Andrew Ozaki

2 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

A federal grant to help Nebraska hospitals fight the opioid epidemic has been terminated. The $3.2 million grant was meant to decrease the amount of addictive pain-killer medications prescribed after surgeries and find alternatives. "We received a phone call saying that the grant funding had been terminated effective immediately," said Nebraska Hospital Association Chief Nursing and Informatics Officer Margaret Woeppel.

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. It's "I Love NU" lobby day at the Capitol as the legislature's budget-writing committee weighs how funding the University fits into the state's two-year budget. "It's so critical that we continue to support students and invest in the next generation of Nebraskans," University of Nebraska Omaha student regent Ishani Adidam said.

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

Even though federal funds for this year are on hold, work continues at the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus at the site of the United States Department of Agriculture's National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture."Unfortunately, the funds that were to be appropriated for this project got removed from the budget," said Mike Boehm, NU's vice president and vice chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources.But Boehm said fortunately, Congress had already...

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

Lab-cultivated meat that uses animal cells to make beef, chicken and pork products is one step closer to being barred from grocery shelves or even being produced in Nebraska. Lawmakers give first-round approval LB 246 on a 33 to 4 vote. It's a measure brought by Gov. Jim Pillen that prohibits cultivated-protein food products under the Nebraska Pure Food Act and provides enforcement under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. "Cultured lab-grown meat is not meat," said state Sen. Tom Brandt. State Sen.

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

In November, Nebraska voters approved an initiative petition by 75% that mandates earned paid sick leave. On Friday, lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill with an amendment attached that some senators said guts key parts of what voters passed. "It has age restrictions. It has industry restrictions. It has business restrictions. It undercuts a private right of action and enforcement, which makes it toothless," said state Sen. Danielle Conrad.