Aug. 20 | Homestead exemptions proposal dead, political parties

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Aug. 20, include: Department of Revenue won't pursue proposal to reduce property tax breaks to help balance state budget, use of electric shock gloves in Omaha schools brought firestorm of criticism in last week, Identity Preparatory Academy in North Omaha celebrated its first day of school Wednesday, Lancaster County judge paved way for two new political parties to field candidates for November ballot, Good Government Lincoln group has submitted for second time petition signatures with hopes to change Lincoln elections, Lynne Walz released more details on plan for what her potential gubernatorial administration would accomplish, rural hospital in western Nebraska announced Wednesday it filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln just got $37 million more for its new research facility partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nebraska's Domestic Abuse Death Review Team released its annual report on Wednesday, nearly 100-year-old Veterans Administration Hospital in Lincoln is set to undergo renovations to provide affordable housing.