Good morning, Lincoln. Here’s what you should know today.
Prison cost likely more
Construction of Nebraska's new prison complex north of Lincoln is already behind schedule and is likely to cost far more than the $350 million lawmakers have set aside for the facility, which figures to be among the most expensive projects in state history.
State officials had long maintained that they would build the 1,500-bed prison within the budget lawmakers approved and claimed construction would begin in the fall of 2024. A similar proposed prison in South Dakota is projected to cost $825 million.
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But Nebraska lawmakers have cast doubt on that claim and the state’s Department of Correctional Services is now saying the cost has not been determined. Bids on the new prison are due June 3.
LES seeks rate hike
The Lincoln Electric System is considering a 4% rate hike midway through the year amid new regulations that require the utility to increase its power-generating capacity.
The LES board will consider the rate increase as part of a proposed amendment to the utility's 2025 budget at its May 16th meeting. The Lincoln City Council has the final say on the proposal which, if approved, would go into effect July 1.
If adopted, LES residential customers could see an increase of about $4.03 on their monthly bill.
Health vending machines
Before long, there will be vending machines in Lincoln offering products focused on health, hygiene and safety, rather than junk food.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department plans to install at least two vending machines that offer a variety of free items like home tests for sexually transmitted diseases, condoms, feminine hygiene products, pregnancy tests and Narcan to counteract opioid overdoses.
Funded by a federal grant from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, the health department is in the process of deciding whether to rent or buy the machines, and exactly what items to include, as well as where they should be located.
That’s it for Monday, May 12. Stay in the know with Lincoln’s longest-standing news source at and we will see you back here tomorrow.
Top Journal Star photos for May 2025
Raptor Conservation Alliance's Annie Piersol (from left) talks with Mac Ousey, 10, Graydon Ousey, 12, and the boys' grandmother, Deb Arends, all of Lincoln, as Piersol holds Tintah, a 3-year-old male Swainson's hawk, during a Give to Lincoln Day event on Thursday at the Tower Square.
Lincoln East’s Briana Rademacher returns a volley during the Class A girls No. 1 singles championship match at Woods Tennis Center on Wednesday.
Faelynn Wilson of Lincoln, 7, with Girl Scout Troop 20205, decorates the G.A.R. Circle during a Memorial Day observance on Monday at Wyuka Cemetery and Funeral Home.
Dundy County’s Kevin Garcia Guzman (From left), Leyton’s Alec Watchorn, Riverside’s Nicholas Berger and Wausa’s Mac Carlson compete in the Class D boys 110-meter hurdles on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
Lincoln East players dogpile on the field after defeating Millard North 5-4 in the seventh inning of the Class A championship game at Werner Park on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Papillion.
Arnold Elementary teacher Kathy Hansen (right) gets emotional as her son, East High School freshman Anders Hansen, as well as other football players from Standing Bear High School (not in frame), work in her yard on Wednesday.
Adelyn Zwick (left) comforts Aubrey Fujan following the Class C Girls 4x800 Meter Relay on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
Graduating eighth grader Rose Lorenz is celebrated by teachers and school staff outside of Lefler Middle School as students were dismissed for summer break on Thursday in Lincoln. Thursday was the last day of school for Lincoln Public Schools students. LPS will hold high school graduation ceremonies at Pinnacle Bank Arena this weekend starting with Lincoln Northeast on Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday's ceremonies include Southwest (9 a.m.), Northwest (noon), North Star (3 p.m.) and East (6 p.m.). On Sunday, Lincoln High (noon) and Southeast (3 p.m.) will hold their ceremonies.
Lincoln East's Troy Peltz (right) slides into third base, defended by Millard North's Ripken Fleck (2) after hitting a triple in the first inning inning of the Class A championship game at Werner Park on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Papillion.
Evan Robinson reacts to winning the Class A Boys 4x100 Meter Relay on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
Millard North's Chase Machal (15) celebrates his homerun with his teammates in the sixth inning of the Class A championship game at Werner Park on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Papillion.
Omaha Marian players react as Lincoln Southwest celebrate a goal by Lincoln Southwest's Kianna Perez (center) during the second half of the Class A soccer championship match at Morrison Stadium on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Omaha.
Lincoln Southwest's Kianna Perez (19) kisses the Class A soccer championship trophy as she and her teammates celebrate defeating Omaha Marian at Morrison Stadium on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Omaha.
Runners go down Lincoln Mall outside the state Capitol during the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Wednesday. The torch run, which started in Kansas in 1981, raises awareness and money for Special Olympics around the world. Runners in Lincoln started at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus and finished at the Hall of Justice.
Lincoln North Star's Claire Hellbusch competes in the Class A girls high jump on Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
Lincoln Pius X's Lucas Schlautman (center) rounds the first corner in the Class B boys 4x800 relay on the first day of the Class A & B State Track & Field championships at Omaha Burke Stadium on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Lincoln.
Millard South's Roy Steventon is out at second base by Lincoln East's Brodie McIntire during a Class A semifinal state baseball tournament game on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Werner Park in Papillion.
Lincoln Southwest’s Taylor Schuster competes in the Class A girls long jump competition on the first day of the Class A & B State Track & Field championships at Omaha Burke Stadium on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Lincoln.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins speaks to press surrounded by lawmakers, farmers and FFA students in front of a combine harvester on Monday at the Ohnoutka Family Farm near Valparaiso.
Gretna East players celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Lincoln Pius X in the Class B state championship match Monday at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
Malcolm's Logan McGreer (2) readies himself in the batters box of a Class C state baseball game at Fricke Field on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Papillion.
Malcolm's Cole Tiedeman (17) slides safely into second base as he races a throw by Elkhorn Mount Michaeal of a Class C state baseball game at Fricke Field on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Papillion.
Seward's Keyan Schadwinkel (7) prepares to catch the ball as Bennington's Morgan Schuman (9) begins to slide into second base on Saturday at Tal Anderson Field in Omaha.
Lincoln Christian's Kade Stryker (00) collides with Fort Calhoun's Chase Bierman (16) as he tries to reach third base in the second inning of a Class C state baseball game at Fricke Field on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Papillion.
Koi fish circle a leaf in a pond at the Sunken Gardens on a windy Friday. The high touched 72 degrees Friday with 75 forecast for Saturday.Â
Omaha Marian's Leena Brunt collides with Bellevue West's Moriah Sears (20) and goalkeeper Laila Dvorak (1) while attempting to scores during the first half of a Class A semifinal game at Morrison Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Omaha.
Lincoln Southwest's Maya Stevenson (front left) and Thea Martin (front right) move their name plate on the bracket after defeating Elkhorn South in a Class A state tournament semifinal match Friday at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
Lincoln Southwest's Peyton Held (12) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half of a Class A semifinal game at Morrison Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Omaha.
Lincoln Pius X's Georgia Wright (top right) leaps into the arms of Genevieve Sovereign in celebration of her 40-yard goal during a Class B state tournament first-round match Wednesday at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
On a play that was determined to be offsides, Norris' Lena Unger (17) scores a point while Scotus Central Catholic golakeeper Ainsley Kuhl (0) tries to block a shot on the goal during the second half of a Class B quarterfinal game at Morrison Stadium on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Omaha.
Levi Tessalee of Lincoln, 6, plays at the Trago Park sprayground on Wednesday. Lincoln Parks and Recreation opened the sprayground earlier than usual this year because of the warmer-than-average weather. It's now open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day.
Millard North's Myint Aung (middle) tries to make a play as South Sioux City goalie Josue Carrasco-Morales and Edson Munoz (4) defend him during a Class A state tournament first-round match on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
Omaha Westside's Cameron Long (from left) and Everest Scherlizin (bottom) defend Lincoln Southeast's Davis Kalnins (top right) during a Class A state tournament first-round match on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
Attendees of the Peace Officer’s Memorial Day ceremony hold blue roses on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Law Enforcement Memorial in Lincoln.
Stella Poessnecker of Lincoln, 5, sips juice as she and other children eat lunch on the lawn of the Capitol on Monday.Â
Confetti rains down as Crete's Alfredo Herrera (18) and Cristhofer Sanchez (13) high five fans after winning the B-7 district championship match on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Al Papik Field in Crete.
Michele Kelley (from left), Kim Larson, Claire Kallhoff and Deanna Hughes plant flowers at the Sunken Gardens on Saturday as part of the Wake up the Beds event.
Lincoln East's Elizabeth Burhoop (first right) embraces MaKynlie Cade (20) as they celebrate Burhoops goal with their teammates during the first half of the A-5 district championship match on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Seacrest Field.
Lincoln Southeast's Samir Sidiqi (from left) Davis Kalnins (4), and Carson Dant (18) are joined by their teammates as they celebrate their 1-0 win over Papillion-La Vista South in the A-7 district championship match on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Seacrest Field.
Jim Moses (from left), Nan Webster, Bill Nefsky, Debbie Nefsky, Tedda Watts and Dean-Ross Schessler smile for a photograph taken by Joel Green at the end of a tour of Robber's Cave on Friday. Members of Lincoln Southeast High School's class of 1965 toured the old hangout spot as part of a number of activities planned this weekend for the class' last reunion.Â
World War II veteran William Brown (center) awaits his medal as those seated to his left inspect theirs on Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda.
A mother goose sits on her eggs near the site where the Pershing Mural will be relocated on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Wyuka Park in Lincoln.
A pair of gosling chicks wade through a patch of dandelions after their mother while at Pioneers Park on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Lincoln.
Baby Geese, otherwise known as goslings, are impressive birds. Within 24 hours after they hatch they can dive underwater 30 to 40 feet. Unlike songbirds, waterfowl like Canada geese have young that are born with downy feathers and can walk and swim almost immediately. These goslings stick close to their mother to learn survival skills.
John Yoakum (from left), Lincoln City Council incumbent Sändra Washington, Hannah Wroblewski, and Luis Sotelo react to election night results during a watch party hosted by the Lancaster County Democratic Party at The Hub Cafe on Tuesday.
Steve Smith, Civic Nebraska communications director, celebrates after a partial result was released at Lincoln for Fair Housing's election watch party on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at The Gathering Grove.
Leann Lundstedt votes on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the F Street Community Center in Lincoln.
Lincoln Southwest's Taylor Schuster competes in the long jump on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Union Bank Stadium.
Bryan Olesen sings with the band AMFM before it is announced if his daughter, Jadyn, will be advancing to the next round of the Voice on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln.
Runners start the 48th Annual Lincoln Marathon on Sunday, May 4, 2025, on Vine Street in Lincoln.
Friends, family and community members pray over Dale Miksch (left) b before taking one last ride with him and starting off down the trailhead near the Good Life Fitness off of Van Dorn St. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lincoln.Â
One of Miksch's final wishes was to take one last bike ride. As he began to notice a further decline in his health, he conveyed his wishes to the staff at Grace Space, they organized a ride and members of the community came out to support and commemorate Miksch's request.
Runners in the 5th and 6th grade section sprint up K Street during the 1-mile Mayor's Run on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lincoln.
Nebraska's Lauren Camenzind (right) celebrates her solo home run against Maryland with head coach Rhonda Revelle (center) and assistant coach Diane Miller on Friday at Bowlin Stadium.
Black Hills State University’s Terran Talsma pulls a steer to the ground during the steer wrestling competition on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln.
Jihad Muhammad poses for a photo in front of the Pizzomatic vending machine he installed at an old Wells Fargo ATM near 48th and O streets. The pizza vending allows customers to order a fresh pizza that's available in minutes.
Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon (left) responds to a question from Our Saviors Lutheran Church's Rev. Tobi White (right) about adult pre-trial diversion during the annual Nehemiah Action Assembly at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Lincoln.
Justice in Action, an interfaith coalition representing 27 faith communities, gathered over 1,000 people at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church for the event. The assembly focused on three major issues: mental health, jail overcrowding, and eviction.
Protesters holding signs against the Trump administration begin to march during an anti-Trump protest Thursday outside the state Capitol.
Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh (right) speaks at a news conference on Thursday at the Capitol where Gov. Jim Pillen named Waugh to be the next superintendent of Nebraska State Patrol.
