Nebraska AG Doug Peterson to drop lawsuit against Omaha mask mandate

The decision was made after the Omaha City Council passed an ordinance that would take away the County Health Director's ability to issue mask mandates.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson announced Wednesday that he will drop the lawsuit against the Omaha mask mandate.

Peterson made the decision after the Omaha City Council passed an ordinance that would take away the County Health Director’s ability to issue mask mandates.

Emergency health policies, such as mask mandates, will now be issued by the Mayor and the Omaha City Council, according to Peterson.

“In light of these changes, we plan to dismiss our lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by the Mayor and it takes effect,” Peterson said in a statement.

Peterson had filed the lawsuit in January because he said the mask mandate was “unlawful.”

He also said that Dr. Lindsay Huse, the Douglas County Board of Health Director, exceeded her authority given under state law.