Aaron Sanderford

NEW OPENING? Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s questions about private and city investment in two Omaha soccer projects seeking state sales tax incentives may hint at a possible thaw in his attitude toward them. From @cgonzalez_NE and me: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/21/pil…

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: GOP leaders in Congress appeared to be on the same page about how to fund immigration enforcement for the next three years using a budget reconciliation process. From @statesnewsroom: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/21/rep…

IN-STATE TUITION LAW: The Justice Department is working with Nebraska officials to pull back from a state law that allows certain undocumented immigrants who grew up and graduated in the state to pay in-state tuition. From @ErinBamer: nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/doj-joi…

AWARDS UPDATE: The Nebraska Examiner was honored last weekend as part of the annual Nebraska Press Association’s awards. Tip of the hat to @ZachWendling2 and @4nsmiley, who were recognized. From @NE_Examiner: nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/examine…

NEW LAWSUIT: Voting rights groups launched a legal challenge Tuesday against the Trump administration’s effort to sweep up sensitive data on millions of Americans with the aim of identifying noncitizen voters. From @statesnewsroom: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/21/rep…

CONGRESSIONAL ISSUE: The recent resignations of two members of Congress reignited conversation about sexual harassment in politics nearly nine years after the peak of the #MeToo movement — with new data. From The 19th, via @NE_Examiner: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/21/sex…

ICYMI: Nebraska's governor held an open cabinet meeting Monday to let state agency heads talk about progress under his leadership as he heads into a primary election next month. His property tax responses made headlines. From @ZachWendling2: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/20/pil…

START YOUR MORNING: By stopping to smell the flowers — lilacs to be exact — in Nebraska City. From @NE_Examiner: nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bloomin…

TARIFF REFUNDS? The federal tariff refund system went live Monday, marking what business advocates call a first step for entrepreneurs to recoup $166 billion in import taxes accrued under President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs. From @statesnewsroom: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/20/rep…

LABOR SECRETARY: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will step down from her post, the Trump administration announced Monday, following multiple reports alleging work misconduct. From @statesnewsroom: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/20/rep…

CUTS FOR RELIEF? More state budget cuts could be on the way in 2027 as Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, seeking reelection, pledges again to shrink state government to help offset more in local property taxes. From @ZachWendling2: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/20/pil…

COMMENTARY FROM GEORGE AYOUB: The dispute over who first said, “May you live in interesting times,” pales when considering what “interesting” means these days. Last week’s newsy highlights were saddled with enough head-scratching lowlights. nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/20/opi…

POETRY CONNECTION: The poetry of John Neihardt — and his love of rhyme and verse — will take center stage at the 45th annual Neihardt Spring Conference on Saturday. From @NE_Examiner: nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/poetry-…

You had me at pollinators. From @statesnewsroom: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/20/rep…

Elite execution.

TRAIL UPDATE: After another cut in state funding, an effort to link recreation trails from Omaha and Lincoln through Cass County is looking at other options. From @PaulHammelNE: nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/trail-c…

NE-02 DEMS: With the 2026 primary in its closing month, six Democratic campaigns still competing in one of the most-watched congressional races nationally entered the campaign’s final sprint. From @4nsmiley: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/20/ins…

WAREHOUSE PUSHBACK: Some of the Trump administration’s controversial new warehouse immigration detention centers are getting scaled back and postponed as states and cities fight back. From Stateline: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/19/rep…

BOUNDARY WATERS: Congress’ move to allow mining in a national forest near a wilderness area may have broad ramifications across the country. From Stateline: nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/19/rep…