League of Women Voters of Nebraska

The impact of changes in the federal funding landscape on Nebraska Public Media will be the focus of the Thursday, June 4, Lunch & Learn program presented by the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County from noon to 1 p.m. (CDT). The program is available to the public via Zoom at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85978603156. (Meeting ID: 859 7860 3156).

On the national level, the U.S. Congress formally rescinded all previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, forcing the organization to shut down. While a federal judge struck down the previous executive order that targeted National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, it did not restore the rescinded congressional funds. The changes in the federal funding landscape mean a loss of nearly $4 million to Nebraska Public Media.

So, the question remains: What’s to become of public media?

Stacy Decker, general manager and CEO of Nebraska Public Media, and Molly Delaney, NPM’s chief strategy officer, will present the program. They will explain what changes in the federal funding landscape for public media mean to NPM’s statewide services and share what audiences and partners can expect moving forward. Their goal is to provide the Lunch & Learn audience with a clear overview of current challenges, expected adjustments and their continued commitment to serving Nebraska communities.

Decker is an accomplished public media executive with more than 25 years of experience in local, regional and national broadcasting markets, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. As NPM's chief strategy officer, Delaney heads membership, major and planned giving, business development, marketing, communications and community engagement.

“Public media is a core strategy in empowering voters and defending democracy, which is the League’s mission. This balanced, nonpartisan voice needs to remain as a news source for all of us,” said Jean McGuire, president of the LWVLL.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, political organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy. The LWVLL’s monthly Lunch & Learn programs are part of the League’s voter outreach and are designed to foster more informed and engaged voters by bringing them together in conversation with subject-matter experts about important issues of the day.

Thanks to League of Women Voters of Seward County for hosting the LWVNE Annual meeting. Members from all over the state gathered to review the year and plan for 2026-2027. Also, thank you to our speaker Sam Petto of the ACLU of Nebraska!

Otoe County voted to suspend the permits needed for a new data center for up to a year. "And more will likely follow suit thanks to a recent change in state law forcing counties to make a decision on some projects within a certain amount of time." Issues among community members include data center size, water use and electric rates. Read more at

A Nebraska county just banned new data centers for up to a year. More could follow. - Flatwater Free Press The move comes as cities and states across the country weigh similar moratoriums amid concerns about water and electricity.

Fischer and Pillen disagree about expanding fiber broadband to rural . Fischer sees it as key to rural development - Pillen not so much. We thought everyone in the state agreed that broadband would be a priority. Why has Pillen changed his mind and left $360 million unspent? Let the Governor know what you tink at https://ne.accessgov.com/gov/Forms/Page/contact-us/write-the-governor/1

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer seeks more fiber in Nebraska’s broadband expansion diet • Nebraska Examiner U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer led a roundtable discussion this week about rural broadband. Fischer and others shared a preference for fiber internet.

Registration is underway for the LWVNE annual meeting at the Seward Civic Center on Saturday, May 30, with in-person and online options to attend. Attendance is free and open to members and non-members of the LWVNE.

To register, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-dkbTVHs9qJ-pjoG3Qjxbu_T31co8y4zUj09cIEHBhx0gsw/viewform

Deadlines are 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24, for in-person participants and 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 28, for online participants.

Sam Petto from ACLU Nebraska is our featured speaker.

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY! Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CDT) and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(MDT). Find your polling place here: https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview/

Need to return your early voting ballot? This is the last day to do that. Return your early voting ballot to an official county drop box by 8 p.m. (CDT) or 7 p.m. (MDT).

For more information and to view the candidates on your primary ballot, visit VOTE411 Nebraska here: https://www.vote411.org/nebraska

Are you a registered Nonpartisan voter? You can vote today too! Nonpartisan voters will receive a nonpartisan ballot, which includes all nonpartisan races, such as a Board of Regents or legislative races in their area. In addition to the nonpartisan ballot, Nonpartisan voters can request a Republican, Democratic, Libertarian or Legal Ma*****na Now nonpartisan ballot. On the Republican and Legal Ma*****na Now nonpartisan ballots, only federal offices will be open for voting by a Nonpartisan voter. On the Democratic and Libertarian parties’ nonpartisan ballots, all partisan offices are open to voting.

The graphic below, from the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website, shows the options for voting by Nonpartisan voters. A detailed explanation by the Nebraska SOS website is available here: https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/how-nonpartisan-voting-works-nebraska-primary-elections

Rachel Gibson, action vice president of the LWVNE, will share her observations and assessments of the 2026 legislative session on Thursday, May 7, as part of the League of Women Voters Lincoln/Lancaster County Lunch & Learn program.

The program will be presented from noon to 1 p.m. (CDT) and is free and available to the public throughout Nebraska via Zoom. Membership in the League is not required; all are welcome. Those wishing to attend should use this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85978603156 (Meeting ID: 859 7860 3156).

Everyone seemed to agree that it was important to expand rural broadband to drive economic growth. Why has NE only spent $44M of the $405M awarded? Why doesn't Governor Pillen see this as urgent anymore? Senator Deb Fischer is working in D.C. to preserve the $340 million she says is still unallocated. Don't let these important funds slip through our fingers. Contact Governor Pillen at https://ne.accessgov.com/gov/Forms/Page/contact-us/write-the-governor/1 https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/04/future-of-nebraska-broadband-office-unclear-following-reduction-in-federal-bead-funds/?emci=35dbc98b-3748-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&emdi=97a59dda-7148-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&ceid=392441

Future of Nebraska Broadband Office unclear following reduction in federal BEAD funds • Nebraska Examiner After federal pressure for states to use less in allocated funds, and now without a permanent director, the future of Nebraska’s Broadband Office is murky.

Get to know the primary election candidates for Keith County sheriff & commissioner on May 7.

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