College Savings Month: Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg is urging families to plan ahead for rising education costs, highlighting the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) as a tax-advantaged way to save for everything from tuition to trade school and other recognized credentials. Local Water & Farming: The Central Platte Natural Resources District approved switching from UNL’s nitrogen management test to V-TAPS, requiring producers to attend an in-person V-TAPS session once every four years, plus it set its 2026/27 property tax request and levy. Education Policy: Nebraska’s education board deadlocked on new social studies standards, with debate over wording like “marginalized” and whether the changes will be properly measured. Catholic Community Life: Lincoln’s School Sisters of Christ the King unveiled major renovations to Villa Regina to help aging sisters stay in community longer, and the Diocese of Lincoln marked Blue, White and Red Masses honoring first responders, legal professionals and medical workers. Health & Family Rights: A national legal fight over parental rights and school policy continues, while a Nebraska-related “No Shock Act” targets ICE “shock gloves” tied to deportation enforcement. Community & Belonging: Welcoming Week is being promoted as a chance to bring neighbors together, especially in growing immigrant communities. Higher Ed Costs: Nebraska’s public four-year institutions reported an enrollment-weighted in-state tuition and fees total of $9,366 for 2024-25.