Legislative Update

Good morning, Nebraska!

This week was the last week of hearings for my bills. We went out with a bang as we had five bills go in front of various committees. LB12, LB20, LB478, LB13, and finally LB8 had their hearings. I honestly believe that we made our case for each one of these bills and I look forward to the committees advancing the bills out of committee.

While the hearings were still center stage, we did have several bills debated and advanced on the floor as well. Of those, a rather large chunk were select file bills, meaning they were already in the second round of debate and likely headed to final reading. In all, we advanced 26 bills. Of note:

LB159 which was brought by the Urban Affairs Committee, of which I’m a member. This bill isn’t going to move mountains, but it does allow for a city or village to print its ordinances in an online format. This will both allow for a bit less waste, as they may not need to print off as many pamphlets and it allows more people to better educate themselves on those ordinances.

LB4, which increases from 50 percent to 75 percent the magnitude of tuition assistance benefits for Nebraska-based enlisted military reservists. This piece of legislation has 36 cosigners, including myself and might be one of the most “sure to become law” this session.

Next week, at least two of my bills will be heard on the floor, with LB14, my personal priority bill this session, the Audiologist and Speech Pathologist Compact bill, first up on Tuesday morning. The other bill on the agenda for Tuesday is my stroke-heart bill. LB476. I’m looking forward to taking the next step in getting them both passed.

For a full list and additional information about all the bills I’ve introduced and cosponsored, you can click the link here.

Have Your Kiddos Join The Pawsitive Reading Program
Next Saturday, March 13, the Bellevue Public Library is holding a couple of its Pawsitive Reading Programs, though for obvious reasons, this year it will be on Zoom. Grades Pre-K through 6th will be able to read to a host of furry cuties.

The first program will take place from 9:30-10:30 am and the second will take place from 2:00 – 3:00.that afternoon. You can sign up on the Bellevue Library’s website but you should know that you’re going to need to sign up at least 24 hours in advance.

Water Roundtable Next Week
Nebraskans continue to reach out to me about the potential for flooding due to the record amounts of snow we have received. Here is an opportunity to learn more about the history, impact, outlook, and preparation regarding ice jams for the upcoming 2021 spring season. This will be an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered, as well.   Please share this information with any interested parties.

Please join the 2021 Water Roundtable presentation being held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 8:00 am (Central Time)  This will be a webinar format and will feature Bryan Tuma, Assistant Director of NEMA.

You can register for this Webinar here.

Questions regarding the event can be directed to the Nebraska Water Resources Association at 402-476-1528

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Sarpy/Cass County Health Department recently issued an update on the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. The department has officially entered into Phase 1B.

Unfortunately for those with underlying health conditions who were hoping to be vaccinated sooner, Governor Ricketts announced last week that “High-Risk” individuals won’t be receiving their vaccinations during Phase 1B. This phase is expected to last until April.

However, Sarpy/Cass residents born in 1951 or before are eligible to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination.

You do not need the Sarpy/Cass Health Department to schedule this appointment for you. Please visit this website to view all the vaccine clinic options in our communities. Select the clinic that works best for you, and click or call that individual clinic to schedule your appointment.

Please keep in mind that scheduling at this time is limited to those residents born in 1951 or before. Appointments made for non-residents or those outside the age range will be canceled by the individual clinics.

If you do have any questions there is a number you can call to get assistance. 402-339-4334 and press option 1.

In preparation for your name being called to get vaccinated, the state does offer a website where you can register to be notified when it’s your turn. You can sign up at this link.

Nebraska DED Impacts Report
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development just released its annual Key Programs and Impacts report. They produce this report with the goal of showing how Nebraska’s taxpayer dollars are efficiently being put to use to try and help grow the state.

You can view the report at the DED’s official website here.

Utility Scammers
For whatever reason, the springtime is also a time of year when OPPD and other utility companies report that customers start getting calls from scammers who are posing as workers for companies like OPPD and others. This is actually a long-running scame happening all across the country. Aggressive callers try to convince customers they owe money. They often instruct customers to use a pre-paid debit, gift or Green Dot card to settle up. Callers threaten to disconnect service if customers do not pay.

Even more dastardly is that these scammers are reported to be using “spoofing” software so that the number that comes up on someone’s caller ID looks as if the call is coming from a utility company.

Callers claimed they’d need to come out and replace a meter, which the customer would have to pay for. They provided a toll-free number for the customer to call back in order to make the payment. However, OPPD never charges for a meter replacement.

The other scenario gloating around recently is that customers will get a call that shows up as “NPPD,” with scammers pretending to work for Nebraska Public Power District. In those calls, customers have been told their power will be turned off within 30-minutes if they do not pay up immediately. It’s important to note that this is not how utility companies operate. These companies never cold call someone looking for payment.

If you do receive one of these calls, hang up as soon as you realize what it is. If possible, make note of the number that called you and report that to your utility company. If you receive one of these calls, you and should independently reach out to your utility company to sort out the situation.

Legislative Update

Good morning, Nebraska!

Next week is the final day of committee hearings for most of us, though the Judiciary committee will keep on going as they had over 150 bills assigned to them this year. Far more than any other committee. The week is going to be a busy one for our office as we have five bills up in various committees.

Next Monday afternoon I present LB12 in the Transportation and Telecommunication Committee and LB20 in front of the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance committee.

LB12 is my Commuter Rail Study bill. This bill would task the Department of Transportation to study the effectiveness, cost, and need for a commuter rail line between Lincoln and Omaha. It would then submit a report on the study to the legislature. Among other reasons I brought this bill, I think it will greatly help reduce the traffic on Highway 6 and I-80. Especially when this route gets traveled, the most, during Husker game days. Anyone who has been on I-80 a few hours before or a few hours after a Husker game knows the pain of the interstate traffic jam.

LB20 is my women’s health equity bill. This will reduce interruptions in birth control, helping to reduce unintended pregnancy and abortion by having insurers cover the number of contraceptives dispensed in accordance with the prescription—up to 12 months at a time but it won’t require a 12-month supply on the first pickup. The bill allows an initial 3-month prescription to make sure it is safe to use prior to expanding it. The intent is to close health inequities in rural Nebraska, those reliant on public transportation, and women who must travel for work or abroad.
This also a cost-saving measure for the state. One study found that the longer prescription period led to fewer gaps in taking contraceptives. The study found unwanted pregnancies can be reduced by as much as 30 percent. When you consider that providing a year’s worth of contraceptives cost $365 compared to birthing services that run near $5,000; it’s a no-brainer.

On Tuesday, I’ll present LB478, my firefighter’s retirement bill to the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee. This bill would move all First Class city firefighters’ pension and retirement funds over to the state’s Public Employees’ Cash Balance Retirement Plan. They currently have a simple 401K program that does not provide enough money for these firefighters to retire on, forcing them to work later into life than they should, thereby putting themselves and others in harm’s way.

Wednesday sees my LB13 slated for hearing with the Judiciary Committee. The bill deals with protection orders from another state when that protection order relates to domestic or family abuse. Currently, certain prohibitions are already in place for Nebraska but we want to harmonize the language to include orders that might be issued in other states and jurisdictions as there have been examples where these individuals have fallen through the cracks, to the detriment of the victim.

Finally, on Thursday, LB8 will get heard by the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs committee. This bill addresses gaps in Nebraska’s current statute that enable “dark money” special interest groups to place influential ads. These ads may incorrectly sway voters during elections without knowing who is behind them. This would fill in the gaps by requiring anyone who makes an advertisement that costs more than $1,000 to file a form with the election commission. This is, by the way, the same thing everyone else has to do. It’s time for the legislature to put its money where it’s mouth is when it comes to transparency. This bill will do that.

This past week I also had a hearing on LB5, the Purple Star Schools Program bill. It encourages but doesn’t require every school in the state to appoint a “military liaison” who will then create programming for students who might be recent transfers into the school district after moving here with their military family. The liaison may also set up a website that demonstrates how to establish a “military-friendly” atmosphere at the school. Choosing to participate in the programming would then designate the school as a “Purple Star” school.

We also got good news this week in regards to one of my bills that we’ve already had a hearing on. LB6, which would change provisions relating to the taxation of military retirement benefits. This is a bit of a tweak from last year’s military retirement bill, LB153. However, that bill was based on 1099’s received from the DOD. There are military retirees that do not receive form 1099 from the US DOD but receive it from The Office of Personnel Management. They are being told they’re not eligible under 153 and LB6 would make them eligible for the benefits. That bill’s language was folded into Senator Brewer’s larger military retirement bill, LB387, and advanced from the committee on Thursday. It will now go in front of the full legislature for debate and we have high hopes of its passage.

A reminder that if you want to participate in any of the hearings on my bills, there have been some changes to the way they are carried out this year. Because of the pandemic, Speaker Hilgers would prefer not to pack the room with testifiers but understands it’s a fundamental right to participate in the legislative hearings in Nebraska. To that end, only those who intend to testify on a bill will be allowed to sit in the hearing room. His office set up a system that will allow users to track the hearing online and enter comments on any bill being heard on the Legislature’s website.

As always the committees are also accepting letters of support or opposition in lieu of testimony. Because of the added stressors that come from all-day hearings, those letters must now be submitted by noon the day before and they must be submitted to specially designated committee emails, rather than the clerk or the chairperson directly.

In order to see exactly how you can participate in legislative hearings this year, you can go to this link.

For a full list and additional information about all the bills I’ve introduced and cosponsored, you can click the link here.

Meet Sarah!
We want to introduce you to our new intern Sarah Lies, who is working with us under the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Honors Legislative Internship Program. Sarah grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and is the only girl among five brothers. Having been homeschooled through high school, Sarah says that she is incredibly grateful to her parents for their continued investment and encouragement.

Now, she is a junior at UNL dual majoring in Global Studies and Political Science and minoring in Arabic and Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. She is involved as a Resident Assistant in Sandoz Hall and the World Youth Alliance organization. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, going rock climbing, and spending time with friends. Upon graduation, Sarah hopes to pursue a career working in foreign affairs for the United States Federal Government.

Water Roundtable In March
Nebraskans continue to reach out to me about the potential for flooding due to the record amounts of snow we have received. Here is an opportunity to learn more about the history, impact, outlook, and preparation regarding ice jams for the upcoming 2021 spring season. This will be an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered, as well.   Please share this information with any interested parties.

Please join the 2021 Water Roundtable presentation being held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 8:00 am (Central Time)  This will be a webinar format and will feature Bryan Tuma, Assistant Director of NEMA.

You can register for this Webinar here.

Questions regarding the event can be directed to the Nebraska Water Resources Association at 402-476-1528

Rosters Are Out
After a long wait, the new rosters are officially out! If you would like one, don’t hesitate to contact our office and we’ll be happy to mail you one.

It’s A Seussathon!
For something a bit more fun, you can take part in next week’s Bellevue Public Library Seussathon.  It will be virtual this year, with special guest readers in the Zoom room every half hour. You can just head over to the event’s calendar and grab the zoom link. Then join in next Tuesday!

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Sarpy/Cass County Health Department issued an update on the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. The department has officially entered into Phase 1B.

Unfortunately for those with underlying health conditions who were hoping to be vaccinated sooner, Governor Ricketts announced last week that “High-Risk” individuals won’t be receiving their vaccinations during Phase 1B. This phase is expected to last until April.

However, Sarpy/Cass residents born in 1951 or before are eligible to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination.

You do not need the Sarpy/Cass Health Department to schedule this appointment for you. Please visit this website to view all the vaccine clinic options in our communities. Select the clinic that works best for you, and click or call that individual clinic to schedule your appointment.

Please keep in mind that scheduling at this time is limited to those residents born in 1951 or before. Appointments made for non-residents or those outside the age range will be canceled by the individual clinics.

If you do have any questions there is a number you can call to get assistance. 402-339-4334 and press option 1.

In preparation for your name being called to get vaccinated, the state does offer a website where you can register to be notified when it’s your turn. You can sign up at this link.

Good morning, Nebraska!

We kicked the week off with floor debate on bills for the first time this session. With the change in our daily schedule, we had been involved in all-day hearings for most of the session but on Tuesday, we opened the morning with General File debate on the floor.

We almost completed the entire agenda, eventually passing 22 separate bills onto select file. It was indeed an unusual break from all-day hearings. On Wednesday we returned to our normal schedule. We won’t be returning to floor debate until March 9. At that point, most of the committee hearings will be over (with the exception of Judiciary) and soon after that week, we’ll transition to all-day floor debate.

On Wednesday, I was in front of the Health and Human Services committee for the hearing on LB554, which is my third interstate compact bill this session. LB554 adopts the Licensed
Professional Counselors Interstate Compact in order to create better access for patients, offer telehealth alternatives and remove hurdles for employment for professionals including military spouses and family members. This is a brand new compact, though there are already several states looking to adopt it. Like the others of this kind, it will go “live” when 10 states join. We should be clear that our office also supports reciprocity, but that does not address our military spouse who must move every 2-3 years. We not only want them to be able to work into Nebraska without additional hurdles, but move to their next post and be able to get to work quickly as well. That’s why our office LOVES these compacts and enjoys working with our friends in the military families office at the DOD on your behalf. every year.

Next week I will have a hearing for LB5 in front of the Education Committee. The bill encourages but doesn’t require every school in the state to appoint a “military liaison” who will then create programming for students who might be recent transfers into the school district after moving to Nebraska with their military family. The liaison may also set up a website that demonstrates how to establish a “military-friendly” atmosphere at the school. Choosing to participate in the programming would then designate the school as a “Purple Star” school.

A reminder that if you want to participate in any of the hearings on my bills, there have been some changes to the way they are carried out this year. Because of the pandemic, Speaker Hilgers would prefer not to pack the room with testifiers but understands it’s a fundamental right to participate in the legislative hearings in Nebraska. To that end, only those who intend to testify on a bill will be allowed to sit in the hearing room. His office set up a system that will allow users to track the hearing online and enter comments on any bill being heard on the Legislature’s website. 

As always the committees are also accepting letters of support or opposition in lieu of testimony. Because of the added stressors that come from all-day hearings, those letters must now be submitted by noon the day before and they must be submitted to specially designated committee emails, rather than the clerk or the chairperson directly. 

In order to see exactly how you can participate in legislative hearings this year, you can go to this link.

For a full list and additional information about all the bills I’ve introduced and cosponsored, you can click the link here.

Food Pantry
The winter has been all the more difficult this year thanks to the extreme weather and the coronavirus pandemic. If you are someone in need, you can head out to the Glory Tabernacle church later this morning and pick up some food and winter clothing. You can also go and donate winter clothes or food, if you have some to share.
ENOA Meeting In March
The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is going to be having a virtual meeting on March 1 to discuss changes they are making to their routes. The agency is no longer going to offering rides that are strictly inside an area that is defined as “Urbanized Areas” of Omaha. That includes most of Sarpy and Cass county. They will still allow for rides from Bellevue, Papillion and LaVista to rural areas, and will allow rides from rural areas to the Urbanized Omaha Area.

The changes are currently slated to go into effect on July 1.

If this plan does go into effect, it’s going to make things quite hard for Sarpy and Cass county’s aging population to get around. I would encourage everyone to listen in on this meeting and make your voice heard in hopes of convincing ENOA to change its plans.

This particular change was on the agenda two years ago but they were able to scrap it, after additional funding was made available. It can be changed again if enough people fight for it.

All the information on the meeting can be found on ENOA’s official website here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Sarpy/Cass County Health Department issued an update on the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. The department has officially entered into Phase 1B.

Unfortunately for those with underlying health conditions who were hoping to be vaccinated sooner, Governor Ricketts announced this week that “High-Risk” individuals won’t be receiving their vaccinations during Phase 1B.

However, Sarpy/Cass residents born in 1951 or before are eligible to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination.

You do not need the Sarpy/Cass Health Department to schedule this appointment for you. Please visit this website to view all the vaccine clinic options in our communities. Select the clinic that works best for you, and click or call that individual clinic to schedule your appointment.

Please keep in mind that scheduling at this time is limited to those residents born in 1951 or before. Appointments made for non-residents or those outside the age range will be canceled by the individual clinics.

If you do have any questions there is a number you can call to get assistance. 402-339-4334 and press option 1.

In preparation for your name being called to get vaccinated, the state does offer a website where you can register to be notified when it’s your turn. You can sign up at this link.

Legislative Update

Good morning, Nebraska!

We kicked the week off with LB9 on Tuesday in front of the Urban Affairs committee. This bill changes annexation requirements and property tax special valuation provisions for cities that might encompass or be built near a military installation. The way state law is currently written, annexation has to include contiguous or adjacent land, but that’s impossible for cities like Bellevue which have federally owned or NRD land in the middle of a potential annexation area. This would allow those cities to “cross” over NRD or Federal land. The special valuation provisions make it so rural landowners who are being annexed in aren’t “punished” by the annexation by a change in their valuation. If passed, this bill will change the future path of growth and economic development for the Bellevue community for the better.

Next week, I have one bill hearing, on Wednesday, February 17, in front of the Health and Human Services committee. LB554 is my third interstate compact bill this session. LB554 adopts the Licensed Professional Counselors Interstate Compact in order to create better access for patients, offer telehealth alternatives and remove hurdles for employment for professionals including military spouses and family members. This is a brand new compact, though there are already several states looking to adopt it. Like the others of this kind, it will go “live” when 10 states join. We should be clear that our office also supports reciprocity, but that does not address or military spouse who must move every 2-3 years. We not only want them to be able to work into Nebraska without additional hurdles, but move to their next post and be able to get to work quickly as well. That’s why our office LOVES these compacts and enjoys working with our friends at the DOD on your behalf. every year.

I also received some good news on LB476. That bill will use Nebraska’s existing Stroke System of Care as a foundation to establish and implement an improvement plan for a more comprehensive system for stroke response and treatment. The bill requires DHHS to collaborate with the task force to maintain a statewide stroke data registry using the ‘Get with the Guidelines’ stroke data set provided by the American Heart Association. It was advanced out of the Health and Human Services Committee this week to the floor and general file. Hopefully, we’ll be taking it up for debate in front of the entire legislature very soon and help it to become law yet in 2021.

I’ve also been happy to see several bills that I cosponsored get voted out of committee. That includes LB4, which raises the tuition assistance for undergraduate education under the Reserve Tuition Credit from 50 percent to 75 percent. It also removes a restriction that anyone with more than 10 years of military service couldn’t access the credit.

LB255 is another one I’m proud to support as it benefits families of first responders who gave their lives to help others. The bill creates the In the Line Of Duty Compensation Act to provide a one-time death benefit to the family of a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or another first responder who dies in the line of duty.

A reminder that if you want to participate in any of the hearings on my bills, there have been some changes to the way they are carried out this year. Because of the pandemic, Speaker Hilgers would prefer not to pack the room with testifiers but understands it’s a fundamental right to participate in the legislative hearings in Nebraska. To that end, only those who intend to testify on a bill will be allowed to sit in the hearing room. His office set up a system that will allow users to track the hearing online and enter comments on any bill being heard on the Legislature’s website. 

As always the committees are also accepting letters of support or opposition in lieu of testimony. Because of the added stressors that come from all-day hearings, those letters must now be submitted by noon the day before and they must be submitted to specially designated committee emails, rather than the clerk or the chairperson directly. 

In order to see exactly how you can participate in legislative hearings this year, you can go to this link.

For a full list and additional information about all the bills I’ve introduced and cosponsored, you can click the link here.

Head Start Sarpy Accepting Applications
Sarpy County/ESU #3 HEAD START is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 School Year!Head Start has no cost pre-k and early childhood programs for children from birth to age 5.
The only requirement is that families that want to take advantage of this program must live in Sarpy County and meet certain income requirements.
You can apply online at Sarpy Head Start’s official webpage and click on the “apply now” section. If you need assistance, please call 402-597-4982.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Sarpy/Cass County Health Department issued an update on the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. The department has officially entered into Phase 1B where members of the public will begin getting vaccinated.

As is the case everywhere in the state at this point, the health department has started vaccinating the elderly first and is currently working on getting those who are 80 and over, covered. They will then move to 75 and over, then 70 and over, 65 and over and then onto other popular groups. However, the department is also working on getting first responders and educators vaccinated during this phase, though it’s still a lengthy process. The focus, after the aged, is indeed first responders. Then utility workers, homeless shelter employees, corrections officers, and then teachers.

If you do have any questions about the process the department is using in order to get people vaccinated, there is a number you can call to get assistance. 402-339-4334 and press option 1. This number has information about what tier the area is in, what to do if you’ve been called about an appointment to vaccinate, and other details.

In preparation for your name being called to get vaccinated, the state does offer a website where you can register to be notified when it’s your turn. You can sign up at this link. Keep in mind, tens of thousands of Nebraskans have already registered so they have a long list to work through and review. Still, it’s better to register now and wait, than wait to get registered.

Legislative Update

Good morning, Nebraska!

As has been the norm this session, the week was a busy one.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Speaker Hilgers decided to change how we do things this year. At least for the foreseeable future, the hearings are all-day, starting at 9:30 am, with a break at noon and then returning to hearings at 1:30 pm.

We kicked the week off with LB265 on Tuesday in front of the Urban Affairs committee. This bill is looking to create an exception for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Act reports. Currently, cities and municipalities that don’t take advantage of PACE must send in a letter that states they aren’t doing so. My bill would simply amend the language so they no longer need to send in the letter if they aren’t participating. This will save both city governments and legislative staff previously wasted time. It’s another way we can remove unnecessary red tape.

On Friday, I had two hearings in front of the Judiciary committee for LB7 and in front of the Government Committee for LB11. LB7 makes sure that a victim of sex trafficking is protected from arrest if they are reporting a violent crime to law enforcement. It encourages cooperation with law enforcement by writing into state law what is already practiced by most agencies in order to foster that cooperation. LB11 creates a more uniform and accessible system for early voting, while still maintaining the safety and security of Nebraska’s election systems. It allows registered voters in Nebraska to request to be put on a list that says they always want to receive an early ballot. They can also request an early ballot from the Secretary of State’s office.

Next week, I have one bill hearing, on Tuesday, February 9, again in front of the Urban Affairs committee. LB9 would change annexation requirements and property tax special valuation provisions for cities that might encompass or be built near a military installation. The way state law is currently written, annexation has to include contiguous or adjacent land, but that’s impossible for cities like Bellevue which have federally owned or NRD land in the middle of a potential annexation area. This would allow those cities to “cross” over NRD or Federal land. The special valuation provisions make it so landowners who are being annexed in aren’t “punished” by the annexation.

A reminder that if you want to participate in any of the hearings on my bills, there have been some changes to the way they are carried out this year. Because of the pandemic, Speaker Hilgers would prefer not to pack the room with testifiers but understands it’s a fundamental right to participate in the legislative hearings in Nebraska. To that end, only those who intend to testify on a bill will be allowed to sit in the hearing room. His office set up a system that will allow users to track the hearing online and enter comments on any bill being heard on the Legislature’s website. 

As always the committees are also accepting letters of support or opposition in lieu of testimony. Because of the added stressors that come from all-day hearings, those letters must now be submitted by noon the day before and they must be submitted to specially designated committee emails, rather than the clerk or the chairperson directly. 

In order to see exactly how you can participate in legislative hearings this year, you can go to this link.

For a full list and additional information about all the bills I’ve introduced and cosponsored, you can click the link here.

Redistricing
I am honored to be named to the Nebraska Legislature’s redistricing committee this year. Drawing the districts in our state is an incredibly important task that we must undertake every 10 years. Unfortunately, the pandemic has affected exactly when we’re going to get the data and start this important work, just as it’s affected everything else.For those who would like to learn more about how this works and why we’re not getting the census data until later in the year, I found this article from the AP quite useful.
Alums Headed to the Super Bowl
In case you missed it, Bellevue Public Schools has not one, but two alumni heading to the Super Bowl this weekend. Bellevue East High School alumna Miranda Serna and Bellvue West graduate Erin McMaster are both members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheer squad.You can read more about their story in the Omaha World-Herald but I wanted to give these two hard-working young women a bit of a shout out as they proudly represent their home town on the biggest stage in the sporting world this weekend.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Sarpy/Cass County Health Department issued an update on the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. The department has officially entered into Phase 1B where members of the public will begin getting vaccinated.

As is the case everywhere in the state at this point, the health department has started vaccinating the elderly first and is currently working on getting those who are 80 and over, covered. They will then move to 75 and over, then 70 and over, 65 and over and then onto other popular groups. However, they will start vaccinating those who are 18 and over, if they have significant underlying health issues that would make them “high-risk” should they become infected. People such as teachers and child care providers are also expected to be vaccinated during this phase, which will likely run until mid-March.

In preparation for your name being called to get vaccinated, the state does offer a website where you can register to be notified when it’s your turn. You can sign up at this link. Keep in mind, tens of thousands of Nebraskans have already registered so they have a long list to work through and review. Still, it’s better to register now and wait, than wait to get registered.