Pete Ricketts

Uncertainty looms over possible Nebraska abortion session

June 24, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could be headed to a special session to try to ban abortions now that the U.S. Supreme Court has given states that power, but it's unclear whether one will actually happen or what type of restrictions might win enough support to pass.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, wife test positive for COVID

June 15, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19, the Republican governor revealed in a statement Wednesday morning.

Ricketts said both he and his wife, Susanne Shore, “are experiencing very minor symptoms.” Both will self-isolate in accordance with guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the statement said.

Nebraska governor nixes Connecticut appearance amid protests

By SUSAN HAIGHJune 13, 2022 GMT

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, co-chairperson of the Republican Governors Association and a pro-gun rights and anti-abortion conservative, has canceled his planned appearance in Connecticut on Tuesday at a fundraising event for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski.

With new senator, Nebraska abortion opponents gain ground

By GRANT SCHULTEJune 8, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Abortion-rights opponents inched closer to a filibuster-proof super-majority in the Nebraska Legislature on Tuesday that would let them outlaw the procedure if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark legalization ruling, as it appears poised to do.

GOP governor hopeful Pillen endorsed by Nebraska Cattlemen

June 2, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Republican governor hopeful Jim Pillen scored the endorsement Thursday of the Nebraska Cattlemen, a top advocacy group for the state's ranchers.

Pillen, a veterinarian and the owner of a hog farm operation, is running to replace current Gov.

Kemp and Walker look to victory in Georgia as primaries near

By JEFF AMYMay 22, 2022 GMT

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Two Republican frontrunners are hoping to clinch primary majorities as candidates make their final pitches to Georgia voters on Saturday ahead of Tuesday's election.

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

May 14, 2022 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — ABC’s “This Week” — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; former Gov.

Nebraska GOP strains to unite after Trump’s candidate loses

By GRANT SCHULTEMay 11, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Republicans struggled to put the bruising campaign for governor behind them on Wednesday as a rally that was intended to highlight party unity instead showed division following the first major loss for a candidate endorsed by Donald Trump in this year’s midterm elections.

Nebraska likely to wait for final ruling in abortion case

May 4, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts likely won’t decide whether to call a special legislative session focused on abortion until the U.S. Supreme Court releases its official opinion on the issue, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Nebraska state Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha dies at 78

April 27, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state lawmaker and former Omaha city council member has died due to complications from cancer, his legislative staff said Wednesday.

Sen. Rich Pahls was 78. Pahls, a Republican, first served in the Nebraska Legislature from 2005 until 2013, when term limits forced him to leave office.

Nebraska launches community college reimbursement program

April 25, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state employees will get an added job perk starting this summer that will let their dependent children attend in-state community colleges for free.

Gov. Pete Ricketts unveiled the new tuition reimbursement program Monday for the children of state workers.

Nebraska governor candidate sues sex assault accuser

By GRANT SCHULTEApril 23, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Republican Nebraska governor candidate who is backed by former President Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit Friday against a GOP state lawmaker who accused him of groping her at a local party event in 2019.

Nebraska lawmakers wrap up legislative session Wednesday

April 20, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts touted the tax cuts lawmakers approved this year as they wrapped up their session Wednesday.

Ricketts said the $900 million package of income and property tax cuts that the Legislature approved this year delivered “the most significant tax relief bill we have ever had in the state of Nebraska.” He signed the bill last week.

Nebraska law will advance proposed Colorado canal project

April 18, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a law Monday that will allow the state to move forward with plans to build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River because of fears about Colorado's increased water use.

Nebraska GOP governor hopeful accused of groping women

By GRANT SCHULTEApril 14, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A top Republican candidate for Nebraska governor faced an onslaught of criticism Thursday after several women, including a GOP state lawmaker, alleged that he groped them at public events and forcibly kissed one woman.

Nebraska Gov. Ricketts signs $900 million tax cut measure

April 13, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed off on a $900 million property and income tax cut package Wednesday.

Ricketts said the bill will provide nearly $1 billion in annual tax relief once it is fully implemented.

Nebraska lawmakers approve proposed Colorado canal project

April 12, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to a bill that would let the state build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River, a project steeped in fears about the Denver area's growing water consumption.

Nebraska lawmakers approve $900 million tax cut measure

April 7, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers approved a nearly $900 million income and property tax cut package on Thursday and sent it to Gov. Pete Ricketts, who's expected to sign it.

The measure that won final approval in the Legislature would drop the top individual and corporate income tax rates to 5.84% by 2027.

Nebraska lawmakers override most of Ricketts’ budget vetoes

April 7, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers on Thursday overrode nearly all of Gov. Pete Ricketts' line-item budget vetoes, restoring more than $172 million in expenditures.

Lawmakers voted in favor of all three motions to override the Republican governor, who had raised concerns about some of the spending items that they previously approved.

Nebraska fails to override governor’s denial of rental aid

By GRANT SCHULTEApril 5, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers failed Tuesday to overrule Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill that would have forced him to apply for $120 million in federal pandemic rental assistance, leaving the state as the only one to flat-out refuse the aid.

Ricketts trims some spending with line-item budget vetoes

April 5, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday trimmed $51.8 million in spending from the new state budget that lawmakers sent him last week before signing the rest of the package into law.

Battle heats up over remaining federal rental assistance

By MICHAEL CASEYApril 3, 2022 GMT

In her office at a nonprofit in central Nebraska, Karen Rathke routinely encounters residents still stung by the pandemic and hoping to get help with their rent.

Rathke, president of the Heartland United Way, was hoping to tap into an additional $120 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance to help them.

Ex-congressman set for sentence same day replacement picked

By GRANT SCHULTEApril 1, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska voters will elect a new member of Congress on the same day a judge in California is scheduled to sentence the Republican who resigned from the position to a possible federal prison sentence.

Nebraska governor hopeful Thibodeau announces running mate

April 1, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Republican Nebraska governor hopeful Theresa Thibodeau has chosen a central Nebraska rancher and conservative radio host as her running mate.

Thibodeau announced Thursday that she will run on a ticket with Trent Loos, a sixth-generation rancher and longtime farming advocate.

Nebraska to send police body armor, helmets to Ukraine

March 30, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is sending 550 pieces of law enforcement armor to help Ukrainian soldiers who are defending their homeland against a Russian invasion, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday.

Nebraska Gov. Ricketts vetoes rental assistance bill

March 30, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed a bill Tuesday that would force the state to apply for $120 million in federal pandemic rental assistance.

The Republican governor argued that Nebraska is no longer in a declared state of emergency due to the pandemic and said the extra money would amount to a subsidy that would make recipients reliant on the government.

Democrat Blood names running mate in governor’s race

March 27, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Democrat Carol Blood has chosen a former state senator and rancher from western Nebraska to be her running mate in the race for Nebraska governor.

Blood, who is currently serving in the Legislature, announced her pick on Sunday.

House leaders call on Nebraska Rep. Fortenberry to resign

By GRANT SCHULTE and BRIAN MELLEYMarch 25, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry on Friday faced growing pressure from congressional leaders and Nebraska’s GOP governor to resign after a California jury found him guilty of lying to federal authorities about an illegal $30,000 campaign donation from a Nigerian billionaire.

Nebraska Lt Gov accused of improper campaign fundraising

March 25, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A state lawmaker from Lincoln has accused Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley of flouting state campaign finance law and is calling for Foley — who is now running for state auditor — to divest his campaign of tens of thousands of dollars.

Nebraska rental aid bill passes, still faces big hurdles

March 23, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would force Gov. Pete Ricketts to apply for $120 million in federal housing assistance for Nebraska won final approval from lawmakers on Wednesday, but still faces some big hurdles.

Nebraska advances bill to lift SNAP ban for drug offenders

March 22, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers took an initial step Tuesday toward repealing a state law that bars people with certain drug convictions from getting federal food assistance.

Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval on a 25-17 vote.

Omaha to weigh reducing health chief’s power in an epidemic

March 13, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha City Council will consider reducing the decision-making powers for the city health director in the event of an epidemic.

Nebraska advances permitless concealed carry measure

By GRANT SCHULTEMarch 11, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska inched closer Friday to allowing gun owners to carry concealed firearms without a permit, background check or special training, as more than 20 other conservative states already have done.

Nebraska lawmakers spar over permitless concealed carry bill

By GRANT SCHULTEMarch 11, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers struggled Thursday over a measure that would allow people to carry concealed handguns without a permit, an idea supported by gun-rights advocates despite concerns from some law enforcement officials.

Nebraska canal project targeting Colorado clears key hurdle

By GRANT SCHULTEMarch 9, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska took another step Wednesday toward building a canal that would divert water out of neighboring Colorado under a 99-year-old compact, a project based in fears about the Denver area's growing use of the South Platte River that runs through both states.

Nebraska prison pay bumps credited for easing staff shortage

By GRANT SCHULTEMarch 7, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's push to increase pay for front-line prison staffers appears to have eased some of the chronic shortages that have caused problems in the corrections department, state officials said Monday.

Ricketts ramps up push for Nebraska tax cuts, canal, prison

By GRANT SCHULTEMarch 2, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts ramped up his push Wednesday for income tax cuts, a new state prison and a $500 million canal to claim water from Colorado, arguing that the state is expected to collect more than enough revenue to pay for it all.

Bill to require Holocaust lessons in schools advances

March 1, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska public schools would have to teach lessons about the Holocaust and other episodes of genocide under a bill advanced by lawmakers on Tuesday.

Lawmakers gave the measure initial approval on a 44-0 vote, despite some questions about which specific moments in history could be defined as genocide.

Nebraska advances income tax cuts despite reservations

By GRANT SCHULTEFebruary 24, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday to personal and corporate income tax cuts backed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, despite reservations about who would benefit the most and the likely revenue losses for the state.

Nebraska medical marijuana bill derided as ’poison pill″

February 23, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would allow marijuana for medicinal use in Nebraska while imposing tight restrictions hit a wall of opposition Wednesday from both legalization advocates and opponents.

Nebraska governor picks replacement for senator who resigned

By GRANT SCHULTEFebruary 23, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday appointed a conservative banker to replace former state Sen. Mike Groene, who resigned after admitting that he took photos of a legislative staffer without her knowledge.

Gov. Ricketts urges fewer restrictions as COVID cases fall

February 17, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts said Nebraskans should be allowed to “return to normal” as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to fall in the state.

“Our case counts and hospitalization rates are dropping with each passing day," Ricketts said in a statement Thursday.

Ricketts stresses support for tax cuts ahead of bill debate

February 15, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts made clear again on Monday that he wants lawmakers to cut the state's income tax this year, arguing that doing so will keep the state competitive.

Ricketts argued his case at a press conference with Nebraska business leaders.

Nebraska water groups endorse proposed $500M Colorado canal

By GRANT SCHULTEFebruary 10, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska water regulators rallied Wednesday behind a proposal to build a $500 million canal in neighboring Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River, a project steeped in fears that the fast-growing Denver area will consume most of the river's water.

Ricketts announces trade mission to United Kingdom, Ireland

By GRANT SCHULTEFebruary 7, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts and business leaders will travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland in August to promote Nebraska businesses on a trade mission that coincides with the University of Nebraska football team's season opener in Ireland.

Nebraska AG Peterson endorses Hilgers to replace him

February 1, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson endorsed Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers Tuesday as his replacement once he leaves office next year.

Hilgers, of Lincoln, announced in December that he would run for attorney general in this year's election.

Nebraska Farm Bureau backs Republican Jim Pillen for gov

February 1, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jim Pillen scored a big endorsement Tuesday from the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm group and an influential voice among farmers.

Republican Mike Flood says he has raised more than $400K

January 31, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state Sen. Mike Flood said Monday that he has raised more than $400,000 in the two weeks since he announced his campaign to challenge U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry in the Republican primary.

Fortenberry, Flood trade jabs in Nebraska congressional race

By GRANT SCHULTEJanuary 28, 2022 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry went on the offensive Friday against his Republican primary challenger, accusing state Sen. Mike Flood of “betraying conservative values” on immigration with his support of a 2012 health care law that divided Nebraska Republicans.

State declines new virus rules despite high hospitalizations

By JOSH FUNKJanuary 27, 2022 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The number of virus hospitalizations in Nebraska exceeds the level that was supposed to trigger new restrictions from the state, but Gov. Pete Ricketts said those aren't needed now because hospitals are already limiting surgeries to preserve capacity.