Friday brought a cluster of state decisions: NU regents expanded Omaha's Project Health, Gov. Pillen declared a cyber emergency in North Platte and moved to tighten cash-assistance rules, and federal officials touted Nebraska's rural health rollout.
Update: NU regents approve a larger, costlier Project Health
The future UNMC teaching hospital grows to 1.5 million square feet at about $500 million more than first estimated
Meeting in Kearney on Friday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a revised program statement expanding Project Health from 1.25 million to 1.5 million square feet. The added space, which accommodates more beds, enrollment growth, and the retirement of facilities such as Clarkson Tower, plus rising construction costs, represents about $500 million beyond the original estimate.
Why it matters: The expansion adds roughly half a billion dollars to a flagship university and health-system project that will serve as the primary teaching hospital for UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.
Read the full story: University of Nebraska
Pillen declares emergency after cyberattack hits North Platte and Lincoln County
The proclamation lets the Nebraska National Guard's Cyber Protection Team assist local officials
Gov. Jim Pillen declared an emergency Friday after a breach in software shared by Lincoln County and the City of North Platte disrupted internet and phone service, including all county phones and the sheriff's office lines. Officials said 911 and emergency services remained operational and there did not appear to be a breach of pertinent information, while NEMA coordinated the response.
Why it matters: The incident shows how shared local-government software can expose multiple jurisdictions at once and how the state uses National Guard cyber teams to help counties and cities respond.
Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media
Oz touts Nebraska's rural health rollout as state reports $177 million deployed
The CMS administrator joined Pillen at the Capitol and said rollout could affect future awards
Dr. Mehmet Oz joined Gov. Jim Pillen at the State Capitol on Friday to promote Nebraska's Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year, $50 billion federal grant effort. Nebraska received $218.5 million for the first year, and state officials said $177 million had been deployed; Oz said a state's rollout could affect future awards or result in clawbacks.
Why it matters: Oz's warning ties future federal dollars to how Nebraska spends its awards, while critics say the program does not fully offset rural Medicaid reductions in federal budget legislation.
Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner
Pillen orders tighter limits on TANF cash-assistance purchases
DHHS will seek federal approval to expand the list of prohibited purchases
Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order Friday directing the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment to the federal Administration for Children and Families. The amendment would expand restrictions on how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash benefits may be used; federal regulators have up to 60 days to approve it.
Why it matters: The change would affect how low-income families with children may spend benefits delivered by debit card or direct deposit, pending federal approval and a DHHS implementation timeline.
Read the full story: 10/11 NOW
Around Nebraska
- Rep. Don Bacon said he will be an original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill to block U.S. purchases of Russian oil after President Trump announced a Russian diesel supply deal.
- The Lincoln Journal Star reports Nebraska's Rural Health Transformation funding has supported provider recruitment in 30 counties and more than 200 community health worker and supervisor positions.
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.
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