Nebraska
No matter who you’re lobbying for, follow the rules • Nebraska Examiner
When it comes to transparency and ethical behavior, telling the truth is a key tenet. So, imagine the surprise when the Nebraska Examiner reported that Arin Hess, who has pledged to be “more careful” about his work “lobbying for Jesus” at the Capitol, was recently caught in a scheme to deceive the Clerk of the Legislature to expand his access to legislators.
If you’re not familiar with Hess, he is a self-proclaimed chaplain for the State Legislature, and he holds weekly “Bible studies” with senators. Last year, Common Cause Nebraska filed a complaint with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission because Hess was using materials from explicitly political sources during his meetings — sources that didn’t restrain themselves to the teaching of Jesus but had a lot to say about issues being debated in the Legislature.
The commission dismissed the complaint, but Hess pledged to be more careful with how he engaged legislators and maintained that his work was only religious, not political.
Fast forward a year. In March, State Sen. Loren Lippincott requested to reserve a hearing room in the Capitol for “district community leaders,” which was approved by Clerk of the Legislature Brandon Metzler. A Nebraska Examiner reporter discovered the meeting in progress and found it was Hess’s Bible study, not “district community leaders.”
Just two days before Lippincott submitted his request, the Governor’s Office had put in a request for the same date and time, which was denied after the Clerk determined the stated purpose, “Pastors and Ministry Workers Day,” was actually for Hess. Within hours of Metzler denying the governor’s request, Lippincott made the second misleading attempt, which got by Metzler. When Metzler learned Hess was using the hearing room, he was reported to have said, “I got lied to.”
Hearing rooms in the Capitol cannot be used for religious purposes of any kind. Common Cause Nebraska does not lose sight of the irony of the fraudulent attempts on behalf of Hess. If Hess claimed he would be using the hearing room for legislative rather than religious purposes, it would have been a valid request, but it would have looked very much like the lobbying we had objected to last year.
We do not consider these to be minor slip-ups: Senators and the governor all swear to support the United States and Nebraska Constitutions, which enshrine the separation of church and state in law and prevent elected officials from showing preference to any religious society. Showing favoritism to Hess by helping him gain access to hearing rooms in the Capitol violates that oath of office. When the people we elect are willing to skirt the law to favor their own religious leaders, it’s clear that power is being abused to our detriment.
We deserve public officials who will not muddy the waters and lie to advance one person’s lobbying or religious beliefs in the Capitol. It’s in their oath of office, and in our Nebraska and U.S. Constitutions.
Lippincott went against his oath of office when he lied to the Clerk of the Legislature about the reason for wanting to reserve a hearing room; he may have also breached Nebraska law. When he intentionally misled the Clerk, Lippincott prevented Metzler from carrying out the duties of his office, that is, the duty to enforce the policies governing legislative space. (28-901) The governor’s similar misleading reservation request also violated his oath of office, but fortunately, it was quickly thwarted when the Clerk learned the true reason.
Lying about a room reservation may seem minor, but we should expect nothing less than our elected officials to honor their oaths in word and deed by fully complying with the law.
Our Unicameral Legislature or Attorney General’s Office appear unlikely to act. We have been down this road before — it’s now up to us, the citizens of Nebraska, to set aside our differences and use the power of the ballot box to ensure our elected officials uphold their oath of office and that Nebraska laws apply equally to all — without reservation.
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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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 Tuesday, May 20, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 20 drawing
18-30-33-55-64, Mega Ball: 11
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 20 drawing
4-9-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 20 drawing
03-18-33-36-39
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 20 drawing
Red Balls: 15-20, White Balls: 02-12
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from May 20 drawing
05-06-16-29-34, Lucky Ball: 08
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 20 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 09, Year: 76
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will begin their Big Ten Baseball Tournament on Tuesday night when they face the Michigan State Spartans. Nebraska enters as the No. 8 seed with a 28-27 overall record and 15-15 in conference play. The Spartans are the No. 12 seed with a record of 28-25 on the season and 13-17 in the Big Ten.
The two teams did not meet during the 2025 season. This will be the 32nd time these programs have played one another, with Nebraska holding a 20-11 series lead. Tuesday night’s game will be the sixth meeting between the Huskers and Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament, with Nebraska holding the 3-2 series advantage.
This is the tenth time the Huskers have played in the Big Ten Tournament since joining the conference. Nebraska has a 19-16 record in 35 all-time games and will be defending its title after winning the 2024 tournament.
The starting pitching matchup will see Nebraska send righty Ty Horn (2-4, 5.66 ERA) to the bump while Michigan State will send lefty Joseph Dzierwa (8-3, 2.31 ERA) to the mound.
All the broadcast information for tonight’s game can be found below.
Watch Nebraska baseball vs Michigan State live on Fubo (free trial)
Here’s how to watch the Nebraska baseball vs Michigan State game today, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information:
What channel is Nebraska baseball vs Michigan State on today?
TV Channel: BTN
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Nebraska baseball vs Michigan State will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network in pool play of the Big Ten Tournament. Connor Onion and Scott Pose will call the game from the booth at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, NE. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Nebraska baseball vs Michigan State time today
- Date: Tuesday, May 20
- Start time: 6:00 p.m. CT
The Nebraska baseball vs Michigan State game starts at 6:00 p.m. CT from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, NE.
Nebraska tournament schedule
- Friday, May 23 – No. 8 Nebraska v. No. 1 Oregon – 6:00 p.m. CT
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