Daily Minute: Conrad clear-eyed; Sheldon welcomes community; inmate sues
By Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS)
Good morning, Lincoln. Here’s what you should know today.
Conrad clear-eyed about Legislature
On Jan. 8 lawmakers will return to Lincoln and the state Capitol for the first session of the 109th Nebraska Legislature.
Term limits that took effect nearly 20 years ago have rendered the Legislature increasingly partisan. Party divisions are intensified by cultural issues that have emerged as top policy priorities for Nebraska Republicans and the governor, who could enjoy a filibuster-proof majority for the next two years.
But on the cusp of her 11th year in the statehouse, state Senator Danielle Conrad – who will be Nebraska’s longest-tenured sitting lawmaker – is as committed to the Legislature and its traditions as she has ever been. And the Democrat from Lincoln is also clear-eyed about the obstacles she faces.
Sheldon director welcomes community
Susan Longhenry, who became director of the Sheldon Museum of Art in August 2023, has worked to integrate the museum more with the wider community of Lincoln.
So Longhenry changed Sheldon’s hours, not only keeping the museum open on Husker football Saturdays, but also staying open during UNL’s winter break and on Sundays. Appropriately, in April, she invited the community to celebrate the new hours with Sundaes at Sheldon.
“I heard a hunger from the Lincoln community to be more engaged with the museum again,” Longhenry said. “That has driven all of our decisions since.”
Inmate sues over phone restrictions
An inmate serving a life sentence has sued a Nebraska prison warden and the director of prisons, alleging they have kept him from having parenting time with his young son because he was conceived by a prison staff member.
James Price, who is 49 years old, said the prison system is preventing him from contacting the boy’s mother, a former staffer who was sentenced to three years of probation for having a sexual relationship with Price. That prevents him from being able to be involved in his son’s life, he said.
The Attorney General’s Office said Price has been restricted from contacting the mother because he violated prison policy and attempted to get around restrictions by contacting her through three-way calls with his brother and his brother’s girlfriend.
That’s it for Monday, Dec. 30. Stay in the know with Lincoln’s longest-standing news source at JournalStar.com and we will see you back here Tuesday.
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