Sept. 17: Carol Blood, Redistricting, and Pumpkin Patches
‘Nebraska at a Glance’ is a weekly update designed to bring you headlines and brief updates from across the state. Our Nebraska News Service team will provide a weekly roundup of news and events every Thursday at noon.
Pence, Cruz attend governor’s steak fry
Gov. Pete Ricketts held his annual steak fry Sept. 12 in Nebraska City. Former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida were also present and spoke. Cruz and Pence voiced optimism for the Republicans in the 2022 midterms while DeSantis and Ricketts criticized President Joe Biden for his handling of Afghanistan. Ricketts also spoke about Nebraska’s agricultural industry, which is what the event promotes.
Sen. Carol Blood announces gubernatorial candidacy
Sen. Carol Blood of Nebraska’s 8th district, representing Bellevue in the Nebraska State Legislature, announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2022 gubernatorial race. As of today, Blood is the only Democratic candidate. Republican candidates include Charles Herbster, an agricultural adviser for former President Donald Trump, and Jim Pillen, a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Nebraskans welcome fallen Marine home
Thousands of Nebraskans welcomed fallen Marine Cpl. Daegan Page home on Sept. 10. Page was one of the 13 U.S. troops killed in a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport. A public visitation will be held this Thursday at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Millard Ave., Omaha, from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral is planned for the next day at the same location at 10 a.m.
Read our coverage of his homecoming here.
Battle of the Big Reds: Nebraska Huskers vs. Oklahoma Sooners
The Huskers football team will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, Sept. 18 to play the Oklahoma Sooners for the first time since 2010. The rivalry between the Huskers and Sooners was hotly contested in the 1970s and 1980s. It ended when the Huskers entered the Big 10. Former athletic director Tom Osborne called the rivalry with Oklahoma “one of the great traditional matchups in the history of college football.” In 1997, Osborne claimed his 250th win against Oklahoma with a 69-7 victory. The two teams have signed a contract for a series of home-and-home games. Nebraska plans to host the Sooners at the Memorial Stadium on Sept. 22, 2022.
Special session begins in unicameral
The Nebraska State Legislature began its special session on Monday, Sept. 13. The Nebraska Redistricting Committee hosted three public hearings to hear the opinion of constituents. Each hearing focused on one of the congressional districts. Official floor debate in the legislature began Friday, Sept. 17 and will end on Thursday, Sept. 30.
Pumpkin patch season
It’s time to break out the carving knives and caramel apples because it’s pumpkin patch season in Nebraska. A few pumpkin patches across the state include Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Gretna, Roca Berry Farm in Roca, Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch in Blair, Martin’s Hillside Orchard in Ceresco, and Poppy’s Pumpkin Patch in Norfolk.
Yung Gravy set to headline the UNL homecoming concert
The University Program Council announced Sept. 16 that singer/rapper Young Gravy will be headlining the homecoming concert on Sept. 30. With hits like “Oops!” and “Mr. Clean,” Yung Gravy has amassed over 4.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. This event is free for UNL students and will take place on East Campus.
Producer, broadcaster and TV personality Leta Powell Drake died Sept. 15
Drake was a mainstay in local television and a member of the Nebraska Press Women’s Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She had a long career at Nebraska Public Media and KOLN/KGIN in Lincoln. Drake also starred in the popular children’s show “Cartoon Corral” where she was known as Kalamity Kate. She went viral on Twitter last year for her deadpan delivery in interviews she conducted with celebrities.
Celebrate Harvest Moon Festival with Asian Community and Cultural Center
The Asian Community and Cultural Center is hosting an annual harvest moon festival at Antelope Park Bandshell on Sept. 19 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a lantern lighting ceremony, cultural performances, Asian cuisine, live music and many more activities. There is no admission fee, and everyone is encouraged to bring their family and friends to join. Lincoln’s Asian Center celebrates all Asian heritage and aims to serve all immigrants.
Dance Marathon block party
Dance Marathon, a UNL campus organization dedicated to raising funds for the Children’s Hospital in Omaha, is having its annual block party to get students involved on Sept. 24 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Nebraska Union. The event is free for UNL students and will include music, games, food and giveaways.
To stay up to date with all the latest headlines across the state, follow @nebnewsservice on Instagram and Twitter.
Contributors: Ramey Vachal, Hanna Christensen, Jon Grant, Chin Tung Tan, Jasmine Hermosillo-Padilla and Caitlyn Thomas
