Nebraska

Family remembers Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Kyle McAcy

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2025

Family remembers Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Kyle McAcy

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The family of Kyle McAcy tell First Alert 6 the past week has been difficult.

They say many in the community have reached out to share their support for Trooper McAcy, but his family will always remember him as Kyle, the youngest of three kids.

Kyle served as a Nebraska State Trooper for 10 years. In high school, he joined Omaha Police Department’s Explorers program. A few years later, he would earn his degree from Metropolitan Community College.

The McAcys tell First Alert 6 he always wanted to go into law enforcement, following in the footsteps of his grandfather.

“I spoke with my step mother this morning and we talked briefly, and she said, ‘Do you remember when Kyle would crawl in grandpa’s lap and want to talk about all of grandpa’s guns?‘” said Teresa McAcy, Kyle’s mother. “I said, ‘you know what, I kind of do remember that.’”

Off duty, Kyle’s family describes him as funny, charismatic, kind, and loving. During his off time, he would volunteer at Children’s Nebraska.

“Kyle just thrived on being with people and helping people,” said Teresa. “It would just make my heart happy how much he cared about everybody.”

“All of those qualities, that Kyle has as an adult, all of those qualities that made him an excellent law enforcement officer, that made him an excellent person,” said Collin McAcy, Kyle’s older brother. “He had those when he was a kid.”

All week, the family has heard stories of Kyle’s kindness from people they have never met. Teresa is originally from Guthrie County, Iowa.

She tells First Alert 6 their local officers heard about Kyle’s passing and reached out.

“For them to think of Kyle, you are just speechless, it is just like, oh my goodness.” said Teresa.

He tragically passed Monday while responding to a crash on I-80. Teresa tells First Alert 6 he was home Sunday in his favorite reclining chair. After some time, he got up to go to work, nobody knew that would be the last time he’d be home.

“It was always stay safe, and the last thing you would ever think of is to have three troopers come to your door,” recalled Teresa. “Kyle always told me, if there were any troopers that came to the door, its not going to be good news mom.”

The family is trying to move forward but Kyle’s passing leaves a big hole in their heart.

They are thankful for the support they have received from members in the community, the Nebraska State Patrol, and those who have reached out from out of state.

Their hope is for his memory to live on through those stories of who he was and what he meant to his community.

“It is very comforting to know that Kyle was as special to everyone he met as he was to us,” said Collin McAcy.

Donations can be made in Kyle’s memory. The family tells First Alert 6 the money raised will be donated to Children’s Nebraska.

They are also working on an MCC scholarship to help future heroes help others just like Kyle.

To donate, click here.

TRIBUTES & FUNERAL INFO

NSP has Trooper McAcy’s vehicle parked outside Troop A Headquarters in Omaha station as a memorial.

The public is invited to visit there. Cards can also be sent to: NSP Troop A Headquarters, 4411 S. 108th St., Omaha NE, 68137

“The Nebraska State Patrol would like to thank Nebraskans and many outside our state for the tremendous outpouring of support during this difficult time.”

The public is also invited to attend funeral services for Trooper McAcy, set for 11 a.m. Thursday in Liberty First Credit Union Arena, located at 7300 Q St. in Ralston.

“Prior to the funeral service, there will be a law enforcement procession. The public is also encouraged to line the route to show their support for Trooper McAcy and his family,” Wednesday’s update from NSP states.

Details about the specific route will be released in coming days.

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Nebraska

Belmont forward Orme commits to Nebraska

Published

4 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Belmont forward Orme commits to Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska received its first commitment from the 2026 transfer portal on Thursday. Belmont forward Sam Orme gave his pledge to the Huskers.

Orme is a 6-foot-9 sophomore that emerged as a top portal target earlier in the week. Orme averaged 12.7 points while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor for the Bruins.

Orme joins Nebraska after the most successful season in program history. The Huskers won 28 games and advanced at the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Orme’s commitment comes on the same day that Braden Frager, the 2026 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, re-signed with the Huskers.

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Nebraska

Nebraska volleyball ready to open spring play against Iowa State

Published

16 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska volleyball ready to open spring play against Iowa State

Nebraska volleyball will play in three exhibition matches this spring. The Huskers will open the spring against Iowa State on April 11 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Cornhuskers are hitting the road for all three spring exhibition matches as the John Cook Arena at the Devaney Center has been under construction since late February. The facility is undergoing locker room upgrades and adding roughly 10,000 new seats with cupholders.

Last season, Nebraska finished the season 33-1 and No. 3 in the final AVCA poll. Iowa State ended the season 23-8 and lost to Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The Cyclones are coached by Christy Johnson-Lynch, who is entering her 22nd year as head volleyball coach. She also played and coached at Nebraska.

She was an All-American for the Huskers in 1994 and 1995. Johnson-Lynch was the starting setter for the 1995 team, which won the school’s first national volleyball championship.

This is the first spring season in which the Huskers will play three exhibition matches. Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly is excited about the potential to play against a different team and in a gym packed with Nebraska fans.

“Not only do we get to play against an opponent, but in front of fans and have that added pressure and a different vibe. I think that’s what this team needs. And when we’re ready for things, we need to continue to push them and not hold them back.”

Following Saturday’s match against Iowa State, the Huskers will play Creighton on Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at the D.J. Sokol Arena in Omaha. Nebraska ends the spring season with an exhibition match against Northern Colorado on Saturday, April 25, at the Chicoine Center in Chadron, NE.

First serve on Saturday between the Huskers and Cyclones is at 1 p.m. CT from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. The game can be seen on the Big Ten Network, and Cornhuskers Wire will have live updates.

LINK: How to watch Nebraska volleyball face Iowa State this Saturday

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

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Nebraska

‘Slap in the face’: Medical cannabis access uncertain in Nebraska

Published

1 day ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

‘Slap in the face’: Medical cannabis access uncertain in Nebraska

More than a year after voters overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis in Nebraska, the state is nowhere near having a functioning program.Some state lawmakers and cannabis advocates say the latest blow landed Tuesday night, when a bill offering protections to healthcare practitioners who recommend medical cannabis faltered on the legislative floor.”If there are no practitioners, there are no patients in this program,” Crista Eggers with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said. “What seems to be the goal of this is to make sure Nebraska never has a functioning program.”The stories of families fighting for a medical cannabis program stack up every day.”His seizures happen all the time. He’s probably he’s having probably hundreds a day,” Dominic Gillen said. “We thought we were the only family. And we’ve come to find out that there are thousands of Nebraskans that are in need of this.”Gillen’s son Will has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. So does Matthew Bronson’s son Teddy. Bronson is a disabled veteran and carries chronic pain with him every day.”I want to take something or use something that will help with the pain, but not impair me to the point where I cannot give aid to my child,” Bronson said.Both families celebrated when Nebraskans overwhelmingly greenlit a medical cannabis program.”That means 71% of the state says, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s try it,’” Bronson said.But they say lawmakers and other state officials hung the program out to dry since 2024.”The legislature has not fulfilled the real intent of the voters,” Gillen said.Sen. John Cavanaugh championed LB933, aiming to protect healthcare practitioners who recommend cannabis, a Schedule 1 substance.”Not a single doctor in Nebraska has made a recommendation because they are afraid that the retribution by the attorney general or other law enforcement against their license,” Cavanaugh said.A number of amendments, including one from Sen. Brian Hardin, throttled the bill on Tuesday night. Hardin called LB933 a “recreational marijuana bill masquerading as a medical marijuana bill” in an interview with KETV on Wednesday.That means practitioners still won’t have legal protections this year, something Cavanaugh said will be chilling to the program facing a critical attorney general.”You cannot have a medical cannabis program if no doctors are able to make a recommendation for their patients,” Cavanaugh said.Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ office said on Wednesday that he is “responsible for ensuring the safety of patients.”” is charged with reviewing complaints as to medical professionals who violate the terms of their licenses,” the statement said. “We take that obligation very seriously, and the office will look at any medical professional who has been alleged to have violated the conditions of their license.”Every other state with a medical-only cannabis program has protections for practitioners. Nebraska”It feels like a slap in the face,” Bronson said. “There’s no nice way of saying it.”Bronson and Gillen said they’ll continue to advocate for what they say is necessary for many Nebraskan patients.But they say they’re uncertain about the future as Nebraska continues to chart its own course. The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission has missed deadlines, restricted forms of cannabis patients can use, and capped the total number of plants cultivators can grow to just 1,250. That’s a total of 5,000 hemp plants across the four licensed cultivators.”What I’ve heard from people who want to get licenses, they’re already saying that that won’t be enough,” Gillen said.The Medical Cannabis Commission did not respond for comment on Wednesday. But it will hold its next public meeting next Monday at 1 p.m. in the State Office Building in Lincoln.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

LINCOLN, Neb. —

More than a year after voters overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis in Nebraska, the state is nowhere near having a functioning program.

Some state lawmakers and cannabis advocates say the latest blow landed Tuesday night, when a bill offering protections to healthcare practitioners who recommend medical cannabis faltered on the legislative floor.

“If there are no practitioners, there are no patients in this program,” Crista Eggers with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said. “What seems to be the goal of this is to make sure Nebraska never has a functioning program.”

The stories of families fighting for a medical cannabis program stack up every day.

“His seizures happen all the time. He’s probably he’s having probably hundreds a day,” Dominic Gillen said. “We thought we were the only family. And we’ve come to find out that there are thousands of Nebraskans that are in need of this.”

Gillen’s son Will has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. So does Matthew Bronson’s son Teddy. Bronson is a disabled veteran and carries chronic pain with him every day.

“I want to take something or use something that will help with the pain, but not impair me to the point where I cannot give aid to my child,” Bronson said.

Both families celebrated when Nebraskans overwhelmingly greenlit a medical cannabis program.

“That means 71% of the state says, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s try it,’” Bronson said.

But they say lawmakers and other state officials hung the program out to dry since 2024.

“The legislature has not fulfilled the real intent of the voters,” Gillen said.

Sen. John Cavanaugh championed LB933, aiming to protect healthcare practitioners who recommend cannabis, a Schedule 1 substance.

“Not a single doctor in Nebraska has made a recommendation because they are afraid that the retribution by the attorney general or other law enforcement against their license,” Cavanaugh said.

A number of amendments, including one from Sen. Brian Hardin, throttled the bill on Tuesday night. Hardin called LB933 a “recreational marijuana bill masquerading as a medical marijuana bill” in an interview with KETV on Wednesday.

That means practitioners still won’t have legal protections this year, something Cavanaugh said will be chilling to the program facing a critical attorney general.

“You cannot have a medical cannabis program if no doctors are able to make a recommendation for their patients,” Cavanaugh said.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ office said on Wednesday that he is “responsible for ensuring the safety of patients.”

“[The Attorney General] is charged with reviewing complaints as to medical professionals who violate the terms of their licenses,” the statement said. “We take that obligation very seriously, and the office will look at any medical professional who has been alleged to have violated the conditions of their license.”

Every other state with a medical-only cannabis program has protections for practitioners. Nebraska

“It feels like a slap in the face,” Bronson said. “There’s no nice way of saying it.”

Bronson and Gillen said they’ll continue to advocate for what they say is necessary for many Nebraskan patients.

But they say they’re uncertain about the future as Nebraska continues to chart its own course. The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission has missed deadlines, restricted forms of cannabis patients can use, and capped the total number of plants cultivators can grow to just 1,250. That’s a total of 5,000 hemp plants across the four licensed cultivators.

“What I’ve heard from people who want to get licenses, they’re already saying that that won’t be enough,” Gillen said.

The Medical Cannabis Commission did not respond for comment on Wednesday. But it will hold its next public meeting next Monday at 1 p.m. in the State Office Building in Lincoln.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.

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