Nebraska Virtual Library Launched

The Nebraska Virtual Library was launched last week. Free statewide access to materials for Nebraskan teachers and students via Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET)   at  http://net.pbslearningmedia.org.  This includes some materials from the Library of Congress and selected PBS shows.

Learn more from the below sources.

Omaha World-Herald: Opportunities expand online 

KHAS-TV: Nebraska Virtual Library goes online

Grand Island Independent: ‘Virtual library’ offered to Nebraska schools

Nebraska Radio Network:  Virtual library opens world to teachers and students

Omaha World-Herald: NET Virtual Learning Library is ‘live and online’

Lincoln Journal Star: State launches virtual library

NTV: Gov. Heineman Announces Nebraska Virtual Library Launch

Governor Heineman Announces Future Assistance, if Needed, with Wildfires and Ceasing Lawn Watering for Capitol Related Buildings

Yesterday, Governor Heineman made several announcements. Two related to the drought  in Nebraska are below.

1. Governor Heineman stated that he would ask the State Legislature for funds to help with the fighting the wildfires, if needed.

You can read more about it here from different sources:

Lincoln Journal Star: Governor promises help with wildfires

NTV: Nebraska governor promises help with wildfires

Businessweek: Neb. governor pledges monetary help with wildfires 

2. Governor Heineman also announced cut its lawn watering at the Capitol, the governor’s residence and other state buildings in Lincoln.

1011now: Nebraska Governor Cuts Lawn-Watering at Capitol

TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline: “Permanent” Nebraskan Jobs Number

Our research into different views and aspects of the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline continues.  As many people know who are watching this closely, whether or not a Keystone XL pipeline runs through Nebraska and what  route there would be, if approved,  has not been decided in a definitive fashion. The  recent choice by President Obama to deny permission for the pipeline merely changed the arena for this battle. The fight either way, of getting or stopping the pipeline  is not over and will most likely continue with bills in the House and Senate.

If you are interested in guest blogging on this topic or being interviewed or know someone who would be interested, please email us at in**@ne***************.com .  We would like very much to present as many different sides and aspects to this issue as possible.

January 27, 2012

Veterans Roundtable with Congressman Lee Terry
Bellevue Chamber: DJ Dugout
Bellevue, Nebraska

A special thank you goes out to Congressman Lee Terry for visiting  in Bellevue, Nebraska to discuss veteran affairs and other areas of interest, including the pipeline.

Thanks to Congressman Terry,  our Nebraskan Politics blog finally has some number to associate with “permanent” Nebraskan jobs.

“Permanent” for purposes of this topic and our blog is defined as jobs that last the lifetime of the pipeline, so those do not include “temporary” jobs such as those needed for the construction of the pipeline.

Congressman Terry estimates that not more than 30 Nebraskan jobs would be created by the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline.

Special thanks also goes out to the Bellevue Chamber for hosting and facilitating another great and informative event.