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Nebraska water transfer could introduce invasive carp to Kansas rivers and lakes

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Nebraska water transfer could introduce invasive carp to Kansas rivers and lakes


Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach sent a bipartisan letter to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen objecting to a proposed water transfer between the Platte and Republican rivers that Kelly and Kobach say could lead to invasive species of carp in Kansas waterways.

“The introduction of these fish will cause irreparable ecological harm to native species and economic and noneconomic harm to the use and enjoyment of these waters, including sport fishing, commercial fishing, and recreational boating. It should be noted that Milford Reservoir is regarded as Kansas’s premier fishing destination, and many Nebraskans enjoy it every year,” Kelly and Kobach said in the joint letter.

The letter is in response to an application by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and the Platte Republican Diversion Interlocal Agreement Partners made up of several natural resource districts. It is before the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

If approved, it would allow 150 cubic feet per second of excess flow from the Platte River Basin into the Republican River Basin through a series of canals and pipelines. The proposal is designed to meet river flow minimums in an interstate water compact with Kansas.

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Why Kelly and Kobach oppose it

Kansas officials have opposed the idea of the water transfer since it was originally proposed in 2018. They worry that it would make a path for invasive bighead and silver carp that have been documented in the Loup, Platte and Elkhorn rivers.

If these invasive species have a path to the Republican River, it could allow the fish to enter the Harlan County Reservoir in Nebraska and then the Lovewell and Milford reservoirs in Kansas. Milford Reservoir is popular among fishermen regionally.

“As an avid fisherman, I’m one of thousands of Kansans who enjoy our first-class lakes and waterways for fishing,” Kobach said. “I will use every tool available to keep these invasive species from harming Kansas waters.”

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The carp have damaged other waterways, and the knowing importation, possession or transportation of the fish is outlawed by the federal government. In Lake Yankton in Nebraska invasive carp invaded and decimated native fish populations.

“After flooding in 2011, the lake was infested with invasive carp, and by 2014, they composed over ninety percent of the fish in the lake, necessitating the use of poison to eliminate all fish in the system,” Kelly and Kobach said.

Why some Nebraskans opposed it

The project has also been controversial in Nebraska, where some natural resource districts said the diversion could lead to water rights not being delivered to its patrons. The dispute made it to the Nebraska Supreme Court in October, where it sided with the proposed water transfer.

“I’m so pleased that the Justices agreed that our project has no potential to harm existing water right holders,”, said John Thorburn, manager of Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (NRD), after the Nebraska Supreme Court decision.  “Our project has always been intended to only divert water that no water user in the Platte Basin can use. We simply want to beneficially use water that would otherwise flow out of Nebraska.”

Proponents say the project will deliver more water to Nebraskans and generate power through hydroelectric generation.

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In May, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources held a hearing on the proposed transfer, where Kansas officials also voiced concern about the transfer.

Though the proposal is under con sideration, there is no set timeline on when a decision will be made on its approval.



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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

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“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

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“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

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Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

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Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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