Pioneer Brief: Police send state no-bid contract probe to AG

A completed police investigation into a state no-bid contract leads today's brief, alongside shifting outside spending in Nebraska's House races, corn growers' questions about a USDA data error and federally funded grid upgrades.

Lincoln Police send DED no-bid contract investigation to the AG's Office

The probe examined a $2.5 million emergency contract awarded under Gov. Jim Pillen

The Lincoln Police Department's Technical Investigations Unit has completed its investigation into a $2.5 million, one-year, no-bid emergency contract the Nebraska Department of Economic Development awarded to Global Sustainability Developers to help grow the state's bioeconomy. LPD, which began investigating in March, turned its findings over to Attorney General Mike Hilgers' office for review, and the report did not disclose LPD's conclusions.

Why it matters: The AG's Office will now decide what, if anything, follows from a review of state contracting tied to LB1412, legislation introduced on the governor's behalf.

Read the full story: KSNB Local4

Update: Democratic super PAC commits $1 million to Nebraska's 1st District race

National groups in both parties pulled scheduled ad buys from the 2nd District

House Majority PAC, the main super PAC for House Democrats, is spending $1 million to support Democrat Chris Backemeyer against Rep. Mike Flood in the 1st Congressional District. National Republican and Democratic super PACs both pulled scheduled ad buys from the 2nd District, where Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the race between Democrat Denise Powell and Republican Brinker Harding as likely Democratic.

Why it matters: The shift moves outside money toward a district previously rated safe Republican, while RNC Chair Joe Gruters said reallocating money does not mean the 2nd District seat is lost.

Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner

Corn groups press USDA for answers after a yield report processing error

NASS says it will add pre-publication checks after combining yields with the wrong acreage weights

The Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association called for greater transparency after USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service said Oct. 23 that a "processing error" skewed September yield estimates for Nebraska, Kansas and the nation. The error combined irrigated and non-irrigated yield observations using the wrong acreage weights, and NASS said it would add pre-publication checks.

Why it matters: NASS yield estimates influence crop markets and farm marketing decisions, and the reporting notes the agency lost 37% of its staff in the first year of the Trump administration.

Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media

Federal grid resilience funds back 14 Nebraska utility projects

Pillen and a DOE official highlighted $13.8 million in federal funds and $12.3 million in utility match

Gov. Jim Pillen and U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Katie Jereza pointed Thursday to 14 grid-resilience projects underway or completed in Nebraska, funded by $13.8 million in federal money received last year and a $12.3 million utility match. The work includes strengthening power poles, relocating lines and modernizing aging lines and substations.

Why it matters: Officials said the projects improve reliability and reduce outage risks from severe storms and high winds, using a five-year program created by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media

Around Nebraska

• The Nebraska Forest Service plans to plant 100,000 trees next year after a record wildfire season burned an estimated 981,502 acres statewide in 2026.
• The first gates in Eppley Airfield's renovated South Terminal open Nov. 4 as part of the $950 million Build OMA modernization program, with construction continuing through 2028.

Watch Next

• Oct. 30: The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board meets to set new revenue projections ahead of the next budget.
• Nov. 1: The School Financing Review Commission's annual report is due to the Legislature.
• Nov. 3: Nebraska's general election will decide races for U.S. Senate, Congress, governor, the Legislature and statewide ballot measures.
• Nov. 4: Gates A1, A1A, A1B and A2 open to travelers in Eppley Airfield's renovated South Terminal.
• Nov. 9: Cohort one applications close for the Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund.
• Nov. 10: The Omaha City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed plumbing code changes.

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