Call Center Company in Lincoln, NE

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The Lincoln Primary Election is Tuesday, where a few races and a proposal decorate the ballot.

Nine candidates are vying for three at-large seats for the Lincoln City Council. Six candidates will advance to the general election.

The Lincoln Airport Authority also has two candidates vying for one seat.

For Lincoln Public Schools, races will commence in the odd-numbered districts for the Board of Education.

Also being watched with a close eye this primary ballot is the renewal of the quarter-cent sales tax for street repairs. The tax, previously approved in 2019, is scheduled to end on Sept. 30.

The sales tax has been controversial and gotten some pushback from residents.

According to Nebraska Public Media, some people have expressed opposition to continuing the tax, noting that some parts of Lincoln are left unrepaired. Others aren’t in favor, as constant construction disrupts commutes.

Polls are open in Lancaster County from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. As long as you’re in line by 8 p.m., you’ll be able to cast your vote.

Election officials say mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the best times to avoid lines.

The Election Commission Office said they do not expect super long lines like the ones seen during the general election. However, to keep the day running smoothly, they recommend bringing an acceptable ID or at least knowing what to do if you don’t have one available.

Here are some examples of acceptable forms of identification:

For a full list, click here.

If you do not have an acceptable ID, you can fill out a provisional ballot instead.

However, you’ll still need to verify your identity with the Election Commission Office by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. Provisional ballots will not be counted until your identity is confirmed.

The Election Commission reported having sent out over 28,000 early ballots. So far, only 8,000 have returned. If you haven’t mailed yours, officials are encouraging folks to bring those ballots to secure drop boxes.

Before you head to the polls, you’ll want to check your voter registration to make sure you’re still registered and find your nearest poll location.

“If people are registered in the wrong place, that means they haven’t updated their registration,” said Todd Wiltgen, the Election Commissioner. “They’ll also have to vote provisionally at the place where they now reside.”

Click here to check your voter registration.

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Posted Mar 19, 2025 12:51 PM

North Platte Post/Sandhills Post

Update (2:50pm)

The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced that I-80 is now closed from North Platte to Gretna. Parts of Highway 30 from North Platte to Grand Island is closed. Many highways out east are closed.

Click here to check for the latest road conditions on the Nebraska 511 website.

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Update (11:15am)

According to the Nebraska 511, I-80 is now closed from North Platte to Lincoln due to the winter weather. Highway 30 is also closed from North Platte to Grand Island. Travel is not advised at this time as crews are working to clean the road.

Click here to check for the latest road conditions on the Nebraska 511 website.

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Update (10:25am)

According to Nebraska 511, I-80 is now open from Cozad to Lexington but is completely covered in slush, ice. I-80 remains closed from Lexington to Lincoln. Crews are out all across the State cleaning up the latest snowstorm to blast Nebraska.

Click here to check for the latest road conditions on the Nebraska 511 website.

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Update (10:00am)

According to Nebraska 511, Highway 30 from Cozad to Lexington is now open but is completely covered in slush, ice. Highway 30 from Lexington to Grand Island remains closed.

NE 511 says expect blowing snow. While travel is still not advised, many highways heading towards Lincoln are closed at this time. NE 511 still shows that I-80 is closed from Cozad to Lincoln.

Click here to check for the latest road conditions on the Nebraska 511 website.

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Winter conditions have once again struck the state of Nebraska and Interstate 80, and Highway 30 are both closed from Cozad to Lincoln according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation 511 website. The closure is due to blizzard conditions.

Visibility is low in some areas due to blowing snow causing almost whiteout conditions. The Nebraska Department of Transportation and the Nebraska State Patrol have stated travel is not advised today.

The storm gets worse as you travel to the Eastern part of the state. If you do need to travel, travel at reduced speeds and give yourself plenty of stopping room as there may be icy spots on the road.

Click here to check for the latest road conditions on the Nebraska 511 website.

Scholarships will provide training for jobs in high demand

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and labor partners today announced the City will invest $1.3 million in a Future-Ready Workforce Initiative designed to help Lincoln’s underemployed and unemployed residents train for jobs in high demand fields.

“This new initiative will help prepare Lincoln’s workforce for the careers of today and tomorrow, creating financial stability for our community members and enhancing local employers’ access to a skilled workforce,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “This initiative positions Lincoln to lead the region in building a high-demand, high-wage, and high-skill ‘future-ready’ workforce.”

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird at the Workforce Week news conference were:

The fourth and final Workforce Week event focused on the new Future-Ready Workforce Initiative that provides scholarships for training in high-demand careers, such as electricians; heating, ventilation, air conditioning technicians (HVAC), and automotive service technicians.

The initiative, financed from interest accrued on American Rescue Plan Act funds, will focus on underemployed individuals, those facing barriers to employment and residents seeking to enhance their job opportunities or make a career change. The initiative also seeks to remove barriers to employment by providing supportive assistance such as gas money, child or elder care, uniforms, and tools.

The Future-Ready Workforce Initiative is made possible through a coalition of local organizations that includes representatives from:

Wren noted there are more than an estimated 300 open positions available for electricians, HVAC, and auto technicians in the area.

“This initiative offers a chance for our residents to build skills, earn good wages, and fill jobs that keep our city running,” Wren said.

Kisby called the Future-Ready Workforce program an exciting and crucial step forward into providing the skilled workforce Lincoln needs to build, maintain, and empower the infrastructure and transportation destinations for the city.

“We’ve always been about training the workforce on what it needs and where it’s going,” Kisby said. “At Southeast Community College, we’re honored to partner with the Future-Ready Workforce Initiative, and we are prepared to equip our local industries with the skilled workforce they need.”

Lamb said that because the need for electricians nationally is projected to grow at 11% annually over the next 10 years, those in that field will likely command high wages and benefits.

“The need for skilled labor has never been higher,” Lamb said. “Training to become an electrician is an excellent way to get into a satisfying, high-paying career in a relatively short period of time.”

Runyan said trade schools and apprenticeship programs are crucial to developing a capable workforce, and for young people interested in building a long-term, rewarding career, the HVAC industry is filled with opportunity.

“As the demand for skilled workers continues to rise, it is more important than ever for younger individuals to consider entering these essential trades. While technology is revolutionizing areas like diagnostics, system design, and fabrication, it’s the hands-on expertise of trained professionals that ensure we continue to experience the comfort and reliability that HVAC services provide,” Runyan said.

Council Chair Washington said the City of Lincoln’s investment in the Future-Ready Workforce Initiative will help ensure an even brighter future for Lincoln residents.

“I believe we have a responsibility to provide access to good-paying jobs, effective training programs, and support resources that help our community members overcome barriers to employment, and I believe the Future-Ready Workforce Initiative checks all three of those boxes,” Washington said.

Thursday’s news conference was the final Workforce Week event that began February 24. Each day Mayor Gaylor Baird highlighted how the City’s workforce investments are delivering results that support residents’ financial security, make life more affordable, and create economic opportunity into the future.

To sign up for a Future-Ready Workforce Initiative orientation, visit lincoln.ne.gov/FutureReady, or contact the American Job Center, 1330 “N” St., at 402-441-1640 or [email protected].

Visit lincoln.ne.gov/WorkDevProgram for more information on the $12 million in workforce development program grants awarded to nine non-profit organizations in Lincoln.

Second Workforce Week event focuses on entrepreneurship program for immigrants

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today said the City’s recent strategic investment of American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA) in an entrepreneurial training program for Lincoln refugees and immigrant women has helped them start businesses and contribute to the economic prosperity of the community.

“We deliberately allocated the largest share of our American Rescue Plan Act funds on workforce initiatives that help remove barriers to economic opportunity and that support the prosperity of Lincoln’s businesses, workers, and entrepreneurs,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “By empowering immigrant and refugee women entrepreneurs to launch their small businesses, we help ensure everyone in Lincoln has the opportunity to contribute to our local economy and create economic security for themselves and their families.”

The second Workforce Week event focused on the City’s support of the Empowering Communities through Her Opportunities (ECHO) program, which provides an intensive, four-month business education course for multiple cohorts of local refugee and immigrant women.

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird at the news conference were Kelly Ross, ECHO Founder and Executive Director; Cheryl Horst, ECHO Board Vice Chair; and Heidi Martinez-Reyes, Kuro Neko Desserts Owner.

In 2024, the City awarded ECHO $200,000 in ARPA funds to support 22 participants, five of which graduated in a recent cohort. In partnership with American Job Center, the entrepreneurship program helps the participants design a business plan and learn from a variety of speakers on how to format, market, financially plan, and eventually start a business.

Ross said that the refugee and immigrant women who sell products at the collective’s cooperative store, Refined & Co., 2124 “Y” St., Suite 106, significantly impact Lincoln’s economy by creating jobs, paying taxes, expanding consumer choices and fueling economic growth.

“When you shop here, or support businesses like Kuro Neko, you’re investing in Lincoln’s future – keeping dollars in our community and strengthening the good life. Together we’re building a stronger, more prosperous Lincoln,” Ross said.

Reyes said that being an ECHO Collective graduate helped her make connections with other small business-owning women who offered inspiration and support.

“The knowledge I have gained has really helped me propel my business forward,” Reyes said.

Tuesday’s news conference was the second in a series of four Workforce Week events February 24 through 27. Each day Mayor Gaylor Baird and community partners will highlight how the City workforce investments are delivering results that support residents’ financial security, make life more affordable, and create economic opportunity into the future.

Visit lincoln.ne.gov/WorkDevProgram for more information on the $12 million in workforce development program grants awarded to nine non-profit organizations in Lincoln.

1,400 community members benefit from City’s job skill training and credentialing investments

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird with local business and manufacturing partners today announced the City’s strategic investment of American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA) in workforce development initiatives has now helped over 1,400 community members gain new job skills, earn new credentials, or start high-wage careers. The Mayor also issued a proclamation declaring the week of February 24 as Workforce Week in Lincoln.

“The City of Lincoln and our partners are committed to building a workforce that provides opportunity and financial security for all,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “When we invest in people, we strengthen businesses, grow our economy, and make Lincoln a place where everyone can afford to take care of themselves and their families as, together, we grow the great life.”

Monday’s news conference at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce was the first in a series of four Workforce Week events February 24 through 27. Each day Mayor Gaylor Baird and community partners will highlight how they are creating local opportunities that strengthen the economy, grow the workforce, support local businesses, and enhance the overall quality of life in Lincoln.

Mayor Gaylor Baird highlighted several significant outcomes resulting from workforce partnerships funded or created by the City of Lincoln:

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird at the conference were Tom Beckius, City Council member; Jason Ball, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President and CEO; and Jim Townsend, Kawasaki Motors Corporate Manager.

Monday’s Workforce Week event highlighted the Lincoln Manufacturing Council (LMC), a collaboration with the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) which offers a variety of programs to prepare underemployed or unemployed individuals for careers in manufacturing. To ensure participants complete the program, LMC provides supportive services including stipends, childcare assistance and transportation assistance.

Since receiving a $1.05 million ARPA Workforce Development grant from the City of Lincoln in 2022, LMC has enrolled 275 community members, with 212 already having earned credentials and secured jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Programs offered by the LMC include:

Ball said the said the program has a large impact on the community because the career opportunities it offers benefit local employers who hire LMC graduates and provide pathways to great careers in the manufacturing industry.

“LMC is a program that changes people's lives for the better. It has given economic options to people who felt stuck in their circumstances, it has provided skills development and career tracks to graduates, and it has helped employers find and strengthen workforce in Lincoln,” Ball said. “It is one of the most powerful workforce programs I’ve ever worked with, and that has been edified by the International Economic Development Council.”

Townsend thanked the partners – LPED, SCC, Total Manufacturing Company, Bison Inc., and the Lincoln Chamber – for helping grow the LMC from a discussion in 2017 to a program responsible for creating workers who have the confidence to work in manufacturing.

“It showed Nebraska what we do in Lincoln: we got tired of talking and became a culture of action,” Townsend said.

Beckius said workforce investments by the City and its economic development partners create paths to success for community members.

“By providing residents with access to training and education in high-wage, high-demand industries, we are empowering them to secure meaningful employment while strengthening our local economy,” Beckius said. “The investments the City is making to bolster workforce development programs are a testament to our commitment to making Lincoln an even better and more affordable home for everyone who lives here.”

Visit lincoln.ne.gov/WorkDevProgram for more information on the $12 million in workforce development program grants awarded to nine non-profit organizations in Lincoln.