Nebraska
Colorado, Nebraska jostle over water rights amid drought
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OVID, Colo. — Shortly after dawn on the excessive plains of northeastern Colorado, Don Schneider tinkers with seed-dispensing gear on a mammoth corn planter. The day’s job: Fastidiously sowing tons of of acres of seed between lengthy rows of final yr’s desiccated stalks to make sure the irrigation water he is collected over the winter will final till harvest time.
A two-hour’s drive eastward, Steve Hanson, a fifth-generation Nebraska cattle breeder who additionally produces corn and different crops, is getting ready to seed, having saved winter water to assist guarantee his merchandise make it to market. Like Schneider and numerous others on this semi-arid area, he needs his kids and grandchildren to have the ability to work the wealthy soil homesteaded by their ancestors within the 1800s.
Schneider and Hanson discover themselves on reverse sides of a looming, politically-fraught dispute over water resembling the type that till now has been reserved for the parched U.S. states alongside the Colorado River Basin.
As local weather change-fueled megadrought edges eastward, Nebraska’s Republican-controlled Legislature this yr voted to maneuver ahead with a plan that surprised Colorado state leaders. The Cornhusker State needs to divert water in Colorado by invoking an obscure, 99-year-old compact between the states that permits Nebraska to grab Colorado land alongside the South Platte River to construct a canal.
Nebraska’s plan underscores an growing urge for food all through the West to preemptively safe water as winter snows and year-round rainfall diminish, forcing states to reallocate more and more scarce flows in basins such because the South Platte and its better-known cousin, the Colorado River.
Nebraska’s Republican governor, Pete Ricketts, gave valuable few particulars in calling for $500 million in money reserves and one-time federal pandemic funds to be spent on the undertaking, apart from to say it is going to profit agriculture, energy era and municipal consuming water. Ricketts decried proposals in Colorado to both siphon or retailer extra South Platte water, particularly within the rapidly-growing Denver metro space, saying they threaten Nebraska’s water rights tons of of miles downstream.
The announcement despatched Colorado officers scrambling to mud off the 1923 compact, which each Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court docket signed off on and nonetheless stands because the regulation of the land. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis vowed to “aggressively assert” Colorado’s water rights, and state lawmakers lambasted the proposal. GOP Rep. Richard Holtorf, an space cattleman, declared: “You give Nebraska what they’re due however you do not give them a lot else.”
For now, Colorado will not be going to legally problem Nebraska’s proper to a canal underneath the compact, stated Kevin Rein, Colorado’s state engineer and director of the Colorado Division of Water Assets. “The opposite facet of that coin is that we’ll make each effort that their operation is in compliance with the compact” and protects Colorado’s rights, Rein stated.
The South Platte meanders 380 miles from the Rocky Mountains by the Colorado city of Julesburg on the Nebraska line. Relying on the season, it could seemingly disappear in elements, solely to re-emerge downstream. It might turn into a torrent with heavy snowmelt or flooding. Cottonwood bushes line its banks and sandbars create the phantasm that it consists of a number of creeks in lots of locations.
The compact permits Nebraska to construct a canal to say 500 cubic ft (greater than 3,700 gallons) per second between mid-October and April, the non-irrigation season.
Nebraska’s Legislature allotted $53.5 million for an engineering research for the undertaking, which as initially envisioned underneath the compact would start someplace close to Schneider’s farm in Ovid and run at the least 24 miles into Nebraska’s Perkins County, the place Hanson’s operations are headquartered.
Hanson’s all for it, saying the extra water there may be to irrigate his and his neighbors’ expansive farms, the higher their progeny can keep it up that legacy.
“I need my grandsons to have the ability to have the reassurance that they’ll farm irrigated ought to they select,” he stated.
“When the phrase got here out that the ditch could be coming, let me inform you, our space was elated,” stated Collin Malmkar, 79, who together with his spouse Jeanne, 75, and their kids develop corn, popcorn and peas on 15,000 acres within the Perkins County seat of Grant. Jeanne’s great-grandfather labored on a failed 1898 effort to dig a canal from Ovid.
Schneider, whose son Bradon additionally works the fields, is nervous the undertaking may kill his life’s work in a area that’s lengthy struggled to maintain its youthful generations from leaving.
“If we needed to convert this to a dryland farm, I’m undecided the place we’d begin” to downsize, stated Schneider, 63. “I’d like to retire in a few years. However my 30-year-old son, what’s he going to do?”
Schneider and his neighbors take surplus South Platte water in winter to reinforce the wells they use to irrigate their crops in summer time. That water, in flip, finally makes its approach again into the South Platte. If Nebraska claims that winter water underneath the compact, Schneider says the choice — non-irrigated dryland farming — means lowered crop yields, fewer farms and fewer jobs.
Each Hanson and Schneider — and lots of others on this area the place occasional “Donald Trump 2024” billboards dot two-lane highways — do not like to make use of the phrases “local weather change.” The shortage of moisture to work with speaks for itself.
“One thing’s altering, that’s for positive,” Schneider stated. “I’m undecided what’s actually driving it. We often get buried in snow, and we haven’t seen these in years.”
“Whereas I’m not a 100% believer in it, among the ideas are that we’re getting brief on water due to local weather change,” Hanson avers. Scientists have lengthy warned that human-made local weather change has made the West hotter and drier up to now 30 years.
Remnants of the 1898 effort to dig a canal might be seen in Julesburg, the place grass-lined ditches run into the modern-day Julesburg cemetery, Interstate 76 and even the Colorado Welcome Heart on the state line.
Jay Goddard, a banker in Julesburg, walks the deserted ditch on farmland he owns subsequent to the cemetery and marvels on the effort put into it. His financial institution supplies working loans to farmers on either side of the border to maintain them working till harvest time.
“If we lose any of our irrigation for our communities up and down the river, whether or not it’s within the Nebraska facet or the Colorado facet, we lose farmers,” Goddard stated. “We lose children in faculties, our electrical corporations that serve us, the insurance coverage businesses to the grain elevators, grocery shops to pharmacies. if we lose irrigation, the communities proceed to dry up. Actually.”
Schneider echoes the identical worries in his function as a Sedgewick County commissioner. Tax income plummeted after Ovid’s previous sugar beet manufacturing facility closed; the county sheriff lately took a higher-paying job nearer to the Entrance Vary in Colorado.
“We will’t purchase a deputy,” Schneider says.
Farmers on either side emphasize they’d wish to see a workaround that serves all people. All agree {that a} canal undertaking shall be years within the making — and that if disputes come up, attorneys specializing within the intricacies of water regulation or eminent area may have a area day.
“I don’t suppose I’ll see it in my lifetime,” says Schneider. However he provides: “(Gov. Pete) Ricketts has confounded everybody.”
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Related Press author Grant Schulte in Lincoln, Nebraska contributed to this report.
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Related Press local weather and environmental protection receives assist from a number of personal foundations. See extra about AP’s local weather initiative right here. The AP is solely answerable for all content material. ———
The Related Press receives assist from the Walton Household Basis for protection of water and environmental coverage. The AP is solely answerable for all content material. For all of AP’s environmental protection, go to https://apnews.com/hub/setting
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Nebraska
Wednesday Big Ten Preview: Nebraska at Penn State
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The Big Ten has three games on Wednesday and two of them have serious NCAA Tournament implications. The biggest will be in Bryce Jordan Center, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers hope to lock up a bid to this year’s March Madness. It should have a significant impact for multiple bubble teams.
With March Madness looming, every game counts! Here’s a breakdown of Wednesday’s Big Ten matchups and what’s at stake.
-Nebraska Cornhuskers at Penn State Nittany Lions
- Time/TV: 6:30 PM ET (BTN)
- KenPom Spread: Nebraska by 1
It’s been quite a ride for the Nebraska Cornhuskers so far this season. The Huskers jumped out to an incredible 12-2 start and seemed poised to cruise to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off in January, as the group lost six in a row, including two at home. Fans were panicking before Nebraska managed to get back on track, winning five of its last six games. The Huskers now enter Wednesday poised to lock up a bid to the field of 68.
This figures to be a crucial game for Fred Hoiberg and crew. While beating Penn State won’t boost the team’s resume all that much, it’s the downside of this one that needs to be mentioned. If Nebraska were to lose this one, it would be a blemish difficult to overcome with just weeks of the regular season remaining. It’s more about avoiding a land mine than scoring a massive win.
Standing in Nebraska’s way is a reeling Penn State team that’s lost 11 of its last 12 games, including a handful in brutal fashion. Its season is nearly over, but not quite yet, as the group still has time to secure a Big Ten Tournament bid to keep the dream alive. Winning on Wednesday would be a key piece of that process.
On the court, the game will center around Penn State’s backcourt, which has been led by Ace Baldwin this season. Baldwin dominates the team’s possessions and has one of the nation’s better assist rates. Sam Hoiberg, Connor Essegian, and Rollie Worster will need to find a way to to slow down Baldwin in transition and when he’s feeding wings moving toward the hoop. If they can pull it off, Nebraska’s probably going to win. However, it’ll be easier said than done — Baldwin has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
One other thing to watch is how the teams battle on the boards. Neither group is a particularly great rebounding unit, but it generally presents as an area of weakness for the Huskers. If Penn State can get a big game from Yanic Konan Niederhauser down low, it could be a way to keep the game close enough to pull off an upset. However, it doesn’t seem all that likely given Penn State’s struggles as of late.
-Oregon Ducks at Iowa Hawkeyes
- Time/TV: 8:30 PM ET (BTN)
- KenPom Spread: Oregon by 1
This one has a similar feel to the game above, but with fewer postseason implications. Oregon is in better position for the Big Dance than Nebraska and Iowa’s resume will end up far better than Penn State’s, so there isn’t the same downsides. Still, this is a game the Ducks need to get momentum going again in Eugene.
It figures to be a fun matchup, as both sides are offensive led units that can light things up on any given night. Jackson Shelstad has been going off for the Ducks over the last few weeks and Payton Sandfort remains one of the league’s more explosive offensive players. Expect both sides to hit some big shots on Wednesday night.
The biggest question will lie upfront — can Iowa find a way to slow down Nate Bittle and Supreme Cook? Bittle has been excellent over the last two games and projects to have a serious advantage with Owen Freeman sidelined for the season. It’s why Iowa got torn apart by Maryland on Sunday and it will be the team’s biggest obstacle here.
-Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Washington Huskies
- Time/TV: 10:30 PM ET (BTN)
- KenPom Spread: Washington by 2
Entering this season, these teams couldn’t have been viewed more differently. Rutgers entered in the top 25, while the Huskies looked like the league’s bottom dweller. It seemed like when we got to this game in February, Washington would be going through the motions, while Rutgers was looking to put the final touches on an NCAA Tournament bid.
Unfortunately for Scarlet Knight fans, it hasn’t turned out that way.
Washington not only enters this one with a chance, but is outright favored by KenPom and Vegas. And the projections aren’t surprising either, as Washington gets home court and has been playing better than the Scarlet Knights. The Huskies also figure to have a clear matchup advantage down low with Great Osobor against Rutgers’ group of revolving big men. Unless Rutgers gets a massive night from Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Washington is probably going to win this one.
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Picks Record This Season: 93-28
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Which Big Ten team do you think will make the biggest statement on Wednesday? Drop your predictions below!”
Nebraska
How to Watch Nebraska Men’s Basketball vs. Penn State: Preview, Breakdown, TV Channel
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It was a roller coaster of emotions for the Nebraska men’s basketball team against Northwestern on Sunday afternoon.
Down by as much as 20 points in the second half, the Huskers pulled off their largest comeback in nearly 30 seasons by topping the Wildcats 68-64 in Evanston to add another quality win to their resume in a quest for a second-straight NCAA Tournament berth.
Trailing 41-21 early in the second half, NU out-scored Northwestern 47-23 over the final 19:15 with Brice Williams sealing the win with a pair of go-ahead free throws with 1:33 remaining in the game. Nebraska’s leading scorer held up his reputation with a team-high 21 points. Juwan Gary added 17 points while big man Braxton Meah added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The win kept the Huskers alive in the NCAA Tournament race with five games remaining before the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis. Wednesday’s game at Penn State is listed as a Quad 2 matchup, giving NU another opportunity to pad its resume.
Here’s all you need to know as the Huskers travel to State College for a weeknight showdown against the Nittany Lions.
How to Follow Along
Penn State Scout
Head Coach: Mike Rhoades | 2nd Season at PSU; 21st as HC | 29-30 (.492) at Penn State; 402-219 (.647) Career HC Record | 3x NCAA Tournament Appearances, 4x NCAA DIII Tournament Appearances | 2x A10 regular season titles, 1x A10 Tournament titles, 4 ODAC regular season titles, 1x ODAC tournament title | 1x A10 Coach OTY (2019) | Previous head coach at VCU, Rice and Randolph-Macon | Previous assistant at VCU and Randolph-Macon.
2023-2024 Record: 16-17 (9-11 B1G, T-9th) | B1G Defensive Player OTY, 1x All-B1G Third team, 1x B1G All-Defensive team, 3x Honorable Mentions | Did not qualify for the postseason.
All-Time Series: Penn State leads 14-13 (February 17, 2024 last matchup, 68-49 NU).
Key Returners: Ace Baldwin Jr., G, Gr. | Nick Kern Jr., G, Sr. | Zach Hicks, F, Sr. | Puff Johnson, G/F, Gr. | D’Marco Dunn, G, Sr.
Key Additions: Yanic Konan Niederhauser, F, Jr. (Northern Illinois) | Freddie Dilione V, G, R-Soph. (Tennessee) | Kachi Nzeh, F, Soph. (Xavier).
Key Departures: Kanye Clary, G, Jr. (Mississippi State) | Qudus Wahab, F (Eligibility) | Jameel Brown, G, Jr. (Temple) | RayQuawndis Mitchell, G (Eligibility) | Demetrius Lilley, F, Jr. (La Salle) | Leo O’Boyle, F (Eligibility).
Outlook: Year two of the Mike Rhoades era at Penn State is looking eerily similar to year one. Coming off a 16-17 campaign last season, the Nittany Lions look headed for a .500 record in the final stretch of the year.
There was turnover at key spots for the Nittany Lions over the offseason as leading scorer Kanye Clary (16.7 PPG) took his talents to the SEC and Mississippi State. Plus, fellow starter and big man Qudus Wahab (9.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG) exhausted his college eligibility. The rest of the departures were contributors off the bench, but PSU lost six of the 12 players last season to play at least 20 games.
That forced Rhoades to replenish a roster that lost some production. What resulted was a strategy that balanced transfer portal acquisitions with a strong freshman class. Five true freshmen arrived in State College over the offseason with Dominick Stewart (19 GP) and Jahvin Carter (21 GP) leading the way.
Seven-foot junior forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser from Northern Illinois has been the big addition through the transfer portal for the Nittany Lions. He’s third on the team in scoring and one of five players to average double figures at 12.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG. Having played 18 games for Tennessee – who reached the Elite Eight last season – Freddie Dilione V transferred from the Volunteer and has averaged 9.2 PPG in his redshirt sophomore season for PSU. Xavier transfer Kachi Nzeh hasn’t stuffed the stat sheet too much at 3.0 PPG and 2.5 RPG, but he’s played in 24 of the 26 games this season off the bench.
Dead last in the Big Ten standings, the Nittany Lions will be motivated to get out of the cellar in order to qualify for the 15-team Big Ten tournament in March. It’s been a rough stretch for Penn State having lost seven-straight games dating back to January. Their last win came in a 80-72 victory over Rutgers on Jan. 20th.
Offense hasn’t been an issue for PSU at 79.5 PPG which is seventh in the conference, but the Nittany Lions are bogged down by their defense with opponents scoring 73.5 PPG which is third-highest in the Big Ten. Turnovers are also an issue with PSU averaging 12.2 per contest – second highest in the conference.
I think being on the road for a weeknight game in what’s known as a lackluster environment at State College will hurt Nebraska. It’s a trap game of sorts, but Sunday’s comeback win may remind the Huskers they can’t let their foot off the gas no matter the opponent. Give me a Nebraska victory on the road, but this could be one that NU has to grind out.
MORE: Nebraska Pitcher Tucker Timmerman Took a 104-mph Hit to the Face, Refused to Stay Down
MORE: What If: The 1976 College Football Season
MORE: Has Nebraska Football Done Enough in the Transfer Portal?
MORE: Nebraska Jumps Up One Spot in Latest D1Baseball Top 25
MORE: 5 Takeaways From Nebraska Softball’s Dominant Weekend in New Mexico
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
Nebraska
Nebraska State Trooper killed in the line of duty, responding to crash on I-80
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A Nebraska State Trooper was killed in the line of duty Monday while responding to a crash on Interstate 80, between Ashland and Greenwood.
The name of the trooper has not yet been released.
NSP said a motor vehicle crash occurred while the trooper and others were responding to a different crash on I-80.
I-80 was closed between mile markers 420 and 426 for hours.
Omaha Police Department Chief Todd Schmaderer released a statement to offer support.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and the colleagues of the fallen trooper. We stand with you all in grief and support. On behalf of the Omaha Police Department, we extend our deepest sympathies and honor the service and sacrifice of our fallen colleague,” said Chief Schmaderer.
The Nebraska State Patrol has asked the Sarpy County Sheriff’s office to conduct the investigation into what happened.
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