Opinions

On Saturday night, Larry the Cable Guy rolled into our sleepy little town, took the stage at the packed local theater, and reminded us all why laughter is the most beautiful sound in the world. The audience’s energy was electric, erupting in cheers and applause before he even opened his mouth. His opener, Nick Hoff, set the tone, leaving the crowd roaring before Larry even picked up the mic. Two Nebraska boys turning a local venue into a comedy cathedral—it was the kind of night you don’t forget. For me, it was more than a show. It was a moment to reflect on what laughter has meant in my life and why, without it, the world just doesn’t make sense.

As always, the opening days of this current Nebraska Legislative session were spent getting organized and laying out plans for the most efficient way to conduct the people’s business. The first day of the session we elected committee chairs and on day two the 49 senators were assigned to the various committees. The 17 new senators were divided up among the 14 standing committees, which include Agriculture, Appropriations, Education and others. When this reorganization takes place, if the veteran senators want to keep their current committee assignments, they can. Two years ago as a freshman senator, I was assigned to the nine-member Appropriations Committee which decides how your tax dollars are spent. I chose to remain on that committee this year and next. In addition to the standing committees there are also several select committees. They include the Committee on Committees (they do the committee assignments) and the Rules Committee. This year I ran for chair of that committee and was elected. It’s an important committee because it establishes the rules of engagement for how we do business in the Legislature.

Hello again. I had originally turned to this space with some completely worked out thought about the word kindness. Like how your “be kind” shirt was made in a sweatshop and instead we should focus on mutualism. An idea taken from the bees and the flowers—a system where everyone works together to better our surroundings.

Gov. Jim Pillen has asked me to reintroduce my “Winner Take All” bill in this year’s legislative session. The new bill, LB 003, seeks to return Nebraska to the way 48 other states count their electoral votes for president and the way Nebraska did it before 1992.

Loren Lippincott, District 34 Senator Most everyone acknowledges the power of words and it’s interesting how sometimes just speaking a truth out loud can have dramatic consequences. This is powerfully illustrated by something that happened in my own family many years ago.

My name is Kaylee Fuelberth. I grew up in Clarks, but attended and graduated from Central City High School in 2017. I went to Wayne State College where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in both K-8 elementary education and K-6 special education. In December of 2023, I graduated from Wayne State again with my Master’s Degree in Special Education.