and conducted for We Care for Kids/Por todos los niños and the Nebraska Extension early childhood development arm.
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“This survey is a message from Nebraskans for lawmakers to act, and act big, on access to quality, affordable child care and early learning,” said Kathleen Lodl, associate dean at Nebraska Extension. Dimensions Education Programs in Lincoln provides a hands-on, experiential approach to learning that is based on the needs and curiosity of young children. We Care for Kids is a campaign in the state that is raising awareness of the importance of quality early childhood education in Nebraska. (Courtesy of We Care for Kids)
New Bridge Strategy in January interviewed 501 registered voters representing various backgrounds, political affiliations and parts of the state. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.38% for the overall sample.
Results of the partnership’s third annual survey are to be distributed to legislators, policymakers and others in an effort to rally for increased attention to affordable and quality child care services, says Claire Wiebe of We Care for Kids.
The partnership of more than 120 state and community-based organizations is coordinated by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska. The survey comes amidst alarm in the industry.
According to the partnership, 91% of counties in Nebraska with child care facilities do not have enough available slots to meet demand, and 11 counties have no licensed child care facilities.
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Nearly 30% of home-based child care providers and 20% of center-based teachers depend on some type of public assistance.
Wiebe said various communities are working to improve access to affordable child care and early learning programming and “can’t do it alone.”
Citing the survey, she said, “Clearly, there is a strong desire to fix Nebraska’s child care crisis and for state government to do its part.” Morgan Williams reads to her son in Eustis, NE. We Care for Kids is a campaign in the state that is raising awareness of the importance of quality early childhood education in Nebraska. (Courtesy of We Care for Kids)
Lori Weigel of New Bridge led the survey and said a “bottom line” takeaway was that Nebraska voters value early education and childcare as a key to the state’s economic and social well-being.
“People are connecting the dots with the economy, ” she said.
Weigel pointed to the 83% of respondents who said access to quality and affordable child care is essential or very important to strengthening the economy.
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She also pointed out feedback to a question about whether those surveyed would support investing as much as $190 million annually over a decade to boost early learning and child care programming. Respondents were told Nebraska has a $2 billion surplus.
To that spending proposition, 79% were supporters and 18% opposed the idea.
Online respondents were asked to explain their support. Top answers: children are the future of Nebraska (21%); early childhood education is important and education is a priority (17%); quality education helps children develop properly (14%).
Top reasons among the share who opposed the investment: too much money overall (24%); money should go to other priorities (24%); more money to schools won’t help (14%).
Wiebe said some positive movement was made during the past legislative session, including an amended Legislative Bill 856, which changed a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services rule that prohibited home child care providers from receiving free child care assistance for their own children. She said LB 1416, amended into LB 164, also supported early childhood education and showed lawmakers were interested in improvements.
No. 3 seed Texas A&M stunned the college volleyball world Sunday in Lincoln, Neb. with a 3-2 victory (25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 35-37, 15-13) over No. 1 overall seed and previously undefeated Nebraska in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
The win puts the Aggies (27-4) into the Final Four for the first time in program history. They will face No. 1 seed Pittsburgh in the national semifinals on Thursday.
Kyndal Stowers and Logan Lednicky led the way for Texas A&M with 25 and 24 kills, respectively. Their performances helped the Aggies to a slight attacking edge, with A&M having 75 kills to Nebraska’s 73. The Aggies thrived at the net though, out blocking the Cornhuskers 30-16. Middle Blocker Morgan Perkins led the way in that respect with eight block assists and one block solo.
Texas A&M survived a comeback attempt from Nebraska (33-1) after winning the first two sets. The Cornhuskers rallied to win the third set and then fought off three Aggie match points in a marathon fourth set to force a decider. In the end, Texas A&M overcame Nebraska’s best effort to win the final set and the match on the Huskers’ home court.
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The huge win comes after the Aggies needed a reverse sweep to beat No. 2 seed Louisville in the Sweet Sixteen.
See full game highlights here:
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Texas A&M routs Jacksonville at home as six Aggies score in double figures
Rylan Griffen scored a season-high 19 points and was hot from deep, making 5 of 6 from 3-point range.
Texas A&M leads college football in alcohol revenue, per report
Texas A&M topped the list with $4,740,922 in revenue generated by 277,156 alcohol units sold.
Find more Texas A&M coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
No. 22 Nebraska basketball upset No. 13 Illinois on the road, 83-80, on Saturday afternoon. Jamarques Lawrence had a game-winning three-pointer as time expired.
Nebraska improved to 11-0 on the season, the best start to a season in school history. The Huskers also won its 15th straight game, breaking the school record of 14 consecutive wins.
Pryce Sandfort had an incredible game, scoring a career-high 32 points. It was the former Iowa Hawkeye’s fifth 20-point game of the season and sixth of his career.
The victory improved Nebraska’s record in Big Ten play to 2-0. It’s the first 2-0 in conference play for the Huskers since 2016-17.
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Fans were overjoyed about the victory on social media, and we picked some of the best information and reactions.
Cornhusker crusher
He hit it
Celebrate
Nebraska may be a basketball school
Nebraska football alums are weighing in…
The success of Nebraska Basketball is baffling many….
The national respect continues to grow….
Fans are excited about the program
Great win
What a week
Dream season
Courtside
Legit
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
The Nebraska Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Lottery players in Nebraska can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, Pick 3, Pick 5, MyDaY and 2 by 2.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 results for each game:
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Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
07-11-20-52-60, Powerball: 24
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
1-1-6
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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-07-18-31-32
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
Red Balls: 19-22, White Balls: 07-12
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
Month: 05, Day: 30, Year: 81
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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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.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
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.
