Western Nebraska’s towns continue to stand out not just for their friendly residents and strong local culture, but also for their affordability and quality of life — making them attractive options for families, young professionals and retirees alike. <a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/9-of-the-best-affordable-towns-to-retire-in-nebraska.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawQBhDFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJPQnlIUzZzSHlQSzF6Tjlwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlusyez_7tXMpqfcwUpNDikMomWse_5R_F1-KUTxCDIyPdI2QAHYYT4h8D7m_aem_xmUa0F5AUiugq_FLewovxA">World Atlas</a> listed Ogallala, North Platte, Lexington and Scottsbluff on their list posted February 13, 2026.

North Platte has long been celebrated for its affordable cost of living and wide range of amenities. With a population of about 23,000, North Platte offers the larger-town conveniences of cultural activities, historic attractions and outdoor recreation alongside small-town friendliness. Major local highlights include the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, and riverfront trails along the North and South Platte Rivers. With a median home value well below the national average and more affordable housing compared with many other Nebraska cities, North Platte is frequently recognized on lists of Nebraska’s most affordable places to live and retire. 

Ogallala sits along the shores of Lake McConaughy — Nebraska’s largest recreational lake — and is a gateway to outdoor adventure. Known for boating, fishing, sandy beaches and water sports, Ogallala combines natural beauty with a rich Western heritage. Beyond the lake, the town also offers golf courses, historic museums and community events that appeal to those seeking an active, scenic lifestyle. Ogallala’s median home prices and overall cost of living are attractive for retirees or anyone looking for a relaxed pace without sacrificing access to local amenities. 

Lexington brings affordable living and central Nebraska charm together. Recognized on statewide lists of desirable retirement locations and affordable places to live, Lexington offers affordable housing, good access to healthcare and easy access to both outdoor recreation and local cultural attractions. Visitors and residents enjoy museums like the Dawson County Historical Museum and family-friendly destinations nearby, all within a community that values both history and growth. 

Scottsbluff rounds out the group with a scenic location near the Wyoming border and stunning views of the North Platte River valley. Scottsbluff combines affordability with accessibility to outdoor attractions such as Scotts Bluff National Monument, hiking and biking trails, and golf courses. The city’s median home value is attractive to newcomers, and the community offers a mix of cultural events, local shopping and recreational opportunities that make it a strong choice for retirees or families seeking a comfortable, budget-friendly place to call home. 

Western Nebraska Communities: 2026 World Atlas Best Affordable, Active and Welcoming Towns for Retirement

Alliance, NE – The City of Alliance would like to inform the public that the Bulk Water Filler station located at 1313 W 1st Street has been out of service, but is now back in service for customer use.

For any questions, please contact Public Works at (308) 762-1907.

City of Alliance Bulk Water Filler Repaired

CHADRON – Chadron State College student Gracie Ackles of Farwell, Nebraska, received the $1,000 Tina Lorentzen Carlson Memorial Scholarship recently from the Nebraska Chapter of the Soil &amp; Water Conservation Society, the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Foundation, and the Nebraska Chapter SWCS-UNL Foundation

Ackles, a sophomore majoring in Rangeland Management and Agricultural Education, said she is grateful to receive the scholarship because it will help her accomplish her educational goals.

“My career goals involve teaching high school ag classes. I want to teach others more about agriculture and the importance of our natural resources, especially soils and water,” Ackles said.

Ackles, who is involved in the Range Club and Newman House, said she chose CSC because of its affordability, scenic surroundings, and the strong reputation of the range program.

Chadron resident Robin Foulk, a director on the Nebraska SWCS Chapter board, said this is the second scholarship Ackles has received from the organization.

“Her application was strong due to outlining specific career goals and how she plans to accomplish them, demonstrating an early interest in natural resource conservation through her shadowing and volunteering experiences and her desire to teach younger generations sustainability and natural resource management,” Foulk said.

Ackles receives conservation scholarship in Chadron 

CHADRON – Visit Nebraska today announced 69 grant awards totaling $828,131 in funding in the combined application cycle of the Community Impact and Visit Nebraska Marketing Grant programs. Visit Nebraska received a total of 84 applications this grant cycle requesting just over $2 million in funding.

“Through this year’s grant cycle, we are strategically reinvesting tourism dollars into communities across Nebraska, balancing statewide promotion with targeted local support to maximize economic impact," said Jenn Gjerde, Nebraska Tourism executive director.

More than $21,000 in grant funds was awarded for projects in Northwest Nebraska.

Dawes County received $7,500 for Discover Northwest Nebraska marketing. Fort Robinson Centennial Inc., which is responsible for the Western &amp; Wildlife Art Show, was awarded $4,210 for promotion of that event, and Crawford Serving Humanities received $2,500 to promote September’s Vietnam Wall &amp; Cost of Freedom Tribute.

The new Panhandle Frontier Finds received $4,000 in marketing funding to promote the first-ever event taking place in June, modeled after central Nebraska’s famous Junk Jaunt. Finally, the Friends of the State Museum received $3,000 toward promoting a Paleo Passport program, which will include Trailside Museum of Natural History at Fort Robinson.

“Congratulations to all of the awardees,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “The Visit Nebraska grants can help small local and regional organizations successfully market their attraction or event to potential visitors, and it’s great to see so many from our region find success with their applications this year.”

Northwest Nebraska organizations awarded state grants

Stars of Tomorrow to be held in Chadron 

Click <a href="https://panhandlepost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a> to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This message is to inform you of an upcoming change to our obituary policy in the Panhandle Post. Beginning July 1st, 2024, there will be a $50 fee associated with publishing obituaries on PanhandlePost.com.&nbsp;

We understand that obituaries are an important way to honor the memory of loved ones and share their life stories with the community. We remain committed to providing this service, and the fees collected will help us continue to offer high-quality obituaries while maintaining the overall sustainability of the Panhandle Post.&nbsp;

We would like for you to include Panhandle Post as an offering for families to place an obituary.&nbsp;

To submit an obituary for publication after July 1st, please send it electronically to tammy.griffee@eagleradio.net.&nbsp;

For more information about the new obituary fees and submission guidelines, please visit our website at PanhandlePost.com/category/obituaries or contact our Tammy Griffee at 308-762-1400 or <a href="mailto:tammy.griffee@eagleradio.net" target="_blank">tammy.griffee@eagleradio.net</a>.&nbsp;

Obituaries posted will be billed directly to the funeral home for the postings for that current month. Invoices will be received in the mail at the end of each month or early the following month.&nbsp;&nbsp;

We appreciate your understanding and continued support of the Panhandle Post.&nbsp;

Recent obituaries and service times

Alliance, NE – The City of Alliance Landfill’s loose fill pit and construction/demolition area will be closed February 17th due to dangerous wind speed. This is for safety measures to ensure no one is injured.

For any questions, please contact the City of Alliance Landfill at (308) 762-2705.

Specific Alliance Landfill Operations Closed Due to Wind Speed

ALLIANCE, Neb. – The City of Alliance would like to invite the public to a City Manager Finalists Meet and Greet to be held at the Knight Museum &amp; Sandhills Center on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The Alliance City Council encourages the community to take this opportunity to meet the four candidates interested in serving as the next Alliance City Manager.

For any questions, please contact City Hall at (308) 762-5400.

City Manager Finalists Meet and Greet Scheduled in Alliance

The Early Childhood Planning Region Team Meeting for the ESU 12 service area will be held on&nbsp;WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH,&nbsp;FROM 9:00 AM TO 11:00 AM. THE MEETING WILL BE AT WNCC ALLIANCE PANHANDLE ROOM.&nbsp;

The Planning Region Team meets throughout the year for local school providers, DHHS, Head Start and Early Head Start, families and others to&nbsp;assist&nbsp;in collaborative planning and problem solving to serve young children with disabilities and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you are concerned about a child’s development or ongoing health condition, contact WCHR for more information about referrals, evaluations, and&nbsp;possible services&nbsp;available at no cost to your family by calling 800-717-1231 and asking for the Early Development Network.&nbsp;

Early Childhood Planning Region Team meeting to be held in Chadron 

March 1 is the priority deadline to turn in a scholarship application for the 2026-27 school year at Mid-Plains Community College. More than $1,000,000 worth of scholarships are up for grabs.

The scholarships, which include academic and program-specific awards, are designed to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students across the college’s service area.

Current and prospective students can apply online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mpcc.awardspring.com/">https://mpcc.awardspring.com/</a>. Because the scholarship platform is connected to MPCC’s system, students must first complete the admissions application to receive their network login credentials.

MPCC Director of Financial Aid Erinn Brown said the online portal simplifies what can often feel like an overwhelming process.

“Once students log in, they can see the scholarships they qualify for and track their progress all in one place,” Brown said. “If they receive an award, they’ll be notified through the system and can log in to accept or decline it.”

For more information about MPCC scholarships or the application process, contact the financial aid team at (308) 221-6444 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:finaid@mpcc.edu">finaid@mpcc.edu</a>.

March 1 is priority deadline for MPCC scholarships

LINCOLN – Dr. Anthony Perlinski, Chadron State College Professor and Rangeland Management department chair, received the Nebraska Range and Conservation Endowment during the Nebraska Cattlemen annual awards banquet in December in Kearney, Nebraska. Perlinski was awarded a $6,000 grant on behalf of the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation.

The endowment, established in 2011, provides grants to range management and conservation research and/or teaching positions at Nebraska post-secondary educational institutions. The award honors professors or instructors who are providing cutting edge research and/or student instruction in a range management and conservation related area, according to the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation.

Perlinski has spent the past 12 years at CSC educating students on the importance of rangeland conservation through effective management. His teaching has spanned the curriculum including courses on soil science, hydrology, and ecology of rangelands. In addition to his science-based courses, he has also linked science to management through courses including Farm and Ranch Management, Ruminant Production, Vegetation Manipulation, and Land Resource Management Planning. He has advised undergraduate research projects focusing on the management of invasive cool season grasses and the response of invaded rangelands to drought conditions.

The awards committee said Perlinski is a dedicated educator who has built a career preparing the next generation of land management professionals.

Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation announces 2025 award recipients

Shon Townsend Band to perform in Alliance 

Tanner Johns to play in Chadron 

Alliance City Council Special Meeting Agenda, Feb. 19

By Northwest Community Action Partnership

Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP) is reminding residents across Box Butte, Cherry, Dawes, Sheridan, and Sioux counties that help is available for individuals and families facing housing instability, utility shutoffs, food insecurity, and other urgent needs.

Through NCAP’s Community Services Program, qualifying residents may receive assistance with rent payments for those actively facing eviction, rental deposits for individuals experiencing active homelessness, and rapid rehousing support for households at immediate risk of losing their nighttime residence. The program also offers case management services with a focus on preventing and addressing homelessness.

Additional support may include utility assistance for households with an active disconnect notice, a diaper bank, food pantry access, and referrals to other local resources. Eligibility requirements vary by service and are based on income guidelines, documentation, and current need.

Residents are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment at their local NCAP office:

• Dawes &amp; Sioux Counties: (308) 747-2180

More information about available services and eligibility requirements can be found at www.ncap.info. NCAP remains committed to strengthening communities by connecting individuals and families with resources that promote stability, dignity, and long-term well-being.

NCAP is here for you

Hemingford Volunteer Fire Department to Host Blood Drive Feb. 11

Jessi Laine to perform in Sidney 

Gabriel The Brute to play in Scottsbluff

Late Monday at the direction of U.S. Southern Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three deadly kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by 'Designated Terrorist Organizations', according to a social media report from the U.S. Southern Command.

 Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Eleven male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions, 4 on the first vessel in the Eastern Pacific, 4 on the second vessel in the Eastern Pacific, and 3 on the third vessel in the Caribbean. No U.S. military forces were harmed.&nbsp;

🎥 11 killed after three new U.S. strikes on drug boats

DNA results from glove found near Nancy Guthrie’s home revealed

&nbsp;WASHINGTON —Officers arrested a person with a gun near the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Tuesday afternoon, according to an online statement from the U.S. Capitol Police.

Maryland Avenue was temporarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW, while officers investigated

At this time, there does not appear to be any other suspects or ongoing threat. Out of an abundance of caution, Capitol police asked the public to stay away from the area while they investigate and collect evidence.&nbsp;

🎥Man with loaded shotgun arrested after running toward the US Capitol

'Today' show host posts new video 2 weeks after mother's abduction

The Department of War reported U.S. military forces boarded another sanctioned tanker in the Indian Ocean. According to the social media post, "We defend the Homeland forward. Distance does not protect you."

"Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the Veronica III without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility."

"The vessel tried to defy President Trump’s quarantine —hoping to slip away. We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down. No other nation has the reach, endurance, or will to do this."

"International waters are not sanctuary. By land, air, or sea, we will find you and deliver justice. The Department of War will deny illicit actors and their proxies freedom of movement in the maritime domain."

🎥US military boards another oil tanker in Indian Ocean

Positive receipts come two weeks ahead of final economic forecast before Legislature finalizes state budget changes

By Erin Bamer <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — As lawmakers work to close a projected $471 million budget deficit, they got a bit of relief Friday in Nebraska’s latest tax revenues, which came in above expectations.

The state’s January tax receipts show a net growth of 6.5% over what Nebraska’s Economic Forecasting Advisory Board predicted in October, according to the state Department of Revenue.

That equates to just under $37 million in extra revenue flowing into the state’s coffers. Overall, fiscal year-to-date net receipts are nearly on track with expectations, just 0.2% below projections — a $9.6 million difference.

The biggest contributor to January’s positive receipts came from sales and use tax revenues, which came in 26.6% above projections for a $69.7 million gain.

This was welcome news to State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, who said sales taxes are a good indicator of how the state’s economy is doing.

Legislative Fiscal Analyst Keisha Patent said January is historically a good month for sales and use taxes because it reflects holiday spending. Even so, she said sales and use tax revenues exceeded expectations for the month.

Individual income taxes came in 8% below forecasts, for a $17.7 million loss. Clements said he believes that was due to the continued impact of the state’s phased-in decreases to individual income tax rates, which are set to wrap up in 2027, when the rate will hit 3.99%.

Corporate income taxes also came in below projections by 30.5%, but because it typically is a smaller tax category, the drop equated to a $16.8 million loss. Patent said this was likely due to quarterly estimated payments for businesses coming in below projections for January.

The latest tax receipts are one of the final economic indicators feeding the forecasting board before its members update projections at their next meeting Feb. 27. The meeting will be critical in determining the size of the projected budget deficit lawmakers have to fill before the end of March.

Patent has said the Legislative Fiscal Office incorporates other economic factors into its reports to the forecasting board, including significant changes to Nebraska’s Gross Domestic Product. This could also be beneficial to the budget, as both the second and third quarters of 2025 saw&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/01/23/feds-say-nebraska-gdp-grew-5-in-q3-of-2025-as-state-revenues-dont-track/">Nebraska’s GDP grow by roughly 5%</a>.

January’s tax receipts put Clements “a bit more at ease” as the Appropriations Committee is in the middle of considering a list of proposed budget cuts to fill the deficit. He said he’d been concerned that additional cuts might be needed if the forecasting board’s projections increased the deficit further, but given the latest receipts he expects the next forecast to remain relatively flat.

“I don’t know where it will be, but it is encouraging,” Clements said.

Nebraska’s January tax revenues $37 million above projections as lawmakers work on budget deficit

&nbsp;DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria, Feb. 3 – 12, to sustain relentless military pressure on remnants from the terrorist network, according to a statement from the U.S&gt; Central Command.

U.S. forces struck ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage targets with precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.

U.S. forces previously conducted five strikes against an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2.

Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched in response to a Dec. 13 attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra. The ISIS ambush resulted in the death of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter.

More than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured and over 100 ISIS infrastructure targets have been struck with hundreds of precision munitions during two months of targeted operations.

U.S. forces continue strikes on ISIS targets in Syria

THEDFORD, Neb. — In a village of 195 people tucked into the Nebraska Sandhills, five United States Postal Service crates were carried into a kindergarten classroom.

Cards. Packages. Stickers. Candy. Postcards. School supplies. Souvenirs.

One student looked at the growing stack of mail and shouted, “Holy cheeseballs!!”

Kindergarten teacher Dawn McFadden laughed. She had hoped for 20 cards.

Instead, her first year in the classroom has turned into something she said she could have never predicted.

“I had been thinking about doing the project for several months,” McFadden said. A teacher in another Nebraska district tried something similar last year and described it as “wildly successful.” McFadden thought it would be something fun to attempt during her first year teaching.

She created a flyer, sent it home with students and posted it on her own social media page. The goal was simple: collect Valentine’s Day cards from all 50 states and show her kindergarteners that the world extends far beyond rural Nebraska.

“There weren’t any certain conversations,” she said. “I feel as an educator it’s important to broaden my student’s horizons of different culture, people, places and things. Our world is a very interesting place.”

If 20 cards arrived, she would have considered it a success.

Within two weeks, more than 300 had come in. Students colored in a United States map as each state was represented. Soon, the entire country was filled in — multiple times.

“There were 5 USPS crates full of cards and packages, all being carried into our classroom,” McFadden said. “It was crazy!”

Inside were handwritten notes from strangers encouraging students to study hard, listen to their teacher and remember they matter.

“People have been so caring,” she said. “I’m very touched by people taking time out of their lives to send a card to us.”

The class has now received cards from all 50 states — multiple times — and from 20 countries.

The reach, however, did not happen by accident.

Elle Worley, a digital creator with more than 20,000 followers on her account, Tails From the Prairie, at the time of posting, partnered with McFadden to amplify the classroom’s request online. Originally from Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., Worley now lives in rural Nebraska and says she feels strongly about using her platform to highlight small communities.

“I’ve always said that if I ever had an audience online, I would use it to amplify topics and stories that matter to me,” Worley said. “Small towns are full of great people and their powerful stories but they don’t always have the reach. If I can be a bridge between places and help connect people, I will. It’s important to me to remind people that there are meaningful stories in rural America, too.”

She began sharing videos about the kindergarten class on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. On Instagram alone, videos related to the project have received more than 650,000 views. Across platforms, the total has climbed even higher.

For comparison, that is more than 3,300 times the population of Thedford.

Worley said she believed the class could reach all 50 states. She did not expect the international response or the wave of generosity that followed.

“I did not expect people to start sending packages from around the world or to buy out Dawn’s Amazon teacher wishlist…multiple times,” she said. “That part exceeded my expectations.”

One video featuring her rescue dog, Juni, helped push the project even further. Juni previously went viral after Worley shared her rescue story online, creating a loyal audience.

“I had so many comments saying they were sending cards ‘because of the dog,’” Worley said. “I think she might have been the real influencer in this situation.”

Comments flooded in asking where to send cards. Other teachers said their classrooms wanted to participate. People from across the country — and around the world — mailed cards and packages to a kindergarten classroom in the Sandhills.

“We’ve heard from people across the country and around the world who said they loved being part of something positive,” Worley said. “I think people felt like this was something real and safe that they could get involved with and make a difference.”

For students in Thedford, the experience quickly became a living geography lesson. They located countries on a globe as international mail arrived. They talked about distance, animals and different cultures. Other grades stopped to admire the growing display.

“Last week I overheard a couple 5th grade boys break out in the ‘state song’ in the hallway when they went by our map,” McFadden said.

The class shared treats and goodies with the entire school, which serves just 65 students preschool through sixth grade.

The district hosted a card reception, inviting parents and community members to view the display of cards and packages. In a town of 195, it became a point of pride.

“The parents, community and everyone are really excited,” McFadden said.

Worley believes the project resonated because it offered something tangible during a time when much of the world feels overwhelming.

“The world feels really heavy right now,” she said. “There’s so much difficult news, and it can feel like the problems are so vast that there’s nothing you can actually do. This project gave people something tangible. They could write a card, send a letter, mail a package, and know they were making a difference for children.”

Perhaps most surprising, she said, is how many adults reached out saying the project encouraged them too.

“I went into this hoping it would help the children,” Worley said. “I didn’t expect it to have a double impact.”

For McFadden, the experience has been unforgettable.

“It’s been unbelievable to see the response of so many people willing to send a small, rural class a Valentine,” she said. “It has turned into something I could’ve never predicted.”

Despite the overwhelming success, she does not plan to continue the project beyond Valentine’s Day.

“Although it has been a remarkable project, I need to focus on getting our classroom back to normal,” she said. “I think this was a luck of the draw with social media. I’m not certain the pattern is repeatable.”

When asked what she hopes her students remember years from now, her answer was simple.

From a village of 195 to more than 650,000 Instagram views and 20 countries around the globe, a partnership between a first-year teacher and a digital creator proved that even the smallest classroom can reach the world.

From a Village of 195 to 20 Countries: How a Thedford Kindergarten Class Sent Kindness Around the World

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The second partial government shutdown in 2026 began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, after lawmakers left the nation’s capital without reaching a deal on changes to immigration enforcement tactics at the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;

The department’s shutdown is also likely to go on for some time. With Congress out next week for the Presidents Day recess, lawmakers are not expected back on Capitol Hill for votes until Feb. 23.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/judge-weighs-trump-administration-limits-congressional-visits-immigration-facilities" target="_blank">A procedural vote</a>&nbsp;to approve funding for the Homeland Security bill for fiscal year 2026 failed Thursday to gain support from Senate Democrats because constraints to immigration enforcement were not included, such as an end to agents wearing face coverings.&nbsp;

Even with the president’s border czar Tom Homan&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/12/border-czar-tom-homan-announces-end-to-operation-metro-surge-claiming-success/" target="_blank">announcing Thursday</a>&nbsp; the withdrawal of the thousands of federal immigration officers from Minneapolis, Democrats argued it’s not enough.&nbsp;

“Without legislation, what Tom Homan says today could be reversed tomorrow on a whim from (President) Donald Trump,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday.

Asked by the press pool Friday about cutting a deal on the shutdown, &nbsp;Trump said,&nbsp;“We’ll see what happens. We always have to protect our law enforcement.”

After the Senate vote failed 52-47, members of Congress emptied out of Washington for the recess. Some were off to Munich, Germany for a major security conference.&nbsp;

While the agency Trump tasked with carrying out his mass deportation campaign of immigrants will shut down, enforcement will continue because Congress allocated a separate stream of money, about $75 billion for U.S. Immigration and Enforcement Services.&nbsp;

During last fall’s government shutdown, which lasted a record-breaking 43 days, immigration enforcement continued.

The other agencies within DHS that will be shut down but continue to operate because they include essential workers include the&nbsp;Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Secret Service, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration, and&nbsp;Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency,&nbsp;among others.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-looms-fema-coast-guard-tsa-stalemate-over-homeland-security-funds" target="_blank">In general</a>, any employees who focus on national security issues or the protection of life and property would continue to work through a shutdown, while federal workers who don’t are supposed to be furloughed.&nbsp;

Neither category of employees will receive their paychecks during the funding lapse, though federal law requires they receive back pay once Congress approves some sort of spending bill.&nbsp;

Democratic mayors call for GOP to accept proposals

Democrats have pushed for policy changes after federal immigration officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, where a deportation drive is set to wind down after the city faced more than two months of aggressive immigration enforcment.&nbsp;

Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer on Jan. 7, which prompted a bipartisan agreement to enact some guardrails, such as $20 million in funding for immigration agents to wear body cameras.&nbsp;

But a second killing by federal immigration officers, that of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, prompted the Senate to decouple the Homeland Security measure from a package of spending bills, as Democrats floated proposals meant to rein in enforcement tactics, and prompted a four-day partial shutdown. A two-week funding patch was set for negotiations and it expires at midnight Friday.

Democratic mayors hailing from the major cities of Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans and Portland, Oregon, Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-wilson/news/2026/2/13/mayors-issue-joint-statement-regarding-department-homeland" target="_blank">issued a letter</a>&nbsp;that called on the top Republicans in Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, to accept the proposals before DHS entered a shutdown.&nbsp;

“When federal agents operate in our streets without identification, without warrants, and without accountability, that trust is shattered,” they wrote. “All of us agree that for so long as the agency exists, new funding for the Department of Homeland Security must be conditioned on the comprehensive 10-point framework released last week.”

Those policy suggestions include requiring immigration officers to not wear masks and identify themselves, which has drawn strong opposition from Republicans and the leaders of ICE and Customs and Border Protection who argue the face coverings prevent their agents from being doxxed.&nbsp;

Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent the proposals over to the White House, but said the Trump administration’s response was “incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025_0930_dhs_procedures_related_to_a_lapse_in_appropriations.pdf" target="_blank">According to the contingency plan</a>&nbsp;for DHS, the agency expects about 20,000 employees out of 271,000 to be furloughed in the event of a government shutdown.

Department of Homeland Security enters shutdown, amid dispute over funding

On Friday at the direction of U.S. Southern commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a social media report.

 Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed

The attack raises the death toll from the U.S. strikes on drug boats to 133 people in at least 38 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

🎥3 killed in another U.S. strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean

🏀 Girls Sub-District Playoff Brackets, Scores

C1-10 at Ogallala #4 Chadron 51, #5 Chase County 40 #3 Bridgeport 66, #6 Cozad 40 #1 Ogallala vs Chadron - 4:00 TUES #2 Gothenburg vs Bridgeport - 6:00 TUE Championship: 6:00 THUR

C2-10 at Valentine #4 Mitchell 44, #5 Gordon-Rushville 41 #3 Kimball 62, #6 Hemingford 19 #1 Valentine vs Mitchell - 5:00 MT TUES #2 Perkins County vs Kimball - 6:30 MT TUES Championship: 5:00 MT THUR

D1-12 at Morrill #1 Morrill vs #4 Sutherland - 5:00 TUE #2 Wauneta-Palisade vs #3 Bayard - 6:30 TUES Championship: 6:00 THUR D2-12 at Mullen #4 Hyannis 50, #5 Cody-Kilgore 44 #1 Mullen vs Hyannis - 4:30 MT TUES #2 Hay Springs vs #3 Crawford - 6:00 MT TUES Championship: 5:30 THUR

D2-11 at Leyton #1 Leyton vs #4 Minatare - 6:30 - TUES #2 Potter-Dix vs #3 Banner County - 5:00 - TUES Championship: 6:00 THUR

D2-10 at Paxton #4 Arthur County 40, #5 Creek Valley 20 #1 Paxton vs Arthur County - 5:00 MT TUES #2 South Platte vs #3 Garden County - 6:30 MT TUES Championship: 6:00 THUR

🏀 High School Basketball Scoreboard - 2/13

🏀 High School Basketball Scoreboard - 2/13

By: Paxton Ritchie CSC Sports Information Director

CHADRON, Neb. – Redshirt freshman Jackson Schauer hit eight three-pointers, Jadon Cool scored 17 second-half points and Chadron State rallied from as many as 21 points down to stun MSU Denver 84-77 at home in the Chicoine Center. 

Chadron State is now 6-17 overall and 4-11 in the RMAC after the Eagles outscored the Roadrunners 55-32 in the second half. MSU Denver dropped to 7-16 and 5-10 in the RMAC after leading by 16 points at halftime.

Schauer finished with 26 points, nearly doubling his previous career high of 14. The South Dakota native hit four triples in each half and accounted for eight of CSC's 13 total makes by himself. 

Cool made 12 of 14 free-throw attempts, the last two with a bloody mouth after a hard foul with 3.8 seconds left, and finished with 22 points for his fifth 20-point game of the season.

Zach Smith tied a career-high with 37 minutes logged and made plays all night long, chipping in 10 points to go with game-high totals of five assists and four steals. Isaiah Randolph (12 points), Blessing Adesipe (10) and Smith gave the Eagles five double-figure scorers.

Two weeks after shooting 70 percent from the field in the second half of their most recent win, the Eagles again found another several gears out of the locker room. After halftime, Chadron State sunk 59.3 percent of its total attempts and 61.5 percent of three-pointers (8-13). Over the same stretch, the Roadrunners shot 30 percent from the field and 8.3 percent (1-12) from deep.

An inauspicious start set the stage for CSC's dramatic comeback. The Eagles trailed 13-2, 21-5 and 31-13 and shot only 28.6 percent in the first half while the Roadrunners made 9 of 16 threes. 

CSC's largest deficit of the night came with under three minutes to go in the first half, when the cherry on top of a 6-0 MSU Denver run made it 42-21, Roadrunners. The visitors led 45-29 at the break. 

Still, there were signs in the first half of what was to come. Schauer, who came off the bench, took his first three-point attempt with 6:57 remaining in the first half and missed. He would make his next four before the end of the half, providing both a spark and a healthy chunk of CSC's entire point total, then missed an off-balance heave at the buzzer.

In the second half, MSU Denver turned it over on its first two possessions, then missed seven of its first eight field goal attempts. CSC used those empty possessions to chip away – Smith and Adesipe tallied five points while Cool had four on a 17-4 run across the first six-and-a-half minutes. 

Then, Schauer took over. Every time the ball rippled through the net, the Eagles' momentum, player emotions and the volume from fans inside the Chicoine Center intensified, starting with murmurs and growing until it reverberated into an unstoppable tidal wave of energy. 

Schauer's first three of the second half cut the deficit to just two points at 51-49. His second three came a minute later, halting a mini 4-0 Roadrunner run. His third three gave the Eagles a 58-56 lead, their first of the game after Cool had tied it at 55 with a three of his own. 

His fourth three brought the lead up to five points at 63-58, and the perimeter opened up for other options. Cool hit a stepback three and Luka Djurovic blew by a defender for a layup, and suddenly, it was 70-59 Eagles, an incredible 41-14 scoring reversal since the start of the half. 

The game grew more physical after halftime as teams attacked the paint (a category in which MSU Denver did lead, 34-22). There were only 10 total free throws in the first half, all by the Eagles, but the two teams combined for 40 in the second half with the visitors taking 21. 

The Eagles were better from the line to maintain their cushion down the stretch, hitting 23 of 29 attempts (79.3 percent) while the Roadrunners made 13 of 21 (61.9 percent). Cool (12-for-14), Isaiah Randolph (4-for-5) and Smith (3-for-4) accounted for most of the free throw damage.

This is the only matchup between Chadron State and MSU Denver this season. The previous matchup was just as wild, with the Eagles coming back from an 11-point halftime deficit but losing 73-71 after a made halfcourt shot by Chadron State was ruled to be after the buzzer. 

The Eagles will try to corral their positive momentum into another key showdown against Colorado School of Mines this Saturday. The Orediggers (13-13, 9-6 RMAC) lost to Black Hills State on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

​Chadron State—Jackson Schauer 26, Jadon Cool 22, Isaiah Randolph 12, Zach Smith 10, Blessing Adesipe 10, Luka Djurovic 3, Jovan Jovanovic 1. Totals: 24-55 FG (13-31 3PT) 23-29 FT. 84 points, 29 rebounds, 14 assists, 11 turnovers.

​MSU Denver—Logan Threatt 18, Amare Bethel 15, Quave Propst-Allison 14, Adam Hackett 11, Daniel Thomason 10, Brian Unachukwu 4, Nathan Macadory 3, Jacob Barker 2. Totals: 27-62 FG (10-28 3PT) 13-21 FT. 77 points, 38 rebounds, 12 assists, 16 turnovers.

Eight threes on Schauer's career night push CSC past MSU-Denver in epic comeback

Chadron State Football Head Coach Jay Long and Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins host their annual discussion about signing day, off-season team updates, the spring outlook and other college football topics!

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements