Lincoln's economy is suffering — to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars — as a result of an inadequate childcare system, and a new report digs into why that's the case.
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Early childhood educator Elli Bravec, left, cleans a pumpkin with her class as they prepare to carve it at Bubbles and Blocks on Wednesday. A new report by First Five Nebraska shows that the Lincoln and Lancaster County economy is losing hundreds of millions of dollars each year because of an inadequate childcare system.
Jack Steffen, from left, Maddox Coleman and Callum Basonett play with interlocking cogs at Bubbles and Blocks on Wednesday.
Early childhood educator Tobie Carlberg, left, helps Jack Steffen build a tower at Bubbles and Blocks on Wednesday. A new report by First Five Nebraska shows that the Lincoln and Lancaster County economy is losing hundreds of millions of dollars each year because of an inadequate childcare system.
Top Journal Star photos and videos for October 2026
Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea (10) celebrates after making a 50-yard run past Maryland defenders during the second half on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans release balloons after Nebraska's Mekhi Nelson, bottom left, celebrates with his team following the first touchdown by the Huskers in the first half on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Memorial Stadium.
Water flows through Antelope Creek, a key urban flood control channel designed to handle storm runoff, beside North Antelope Valley Parkway on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Lincoln. The Lincoln Airport received 6.15 inches of rain Wednesday, setting an all-time record for rainfall in a single calendar day in Lincoln, according to the National Weather Service.
Entourage Institute of Beauty cosmetologists Cris Santiago, top left, and Aly Bangert, top right, cut hair for Adam Lucero, bottom left, and Kimberlee Turvey during the Project Connect event on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Captured using a slow shutter speed, U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center at Fonner Park in Grand Island.
U.S. President Donald Trump is joined by U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts as he speaks during a campaign event at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center at Fonner Park in Grand Island.
David Reacher wears a Make America Great Again hat with a Donald Trump themed duck on top of it as he waits in line outside of the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Grand Island.
Nebraska's Kwazi Gilmer (3) catches a touchdown under defense by Maryland's Messiah Delhomme (33) on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 at Memorial Stadium.
Waverly marching band members wait to perform pregame on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Waverly High School in Waverly. Gretna led Waverly 14-0 going into halftime.
Yellow butterflies in the Colias genus hang about in purple Aster flowers growing in a roadside ditch on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, near 56th Street and McKelvie Road in Lincoln.
Kearney Catholic's Avery Cast (24) hoists the trophy during an NSAA Class C State Softball Championship final match on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln. Kearney Catholic beat Bishop Neumann 3-0 to claim the title.
Millard North's Abby Beard (5) holds the trophy in the huddle postgame during the Class A state championship game Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Bowlin Stadium.
Gretna East's Amanda Weis (5) greets Gretna East head coach Wade Tracy after the loss during the Class B state championship game Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Bowlin Stadium. Gretna beat Gretna East 2-1 to claim the title.
Kearney Catholic's Jersey DeVall (15) slides in for a two-run, inside-the-park home run against Bishop Neumann in the Class C state championship game Monday at Bowlin Stadium.
Bishop Neumann's Kylie Choutka (16) gets under a fly ball in right for an out during an NSAA Class C State Softball Championship final match on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln.
Stevie Horse, a member of the Oglala Lakota and Ponca, from Lincoln, dances during the Indian Center and Lincoln Indian Club Annual Powwow on Saturday at William Canby Arena at the Indian Center.
Cooper Wengler swings during a round of Upper Deck Golf at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Lincoln. With tee times Friday through Saturday, participants played through nine “holes” of golf from platforms along a path throughout the upper deck and concourses of the stadium, starting and ending in the fourth floor for music, beer, food and golfing challenges.
Ashland-Greenwood sports broadcaster Tim Washburn talks with a fellow host on air during the game on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Memorial Stadium in Ashland.
Wahoo’s Logan Kelly (10) is hoisted by teammates after defeating Ashland-Greenwood on Friday in Ashland.
Lincoln Southeast’s Owen Brown plays in the Class A #1 Singles NSAA boys state tennis match on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center in Lincoln.
Lincoln Christian’s Joshua Heeren celebrates during the Class B No. 2 singles state championship match Friday at Dillon Tennis Center.
Sen. Deb Fischer (left) speaks to members of the media alongside (from next left) Rep. Adrian Smith, EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic, Sen. Pete Ricketts and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Wednesday during a visit from state and federal officials to NioCorp's mining project in Elk Creek.
Workers lay pavers in a brick “N” logo Tuesday outside Kiewit Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. About 130 construction management students were offered a chance to gain hands-on experience on the project.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule reacts during the game against Indiana last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's Nyziah Hunter (1) celebrates his touchdown during a Fox Big Noon Kickoff game on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska led Indiana 10-3 going into the half.
A rafter of turkeys search for food near a property off Pioneers Boulevard on Monday near the Jamaica North Trail.
Lincoln East's Chase Cole reacts in the closing moments of a loss to Lincoln Southwest on Friday at Seacrest Field.
