Nebraska
Nebraska state senator says schools could be using critical mapping this year
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Critical Response Group was founded by military special operations veterans.
It provides aerial and gridded overlay mapping for school districts across the country to use during emergency situations.
“We basically took how we map and communicate overseas during counter-terrorism raids, and we took that technique and we started to adopt it and adapt it for schools,” chief operating officer Alex Carney said.
He said during the Uvalde and Sandy Hook shootings, the floorplans were either inaccessible or inaccurate, leading to what he called poor decisions by law enforcement.
On top of providing these maps to school districts, they also work with agencies to familiarize personnel with using them.
The Nebraska Legislature passed a bill this spring opening the doors for school districts to buy mapping services such as these. It also provides state grants to help districts pay for them.
“The school board has to then decide if this is what they want, and then put it up for bid,” said State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair. “Then they can make a decision on who they best see fit.”
Hansen, who proposed the original bill, told 6 News he doesn’t know the specific date on when funds will be ready for distribution, but some school districts could begin using these services as soon as this year.
Hansen added that with the funding the state did allocate for this, some school districts can get the ball rolling, and lawmakers can see what districts think about it. Then, they may bring an amendment next year to raise the funding.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance has released the 2026 schedule for Beef Quality Assurance and Beef Quality Assurance Transportation certification events.
The trainings allow attendees to earn both certifications during the same session.
Beef Quality Assurance is a national program that provides science-based information and practical guidance to beef producers on best management practices for raising cattle under optimal conditions. Core principles include proper animal husbandry, prevention of violative residues and reduced injection site damage. The program has expanded to include cattle handling, facility design, transportation practices, recordkeeping and overall herd health management.
The mission of Beef Quality Assurance is to strengthen consumer confidence in beef by focusing on everyday production practices that influence the safety, quality and wholesomeness of beef products. The program’s principles guide the management of more than 80% of the U.S. cattle supply.
Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance encourages all segments of the beef industry, including producers and cattle transporters, to maintain current certifications, which demonstrate a commitment to responsible management practices and continuous improvement.
Benefits of certification include staying current on industry standards, strengthening consumer trust and supporting cattle health and operational efficiency. Analyses of online calf sales have also shown that certified cattle often bring a premium in video auction markets.
Certification is valid for three years. Individuals certified prior to 2023 may need to renew their certification.
To learn more about Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance or to find a certification event near you, click here. To register for an event, visit the website or contact Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead at 308-633-0158.
Additional certification events may be added to the 2026 schedule as they become available. Producers are encouraged to check the website periodically for updates.
The 2026 schedule (all times are Central Daylight Time unless otherwise noted):
- North Platte: April 13, 4 p.m., West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road
- Plainview: April 22, 4 p.m., Plainview Public Library, 209 N. Pine St.
- Ithaca: April 23, 4 p.m., Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, 1071 County Road G
- Imperial: May 6, 1 p.m. MDT, Lied Imperial Public Library, 703 Broadway St.
- Holdrege: May 7, 4 p.m., Phelps County Ag Center, 1308 Second St.
- St. Paul: May 13, 1 p.m., St. Paul Library Community Room, 1301 Howard Ave.
- Bladen: June 2, 6 p.m., Webster County Fairgrounds, 459 N. Crescent St.
- Albion: July 8, 5:30 p.m., Town and Country Veterinary Clinic, 2572 State Highway 14
- Bridgeport: Sept. 9, 4 p.m., Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 N. Main St.
- Tecumseh: Dec. 1, 1 p.m., Johnson County 4-H Building, 633 N. First St.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — A carnival worker who was working at the Nebraska State Fair last year charged with enticing who he thought was a teen has taken a plea deal.
According to Hall County District Court records, Todd Brown, 46, pleaded no contest to enticement by electronic device. In exchange for his plea, the charge was reduced from child enticement by electronic device.
According to an arrest affidavit, on Aug. 19, 2025 Brown began messaging a Nebraska State Patrol investigator posing online as a 14-year-old child. The investigator said Brown told him he was working at the Nebraska State Fair and told them to meet him there.
The affidavit said Brown continued to message the minor, with the conversations becoming sexual in nature. Court records said Brown offered to rent a hotel room and urged the minor not to tell their parents about their communications.
The affidavit said on Thursday, Brown told the minor to meet him after his shift working a game booth at the carnival at the Nebraska State Fair. The investigator said he located Brown at the fair using his cell phone.
Brown is set to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. April 8.
DAWSON, Neb. (KOLN) – One person is dead after a house fire in the village of Dawson on Saturday.
The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office was called to a structure fire near Riley Avenue and Fifth Street at 12:31 a.m. According to the sheriff’s office, 70-year-old Michael Leroy Ruch was found dead in a bedroom in the northwest corner of the house.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Nebraska State Fire Marshal.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
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