Nebraska
Nebraska water transfer could introduce invasive carp to Kansas rivers and lakes
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach sent a bipartisan letter to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen objecting to a proposed water transfer between the Platte and Republican rivers that Kelly and Kobach say could lead to invasive species of carp in Kansas waterways.
“The introduction of these fish will cause irreparable ecological harm to native species and economic and noneconomic harm to the use and enjoyment of these waters, including sport fishing, commercial fishing, and recreational boating. It should be noted that Milford Reservoir is regarded as Kansas’s premier fishing destination, and many Nebraskans enjoy it every year,” Kelly and Kobach said in the joint letter.
The letter is in response to an application by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and the Platte Republican Diversion Interlocal Agreement Partners made up of several natural resource districts. It is before the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.
If approved, it would allow 150 cubic feet per second of excess flow from the Platte River Basin into the Republican River Basin through a series of canals and pipelines. The proposal is designed to meet river flow minimums in an interstate water compact with Kansas.
Why Kelly and Kobach oppose it
Kansas officials have opposed the idea of the water transfer since it was originally proposed in 2018. They worry that it would make a path for invasive bighead and silver carp that have been documented in the Loup, Platte and Elkhorn rivers.
If these invasive species have a path to the Republican River, it could allow the fish to enter the Harlan County Reservoir in Nebraska and then the Lovewell and Milford reservoirs in Kansas. Milford Reservoir is popular among fishermen regionally.
“As an avid fisherman, I’m one of thousands of Kansans who enjoy our first-class lakes and waterways for fishing,” Kobach said. “I will use every tool available to keep these invasive species from harming Kansas waters.”
The carp have damaged other waterways, and the knowing importation, possession or transportation of the fish is outlawed by the federal government. In Lake Yankton in Nebraska invasive carp invaded and decimated native fish populations.
“After flooding in 2011, the lake was infested with invasive carp, and by 2014, they composed over ninety percent of the fish in the lake, necessitating the use of poison to eliminate all fish in the system,” Kelly and Kobach said.
Why some Nebraskans opposed it
The project has also been controversial in Nebraska, where some natural resource districts said the diversion could lead to water rights not being delivered to its patrons. The dispute made it to the Nebraska Supreme Court in October, where it sided with the proposed water transfer.
“I’m so pleased that the Justices agreed that our project has no potential to harm existing water right holders,”, said John Thorburn, manager of Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (NRD), after the Nebraska Supreme Court decision. “Our project has always been intended to only divert water that no water user in the Platte Basin can use. We simply want to beneficially use water that would otherwise flow out of Nebraska.”
Proponents say the project will deliver more water to Nebraskans and generate power through hydroelectric generation.
In May, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources held a hearing on the proposed transfer, where Kansas officials also voiced concern about the transfer.
Though the proposal is under con sideration, there is no set timeline on when a decision will be made on its approval.
A Nebraska quarterback commit is making headlines heading into his senior season. Five-star prospect Trae Taylor has been named by Rivals as one of the ‘five high school football transfers that will make a big impact this 2026 season.’
Taylor heads into 2026 after a strong 2025 season at Carmel Catholic (IL). In 11 games, he threw 3,571 yards, 38 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also ran 77 times for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The five-star quarterback is transferring to Millard South (NE) this offseason and will join a team that went 12-1 this past season and won back-to-back Class A State championships. He is taking over as the starting quarterback, replacing Jett Thomalla, who signed with Alabama.
Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes that the transfer quarterback is well-rounded and one of the stronger arms in the 2027 cycle. He also believes that the development he has shown this late in his career should be seen as a positive.
“Brings a combination of high-end arm talent and refinement to the table. Has a whippy release that uncoils quickly to generate fast arm action. Added arm strength in the off-season prior to his senior year. Can drive the football to all areas of the field with palpable zip. Rips throws out to the far hash and up the seam. Throws a tight spiral that cuts through the wind. Has proven to be accurate in multiple settings. Hyper-trained and plays with a good level of consistency as a passer.”
Taylor is also the first Cornhusker commit to ever hold the title of Elite 11 MVP. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of The Opening Finals at Nike’s World Headquarters last month.
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College football programs would rather not play true freshmen. Programs would rather give the kids a year to mature, get reps and get stronger. Learn behind experienced players, learn the system, grow mentally and physically. Make inevitable mistakes on the practice field, not in games.
Nebraska is no exception.
But Huskers true freshman running back Jamal Rule might be an exception.
Rule, one of the stars of Nebraska’s spring game, recently was cited by CBS Sports as one of 11 Big Ten true freshmen to watch who could have an immediate impact in 2026.
There is buzz around the Nebraska program regarding Rule, a 6-foot, 205-pound, three-star recruit from Charlotte, N.C. In the spring game, Rule scored on a 75-yard touchdown sprint and had 119 yards on 10 carries. He also caught a pass for 15 yards.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule certainly has noticed. The early enrollee has them talking around the Huskers’ program and around Lincoln, too.
What Rhule said about Rule
“Jamal had a really good spring,” Rhule told reporters after the spring game. “What he looked like today, he looked like all spring long. He’s very conscientious. He’s big, he’s tough, he’s fast, he’s got home run ability.”
Rule comes along at an opportune time for himself and Nebraska, which lost 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year Emmett Johnson to NFL Draft and the Kansas City Chiefs. Without Johnson, who gained a conference-leading 1,451 yards on the ground last season, the Huskers’ running back room was a serious question mark coming into the season.
Now, Nebraska is dealing with the arrest of presumed starting running back Mekhi Nelson in Key West, Fla. Nelson was arrested last week, charged with aggravated battery, as first reported by Pete Nakos, of On3.
Nelson’s legal ramifications are unknown as well as how this will affect his football status.
What CBS Sports said about Jamal Rule
CBS Sports writer Brad Crawford wrote this about Rule in selecting him as a Big Ten freshman to watch: “Some would say he was overlooked a bit by the elite programs during the recruiting process, but this three-star out of Charlotte, North Carolina, was identified early as a must-have for the Huskers and checked every box for coach Matt Rhule and his staff.
“Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Syracuse were in on Rule as well, but Nebraska won his commitment and may have grabbed an unexpected freshman starter as a result.
“Hoping to prove a point during spring camp, Rule showed aggression and ran hard on every rep. The expectation is that the Huskers will take a by-committee approach in the run game this season following the departure of leading rusher Emmett Johnson, and Rule should get some totes along with Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson.”
Rhule, whose Huskers face a brutal schedule in 2026, said after the spring game that Rule is “certainly preparing to play this year as a freshman.”
What it could mean for the offense
An established running attack certainly could help new quarterback Anthony Colandrea and the offense. If Rule is the real deal, Nebraska’s now uncertain running back room could become a much-needed strength.
A running back who can break a big play would add a dimension to the Huskers’ offense that could allow them to run on obvious passing downs and keep defenses off-balance.
Opponents might be forced to specifically game-plan for that aspect of the Huskers’ offense. That added defensive focus on the running game could mean less attention paid to the passing attack — a potential Nebraska advantage.
A strong passing game begins with a strong ground game. That was a go-to, bread-and-butter Nebraska strategy for years.
Everyone will know soon enough, as the season begins in a mere two months.
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