COVID-19

Hunters Asked to Stay Smart

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:47pm

Lincoln – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is advising hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to honor guidelines set by public health experts to avoid spread of coronavirus as they head to the field this spring.

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State Government Prepares to Grow Unemployment Benefits

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:46pm

Lincoln – Gov. Pete Ricketts said that the Nebraska Department of Labor is undertaking software changes and making preparations to roll out the unemployment programs outlined in the CARES Act.

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Food Stamps Piloting Online Purchasing, Grocery Delivery

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:43pm

Lincoln – A pilot program will allow online purchasing and grocery delivery using benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

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Douglas County Assessor/ROD Office Now Closed to Walk-ins

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:42pm

The Douglas County Assessors and Register of Deed’s Office has suspended all walk-in traffic effective Tuesday. People are asked to mail documents to record, along with proper fees, to Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds, 1819 Farnam St., Room H-09, Omaha, NE 68183.

– Scott Stewart

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Council Bluffs Suspends Inspections of Buildings Due to Virus Threat

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:41pm

Council Bluffs – In response to the threat of COVID-19, the City of Council Bluffs has suspended building and rental inspections for occupied structures.

All rental inspections are suspended, along with building inspections on additions and alterations to existing, occupied structures. Inspections for unoccupied, new construction is not affected.

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Senator Answering Questions on State Services, COVID-19

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:41pm

Lincoln – Nebraska State Sen. Kate Bolz has released a guide to state services amid COVID-19.

“This guide is a resource for Nebraskans seeking information about state government services and COVID-19,” Bolz said.

The guide is updated regularly at news.legislature.ne.gov/dist29.

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WIC Shifts to Requiring Phone Appointments for Participants

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:24pm

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children has shifted to providing remote services over the phone due to the pandemic.

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Bacon, Ricketts Plan Town Hall Meetings Thursday Evening

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 11:49am

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will offer the public an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the latest efforts related to COVID-19.

Bacon’s town hall will be conducted by telephone from 4:10 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Its focus will be on economic relief for families, workers and small businesses.

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Nebraska Federal Court Allowing Video, Phone Appearances

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 12:00am

A general order from the U.S. District Court of the District of Nebraska expanding the use of videoconferencing and teleconferencing during the pandemic.

Chief Judge John M. Gerrard is allowing judges to use those technologies to the fullest extent allowed by the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

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Cases Expected to Grow as Testing Expands to More Patients

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 12:00am

Growing numbers of cases of COVID-19 in Nebraska is largely the result of additional testing.

Testing ramped up over the last several days. Nebraska Medicine and the Nebraska Public Health Lab have both increased testing, the Douglas County Health Department said last Sunday, and CHI Health and private labs have also started to provide test results.