LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has directed the State Capitol be illuminated in blue the evening of Oct. 7, marking the one-year anniversary of the terror attack by Hamas on Israel. The lighting of the building also symbolizes Nebraska’s ongoing support of Israel, which this week was targeted by an Iranian missile strike. Blue is representative of Israel’s flag, which is blue and white.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, the Judicial Nominating Commission for Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court advanced the names of all four applicants to Governor Jim Pillen for his consideration. They are David J. A. Bargen, Adams; PaTricia A. Freeman, Papillion; Jeffrey J. Funke and Ryan S. Post, both of Lincoln.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen is announcing two cabinet level appointments. The first is the appointment of Lee Will as chief operating officer (COO) and director for the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (DAS), effective Sept. 28.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has joined 25 other Republican governors calling for passage of legislation in the U.S. Senate reinforcing Jewish civil rights. The unified message comes ahead of the Oct. 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israeli and American citizens. The letter draws attention to the recent deaths of hostages and the dozens more still held captive, as well as the rising acts of antisemitism in the United States.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Kara Valentine as interim director for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). She will start Monday, Sept. 30.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen is announcing the receipt of federal funds to aid in the recovery from storms that impacted multiple Nebraska counties June 20 – July 8. This is the fourth time federal funds have been awarded to the state due to severe weather this year.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen addressed the newly formed Committee on Pacific Conflict, which held its inaugural meeting this morning. The group, formed through passage of LB1300, has the responsibility of identifying potential risks to the state that might emanate from China in the event of a conflict in the Pacific Theater. Nebraska is the first state in the nation to enact such a committee for this purpose.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Sioux County for the Bronco Fire near Crawford. The fire, which started Sept. 18, has burned more than 1,000 acres. Latest reports indicate it is nearly contained.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement regarding a special session to restore winner-take-all prior to the 2024 presidential election:

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen offered the following statement regarding the status of consideration for a special session on restoring winner-take-all (WTA) to Nebraska’s allocation of electoral college votes: