LINCOLN — U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and his Democratic challenger, State Sen. Tony Vargas, spent much of Tuesday evening trading barbs in a debate over “lies,” civility, criminal justice and character.
Bacon, who is seeking his fifth congressional term serving Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, repeatedly chastised Vargas for “baloney” and a “bunch of platitudes but no meat behind him.”
Vargas, who challenged Bacon in 2022, as well, repeatedly linked Bacon to former President Donald Trump and said Bacon’s constituents couldn’t afford to reelect Bacon. Nebraska voters in the state’s 2nd Congressional District will face a rematch between Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas, left, and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. (Candidate photos courtesy of the campaigns; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
“Don’t listen to Tony, the guy is deceptive, he’s not being honest. He’ll do anything to win election,” Bacon said.
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Said Vargas: “Staying in power sounds like it’s more important to you than it is standing up for democracy and the independence of our district.”
The two candidates addressed about 10 questions in an hourlong debate sponsored by Nebraska Public Media at its Lincoln studio in partnership with the Nebraska Examiner, Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World-Herald and KRVN Rural Radio Network. No live audience was present.
Aaron Sanderford, the Nebraska Examiner’s political reporter, moderated the debate, with a panel of three journalists: Kassidy Arena (Nebraska Public Media), Erin Bamer (Omaha World-Herald) and Dave Schroeder (KRVN).
Abortion
Bacon and Vargas differed on major topics, including abortion, where Bacon said he supports Nebraska’s current 12-week ban on abortion tied to gestational age, which was passed in 2023, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Bacon said he would defend that law. State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat, prepares for a debate for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
Vargas criticized Bacon for co-sponsoring national legislation that Vargas said would have banned abortion nationally with no carve-outs for in vitro fertilization. The legislation would have recognized a fertilized egg as a person with equal protections under the 14th Amendment. Vargas said the issue ultimately comes down to a woman’s “right to choose.”
“This is a decision that politicians, especially Don Bacon, should have absolutely no say in telling them what they can and cannot do with their bodies,” Vargas said.
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Bacon criticized Vargas as “deceptive” because the legislation he supported never mentioned “abortion.” Bacon did not sign on to a 2023 version of the law he had previously joined.
“At what point, Tony, does that unborn child deserve a sense of humanity?” Bacon said. “I would think a science teacher for two years would know that.”
Bacon said that abortion is “ranked very low” among priorities when he talks to voters and that Vargas is “trying to create an issue that does not belong.” U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., prepares for a debate for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District against State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
Bacon told reporters after the debate that Congress will likely never address abortion, unless Democrats win the presidency, control of both chambers of Congress and get rid of the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the U.S. Senate.
“That should be a warning sign because with that 60-vote threshold we are forced to be more bipartisan in whatever we get passed,” Bacon said.
Vargas pointed to his daughter, who he said has fewer rights than his wife did, and urged Congress to restore Roe v. Wade, which set certain constitutional protections for abortion instead of a patchwork of different state laws since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that opinion in 2022.
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Israel and Ukraine
The two candidates did find agreement on foreign aid, with both stating the United States needed to remain a good ally to Ukraine and Israel, in good times and bad, and not risk war spreading to surrounding regions.
Bacon touted his military background in the U.S. Air Force and said antisemitism “is not being an American” and is “antithetical to what we support.”
Both said they stand with Israel and said the war should end on Israel’s terms, with the eradication of Hamas terrorists and the release of all hostages. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., thanks about 50 elected Republicans for supporting his reelection campaign. April 22, 2024. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
Asked if any limits should be placed on humanitarian aid to Israel, for Palestinian citizens or citizens in Lebanon, each candidate said no.
“I understand that the Palestinian people are hurting, but the most important thing to me is that this end to the war happens on the terms for Israel,” Vargas said.
Added Bacon: “The fault lies with Hamas.… Israel has the obligation to try to target just Hamas, or just Hezbollah in Lebanon, but when they’re hiding amongst the people, it is very hard.… If we were attacked, and we were on 9/11 in a similar way, we would go in and try to destroy Hamas and Gaza.”
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Public safety and immigration
A large portion of the debate honed in on gun violence, public safety and criminal justice, with Bacon criticizing Vargas’ record in the Nebraska Legislature that the congressman said made his district less safe, such as legislation for early parole for certain inmates.
Bacon said he supports “due process” when it comes to reducing gun violence and suggested cracking down on “straw” purchases, in which someone purchases a gun for someone who shouldn’t be able to buy a gun. Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha speaks at a Harris-Walz rally in La Vista, Nebraska, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. Vargas is running for a second time against Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. (Naomi Delkamiller/Nebraska News Service)
Vargas said after the debate that any legislation that passes the Legislature, where Republicans hold a supermajority of seats in the officially nonpartisan body, needs Republican support. Vargas said the bigger concern is who would actually fight for public safety and vote for bipartisan border safety and gun violence legislation, which Bacon had opposed.
Vargas and Bacon each said the border needs to be addressed but disagreed on how.
Bacon said the administration under President Joe Biden can act now but hasn’t and said he supports a pathway to permanent “legal status” for some immigrants who came to the United States illegally, but not for criminals, and no pathway to citizenship.
Vargas, whose parents are immigrants, said something must be done to secure the border, stop fentanyl and prevent human trafficking in order to support the American dream. Vargas said Democrats are willing to compromise, and he blamed Republicans for inaction.
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2nd District independence
Vargas and Bacon each told reporters that, if elected this fall, each would be an independent voice for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which is composed of Douglas County, Saunders County and rural Sarpy County.
Vargas said his eight years on the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee showed him the importance of passing a lean, balanced budget that invests in needed priorities, including law enforcement.
As an example where he disagrees with Democrats, Vargas said he opposes widespread student loan forgiveness that doesn’t benefit all Nebraskans.
“We need somebody that will have real independence when it matters, a problem solver when it actually matters the most,” Vargas told reporters. “I think that’s the reason why we bring up Donald Trump because he is on the ballot and was really proud of his endorsement of Don Bacon.” Blue dot signs and red state signs are popping up in the 2nd Congressional District, sometimes with both signs dueling in neighboring yards. (Cate Folsom/Nebraska Examiner)
Vargas said he appreciates Nebraska’s current process for distributing Electoral College votes, two for the popular vote winner and one for the winner of each of the state’s three congressional districts.
Bacon said he wishes all states followed Nebraska’s model but joined on to a letter last month with Nebraska’s other four Republican members of Congress urging the Legislature to move to “winner take all,” in which the statewide winner would receive all five votes.
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Only Nebraska and Maine have the district system, Bacon said, criticizing the model as a Democratic “cash cow” that helps Vargas and other Democratic candidates.
Vargas said it’s about the independence of the district and criticized Bacon for trying to change the system so close to the election. Vargas said Trump’s endorsement of Bacon came shortly after Bacon endorsed the switch to winner take all, which didn’t have enough legislative support.
Bacon told reporters he has faced Trump’s hostility for voting for the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill, for the certification of the 2020 election and saying Biden won and supporting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for young undocumented immigrants.
“I’ve done my own thing that I think is right for the country,” Bacon said after the debate. “The fact that he [Trump] called and still wanted to make peace. I think he knows that, in reality, it doesn’t help him to be at odds with the folks in this district.”
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.
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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
Not even more sickness could stop the No. 12 Nebraska men’s basketball team.
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With a nasty flu strain ripping through the Huskers and the UNL campus as a whole, Nebraska needed a little more time to take care of Maryland, but freshman star Braden Frager and his team-high 21 points and eight rebounds led a late NU surge for a 74-61 victory over the Terrapins. Forward Pryce Sandfort added to the effort with 16 points and eight rebounds while both Rienk Mast (13) and Sam Hoiberg (12) also reached double figures.
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Now with just three games remaining in the regular season, the Huskers venture west for a two-game road trip to L.A., where they start off against a USC team in the middle of a long losing skid. Here’s all you need to know for Saturday’s mid-afternoon showdown between the Huskers and Trojans.
How to Follow Along
Matchup: Nebraska (24-4, 13-4 B1G) at USC (18-10, 7-10 B1G)
When: Saturday, February 28
Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Watch: Big Ten Network
Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
USC head coach Eric Musselman has already surpassed the wins total from his first season in charge of the Trojans. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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USC Scout
Head Coach
Eric Musselman | 2nd season at USC; 11th as HC
35-28 (.556) at USC; 256-121 (.679) College Career Record
Previous head coach at Arkansas, Nevada, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors
Previous assistant at LSU, Arizona State, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-2025 Record & Awards
Record: 17-18 (7-13 B1G, T-12th)
Finish: L, 60-59 to Villanova in CBC Quarterfinals
All-B1G: 1x Honorable Mention
All-Time Series
USC leads 6-5
Jan. 22, 2025, last matchup, 78-73 USC
Washington guard Desmond Claude (1) was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick last year at USC before transferring. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Key Returners
Terrance Williams II | F | Gr. | Was off to a great start with 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year before getting knocked out for the season just seven games in; has not been the same with just 2.5 PPG in 27 contests this season.
Key Departures
Desmond Claude | G | Transfer | Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season for the Trojans after leading the team with 15.8 points per game, but transferred to Washington over the offseason.
Wesley Yates III | G | Transfer | Another player that transferred to Washington, the Texas native was second on the team last season in scoring (14.1) and steals (40) as a redshirt freshman.
Chibuzo Agbo | G | Graduated | Veteran guard that scored 11.8 points per contest while leading the team with 76 made three-pointers as part of his final college season.
Saint Thomas | F | Graduated | The Omaha native and Millard North graduate scored 9.5 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per game in his final college season.
Rashaun Agee | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-8 veteran forward who proved to be USC’s most dangerous threat off the bench by scoring over nine points per game.
Josh Cohen | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-10 post that started in 25 of his 33 appearances while adding 5.9 points per game for the Trojans.
Clark Slajchert | G | Graduated | Another key reserve for the Trojans who put up four points per game in 11 minutes across 27 games.
Kevin Patton Jr. | F | Transfer | After scoring 9.8 PPG at San Diego, the California native saw limited action for USC off the bench to prompt his transfer to New Mexico over the offseason.
Matt Knowling | F | Graduated | Played in 27 contests with an average of over 18 minutes, but added little production with three points and 2.6 rebounds.
Another standout guard for USC last season, Wesley Yates III (9) transferred to Washington ahead of his redshirt sophomore year. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Impact Transfers/Newcomers
Rodney Rice | G | Jr. | The third leading scorer from a Sweet 16 Maryland squad last season, the transfer scored over 20 points per game for the Trojans before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December.
Chad Baker-Mazara | G/F | Gr. | A veteran transfer that aided Auburn’s run to the Final Four last season, the Dominican Republic native leads all active Trojans with 18.6 points per game and 71 total assists.
Ezra Ausar | F | Sr. | The 6-foot-9 forward transfer from Utah scores over 15 points per game and grabs over six rebounds per contest in an elevated role after the injury to Rice.
Alijah Arenas | G | Fr. | The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, the true freshman missed the first 18 games of the season, but he’s been highly productive with a 13.9 points per game average in his first 10 college games.
Jacob Cofie | F | Soph. | A massive 6-foot-10 forward from Seattle, the Virginia transfer gives USC a weapon inside with 9.8 points and seven rebounds per game as a full-time starter.
Kam Woods | G | Gr. | A mid-season transfer from Robert Morris, where he led the program to its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Alabama native has added over eight points and four rebounds in 16 contests this year.
Jordan Marsh | G | Jr. | The 2025 Big South Conference Newcomer of the Year last season at UNC-Ashville, Marsh acts as the sixth man for the Trojans with 6.7 PPG to lead all reserves.
Jaden Brownell | F | Gr. | A 6-foot-10 bench forward, the USC big man was a 14-point scorer at Samford last season before making his way to L.A.
Jerry Easter II | G | Fr. | An Ohio native who went to the heralded Link Academy in Missouri, Easter II has earned six starts in his 26 appearances by scoring 4.4 points per game.
Gabe Dynes | C | Jr. | The 7-foot-5 center led the country in blocks (104) last season at Youngstown State before transferring to USC, where he’s putting up three points per game, but has collected 30 blocks while only averaging 12 minutes per appearance.
Outlook
A veteran head coach at both the college and NBA levels, Eric Musselman was at the center of one of college basketball’s wildest coaching carousel moves following the 2023–24 season, leaving Arkansas for USC and paving the way for the legendary John Calipari to take over the Razorbacks program.
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While Calipari marched his team to a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season, Musselman’s debut season in L.A. ended with a quarterfinal loss in the CBC for an underwhelming year. What followed was an exodus from the program, with top-two scorers Desmond Claude (15.8) and Wesley Yates III (14.1) both transferring to Washington despite standout seasons. Six others graduated, including Omaha native Saint Thomas (9.5) as well as Chibuzo Agbo, a veteran guard who scored 11.8 points per game in his final college season.
That resulted in a whole new crop of transfers to join the team, including the crown jewel of the haul in Rodney Rice, who played a big part in helping Maryland reach the Sweet 16 last season. The junior started out hot for the Trojans, logging over 20 points per game, but a devastating shoulder injury ended his season just seven games in, which immediately lowered the ceiling for a USC team with decent talent. Chad Baker-Mazara has stepped up in the place of Rice with 18.6 points per game and a team-high 71 assists after transferring from Auburn, where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four.
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Rodney Rice (1) was scoring over 20 points per game for USC before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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Utah transfer Ezra Ausar has produced at a high level with over 15 points and six rebounds per contest. Despite missing the first 18 games of the season, true freshman Alijah Arenas has averaged 13.9 points per game as a starter. Sophomore and Virginia transfer Jacob Cofie is the muscle in the post, scoring 9.8 points per game and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds per contest. Similar to Arenas, Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods has been a big mid-season addition with over eight points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Plus, Jordan Marsh (6.7), Jaden Brownell (5.3), and 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes give Musselman the opportunity to mix-and-match his lineup off the bench depending on the matchup.
The Rice injury is massive, and could end up being one of the primary reasons for the Trojans missing the NCAA Tournament, for which they are a bubble team in the latest projections. It’s crunch time for USC, which is in the midst of a four-game losing streak after dropping contests to Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois, Oregon, and UCLA. Three of those four were winnable for the Trojans and games that could really haunt them as they search for key wins down the stretch to lock up a spot in March Madness.
Against a Trojan team that doesn’t defend well, but ranks as one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, USC is an interesting matchup for Nebraska. Being on the road and dealing with more sickness isn’t helpful, but I’m riding the Huskers for this one to reach 25 wins on the year.
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 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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