Nebraska
Nebraska National Guard Museum celebrates Airborne Day
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Friday was National Airborne Day. It’s meant to honor the first men who volunteered to jump out of a plane in 1940. Nebraska has it’s own airborne division and a history of men who literally jumped into combat.
Honoring the current and former airborne members took center stage at the Nebraska National Guard Museum Friday afternoon. The national day was created by former president George W. Bush in 2002.
In Nebraska, the airborne group is the second battalion of the 134th Infantry Regiment. They were established in 2019.
But just because the battalion was created recently, doesn’t mean Nebraskans didn’t jump into combat. In World War 2, Eldin Hermann jumped at D-Day and Market Garden. In the Korean War, Frank Nitz jumped on two different occasions.
For the members of the 134th, it’s an honor to do what those men did so long ago.
“The men that paved the way for us back during World War Two and Vietnam, the valor that they had and doing something that was completely unknown, jumping directly into combat, that’s something that we always remember each time that we jump,” said Staff Sgt. Natalie Hernandez, Nebraska Army National Guard.
Three members of the regiment are sisters. Two of them are in the airborne battalion, and the third loves getting to watch them and cheer them on as they jump out of the aircraft.
“I feel a lot of a sense of pride. I’m I’m their biggest fan,” said Spc. Jessica Figueroa. “I have my phone now I’m recording, I’m taking pictures and I’m like, you guys did it. You guys are safe, no broken bones”
For the ladies who are jumping out of the aircraft, it was a little nerve-wracking at first.
“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” said Sgt. Maria Figueroa. “I’m gonna jump out of a aircraft with the parachute, but that’s supposed to deploy. “Looked up my parachute had deployed so I was very happy about that and then I remember just taking it all in, in the air just floating in the air taking the view in. I could see the horizon and it was just peaceful.”
The airborne members jump about five to eight times a year for training.
If you want to learn more about the National Guard and the airborne side of it, you can visit the National Guard Museum in Seward. It’s free to the public.
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Copyright 2024 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Nebraska outfielder Will Jesske coaches local legion team
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — After a hamstring injury during Nebraska’s baseball season, Will Jesske was advised to take it easy this summer. He is, but Jesske has found a new way to stay involved in the game.
Jesske is coaching a local legion baseball team. He is a volunteer assistant for Lincoln Hotel Group, the senior legion team for Standing Bear High School.
Jesske, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, describes himself as the “hype man” in the LHG dugout. He brings energy and enthusiasm, which players enjoy. Jesske said coaching is a way he can give back to local players while helping LHG’s coaching staff. Jesske played under Tanner Lewis and Kyle Beacom in high school. They now lead the LHG legion program.
Jesske is entering his senior season at Nebraska. He has appeared in 95 games over his career, including 33 during the Huskers’ 43-win season this spring. Jesske was injured early in the season but played through it as Nebraska hosted an NCAA regional. He hit .318 in his junior season. Jesske said he is fully healthy and credited extended rest with his recovery.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari is wanted in Lancaster County on suspicion of assaulting a pregnant woman in May.
An arrest warrant was filed for Ferrari on Thursday. He faces three felony charges which include first-degree false imprisonment and assault by strangling a pregnant woman.
According to an arrest affidavit, a woman from California contacted police in Lincoln on May 8 just after midnight. She told officers her daughter called for help and pointed them to Ferrari’s apartment.
Police arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door. A pregnant woman came out after several minutes of knocking with no answer. Officers said the woman was visibly upset.
She told officers that Ferrari tried taking her phone away after an argument, but she wouldn’t let him take it. The arrest affidavit shows Ferrari then dragged her off a bed by her feet.
Police think Ferrari then got on top of her and strangled her, likely until she was unconscious. The woman told police that she felt as though her throat “collapsed” and that she was “breathing through a straw.”
Once regaining consciousness, police said the woman tried hiding in a closet and contacting her mother on another device. But Ferrari followed her, pushed her onto a bed and sat on her until she apologized, according to the affidavit.
She apologized in order to be released, police said. The woman then tried to leave the apartment, but police said Ferrari dragged her by the arm back inside. She found her phone and contacted her mother, yelling “help!”, prosecutors wrote.
Ferrari grabbed the phone and hung up, according to the affidavit. The woman’s mother tried calling several more times before calling police.
Authorities transported the woman to Bryan West for treatment. Officers said she sustained injuries consistent with strangulation, including bruising around her neck and other abrasions.
Last weekend, Ferrari was arrested in Lincoln County on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and obstructing the police. He was cited after a trooper chased a Corvette in the North Platte area.
Lincoln County authorities told KOLN that Ferrari is out on bond. His current whereabouts are unclear.
Court records show that the woman has filed for a protection order against Ferrari. A hearing has been set for July 7 to give him an opportunity to show the court why one should not be issued.
Previously, Ferrari was booked in Lancaster County, Nebraska for an outstanding warrant in January of this year, but those charges were dismissed later that week.
Ferrari parted ways with the Huskers in April of this year.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Discounted tickets for Nebraska State Fair over 4th of July Weekend
The Nebraska State Fair is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 72-hour flash sale on Season Passes.
From July 3 through July 5, fans can purchase a 2026 Season Pass for just $50—a significant discount from its regular value of $132.
The pass includes one admission per day for all 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, making it ideal for visitors who plan to attend multiple days.
Fair officials say the promotion is one of the biggest Season Pass discounts offered in years and will not be extended.
After July 5, Season Passes will remain available at a higher discounted price.
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