Blood donations at dangerously low levels in Nebraska, nationwide

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2024

Blood donations at dangerously low levels in Nebraska, nationwide

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Blood donations are at devastatingly low levels, leading some blood banks to declare emergency shortages.

It’s an issue in Nebraska and nationwide.

“We have not declared a blood emergency however we do have critical levels less than a 3-day supply of our overall blood supply,” said Kari Lundeen with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank.

Lundeen told 6 News they’ve seen an increase in blood shortages in the last couple of years. They need a 7-day supply to be fully stocked.

“We’ve seen a decline in donors really since 2016,” Lundeen said. “The pandemic of course did not help that decline in donors, mostly in our first-time donors and youth donors.”

The pandemic also stopped informational events, which were a primary way to encourage people to donate. Over the years, the FDA has also added new thresholds for blood donors.

“It’s really just educating people on the need for blood,” Lundeen said.

Scott Dobberpuhl gave blood Thursday. He’s donated at the Nebraska Community Blood Center eight times.

“It’s something I started in high school since the red cross would come or another blood bank would come,” Dobberpuhl said.

And, he won’t be stopping any time soon.

“It just goes to a good cause, and everybody needs to be out there donating,” Dobberpuhl said.

This year, the blood bank’s goal is to reach out to more people through their blood drive center, whether they’re giving for the first time or do it regularly like Dobberpuhl.

“Whatever your blood type is we want you to come out and donate as soon as it comes in it goes right out to our hospitals,” Lundeen said.

Other blood banks like the Red Cross have declared an emergency blood shortage. They’re experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years.

Those interested in giving blood can make an appointment by clicking here or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Source link

Click to comment

Huskers/OSU game three canceled

Published

10 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Courtesy Nebraska Athletics

The third matchup this weekend between No. 9 Nebraska and No. 21 Oklahoma State was canceled Sunday due to expected bad weather in the Stillwater, Okla., area. The Cowgirls won the first matchup Thursday, 2-1 in 11 innings, while the Cornhuskers won Saturday, 4-3. The game will not be made up.

Nebraska now prepares for its home opener Thursday at Bowlin Stadium as the Huskers take on South Dakota State in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Source link

Nebraska

Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

Published

22 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office and Kearney County Attorney’s Office, is investigating an attempted murder/suicide in rural Kearney County.

The Kearney County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene Saturday afternoon.

According to NSP, three children and a woman had gunshot wounds, with the woman found dead.

The three children were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and treated for their injuries. Two of the children have since been transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.

NSP said all three children are expected to survive. The children are all under the age of 12.

This investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

According to NSP, names are not being released at this time to protect the identities of the victims.

Click here to subscribe to our KSNB Local4 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Source link

Nebraska

UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)

KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.

They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.

“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”

Students representing UNK include:
Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn
Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet
Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium
Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone
Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet
Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet
Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba
La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano
Minden – Evan Porter, percussion
Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute