We all agree that our kids are our future. In every community across our state, no matter the size, we all want the same thing – a better future for our kids than we had. Our highest priority is to protect our kids and their adolescent minds until they are old enough to discern and make their own decisions.

One in 12 Nebraskans are employed by the trucking industry, making it the third largest industry in our state. Over three million Americans work as commercial truckers, carrying essential products across our country. American truckers transported 10.93 billion tons of freight to their destinations in 2021.

Throughout my time in the legislature, I have heard countless stories from across Nebraska of working people being driven off of their farms and out of their homes because of the rising burden of property taxes. Working with Governor Pillen, I am proud to be the lead sponsor of LB 783, which would eliminate the property tax levy authority of community college boards. Current projections show that the state’s general fund balance will be $3.28 billion by the end of the two-year budget cycle in 2026-27. At the same time, Nebraskans are dealing with the silent effects of inflation.

It’s been an incredibly emotional week. We spanned the entire palette in just a few days and I suppose that’s both healthy and stressful.

Many people find themselves being told, “your blood pressure is pretty high today!” You might be at the dentist’s office for a filling, in the emergency room getting stitches after an avocado mishap, or maybe you’re at your annual physical appointment. If you’ve never had high blood pressure you might be surprised at this news! Sometimes my own patients will call my office after such an event, “Doc, should I be on blood pressure medication?” When we get these calls our typical answer is: maybe, but maybe not.

Last weekend, the United States shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon that entered our airspace. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is constantly looking for opportunities to spy on our nation’s military facilities, steal intellectual property, and threaten the United States’ position as the leader of the free world.

This week, as the nation listened and watched, President Biden gave the second State of the Union address of his presidency. Over the last year the American people have struggled under historic inflation, rising crime rates, and severe economic uncertainty. In the week prior, we also witnessed an airborne intelligence gathering tool with confi rmed ties to the Chinese Communist Party traveling across nearly the entire continental United States. With the same slowness to act which has characterized his administration, Biden permitted the spy balloon to remain in U.S. airspace for more than a week to potentially collect data over several sensitive military sites along the way before finally ordering our military to shoot down the spy balloon.

Families, schools, and teachers do a lot to support Nebraska kids, but sometimes they need more. That is where mentors fill the gap. They provide guidance, a hand on the shoulder, a source of support, and more. Nebraska has many such programs. Unfortunately, the need for mentors far outnumbers those who are available.

If I asked you to name a chronic disease, you would probably think of conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, or dementia. The odds are, one of the most common chronic diseases would never cross your mind.

Most people know that getting enough sleep is important for their health, but many do not realize that there are specific health benefits that come from getting a good night’s sleep. Getting enough sleep can improve your mood, help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce your risk of chronic health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Sleep can even help boost your immune system and improve memory.