President Trump used Monday's Grand Island rally to sign a temporary dyed-diesel order and campaign for Nebraska Republicans, while Hallam's village board advanced a contested data center and Omaha's council takes up parking rules today.
Trump signs temporary dyed-diesel order at Grand Island rally
The order defers, but does not eliminate, the federal diesel tax on highway use of dyed fuel through Dec. 31
President Donald Trump signed an executive order onstage in Grand Island temporarily allowing off-road dyed diesel on highways from Oct. 5 through Dec. 31, directing Treasury to determine within five days whether federal law allows deferring the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal tax without penalties. The order directs the IRS not to penalize such use, does not change state taxes and does not address the 90-day diesel export pause Gov. Jim Pillen requested.
Why it matters: The order layers federal action onto Pillen's state diesel-tax refund for agricultural producers, but its savings depend on Treasury's legal determination and whether states take matching action.
Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media
Trump rallies for Ricketts and Pillen as challengers respond
The president urged turnout and promised a $5,000 payment if Republicans hold Congress
At his first Nebraska campaign stop since 2022, Trump urged supporters to vote for Sen. Pete Ricketts, Gov. Jim Pillen, Rep. Adrian Smith and Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and promised $5,000 to every adult citizen if Republicans win the House and Senate, without giving a payment date. Independent Dan Osborn's campaign thanked Trump for backing right-to-repair laws and dyed-diesel access, while Democrat Lynne Walz said political attacks would not lower property taxes.
Why it matters: The rally put national campaign resources behind Nebraska's top statewide races as early voting is underway, with the Senate and governor contests now drawing national attention.
Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner
Update: Hallam board approves zoning for Monolith-Crusoe data center
The village vote follows a September planning commission recommendation, with no construction timeline released
The Hallam Village Board approved zoning rights Monday for a data center planned by Crusoe Technologies and Monolith Materials after about an hour of discussion with residents and a Crusoe representative. Residents raised fire safety and noise concerns, and Crusoe's Matthew Buster said the company has a fire plan; about half the room applauded the approval, and no construction timeline has been released.
Why it matters: Hallam's decision shows how small Nebraska communities are making zoning calls on large data center projects while weighing residents' concerns about fire safety, noise and neighborhood impact.
Read the full story: 10/11 NOW
Around Nebraska
- Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City praised Trump's Grand Island visit, while Grand Island Sen. Dan Quick, whose district includes the fairgrounds, declined to comment, citing meetings in Lincoln.
- The Nebraska Democratic Party and Hall County Democrats held a protest at the State Fair entrance, with party chair Jane Kleeb criticizing Republicans for choosing Trump over voters.
Watch Next
- Oct. 6, 2 p.m.: The Omaha City Council is scheduled to vote on reducing required off-street parking for housing and to hold a first reading on the redevelopment agreement for the city's new soccer stadium.
- By Oct. 10: Trump's order directs the Treasury Department to determine within five days whether federal law allows deferring the federal diesel tax on highway use of dyed diesel.
- Oct. 14: Nebraska Public Media will host a 2nd Congressional District debate between Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell at its studios.
- 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.
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