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Senator Pete Ricketts Faces Tight Race Against Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska

Senator Pete Ricketts Faces Tight Race Against Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska and son of a billionaire, is currently in a closely contested Senate race against independent candidate Dan Osborn. Osborn, a former union president and Navy veteran, is campaigning on a populist platform, appealing to voters frustrated with both major parties and the influence of wealthy elites in politics. Despite Nebraska being a deeply red state where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats almost two-to-one, recent polls indicate the race is neck and neck. Osborn's campaign emphasizes his working-class background, his leadership in a successful 2021 Kellogg's strike, and his commitment to representing ordinary Nebraskans. He criticizes Senator Ricketts for his family's wealth and perceived alignment with corporate interests, particularly regarding issues like immigration and data center tax breaks. Osborn's independent stance aims to break from the traditional two-party system, which he describes as a 'two-party doom loop' that hinders progress...
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Nebraska Launches $6 Billion Infrastructure Initiative to Accelerate Transportation Projects

Nebraska Launches $6 Billion Infrastructure Initiative to Accelerate Transportation Projects

Governor Jim Pillen (R) of Nebraska, alongside the Build America Bureau and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has announced a new initiative called Accelerating Critical Connections for Elevating Livability in Nebraska (ACCEL-NE). This program aims to expedite the delivery of over $6 billion in priority transportation projects across seven counties, including the Omaha and Lincoln metropolitan areas. ACCEL-NE will establish a Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) to develop a project delivery framework focused on efficiency through alternative delivery methods, innovative financing, and public-private partnerships. The initiative is being seeded with $5.15 million in federal funds, comprising a $1.15 million RIA grant, $2 million from the Innovative Finance and Asset Concession (IFAC) program, and an additional $2 million awarded with the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency under the Prioritization Process Pilot Program. The IFAC funding will support an asset scan of nine Om...
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EPA and Army Corps Seek Public Comment on Revised WOTUS Definition Affecting Farm Water Features

EPA and Army Corps Seek Public Comment on Revised WOTUS Definition Affecting Farm Water Features

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have released a supplemental proposal seeking public comments on alternatives for defining 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. This action follows the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in *Sackett v. EPA*, which significantly narrowed federal jurisdiction over wetlands. According to Roger McEowen of the Washburn School of Law, the Supreme Court rejected the broader 'significant nexus' approach, requiring adjacent wetlands to have a continuous surface connection to a qualifying water body. This ruling created a clearer boundary for federal jurisdiction, particularly relevant for agricultural lands that often feature depressions, drainage features, and wetlands that are intermittently wet. The current proposal aims to further define the standards established by the Supreme Court, focusing on perennial waters, relatively permanent waters, and the continuous surface connection requirement. It also includes p...
Duke WireDuke Wire
Duke continues to rise closer to top 25 in latest US LBM Coaches Poll

Duke continues to rise closer to top 25 in latest US LBM Coaches Poll

Duke continues to receive more votes in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll following the Blue Devils' victory over Illinois.
TrendlineTrendline
Tyson Foods Executives Detail Strategic Shifts and Outlook Revisions at Barclays Conference

Tyson Foods Executives Detail Strategic Shifts and Outlook Revisions at Barclays Conference

Tyson Foods Executives Detail Strategic Shifts and Outlook Revisions at Barclays Conference
The Columbus DispatchThe Columbus Dispatch
Hawaii is the happiest state in America, according to WalletHub. Where is Ohio?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America, according to WalletHub. Where is Ohio?

A new report from WalletHub has ranked all 50 states for happiness. Where did Ohio rank?
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Omaha's World O Water Event Educates Residents on Water Protection and Conservation

Omaha's World O Water Event Educates Residents on Water Protection and Conservation

The World O Water event in Omaha, Nebraska, recently provided residents with an opportunity to learn about their local water supply and the importance of its protection. The event featured various educational stations designed to increase understanding of water quality and how daily choices can impact local waterways. Organizers emphasized that water protection extends beyond treatment plants, beginning with individual actions at home and within neighborhoods. Jim Kee, quality control manager for the City of Omaha Public Works Department, highlighted the finite nature of the planet's water supply, stressing the need to protect it for drinking, recreation, and other essential needs. A key message from Kee was the significance of preventing pollution, even through simple acts like picking up litter, as rain can wash debris into storm sewers and ultimately into creeks, rivers, or ponds. The event aimed to empower visitors with knowledge on how to contribute to keeping their water clean.
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Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Addresses Policy Platform and State Issues

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Addresses Policy Platform and State Issues

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen recently discussed his administration's policy platform on "The View from Wayne America," focusing on several key issues affecting the state. Governor Pillen outlined his commitment to reducing state spending and continuing income tax cuts. He also reiterated his support for property tax reform, which includes measures to limit property valuations and increase the state's contribution to K-12 education funding. Pillen emphasized that making Nebraska more affordable is a priority for both current homeowners and young individuals looking to purchase their first homes. Additionally, agriculture and natural resources were significant topics of discussion. Governor Pillen highlighted Nebraska's growing biofuels industry, value-added agriculture, and the critical importance of protecting the Ogallala Aquifer. He also addressed recent state efforts concerning data centers, stressing the need to safeguard Nebraska's water and electricity infrastructure, as well as its ratepayers. In Ju...
TheStreetTheStreet
Get your $500 Obamacare refund: who’s eligible

Get your $500 Obamacare refund: who’s eligible

The White House says the Biden administration overcharged Affordable Care Act Exchange plan enrollees.
ReutersReuters
Stocks, bonds rally after August inflation report

Stocks, bonds rally after August inflation report

NEW YORK, Sept 11 (Reuters) - U.S. consumer prices accelerated in August as the cost of gasoline rebounded after two straight monthly declines, bolstering market expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week.
Cincinnati EnquirerCincinnati Enquirer
Armadillo found in Ohio could be historic discovery for the state

Armadillo found in Ohio could be historic discovery for the state

An armadillo found a roadkill in Southwest Ohio could be a historic first for the state.
1Weather1Weather
Severe Storms Aims Millions Across the North and Midwest

Severe Storms Aims Millions Across the North and Midwest

Severe storms will develop across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Friday as warm, humid air fuels instability ahead of a stronger front. A Level 2 out of 5 severe weather threat covers areas from Nebraska to Minnesota, with damaging winds and large hail the primary concerns. Heavy rain could also trigger flash flooding in vulnerable areas.