Nebraska
Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance announces 2026 certification schedule
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.
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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