The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is today's focus. The state auditor questioned a $1.2 million recovery grant it oversaw, and new figures show its staff nearly halved since 2025, while Omaha loosened its plumbing code to help housing costs.
State auditor questions DED's $1.2 million grant to Omaha startup nonprofit
Foley's letter says the Nebraska Startup Academy created few jobs and misreported its progress
In an 11-page letter to the Department of Economic Development, State Auditor Mike Foley raised "significant compliance concerns" about $1.2 million in North and South Omaha Recovery Grant funds awarded to the Nebraska Startup Academy in 2024. Foley said $813,966 paid four academy personnel, while the academy reported two direct jobs and one indirect job in 2024 and one indirect job in 2025, after committing to more than 300 jobs.
Why it matters: The letter raises oversight questions about how DED monitors pandemic-era recovery grants, including progress reporting and a potential conflict of interest Foley cited involving Move Venture Capital.
Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media
DED's workforce falls to its lowest level since 2020
The agency had 61.75 full-time employees as of Nov. 10, down from 115.25 in May 2025
The Department of Economic Development's full-time staff has fallen nearly by half under Director Maureen Larsen, according to figures the agency gave the Nebraska Examiner. A spokesperson for Gov. Jim Pillen said shrinking the department to its pre-COVID size was a priority. Former employees and a staff survey described heavy workloads, especially in the housing and data divisions.
Why it matters: Former staff say DED's programs carry long compliance periods, so staffing levels bear on its oversight of housing, community development and business grants, especially in rural Nebraska.
Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner
Omaha council loosens plumbing code to cut building costs
The changes widen PVC and PEX pipe use and allow more apprentices per plumber, starting in 2028
The Omaha City Council on Tuesday passed plumbing code changes that roll back limits on using PVC pipe instead of cast iron, allow PEX as an alternative to copper water service lines, and move to two apprentices per plumber instead of one. City permits superintendent Le Nguyen said a school with the same footprint cost less to build in Gretna than in Omaha.
Why it matters: City officials said the changes will increase the flow of housing projects and lower building costs, bringing Omaha closer to neighboring communities with less restrictive plumbing rules.
Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media
Bacon says he is prepared to run for president
The outgoing congressman also predicted no farm bill in the lame-duck session and voted to table the Hegseth impeachment
Rep. Don Bacon told reporters Tuesday that he and his wife are "prepared to be that person right at this moment," though he would prefer someone else carry the flag. He said he does not expect the farm bill to come up in the lame-duck session, and he later joined House Republicans in a procedural vote referring the impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to committee.
Why it matters: Bacon leaves office in January, and his comments point to a farm bill delay that matters for Nebraska agriculture, with Bacon citing SNAP work requirements as a main sticking point.
Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media
Medical Cannabis Commission offers no timeline for product testing
Commissioners rejected a two-year wait estimate but would not give their own
The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission said Tuesday that it has not set a timeline for lab testing of harvested marijuana or medical cannabis products, pushing back on assumptions that cultivators could wait up to two years. Amended rules the commission approved in October still await review by Attorney General Mike Hilgers and then Gov. Jim Pillen, and allowing in-state testing may require legislative action.
Why it matters: The commission acknowledged that testing uncertainty creates planning and financial challenges for its four licensed cultivators, and changing the voter-approved law would take at least 33 of 49 senators.
Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner
Around Nebraska
- Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said the state is "behind the national trend" and that the party will focus on the 1st Congressional District over the next two years.
- Rep.-elect Denise Powell said she will be "proud" to vote for Hakeem Jeffries for House speaker, and Rep. Mike Flood served as a whip for new House GOP leader Jim Jordan.
- Twelve Nebraska counties have no lawyers, and Nebraska Law's rural pipeline programs drew national attention at a rural access-to-justice convening it hosted.
Watch Next
- Nov. 12-13: The NPPD Board of Directors meets in Columbus.
- Nov. 13: Lancaster County counts its remaining provisional ballots.
- Nov. 16: The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission meets at 1 p.m. at the State Office Building in Lincoln.
- Nov. 16: The Health and Human Services Committee holds an interim hearing on LR380, Sen. Fredrickson's study of transitions for youth.
- Nov. 18: Gov. Pillen's executive order easing fuel-hauling rules expires.
- Nov. 20: The Appropriations and Revenue committees receive the 2026 tax incentive and tax expenditure reports.
- Nov. 25: The Nebraska Department of Education's embargo on last school year's statewide test data lifts.
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