Nebraska
Survey illustrates internet access disparities for Nebraskans
A University of Nebraska–Lincoln survey shows a majority of Nebraskans report mostly or very dependable internet access, but disparities persist between urban and rural residents.
In the latest Nebraska Snapshot from the Bureau of Sociological Research, 45% of statewide respondents said they have very dependable internet, with 41% of Nebraskans reporting mostly dependable access. Only 14% said their internet was somewhat dependable to not dependable at all. The Nebraska Snapshot is released every other month and shares data from the most recent Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey, conducted by the bureau.
When accounting for place of residence, only 26% of Nebraskans living on a farm or in open country each reported having very dependable internet. Further, 46% of those living on a farm reported mostly dependable internet, and 28% reported having somewhat to not dependable internet. For those in open country, 52% reported mostly dependable internet, compared to 22% reporting somewhat to not dependable internet.
In contrast, 50% of those who lived in a town or city reported having very dependable internet, with 39% rating their internet mostly dependable and only 11% reporting somewhat to not dependable internet.
Internet speed also varied by place of residence. Statewide, 33% reported very fast internet, and 56% reported somewhat fast internet. In towns and cities, 37% said they had very fast internet, in contrast to only 16% of those living on a farm and 17% of those in open country. Additionally, 37% of those living on farms reported having somewhat or very slow internet, compared to 20% living in open country and only 8% of those living in a city or town. A majority of those living in towns and cities, on farms and in open country reported having somewhat fast internet — 55%, 48% and 64%, respectively.
Noteworthy differences among age groups, income levels and education level were also found.
Internet access, and specifically broadband, has been a priority in Nebraska for several years, and gains are being made to connect more of the state’s residents. Among the efforts is the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program, created by the Legislature in 2021. It allocated $20 million to be distributed as grants to telecommunications companies for expansion of broadband service to areas of Nebraska that were unserved or underserved by slower internet speeds. The state also received federal funding for increasing broadband access through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the bipartisan infrastructure act passed in 2023. In the last quarter of 2023, the Nebraska Broadband Office estimated there was $1.9 billion in funding to expand access across the state.
The Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey is used by researchers, state entities and policymakers, but also includes a core questionnaire that delves into demographics, quality of life measures, educational attainment and community satisfaction, among other variables. These core questions will inform most of the Nebraska Snapshot series.
All Nebraska Snapshots are available online. To include research questions on the next NASIS administration, email bosr@unl.edu.
Nebraska Game and Parks is offering residents a chance to win prizes simply for getting outside and moving, as part of a challenge honoring America’s 250th birthday.
The Outdoor Nebraska 250-Mile Challenge invites participants to log miles through activities like walking, running, kayaking, horseback riding and more using any fitness app. The goal is to reach 250 miles before the end of the year. Once completed, participants fill out a form on the Nebraska Game and Parks website to become eligible for prizes.
Mike Selman, a regular walker at Zorinsky Lake, said the challenge caught his attention.
“I think it’s great, as long as you put in the time and effort,” Selman said.
Selman said getting outdoors is already a big part of his routine.
“I absolutely love it, I love being outdoors, just the beauty, the nature, the trees, the water,” Selman said.
He said one of his favorite aspects of the challenge is the opportunity to explore Nebraska’s many outdoor spaces.
“Especially here, around Zorinsky, Standing Bear, Flanagan, you got great opportunities and great places to go,” Selman said.
When asked if he planned to submit his miles, Selman did not hesitate.
“I’ll definitely think about it, most definitely,” Selman said.
Between Memorial Day and the end of the year, logging just over 1 mile a day would be enough to reach the 250-mile goal and qualify for prizes.
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We’ll have to wait a bit longer to get into the Cowgirls’ Super Regional.
A rainy night in Lincoln meant the teams only managed to get four outs into the Super between Oklahoma State and Nebraska. The game is tied at 0. The weather delay lasted about two hours before they called it.
The game will resume at 4 p.m. Friday and be televised on ESPN2. They will not play another game Friday, as Game 2 will now take place at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Nebraska football team added its third 2027 offensive line commitment and addition from the state of Georgia on Wednesday.
Loganville (Ga.) Grayson offensive lineman KD Jones officially announced his commitment to NU this week. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Jones picked the Huskers over Georgia Tech, Auburn, Kentucky and Virginia Tech. He visited Lincoln on May 6 and is scheduled to take his official visit to Nebraska on June 6.
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The Huskers first offered Jones in April, after offensive line coach Geep Wade had previously been recruiting him at Georgia Tech.
“Coach Wade called me and offered me today,” Jones told HuskerOnline on Apr. 25. “He has been on me for a long time, ever since he was at Tech. So his interest wasn’t anything new to me. He came to watch me train at school and was amazed. He offered the next day.”
Jones joins safety Corey Hadley from the state of Georgia in NU’s 2027 recruiting class.
“I knew nothing about Nebraska before the offer,” Jones said in April. But now that Coach Wade and Coach (Lonnie) Teasley are there, I know I can trust them.”
Jones had planned to take official visits to all the schools recruiting him, but his early commitment to NU appears to have shut down those visits.
He jones Omaha (Neb.) Millard North’s Matt Erickson and fellow Grayson product Jordan Agbanoma are the other offensive linemen in the Huskers’ 2027 recruiting class. He’s now the 10th commitment in Nebraska’s class of 2027.
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