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Medicaid Rules Offer Protections for Spouses and Disabled Children in Long-Term Care Planning

Medicaid Rules Offer Protections for Spouses and Disabled Children in Long-Term Care Planning

Medicaid provides specific protections for spouses of nursing home residents to prevent impoverishment, and special rules apply to the home and other assets for eligibility. For individuals requiring long-term care, Medicaid generally limits assets to $2,000 in most states. A key provision allows transfers of property to a child who is blind or disabled without incurring a penalty period, which typically applies to gifts made within five years of applying for long-term care. However, if the disabled child receives needs-based benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, a large gift could impact their own eligibility, as SSI allows only $2,000 in assets for an individual. To navigate these complexities, a mother can either pay for specific needs that do not count as assets for her disabled son, such as home repairs, a vehicle, medical costs, or a prepaid funeral, or establish a trust solely for his benefit.
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US gives states another 6 months before they have to remove people from Medicaid for not working

US gives states another 6 months before they have to remove people from Medicaid for not working

President Donald Trump's administration is giving states another six months before they must remove beneficiaries from Medicaid rolls for failing to meet new work requirements
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Families Urged to Prioritize Early Planning for Aging Parents with Legal and Financial Tools

Families Urged to Prioritize Early Planning for Aging Parents with Legal and Financial Tools

Families Urged to Prioritize Early Planning for Aging Parents with Legal and Financial Tools
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Lancaster County Election Commission Tallies Provisional Ballots, Concluding 2026 Midterm Election Cycle

Lancaster County Election Commission Tallies Provisional Ballots, Concluding 2026 Midterm Election Cycle

The Lancaster County Election Commission in Lincoln, Nebraska, has completed the tallying of 2,864 provisional ballots and resolutions, marking the official end of the 2026 midterm election cycle. Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen stated that provisional ballots are cast by voters who may not be registered in the precinct where they showed up, or who are new registrants. These ballots are crucial as every vote must be counted, even if they are unlikely to alter the outcomes of races with significant margins. Reasons for provisional ballots also include voters not having their identification card, adhering to Nebraska’s voter ID rule. The counting process involved a crew of volunteers working on Friday, November 13, 2026.
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Nebraska Auditor Questions Broader Pandemic-Era Grant Program Oversight Following 'Pathetic' Project Performance

Nebraska Auditor Questions Broader Pandemic-Era Grant Program Oversight Following 'Pathetic' Project Performance

Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley has expressed concerns regarding the oversight of a $234 million pandemic-era grant program, following an investigation into a $1.2 million grant awarded to the Nebraska Startup Academy. Foley described the academy's progress as 'pathetic,' citing unmet job creation milestones, commingling of funds, potential conflicts of interest, and 'lavish administrative salaries,' including $387,126 over two years for the executive director. The Department of Economic Development (DED) has since suspended the Startup Academy's contract and remaining $313,000 in grant funds. State Senator Terrell McKinney also noted that grantees have reported shifting reporting demands, raising concerns that some projects might not meet the end-of-2027 deadline to spend the allocated funds intended for economically disenfranchised communities. Foley's office is not currently investigating other grants within the program but believes more scrutiny is needed.
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Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers Secures $63 Million Settlement with Family Dollar Stores Over Price Transparency Issues

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers Secures $63 Million Settlement with Family Dollar Stores Over Price Transparency Issues

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, alongside the Federal Trade Commission and 16 other states, has reached a $63 million settlement with Family Dollar Stores. This agreement addresses allegations that the retail chain consistently charged customers higher prices at checkout than those advertised on shelves, price tags, and in advertisements. The complaint detailed widespread pricing discrepancies across Family Dollar stores nationwide, which persisted despite numerous failed inspections, consumer complaints, and prior enforcement actions. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Family Dollar is now prohibited from misrepresenting prices and is mandated to implement an independently assessed pricing accuracy program. This program will involve monitoring prices, training employees, and promptly correcting any errors to ensure compliance and fair pricing for consumers.
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Lincoln Public Schools to Migrate District Data to Cloud for Enhanced Security and Efficiency

Lincoln Public Schools to Migrate District Data to Cloud for Enhanced Security and Efficiency

Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) in Nebraska is planning a significant transition of its district data to the cloud, aiming to enhance security and streamline employee management. Since 2019, LPS has utilized Infor software for payroll, accounting, and ordering, with this information stored in a local data warehouse. However, Infor's decision to sunset its on-site functionalities and support by 2030 necessitates this move to a cloud-based system. Chief Technology Officer Kirk Langer emphasized that while current data is protected, migrating to a cloud environment will further bolster security, as a company like Infor possesses more resources for securing data than LPS can independently. The Lincoln Board of Education is scheduled to discuss this transition, which involves a proposed payment of approximately $4 million to Intellias for managing the upgrade to Infor CloudSuite. The full migration is projected to be completed by the 2028-29 school year, with an additional $6.5 million allocated for a five-year so...
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Big Ten Preview: Week 11

Big Ten Preview: Week 11

Penn State doesn’t play until Saturday night, meaning you have plenty of time to watch the other games in the Big Ten on Friday and Saturday…if you want. Or, more to the point, if they’re worth watching. Here’s what is scheduled for the weekend. FRIDAY NIGHT Illinois (6-3, 4-2) at No. 4 UCLA (9-0, 6-0), […]
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Nebraska Football: The Truest Love/Hate Relationship

Nebraska Football: The Truest Love/Hate Relationship

Maybe it’s insanity…
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Caregivers in the U.S. Can Utilize Four Key Tax Breaks to Offset Costs

Caregivers in the U.S. Can Utilize Four Key Tax Breaks to Offset Costs

Caregivers in the United States can leverage four primary tax breaks to help mitigate the financial burden associated with caring for a loved one. These include the Credit for Other Dependents, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, the Medical Expense Deduction, and various state-specific caregiver credits. The Credit for Other Dependents offers up to $500 per dependent who does not qualify for the child tax credit, often applicable to adult relatives with disabilities. The Child and Dependent Care Credit assists those who pay for care to enable them to work or seek employment, covering expenses for disabled spouses or dependents of any age who cannot care for themselves. Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of adjusted gross income can be deducted if itemized, encompassing costs like nursing services, home modifications, and wheelchairs. Additionally, several states, such as Georgia, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, and South Carolina, offer their own caregiver tax credits, with specific rules and l...
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Nebraska Data Centers Receive Over $300 Million in Property Tax Breaks

Nebraska Data Centers Receive Over $300 Million in Property Tax Breaks

Nebraska Data Centers Receive Over $300 Million in Property Tax Breaks
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Midwest Corn and Soybean Harvest Nears Completion Amidst Variable Yields and Steady Farmland Values

Midwest Corn and Soybean Harvest Nears Completion Amidst Variable Yields and Steady Farmland Values

The Corn Belt is concluding its harvest season, characterized by strong soybean yields and more varied corn production. According to Justin Bahr, an accredited farm manager with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), soybean harvest was largely finished by mid-to-late October, while corn harvest experienced delays due to a wet September and scattered rainfall in October and early November. Bahr anticipates that corn harvest will accelerate as drier conditions become more prevalent, with many growers expected to finish by Thanksgiving. Regionally, western Iowa, southern Minnesota, and eastern Nebraska have reported robust corn yields, with some producers achieving 222 to 250 bushels per acre or more. In contrast, eastern Iowa and Illinois have seen greater variability, with some producers on high-quality land reporting corn yields 10% to 15% lower than the previous year. Factors such as tar spot pressure in parts of Nebraska and dry growing conditions in southern Minnesota have...