With election season behind us, the Senate is back in session. Our next few weeks before the year ends and the Biden administration comes to a close are known as the “lame duck period”—a period often marked by complacency as Congress waits for a new administration to begin.

Happy Thanksgiving & early Happy Holidays from your local Nebraska Extension County Offices!! With busy holiday schedules and the extra holiday gatherings, it is easy to feel stressed over the holiday season. Nebraska Extension Food & Health Educator Kayla Hinrichs based in Valley County has a few tips to help you create balance and have time to be present this holiday season.

This week, Nebraskans entrusted me for the third time with the greatest honor of my life, and I’m humbled by their decision to return me to the U.S. Senate for six more years.

Cranberries are in season now! Cranberries are called America’s Original Superfruit by the USA’s Cranberry Marketing Committee. Native Americans used cranberries as a staple as early as 1550, by 1620 the Pilgrims had learned how to use them from the Native Americans.

The 2024 election is over. Americans voted for change. President Donald Trump’s re-election, along with Republican majorities in the House and Senate, marks a turning point for our country. The people of the United States have spoken clearly and decisively.

With the rapid rise in internet use among children, the dangers of online exploitation have grown alarmingly. Children’s access to the internet has become nearly ubiquitous, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hearing loss affects millions of Americans. In fact, by age 75 over half of adults will have some form of hearing loss. Signs of hearing loss include having trouble hearing speech in noisy places, finding it hard to follow speech in groups, trouble hearing on the phone, listening makes you tired, or if you need to turn the volume up on the TV or radio while others complain it is too loud.

Manufacturing is critical for Nebraska’s economy. It contributes $21.6 billion to our annual gross domestic product. That’s a 57% increase from five years ago. Manufacturing is our second-largest economic sector. It’s easy to see why. Whether it’s the food we eat, the machines we use, or the tools that help farmers and ranchers thrive, manufacturing touches every part of our daily lives. As we end Manufacturing Month, let’s celebrate the many successes of this growing industry.

With the upcoming holidays and all the “craziness of life” we need to be reminded that relationships and listening are important topics! Conversations happen daily where someone is talking, and another is supposed to be listening. However, are they truly listening? How often does the person listening check their phone or look at their computer in the midst of a conversation? Maybe the person is nodding their head or even saying a few words.

As harvest draws to a close, Nebraska’s producers are worried. Farmers especially feel the weight of higher costs and interest rates.