Posted: 7:25 PM Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the United States' military is facing a number of challenges in the coming years, from civil war in Syria to the role of technology in global security.

Posted: 7:24 AM Supporters of a far-reaching immigration bill in the Senate see fresh momentum from a report by the Congressional Budget Office that the measure would boost the economy and reduce federal deficits by billions of dollars.

Updated: 10:03 AM A state senator has been sentenced after pleading guilty to drunken driving in his northwest Omaha district.

Posted: 7:19 AM Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is making his first trip back to Nebraska for a speech at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Posted: 6:45 PM Nebraska Sen. Steve Lathrop is kicking off his statewide listening tour as he weighs a run for governor.

Posted: 6:50 AM Approval of a massive farm bill could hinge on a proposed new dairy program the House is expected to vote on this week.

Posted: 9:12 AM Members of the new Nebraska Tax Modernization Committee are preparing for a busy summer, with hearings throughout the state and a push to make additional reforms when lawmakers reconvene next year.

Posted: 4:48 PM A councilman for the city of Omaha has been taken to a local hospital after complaining of chest pain. City Councilman Garry Gernandt was taken Wednesday by ambulance to Creighton University Medical Center.

Updated: 8:09 PM The Senate overwhelmingly voted Monday to expand farm subsidies and make small cuts to food stamps in a five-year, half-trillion dollar measure. But passage in the House isn't expected to be so easy -- or so bipartisan.

Posted: 2:48 PM Former Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy has agreed to pay a $1,000 fine for improper use of a state cellphone as part of a settlement with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

Posted: 4:26 AM Several counties in Northeastern Colorado say they want to secede and form a new state. Some Nebraska counties are interested in the measure, as well.

Updated: 6:26 AM A federal lawsuit is challenging the Nebraska DMV's policy of denying driver's licenses to some young immigrants.

Updated: 4:41 AM Three state senators and a former Nebraska regent have either entered the race or are considering a run.

Updated: 5:15 AM Nebraska lawmakers have finished a legislative session highlighted by a $7.8 billion, two-year budget, increased spending for the university and state colleges, and an overhaul of juvenile services.

Posted: 4:02 PM State Sen. Steve Lathrop says he will embark on a statewide tour to introduce himself to Nebraskans and weigh a possible run for governor in 2014.

Posted: 5:01 AM Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has signed a wind-energy bill that he opposes to prevent the city of Omaha from increasing its local option sales tax.

Posted: 6:44 AM Newborns in Nebraska will have to get screened for a potentially fatal heart disease, under a new state law. Gov. Dave Heineman approved a measure Monday that will require screenings for critical congenital heart disease, a leading cause of death in newborns.

Updated: 5:38 AM Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has signed three tax-cut measures into law, calling them small but important steps toward an improved state tax climate.

Posted: 1:01 PM Former Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborn is now a candidate for U.S. Senate.

Posted: 3:23 PM Lawmakers have authorized a study of Nebraska's tax climate, with the expectation that they'll reform the system.

Updated: 9:14 PM Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska says he will not run for the U.S. Senate.

Posted: 6:57 PM Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has signed a juvenile justice reform bill into law.

Posted: 2:47 PM A bill that would use sales tax exemptions to attract wind farms to Nebraska has won final approval from lawmakers.

Posted: 2:42 PM Nebraska lawmakers have voted to strike all references to the "R-word" from state law.

Posted: 2:41 PM Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill to require heart screenings for newborns to catch potential health problems.