Nebraska
Nebraska bill focused on transgender athletes advances on senate floor
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – It’s an issue that has stirred up some controversy around the country. More than 20 states across the U.S. have enacted laws restricting transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity.
In Nebraska, a bill meant to put that idea into motion is continuing to be pushed forward in legislature. Tuesday marked progress for proponents after day one on the senate floor.
The controversial bill looks to keep transgender athletes out of women’s sports, and assign school bathrooms according to biological sex advanced in Nebraska legislature on Tuesday.
After four hours of debate, the “Stand with Women Act,” or LB-59 was introduced by State Sen. Kathleen Kouth on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen.
Kouth was the first to speak on Tuesday, as debate for the bill began.
“This is not a political issue,” Kouth said. “This is an issue about common sense, adherence to biology, and established protections for women and girls.”
Others said that the bill seeks to balance both safety and thoughtfulness and looks to protect than exclude. Some lawmakers even shared their personal testimonies from community members in their districts.
“Schools are meant to be a safe space for learning,” said State Sen. Jared Storm. “My daughter shouldn’t have to wonder if another student who is a male is using the same restroom as her.”
Opponents called the bill a “non-issue,” distracting lawmakers from real progress.
“We don’t get to legislate someone’s identity just because some people feel uneasy,” said Sen. Megan Hunt. “Feeling uneasy is not harm. That’s not danger. That’s not the same thing. That’s not protection, it’s oppression.”
“The idea that we need to protect people from this smaller group of people that maybe don’t have a voice are, I’m sure, are the same arguments that echoed through these halls when we were talking about segregation,” said Sen. George Dungan.
Thirty three votes were needed to move the bill into the next round of debate, that is exactly how many it received, inching it one step closer to the governor’s desk.
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Nebraska flag football announced that it will play its games at Barbara Hibner Field. This is the current home of the Huskers’ soccer program. This announcement was made on Friday afternoon.
The stadium seats 2,500 fans. The capacity can expand via berms and standing-room-only areas. The team will play its first season in 2028 and will hold 15 scholarships for female student-athletes. The season itself will run from January to May.
The program will be coached by Liz Sowers, a former five-time national champion coach at Ottawa University. The associate head coach will be her sister, Katie Sowers. Sowers was the first woman to coach and a Super Bowl. She will be the program’s top assistant.
In any event, it sounds like the program is really beginning to take shape. This will be exciting to watch and will offer another opportunity for some of the top athletes in the country to play at Nebraska.
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KEARNEY — The 39th Annual Kearney Cruise Nite Show and Shine was hosted Downtown on the Bricks on Saturday, July 18.
The event is hosted by Central Nebraska Auto Club; customarily, Kearney Cruise Nite events are held the third weekend each summer in July.
All the activities build to a crescendo on Saturday. The annual Show & Shine hosts hundreds of classic vehicles parked on “The Bricks” in downtown Kearney, per the Central Nebraska Auto Club.
Photos by Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today
Grand Island, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska Siege are back at home for the first time in three weeks when they play the St. Joseph Goats Saturday night at the BigIron Events Center.
The last time the two teams played was in St. Joe, where the Siege beat the Goats 56 to 47.
The Saturday night matchup marks the final regular season, home game for the Siege. But with a win, the Siege can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Throwoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Saturday night.
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Copyright 2026 KSNB. All rights reserved.
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