The Dan Parsons Show

Nebraska’s race for Secretary of State is about more than who occupies the office. It comes as the country debates mail voting, federal involvement in elections, voter data and public confidence in the system.Democratic candidate Sarah Slattery joins Dan Parsons to explain why she believes she should be Nebraska’s next chief election officer.Dan presses Slattery on whether Nebraska’s election system is fundamentally working, the security of voting by mail, voter ID, petition fraud, federal access to Nebraska voter information and what political neutrality means for an office filled through a partisan election.And there’s a crucial hypothetical: If Slattery were Secretary of State and her own party challenged an election that Nebraska officials determined it had lost, would she certify the result?It’s a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Nebraska elections — and the responsibilities that come with running them.

Flatwater Free Press reporter Yanqi Xu and executive editor Matthew Hansen join Dan for a candid conversation about Xu’s latest reporting involving Gov. Jim Pillen, Pillen Family Farms and immigrant labor.The conversation goes beyond the investigation itself.Yanqi describes pursuing Pillen after a news conference and confronting him directly about her reporting. Matthew discusses the role of an editor when a reporter becomes part of the story—and what happened when the Omaha World-Herald documented the encounter.There’s also history here. Dan first met Yanqi through an earlier investigation into nitrate contamination involving Pillen’s hog operations. Shortly afterward, Pillen publicly dismissed the reporting and referenced Xu’s Chinese background.Now, years later, Xu is still reporting. Pillen is still pushing back. And the questions about journalism, political power and accountability are bigger than one investigation.Dan, Yanqi and Matthew discuss how investigative journalism actually gets done, what happens when elected officials attack the messenger, and why persistence still matters.Plus, Dan introduces his new Patreon segment, “Off the Record,” where he goes beyond the interview to share his own perspective on the stories, personalities and experiences behind the headlines.Sign up for the Flatwater Festival here: https://flatwaterfreepress.org/events/flatwater-festival-2026/

Nebraska rancher, businessman and former independent U.S. Senate candidate Jim Jenkins joins Dan Parsons for a candid conversation about the growing pressure on Nebraska agriculture, and why he believes the state’s political leaders aren’t doing enough about it.Jenkins argues that President Trump’s sweeping tariffs amount to a massive tax on American businesses and consumers, driving up costs for farmers and ranchers while threatening Nebraska’s export-dependent agricultural economy. He also explains how tariffs have affected his own ranch and a family business, and questions why Nebraska’s congressional delegation has largely allowed the president to set tariff policy without stronger congressional oversight.The conversation also turns to Trump’s efforts to bring down beef prices through increased imports, the Pete Ricketts–Dan Osborn Senate race, and Jenkins’ belief that Nebraska needs more political competition and leaders willing to put governing ahead of party loyalty.Jenkins knows something about challenging the two-party system. In 2014, he ran for U.S. Senate as an independent, sharing the debate stage with Republican Ben Sasse and Democrat Dave Domina. Twelve years later, independent candidates and new political parties are playing an increasingly prominent role in Nebraska politics.His message to Nebraska’s political establishment today is pointed: “You are not doing the job right now, my friends.”A wide-ranging conversation about tariffs, beef, agriculture, independent politics and the kind of leadership Jenkins believes Nebraska needs.

Bob Krist is back in Nebraska politics, with another unexpected political turn.The retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former Nebraska state senator has been a Republican, an independent and the Democratic nominee for governor. Now, Krist is running for Nebraska Secretary of State as a candidate of the newly formed America First Party.In this episode of The Dan Parsons Show, Krist explains why he entered the race, how his America First candidacy came together and why he believes his background prepares him to serve as Nebraska’s chief election officer.Dan also presses Krist on the political questions surrounding his candidacy: Does he embrace the America First Party platform? Does “America First” mean something different to Bob Krist than it does to Donald Trump?And Krist answers a question Dan intends to ask every candidate seeking to oversee Nebraska elections:Was Joe Biden legitimately elected president in 2020?It’s a conversation about Krist’s unusual political journey, the emergence of a new party in Nebraska and what could become one of the state’s most consequential down-ballot races of 2026.The Dan Parsons Show — Nebraska politics beyond the headlines.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly inherited a state facing serious fiscal challenges. Eight years later, she says Kansas has a $2 billion rainy-day fund, has paid down debt, fully funded schools and transportation — and cut taxes.In this exclusive conversation on The Dan Parsons Show, Kelly joins Nebraska gubernatorial candidate and former state Sen. Lynne Walz to discuss what Kansas learned — and what those lessons could mean for Nebraska.We talk about:• Winning Republican and independent voters in traditionally Republican states • Governing with a Republican-controlled legislature • Nebraska’s budget challenges and Walz’s criticism of across-the-board cuts • Economic development and rebuilding rural communities • Why Kelly says divided government can force compromise • The changing tone of American politics • Whether the political middle is making a comeback • Why Kelly believes Walz is prepared to be governorWalz argues Nebraska is “bleeding” financially. Kelly responds with the story of Kansas’ fiscal turnaround, including rebuilding reserves, investing in schools and infrastructure, attracting major economic development and cutting taxes.It’s a conversation about two neighboring states, two political paths, and whether Kansas offers lessons for Nebraska’s future.The Dan Parsons Show — Beyond the Headlines.

Sara Kohen candidate for the Omaha Public Power District Board in District 1, joins the show to discuss why public power matters and what’s at stake for OPPD customers. We talk about the future of public power, data centers, renewable energy, grid reliability, and how board decisions shape affordability, economic development and Nebraska’s energy future. Learn more about Kohen's campaign at https://saraforoppd.com/ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ Support the show by becoming a ‘Friend of Dan’ on Patreon -   / thedanparsonsshow   ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ Additional music provided by friend of the show Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, support them at: https://www.joshhoyer.com/ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ Connect with The Dan Parsons Show on Social Media: TikTok -   / thedanparsonsshow   Instagram -   / thedanparsonsshow   Twitter - https://x.com/DanParsonsShow2 Facebook -   / thedanparsonsshow   ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ On the go? Listen to the audio version of The Dan Parsons Show at: https://shows.acast.com/the-dan-parso... ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ —Chapters— ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ #Nebraska #Election2026 #Omaha #OPPD #DataCenters #Climate Future of Omaha Power: Sara Kohen Interview, candidate for OPPD. Nebraska, Omaha, OPPD, Omaha Public Power District, Mark Gudgel, Mark Gudgel OPPD, OPPD election, OPPD board, OPPD District 1, Nebraska politics, Omaha politics, Nebraska election, public power, electric rates, electricity, energy policy, renewable energy, solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, data centers, North Omaha Power Station, climate, infrastructure, utility bills, Nebraska news, Omaha news, Dan Parsons Show

Republican political strategist Ryan Horn joins the show to break down a fast-moving week in Nebraska politics. We discuss the Lincoln petition fraud investigation, Brett Lindstrom’s failed attempt to qualify for the governor’s race after fraudulent signatures were flagged, growing questions about quality control in petition campaigns, and what the shake-up means for Gov. Jim Pillen’s reelection prospects. Horn also weighs in on the Republican Party’s weakening advantage on the economy, inflation, tariffs, and whether Nebraska voters are starting to sour on the GOP brand.Read the Wall Street Journal: The Republican Party Is Losing Its Edge With Voters on the Economy - https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/the-republican-party-is-losing-its-edge-with-voters-on-the-economy-b2450a14⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻Support the show by becoming a ‘Friend of Dan’ on Patreon - https://patreon.com/thedanparsonsshow⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻Additional music provided by friend of the show Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, support them at: https://www.joshhoyer.com/⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻Connect with The Dan Parsons Show on Social Media:- TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@thedanparsonsshow- Instagram - https://instagram.com/thedanparsonsshow- Twitter - https://x.com/DanParsonsShow2- Facebook - https://facebook.com/TheDanParsonsShow⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻On the go? Listen to the audio version of The Dan Parsons Show at: https://shows.acast.com/the-dan-parsons-show⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻—Chapters—⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻#Nebraska #Omaha #NE02 #Congress #Election2026 #LincolnNE #JimPillen #BrettLindstrom #GOPPetition Fraud, the Governor’s Race, & Trouble for Nebraska Republicans | Ryan HornNebraska politics, Nebraska election 2026, Nebraska governor race, Jim Pillen, Brett Lindstrom, Ryan Horn, Dan Parsons Show, Good Government Lincoln, Lincoln petition scandal, Nebraska petition fraud, petition fraud investigation, Nebraska petitions, Nebraska Republican Party, Nebraska GOP, Republican Party, Donald Trump, Trump economy, tariffs, inflation, Nebraska elections, Lancaster County, Nebraska Secretary of State, Nebraska Attorney General, Lincoln Nebraska

Longtime political consultant Kate Wolfe joins the show to break down the alleged petition fraud tied to Good Government Lincoln’s failed city charter initiative effort. Drawing on her experience managing statewide petition campaigns, Wolfe explains how legitimate signature collection and verification should work, where she believes this effort may have broken down, and why the unusually high rejection rate raised immediate red flags. We also discuss paid and out-of-state circulators, Nebraska’s history of petition law changes, calls for new restrictions, and whether the current system actually failed... or worked exactly as intended.⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻Support the show by becoming a ‘Friend of Dan’ on Patreon - https://patreon.com/thedanparsonsshow⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻Additional music provided by friend of the show Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, support them at: https://www.joshhoyer.com/⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻Connect with The Dan Parsons Show on Social Media:- TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@thedanparsonsshow- Instagram - https://instagram.com/thedanparsonsshow- Twitter - https://x.com/DanParsonsShow2- Facebook - https://facebook.com/TheDanParsonsShow⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻On the go? Listen to the audio version of The Dan Parsons Show at: https://shows.acast.com/the-dan-parsons-show⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻—Chapters—⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻#Nebraska #Election2026 #NebraskaPolitics #LincolnNE #LancasterCounty #truecrime

The race for Nebraska Governor just shifted. Former State Senator Brett Lindstrom has officially launched a petition drive to qualify as a nonpartisan candidate for the November ballot.Is this the start of a formal campaign, or a strategic test of the electoral math? Back on April 29, we sat down with Lindstrom to discuss exactly this: the "path" for a nonpartisan run, the signature requirements, and the August 1 deadline. Today, he is taking the procedural steps he outlined to us on this program.In this episode, we break down what this development means for the broader political landscape in Nebraska:● The Strategy: Why beginning the petition process is a test of political viability rather than an irrevocable commitment to stay in the race.● The Math: How a three-way contest involving Governor Jim Pillen and Democratic nominee Lynne Walz changes the electoral map.● The Message: Lindstrom’s appeal to voters tired of "political chaos" and his vision for stability and pragmatism.● What’s Next: We track the progress of signature collection, fundraising, and the organization required for a statewide nonpartisan campaign.We aren't waiting for the press releases; we are having the conversations before the decisions become official.🔔 Subscribe to The Dan Parsons Show for continued coverage as we track this petition effort and its impact on the race for Governor.#NebraskaPolitics #BrettLindstrom #NebraskaGovernor #Nonpartisan #DanParsonsShow