Nebraska
Jim Macy, state environmental chief for nine years, to retire next month • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Jim Macy, director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for the past nine years, has announced his retirement.
Macy, 63, will retire effective April 19. He was paid $167,396 a year, according to OpenPayrolls.com.
He worked 28 years with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources before being hired by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts for the top job at the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, which later merged with the state energy department.
Criticized for AltEn response
In a press release, Gov. Jim Pillen thanked Macy for his years of public service and wished him well.
Macy’s tenure was marked not only by the merger of the departments of environment and energy and streamlining the application process for state permits, but also by criticism over the department’s handling of a ethanol plant near Mead that had been using pesticide-coated seed corn to produce ethanol and had failed to comply with agency orders to comply with state regulations.
Last year, during debate in the Nebraska Legislature over Macy’s reconfirmation as NDEE chief, State Sen. Carol Blood criticized the director for not acting more quickly to shut down the AltEn ethanol plant, which had been the subject of complaints about rancid odors and possible health impacts for two years from massive piles of waste grain at the facility.
Concerns had also been raised about land application of waste grain from the facility on nearby farm fields.
Environmental groups have also rapped Macy and NDEE for a lack of more urgent action.
The plant was shut down by NDEE order in February 2021, after 4 million gallons of contaminated wastewater leaked from the plant, leaving traces of pesticides up to six miles away. NDEE then sued the firm for failing to address department directives to clean up its operation.
Macy has defended the agency’s response, saying that his agency was visiting the AltEn site three times a week and had worked closely with a group of six seed corn companies that volunteered to clean up the site at no cost to the state.
Others have pointed out that NDEE’s mission is to seek compliance with environmental rules and that AltEn’s use of pesticide-coated seed corn was approved by NDEE in 2012, before Macy took the Nebraska job.
$23 million spent on cleanup by May 2023
NDEE officials, in the lawsuit against AltEn, stated that regulators were not aware that chemically coated seed corn was in use at the plant until 2015 and that they weren’t aware the coatings were hazardous until 2018.
By May 2023, about $23 million had been spent on the AltEn cleanup. Truck transport of the leftover waste grain from a 16-acre pile to a landfill near Bennington began last fall.
Macy rejected claims that NDEE hadn’t been transparent about the AltEn case, saying the agency set up a special webpage about the cleanup and posted all public documents concerning AltEn.
Pillen announced that Thad Fineran will serve as interim director of NDEE starting April 1. He is currently chief of staff to Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard.
A recruitment firm has been enlisted to conduct a national search for a new director, the Governor’s Office said.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 9.
Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing
15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 9 drawing
06-27-58-61-65, Powerball: 14
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 9 drawing
8-2-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 9 drawing
19-25-26-28-34
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 9 drawing
Red Balls: 01-02, White Balls: 13-26
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 9 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 06, Year: 05
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 9 drawing
08-11-17-29-49, 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.
I recently read an article by Nate McHugh of SB Nation that stated the last two “sure things” to bring Nebraska football back failed. The first “thing” is back coaching at UCF, and the second “thing” is now wearing an Oregon uniform. Because these two “sure things” failed, McHugh points to them as reasons for Husker fan’s frustration. But did he miss the third reason? If I’m not mistaken, the hiring of Matt Rhule felt like one of those “sure things” as well. But after the ‘mythical’ year three and disappointment it became clear Rhule’s hiring was anything but a “sure thing” for success.
Because of that fans are torn how they feel about Rhule. I’m one of them. I catch myself saying Rhule is the right guy for Nebraska and then quickly point out that his overall record as a head coach is 66-62. Clearly mediocre compared to Kyle Whittingham (177-88) or James Franklin (104-45). But Rhule hasn’t stayed anywhere long enough to truly establish himself like Whittingham or Franklin either.
See what I mean, I’m quick to point out his shortcomings but still believe he can make the Huskers relevant again. Where Husker fans struggle is that Rhule has in fact taken us to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2015-2016 yet allowed his team to get curb stomped by Penn State, Iowa, and Utah to end the season.
So, fans are leery going into the 2026 season. What are we going to get considering the schedule? The Huskers get Indiana, Washington, and Ohio State at home, and Oregon, Illinois, and Iowa on the road. While no game is a sure win, if they can’t notch victories against Ohio, Bowling Green, North Dakota, Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers, then we’ll once again question if Rhule is the right man. Simply put, the fan base will be disappointed with another 6-6 season. Personally, with the coaching changes and improvement in talent, my expectation is a record of 7-5 or 8-4 on the season.
Tim Verghese of ‘Inside Nebraska’ got my attention last week when talking about fans giving recruits a negative vibe and possibly influencing their decision to commit to a program. He used Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M as an example. The fanbase was so negative about Fisher that it made recruits question how secure he was at A&M. Obviously recruits had reason to be worried.
Does that affect how I approach what I write or talk about? It does, but then again, I don’t think so much of myself to think it matters. I see myself as your typical fan. I’m just someone who shares their thoughts about Husker football. And frankly, like 50% or more of the fans, I’m torn between being supportive and negativity. We’ve been burned too many times and haven’t seen the things that we need to see to convince us a turnaround is about to happen. Whether it’s offense, defense, or beating the teams they are supposed to beat (Minnesota & Iowa) there just hasn’t been any consistency from Rhule’s teams. As fans we need to see Rhule’s teams win the games they are supposed to, then win the close games, and finally beat the teams they aren’t supposed to. Until we see Rhule’s teams take those steps, there will be doubt and a level of negativity.
As far as recruits are concerned, I don’t see Rhule going anywhere. He’s safe due to his contract, the investment being made on the stadium, and Trae Taylor making it clear he’s all ‘N’ as long as Matt Rhule is the head man. He may just be a senior in high school, but don’t think QB Trae Taylor doesn’t play a role here. He does. And I’m good with that. Taylor has the same expectations as the fans.
And no, those expectations aren’t too high. I’ve been a fan for over fifty years. The standard at Nebraska was set a long time ago. That standard hasn’t changed. Nebraska fans may be up and down on how they feel about Rhule, but they are consistent on their expectations. The standard is the standard and always will be.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Photo courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home – Falls City Journal – Falls City, NE
Stay on top of Husker football at CarrikerChronicles.com
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 8.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
8-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 8 drawing
01-03-12-24-26
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 8 drawing
Red Balls: 02-20, White Balls: 09-11
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 8 drawing
Month: 01, Day: 16, Year: 17
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
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.
-
California2 minutes agoAfter exile, California tribes could help run their ancestral redwoods again
-
Connecticut14 minutes ago
Alicia (Plikaitis) Helen Junghans Obituary
-
Delaware20 minutes agoMiddletown runs away with record, team title at New Castle County meet
-
Florida26 minutes agoPalm Bay, Florida parents of premature twins held NICU wedding
-
Georgia32 minutes ago‘We’re champs’: How Georgia baseball soaked up first SEC title in 18 years
-
Hawaii38 minutes agoHilo tsunami clock memorial to be moved? – Hawaii Tribune-Herald
-
Idaho44 minutes agoIdaho Stop ordinance seen as progress for cyclists, supporters say | Jefferson City News-Tribune
-
Illinois50 minutes ago20-year-old motorcyclist killed in crash in Oswego, Illinois, police say
