Nebraska

Senators return to State Capitol for second session of 108th Nebraska Legislature

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2024

Senators return to State Capitol for second session of 108th Nebraska Legislature

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – On Wednesday, as a bright, blue-skied day settled over the capital city, state senators in the Capitol building called for a cloudless session.

For seven months, the George Norris Legislative Chamber sat dormant after a spasm of infighting last year. As they return to work, senators said they’re hoping last year was an anomaly.

“The energy feels great in the halls,” Sen. Anna Wishart said. “And so I’m optimistic we will have a good session.”

Inside the chamber, business started with elections of chair and vice chair of the important Executive Board. Sen. Raymond Aguilar will take the place of former Sen. Tom Briese, now Nebraska’s state treasurer, as chair, and Sen. John Lowe will be vice chair.

Speaker of the Legislature John Arch made an appeal to his fellow senators to show respect and avoid the pitfalls of last year.

“We have a treasure that is much easier to tear down than to build up,” Arch said. “Our society must look to this institution to govern wisely with thoughtful professionalism and decorum. We must set the example so that our society respects the institution.”

This session brought a new face into the ranks of the 49 legislators: Sen. Fred Meyer, who was appointed to replace Tom Briese.

“It’s been an honor to be selected to serve,” Meyer said. “At this point, I don’t know what I don’t know, but I’m anxious to learn.”

And this year is the final consecutive time a slew of term-limited senators will get to pace up and down the chamber floor.

“It’s bittersweet,” Wishart said. “It’s been the most incredible chapter of my life… and I’m just going to soak everything in and be really grateful for having one more year.”

The first few weeks will be marked by a wave of bill introductions and debates over rule changes, which will shape procedure going forward. Arch said he doesn’t want those debates to spill into late January, but there are several proposed rules packages for the legislative body to mull over.

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Nebraska

Huskers/OSU game three canceled

Published

12 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Courtesy Nebraska Athletics

The third matchup this weekend between No. 9 Nebraska and No. 21 Oklahoma State was canceled Sunday due to expected bad weather in the Stillwater, Okla., area. The Cowgirls won the first matchup Thursday, 2-1 in 11 innings, while the Cornhuskers won Saturday, 4-3. The game will not be made up.

Nebraska now prepares for its home opener Thursday at Bowlin Stadium as the Huskers take on South Dakota State in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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Nebraska

Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

Published

24 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska State Patrol investigates attempted murder/suicide in Kearney County

MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office and Kearney County Attorney’s Office, is investigating an attempted murder/suicide in rural Kearney County.

The Kearney County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene Saturday afternoon.

According to NSP, three children and a woman had gunshot wounds, with the woman found dead.

The three children were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and treated for their injuries. Two of the children have since been transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.

NSP said all three children are expected to survive. The children are all under the age of 12.

This investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

According to NSP, names are not being released at this time to protect the identities of the victims.

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Nebraska

UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

UNK Students Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band – Sandhills Express

Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)

KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.

They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.

“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”

Students representing UNK include:
Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn
Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet
Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium
Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone
Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet
Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet
Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba
La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano
Minden – Evan Porter, percussion
Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute