Did the groundhog see his shadow this year? Every year on February 2, people gather in the small town of Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania to observe the annual Groundhog Day ceremony. If the groundhog does see his shadow, he may retreat to his den and winter will last another six weeks. If he does not see his shadow, spring may arrive early.

We’re on the cusp of a historic moment in America. After 49 years, the Supreme Court is set to revisit the infamous Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973. This year, they have an opportunity to undo one of the worst decisions ever made by our nation’s highest court.

We are almost a third of the way through this session and we still have a lot of work yet to do. Last week the Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on my bill LB 978. This bill lays out the next steps required for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to fully assume the federal Clean Water Action Section 404 Program. In 2019, the Legislature passed LB302 which allowed the NDEE to begin the process of pursuing this assumption. The changes contained in LB978 finalize that process to allow the NDEE to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency for full assumption. Specifically, the bill sets out a process to promulgate rules and regulations for the program, hold hearings, administer fees, hire staff and establish a cash fund.

As your U.S. senator, my job is to represent your interests in Washington.

Last spring, I was at home washing my hands, and as I glanced up into the mirror, I noticed something unusual. My bathroom light hit my neck just right as I swallowed and there it was: a prominent lump. I diagnosed myself with a thyroid nodule and wondered how I, a physician, had failed to notice this large protuberance before that moment.

1/24/22 Roy Baenisch of Beaver City - Bad Check - Plea: No Contest; Sentenced to pay a $25.00 fine, restitution, and court costs Annette Kitsmiller of Beaver City - Theft - Failed to Appear Michael Monter of Cambridge - DUI - Open Alcoholic Beverage Container - Plead: Not Guilty; Motion Hearing February 28, 2022 @ 11:00 A.M. Anthony Rucker of Culbertson - DUI - Possession of a controlled substancemarijuana - Speeding 15-20MPH; Entry of Plea January 31, 2022 @ 9:30 A.M.

I recently read an article in the Lincoln Journal Star that tells an all-toofamiliar story. In 2012, Dr. Jeff Fraser, a family practice doctor from Lincoln, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After his third treatment, another doctor prescribed him hydrocodone for back pain caused by the cancer. “That’s when my brain got addicted,” Dr. Fraser said.

This year, I have designated LB 723 as my priority bill for the session. Each senator is allowed one priority bill during each session. This bill was introduced by Senator Tom Briese of Albion, District 41.

January 31, 2022 @ 9:30A.M. Amberlee Wilmot of Beaver City - Driving Under Suspension - Failed to Appear; Entry of Plea January 31, 2022 @ 9:30A.M.

Last week the legislature tackled some bills that were controversial to some. The resolution for Nebraska to support a convention of states finally made it to the 3rd round of debate after many attempts over the years. LR 14 was amended to add a sunset date of February 1, 2027. That means if a Convention of States is not called before then Nebraska would withdraw its application. It takes 34 states to call a Convention of States. Historically I have not been in favor of this due to my concerns of a runaway convention. But the mess that DC is currently in I think they need the incentive of a possible convention to get their act together. The danger of a runaway convention versus our current runaway Congress is the question I have. I believe our current Congress is a greater and more immediate threat to our nation than a possible runaway convention.