Nebraska
Nebraska pitched as possible destination for 'climate migrants' • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — For much of its history, Nebraska has been seen as a challenging place to set down roots.
From its early frontier description as “The Great American Desert” and a place only “bugeaters” could love, to now being lumped together with other “flyover” states of the Great Plains, the state has lacked the soaring mountains, sandy beaches and mild winters of other states.
The result? Many one-time Huskers have moved on, and it’s difficult to convince people from other states to move here.
But earlier this month, a group of 25 people gathered in a noisy corner of Morrill Hall to discuss what they see as an opportunity for revitalization and resettlement of the small towns and cities of Midwestern states including Nebraska.
The impetus? A predicted wave of “climate migrants” seeking new homes away from flooded coastal cities impacted by climate change.
“We need to be thinking ahead,” said Hillary Brown, a professor emeritus of architecture and former director of the Urban Sustainability Program at the City College of New York.
‘Managed retreat’
Brown and Daniel Brooks, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate and now professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Toronto, were the featured speakers at the July 18 symposium.
They co-authored an article in 2021 entitled, “How managed retreat from climate change could revitalize rural America.”
One of the participants, Bruce Johnson, a professor emeritus of agriculture economics at UNL, said the event was an appropriate “conversation starter” about something that could be “a regeneration of homesteading.”
“We have a very genuine opportunity to turn the corner on population decline in a majority of our counties,” said Johnson, who grew up in the northeast Nebraska farm town of Wausa.
Climate change is real, Brooks and Brown said, and rising sea levels, increased wildfires, drought and other extreme weather will force a mass migration of people that Nebraska’s small towns and cities could capitalize on.
A projected 1.2 billion displaced
By 2050, the United Nations’ refugee agency is projecting that 1.2 billion people worldwide will have been displaced by climate-related changes and disasters.
Brooks said a sudden collapse of the melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica could raise sea levels by as much as 10 feet, forcing a panicked wave of climate migrants, who may have lost everything and must seek emergency shelter.
He and Brown, however, said that a more managed and orderly retreat from the coasts and climate-impacted areas — by rebuilding in safer areas before disaster hits — is much preferable. Nebraska communities, they said, should begin planning and preparing for a possible new wave of homesteaders by providing amenities they will need.
Brown said between 4 million and 13 million people living in coastal cities will need to seek new homes in “climate havens” such as Nebraska.
Climate-related migration is already happening in the U.S., and Brooks said the rate of climate-related problems is expected to accelerate in coming years, increasing the migration.
Hurricane Katrina displaced 800,000 people from New Orleans in 2005 and 2006 who sought new homes elsewhere in the United States, Brown said.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, natural disasters in 2022 displaced 3.2 million people, of whom 500,000 had not returned to their homes by the end of 2023.
Since most climate refugees find new homes within their own country, that provides a great opportunity for rural places, Brooks and Brown maintained, because they predict such refugees will want to live outside of “crowded and stressed urban areas.”
Not all agree
To be sure, not everyone agrees with their dire warnings of a mass migration.
And a map that predicted the top “receiver” counties in the U.S. that Brown displayed during her presentation didn’t list any in Nebraska. Instead, it showed areas of North and South Dakota, northwest Iowa and Minnesota as top destinations, along with portions of northern Michigan and Wisconsin, the Appalachians, northern New England and the Pacific Northwest.
Some authorities predict that while there will be climate migrants, they will more likely move within their own region — not across the country — so they can be near family members and continue to take advantage of the amenities and good jobs in coastal areas.
Others maintain that the prediction of 1.2 billion climate migrants by 2050 is inaccurate. Still others point to surveys that indicate economic factors, rather than climate, as the main drivers of migration.
The map that bypassed Nebraska as a top “receiver” area for climate migrants was developed as a project by the environmental group Proactive Leadership Advocating for Climate and Equity.
The map was based on whether an area had a low risk of such factors as extreme heat, reduced crop yields, wildfires and economic damages.
Nebraska had its second-worst wildfire season in recent history in 2022, and last month, 14 inches of rain caused devastating floods in northwest Iowa and along the Missouri River. By 2100, Brooks said, average temperatures in Nebraska are predicted to rise by 4 to 9 degrees, with up to 25 days with temperatures over 100, and heavy precipitation events increasing by 16%.
Brooks and Brown downplayed the map, saying that it is only one opinion and is not “the last word” on where such migration might occur.
Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, also disputed the map. He said climate migrants fleeing drought and shortages of drinking water will be looking for places with abundant water resources such as Nebraska, which sits on top of two-thirds of the resources of the Ogallala Aquifer.
“It’s unmatched,” he said of the state’s abundance of water.
During the symposium, Chuck Hibberd, a board member at the Nebraska Community Foundation, asked those present to list what climate migrants might want in a new home and what might attract or deter them.
He pointed out that Nebraska has an estimated 72,000 unfilled jobs, so employers are looking for new workers. Amenities listed by those attending included good housing, schools and medical facilities, affordable homes and safe communities.
Brown said people also will be looking for places that have low risk for climate-related disasters, entrepreneurial opportunities and innovative leadership that has taken steps to address climate change. Migrants may also want access to cultural activities, such as an orchestra, ballet or music venue, she said.
Towns urged to get ‘more interesting’
Another participant, Chuck Hassebrook, the former longtime head of the Center for Rural Affairs, said it is important to make small towns “more interesting.” He mentioned development of historical and cultural assets, hike/bike and kayak trails and other local recreation opportunities.
Brooks, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNL, said communities seeking to capitalize on climate migration need to decide what steps are needed to make their area more attractive to new settlers.
“You need to make your town more interesting and with a quality of life that will help attract people,” he said.
The first-ever symposium celebrated the 100th birthday of Mary Louise Hanson Pritchard, the founding curator of the H.W. Manter Laboratory, Division of Parasitology at the State Museum. Brooks was a student of Pritchard’s.
Initiative creating ‘soil health hubs’
During the symposium, Bruce Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, pitched a local organization, the Nebraska Elder Climate Legacy Initiative, which lobbies and promotes steps to deal with climate change.
One initiative already underway, he said, is to help create “soil health hubs” across the state to inform farmers about best practices to enhance soil health and protect water quality. The initiative is an outgrowth of Legislative Bill 925, a 2022 bill passed by the State Legislature to create a network of local producers/educators to spread and demonstrate best practices for soil health.
Johnson said the group is also promoting passage of a state constitutional amendment, similar to one adopted in Montana, that requires state agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts when reviewing proposed major projects.
For more information, access the website elderclimatelegacy.org
Not even more sickness could stop the No. 12 Nebraska men’s basketball team.
With a nasty flu strain ripping through the Huskers and the UNL campus as a whole, Nebraska needed a little more time to take care of Maryland, but freshman star Braden Frager and his team-high 21 points and eight rebounds led a late NU surge for a 74-61 victory over the Terrapins. Forward Pryce Sandfort added to the effort with 16 points and eight rebounds while both Rienk Mast (13) and Sam Hoiberg (12) also reached double figures.
Now with just three games remaining in the regular season, the Huskers venture west for a two-game road trip to L.A., where they start off against a USC team in the middle of a long losing skid. Here’s all you need to know for Saturday’s mid-afternoon showdown between the Huskers and Trojans.
How to Follow Along
- Matchup: Nebraska (24-4, 13-4 B1G) at USC (18-10, 7-10 B1G)
- When: Saturday, February 28
- Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Time: 3 p.m. CST
- Watch: Big Ten Network
- Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
USC Scout
Head Coach
- Eric Musselman | 2nd season at USC; 11th as HC
- 35-28 (.556) at USC; 256-121 (.679) College Career Record
- 6x NCAA Tournament Apps., 2x Elite Eight, 2x Sweet 16, 1x CBI Championship
- 3x MWC regular season, 1x MWC tournament
- 1x MWC Coach OTY (2018), 1x NBA D-League Coach OTY (2012)
- Previous head coach at Arkansas, Nevada, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors
- Previous assistant at LSU, Arizona State, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-2025 Record & Awards
- Record: 17-18 (7-13 B1G, T-12th)
- Finish: L, 60-59 to Villanova in CBC Quarterfinals
- All-B1G: 1x Honorable Mention
All-Time Series
- USC leads 6-5
- Jan. 22, 2025, last matchup, 78-73 USC
Key Returners
- Terrance Williams II | F | Gr. | Was off to a great start with 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year before getting knocked out for the season just seven games in; has not been the same with just 2.5 PPG in 27 contests this season.
Key Departures
- Desmond Claude | G | Transfer | Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season for the Trojans after leading the team with 15.8 points per game, but transferred to Washington over the offseason.
- Wesley Yates III | G | Transfer | Another player that transferred to Washington, the Texas native was second on the team last season in scoring (14.1) and steals (40) as a redshirt freshman.
- Chibuzo Agbo | G | Graduated | Veteran guard that scored 11.8 points per contest while leading the team with 76 made three-pointers as part of his final college season.
- Saint Thomas | F | Graduated | The Omaha native and Millard North graduate scored 9.5 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per game in his final college season.
- Rashaun Agee | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-8 veteran forward who proved to be USC’s most dangerous threat off the bench by scoring over nine points per game.
- Josh Cohen | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-10 post that started in 25 of his 33 appearances while adding 5.9 points per game for the Trojans.
- Clark Slajchert | G | Graduated | Another key reserve for the Trojans who put up four points per game in 11 minutes across 27 games.
- Kevin Patton Jr. | F | Transfer | After scoring 9.8 PPG at San Diego, the California native saw limited action for USC off the bench to prompt his transfer to New Mexico over the offseason.
- Matt Knowling | F | Graduated | Played in 27 contests with an average of over 18 minutes, but added little production with three points and 2.6 rebounds.
Impact Transfers/Newcomers
- Rodney Rice | G | Jr. | The third leading scorer from a Sweet 16 Maryland squad last season, the transfer scored over 20 points per game for the Trojans before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December.
- Chad Baker-Mazara | G/F | Gr. | A veteran transfer that aided Auburn’s run to the Final Four last season, the Dominican Republic native leads all active Trojans with 18.6 points per game and 71 total assists.
- Ezra Ausar | F | Sr. | The 6-foot-9 forward transfer from Utah scores over 15 points per game and grabs over six rebounds per contest in an elevated role after the injury to Rice.
- Alijah Arenas | G | Fr. | The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, the true freshman missed the first 18 games of the season, but he’s been highly productive with a 13.9 points per game average in his first 10 college games.
- Jacob Cofie | F | Soph. | A massive 6-foot-10 forward from Seattle, the Virginia transfer gives USC a weapon inside with 9.8 points and seven rebounds per game as a full-time starter.
- Kam Woods | G | Gr. | A mid-season transfer from Robert Morris, where he led the program to its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Alabama native has added over eight points and four rebounds in 16 contests this year.
- Jordan Marsh | G | Jr. | The 2025 Big South Conference Newcomer of the Year last season at UNC-Ashville, Marsh acts as the sixth man for the Trojans with 6.7 PPG to lead all reserves.
- Jaden Brownell | F | Gr. | A 6-foot-10 bench forward, the USC big man was a 14-point scorer at Samford last season before making his way to L.A.
- Jerry Easter II | G | Fr. | An Ohio native who went to the heralded Link Academy in Missouri, Easter II has earned six starts in his 26 appearances by scoring 4.4 points per game.
- Gabe Dynes | C | Jr. | The 7-foot-5 center led the country in blocks (104) last season at Youngstown State before transferring to USC, where he’s putting up three points per game, but has collected 30 blocks while only averaging 12 minutes per appearance.
Outlook
A veteran head coach at both the college and NBA levels, Eric Musselman was at the center of one of college basketball’s wildest coaching carousel moves following the 2023–24 season, leaving Arkansas for USC and paving the way for the legendary John Calipari to take over the Razorbacks program.
While Calipari marched his team to a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season, Musselman’s debut season in L.A. ended with a quarterfinal loss in the CBC for an underwhelming year. What followed was an exodus from the program, with top-two scorers Desmond Claude (15.8) and Wesley Yates III (14.1) both transferring to Washington despite standout seasons. Six others graduated, including Omaha native Saint Thomas (9.5) as well as Chibuzo Agbo, a veteran guard who scored 11.8 points per game in his final college season.
That resulted in a whole new crop of transfers to join the team, including the crown jewel of the haul in Rodney Rice, who played a big part in helping Maryland reach the Sweet 16 last season. The junior started out hot for the Trojans, logging over 20 points per game, but a devastating shoulder injury ended his season just seven games in, which immediately lowered the ceiling for a USC team with decent talent. Chad Baker-Mazara has stepped up in the place of Rice with 18.6 points per game and a team-high 71 assists after transferring from Auburn, where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four.
Utah transfer Ezra Ausar has produced at a high level with over 15 points and six rebounds per contest. Despite missing the first 18 games of the season, true freshman Alijah Arenas has averaged 13.9 points per game as a starter. Sophomore and Virginia transfer Jacob Cofie is the muscle in the post, scoring 9.8 points per game and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds per contest. Similar to Arenas, Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods has been a big mid-season addition with over eight points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Plus, Jordan Marsh (6.7), Jaden Brownell (5.3), and 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes give Musselman the opportunity to mix-and-match his lineup off the bench depending on the matchup.
The Rice injury is massive, and could end up being one of the primary reasons for the Trojans missing the NCAA Tournament, for which they are a bubble team in the latest projections. It’s crunch time for USC, which is in the midst of a four-game losing streak after dropping contests to Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois, Oregon, and UCLA. Three of those four were winnable for the Trojans and games that could really haunt them as they search for key wins down the stretch to lock up a spot in March Madness.
Against a Trojan team that doesn’t defend well, but ranks as one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, USC is an interesting matchup for Nebraska. Being on the road and dealing with more sickness isn’t helpful, but I’m riding the Huskers for this one to reach 25 wins on the year.
Nebraska
Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection
LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.
On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.
During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.
After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.
Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.
Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.
According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.
“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”
Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.
“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.
“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.
Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.
“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.
Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.
“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”
Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.
“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”
Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.
“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.
Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.
“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.
“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.
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