Brian Beach

1 week ago | nebraskapublicmedia.org | Brian Beach

A bill to regulate medical cannabis in Nebraska faced a significant setback Thursday afternoon. During an executive session in the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, senators failed to advance LB677, which regulates medical marijuana. The legislation comes on the heels of initiatives to legalize and regulate the substance, which both passed in November with more than two-thirds of the vote.

1 week ago | nebraskapublicmedia.org | Brian Beach

A proposal to change how the remains from elective abortions are disposed of is moving forward in the Nebraska Legislature after two days of debate. Sen. Ben Hansen’s LB632, which would require abortion remains to be buried or cremated, advanced on a 34-11 vote Tuesday morning. Currently, Nebraska hospitals are required to bury or cremate fetal remains after spontaneous abortions, miscarriages or stillbirths.

2 weeks ago | nebraskapublicmedia.org | Brian Beach

The measles outbreak in Texas now has the attention of Nebraska’s governor. More than 700 cases of measles have been reported across the U.S. this year. The vast majority of those are in Texas, where two children have already died from the virus. The deaths are the first from the disease in the country since 2015. Nebraska doesn't have any reported cases as of Friday afternoon, but Gov. Jim Pillen said Nebraskans should be prepared.

2 weeks ago | nebraskapublicmedia.org | Brian Beach

State senators passed eight bills on Thursday, including one to ensure parents have access to the books their children read at school libraries. Sen. Dave Murman, who chairs the Legislature’s Education committee, introduced LB390 requiring libraries to publish a catalog of materials and allow parents to be notified when their children check anything out. He said his legislation gives parents a greater ability to be involved in their kid’s education.

2 weeks ago | m.farms.com | Brian Beach

By Brian BeachAs Nebraska farmers begin planting crops this month, a new wave of tariffs will take effect, with the potential to impact the price of farm inputs and access to export markets. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced a baseline tariff of 10% on all foreign goods. Many countries will face even higher “reciprocal tariffs,” meant to penalize them for current trade barriers.