Nebraska
Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood's town hall devolves into shouting, standoffs between attendees
COLUMBUS, Neb. (KLKN) — Columbus High School became the scene of a contentious town hall Tuesday evening between Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood and his constituents.
It was a long and loud evening for the Republican, as well over a hundred people showed up to the event — causing him to go past his planned 6 p.m. end time.
The town hall was a clear departure from advice given by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who advised against holding such events because of their increasingly heated nature.
What was intended to be an hourlong question-and-answer turned into questions interlaced with shouting, chanting and booing from the audience.
Some attendees jumped up from their seats to scream at Flood, and one man held a sign that read “lies.”
Opponents were not happy with Flood’s support of President Donald Trump and the cost-cutting effort DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency.
Karin Phillips of Columbus told Channel 8 before the event she’s worried about the reach of unelected Elon Musk.
“The biggest issue is the unconstitutional way this administration is running the government between Elon, the president and the Department of Justice,” Phillips said. “The things he’s doing, really, really — he’s like a tyrant dictator.”
Flood said he took an oath to support the rule of law — while adding his answers wouldn’t placate the audience.
“Ultimately, we are going to live under the rule of law,” Flood said. “Now you may not agree with that right now, you may not agree with that answer, but I trust the court system to operate. … They will do a good job regulating that tension between the branches of government.”
That answer was interrupted by shouting from the audience.
Flood did receive thunderous applause for saying he supports Ukraine, but attendees like Kim Stabbe said that isn’t enough to sway any opinions.
“He doesn’t answer any questions,” Stabbe said. “He stood up there and said, ‘I love (and) I will support DOGE and Musk. Right. Right. We’re all screaming at you: The government is fascist.”
Outside the high school, a handful of people gathered, with two holding signs calling for Trump to be impeached.
One particularly vocal attendee, Scott Thomas, was wearing a Team Trump crown.
Thomas told media gathered outside he came out to support Trump and stand against “liberal ideology.”
“I really did appreciate what Flood was saying in there just now,” Thomas said. “Rep. Flood had a lot of really good points to make.”
Thomas and others argued loudly for several minutes about transgender policies and abortion before walking away.
Nebraska
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.
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.

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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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
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.”
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.
“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.
“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.”
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.”
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.
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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Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
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.”
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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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
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