As the clock ticked down after Thanksgiving toward a possible U.S. rail strike, union members at North Platte’s Bailey Yard were pushing Congress to endorse their North Platte-generated solution to a key issue: paid sick leave.

Amid all the current geopolitical conflicts and economic events, investors are watching the real estate market with bated breath. If recent headlines around the world are anything to go by, they are right to do so. With prices down by 15% from their peak, Sweden’s housing market is said to be in “free fall”. Germany’s could nosedive by 25% from peak to trough. Meanwhile, the foundations of the world’s most expensive market, in Hong Kong, are starting to wobble.

As we exit the first “post-COVID year,” it’s time to start thinking about 2022 tax filings this coming April. As always this time of year, I’m indebted to my good friend John D’Aquila, a certified public accountant and head of D’Aquila and Company LLP in Jacksonville, Florida, (www.daquilallp.com) for sharing some of his year-end tax tips with me and allowing me to share them with you.

LINCOLN — In Nebraska, more than 76% of children under age 6 live in homes where all adults work, a figure that is higher than the national average.

With this high percentage of young children needing care outside the home, accessible, high-caliber early childhood education becomes an even more important component of the overall quality of life in Nebraska.