Nebraska

Nebraska lawmakers considering abortion exception for fatal fetal anomaly

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2024

Nebraska lawmakers considering abortion exception for fatal fetal anomaly

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Lawmakers and community members sat in the Nebraska state capitol on Thursday listening to Sen. Merv Riepe’s remarks on his bill.

It’s known as LB 1109, which could potentially give more flexibility to those who decide to get an abortion.

“We’re stuck in a complex place of identifying the rights of an individual, the rights of the preborn, and the application of modern medicine,” Riepe said.

LB 1109 would allow people to get an abortion within 20 weeks into a pregnancy with the exception of fatal fetal anomaly. This is described as a situation when doctors do not expect a child to survive after birth.

“It’s designed to require that not one but two practitioners make the diagnosis and stand behind it that death is likely the outcome,” Riepe said.

The bill states those two doctors are then required to put in ‘writing’ a medical emergency existed for an abortion to be performed. It would also protect the mother and doctors from receiving a penalty for the abortion.

Those in favor of the bill argued it’s a decision entirely based on the parents. Others who were against it said it’s unfair to the unborn child.

“It’s a health care option for those who want a child that nature gave them the short end of the stick,” Tiffany Palmer said.

“It would be unjust to allow Nebraskans to intentionally end the life of an innocent child,” Isabella Orsi said. “It’s still growing in their child’s womb, just because that child is considered less than due to their physical condition.”

This bill also proposes that abortions performed because of sexual assault and incest within those 20 weeks must also be certified in writing.

Currently, it’s allowed in the state for any expecting mother to get an abortion within 12 weeks of a pregnancy.

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Nebraska

Mandatory evacuation orders for area near Crawford, Fort Robinson

Published

4 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Mandatory evacuation orders for area near Crawford, Fort Robinson

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered near Crawford, including Fort Robinson State Park, as the South Fork Fire continues to spread in western Nebraska.

According to the City of Crawford, evacuations are currently underway for an area north of Crawford that includes the area south of Dodd Road, west of Dodd Road, and FF Street.

Fort Robinson has also been evacuated.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission said Fort Robinson State Park and Peterson Wildlife Management Area have been temporarily closed due to the fire.

The fire has burned approximately 9,000 acres and is currently 0% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Nebraska Game and Parks said the park and the WMA will remain closed until further notice to support firefighting operations and protect public safety.

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Nebraska

Nebraska State Runner-up and Futures Finalist Matt Brailita (2026) to Swim for Johns Hopkins

Published

15 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska State Runner-up and Futures Finalist Matt Brailita (2026) to Swim for Johns Hopkins

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Omaha, Nebraska native Matt Brailita is headed to Baltimore in the fall. He announced his commitment to Johns Hopkins University earlier this spring, writing on social media:

“I am very excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Johns Hopkins University ! I’m extremely grateful for everything my family, friends, and teammates have done to support me every step of the way. A special thanks to Coach Tom and Coach Andy for always pushing me beyond what I believed in. Also a huge thanks to Coach Scott and Coach Chris for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime. GO BLUE JAYS!”

Brailita swam for Omaha’s Millard North High School under coach Andy Cunningham. He wrapped up his senior season with a pair of runner-up finishes at the 2026 NSAA Championships, earning lifetime-best times in both the 200 IM (1:50.84) and 100 breast (56.01). He also notched a PB in the 50 free (20.76) while leading off Millard North’s 200 free relay in prelims. He anchored the same relay in finals, splitting 20.01. Brailita leaves Millard North High School as a 10-time State medalist and a multiple-event team record-holder. He was 2026 Metro Conference champion in the 100 fly and as a member of 2 relays, and he was nominated for Metro Omaha World Herald Swimming Athlete Scholar.

Brailita swims year-round with Greater Omaha Aquatic Leopardsharks under coach Tom Beck. In addition to IM and breast, he excels in fly and free. In March, he competed at Columbia Sectionals, where he finaled in the 50 free (15th), 100 breast (11th), 50 fly (8th), 100 fly (10th), and swam prelims in the 50 breast (8th) and 200 IM (10th). He left the meet with new PBs in the 100 free (46.30), 50 breast (26.25), 50 fly (22.51), and 100 fly (49.86).

Last summer, Brailita hit LCM lifetime bests in the 50 breast (30.81), 100 breast (1:06.84), 200 breast (2:29.93), and 200 IM (2:11.12) at Madison Futures, making finals in the IM. He opened the 2026 long-course season with a pair of PBs (24.83 in the 50 free and 27.09 in the 50 fly) at the GOAL Sprint Cup in April.

Brailita will join the Blue Jays’ class of 2030 with Alistair Guth, Finn Nelson, Lukas Funderburk, Matthew Ko, Nicolas Aldana Huelga, Samuel Zhang, and William Thurk. His best times would have scored in the ‘A’ finals of the 200 IM, 100/200 breast, and 50/200 free, and the ‘B’ finals of the 100 free and 100 fly at the 2026 Centennial Conference Championships.

Best SCY times :

200 IM – 1:50.84
100 breast – 56.01
200 breast – 2:06.83
50 free – 20.76
50 free relay split – 20.01
100 fly – 49.86
200 free – 1:41.83
100 free – 46.30

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Nebraska

Nebraska pitcher enters transfer portal

Published

1 day ago

June 10, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska right-handed pitcher Cooper Katskee entered the transfer portal on Monday night. Katskee had a tremendous junior season for the Huskers.

He served the roles of both midweek starter and a beacon reliever for Nebraska. He began his career with the Indiana Hoosiers and stayed there from 20223 to 2024. He then transferred to Miami (Ohio) before landing in Lincoln.

Katskee posted a 5.71 ERA over 63 innings. One of his best performances of the regular season came against Omaha on March 3. He struck out 10 batters across six scoreless innings.

This is the fifth departure for the program in the transfer portal. Nebraska has made several solid additions as well, looking to revamp the roster after a successful season.

Katskee certainly made valuable contributions in Lincoln, and it will be exciting to see what he does in his next chapter.

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