Pioneer Brief: Nebraska Farm Bureau endorses Pillen for governor

Three weeks before Election Day, the Nebraska Farm Bureau weighed in on the governor's race, the attorney general sought fees from Lincoln over its charter fight, and North Platte restored phone service after a cyberattack.

Nebraska Farm Bureau endorses Pillen for governor

The group's political action committee backed the incumbent after delaying its decision in the race

The Nebraska Farm Bureau's political action committee announced Monday that it is endorsing Gov. Jim Pillen for reelection, after backing a handful of other Republicans for statewide office first. Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue said Pillen is the right choice to protect farm and ranch families, while Democrat Lynne Walz was endorsed by the Nebraska Farmers Union on Sept. 27.

Why it matters: With the Farm Bureau backing Pillen and the Farmers Union backing Walz, Nebraska's two major farm organizations are now on opposite sides of the governor's race heading into the final three weeks.

Read the full story: Nebraska.tv

AG's office asks Nebraska Supreme Court to make Lincoln pay $19,000 in fees

The request follows the court's 5-2 ruling ordering city charter amendments onto the Nov. 3 ballot

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office is asking the Nebraska Supreme Court to require the City of Lincoln to reimburse $19,107 in attorneys' fees and filing costs after the state won its September challenge over three citizen-petitioned charter amendments. Three solicitors general reported 61 hours on the case, billed at estimated rates of $300 to $375 an hour.

Why it matters: If granted, the request would put a direct taxpayer cost on Lincoln's unsuccessful effort to move three citizen-petitioned charter amendments from the November ballot to May.

Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner

Update: North Platte and Lincoln County restore phone lines after cyberattack

Officials say work continues on remaining systems with outside IT experts

The City of North Platte and Lincoln County said Monday that city, county, sheriff's office, and public transit phone lines knocked out by last week's cybersecurity incident have been restored. Officials said utilities, bill payment and financial services were not affected, and that a technical examination with outside experts continues while teams restore the remaining systems.

Why it matters: Restored phone service eases disruption for North Platte and Lincoln County residents, though officials have not disclosed the cause or nature of the breach that prompted a state emergency proclamation.

Read the full story: North Platte Post

Around Nebraska

• Hillary Clinton told a full room of Nebraska Democrats in Omaha on Saturday that the midterm election offers an opportunity to reverse Trump's policies.
• A new NPA Polling survey, a Republican-aligned firm, found Sen. Pete Ricketts leading independent Dan Osborn 46% to 43%, with a 4-point margin of error.

Watch Next

• Oct. 14: Nebraska Public Media will host a 2nd Congressional District debate between Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell.
• Oct. 14–15, 6–9 p.m. CT: Public hearings on Initiative 442 and online sports betting Initiatives 440 and 441 will be held at the State Capitol in Lincoln.
• Oct. 15, 5 p.m.: The OPPD Board of Directors holds its monthly public meeting.
• Oct. 16, 1 p.m.: The Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee holds an interim hearing on LR 310 in North Platte on whether to recombine the Tourism Commission with the Department of Economic Development.

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