Nebraska
Working Together So Nebraska Can Thrive

By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
For Nebraska to thrive, we must care for our families, infrastructure, workforce, and safety. It’s an effort that requires close coordination between private companies, nonprofits, and every level of government. But the payoff is worth it, and when we work together, we build a better state for the next generation of Nebraskans.
Last week, I visited the newly renovated Head Start center in Lincoln. The Head Start program offers free learning and development services to young children, and it’s run by the Community Action agency in Lincoln. Community Action saw the need for an upgraded facility where kids can learn safely and comfortably, and they kickstarted the process of renovating the Head Start center. This impressive facility includes 19 classrooms for children aged five and under, as well as play areas and community gathering spaces.
I’ve heard from Nebraskans across the state about their dire need for child care. As a local nonprofit, Community Action is doing its part to solve this problem. And in Washington, I’m working to solve it as well. On the Appropriations Committee, my colleagues and I proposed increased funding for child care and early learning programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start. I also introduced a bill this summer to reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which has a 30-year track record of giving working parents the resources they need to make the right child care decisions for their families. Both our local efforts in Lincoln and our federal efforts in Washington will allow Nebraska’s families to thrive.
But in today’s world, families can’t thrive if they can’t get places. Our transportation networks bring us to and from work or school, enable us to visit loved ones, and allow our farmers and ranchers to bring their goods to market. This week, I spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Platte Regional Airport’s new terminal, which will allow passengers to travel to and from western Nebraska more seamlessly. The North Platte area is already flourishing economically: a beef processing facility has brought 875 jobs to North Platte, and a 300-acre rail park is in development in Hershey. This new terminal builds on those economic developments by making it easy to get here by plane.
The North Platte Airport Authority saw an opportunity to enhance travelers’ experiences and drive economic growth, and they took it. The Airport Authority has worked with local stakeholders and government to prepare for this new project, and they’ve also used federal resources. In 2021, I voted for a bipartisan bill to invest in our nation’s core infrastructure. That legislation sent millions of federal funds back to Nebraska to improve and expand our airports. One of those grants—$7 million—was sent to North Platte for the very project we celebrated this week. Last year, I secured $7 million more for the project.
North Platte is not the only place Nebraskans are capitalizing on economic development opportunities. One major way Nebraska is contributing to our national economy—and our national defense—is through manufacturing. Defense experts from across the political spectrum know that to deter aggression from our adversaries, we need to build out a manufacturing workforce with the expertise and technology to produce the weapons systems we need. That’s why this year I introduced the Restoring American Deterrence Act, which would require the Secretary of Defense to create a strategy for growing our manufacturing and skilled trade workforce.
Pacific Engineering Inc. in Roca is a small business using cutting-edge technologies and expanding the Nebraska manufacturing workforce. Last week, I attended the grand opening of PEI’s new manufacturing space in North Omaha. I’ve known the folks at PEI since 2014, and I’ve seen them expand over the past decade. This new facility will employ more Nebraskans in an area that needs more jobs. PEI is serving Nebraskans by offering employment opportunities at the same time as it designs and produces materials integral to our national security.
For Nebraska to thrive, whether in early childhood education, transportation networks, or supporting our national defense, we need to partner together. Both federally and here at home, we are building toward a better Nebraska for our children and grandchildren. Nebraskans are serving their communities’ needs and meeting challenges as they come—and Nebraska’s future looks bright.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
Nebraska
Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A deeper look tonight as First Alert 6 continues to dig deeper into the state of mental health care in Nebraska and possible solutions, ever since last week’s two instances involving law enforcement.
A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy was shot responding to a domestic call. Investigators said the suspect, Brian Huggins, had a history of behavioral health issues. Huggins died by suicide.
And then Noemi Guzman, who police say kidnapped a 3-year-old from inside an Omaha Walmart and cut him in the arm and face with a stolen kitchen knife. Omaha police officers shot and killed her before she could strike again.
Guzman had been on a court-ordered mental health treatment plan since last summer for her schizophrenia. According to court records, psychiatrists determined she could live in the community. Remember, this was after she was arrested for setting her father’s house on fire and threatening a priest with a knife.
Monitoring system
We wanted to know who is part of the system monitoring those who may not be following their mental health treatment plan and are a risk to others or themselves. When that happens, the Board of Mental Health will often notify the local sheriff so a warrant can be issued and deputies can track the individual down.
Here are the numbers since 2023:
In 2023, 842 warrants were issued for those not following their treatment plans according to the Board of Mental Health. In 2024, 756. In 2025, 690. So far in 2026, 190.
But out of these 2,500 warrants, 85% of them didn’t have a second warrant, meaning deputies picked them up, got them back into treatment and the individuals continued to thrive after the one hiccup.
But in 15% of these cases, the individuals messed up again and had another warrant issued by the Board of Mental Health. Twenty-five individuals had five or more issued in Douglas County.
Sheriff Hanson said there has to be a better way, a more team approach for this.
One model to explore is the way Nebraska’s problem-solving courts work like drug court and veterans’ treatment court where experts from a variety of stakeholders help individuals who are on the fringes to do everything to make them productive citizens.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
‘Nothing can hold me back’: Nebraska teen scores on first play after open heart surgery
(InvestigateTV) — Sometimes sports are about more than the final score.
For Jack Burke, a high school football player in Nebraska, a medical diagnosis at birth has never stopped him from competing — and a touchdown catch in his first play back from open heart surgery proved it.
Born with a rare heart defect
Burke was born with Scimitar syndrome, a rare heart defect in which babies are born with an underdeveloped right lung and pulmonary artery. The condition also affects blood flow to the right lung. Treatment often includes surgery, and many adults with the condition go on to live healthy lives.
“As a kid, I never really understood,” Burke said. “It was always natural for me that I had to push myself harder to keep up.”
His mother, Bridget Burke, says the condition was not initially considered dangerous for sports participation.
“His Scimitar Syndrome never really came into play as being dangerous for him to play sports,” she said.
The decision to operate
That changed in the spring of 2025, when Burke’s family and doctors decided it was time for a surgery that had been anticipated for years.
“I’ve kind of known I’ve had to get surgery my whole life,” Burke said. “Once I knew I could get the surgery sooner, I was all in. I wanted to get it so I could get back to sports.”
His father, Ryan Burke, says the timing was deliberate.
“This will be done before school gets started, and still have a chance to do almost everything you want to do,” Ryan Burke said.
Jack Burke underwent open-heart surgery, leaving a visible reminder of what he went through.
“There’s a six-inch scar in the middle of his chest that represents a pretty big thing that happened,” Ryan Burke said.
For Bridget Burke, the moment her son was taken to the operating room was difficult.
“When the rubber hits the road and your kid is being wheeled back to the OR, it is scary and emotional,” she said.
The comeback
Burke eased back into football following his cardiologist’s recommended recovery timeline. His return came in week three of the season.
“Before the Schuyler game I talked to his dad and he’s like, ‘I think we might be ready,’” said coach Jay Landstrom.
Bridget Burke says the family approached the return with caution.
“I mean, I was nervous. We didn’t really know how much he would play. It was going to be some cautious situations,” she said.
Those concerns were set aside — at least for a moment — when Burke caught a touchdown pass on his very first play back.
“All the parents were high-fiving everybody and they were like, ‘Was that really Jack?’” Bridget Burke said.
Landstrom called it a special moment.
“It was just meant to be and that was really special,” he said.
For Burke, the touchdown meant something beyond the scoreboard.
“I just remember one of my teammates came up to me and said, ‘He’s back. He’s back,’” Burke said. “It kind of shows something that tried to stop me — I hurdled that obstacle.”
Burke says the surgery has given him a new sense of freedom.
“Now I can do whatever I want. Nothing can hold me back,” he said.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Nebraska
Nebraska Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 5 on April 19, 2026
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 19.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
4-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
14-19-24-30-34
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Red Balls: 01-02, White Balls: 09-26
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from April 19 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 16, Year: 61
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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