Nebraska voter is plaintiff in federal lawsuit challenging release of sensitive voter data to DOJ A Nebraska voter is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday challenging the U.S. Department of Justice’s demands for and consolidation of state voter registration files.

New: A Nebraska voter is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday challenging the Department of Justice’s demands for and consolidation of state voter registration files. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Omaha boxer Terence 'Bud' Crawford found guilty of careless driving at trial Boxing champion Terence “Bud” Crawford was found guilty of careless driving during a bench trial Monday. The charge stems from a September traffic stop that ended with Crawford being held at gunpoint.

During a lengthy bench trial this morning, world-renowned boxer Terence 'Bud' Crawford was found guilty of careless driving.

It stemmed from a September traffic stop that happened after his birthday celebration and big boxing victory.
nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Lincoln health agency reports fewer refugees assisted in 2025 A new report from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department said 740 newly arrived refugees were served in fiscal year 2025 — a significant decline from the previous year.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is seeing fewer newly arrived refugees getting health exams.

Director Kerry Kernen said the lower turnout stems from President Trump's EO on refugees admittance to the U.S.
nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

The mighty Platte River looking a little shallow near Silver Creek, Nebraska. #Drought

You have about a 1 in 9.2 quintillion chance of creating a perfect #NCAA men's basketball #MarchMadness bracket.

A UNL student was nine picks away from making that happen. He had one of the top brackets in the world out of ESPN's 24 million entries. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Nebraska will add another person to its death row. Just minutes ago, a three-panel judge decided Jason Jones will receive the death penalty for a quadruple murder in 2022 that stunned the town of Laurel, Nebraska. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Quite a few fire departments across Nebraska aren’t issuing burn permits despite Gov. Pillen lifting the ban. It was put in place just 3 weeks ago when the largest wildfire in the state’s history broke out.

Here’s what some had to say:
nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Omaha-based Union Pacific unveils ‘No. 4547’ locomotive honoring President Trump Union Pacific revealed new locomotives that honor the United States’ 250th anniversary this year, including one that celebrates President Trump. It comes as the rail company waits for official approva...

As Union Pacific eyes its merger with Norfolk Southern, the Omaha-based company is rolling out a new locomotive that honors the president.

(This follows the company's donation to the WH for its $300M ballroom reno.) nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

‘It’s like a death': Grief, hope and resilience after fire ravages Nebraska Sandhills Word travels fast, but fire moves quicker. By the time Naomi and her husband, Cody, arrived back at their ranch north of Broadwater, Nebraska, there was fire in the front yard. Fire in the fields. Fir...

The Morrill Fire didn't just torch 600,000+ acres — it stole some Nebraskans' livelihoods.

NPM's Molly Ashford has this painful story of loss and what lies ahead for a Bridgeport ranch. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Milder winter weather keeping Sandhill cranes – and millions of dollars – in Nebraska longer In 2025, nearly 35,000 visitors came to central Nebraska during crane migration season, bringing $28 million in economic impact along with them. While mid-March is the peak of tourism, a crane biologist said any time during migration is a good time to go crane watching.

Mid-March is the best time to see the Sandhill Crane migration. But more cranes are staying in Nebraska year-round because of the state's milder winters. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/mi...

Brady school members continue wildfire support as students return to class Brady Public Schools was back in session Tuesday as firefighters continued work to contain the Cottonwood Fire south of town. While the school was closed, staff and students came together to support their community.

Brady's public school staff whipped up about 500 breakfast burritos and sandwiches to firefighters battling the 130,000-acre Cottonwood fire south of town. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/br...

Perkins County Canal a pain point for Nebraskans whose property would be under water The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating Nebraska's proposal for a canal to bring water into the state from Colorado.

New: Some Nebraska landowners' property would be put under water if the Perkins County Canal route remains unchanged.

NPM's Fred Knapp spoke to a landowner who says they shouldn't be displaced for a plan that might not even be allowed by courts: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Nebraska officials say federal fire help is ‘underway,’ but they’re also seeking assistance from other states Nebraska’s state leaders on Saturday struck an uncertain tone on federal financial assistance in their updates on the wildfires burning in western and central Nebraska.

New: State leaders struck an uncertain tone Saturday when talking about how much aid Nebraska will receive from the feds for these historic wildfires.

So Gov. Pillen is seeking all the help he can get from other cities in Nebraska and other states. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

State of emergency declared for 7 counties as wildfires spread in Nebraska As of midnight, a fire near Halsey had burned nearly 36,000 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, while a fire in Dawson County forced nearly 200 people to evacuate.

Four big wildfires are burning across Nebraska, including one that's near a popular lake in west-central Nebraska. Gov. Pillen has issued a state of emergency for several counties as people are ordered to evacuate.

Here's what we know so far: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Nebraska named in expanded Congressional Medicaid fraud investigation Nebraska is one of 10 states – and the only one with Republican leadership – named in a congressional probe into Medicaid fraud.

Nebraska is one of 10 states – and the only one with Republican leadership – named in a congressional probe into Medicaid fraud. From NPM's Molly Ashford: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Ricketts letter highlights ongoing issues at Omaha postal facility Sen. Pete Ricketts has sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service’s Omaha Processing and Distribution Center calling for improvements based on an audit by the Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General. The audit, done last fall, found numerous problems at the Omaha center, which serves as a hub for all of Nebraska.

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is calling for improvements at the Omaha UPSPS Processing and Distribution Center after an audit found a list of processing and accuracy issues. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/ri...

Nebraska immigration law clinic shutting down after 28 years The University of Nebraska College of Law is closing the doors of its immigration clinic, which has operated for nearly 30 years. Head of the immigration clinic, Kevin Ruser, stepped down from the rol...

Immigrants in Nebraska will have one less resource after May. UNL’s College of Law, which has helped people in Nebraska communities for 28 years, is closing down. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Lincoln Police Department now handling investigation of ‘suspect’ $2.5 million no-bid state contract The investigation was initially referred to the Nebraska State Patrol, but a patrol spokesperson said the investigation was turned over to the Lincoln Police Department due to a potential conflict of interest.

New: LPD is now investigating the $2.5 million contract awarded by the Department of Economic Development to an acquaintance of Gov. Pillen. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/li...

‘Third time is the charm': EPIC 2.0 again pauses petition circulation, aims for 2028 ballot Organizers behind a petition that sought to ban the state from collecting property, income and inheritance taxes are pausing signature collection.

EPIC, the petition group that wants to replace property taxes with consumption taxes, is again finding itself back at the drawing board. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/th...

Ranchers concerned about pastures after Nebraska’s warmest winter since Dust Bowl Nebraska farmers and ranchers are preparing for a potentially difficult summer as the state experiences its third-warmest winter on record, according to the National Weather Service. The two warmest w...

Sunday's weather felt beautiful, but these warm days are adding up. Nebraska just wrapped up its warmest winter on record since the 1930s, when the Dust Bowl encased the Great Plains. #newx #drought nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Western Nebraska couple, former K-12 educator challenging District 48 incumbent Three political newcomers, including a husband-wife duo, are hoping to replace incumbent Brian Hardin in Legislative District 48.

Three candidates who hope to replace Sen. Hardin in Nebraska’s 48th District told me they’re running because senators have upended or slow-walked legislation approved by voters, like minimum wage increases and medical marijuana. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

‘There’s fear’: ICE arrests surge in Nebraska with 329% increase in 2025 Thousands of federal immigration officers have deployed to fulfill President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. Nebraska is not insulated from the shock waves. The state saw a 329% year-over-ye...

New on Nebraska Public Media News: Nebraska saw a nearly 330% increase in ICE arrests in 2025.

And compared to previous years, many more of those arrested don't have criminal backgrounds. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

The 50th anniversary of girls state basketball arrives, as participation steadily dips in Nebraska With the 50th year of the girls state basketball tournament in Nebraska tipping off Wednesday, the sport finds itself in uncharted waters. Nebraska high school girls basketball games seem to be gettin...

New on Nebraska Public Media: A few girls basketball teams in Nebraska are hanging on by a thread — losing games by 50+ points week after week.

Hear from NSAA, HS sports writer Stu Pospisil and players about what’s going on in girls HS basketball. #nebpreps nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Senators pitch business incentives to keep Union Pacific in Nebraska during merger Several state senators are again eyeing business tax incentives to try to keep big businesses, such as Union Pacific, in the state.

Nebraska is looking to dish out tax and grant incentives to Union Pacific as it tries to acquire Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/se...

Maverick to medal winner: Former Omaha hockey standout helps Team USA bring home the gold A former Omaha Maverick hockey player helped Team USA knock off Canada in Sunday’s thrilling gold medal win in Milan, Italy. Jake Guentzel competed for the Americans as they defeated the neighbors up north, 2-1.

A former Omaha Mav is now an Olympic gold medalist. Jake Guentzel is repping #TeamUSA which beat Canada on Sunday in a thrilling match. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/ma...

Citing political violence, Nebraska senator wants secure parking garage access currently used by state employees The Nebraska Legislature’s Executive Board is considering dedicating parking spots in a secure parking garage near the Capitol that connects to the Legislative chamber via an underground tunnel.

A Nebraska state senator wants access to a secure, tunneled parking garage for safety reasons.

He said lawmakers have needed to use it after voting for controversial bills, including the 2023 law on abortion restrictions and gender affirming care. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Small-business owners testify against legislation that adds sales taxes, removes redevelopment incentive Sen. Dave Murman, who represents seven south-central Nebraska counties and the city of Holdrege, introduced LB 1244 on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen, who’s attempting again to expand Nebraska’s tax base t...

Dozens of small business owners on Wednesday asked a legislative committee to not implement sales taxes on services commonly offered by independent shop owners. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Nebraska teachers’ union rejects state funding private schools Gov. Jim Pillen’s budget proposal allocates $7 million for private and parochial school scholarships. The Nebraska State Education Association strongly opposes a proposed school voucher program, sayin...

Gov. Pillen wants to allocate $7 million to private and parochial K-12 school scholarships. This is the latest attempt to use public money for private school use, which voters rejected in 2024. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

The nation’s wheat belt has been wavering, but hybrid science may help bring it back From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops. New innovations could rejuvenate the economy and pro...

Wheat isn’t grown as much as it used to be across the Great Plains. That’s because of drier weather and because wheat has seen fewer advancements than other crops. But seed companies and universities are working to develop a wheat hybrid. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

NU men reach No. 7 in AP poll, marking highest ranking ever The undefeated Nebraska Men’s basketball team achieved its highest ranking ever Monday, coming in at No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

No. 7! The Nebraska men's basketball team reached new heights Monday when they were listed at No. 7 in the AP Top 25 poll. It's the highest ranking ever for the team. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...