News & Commentary

Here's what we expect these next few days.

Nebraska is receiving a lot of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. More than $1 billion will be distributed at the Legislature’s choosing. The funding comes with stipulations. The U.S. Department of Treasury says the money can be used for addressing the pandemic’s negative economic impacts. One specific option it lists is premium pay (read: bonuses) for essential workers.

From a historic investment in North Omaha to extreme abortion bans, here's what state senators are prioritizing.

It’s easy to feel daunted by the influx of new bills each year. How do you know where to focus your time and energy? The ACLU of Nebraska is here to help. We’ve narrowed our full legislation breakdown to a list of 2022’s top threats and opportunities. Get informed then get involved. We have the power to ensure our elected leaders protect and advance our rights.

What does a healthy democracy look like?

Just days after ringing in 2021, we announced a successful settlement in a case against the Omaha Police Department that focused on the right to protest. As the year comes to a close, Omahans now have access to a report explaining how police are complying with the agreement’s conditions.

November is Native American Heritage Month. This year’s commemoration is particularly notable in Nebraska for following our state’s first official recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Nebraska's prison system has a solitary confinement problem. Despite the passage of much needed reforms over the last few years, this harmful practice is being used more often than it should.

Veterans Day invites Americans to show support to those who have served in our military. That’s a sizable population in Nebraska – about 127,000 veterans call our state home. Unfortunately, the conversation about supporting veterans always seems to start and end with topics like tax incentives and leaves out important economic justice and social justice issues.