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Nebraska Senator Fights Back Against MJ prohibitionists | John Cavanaugh for Congress
Nebraska State Sen. John Cavanaugh (District 9) returns to the show to break down why he formally challenged the Medical Cannabis Commission’s new rules—arguing they override what voters clearly passed in 2024. We also touch on his 2026 run for Congress, including the current government shutdown, concerns for rural hospitals, tariffs, and more.
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For more information on Sen. Cavanaugh's campaign for Congress, visit https://www.johncavanaugh.org/
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Support the show by becoming a ‘Friend of Dan’ on Patreon - https://patreon.com/thedanparsonsshow
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On the go? Listen to the audio version of The Dan Parsons Show at: https://shows.acast.com/the-dan-parsons-show
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—Chapters—
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This show is also brought to you by the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), creating a brighter future for horse racing in Nebraska. Learn more at: http://www.nebraskahorsemen.com
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#NebraskaPolitics #Elections2026 #Podcast #Omaha #MedicalCannabis #BallotInitiative #GovernmentShutdown
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179. A Father’s Fight for Answers: Nebraska DHHS, Nearly $1 Million and a 50-Year Wait
36:34||Ep. 179When Omaha father Curt Safranek requested public records about Nebraska’s review of its developmental disability assessment system, DHHS estimated nearly $1 million to fulfill the request—with completion projected for 2076.Now he’s taking the agency to court.Safranek and attorney Daniel Gutman join Dan Parsons to explain the lawsuit and the family story behind it. Curt describes how a funding reduction threatened services his son Will relies on, and why he sought communications about a proposed $420,000 consulting contract to review the interRAI assessment system.Gutman discusses the legal challenge to DHHS’s estimates and what a successful outcome could mean for public access to government records.A conversation about transparency, taxpayer dollars and the Nebraska families fighting to protect essential care.Support local journalism. Become a Friend of Dan on Patreon
178. District 4 Rematch: Brad von Gillern and Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek
37:57||Ep. 178Sen. Brad von Gillern and challenger Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek answer the same questions in separate interviews, brought together in one episode of The Dan Parsons Show.Our Road to the Legislature series visits Nebraska’s Legislative District 4, covering parts of West Omaha and Elkhorn, for a rematch between the incumbent and the challenger who finished ahead of him in the May primary.Dan asks both candidates about property tax relief, Nebraska’s budget shortfall, oversight of state contracts, legislative changes to voter-approved measures and services for people with developmental disabilities. Each also explains what distinguishes them from their opponent and why voters should choose them.Listen, compare their answers and make your own decision before Election Day, November 3.Follow The Dan Parsons Show for more conversations with Nebraska’s candidates. Support local journalism by becoming a Friend of Dan at https://www.patreon.com/TheDanParsonsShow
177. No Tuition Hikes? Justin Solomon Makes His Case for University of Nebraska Regent
33:39||Ep. 177University of Nebraska Board of Regents candidate Justin Solomon is making a major campaign pledge: He won't vote to increase tuition.But with the university facing budget pressures, how would he make the numbers work?Solomon joins Dan Parsons to discuss his plan to make higher education more affordable, protect academic freedom and rethink how the university operates.A former UNL student regent and first-generation college graduate, Solomon also discusses his differences with opponent Susanne Shore, his experience leading a developmental disability services organization, and why he believes the university needs a new approach to leadership.Solomon is running in District 4, representing much of eastern Omaha.Part of The Dan Parsons Show's continuing coverage of Nebraska's 2026 elections.Election Day is November 3. Join us LIVE on YouTube for special Election Night coverage.The Dan Parsons Show — Beyond the Headlines.
176. Road to the Legislature: Jess Goldoni and Taylor Royal Face the Questions in LD 18
31:58||Ep. 176Northwest Omaha and Bennington will elect a new state senator this November. But which candidate has the experience and ideas to deliver?In this edition of The Road to the Legislature, Dan Parsons interviews both candidates for Nebraska Legislative District 18: Democrat Jess Goldoni and Republican Taylor Royal.With property taxes rising, Nebraska facing budget pressures and growing communities demanding more school funding, both candidates explain how they would approach the challenges facing the Legislature.Goldoni brings experience in business, technology and artificial intelligence. Royal brings a background in accounting, financial advising and business ownership.Both address property tax relief, state spending, public education, data centers and the importance of independent thinking in Nebraska's officially nonpartisan Legislature.Two candidates. One seat. Hear directly from both before you vote.The Road to the Legislature is part of The Dan Parsons Show — Nebraska's leading independent news and politics podcast.Beyond the Headlines.
175. Nebraska’s Farm Crisis — and the Political Consequences
39:46||Ep. 175President Trump came to Grand Island with a message for Nebraska farmers, including a temporary change involving red-dyed diesel. But Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen says the problems facing agriculture run much deeper.Hansen joins Dan Parsons to break down what the diesel action actually does, the financial pressure facing Nebraska farms, the impact of tariffs and trade policy, and Congress’ failure to finish a new Farm Bill.Then the conversation turns political: Are struggling farmers ready to vote differently in 2026?Hansen offers his assessment of Nebraska’s Senate and governor’s races, and explains why he believes rural voters are increasingly willing to reconsider their traditional political loyalties.A wide-ranging conversation about agriculture, economics and the political mood in rural Nebraska.
174. Trump in Nebraska: Are Pillen & Ricketts in Trouble?
28:30||Ep. 174Why did President Trump come to deep-red Nebraska just weeks before Election Day?Trump’s Grand Island rally was about more than firing up the crowd. With Gov. Jim Pillen and Sen. Pete Ricketts facing unusually competitive races, the president came to Nebraska to energize Republican voters, and made news by signing an executive order expanding access to tax-free red-dye diesel.Dan is joined by longtime Nebraska journalist Paul Hammel and Democratic candidate for governor Lynne Walz to break down Trump’s visit, the political trouble facing Nebraska Republicans, concerns about agriculture and the economy, and the biggest question of all:Will Trump’s visit actually change what happens on November 3?Beyond the Headlines on The Dan Parsons Show.
173. White House Blocks CNN Again — Even After Court Order
48:33||Ep. 173The battle over White House press access has taken another turn.After a federal judge ordered access restored to CNN, MS NOW and Politico, the White House Friday night blocked CNN from accompanying President Trump on his Saturday trip to Tennessee.Dan talks with longtime Omaha television news director Rose Ann Shannon about the fight over presidential press access, the role of the television pool and what these restrictions mean for the public’s ability to see and scrutinize its government.
172. Is Nebraska Cutting Disability Services to Balance the Budget?
45:05||Ep. 172Nebraska is changing the way it assesses and funds services for people with developmental disabilities. Families say some people are seeing substantial reductions in funding even though their needs haven't changed.But is this simply an attempt to modernize the system, or are Nebraska's budget problems influencing those decisions?Dan Parsons talks with State Sen. Victor Rountree, sponsor of LR404; Carol Salber, a licensed independent mental health practitioner and parent; and Mike Browne, father of two adult sons with profound developmental disabilities and a member of Nebraska's Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee.They examine concerns about the interRAI assessment, a reported $68,000 annual funding reduction for one individual, questions about the state's financial assumptions, and whether Gov. Jim Pillen and DHHS should pause reductions while an independent review is underway.It's a conversation about budgets, accountability — and what these decisions mean for some of Nebraska's most vulnerable citizens.
171. Who Should Control Nebraska’s Elections? Sarah Slattery on the Race for Secretary of State
32:39||Ep. 171Nebraska’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.