Nebraska
Nebraska governor signs executive order requiring state entities to comply with new federal immigration laws
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Nebraska’s governor signed an executive order requiring all state entities to comply in the implementation of President Trump’s new federal immigration policies.
The document, signed on Friday by Gov. Jim Pillen, orders that any department and agency run by the State of Nebraska review their regulations and policies to ensure they support Trump’s immigration directives, including the executive orders he signed during his first few days in office.
“This document demonstrates Nebraska’s alignment with the new federal immigration policy and provides guidance to state agencies for carrying out provisions contained in the President’s recently issued executive orders,” Gov. Pillen said in a press release Friday.
Pillen’s executive order also specifically named the Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Department of Corrections, laying out several steps they must take to comply with the new policies.
This includes cooperating and communicating with federal authorities like the U.S. DOJ and homeland security when they believe a violation of federal immigration laws could be present during criminal investigations, and keeping federal authorities updated on when said violators are taken into or released from custody.
But all state agencies, law enforcement or not, are ordered to assess how to “most practically and effectively assist the enforcement of immigration laws to the fullest extend possible.”
May 31 is the deadline for all agencies to ensure they’re compliant with Pillen’s order.
In response to the governor’s order, ACLU of Nebraska’s Executive Director Mindy Rush Chipman released the follow statement:
Read the full Executive Order
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Nebraska
Disaster declaration sought for May storm damage in Nebraska
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.
The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.
In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.
Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska
Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News
OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.
The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.
They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).
Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.
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Nebraska
Today in History – June 17: Nebraska boomtown named Kearney County seat
LOWELL, Neb. (WOWT) – On this day in 1872, the boomtown of Lowell, Nebraska was named the seat of Kearney County.
The Nebraska State Historical Society says the Burlington and Missouri River Railroads chose it as a town site the year before.
For a short time, it became a major shipping point for central Nebraska.
Its status would be short-lived.
Later that year, the railroad expanded to Kearney, which became the center for regional trading.
Lowell’s land office was removed in 1874.
Four years later, the boom town was nothing more than a village.
MORE LOCAL HISTORY
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On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. Every day leading up to it, First Alert 6 will take a look at the people and events that shaped our area.
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