Nebraska

Support Our Schools Nebraska held a petition drive to repeal private school voucher system

Published

1 year ago

July 16, 2024

Support Our Schools Nebraska held a petition drive to repeal private school voucher system

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (KTIV) – The group, “Support Our Schools Nebraska” held a petition drive to support public school students.

This was their last day to get signatures. They have a total of 14 events going on throughout the state.

Last year, more than 117,000 Nebraskans signed a successful referendum petition to put the repeal of a private school voucher system on the ballot. That measure was stopped by State Senator Lou Ann Linehan.

Support Our Schools Nebraska wants public funds going to public schools not private since the majority of students in Nebraska attend a public school.

“Most people want to have a voice, so they want to have a vote and say I want my tax dollars going to the public schools that’s where it’s important where they be because most of the kids in Nebraska go to public schools very few go to the private schools,” said Tracia Blom a Nebraska teacher.

They say they have enough signatures, and this should be on the ballot this November.

“We are confident we’re going to be on the ballot and then in November we’re just going to really make sure people remember that they need to get out and vote and that they are voting for their public schools,” said Vice President Support Our Schools Nebraska Paul Schulte.

For more information on Support Our Schools Nebraska visit the link here.

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Nebraska

FAFSA participation increases among Nebraska high school seniors

Published

11 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

23 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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