Nebraska

Actors, producers and screenwriters testify for bill to lure film productions to Nebraska • Source New Mexico

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

Actors, producers and screenwriters testify for bill to lure film productions to Nebraska • Source New Mexico

LINCOLN — Nebraska could become the next “Y’allywood” with the right tax incentives for film and television production, a committee of state legislators was told Wednesday.

Travis Beck, a film location scout who grew up in Lincoln, said $70 million was recently spent in Montana to film a season of the television show, “Yellowstone.”

“We could have filmed that here,” Beck said, if Nebraska had provided financial help for film crews.

State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue asks a question regarding nuclear energy during a hearing Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, in Lincoln. (Photo by Zach Wendling / Nebraska Examiner)

Under Legislative Bill 1022, the Cast and Crew Nebraska Act, that could happen. It would provide a production company with refundable income tax credits of 20%. The total credits would be capped at $25 million a year.

State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who introduced the bill, said that Nebraska is currently at the bottom of states that provide film incentives, and that such incentives could help keep young people from leaving the state to pursue careers in the movie industry.

‘Y’allywood’ is Hollywood in Georgia

“Y’allywood” refers to Georgia, a state that Sanders said was the “model” for what movie-making incentives can accomplish.

The Peach State has gone all-in to lure Hollywood productions, providing a record $1.3 billion in incentives in 2022, the most of any state.

An audit reported that nearly 35,000 jobs a year are created in Georgia, but it also said the incentives return just 19 cents in benefits to Georgia for every $1 spent, according to Variety.

That report didn’t come up during a public hearing before the Legislature’s Revenue Committee.

Sanders, after the hearing, said each state measures the benefits of its programs differently.

In New Mexico, the senator said, the return on investment from tax credits for films was $7.77 for every $1, with the incentives supporting 8,000 jobs and providing direct and indirect economic impacts of $3.8 billion over the past three fiscal years.

In addition, the Oklahoma film industry brought an estimated $200 million in direct economic impact in fiscal years 2020 and 2021, according to the Tulsa World, and helped provide about 15,000 jobs.

Prefer to stay here

A crew of actors, producers and writers who grew up in Nebraska testified in favor of the proposal, saying they would have preferred to stay in the state to pursue their dreams.

Katy Bodenhamer. (Photo by Paul Hammel / Nebraska Examiner)

Katy Bodenhamer, an actor who has appeared in “The Office” and Mel Gibson’s latest movie, “Desperation Road,” said she moved back to her hometown of Hershey after living 13 years in Hollywood, although she still flies back to California for roles.

She said that many in the movie business want to move away permanently, for better living conditions. She said the proposed incentives would help her, and young college graduates, to stay in Nebraska.

Maher Jafari, a writer, producer and director who grew up in Omaha, said states that don’t provide tax incentives are “off the board” when projects decide where to shoot films and television shows.

Jafari and others said the time is right to provide incentives for moviemaking because the movie industry is “decentralizing” and seeking to tell stories that aren’t based on either coast.

Even Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson testified in favor of the bill, saying the film industry provides many jobs for skilled trades, including electricians and carpenters, good-paying jobs that help lift people out of poverty.

The Revenue Committee took no action on LB 1022 after the hearing.

Nebraska has, in recent years, provided direct grants for a couple of film projects.

A movie about Standing Bear, the Ponca chief whose legal battle in 1879 led to recognition of Native Americans as “human beings” under the law, got a $5 million grant.

The state also granted $5 million to a Dallas-based production company to create a documentary highlighting the history and mission of the U.S. Strategic Command.

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Nebraska

‘Best we’ve played all year.’ Trent Perry scores 20 points as UCLA routs No. 9 Nebraska

Published

5 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

‘Best we’ve played all year.’ Trent Perry scores 20 points as UCLA routs No. 9 Nebraska

The UCLA men’s basketball team made Senior Night one to savor Tuesday, dominating No. 9 Nebraska 72-52 at Pauley Pavilion for its 20th victory of the season and third over a top-10 ranked opponent.

The Bruins improved to 20-10 overall and 12-7 in the Big Ten with one regular season game remaining, Saturday at crosstown rival USC.

Trent Perry scored 20 points, Eric Dailey Jr. had 14 and three players — Tyler Bilodeau, Skyy Clark and Xavier Booker — each added eight points.

“Nebraska’s got a great team,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “This is the best we’ve played all year — they brought out the best in us. We went from our worst defensive effort to our best. They outhustle everyone they play, but not us. Tonight we were great, but I love the way they play. If we had their attitude we’d have their record.”

Eric Freeny had four points, five rebounds and three steals in 18 minutes for UCLA, which got 26 points in the paint and 17 second-chance points.

“Effort is what it takes to win in March,” Freeny said. “It was our last home game. Coach keeps on pushing me to be better everyday.”

Sam Hoiberg had 12 points to lead Nebraska, but Pryce Sandfort, who began the game leading the conference in three-pointers made per game, was held to nine points.

“Sandford has been unbelievable so to hold him to nine points is amazing,” Cronin said. “Brandon Williams was the unsung hero.”

Williams had six points and three rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench.

The Bruins were in control from the opening tip-off and never trailed the Cornhuskers (25-5, 14-5). UCLA improved to 10-3 in all-time against Nebraska and the win greatly strengthened its resume for the NCAA tournament as the Bruins also beat then-No. 4 Purdue 69-67 on Jan. 20 and then-No. 10 Illinois 95-94 in overtime on Feb. 21 on Donovan Dent’s layup with one second left.

“We have to take attitude we came with tonight, bottle it up and take it on the road,” Dailey Jr. said. “We’ve got so much left. The season’s not over… we’re only as good as our last game. It’s all about how you respond. I love the fight that we played with tonight.”

This is the fifth time in Cronin’s seven seasons that the Bruins have won 20 or more games. They are 17-1 at home (their only loss in overtime to Indiana on Jan. 31).

“Since I’ve been here we don’t lose much at home.” Cronin said.

UCLA went ahead by 15 points, 37-22, on Perry’s three-pointer with 2:41 left and led 37-24 at intermission. The Bruins shot 50% from the field in the first half (15 for 30) while Nebraska was only 31% (nine for 29).

The Bruins increased their advantage to 18 points on Dailey’s dunk less than five minutes into the second half and the visitors got no closer than nine the rest of the way.

Prior to pregame introductions the Bruins honored seniors Bilodeau, Dent and Clark; fifth-year player Jamar Brown; redshirt seniors Steven Jamerson II, Jack Seidler and Anthony Peoples Jr; and redshirt junior Evan Manjikian. In a media timeout, midway through the first half, former coach Jim Harrick (who led UCLA to its 11th national championship in 1995) was honored and got a loud ovation.

“I’m happy for our seniors, I didn’t want them to lose their last game at Pauley,” said Perry, who reversed a subpar performance at Minnesota, where he was 0-for-7 from the field with one rebound and one assist in 26 minutes. “I had to come out here tonight and bounce back for my team. I play for something bigger than myself and I’m fortunate to have the type of guys I do around me.”

UCLA guard Skyy Clark looks to pass while under pressure from Nebraska guard Sam Hoiberg and forward Berke Buyuktuncel in the second half.

(William Liang / Associated Press)

Over the last four games, Dent has 46 assists and just two turnovers.

Bilodeau has scored in double figures in 26 of 28 games played, totaling 20 points or more nine times.

Dailey moved to within five points of reaching the 1,000-career point milestone.

UCLA has now made at least one three-pointer in 887 of 888 games dating to February 2000.

“We had one practice this week, that’s it,” Cronin said. “We watched film, had a heart-to-heart talk and a shoot around today but that’s it.”

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Nebraska

4.1-magnitude earthquake hits south-central Nebraska

Published

17 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

4.1-magnitude earthquake hits south-central Nebraska

People across Nebraska and Kansas reported feeling an earthquake Sunday afternoon.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a quake measuring 4.1 on the Richter Scale struck around 1 p.m. about 3 miles east of the Webster County village of Cowles, which is in south-central Nebraska near the Kansas border.

A quake of that magnitude is considered “light” and not likely to cause damage.

But the USGS received dozens of reports from people who said they felt the quake, some as far away as Omaha and Manhattan, Kansas. Numerous people took to social media to report feeling the quake.

Two aftershocks of 2.6 magnitude later occurred near the original quake site, one about 90 minutes after the initial quake and one later Sunday night.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in Nebraska, but the state does usually record one or two minor ones per year. The last time Nebraska recorded a quake of a magnitude 4 or above was in December 2023, also in Webster County.

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Nebraska

Nebraska Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Pick 3 on March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 2.

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 2 drawing

21-28-58-65-67, Powerball: 25

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

7-5-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 2 drawing

03-08-09-17-25

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning 2 By 2 numbers from March 2 drawing

Red Balls: 14-26, White Balls: 17-18

Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning MyDay numbers from March 2 drawing

Month: 05, Day: 03, Year: 23

Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 2 drawing

28-41-42-50-55, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

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.

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