The federal government is currently shut down. This is a Schumer Shutdown.

Fall isn’t just for pumpkin spice lattes—it’s also one of the best times to plant trees. Across Nebraska, communities have seen a decline in tree numbers due to severe weather, drought, poor planting practices, aging tree populations, insects, and disease. Planting new trees is essential to maintaining healthy community forests, and autumn offers several advantages for getting trees off to a strong start.

Another shutdown has hit Washington, and Nebraskans are right to shake their heads. Why can’t Congress just keep the lights on? Why should families, farmers, and veterans in Nebraska pay the price for dysfunction in D.C.?

One way we can support the Good Life is by supporting rural healthcare. I am working with Senate Republicans and President Trump to strengthen healthcare and support rural communities.

A few years ago, I was helping with my son’s baseball team. One day, for a routine practice, my role was to hit fly balls for the boys to catch. While I was confi dent at hitting fly balls, to make things easier for me, I was handed a racquet that, with a fairly easy swing, would launch the baseballs out to the boys. However, after 20 minutes, my elbow was getting sore. More groups of boys needed to rotate through and catch fly balls, so I kept at it. I swung the racquet and the baseballs flew to the outfield over and over. In the end, after less than an hour, my elbow was shot.

BLUE HILL – Wednesday, Legislative candidate Jon Capps released a first campaign video, “Building What Lasts,” introducing himself to voters across Nebraska’s 38th Legislative District. The video highlights Capps’ military service, business leadership, and commitment to rural revitalization while outlining his priorities of faith, family, and freedom.

My husband Bruce and I raised our family on a cattle ranch near Valentine, Nebraska – a rural community that understands how spotty Wi-Fi makes it difficult to connect with family and friends. In today’s day and age, reliable internet access is no longer optional. But for too many Nebraskans living in rural communities, it’s still out of reach.

The start of the school year brings new routines and scheduling challenges for working parents. Any working parent can attest that school schedules and calendars were not designed with them in mind. Rightfully so, the scheduling priority should be based on the needs of the students and the educational goals of the teachers.

Social Security benefits should be completely tax free. That’s how Social Security was originally intended to function. When I was Governor, we eliminated state income taxes on Social Security benefits. We need to provide this same relief at the federal level. I’m fighting to protect Social Security. I’m fighting to help Nebraskans keep more of their hardearned money in retirement.

By Governor Jim Pillen September 19, 2025 Distracted driving and speeding are endangering and killing Nebraskans. So, here’s a challenge to everyone who gets behind the wheel: Let’s make our roads the safest in America.