Nebraska
Central Nebraska stops included in the 2024 Nebraska Passport program
Nebraska Tourism, Courtesy
NEBRASKA — A number of stops in central Nebraska have been included in the Nebraska Tourism’s 2024 Passport program.
There are 70 stops included in the passport this year, the central Nebraska stops include:
- Aurora – Susan’s Books and Gifts
- Central City – Magnolias Boutique, Prairie Creek Vineyard and Winery
- Elwood – Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
- Gothenburg – Gothenburg Historical Museum
- Grand Island – Barista’s Coffee House, Island Oasis Waterpark, Studio 10 Art Gallery
- Hastings – Special Scoops Ice Cream Parlor
- Holdrege – Holdrege Bronzes at Nebraska Prairie Museum
- Kearney – S.A.M Que and Catering, Steinbrink Landscaping and Greenhouses, The Archway
For the 15th anniversary of the Nebraska Passport, there are also 15 bonus stops, made up of fan favorites. There is one stop in central Nebraska:
- Kearney – Classic Car Collection
“The purpose of the Nebraska Passport is to help travelers discover Nebraska’s hidden gems. The Nebraska Passport is special because it offers a wide variety of travel adventures, including museums, parks, restaurants, wineries, retail stores and more,” Nebraska Tourism states.
The 2024 Nebraska Passport program will run from May 1 through Sept. 30, 2024.
“Reaching 15 years of helping travelers discover some of Nebraska’s most charming attractions is worth celebrating,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism executive director. “Visitors and communities alike benefit from Passport season, and we are once again excited to kick off another round of adventures across the state in 2024.”
The 2024 Passport will once again feature 70 attractions and 10 themed categories. Travelers will have from May 1 through September 30 to visit the attractions and collect their stamps.
In honor of the 15th year of the program, this year’s Passport will include 15 bonus stops from across the state, which will be in addition to the 70 traditional stops.
“We wanted to do something special for the 15th year of the program,” said Madison Johnson, Passport program coordinator. “Often we hear our long-time Passport Champions say they want even more of a challenge and even more adventures. Our 15 bonus stops are made up of fan favorites, voted on by them. It’s the perfect way to bring the two together.”
Visitors will receive a unique collectible sticker from each of the bonus stops. The bonus stops will have a separate prize entry sheet from the original 70 stops, and stamps from the original stops combined with stamps from the bonus stops cannot be combined for prize totals.
Passports will be available at participating stops starting May 1 or can be pre-ordered at NebraskaPassport.com. Participants are encouraged to download the Nebraska Passport App on their smartphone for the option of digital stamps, supplementing the physical Passport booklet for convenience. Please note, the Passport app will be updated with the 2024 information on May 1. Those who used the mobile app last year will need to update the app to see the new program information. To download, search ‘NE Passport 2024″ in the Apple App Store or Google Play App Store.
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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