Nebraska

Citing wife’s health, ex-Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse resigns as university president

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2024

Citing wife’s health, ex-Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse resigns as university president

Courtesy University of Florida

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Less than two years into the job, Ben Sasse is stepping down as president of the University of Florida.

The former U.S. senator from Nebraska made the announcement Thursday, citing his wife’s epilepsy diagnosis.

“I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family,” he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

SEE ALSO: Sen. Pete Ricketts wins Republican nomination in a landslide

Sasse said his wife’s health problems began in 2007, when she suffered an aneurysm and a series of strokes.

She “made an incredible comeback,” he wrote, but was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and is facing memory problems.

“She’s the strongest person I know,” Sasse said. “We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior.”

SEE ALSO: Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse wins final approval for UF presidency

Sasse said he will remain at the university as president emeritus and a professor.

Before he was elected to the Senate, Sasse led Midland University in Fremont.

He resigned from the Senate in January 2023 to take the UF job.

Gov. Jim Pillen then appointed his predecessor, Pete Ricketts, to Sasse’s seat.

SEE ALSO: University of Florida faculty votes ‘no confidence’ in search that led to Sasse

Tags: aneurysm, Ben Sasse, epilepsy, family, Fremont, health, Health problems, jim pillen, memory, memory problems, Midland University, Nebraska, Pete Ricketts, President Emeritus, professor, Seizures, Senate, Social media, stroke, strokes, Twitter, U.S. senator, uf, university of florida, x

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Nebraska

Huskers/OSU game three canceled

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Courtesy Nebraska Athletics

The third matchup this weekend between No. 9 Nebraska and No. 21 Oklahoma State was canceled Sunday due to expected bad weather in the Stillwater, Okla., area. The Cowgirls won the first matchup Thursday, 2-1 in 11 innings, while the Cornhuskers won Saturday, 4-3. The game will not be made up.

Nebraska now prepares for its home opener Thursday at Bowlin Stadium as the Huskers take on South Dakota State in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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Nebraska

Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

Published

14 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office and Kearney County Attorney’s Office, is investigating an attempted murder/suicide in rural Kearney County.

The Kearney County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene Saturday afternoon.

According to NSP, three children and a woman had gunshot wounds, with the woman found dead.

The three children were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and treated for their injuries. Two of the children have since been transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.

NSP said all three children are expected to survive. The children are all under the age of 12.

This investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

According to NSP, names are not being released at this time to protect the identities of the victims.

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Nebraska

UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)

KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.

They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.

“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”

Students representing UNK include:
Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn
Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet
Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium
Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone
Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet
Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet
Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba
La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano
Minden – Evan Porter, percussion
Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute