Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Oct. 15, include: Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell met Wednesday night for a debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media News and the Omaha World-Herald. New polling shows most Americans are pessimistic about the economy and have started spending less. State agencies consider potential budget reductions as Nebraska faces an $846 million deficit. The education department’s hypothetical 10% cut could affect special education and services for students with disabilities. The proposed cuts still require approval from the governor and Legislature. The Nebraska attorney general’s office seeks to recover legal fees from its effort to add three Lincoln charter amendments to the November ballot. Husker Athletics announces lower starting prices for some 2027 football season tickets, with about 5,000 tickets available to the general public starting at $299. Federal officials voice support for a proposed rare earth mine in southeast Nebraska, but the project still needs final approval.
