OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Tuesday started.
Turning Point USA, Pillen to announce statewide partnership Tuesday
On Tuesday, Governor Jim Pillen plans to announce a partnership to bring Turning Point USA clubs to every high school in Nebraska.
In a release sent Monday, Gov. Pillen says that he, along with Turning Point USA Club America Enterprise Director Nick Cocca, will announce the partnership in a news conference. Watch a livestream of the announcement at 3 p.m. Tuesday in our apps.
TPUSA was founded by conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed while speaking at a college campus on Sept. 10. The release says the partnership advances Kirk’s vision and defending student-led engagement and free speech.
Officials plan to address what happens if a school administrator blocks or delays students from forming a chapter. Nebraska would join Montana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida and Texas in adopting this model.
Omaha City Council working to find new parks director amid vacancy
On Tuesday, the Omaha City Council will discuss a resolution to spend $50,000 for a headhunter to find a new parks director.
The resolution includes the hiring of the Potrero Group for a national search. The parks department has been without a full-time director since mid-July last year after Matt Kalcevich resigned.
The mayor’s office said their focus is on major capital projects, including opening the Levi Carter Park recreation facility and renovations at the Tranquility Park soccer complex.
Stephen Bolgar, president of the Mandan Park Neighborhood Association, said he has concerns about the search process, especially if the new director isn’t from the area.
The Omaha City Council meets at 2 p.m. most Tuesdays. Meetings are livestreamed on the city’s website.
Organization to appeal court decision on Nebraska voter data release
A Nebraska nonprofit is trying to stop the release of statewide, nonpublic voter data the U.S. Department of Justice.
After DOJ issued a ruling to allow the release of the data, Common Cause plans to appeal it.
On Sept 8. 2025, the DOJ sent a letter to Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s office requesting personal information on voters such as addresses, driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.
Common Cause then filed a lawsuit to stop the request, asking the Lancaster County District Court to find that the DOJ request violates Nebraska law protecting data privacy, according to the Nebraska Examiner.
Evnen intends to release the state’s voter file to the federal government on Thursday, unless the court orders otherwise.
Metro Transit holding public meetings over proposed route changes
Metro Transit is holding a series of meetings over a set of proposed changes to their bus routes.
A release sent Monday says seven meetings, including two virtual meetings, will have a presentation and Q+A portion.
This week’s in-person meetings include:
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.Metro Administrative Office, 2222 Cuming Street Omaha, NE 68102Thursday, February 12th, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.Aksarben Transit Center, 6801 Mercy Road Omaha, NE 68106Saturday, February 14th, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.Hardy Coffee at The Highlander, 2112 N 30th Omaha, NE 68111
On Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be online meetings on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Proposed route changes include Routes 3, 4, 11, 13 short, 18, 26, 30, and 106.
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announces statewide town hall tour
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) announced its plans Monday to hold a statewide town hall tour.
According to a release, the town halls will explain the current state of Nebraska’s medical cannabis program, what patients and families need to know and how ongoing legislative and regulatory decisions may affect access.
Town hall tour schedule:
Scottsbluff Public Library, 1809 Third Ave., Wednesday, Feb. 11North Platte Pizza Ranch, 201 E. Sixth St., Thursday, Feb. 12Grand Island Pizza Ranch, 1016 Diers Ave., Friday, Feb. 13Aurora Public Library, 1603 L St., Saturday, Feb. 14Lincoln IBEW Local 265, 1409 Old Farm Road, Monday, Feb. 16
Last year, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission was formed to make rules and regulations for the industry. At last week’s monthly meeting, Dr. Monica Oldenburg, who was serving as the commission’s chairperson after she was appointed by Gov. Pillen, resigned.
Nebraska bill would remove age restrictions for GED recipients
Students could soon get a GED without age restrictions under legislation that advanced Monday in the Nebraska Legislature.
LB 745Â passed the first of three rounds of voting. The bill drops the requirement that people receiving a GED are at least 18 years old.
Currently, teens can take the test and pass but cannot officially receive the high school equivalency until they reach the age of 18. Senator Margo Juarez, who introduced the bill, said the current rules do not work for everyone.
The bill also ends the requirement students wait at least one year past when they were supposed to graduate to get the high school equivalency diploma.
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