Nebraska

New Nebraska bill proposes reimbursement for teachers paying out of pocket for school supplies

Published

1 year ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

New Nebraska bill proposes reimbursement for teachers paying out of pocket for school supplies

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – ShoShann Smith and Diane Moore have invested years educating Omaha’s children.

“I would show up for free. I am so passionate about teaching,” Smith said.

Often what isn’t free, getting the supplies they need to teach.

“Yearly, I would spend at least $2,000, $3,000 out of pocket,” said Moore.

“You have so many educators that work second jobs just because what we get paid doesn’t cover the things that they wanted to do.”

As private school teachers, both women get stipends for their supplies. It is something they didn’t get when they taught public school.

They told First Alert 6 they were given basics like paper, pencils and items for the curriculum – but any extras, they bought themselves.

They believe it takes a level of creativity in decorating their rooms and going the extra mile to keep students engaged.

“Valentine’s Day I would go get helium balloons and decorate the classroom because, of course, I want my children to know that I love them. And when you love someone you go all out for them,” Smith said.

They also give to children who come to school without their basic needs.

A bill introduced in the Nebraska legislature by Senator Jason Prokop wants teachers to be reimbursed up to $300 for what they spend on supplies.

LB282 proposes teachers working at an accredited K-12 public, private, denominational or parochial school may apply. The reimbursement would come from the State Department of Education for items they say qualify. Teachers would need to show a receipt to get their money back.

“It would be so appreciative just to have this bill passed. To have a starting point,” said Moore.

Education leaders in state also believe it will be a good first step.

“At the end of the day we want to take care of our kids when we need to. So if we can take this step and help cover those costs, I think that will be a good show of faith that the state acknowledges that this is a reality for our teachers,” said Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Educators Association.

First Alert 6 is working to learn how the reimbursement would be funded.

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Nebraska

Hail, rain, snow move into eastern Nebraska, western Iowa

Published

6 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Hail, rain, snow move into eastern Nebraska, western Iowa

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – An active weather pattern is moving into the region starting tonight, bringing some snow into the region, according to KTIV’s forecast in Sioux City.

A First Alert 6 viewer sent footage of the storms while traveling on Interstate 80 near West Branch, Iowa.

Hail near West Branch, Iowa

TUESDAY NIGHT

In Siouxland, a batch of precipitation moves in after midnight. It could initially start as rain, but most of the precipitation will fall as snow. Snow showers will likely last through sunrise on Wednesday morning.

The snow will stay light with accumulations near an inch or less. This could create some slick spots on the Wednesday morning commute. Temperatures will probably fall a bit below the freezing mark.

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Nebraska

Shelter in place issued after suspicious object found in mailbox

Published

19 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Shelter in place issued after suspicious object found in mailbox

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — UPDATE: Grand Island Police said around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday that the shelter in place order has been lifted .

GIPD said the item was retrieved by the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad, who is investigating.

The area has also now been reopened.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Grand Island Police Department has cordoned off a local block and is urging residents to shelter in place.

According to GIPD, officers responded to the 4300 block of Sherwood Road just before 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. A resident reported finding a suspicious cylindrical object wrapped in duct tape inside a home.

The Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad has been called to the scene to investigate the device.

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Nebraska

68 students chosen as Nebraska Young Artist Award winners

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

68 students chosen as Nebraska Young Artist Award winners

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts has announced the winners of the 29th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards.

The awards recognize 11th-grade students from Nebraska for their talents in visual art, dance, music, theatre, and film and emerging media arts.

Sixty-eight students from more than 40 high schools across the state have been selected as award winners and will be invited to a day of activities on campus March 25.

“Our faculty always look forward to this event,” said Chris Watson, director of recruitment for the college and coordinator of the awards. “They love meeting enthusiastic young artists, working with them and celebrating their talent.”

Students applied for the recognition and submitted an example of their work. Applications were received from 92 students. Hixson-Lied College faculty chose the winners.

Award winners were also asked to nominate the teacher who provided them with the greatest amount of mentoring and support in the development of their special talents.

Each student will receive a certificate and an original piece of artwork commissioned for the event and created by a School of Art, Art History and Design student.

Following is a list of award winners by hometown, with their high school and specialty area(s).

Aurora: