Fans of “Parks and Recreation” can finally live out their dreams of living in Pawnee — sort of.
Pawnee City, Nebraska, which is about 90 minutes south of Lincoln, Nebraska, and two hours north of Kansa City, Missouri, is offering $50,000 to new residents who qualify.
Downtown in Pawnee City, Nebraska.
Courtesy of Ryan Swihart
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Between March 14, when the program was announced, and March 27, 115 people have applied, Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce official Aaron Sawyer told Business Insider.
The city’s plan, dubbed Vision 2030, starts with a commitment to build 25 new single-family homes on currently empty lots. Plans on the Vision 2030 website show ranch-style homes with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two-car garages, and spacious backyards priced at $325,000. (The average home value in Pawnee City is $102,705, according to Zillow.)
The program’s $50,000 payouts will go toward down payment assistance for buyers of the new houses.
Applications are open to families, single professionals, or retirees. Qualified homebuyers must make less than certain income caps, which range from $69,450 for a one-person household to $115,100 for a six-person household.
Interested homebuyers must complete an application form that asks for their current employers, monthly incomes, and household sizes.
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A home in Pawnee City.
Courtesy of Ryan Swihart
In November 2024, workers broke ground on the first home, which is expected to be ready for move-in by this summer, according to the Vision 2030 website.
Remote work can be a source of tension between employers and their workers, with Amazon and J.P. Morgan calling employees back to the office five days a week five years after their initial COVID-19 shutdowns. But for those who still have the flexibility, the opportunity to move somewhere with a financial incentive can be enticing in today’s expensive housing market, where older homes may cost just as much as new builds.
Pawnee City is dreaming of a ‘rural renaissance’
The down-payment assistance initiative is part of Pawnee City’s effort to spark a “rural renaissance” that could rejuvenate the town, according to the Vision 2030 website.
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Its population has dwindled. Pawnee City has 865 residents, according to the most recent data available from the US Census.The city has experienced a 50-year decline from a population high of 1,280 residents, according to the civic group Pawnee Bold.
A playground in Pawnee City.
Courtesy of Ryan Swihart
For such a small place, Pawnee City has still producedseveral notable figures, including the first governor of Nebraska, David Butler; vintage Hollywood star Irish McCalla; and famous comedian Larry the Cable Guy.
“It’s a great place to grow up and raise kids,” said Sawyer, who has ties to the city through his grandparents. Pawnee City has its own school, hospital, two parks, and a brand-new amphitheater that just opened last year, he added, which is notable for a town of its size.
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This summer’s amphitheaterprogramming will include a polka band, a rock concert, and a screening of “Cars” that features a visit from the hometown hero himself: Larry the Cable Guy.
No. 3 seed Texas A&M stunned the college volleyball world Sunday in Lincoln, Neb. with a 3-2 victory (25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 35-37, 15-13) over No. 1 overall seed and previously undefeated Nebraska in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
The win puts the Aggies (27-4) into the Final Four for the first time in program history. They will face No. 1 seed Pittsburgh in the national semifinals on Thursday.
Kyndal Stowers and Logan Lednicky led the way for Texas A&M with 25 and 24 kills, respectively. Their performances helped the Aggies to a slight attacking edge, with A&M having 75 kills to Nebraska’s 73. The Aggies thrived at the net though, out blocking the Cornhuskers 30-16. Middle Blocker Morgan Perkins led the way in that respect with eight block assists and one block solo.
Texas A&M survived a comeback attempt from Nebraska (33-1) after winning the first two sets. The Cornhuskers rallied to win the third set and then fought off three Aggie match points in a marathon fourth set to force a decider. In the end, Texas A&M overcame Nebraska’s best effort to win the final set and the match on the Huskers’ home court.
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The huge win comes after the Aggies needed a reverse sweep to beat No. 2 seed Louisville in the Sweet Sixteen.
See full game highlights here:
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Texas A&M routs Jacksonville at home as six Aggies score in double figures
Rylan Griffen scored a season-high 19 points and was hot from deep, making 5 of 6 from 3-point range.
Texas A&M leads college football in alcohol revenue, per report
Texas A&M topped the list with $4,740,922 in revenue generated by 277,156 alcohol units sold.
Find more Texas A&M coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
No. 22 Nebraska basketball upset No. 13 Illinois on the road, 83-80, on Saturday afternoon. Jamarques Lawrence had a game-winning three-pointer as time expired.
Nebraska improved to 11-0 on the season, the best start to a season in school history. The Huskers also won its 15th straight game, breaking the school record of 14 consecutive wins.
Pryce Sandfort had an incredible game, scoring a career-high 32 points. It was the former Iowa Hawkeye’s fifth 20-point game of the season and sixth of his career.
The victory improved Nebraska’s record in Big Ten play to 2-0. It’s the first 2-0 in conference play for the Huskers since 2016-17.
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Fans were overjoyed about the victory on social media, and we picked some of the best information and reactions.
Cornhusker crusher
He hit it
Celebrate
Nebraska may be a basketball school
Nebraska football alums are weighing in…
The success of Nebraska Basketball is baffling many….
The national respect continues to grow….
Fans are excited about the program
Great win
What a week
Dream season
Courtside
Legit
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
The Nebraska Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Lottery players in Nebraska can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, Pick 3, Pick 5, MyDaY and 2 by 2.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 results for each game:
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Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
07-11-20-52-60, Powerball: 24
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
1-1-6
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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-07-18-31-32
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
Red Balls: 19-22, White Balls: 07-12
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
Month: 05, Day: 30, Year: 81
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
