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A Zyn tax: Nebraska lawmakers consider levy on alternative nicotine products

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A Zyn tax: Nebraska lawmakers consider levy on alternative nicotine products


LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Another tax is on the table as Nebraska lawmakers try to come up with the money to reduce property taxes.

On Wednesday, the Revenue Committee considered an amendment that would tax alternative nicotine products like the increasingly popular Zyn pouches.

Users would pay a 10-cent tax per ounce under the amendment to Legislative Bill 9.

SEE ALSO: Pillen changes part of tax plan that worried Nebraska law enforcement

Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward said some children who used to vape have switched to products like Zyn since schools installed vape detectors.

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“It’s nicotine powder in a little pouch,” she said. “You can put it in your mouth, and it’s not as obvious as if you’re smoking on a device.”

Hughes said 385 million cans of Zyn were shipped to the U.S. in 2023, a 62% increase from 2022.

The Revenue Committee will hold an executive session Thursday morning.

SEE ALSO: ‘I just can’t do it anymore’: Property tax increase is latest blow to struggling Lincoln mom





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Good boy: Nebraska K9 sniffs out 525 pounds of cocaine on I-80

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Good boy: Nebraska K9 sniffs out 525 pounds of cocaine on I-80


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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A K9 assigned to the Nebraska State Patrol sniffed out a major haul of drugs Wednesday morning, authorities say.

The patrol said it happened shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Interstate 80 near Milford, a city of about 2,000 people about 20 miles west of Lincoln.

A trooper stopped the driver of an eastbound Nissan Rogue that was following a semi too closely, the patrol said.

During the stop, the K9 smelled drugs, according to the patrol. Troopers said a search of the vehicle uncovered about 525 pounds of suspected cocaine and 9.3 grams of suspected heroin.

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The driver, a 23-year-old California man, was booked into jail on suspicion possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver.


For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.



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Jordy Frahm’s phone call, torn ACL have timing aligned for Nebraska softball entering WCWS

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Jordy Frahm’s phone call, torn ACL have timing aligned for Nebraska softball entering WCWS


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  • Star softball player Jordy Frahm’s transfer to Nebraska has been pivotal in the team’s journey to the Women’s College World Series.
  • Frahm, a former two-time national champion with Oklahoma, returned to her home state to play for the Cornhuskers.
  • Her presence has elevated the program, making it a desirable destination for other talented players.
  • An ACL injury in 2024, which led to a redshirt season, ultimately aligned her with the current successful team.

LINCOLN, NE — The question about the importance of star softball player Jordy Frahm’s decision to transfer to Nebraska had barely left the reporter’s mouth when coach Rhonda Revelle joyously blurted out her answer.

“You mean when Jordy called me at 1:02 p.m. on June 14, and I almost drove off the road when I saw her name pop up?” Revelle said with a smile. “Not that I remember.”

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No team in the Women’s College World Series, which begins Thursday at Devon Park, can track its presence in Oklahoma City back to a singular moment the way the fourth-seeded Cornhuskers can.

Frahm — then known as Jordy Bahl — left Oklahoma in the summer of 2023 after winning a pair of national championships and returned to her home state to play for a Nebraska team that had barely qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

Three years later, the Huskers are a legitimate national title contender, thanks in large part to what Frahm can do as their ace pitcher and leadoff hitter.

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She’s one of the best players in the country, posting a 20-4 record and 1.14 ERA with 234 strikeouts in 171 ⅔ innings in the circle, plus a .419 batting average, 19 home runs and 50 RBIs at the plate.

But more than her statistical contributions, her presence reinvigorated a program that had made seven WCWS appearances in its history, but only one in the previous two decades (2013).

The timing of Frahm’s phone call to Revelle couldn’t have been better — aside from the car accident it nearly caused.

It tipped over a domino that set in motion all the events that have landed the Huskers at the WCWS nearly three years later, where they’ll face fifth-seeded Arkansas at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. 

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Frahm’s presence has made Nebraska a desirable program again.

“People want to play with Jordy,” Revelle said. “When people got in the portal, they would take a call from me because we have Jordy on the roster.”

When Frahm tore her ACL in February 2024, it seemed like a roadblock to the program’s new growth. But it turned out to be an alignment of future events.

Frahm redshirted, which provided the ability to play this season. 

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Without the injury, maybe the timeline would have accelerated, and Nebraska would’ve made its WCWS return last year. But the arrival of key players this season, like transfer center fielder Hannah Coor and freshman pitcher Alexis Jensen, seems to suggest Frahm was needed as the centerpiece of this squad.

“If that didn’t happen, I’m not sitting here today in my fifth year with this special team,” Frahm said. “I’ve thought about that so much this year as it’s gone on. I couldn’t have scripted this. Nobody could’ve scripted this with the way this team came together.”

And without the year of reflection and growth Frahm experienced when softball was taken away from her in 2024, she might not have become the type of leader her team needed.

“I believe that little injury is one of the best things that has ever happened to me in the world of my sports career,” Frahm said. “I just needed that year so bad, to be away from the game, be away from the pressures, be away from everything.

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“Just reset and realign with my faith. The joy doesn’t come from the outcomes on the field. That year I was hurt was one of the most joyful years I’ve had and that’s just continued from there.”

Revelle, who has coached her alma mater since 1993 and compiled more than 1,200 wins, witnessed Frahm blossoming in 2024, when she couldn’t be on the field with her teammates.

“The extra year was really important for her for a reset,” Revelle said. “But also for her to get infiltrated in this program with her teammates and her coaches. The relationship she and I have built is second to none, and that extra year was really a time when we didn’t have to focus on softball to do that. So when we got to softball, there was a lot of trust that was built.  

“From the day she stepped on this campus, she raised the intensity and focus, and she brings that with her everywhere she goes.”

Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

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Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture honors spring 2026 graduates at May 7 ceremony

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Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture honors spring 2026 graduates at May 7 ceremony


Graduates of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture were honored May 7 during the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, celebrating the completion of two years of training for careers in agriculture and animal health.

Kelly Bruns, Ph.D., interim executive director of NCTA, presided over the ceremony and recognized the ways students supported their communities and one another throughout the year, including helping fight wildfires and stepping up during difficult times.

Graduate Carly Stewart delivered the invocation, followed by a welcome from graduate and Student Senate President Lydia Ziemba.

Bruns introduced special guests and University of Nebraska leaders, including Regents Kathy Wilmot and Tim Clare, who delivered remarks to graduates. Tiffany Heng-Moss, Ph.D., University of Nebraska vice president and IANR Harlan vice chancellor, also addressed graduates and later conferred degrees.

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Commencement speaker Nathan Nicklas, the residence life manager, encouraged graduates to lead with purpose, invest in relationships and use their talents and experiences to positively impact their communities and industries. Early in Nicklas’ address, a power outage darkened the facility. Doors were opened to let in sunlight, and Nicklas continued without amplification.

After his address, a student representative presented Nicklas with flowers in appreciation for his leadership and support of students.

Jennifer McConville, Ph.D., associate dean, recognized academic honors and announced Hannah Brett as the 2026 Aggie of the Year. Rachel Bose delivered the benediction.

The following list represents December and May graduates. It is not a complete list, as some graduates chose not to have their names released. Academic honors are noted as: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.

Agricultural Production Systems

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Atlanta, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Carly Stewart, Animal Science

Bartley, Nebraska — Treven Critchfield, Diversified Ag

Central City, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Grace Strong, Livestock Ind Mgt

Dalton, Nebraska — Cum Laude Justin Ernest, Livestock Ind Mgt; Crop Production Cert

Franklin, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude J Gladden II, Livestock Ind Mgt

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Friend, Nebraska — Mason Semler, Agronomy Ind Mgt

Greensburg, Kansas — Brock Hassiepen, Livestock Ind Mgt

Hallsville, Missouri — Magna Cum Laude Dominic Troutman, Livestock Ind Mgt

Indianola/Cambridge, Nebraska — Gracelynn tenBensel-McConville, Agribusiness Mgt & Agronomy; Agribusiness Mgt Cert

Indianola, Nebraska — Cum Laude Hunter Blume, Agronomy

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Leigh, Nebraska — Cum Laude Jacob Martensen, Diversified Ag

Lexington, Nebraska — Cayden Gibbons, Diversified Ag

Linden, Iowa — Magna Cum Laude Weston Ploeger, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind

McCook, Nebraska — Rachel Bose, Agronomy Ind Mgt

Milburn, Nebraska — Cum Laude Samuel McMillan, Diversified Ag

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Omaha, Nebraska — Cum Laude Vivien Appleby, Diversified Ag

Rushville, Nebraska — Cum Laude Jessalinn Dieriex, Animal Science

Sargent, Nebraska — Cum Laude Tera Horky, Ag Education; Ag Welding Cert

Seneca, Kansas — Magna Cum Laude Isabelle Evans, Equine Ind Mgt

Severance, Colorado — Natalie Baker, Animal Science

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Seward, Nebraska — Masa Brown, Livestock Ind Mgt

Seward, Nebraska — Cadance Mae Craig, Livestock Ind Mgt

Shubert, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Danyelle Kuker, Livestock Ind Mgt & Equine Ind Mgt; Equine Training Cert

Sidney, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Dominik Lucero, Ag Equipment; Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs

Silver Creek, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Lydia Ziemba, Agribusiness Mgt; Beef Production Cert

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Springview, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Courtney McCarthy, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind

Vet Technology Systems

Cawker City, Kansas — Carter Walsh, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert

Covington, Oklahoma — Kiley Grantz, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert

Esbon, Kansas — Haylee Cockroft, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert

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Fairport, Kansas — Morgan Dockendorf, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert

Grant, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Emma Klahn, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert

Kearney, Nebraska — Cum Laude Wednesday Fielder, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert

Lexington, Nebraska — Alyssa Copper, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert

Lexington, Nebraska — Patti Louthan, Vet Asst

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Middlesex, Vermont — Summa Cum Laude Hannah Brett, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert

North Platte, Nebraska — Olivia Dimas, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert

North Platte, Nebraska — Ella Harmon, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert

Scottsbluff, Nebraska — Alexia Furman, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert

Additional Certificates

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Curtis, Nebraska — Hunter Markley, Ag Welding Cert

Indianola, Nebraska — Tristan Martin, Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs

Ord, Nebraska — Laci Weeks, Animal Care Cert



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