The University of Buffalo in New York on Tuesday announced that Heath Tuttle, associate vice president for information technology for the University of Nebraska system, was appointed as its next chief information officer following a nationwide search launched five months ago.

Tuttle will depart his role with the University of Nebraska, where he also serves as CIO at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, to begin his new position in New York on August 1, according to a press release.

“Together, we will drive innovation and elevate our technology infrastructure, ensuring it is accessible and inclusive for all,” Tuttle said in the release. “By leveraging strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technologies, we will advance the university’s mission and foster a dynamic, transformational technology ecosystem that empowers every member of our community.”

While at the University of Nebraska system, Tuttle was responsible for a digital transformation initiative that improved teaching and learning technologies, processes and support. He also played a role in developing the Lincoln campus’ use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence. 

“A strategic leader with extensive experience in higher education IT, Heath has a demonstrated record of aligning diverse technology objectives into a cohesive vision focused on digital transformation, operational excellence, collaboration and accessibility,” University of Buffalo President Satish Tripathi said in the release. “I am confident that he will provide exemplary leadership that builds upon our robust technology environment, elevates our IT practices and advances our university priorities and goals.”

Tuttle succeeds J. Brice Bible, who departed the University of Buffalo in February to serve as CIO at the University of South Carolina. During the search for Bible’s replacement, E. Bruce Pitman, a professor at the university’s Department of Materials Design and Innovation, served as interim CIO at the University of Buffalo, the release said. 

In his new role, Tuttle will be tasked with advancing the university’s research and education while also delivering a “well-aligned, innovative and robust technology environment,” the release said.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Three pigs were killed Tuesday morning in a crash with a semitrailer in rural Platte County.

The sheriff’s office said the crash happened at Highway 81 and 467th Street, just east of Humphrey.

A semi was heading north when it struck a livestock trailer pulled by a Ford F250 that was turning into a business.

The driver of the semi was taken to a hospital in Columbus with minor injuries.  The driver of the Ford was uninjured.

The sheriff’s office said three pigs were killed, and a few others were rounded up.

An investigation is ongoing, but the sheriff’s office said alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 402-564-4000 or Platte County Area Crime Stoppers at 402-563-4000.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Nebraska man was sentenced to federal prison on Tuesday for dealing methamphetamine.

Eswin Lopez-Bravo, 52, of Lexington will spend 4½ years behind bars, then five years on supervised release.

U.S. District Judge John Gerrard also ordered him to give up $4,106 in suspected drug money.

Lopez-Bravo set up shop in a Lexington hotel room “for quite some time,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the room in January 2023.

Lopez-Bravo and a second person with a federal arrest warrant were in the room, authorities said.

Investigators found 13.5 grams of meth hidden under a lamp, plastic baggies under the mattress, crystal shards that tested positive for meth, and $1,712 in cash.

On June 15, 2023, Lopez-Bravo was arrested on a state warrant.

He had 9.8 grams of meth and $2,394 in cash on him, authorities said.

Text messages showed that Lopex-Bravo made several thousand dollars’ worth of drug transactions on behalf of someone incarcerated in California, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.