U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts says Nebraska is facing a historic wildfire crisis, with fires burning across large portions of the state and impacting thousands of residents.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Ricketts said, “my home state of Nebraska is currently experiencing a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion for our state,” adding that Nebraska is seeing “the largest wildfires since Nebraska became a state.”

According to Ricketts, multiple fires that began last week have burned up to 750,000 acres—more than one percent of Nebraska’s total land area.

The fires have resulted in at least one death. Ricketts identified the victim as Rosemary White, “a grandmother of 12,” who died at a ranch near Arthur.

In addition to the fatality, Ricketts said “hundreds, if not thousands of people” have been impacted.

Ricketts toured affected areas alongside Governor Jim Pillen and Congressman Adrian Smith, praising the response from firefighters and emergency crews.

“Thank you to all of the firefighters, our volunteer firefighters who were our first responders on the scene who worked tirelessly to be able to control this fire,” Ricketts said, noting many had “little sleep over the past several days and were exhausted.”

He also credited federal firefighting teams, the Nebraska National Guard, and assistance from Iowa. Two Blackhawk helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets have been deployed to help control the fires from the air.

Despite those efforts, several major fires remain only partially contained. Ricketts reported the Mullen fire has burned more than 572,000 acres and is 18% contained, while the Cottonwood fire has burned over 131,000 acres and is 40% contained. The Road 203 fire has burned 35,000 acres and is 36% contained, and the Anderson Bridge fire has burned 17,000 acres and is 60% contained.

Ricketts urged residents to take evacuation orders seriously as conditions continue to change rapidly.

“If you get the evacuation order, be prepared because this fire has moved fast,” he said. “Please don’t stay. If you stay too long, you’re putting yourself and the firefighters at risk.”

He also encouraged those affected to document damage for potential assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency and highlighted relief efforts through organizations including the Nebraska Cattlemen, Red Cross, and Salvation Army.

State officials estimate more than 30,000 cattle may be displaced, with losses expected but not yet fully known.

Ricketts said the fires have been fueled by dry winter conditions but emphasized the ongoing response from across the state.

“We have many brave Nebraskans, volunteers, firefighters, National Guard who are working to be able to get this fire under control,” he said.

He added that Nebraska’s federal delegation will continue supporting state and local recovery efforts and again called for prayers for those affected by what he described as “this terrible tragedy.”

📹Ricketts on Senate Floor: Nebraska Facing “Unprecedented” Wildfires as Hundreds Impacted

Support conservation education with a new limited-edition ice cream created by (402) Creamery in collaboration with Nebraska Game and Parks.

Beginning March 23, the Lincoln-based ice cream shop will offer Fox Tracks, a custom pint inspired by Nebraska’s clever red fox, with $2 from every pint sold benefiting conservation education programs across the state. Fox Tracks is a gluten-free butter pecan ice cream with maple-frosted corn cookies and rich caramel swirls.

The pint will be available at all three (402) Creamery locations. Customers outside of Lincoln can order pints for shipping at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2F402creamery.com%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019cfcbac518-3a9f3889-ed8d-423d-a072-7194888e7d37-000000/WBuZn_o0Y8xxBlC2TeWF5ikn1eAj0GbHjnvX2gnfXqs=447" target="_blank">402Creamery.com</a>&nbsp;beginning March 17.

Eight lucky customers will find tokens under the lid of their pints redeemable for an outdoor prize, including a guided kayak excursion, a two-night stay at a Nebraska state park, a bird feeder with seed, and more.&nbsp;

Head to the Fallbrook scoop shop from 4 to 6 p.m. March 23 at 570 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 102 to buy a pint and learn more about Nebraska’s red fox. Nebraska Game and Parks’ Monica Macoubrie will share information and hands-on activities for customers to learn about this charismatic, cunning and cute mammal, which is found in every corner of Nebraska.

“At (402) Creamery, we love finding ways to celebrate Nebraska through our ice cream, and partnering with Nebraska Game and Parks allowed us to do that in a really meaningful way,” said Leah Rathe, marketing coordinator at (402) Creamery, about the collaboration. “As a Nebraska-based business, we take a lot of pride in the place we call home and the things that make it special, and our state’s wildlife is such an important part of Nebraska’s identity.

“We hope this collaboration sparks curiosity about Nebraska’s wildlife around us while supporting conservation education programs that help protect our community.”

Dollars raised from the sales will fund Nebraska’s Wildlife Education Fund, created by the Nebraska State Legislature to connect people with nature and foster the stewardship of Nebraska’s natural resources.

Since its inception, Nebraska Game and Parks has grown its educational programming around fish and wildlife for every Nebraskan through community programs, volunteer efforts, statewide initiatives, and science-based resources. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fabout%2Fgive-back%2Feducational-fund%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019cfcbac518-3a9f3889-ed8d-423d-a072-7194888e7d37-000000/EKLGly5QRRm8PLWKODEnrEezGK5i7YSiNghvP7v0CxE=447" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>.

Find (402) Creamery’s other Lincoln locations at:

-Telegraph District, 330 South 21st Street, Suite 101

Stores are open noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

A limited quantity of Fox Tracks will be available.

Macoubrie said, “Sometimes it’s the unexpected things — like a pint of ice cream — that open the door to learning about wildlife; we hope this flavor inspires people to get curious and connect with Nebraska’s amazing wildlife.”

Fox Tracks Ice Cream Supports Conservation Education

CURTIS, Neb. — During a week meant to recognize agriculture, NCTA faculty, staff and students have been living its values in real time. On Thursday, March 12, the Cottonwood Fire and other wildfires ignited across Nebraska, driven by dry conditions and relentless wind. What had been cattle rangeland was quickly engulfed in fast-moving flames, shifting unpredictably in the winds. For students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, the first day of spring break took on a different meaning as learning moved beyond the classroom and into the realities unfolding around them.

Students stepped forward in a variety of ways, responding to immediate needs as they arose. Some loaded trailers and helped move livestock, others checked fences and monitored conditions, while many ran supplies like fuel, water and anything else needed in the moment. Layna Wear (Holyoke, CO) and McKenzie Heil (North Platte, NE) assisted a property owner as fire threatened nearby ground. Hayley Boon (Eddyville, NE), Matthew Belveal (Yoder, CO), Dalton Casper (Rocky Ford, CO), Treven Critchfield (Bartley, NE), Noah Trampe (Amherst, NE), William Cockcroft (Esbon, KS), Trevyn Keene (Grand Island, NE), Johnna Perry (Tescott, KS), Brock Hassiepen (Greensburg, KS) and Conrad Burrow (Wheatland, CA) were among many responding wherever needed. There was no formal assignment or expectation, only a shared understanding of responsibility. Their actions reflected lessons of service shaped long before they arrived on campus and a natural alignment with a community grounded in care for one another.

The response extended far beyond any one group. Across rural Nebraska, neighbors arrived before they were asked, trailers filled driveways and people found ways to contribute wherever they could. Firefighters, ranchers, farmers and volunteers worked through long hours with little sleep, holding lines where possible and adapting as conditions changed. Many responders came from beyond Nebraska, answering the call to assist in a time of need and reinforcing the collective nature of the effort.

At NCTA, the impact was both immediate and personal. In a message to students, faculty and staff, Dr. Kelly Bruns, Interim Executive Director, acknowledged that some were “in harm’s way,” helping protect homes, farms and animals as the fire moved through the area. He expressed concern for their safety while also offering gratitude, especially for students who worked through the night and still returned to class the next day. Many faculty and staff, along with their families, were directly involved in fighting fires, while others remained closely connected through constant monitoring of updates, sharing information and helping amplify calls for assistance. In a situation where conditions shifted rapidly, the role of communication proved just as important as physical response.

The dean's office associate, Victoria Grunden, shared her harrowing story that will be told for generations. As fire advanced toward her family’s operation, the immediate concern became the safety of 80 horses. With little time and rapidly changing conditions, the task of moving that many animals was overwhelming. Through quick coordination and the rapid spread of information, help arrived. Students and community members showed up with trailers, loading horses and moving them to safety in a coordinated effort that unfolded under pressure. In the aftermath, Grunden shared both relief and gratitude—for the hands that helped, the horses that were saved and a community that responded without hesitation when it mattered most.

Moments like these often bring clarity. While agriculture is frequently taught through systems of production, management and efficiency, those concepts take on new meaning under pressure. In conditions shaped by wind and fire, priorities narrow to what matters most: protecting what can be saved, helping where it is needed and staying until the work is done. Students who have spent months studying grazing and livestock systems now see firsthand both the fragility and resilience of those systems, as well as the strength of the communities that support them.

Leadership, in this context, is not defined by titles or direction, but by presence. It is found in those who show up, remain through long hours and do what is needed without seeking recognition. One faculty member described the past several days as a “whirlwind,” noting that even small acts, such as delivering supplies, carried significance.

This all comes during National Ag Week, a time traditionally set aside to celebrate agriculture and its contributions. This year, however, the tone feels different. In a week marked by fire and uncertainty, the prevailing message is one of gratitude. Gratitude for firefighters—both local and those who traveled from beyond Nebraska—who continue to work tirelessly. Gratitude for those moving livestock in difficult conditions, for those delivering supplies and offering support and for those who remain connected through communication and coordination. Agriculture, in places like this, is not abstract; it is the land, the livestock and the people who care for both, especially when they are at risk.

The fires are not fully contained and conditions remain perilous with extreme heat in the days ahead. For the students of NCTA, the experience will not be easily forgotten. Not simply because of the scale of the fire, but because of what it revealed—about responsibility, about community and about the role they already play within it.

In the midst of it all, one truth stands clear: it takes everyone.

The Cottonwood Fire: On National Ag Week, It Takes Everyone

By&nbsp;Brock Ortner, UNL Extension Educator

Wildfires occurring in western and central Nebraska mirror a broader trend of increasing wildfire frequency and magnitude across the western United States. While the immediate impacts of wildfire are devastating to beef production and rural communities, the effects of wildfire smoke may also pose risks to both human and animal health. In the weeks and months following a wildfire event, producers should remain vigilant and monitor calves for signs of respiratory disease or illness.

Combustion of biomass during wildfires produces carbon dioxide and water vapor but also generates ash, a mixture of inorganic compounds. Of particular concern is ultrafine particulate matter (&lt; 2.5 µm), which can travel deep into the lung alveoli and enter the bloodstream. In humans, these particles have been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Limited research has examined wildfire smoke exposure in cattle. However, work conducted by Ranches and others (2026) in a small group of Simmental × Jersey calves reported increased concentrations of cortisol, an indicator of stress, following exposure to smoke from a wildfire approximately 10 miles away from the study site. In the same study, concentrations of ceruloplasmin, a marker of systemic inflammation, were elevated following the wildfire event. Antibodies including IgM and IgA were also increased, suggesting activation of the immune system.

Physiological stress and inflammation can negatively affect cattle performance and immune function. When immune defenses are compromised, calves may become more susceptible to respiratory pathogens. In the development of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), opportunistic bacterial pathogens—including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis—are normally present at low levels in healthy calves. However, when viral infection or physiological stress suppresses immune function, these bacteria can proliferate in the respiratory tract, leading to morbidity, reduced performance and potentially death.

Because stressors such as wildfire smoke may increase disease susceptibility, monitoring calves closely for early signs of illness is important. One practical approach is the D.A.R.T. method, which helps producers identify calves that may require further evaluation.

D – Depression: Observe calf posture and behavior. Droopy ears or head carriage, lethargy, increased time spent lying down and separation from pasture mates may indicate illness. Because cattle are prey animals and tend to hide sickness, subtle behavioral differences may only become apparent after calves become accustomed to your presence.

A – Appetite: Reduced appetite—whether at the feed bunk or during nursing—can indicate a health challenge. On pasture, reduced gut fill relative to herdmates may also signal decreased intake.

R – Respiration: Healthy cattle typically take 10–30 breaths per minute. Increased respiratory rate, shallow breathing, or abnormal sounds such as coughing or raspy breathing may indicate respiratory disease. Nasal discharge or excessive eye secretions may also accompany illness.

T – Temperature: Rectal temperatures of approximately 103.5–104.0°F or greater are indicative of fever and warrant further attention.

Early detection and treatment of sick calves improves the likelihood of recovery and helps reduce performance losses associated with respiratory disease. Extra vigilance and responsiveness may help mitigate adverse health outcomes in the weeks and months following exposure to wildfire smoke.

For information on confinement feeding cow-calf pairs visit this link for webinar held on March 17&nbsp;<a href="https://beef.unl.edu/news/march-17-webinar-confinement-feeding-cow-calf-pairs/" target="_blank">https://beef.unl.edu/news/march-17-webinar-confinement-feeding-cow-calf-pairs/</a>

Vigilance in Monitoring Calf Health Following Exposure to Wildfire Smoke

Box Butte County Commissioner Meeting Agenda, March 18, 2026

By&nbsp;Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Current Situation: Firefighters made excellent progress yesterday, and the Road 203 Fire is now 36 percent contained.

On the western and southwestern portions of the fire, firefighters are utilizing UTVs for better access, allowing them to confirm conditions on the ground and continue extinguishing remaining pockets of heat.

Yesterday, firefighters were inserted by helicopter into harder-to-access areas on the south side of the fire, where the Dismal River and bridge weight limitations have previously restricted vehicle access. Firefighters are expected to use similar tactics today to continue extinguishing remaining hotspots and securing the edge of the fire.

Firefighters continue to locate lingering heat along sections of the western and northern dozer line and are working to cool and secure those areas. On the eastern portion of the fire area, crews will continue to patrol the containment line. As crews complete mop-up along the perimeter, additional containment will be reflected on the map.

Firefighters will continue utilizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, to identify hotspots across the fire area. This technology allows crews to quickly locate areas of heat while reducing firefighter exposure to hazards by directing ground resources precisely where extinguishment is needed.

As firefighters continue making progress and containment increases, incident managers are evaluating opportunities to begin gradually right-sizing resources. Complex Incident Management Teams are designed to scale up or down depending on the needs of the incident. As conditions allow, this process will likely lead to the transition to a smaller management structure in the coming days.

Note: The change in reported acreage is due to updated mapping.

Weather &amp; Fire Behavior: Overnight humidity recovery was around 54 percent, which remains lower than typical for this time of year, meaning fuels remain dry. Today, a red flag warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with temperatures expected to reach the upper 60s and relative humidity dropping into the low 30s or possibly the mid-20s if skies clear. Southwest winds this morning at 9–14 mph will shift to the northwest in the afternoon at 17–18 mph, with gusts over 40 mph possible. While winds are expected to decrease midweek, temperatures will continue to warm while fuels will remain very dry and receptive to spotting. Higher winds may return later in the week.

Evacuations and Closures: Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest is closed to ensure safety for the public and crews responding to the Road 203 Fire. For further information and to view the official closure, go to: <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska/alerts/road-203-fire-area-closure">www.fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska/alerts/road-203-fire-area-closure</a>

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Road 203 Fire. All unauthorized aircraft (including drones) are prohibited from flying near the fire, as they can interfere with authorized air support operations. IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T. For more information, visit <a href="https://tfr.faa.gov">https://tfr.faa.gov</a>.

Road 203 Fire Update, March 17, 2026

Contemporary Christian artist Phil Wickham is bringing a night of worship and music to the Nebraska State Fair, joined by special guest Jamie MacDonald on Sunday, August 30 inside the Heartland Events Center.

The concert is part of the Nebraska Lottery Concert Series during the 2026 Nebraska State Fair.

“Our Christian show is always one of the most popular and I believe this year will be no exception,” said Karli Bartz, Nebraska State Fair Events and Entertainment Director. “Phil puts on an incredible show and it is one the whole family will enjoy getting to see together.”

Phil Wickham is a GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning modern worship artist whose songs have been sung in churches around the world. His album I Believe reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, while his song “House of the Lord” topped the Billboard Christian AC Airplay chart for multiple weeks. Wickham’s music has received more than two billion streams in the United States across his catalog and platforms.

Throughout his career, Wickham has earned multiple GRAMMY nominations and Dove Awards, including Song of the Year for “Holy Forever.” Known for powerful worship anthems like “Living Hope” and “This Is Amazing Grace,” Wickham continues to inspire audiences through both his music and his writing, including his devotional book I Believe Devotional.

Joining Wickham as a special guest is Jamie MacDonald, a Capitol Christian Music Group recording artist known for her soulful voice and deeply personal songs of faith and redemption.

MacDonald’s music, including songs like “A Million Chances” and “Desperate,” draws from her own journey of overcoming addiction and hardship. After finding hope through faith, she began sharing her story through music and ministry, eventually finding her way back to Nashville to pursue her calling as a recording artist.

“We heard a lot of feedback from our Sunday Christian concert last year asking if we could start earlier in the evening on a school night,” Bartz said. “We listened and this year the show will start 90 minutes earlier at 6 p.m.”

The concert will take place Sunday, August 30, at 6 p.m. inside the Heartland Events Center during the Nebraska State Fair.

Reserved tickets are available for $55 to $76. Advance tickets include gate admission to the Nebraska State Fair.

Pre-sale tickets will be available Wednesday, March 18. Tickets go on sale to the public Thursday, March 19 at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.statefair.org/" target="_blank">www.StateFair.org</a>&nbsp;or at the Nebraska State Fair box office.

The Nebraska State Fair is an Etix-exclusive partner. Tickets should only be purchased from&nbsp;<a href="http://statefair.org/" target="_blank">statefair.org</a>&nbsp;or in-person at the State Fair box office to ensure valid tickets.

Nebraska State Fair Welcomes Christian Stars Phil Wickham and Jamie MacDonald

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: The Luck Of The Irish

Lincoln, Neb.&nbsp;– Due to the Nebraska wildfires that have severely impacted livestock feed and supplies within the state of Nebraska, Governor Jim Pillen has issued an executive order to provide emergency relief.

The executive order waives hours of service restrictions and adjusts the maximum load width/weight limits allowed for commercial motor carriers operating within the State of Nebraska which are providing direct assistance to areas and industries affected under the emergency declaration.

The Governor’s order (26-07) is effective immediately and will remain so for the following 14 days.

“Nebraska’s producers are facing a real need right now, and we have the responsibility to stand with our farmers and ranchers,” said Gov. Pillen. “The faster we get feed and supplies where they’re needed, the more we can do to support our livestock industry.”

“We thank Governor Jim Pillen for quickly signing this important executive order as producers are fighting against the devastating effects of wildfires,” said Nebraska Cattleman President Craig Uden.

More than 600,000 acres have been burned across central and western Nebraska.

Gov. Pillen continued, “Please continue to pray for our firefighters on the frontline, the families whose lives are being upturned, and the producers who are working around the clock to protect their operations and livestock.”

Gov. Pillen Signs Executive Order for Assistance with Ag Supplies for Nebraska

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.

-Aliyah A Rabago, DUI-alcohol-5th/subsequent offense (Class 2A Felony), Operate motor vehicle/avoid arrest-flny (Class 4 Felony), Drive while revoked from DUI/refusal (Class 4 Felony)

-Joshua T Dawn, Theft-shoplifting $501-1,499 AMENDED TO...Theft-unlawful taking $1,500-4,999 (Class 1 Misdemeanor, Class 4 Felony)

-Janae Lopez, Crim Mischief, Disorderly conduct, Commit child abuse no injury x2

-Rafus Stowe,&nbsp;PWITD, Obstruction, Resistomg Arrest,&nbsp; Tampering w/ evidence, Poss of marijuana

-Jack Tower,&nbsp;Commit child abuse no injury, Assault-1st Use of deadly weapon to commit felony, willfull reckless driving-2nd, fail to yield no operator's license

-Jordyn Rein,&nbsp;Trespassing Assault on a officer

-Fred Contento,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss marijuana, Poss drug para (*Jefferson Co Colo. FTA; Dist of a controlled sub)

-Christa Yellow Boy,&nbsp;Domestic Assault

-Michael Albaugh Sr., Accesory to a class 2 or 2(a) (F) False Reporting

-Michael Albaugh Jr.,&nbsp;Use of a deadly weapon to commit a (F), Assault 1st degeee, Reckless Driving

-Keagan Shifflett,&nbsp;Leaving the scene of an accident, DUI, Stop sign Violation

-Juan Bravo,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss firearm by prohibited person, Poss deadly weapon whille commiting a (F), Traffic

-Cyrus Matisse,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Child Abuse

-Herbert Pokorny,&nbsp;DUI &gt;.15, Criminal Trespass 2nd degree, Obstruction, Failure to obey a lawful order, Disturbing thr peace

Panhandle police activity, March 10 - March 16

Two adult male mountain lions were harvested March 16 during the Pine Ridge Unit Auxiliary Season, meeting the overall limit of 12 and closing the 2026 hunting season.

The Niobrara and Wildcat Hills units closed during Season 1.

In total, 18 mountain lions were harvested in the three units this year — the highest total ever for the state. A breakdown of the harvest by unit:

Pine Ridge (12 overall limit/6 female sublimit) — 12 harvests; Season 1: 5 females and 5 males harvested, closed during Auxiliary Season: 2 males harvested

Wildcat Hills (3 overall limit/2 female sublimit) — 3 harvests; closed during Season 1: 1 male and 2 females harvested

Niobrara Unit (6 overall limit/3 female sublimit) — 3 harvests; closed during Season 1: 3 females harvested

An Auxiliary Season took place in the Pine Ridge Unit because the harvest limit of 12, or female sublimit of six, was not reached during Season 1.

To read about mountain lions in Nebraska, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019cf89ad4b8-77dca2d8-1ecd-4bc7-8c39-9961e69ecb6e-000000/apyD4ZVXGJe8sgurJMgv6pRCMWzjnAltpYmwUiFGqLM=448" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>.

NGPC Announces Close of Mountain Lion Season

The Wicked to play in Alliance

Keep Chadron Beautiful's Giving Garden Green Gala

AHS to Present 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on March 12, 13 and 14

SWANN Urgent Operational Message to Service Area Public

The morning session will focus on housing with a presentation from JEO on study and next steps for communities.

The afternoon session will cover childcare, with updates from the&nbsp;Panhandle Childcare Expansion Project&nbsp;and regional partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

6 Regions, One Nebraska Hosting Event in Gering Civic Center

Victory Underground to play in Alliance

Bex Marshall will perform at Take Shelter in Sidney on Tuesday, March 10 starting at 8:30pm.&nbsp;

Bex Marshall to perform in Sidney 

Avid to play in Scottsbluff

Kalin Krohe Reference, That One Guy to play in Sidney 

Jay and Amanda Music will be performing today, Thursday at Roberta Barnes, Where I Hang my Heart from 5pm – 7pm at West Nebraska Arts Center.&nbsp;

Jay and Amanda to perform in Scottsbluff 

President Trump announced on Monday that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.&nbsp;

Wiles, is 68, and rose from Trump's campaign co-chair to his closest adviser and counsel. She is the first woman to become&nbsp;White House chief of staff.

President Trump's White House Chief of Staff diagnosed with cancer

Wildfires burning across western Nebraska have grown to sizes never before recorded in the state’s modern history.

As of 10:30 p.m., officials report the Morrill Fire has burned 548,993 acres, while the Cottonwood Fire has grown to more than 100,000 acres.

Authorities say the Morrill Fire began Thursday when a power pole went down near Angora, Nebraska. Fueled by extremely dry conditions and strong winds, the fire spread rapidly across rangeland in the Nebraska Panhandle and Sandhills region.

The size of the Morrill Fire far exceeds any single wildfire previously recorded in Nebraska.

Before the current fires, one of the largest individual wildfires documented in the state was the Betty’s Way Fire in 2024, which burned roughly 71,000 acres in Lincoln, Dawson and Custer counties.

That means the Morrill Fire has already burned nearly half a million acres more than what had previously been considered one of Nebraska’s largest modern wildfires.

Nebraska has experienced major wildfire seasons before, particularly during drought years such as 2012, when multiple fires combined to burn more than 500,000 acres statewide. However, those totals were spread across numerous fires rather than a single blaze.

With the Morrill Fire now approaching 550,000 acres, it stands as the largest single wildfire ever recorded in Nebraska, dwarfing previous fires in the state’s history.

Meanwhile, the Cottonwood Fire, which has surpassed 100,000 acres, has also grown larger than most historic Nebraska wildfires on its own.

Fire crews from across Nebraska and neighboring states continue working to contain the fires as dry conditions and strong winds remain a challenge.

Western Nebraska Wildfires Are Shattering State Records

Months after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-mint-treasury-department-penny-end-production-86139df5644ef0885a9baf98e9677380">last of the United States' 1-cent coins</a>&nbsp;were pressed, some states are beginning to offer their own 2 cents on the penny problem by setting rounding guidance for cash purchases.

President Donald Trump announced early last year an end to penny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-penny-treasury-mint-192e3b9ad9891d50e7014997653051ba">production</a>, saying it was wasteful. It cost 3.7 cents to make each 1-cent coin in 2024, according to the U.S. Mint. The move led to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penny-coins-lincoln-shortage-us-mint-trump-089cf657b3fa4d6dc21533cf6bb08cf3">shortage of pennies</a>&nbsp;in cash registers last summer, forcing consumers and businesses to confront a penniless future in which making exact change would be difficult.

The Treasury Department has said it will continue circulating the roughly 114 billion pennies that exist for “as long as possible.” Pennies must still be accepted as payment.

One solution to the penny problem is rounding to the nearest nickel, using a practice called symmetrical rounding. If the final price, after taxes, ends in one, two, six or seven cents, payment in cash rounds down. For example, $1.91 or $1.92 becomes $1.90. If the price ends in three, four, eight or nine, cash payment rounds up. For $1.98 or $1.99, the consumer pays $2.

A bill introduced last year in Congress and passed out of the House financial services committee would apply symmetrical rounding across the country. U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said in an email the federal law is important to prevent a “confusing patchwork of state policies.”

The bill hasn’t been voted on in the House and would still need to move through the U.S. Senate before reaching Trump’s desk.

In the meantime, bills to deal with penniless cash transactions have passed both chambers and await the governor's signature in Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. Some states are proposing to allow businesses to round cash purchases, while others consider requiring it.

In Indiana, a bill signed into law this month by Republican Gov. Mike Braun tells businesses they must round cash purchases for all transactions that do not end in a zero or five. Lawmakers revised that provision in a second bill that makes rounding optional, which would take effect Sunday if Braun signs it into law.

In both bills, Indiana businesses can choose to always round cash purchases up to the nearest nickel, always round down or round up or down depending on the amount.

In Republican-led Tennessee, legislation makes symmetrical rounding exempt from legal claims under a state consumer protection law but does not require rounding.

“It is to provide safe harbor for private businesses,” said Republican Rep. Charlie Baum, the bill sponsor in Tennessee, during floor debate.

Rounding bills have been introduced in about two dozen states since late last year, according to an Associated Press analysis using the&nbsp;<a href="https://pluralpolicy.com/app/tagged-bills/49286">bill-tracking service Plural</a>.

Outside of lawmaking bodies, some state agencies have published guidelines to advise that rounding should happen after tax, and that businesses must make sure the full taxed amount still goes to the state.

Cash isn’t used as ubiquitously since the rise in electronic payment methods. Still, about 8 in 10 U.S. adults said they recently used cash in a 2024 survey conducted by the Federal Reserve. Cash was more often used by older adults and those in lower-income households.

The Treasury&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/penny-production-cessation-faqs">wrote online</a>&nbsp;that prices would be “rounded down just as often as they will be rounded up, so there should be no overall effect on consumer prices.”

But researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond used a 2023 survey to show prices that didn’t end in zero or five were especially likely to end in eight or nine. Payment amounts could be different when multiple items are purchased or depending on the tax rate, but overall, prices more often being rounded up would lead to millions of dollars gained by businesses and lost by consumers collectively, amounting to a few pennies lost per person.

As businesses have introduced rounding, some Americans have taken to social media to say they feel scammed, even if it is a penny or two at a time.

Nikki Capozzo-Hennessy, 50, said she tends to pay in cash because it makes her more conscious of her spending. The Trumbull, Connecticut, resident posted her grocery store receipt online when she noticed the rounding adjustment on a purchase of $8.73, with tax. The store chose to round down and she gained three cents.

Capozzo-Hennessy said it might feel taxing if she had to hand over extra pennies every time, but she also thinks it’s practical to stick with one rule. She runs a food truck business and said they’d likely use symmetrical rounding to be consistent.

“At the end of the day it’s three cents, but I can imagine with all the purchases that you make, it can add up,” Capozzo-Hennessy said.

Washington state Rep. April Berg, who introduced a rounding bill there, said she understands people who feel frustrated losing a penny but that the elimination of the hard currency leaves little option.

“We did make sure that everyone is allowed to pay exactly what they owe,” Berg said of her legislation.

The Treasury says ceasing penny production will save $56 million annually, but rounding could increase demand for nickels. The 5-cent coins also are costly to make, reaching nearly 14 cents each in 2024, according to the Mint.

The proposed federal legislation currently includes a potential cost-saving solution, allowing the Treasury to adjust the coin’s composition to use cheaper zinc and nickel instead of copper and nickel.

State lawmakers rush to set rounding rules for when there are no pennies

The Department of War has released the names of the six service members who were killed on March 12 when a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed during&nbsp;combat operations in support of Operation Epic Fury.

According to the U.S. Department of War the six are Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky., were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. and Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio.

DOW identifies six airmen killed in KC-135 crash in support of Epic Fury

Nebraska Emergency Management News Release

KEITH COUNTY, NE&nbsp;-- Today, Governor Jim Pillen provided an update on operations following an aerial tour of wildfires burning across Nebraska. He was joined in the briefing at the Keith County Fairgrounds by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith. Lt. Colonel Scott Henrickson, chief of the joint staff for the Nebraska National Guard also spoke, providing an update on personnel and equipment deployed by the Nebraska National Guard to support local firefighters

In total, three of the state’s largest wildfires have damaged around 600,000 acres. Gov. Pillen spoke specifically about impacts resulting from the Morrill County Fire, which has now consumed 460,000 acres and the Lincoln County (Cottonwood Fire) near Gothenburg, which has burned 100,000 acres. The Road 203 Fire near Halsey has burned 40,000 acres.

Gov. Pillen emphasized that the state is taking a proactive approach to enlisting additional resources for fire suppression and providing assistance to community volunteer firefighters, who have been working around the clock. Earlier today, he called the mayors of Omaha, Lincoln and Columbus to see what fire personnel and equipment they would be able to provide. He also indicated he would contact other mayors and nearby states like Iowa, to see what assistance they could lend.

“This is a fight from the river to Harrison, and I’m really excited that we’re getting people deployed to help our volunteer firefighters,” he added.

The Nebraska National Guard has deployed 29 airmen and soldiers to assist with firefighting efforts in central and western Nebraska. That includes a ground firefighting hand crew, which is working shoulder to shoulder with local fire teams. Two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets have also been flown to the area for aerial firefighting support.

“We are working to get more resources into the state, but as we heard, there are multiple fires across multiple states,” said Lt. Col. Henrickson. “We are still working to see what is available and of course, bring that up in a unified effort here with the local emergency management team as well as our Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).”

NEMA has requested and received approval from FEMA for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), which is designed to help support efforts to mitigate, manage, and control fires on public or private forests or grasslands. That assistance may help recover some of the costs associated with the state’s ongoing fire response.

Gov. Pillen also mentioned ongoing assistance from the Nebraska Department of Transportation which is providing road graders in order to create necessary roadblocks to prevent the spread of flames.

During the news conference, the Governor reiterated a message shared previously – the need to heed any locally-issued evacuation orders. Officials yesterday confirmed one fire-related fatality.

“I think it’s important that all Nebraskans pray. The circumstances have not changed. Yesterday was one of the toughest days, and through the night, that we’ve probably ever experienced in our state,” said Gov. Pillen. “Tomorrow, the winds are supposed to be extraordinary.”

Gov. Pillen Tours Wildfires, Provides Update on Operations Saturday

CASS COUNTY, Mo.—A Nebraska man died in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Friday near Kansas City.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Ford Explorer driven by a 30-year-old Lee's Summit man was southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 49 at MO 291&nbsp; &nbsp;The SUV struck a 2012 Toyota Prius driven by a 22-year-old Seward, Nebraska man.

The driver of the Prius was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Forensic Medical of Kansas.&nbsp;

 EMS transported the SUV driver and two passengers in the Prius including a 21-year-old man a 24-year-old Lincoln, Nebraska man to Research Medical Center. EMS also transported a third passenger in the Prius, a. 21-year-old Omaha, Nebraska man to Belton Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; The Omaha man was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. 

The Patrol did not report the hometown of the 21-year-old transported to Research Medical Center. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Nebraska man dead, 4 injured in wrong-way crash

🎥Trump: US struck military targets on Iran's key oil export hub island

WASHINGTON — All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.

The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

WASHINGTON. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.

🎥New details: 6 aboard US military refueling plane killed in crash

Firefighters across Nebraska spent Thursday battling multiple fast-moving wildfires fueled by powerful winds, dry vegetation, and critically dangerous fire weather conditions across much of the state.

Grass fires were reported throughout the afternoon and evening in several regions including central Nebraska, the Sandhills, southeast Nebraska, and the Nebraska Panhandle. The fires prompted evacuations, road closures, and large emergency responses from fire departments, emergency managers, and volunteer crews.

One of the larger fires Thursday afternoon burned in northern Gage County near Beatrice, where flames forced the closure of U.S. Highway 77 for several hours. The fire started near West Hickory Road and was pushed rapidly across fields by strong winds, eventually jumping the highway. Several fire departments responded to the scene as crews worked to contain the blaze and protect nearby structures.

Another wildfire was reported in Jefferson County near Fairbury, where firefighters responded to a grass fire burning in rural areas near the community as strong winds helped spread flames across dry vegetation.

In central Nebraska, firefighters responded to a fast-moving grass fire in Lincoln County near Cottonwood Road and South Government Pocket Road. Strong winds helped push flames across open fields and toward rural homes, prompting evacuation orders for residents in the area as crews worked to slow the fire’s advance.

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