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Nebraska, UNL announce Food Animal Veterinary Scholarship Program

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Nebraska, UNL announce Food Animal Veterinary Scholarship Program


Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has announced a new scholarship program for Nebraska students aimed at growing the number of veterinarians serving livestock producers across the state. The Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program provides financial support to Nebraska students pursuing degrees in animal science or veterinary science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR).

“The need for production animal veterinarians is undeniable. It’s an issue for Nebraska and other states, as well,” says Gov. Pillen. “Through this collaboration with UNL, Nebraska will be a leader in boosting the number of graduates in this field.”

UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett voiced strong support for the program, which he said will help the university meet two key goals.

“The Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program aligns with two key aims of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — first, to attract, retain, and graduate Nebraska’s best and brightest students; and second, to contribute to resolving pressing issues within the state of Nebraska,” says Bennett. “The University appreciates Gov. Pillen’s leadership and the state’s support of this program that will impact not only UNL but all Nebraskans who benefit from veterinary services.”

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Nebraska’s livestock industry contributes more than $6 billion annually to the state’s economy – an impact that is especially significant in rural counties and communities. Veterinarians play a critical role in keeping livestock healthy, improving herd health, and responding to disease and public health issues, among many other services, according to the USDA.

But Nebraska and other states across the country are facing a steep shortage of food animal veterinarians. One reason for this is the cost of veterinary training, according to the USDA. The Elite 11 Program removes the barrier of cost for Nebraska students interested in food animal veterinary medicine.

Dr. Larry Marshall has been a vet in Bertrand for nearly 40 years. He says students tend to return to their home communities to practice, which is both a benefit and a hindrance when it comes to recruiting food animal veterinarians, especially if that hometown is in another state. 

“The point is that my plight in trying to find an associate is shared up and down areas of rural Nebraska with other veterinarians. This is a plan that I think is going to get to the root of the problem and it’s going to help solve that problem,” shares Marshall. “Our goal is to find, cultivate, educate, mentor and lead these students down a path that will let them be successful food animal veterinarians in rural Nebraska.”

Up to 25 first-time freshmen will receive the Nebraska Aspiring Animal Production Veterinarians Program Scholarship, which covers 50% of their tuition for the first two years of their study in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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After the second year, up to 13 of the original 25 scholarship recipients will be awarded a continuation scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition for their third and fourth years of study at UNL. Ultimately, 11 students will be selected as part of the Elite 11. Those students will receive 100% of tuition and fees for UNL’s professional program in veterinary medicine, in which students complete the first two years of veterinary school at UNL, followed by two more years of schooling at the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. Students selected into the program will also receive mentoring and professional development throughout their studies.

“This program presents an incredible opportunity for Nebraska high school students who are passionate about agriculture and animal care to pursue careers in veterinary medicine without the burden of student loan debt,” says Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “This is an important program that will have a big impact on our state, our agriculture industry, and on the students who take part in it. I’m grateful to Gov. Pillen and the state of Nebraska for making this possible.”

Gov. Pillen adds: “Based on my own experience, I know how academically demanding it is to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. It’s becoming even harder to find students who are interested in large animal care. This program aims to close that gap and produce experts in the field who can ably work with farmers and ranchers and continue to ensure Nebraska’s place in providing quality food products across the globe.”

Graduates of the Elite 11 Program are required to stay in Nebraska and practice as a production-animal veterinarian for eight years. Application instructions for the first cohort of the program are now available at casnr.unl.edu/elite11. Applications will be accepted through April 12. Scholarship recipients will be notified in late May.

“The Elite 11 Program brings together two of the things we are most passionate about at UNL – supporting Nebraska students and fulfilling our land-grant mission,” says Mike Boehm, NU Vice President and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “It’s truly a win-win.”

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Police searching for missing couple find human remains

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Police searching for missing couple find human remains


The Lincoln Police Department on Thursday said it has found human remains in an area of Saunders County where it has been searching for the bodies of a missing couple.

“At this time, LPD cannot confirm the number of individuals or their identities. Investigators are awaiting DNA or dental records to make a positive identification. CSI technicians and investigators remain on scene collecting and processing evidence,” LPD said in an update on social media.

Law enforcement officials were searching an area near Malmo looking for the bodies of Hannah Neville and her husband, Roberto Tanner, who have been missing since early January.

Neville, who was 32 weeks pregnant, was last seen Jan. 15 leaving her home in Stromsburg on her way to see Tanner in Lincoln. Her burning car was found in Lincoln the next day.

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Lincoln Police officials on Monday said they believed that Neville and Tanner were dead, and they arrested Sterling James on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder, and his wife, Sayde Titus, on suspicion aiding and abetting the killings.

James, who is Tanner’s half brother, was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of murder of an unborn child in the first degree, and a felony charge of tampering with evidence. Titus was charged with three counts of accessory to murder and tampering with evidence.



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Nebraska Quarterback Commit Trae Taylor Talks Junior Day, Selling Nebraska to Peers

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Nebraska Quarterback Commit Trae Taylor Talks Junior Day, Selling Nebraska to Peers


It was a busy 48 hours for four-star quarterback commit Trae Taylor, who helped Nebraska football welcome in some of the top offensive players in the country this past weekend.

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With the help of several members of the Huskers’ 2027 class, Nebraska opened its doors to 12 prospects in total. With a clear emphasis on the offensive side of the ball, at least for this past weekend, Taylor had the opportunity to reunite with future teammates while also continuing to build relationships with potential ones as well.

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With several of the nation’s top pass catchers in attendance, the weekend served as a prime opportunity to make lasting impressions and put Nebraska firmly on their radar. Based on Taylor’s perspective, he believes the Huskers’ staff, with his help, was able to do just that.

Here’s the latest coming out of Junior Day, from Taylor’s thoughts on a five-star wide receiver’s first visit to campus, to what it was like being back in Nebraska after announcing his in-state transfer, and his early impressions of the program’s new-look staff.

A major storyline surrounding Taylor for some time has been his willingness and ability to peer recruit. In doing so, he’s not only helped set a standard for what Nebraska is looking for at the quarterback position, but he’s also established a blueprint for how quarterbacks across the country can impact recruiting before ever arriving on campus.

Taylor’s helped position Nebraska in the conversation for some of the nation’s most elite offensive talent, and his commitment to the Big Red has prompted those prospects to at least seriously consider the opportunity that Lincoln has to offer. His presence alone has changed how Nebraska is being viewed in certain recruiting circles and inarguably benefits this staff’s pitch to prospects on both sides of the ball.

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Because of this, the Huskers are being made available to recruits they otherwise likely wouldn’t have gotten a chance to close on before Taylor’s decision. That means that the young signal-caller’s interest alone in making top talent around him want to jump on board as well.

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No recent recruit embodies that sentiment more than five-star wideout Kesean Bowman. Ranked as the No. 32 overall recruit in the class and sixth-best pass catcher in the country, Bowman took a visit to Lincoln for the first time this past weekend. While Taylor’s relationship with the 6-foot-2, 175-pound budding star is not new, he’s likely a recruit the Huskers don’t garner much interest from without their quarterbacks’ help.

When asked about how he thought his 7-on-7 teammate viewed his visit to Nebraska, Taylor didn’t shy away from how excited he was. “He was shocked at what Nebraska is,” Taylor said. “I’m just glad he listened to me and gave the Huskers a real chance.  Now we just have to keep building our relationship.”

From the soon-to-be Millard South Patriots’ eyes, he allowed Nebraska to open the door. Now, the pairing of Taylor and the rest of Rhule’s staff will need to close the deal. For now, if social media is any indication, Bowman very well may have had a new school to have entered the mix.

Nebraska also hosted Baron Marshall of Overland Park, KS, as well. Listed at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, the lengthy pass catcher is ranked the No. 50 overall player in his class. Despite being just a sophomore in high school currently, the Huskers aren’t wasting any time getting Taylor surrounded by top talent regardless of the class. And even though Marshall is listed as a 2028 recruit, the Big Red fully expects Taylor to be at Nebraska for the long haul, giving them reason to aggressively recruit players in classes immediately following his own.

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“I think he really likes Nebraska,” Taylor said. “It will be our job to keep getting Baron around this 2027 class. Our relationship will only get stronger with me being in Lincoln soon, because every time he comes, I’ll be there.  I hope I get to throw to him at camp this summer”.

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With Marshall being a 6-foot-3 pass catcher with room still to grow, it’s not hard to see why Taylor and Nebraska are interested in the recruit. They’ll have to battle the likes of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and a growing list of other Power Conference schools, but the work Rhule’s staff has done early currently puts them in the lead, per reports from On3.

Another topic we discussed wasn’t about recruiting, his decision to uproot his life for the betterment of Nebraska’s football program, or even playing quarterback at all. Instead, it was about the relationships he’s been able to build with the assistant coaches responsible for recruiting the players protecting him on the offensive line.

 “I actually knew Coach Teasley from my visits to South Carolina,” said Taylor. “What he brings to Nebraska is elite.” While Teasley was named run game coordinator for the Huskers this offseason, Nebraska also hired Geep Wade as offensive line coach. Of the new head man, Taylor also had nothing but good things to say.

“Coach Geep,” Taylor said. ” I actually got to spend some time with him, and I see why linemen want to play for him. [He’s] so easy to be around and has a no B.S. sense about him when it’s time to work.”

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That’s exactly the kind of things you’d like to hear from quarterback recruits, and likely feelings that will only get stronger as their relationship expands over the coming years. Regardless, for now, early reports are positive to say the least.

Quick Hits

*On reconnecting with Antayvious Ellis after publicly announcing the duo will be teammates together at Millard South (NE) next fall, Taylor said, “It was good. Tay and I have a ton of work to do to fit in with the rest of the team and their culture, but we are kids ready to work”.

*On being back in Lincoln for the first time since his transfer announcement, Taylor said, “It was amazing this weekend. I really learned how to navigate the city, hang out with other athletes, and build relationships with them as well.”

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Driver arrested after 12 pounds of methamphetamine found hidden in vehicle on I-80

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Driver arrested after 12 pounds of methamphetamine found hidden in vehicle on I-80


KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) – Nebraska State Patrol troopers have arrested a driver after discovering a significant quantity of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop near Kearney.

George Watson, 50, of Poplar Grove, Illinois, was arrested Tuesday after troopers found 12 pounds of suspected methamphetamine hidden inside his vehicle during a search on I-80.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper observed a Toyota Camry traveling over 100 miles per hour on I-80 near Kearney. The trooper initiated a traffic stop for speeding.

During the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity and conducted a search of the vehicle.

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The search revealed 12 pounds of suspected methamphetamine concealed inside the body of the car. The large quantity of drugs indicated the suspect may have been transporting the substance for distribution.

Watson was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is lodged in Buffalo County Jail.

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