Nebraska

Nebraska bill focused on transgender athletes advances on senate floor

Published

10 months ago

April 23, 2025

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

Huskers/OSU game three canceled

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Courtesy Nebraska Athletics

The third matchup this weekend between No. 9 Nebraska and No. 21 Oklahoma State was canceled Sunday due to expected bad weather in the Stillwater, Okla., area. The Cowgirls won the first matchup Thursday, 2-1 in 11 innings, while the Cornhuskers won Saturday, 4-3. The game will not be made up.

Nebraska now prepares for its home opener Thursday at Bowlin Stadium as the Huskers take on South Dakota State in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

Published

14 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office and Kearney County Attorney’s Office, is investigating an attempted murder/suicide in rural Kearney County.

The Kearney County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene Saturday afternoon.

According to NSP, three children and a woman had gunshot wounds, with the woman found dead.

The three children were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and treated for their injuries. Two of the children have since been transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.

NSP said all three children are expected to survive. The children are all under the age of 12.

This investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

According to NSP, names are not being released at this time to protect the identities of the victims.

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Nebraska

UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

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UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)

KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.

They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.

“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”

Students representing UNK include:
Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn
Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet
Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium
Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone
Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet
Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet
Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba
La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano
Minden – Evan Porter, percussion
Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute