Nebraska
Pictures of adorable endangered red panda triplets born at Nebraska zoo
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Nebraska announced the arrival of three red panda cubs on Thursday, born on August 10, marking a major success for the zoo’s conservation program.
The triplets—two males and one female—were born to third-time mom Tián and second-time dad Rowan. Though the cubs have yet to be named, their healthy birth represents a happy moment in efforts to conserve the endangered red panda species.
“Red pandas are the smaller cousins of giant pandas—they’re not raccoons,” Ruth Marcec-Greaves, the zoo’s general curator, told Newsweek.
Native to high-altitude temperate forests across the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, red pandas face increasing threats from habitat destruction and climate change, which are reducing their cold, bamboo-rich forest homes.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo
“Their habitat is slowly diminishing and the change in climate is definitely threatening them,” Marcec-Greaves added.
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo, which is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program, has carefully crafted an environment that allows Tián to raise her cubs naturally.
Zookeepers provided six nest boxes lined with bamboo and wood wool, mimicking the tree hollows or rock crevices a red panda mother would typically use.
Red pandas are known to be vigilant and adaptive mothers, often moving their cubs to different nests for protection or when facing stressors.
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Lincoln Children’s Zoo
In this secure setting, Tián has chosen her preferred nest box and has been diligently caring for the cubs, who are now 3 months old and beginning to explore their environment by learning to climb.
While triplet red panda births are not uncommon, the survival of all three triplets is a noteworthy achievement, attributed to Tián’s attentive care.
“We’re very, very excited in this case that our mother was just such a good mother. She successfully raised all three of these without any help,” Marcec-Greaves said.
As a species classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, red pandas are at high risk of extinction, with populations in the wild halving over the past 20 years because of ongoing threats such as habitat loss.
“The birth of these triplets is important for animal conservation efforts, and the red pandas at the Zoo help to raise awareness of the threats their counterparts face in the wild,” Evan Killeen, CEO of Lincoln Children’s Zoo, said in a statement.
While the cubs are not yet on public display, the zoo expects to debut them by December. In the meantime, zoo staff hope these new additions will inspire a new generation of conservationists.
“Where else are you going to see a red panda? Not everyone can get to the Himalayas to see them in the wild,” Marcec-Greaves said. “In a zoo where we can tell you about them, tell you about their lives, and you can see them playing together, that’s a huge, huge help to their conservation.”
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Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture proposes ban on food and beverages containing any amount of THC
LINCOLN, Neb. — A public hearing Thursday drew strong opposition to proposed rules that would label food adulterated and illegal if it contains any amount of THC and its derivatives, potentially decimating Nebraska’s hemp and CBD industry.
The regulations would affect products like gummies, beverages and oral tinctures. Over 490 people wrote in opposition to the new regulations, while only three supported them.
The rule changes stem from an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Pillen in January requiring state agencies to review laws regarding the use of synthetic THC in food and beverages. The order was made to align with federal law coming in November 2026, which bans synthetic THC products and limits total THC concentrations in hemp products to not exceed 0.4 milligrams per container.
The proposed Nebraska rule goes beyond that federal standard.
“I would say it’d be similar other than it does say no THC. It is zero THC,” said Andrew Bish, chief operating officer of Bish Enterprises. “It’s not we are deferring to the federal government standard and aligning with the federal government standard. It is, in fact, a different standard.”
Fifteen speakers testified during the hearing, with many calling for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the industry rather than enforce outright bans.
“I respectfully urge the department to pursue a balanced science-based approach that protects public safety, targets specific problems, strengths and standards where necessary and holds bad actors accountable without unnecessarily eliminating access to products that may Nebraskans find valuable and beneficial,” said Dr. Andrea Holmes, a professor of chemistry at Doane University.
Many who testified were shop owners who said the regulations would result in major business losses and reduced state revenue.
“In 2025, we pay over $1 million in sales tax. We expect to be over $1.3 million in 2026,” one speaker from The Cannabis Factory said. “We’re not opposed to regulation, or oversight, or even additional taxation.”
The Department of Agriculture will review comments and decide if any changes need to be made. If not, the regulations go to the attorney general and the governor for approval.
The regulations include a carve out for the medical cannabis acts, meaning people with medical cannabis cards could get prescriptions that would not be affected by this proposed regulation change.
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Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.
The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.
In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.
Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska
Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News
OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.
The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.
They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).
Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.
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