General News

Nebraska Appleseed and the National Health Law Program filed a class action lawsuit last Friday in Lancaster County District Court over services provided to disabled children. 

James Goddard, a staff attorney for Nebraska Appleseed, says the suit was filed on behalf of two children who were denied necessary behavioral health treatment.  

Sunday was the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act.

The act, signed in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln, offered 160 acres of free land to anyone who was the head of a household or at least 21 years old. The landowner had to develop the land and grow crops within five years. The only costs associated with acquiring the land were filing fees of $18.

The Douglas County Board wants to hear from the public about its 2012-13 budget.

County Commissioners will continue discussions on the budget Tuesday morning at the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center. Last week, board chairman Marc Kraft told Omaha Public Radio that all options are on the table in the coming fiscal year to raise revenue, including a possible tax increase. No decision has been made on that yet.

The current fiscal year budget of $311 million contains no tax increase.

Monday is the last day to participate in an online open house about the Chicago-to-Omaha passenger rail study.

The Iowa DOT has taken public comments on the rail study since February, and held public meetings throughout the state. It’s part of a five-step process that could lead to passenger rail travel through Iowa.