School safety bill advances to the Nebraska Legislature

Nebraska’s School Safety Task Force recommendations introduced through LB 516 pallor on humanity’s hopes and dreams for the future. Forecasts of the world’s fate rarely fail to include a radiation-soaked planet, its life-sustaining capabilities severely diminished. In recent years, the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine — condemned by NATO — has renewed fears of an atomic showdown amongst world powers. This being the case, it seems only appropriate to discuss nuclear war in the context of Nebraska.

Legislative Bill 516, a package of measures to improve school safety, is set to appear before the Nebraska Unicameral.

The first measure included in the bill is hiring regional specialists to provide training and technical support and to serve as a central point of contact for school districts of K-12 schools. The second is continuing to fund the Safe2HelpNE through general funds. The third measure is creating a $15 million grant program for security related infrastructure and safety projects such as “surveillance equipment, door-locking systems, and double-entry doors for school buildings.” The last measure in the bill is a $5 million grant program for the hiring of mental health practitioners and school psychologists to provide mental health and behavior services and support for students.

The measures included in LB 516 were provided as recommendations from Nebraska’s School Safety Task Force, which was formed in October 2022. The task force is composed of public and private school educations, law enforcement, city leaders and parents. It is co-chaired by Nebraska Commissioner of Education Matthew Blomstedt and State Senator Lynne Walz. The task force facilitators are Joe Wright, Director of Security at Lincoln Public Schools and Dr. Denise Bulling, Senior Research Director at the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.

An amendment introduced by Walz clarifies that regional specialists would be available for accepted public and nonpublic accredited K-12 schools.

The bill, introduced by State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, passed out of the legislative committee in a 7-0 vote. Committee member State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha was not present for the vote.

LB 516 may face obstacles for passage due to ongoing filibusters and party tensions taking place in the Nebraska legislature, but currently it appears that the bill will have bipartisan support.

Safe2HelpNE, which will receive continued funding if LB 516 is passed, is an anonymous reporting hotline. It was designed so that students, staff and parents could report concerting behavior that could impact school or student safety regarding K-12 schools. These concerns include school threats, bullying, suicide concerns, crime, domestic violence, abuse and concerns for individual’s physical and mental health. Safe2HelpNE was created in 2021 by the Nebraska legislature through the passage of LB 322.

Aubrey Benton is a junior international relations major from Smithsburg, Md.

Would Nebraska outlast the blast?

How safe would Nebraska be during nuclear war?

A common assumption holds that Nebraska is relatively safe from this threat. After all, we have only a couple moderatelysized cities and no large industrial or financial centers. Surely places like New York, Washington D.C., or Silicon Valley would be higher up on a tactical hit list. Contrary to this assumption, Nebraska might actually be among the first states hit. Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and Western Nebraska jointly contain 450 Minuteman III silos with a grand total of 400 nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles. Western Nebraska alone contains 82 of these silos which are fortified but penetrable — with the appropriate firepower. Their purpose is to draw the first wave of enemy missiles. Intentionally spaced apart, it would take numerous bombs to wipe them out completely. Additionally, their location across the more sparsely-populated rural Midwest means that more densely populated areas may have more time to evacuate in the case of nuclear attack.

Ever since the Cuban Missile Crisis, the distinct possibility of nuclear war casts an anxious

Besides its Western side, there’s another Nebraska spot that may take the brunt of nuclear assault. Maps of Soviet nuclear targets have been leaked to the American public since the fall of the Soviet Union. According to these, North Platte was regarded with a relatively high strike priority. There are multiple reasons for this. The large Union Pacific railyard’s close proximity to highway 80 means that two transnational transportation checkpoints could be wiped out in one blow. Additionally, the North Platte River flows into the Missouri River and Mississippi Rivers. After a nuclear strike, it would act as a natural vehicle of destruction, dispersing nuclear contaminants all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. North Platte also sits on top of the subterranean Ogallala Aquifer. It’s one of the largest in the world and provides groundwater to support agriculture across the Midwest. All these things make North Platte a target that would trigger a domino effect of destruction.

Despite Nebraska’s reputation for being isolated and inconsequential, its role in a hypothetical nuclear war could be anything but. It’s important to pull back the veil of common assumptions by staying informed on the ripple effects of global conflicts. After all, even Nebraska may find itself caught in the crossfires of nuclear conflict.

‘Tis the time for outside activities

5 activities you and your friends can enjoy right now!

Picnics:

Grab a couple of your closest buddies, a big blanket and some of your favorite snacks and cheese and enjoy the sun together. You have plenty of parks around Lincoln to choose from for that afternoon picnic. A couple that are popular but often crowded are Holmes Lake and Pioneers Park. Other less frequented parks that are still on par include Van Dorn or Tierra Briarhurst Park. As it can be windy in the spring, crackers might not be the best option but sandwiches can still work. Stop by your local sandwich shop or grocery store on your way to the park and enjoy the fresh air. Don’t forget to pack your allergy meds!

Outings:

Have a favorite restaurant or local café you like to go to? You can bring out the good old bike, skateboard, scooter or rollerblades and get active instead of relying on a car. Sometimes it can get lonely out there, so simply send out a couple texts to some friends and make memories with great people beside you. It could be as close as across the street or down the road. It is totally up to you but be reasonable and don’t over exert yourself. Every adventure is best when hydrated — remember that water!

Camping:

Have some IRR friends that are addicted to the woods or one that might let you borrow some gear? Take a camping trip! We only have a few weekends left before summer — just enough to enjoy the woods in Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado. All you would need is a tent or a hammock and a sleeping bag. Stop by the store for some camp-friendly foods and embrace the wilderness for a couple days while you escape the stresses of finals.

Conquer the water: for a car. Take as many friends as you can and pack them into your back seat or hop in someone else’s for a drive around town. It can be a great way to learn your friend’s music taste and potentially a way to find out that you share some of the same favorites. A simple drive and jam never hurt anyone, right?

Glide across the water with a paddleboard, kayak or canoe. Who said you could only have fun on land? Take action on the water and splash some friends while you’re at it. Maybe even buy a water gun in secret and surprise your friends when you reach the watering hole of your choice.

Go for a drive:

The wind might have ruined your picnic and walking chances, but it is no challenge