The No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers play against the Washington Huskies in a Big Ten basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Cornhuskers have played at a high level this season, as they enter this matchup with an 18-0 record. In their most recent game, the Cornhuskers defeated Northwestern 77-58.

In order to win tonight’s game, the Cornhuskers will need to rely on their star forward Pryce Sandfort. He leads the Nebraska offense in scoring, as he averages nearly 17 points per game.

The Huskies enter this matchup with a 10-8 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their last game, the Huskies lost 80-63 against Michigan State.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Huskies will need a great performance from their forward Hannes Steinbach. He leads the team in points and rebounds this year, as he averages a double-double.

Fans can watch this Big Ten basketball game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – A bill before Nebraska lawmakers would provide workers’ compensation benefits to firefighters diagnosed with cancer without requiring them to prove their cancer came from the job.

LB-400 entered its first round of debate Monday. The bill was introduced by Sen. Dave Wordekemper of Fremont, a longtime firefighter.

“Firefighters don’t want to die. They don’t want to leave their jobs, their families, their fellow firefighters,” Wordekemper said.

Cancer risks for firefighters

Wordekemper said firefighters face increased cancer risks compared to the general population.

“Firefighters face a nine percent increase in cancer diagnosis, and a fourteen percent increase in cancer-related deaths compared to the general population,” he said.

“This isn’t speculation, this isn’t a theory, this is an established scientific fact from an independent international body,” Wordekemper said.

Trevor Towey, president of the Omaha Professional Firefighters union, said modern fires pose greater chemical risks than in previous decades.

“Fires of today are not like the fires in the seventies and the eighties. The products that are inside homes burn faster, there’s chemicals in the fires and firefighters are exposed to that,” Towey said.

Opposition to the bill

The bill was opposed by Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte and Sen. Bob Hallstrom.

Jacobson argued the bill could be unaffordable for smaller communities.

“Villages and cities are paying for it; and how are they paying for it? With property taxes,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson said current law is adequate.

“The current law is working. No one is turning their backs on firefighters,” he said. “Their benefits are all better than any other city employee.”

Jacobson referenced his own skin cancer diagnosis during the debate.

“Some of you have probably noticed I have a couple of cuts on my face. Well, it wasn’t from shaving,” he said. “I’ve never been a firefighter, by gosh somehow I’ve got cancer, so I’m dealing with it. Not every firefighter gets cancer.”

Current law and proposed changes

Current Nebraska law lists 20 cancers as presumed job-related if a firefighter is diagnosed. However, families are not compensated until the firefighter dies.

Towey said several Omaha firefighters are currently battling cancer.

“I can tell you we have got about 5 or 6 right now, and a couple of them are continuing to fight for their lives,” he said.

“Why would not those same cancers be also presumed while they are still alive, while they can still recover, while they can still fight and come back and service our community? That’s all we’re asking for,” Towey said.

Under current law, firefighters who get cancer and believe it is job-related must sue insurance companies to receive benefits. The proposed bill would allow firefighters to receive workers’ compensation benefits automatically, with employers able to sue if they believe the cancer was not job-related.

Towey said 33 other states have similar legislation.

“We’re not asking something that is outrageous, we’re not asking for something to be created that doesn’t exist,” he said.

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Curtis, Neb — Dr. McKenzie (Beals) Hendricks, an alumna of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA), returned to campus to share her journey and insights with students in the Success in Veterinary Technology and Success in Animal Science classes. Earlier this fall, she also engaged with online veterinary technology students to discuss professionalism and career readiness.

Dr. Hendricks, who grew up on a small farm near Alexandria, Nebraska, discovered her passion for agriculture through 4-H and online classes, as her high school lacked agriculture courses. She graduated as valedictorian from NCTA in 2015 with an associate degree in Agriculture Production Systems in Animal Science. Her time at NCTA was marked by participation in the Ranch Horse Team, serving as editor of the student newspaper, and engaging in hands-on agriculture courses.

Choosing NCTA for her initial college education proved to be a wise decision, allowing her to save on tuition and secure a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) for her bachelor’s degree in animal science. She completed the Nebraska-Iowa State Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine and graduated magna cum laude.

Currently, Dr. Hendricks is a beef cattle veterinarian and owner of Broken Bow Animal Hospital. She and her husband also raise Hereford cattle near Oconto. She attributes her success to the experience, credits, and connections gained at NCTA. Among her accomplishments, she is particularly proud of graduating as valedictorian while managing multiple jobs and completing 16 UNL credits online.

Dr. Hendricks advised students to seek strong mentors and advisors to guide them toward their goals. She remains connected to NCTA by hosting internships, hiring graduates, and participating in the upcoming review of the General Education department.

Students valued the opportunity to learn about veterinary work, entrepreneurship, and animal science careers in rural Nebraska. NCTA, a two-year institution within the University of Nebraska system, is committed to developing future agricultural professionals and veterinary technicians through its specialized programs.