Nebraska
Once-controversial Summer EBT food program for low-income NE kids set for rollout • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s plan to carry out the once-controversial Summer EBT food program for low-income youths has been given the green light from the federal government.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the state’s planned rollout of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, which include details such as “touchpoints” that local officials designed to improve outreach, according to a media release Monday from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
So-called touchpoints include providing Nebraska parents with information on types of nutritious foods to buy and follow-up surveys to identify additional needs or concerns.
175,000 students
State officials expect the Summer EBT program to serve about 175,000 students, or 80,000 households that meet certain criteria, including an income that makes them eligible for free or reduced-price lunch during the school year.
That count is up from an earlier estimate of about 150,000 children anticipated to benefit at a state cost of about $400,000 per year to administer the federally-funded program.
Each qualified child is to receive a card loaded with a total of $120 in grocery-buying benefits. The program is designed to allow access to nutritious food during summer months when school is out.
Modeled after pilot projects and a nationwide pandemic-era initiative that ended, Congress authorized the more permanent summer program through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
State Sen. Jen Day of Gretna during the past legislative session introduced Legislative Bill 952, which stalled but had been prioritized by Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island to push the state to implement the federal program.
Gov. Jim Pillen had balked at opting in, describing the program as a leftover from the pandemic that had ended.
He later added that he didn’t believe in “welfare,” which brought more criticism because the governor, a hog producer and co-owner of a pork processing plant, has accepted federal assistance.
Already, Pillen had been flooded by pleas from food banks, advocates of the poor and protesters.
Ultimately the governor reversed his stand, attributing the change of heart to a visit with Aguilar, a Republican, and discussions he had with students at Boys Town and during a youth legislative day.
Big step
Day, who had led a letter-writing effort supported by 15 state lawmakers, said Monday that although Nebraska was one of the last states to opt in to the new summer program, it was the fourth in the nation to have its plan approved.
“I’m glad that we’ll be able to feed 175,000 Nebraska kids this summer and relieve some of the economic stress that many families are feeling right now,” Day said.
She praised the work of the DHHS and Department of Education in crafting the plan.
“These programs are crucial for making sure that kids in our state receive nutritious meals during the months they are not in school,” DHHS CEO Steve Corsi said in a statement.
A spokeswoman for the USDA said the agency is pleased Nebraska chose to participate.
“We are impressed that the state’s plan includes a range of services to reach kids and also robust outreach to the community,” said Cheryl Kennedy, regional administrator for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. “This will be a great benefit to the children of Nebraska.”
Eric Savaiano, food and access manager for Nebraska Appleseed, a nonprofit that fought early on for participation in the program, said federal approval of Nebraska’s plan is a big step. Now, he said, there is contact information and other detail available for families.
“This puts details behind the program that means it is actually going to happen,” Savaiano said.
In addition to the Summer EBT program, the State Department of Education said it also is administering the Summer Food Service Program, which provides no-cost meals to kids from age 1 to 18 at about 300 sites across Nebraska.
No applications or paperwork are required to receive meals from approved Summer Food Service Program sites, most of which begin providing meals the first week of June.
Summer EBT eligibility
School-age, income-qualified youths are eligible for Summer EBT cards.
According to DHHS, kids already approved for free and reduced-priced school lunches, or who participate in state-administered public assistance, should receive their cards by mail and don’t have to formally apply.
If in doubt, or for more information on eligibility and application, the state offers a website for the Summer EBT program and the Summer Food Service Program: https://dhhs.ne.gov/SummerEBT.
Once a Summer EBT card is received and activated, it can be used like any other EBT card.
Cards are accepted at approved SNAP retailers, supermarkets and grocery stores. For a list, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 8.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
8-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 8 drawing
01-03-12-24-26
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 8 drawing
Red Balls: 02-20, White Balls: 09-11
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 8 drawing
Month: 01, Day: 16, Year: 17
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life 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.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
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.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska Athletics announced Friday that the expansion of John Cook Arena is in full swing.
The Nebraska Athletics Capital Planning and Facilities Department posted to social media that the effort to modernize amenities and provide new seating options is well underway.
According to the athletic fund, the renovation will enhance Nebraska’s home-court advantage, modernize amenities and provide new premium and general seating options. This includes adding:
- New and improved seats with cup holders in each seat.
- A new centralized student section.
- New and improved courtside seating with both end court and side court locations available. The Courtside Lounge offers access pregame and during intermission and includes private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food, beverage and alcohol.
- New Loge Box seating with hospitality lounge with access pregame and during intermission, including access to private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and beverage with a cash bar.
- Libero Club seating replaces the VIP seats. Located in the back row of the 100 level, seats include access to the Libero Club Lounge pregame and during intermission complete with televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and soft drinks with a cash bar.
- Additional ADA seating with new vantage points and easier access from around the concourse.
The Husker Athletic Fund announced the first-ever reseating and parking process in October 2025. It is timed to coincide with the renovation of the arena to increase overall capacity to 10,000.
For more information about the reseating process, click here.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will face the Indiana Hoosiers in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday evening. The Huskers defeated the Michigan Wolverines, while Indiana defeated Washington to advance to the semis.
Nebraska enters with a 44-6 record and is on a 19-game win streak, the longest active streak in the country. The Huskers have reached the semifinals of each of the last five Big Ten Tournaments. Indiana is 42-13 on the season.
The Huskers won the Big Ten regular-season title, the first conference title since 2014 and the first outright title since joining the Big Ten. The 23 regular-season wins tied for the most in conference history.
The Huskers are led by 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Jordy Frahm. Frahm is hitting .429 with 19 HR and 49 RBI. She is also 16-4 with a 1.26 ERA in the pitcher’s circle.
Indiana is led in the batter’s box by Aly VanBrandt, who is hitting .405 on the season with 15 home runs and 61 RBI. Aubree Hooks is the leading pitcher with an 11-2 record and a 2.35 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched.
This will be the first meeting of the season between these two teams, as they did not face each other during the Big Ten schedule.
Watch Nebraska vs Indiana in the Big Ten Softball Tournament live on Fubo (free trial)
Here’s how to watch the Nebraska-Indiana softball match on Friday, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information:
What channel is the Nebraska-Indiana softball match on Friday?
TV Channel: Big Ten Network
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Nebraska vs. Indiana in the semifinals of the Big Ten Softball Tournament will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Time of the Nebraska-Indiana softball match on Friday
- Date: Friday, March 8
- Start time: 4 p.m. CT
The Nebraska vs Indiana semifinal match in the Big Ten Softball Tournament starts at 4 p.m. at the Maryland Softball Stadium in College Park, MD.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
-
New Hampshire3 minutes agoNew Hampshire mothers’ labor force participation rate – Valley News
-
New Jersey9 minutes agoNJ ex-fireman ‘ready for war’ when he launched into violent rampage triggered by breakup: prosecutors
-
New Mexico15 minutes agoPhoebe Bridgers Debuts New Music at First Show in Three Years
-
North Carolina21 minutes agoNorth Carolina man found dead after falling overboard in East TN lake: TWRA
-
North Dakota26 minutes agoFederal judge agrees to toss $28M judgment related to Dakota Access Pipeline protests
-
Ohio33 minutes ago8th Annual Trumbull County Special Olympics Invitational held in Girard
-
Oklahoma39 minutes agoKendall Wells Falls Behind in Home Run Race as Oklahoma Waits for Selection Sunday
-
Oregon45 minutes ago4.9 magnitude earthquake strikes off Northern California coast near Oregon border