Governor Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency for several Nebraska counties as multiple wildfires continue to threaten communities and property across the state.

The emergency declaration applies to Morrill, Garden, Arthur, Keith, Lincoln, Dawson, and Frontier counties, where ongoing fires have been fueled by high winds, low humidity, and extremely dry conditions.

In announcing the proclamation, Pillen said the move will help mobilize state resources to assist local firefighting efforts.

“Today, I declared a state of emergency within Morrill, Garden, Arthur, Keith, Lincoln, Dawson, and Frontier Counties to help combat wildfires,” Pillen said.

The proclamation authorizes the Nebraska Adjutant General, who also serves as State Disaster Coordinator, to activate state emergency plans and take necessary steps to protect lives and property.

“This proclamation allows the Nebraska Adjutant General, who also serves as State Disaster Coordinator, to activate appropriate State emergency plans and take such steps as he deems necessary to meet this emergency and protect life and property in this state,” Pillen said.

Several additional response measures have also been ordered as part of the state’s wildfire response. Those actions include deploying Nebraska Department of Transportation road graders to help create fire breaks and ordering Nebraska National Guard troops to assist local firefighters.

National Guard helicopters have also been deployed to support aerial firefighting operations, while a state-led Complex Incident Management Team has been activated to coordinate the overall response.

According to the governor’s proclamation, the fires began around March 12 and have affected multiple areas across the state. Officials say the blazes have damaged or threatened both public and private property and have created challenges beyond what local governments can handle alone.

The state of emergency declaration also authorizes the use of state government and emergency management resources, including funding from the Governor’s Emergency Fund, to support firefighting and response efforts.

Emergency officials continue to urge residents in affected areas to stay alert to changing fire conditions and follow guidance from local authorities.

Governor Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Multiple Nebraska Counties Amid Wildfires

Post Podcast: Kman's Concert Calendar, weekend of March 13 

Alliance City Council Meeting Agenda, March 17

BEVERAGES OF THE DAMNED: Lemon Fresh

Keep Chadron Beautiful's Giving Garden Green Gala

LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp;— Safe driving isn’t a matter of luck. Make your plans now for a sober driver if you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) will be on patrol for impaired driving Friday through Tuesday as part of a nationwide enforcement effort around St. Patrick’s Day.

Troopers will be working overtime across the state to ensure that everyone gets to and from their festivities safely. If you see an impaired or dangerous driver, report it to the NSP Highway Helpline by calling *55.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers from 21 to 34 years old account for the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes around St. Patrick’s Day. Troopers have made 252 DUI arrests so far in 2026.

Troopers will be performing high-visibility patrols throughout the state from Friday, March 13, through Tuesday, March 17, as part of this operation. This effort is made possible thanks in part to a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

NSP Says Don’t Push Your Luck on St. Patrick’s Day Festivities

KEARNEY, Neb. – Nineteen high school seniors from across the state will study at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the prestigious Kearney Law Opportunities Program (KLOP), the largest incoming class in the program’s history.

Arriving on campus this fall, the record-setting group demonstrates strong interest in a program designed to address the shortage of attorneys in rural Nebraska.

Launched in 2016, KLOP is a partnership between UNK and the University of Nebraska College of Law that recruits and trains students committed to practicing law in greater Nebraska.

Selected from communities outside Lincoln and the Omaha metropolitan area, participants receive a partial room waiver and tuition assistance during their time at UNK, with most scholarships covering the full cost of tuition. The program also provides academic support, including one-on-one mentorship from faculty and peers, professional development and experiential learning opportunities.

KLOP participants can major in any academic discipline at UNK as long as they plan to pursue a law degree after graduation.

Program director and UNK political science professor Chuck Rowling said the newest class reflects both the strength of students across rural Nebraska and the growing visibility of the program.

“These students arrive with an impressive combination of academic ability, leadership experience and a clear desire to serve their communities,” said Rowling, who chairs the UNK Department of Political Science. “What stands out most is their commitment to using a legal education as a way to strengthen the places they call home.”

KLOP scholars regularly connect with current law students, judges, attorneys and other professionals through on-campus events and visits to the Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln. Those experiences often lead to internships both locally and nationally. Students are also encouraged to pursue undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities, including field study courses focused on international human rights law in Europe and the legal history of the Civil Rights Movement in the Southern U.S.

After earning a bachelor’s degree at UNK, KLOP students are guaranteed admission to the Nebraska College of Law, provided they meet GPA and Law School Admission Test requirements.

A total of 52 students are currently part of KLOP, an encouraging sign as the university works to expand access to legal services throughout the state.

“Many rural areas across our state face a significant shortage of attorneys,” Rowling said. “Programs like KLOP help build a pipeline of talented young people who understand those communities and are motivated to return and make a difference.”

For more information on the program, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://unk.edu/klop" target="_blank">unk.edu/klop</a>&nbsp;or contact Rowling at 308-865-8171 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rowlingcm@unk.edu" target="_blank">rowlingcm@unk.edu</a>.

The following students, listed by hometown, will begin the Kearney Law Opportunities Program this fall:

UNK Selects 19 Students for Kearney Law Opportunities Program

North Platte, Neb.&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested one person after a crash that claimed the life of another person this morning on Interstate 80 near North Platte.

At approximately 10:20 a.m., NSP received a report of a serious crash on Interstate 80 near mile marker 175. A two-vehicle crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-80.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a Toyota Sienna minivan was traveling eastbound on I-80 when it rear-ended a Jeep Wrangler that was also traveling eastbound. The collision caused the Jeep to roll into the south ditch. The driver of the Jeep was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Toyota went through the median, across the westbound lanes and into the north ditch. The driver of the Toyota was transported to Great Plains Health in North Platte.

The driver of the Toyota, Jacqueline Hoggatt, 49-years-old, of Lancaster, California, has since been released from the hospital. Troopers have arrested Hoggatt for motor vehicle homicide, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additional charges are pending. Hoggatt has been lodged in Lincoln County Jail.

The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting a full crash reconstruction investigation. The name of the deceased driver is being withheld pending the family notification process.

One Arrested After Fatality Crash in Lincoln County   

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.

Additional fires were reported in southwest Lancaster County near Denton and Crete, where evacuation orders were issued for some residents as firefighters battled multiple grass fires burning in the area.

Further west, firefighters responded to a wildfire in the Nebraska Panhandle that spread from Morrill County toward neighboring Garden County, prompting evacuations as the fire moved across dry grassland.

Fires were also reported in parts of the Nebraska Sandhills, including a wildfire that threatened the communities of Dunning and Halsey in Blaine and Thomas counties. Dubbed the Road 203 Fire at over 5,000 acers and growing as of Thursday evening. Evacuation orders were issued for residents in the area as fire crews worked to protect structures and stop the spread of flames across the region’s grasslands.

Throughout the day, volunteer firefighters were assisted by farmers using tractors and other equipment to cut fire lines in rural areas, helping crews slow the movement of several fires.

Much of Nebraska was under Red Flag Warnings Thursday as meteorologists warned of extremely dangerous fire weather conditions across the region. A Red Flag Warning is issued when strong winds, low humidity, warm temperatures, and dry vegetation combine to create a high risk for fires to start and spread quickly.

Wind gusts across parts of Nebraska reached around 40 to 50 miles per hour Thursday, while dry grasses left from the winter months provided ample fuel for fires to spread rapidly across open land. When these conditions occur together, fires can move quickly and unpredictably, sometimes jumping roads, fire breaks, and other barriers.

Several of the fires reported across Nebraska prompted evacuations throughout the day as authorities worked to protect homes and property. Residents were temporarily evacuated in parts of Lancaster County, Lincoln County, and areas of the Sandhills near Dunning and Halsey as flames moved toward rural homes.

Officials say evacuations are often issued as a precaution during fast-moving grass fires, especially when high winds make fire behavior difficult to predict.

Authorities are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning during Red Flag Warning conditions and to take precautions that could prevent sparks from igniting dry grass. Common causes of grass fires include burning debris, improperly extinguished cigarettes, equipment sparks, dragging trailer chains, and vehicles parked on dry vegetation.

Fire officials say even a small spark can quickly become a large wildfire when strong winds and dry fuels are present. Residents who see smoke or fire are encouraged to report it immediately to local emergency services.

Fire crews continued working late Thursday to contain several fires across the state, and officials say windy and dry conditions may continue to create fire risks until weather conditions improve. Authorities are asking residents to remain alert and follow instructions from local emergency management and fire officials as the situation develops.

Evacuations Issued as Wildfires Burn Across Nebraska During Red Flag Conditions

LINCOLN, Neb. —&nbsp;The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is reminding the public that it is unlawful to place political campaign signs, or any signs, on state highway and interstate right-of-way. This includes intersections, medians, entrance and exit ramps, sidewalks and the ditches and lands that make up the right-of-way bordering the length of each roadway.

NDOT maintenance crews will remove any signs that are improperly placed within the state highway right‑of‑way. These signs will be stored for a brief time in the maintenance yards throughout the state where the owners may reclaim them.

Additional regulations governing political campaign sign placement and size are sometimes set by each county and/or municipality. The public is advised to reference local regulations for questions regarding a specific location and to keep in mind that violation of local sign ordinances may result in a fine.

Those needing further information concerning the boundaries of state right-of-way corridors or seeking sign permit information should contact their local district permit officer listed below. Inquiries may also be made to NDOT’s Right-of-Way Division office at (402) 479-4463.

NDOT Reminds Residents Campaign Signs Are Not Allowed on State Right-of-Way

ALLIANCE, Neb. – The City of Alliance Landfill’s loose fill pit and construction/demolition area is pausing operations for March 12, 2026, 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.

Alliance Landfill Intermittently Pausing Specific Operations Due to Wind Speed

The Wicked to play in Alliance

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 

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

WASHINGTON —Two U.S. sailors are recovering after a fire on board an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea.

On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces, according to a statement fro&nbsp;U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet.

The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.

There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.

Two Sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. The U.S. Navy reported no additional details

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.

2 injured after fire aboard aircraft carrier in support of Operation Epic Fury

LINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Board of Directors elected new officers during their board meeting March 9, 2026.

The NARD Board consists of a representative from each of Nebraska’s 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRDs). The board meets five times throughout the year and helps guide the association in decision making that protects lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. The NARD Risk Pool Board governs the health insurance program for NRD employees.

Ryan Reuter, NARD President (Minatare, Nebraska)&nbsp;Ryan Reuter of the North Platte NRD was elected president of the NARD Board and NARD Risk Pool Board. Reuter, a sales manager with Betaseed and ACH Seeds, has served on the North Platte NRD and NARD boards since 2018. Reuter and his wife Amie have two daughters, Avery and Addison.

Mason Hoffman, NARD Vice President (Juniata, Nebraska)&nbsp;Mason Hoffman of the Little Blue NRD was elected vice president of the NARD Board and NARD Risk Pool Board. He farms outside of Hastings and has served on the Little Blue NRD Board since 2016 and on the NARD boards since 2021. Hoffman and his wife Michelle have three children, Mara, Natalie and Theodore (Tate).

Deb VanMatre, NARD Secretary-Treasurer (Gibbon, Nebraska)&nbsp;Deb VanMatre of the Central Platte NRD was elected secretary-treasurer of the NARD Board and NARD Risk Pool Board. She is retired after a 25-year career with the Nebraska Turkey Growers Cooperative and has served on the Central Platte NRD Board since 2014 and on the NARD boards since 2023. Van Matre and her husband Nick have two children and five grandchildren.

Marty Graff, NARD Past President (Ainsworth, Nebraska)&nbsp;Marty Graff of the Middle Niobrara NRD now serves as past president of the NARD Board and NARD Risk Pool Board. Graff has served on the Middle Niobrara NRD Board 31 years and on the NARD boards since 2018. He farms with his wife, Brenda, and sons near Ainsworth.

In addition to the president, vice president, secretary-treasurer and past president, the NARD Board executive committee includes Paul Bethune, Legislative Committee chair representing the Upper Big Blue NRD, and Deb Hansen, Information and Education Committee chair representing the Lower Niobrara NRD.

Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts Managers Committee&nbsp;On March 4, the NRD managers elected Jasper Fanning, general manager of the Upper Republican NRD, as chair of the Managers Committee; and Kyle Hauschild, general manager of the Nemaha NRD, as vice-chair of the Managers Committee.

Jasper Fanning, Upper Republican NRD&nbsp;Jasper Fanning has served as the general manager of the Upper Republican NRD since 2003. He earned Bachelor of Science degrees in animal science and agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, and a Doctorate degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University.&nbsp;Fanning resides in Ogallala with his wife Tara and sons Jaden and Jacob.

Kyle Hauschild, Nemaha NRD&nbsp;Kyle Hauschild became the general manager of the Nemaha NRD in January 2021. He previously served as general manager of the Little Blue NRD (2018-2020) and stormwater/floodplain specialist at Lower Platte South NRD (2014-2018). Hauschild resides in Gretna with his wife Kelli and daughters Keira and Kaya.

The Managers Committee includes managers from all 23 Natural Resources Districts. The committee meets five times a year to coordinate NRD activities with state and federal agencies, conservation partners and other parties to protect Nebraska’s natural resources.

NARD Elects 2026 Officers

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

Passengers at a handful of airports this week waited in hours-long security lines as the government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security dragged on.

Though Transportation Security Administration officers are required by law to work during a lapse in funding, more than usual have been absent after receiving only a partial paycheck during the most recent pay period. TSA officers will miss an entire paycheck this weekend if the shutdown is still in effect then.&nbsp;

No end to the shutdown appeared imminent Wednesday, as the U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would have funded TSA and other agencies in DHS that are not related to immigration enforcement.

In the meantime, TSA officers are not being paid.&nbsp;

Most live paycheck-to-paycheck, said Johnny Jones, the secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 100, which represents TSA agents.

The lack of pay has contributed to absenteeism, Jones added. The union does not condone coordinated “sick-outs,” which are illegal.&nbsp;

But individual officers miss work for one of three reasons during a shutdown, he said: pre-planned time off, legitimate illness or personal emergencies, and those calling in sick but seeking other work to pay bills.

“If you’re normally receiving a paycheck, you wouldn’t have that third group,” he said.

Some of those who are working are going without lunch or making other sacrifices, Jones added. And he said two colleagues were evicted during the most recent shutdown last fall, which lasted for 43 days.

The U.S. war against Iran, which has an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trumps-iran-war-estimated-cost-billions-already-no-end-sight" target="_blank">estimated price</a>&nbsp;in the billions of dollars in just its first two weeks, has also driven resentment among TSA workers, Jones said.

“One of the things that I’ve heard from the colleagues is that, man, we got plenty of money to go fight wars and bomb Iran, but we can’t pay our own employees,” he said.

No exceptionally long wait times were reported Wednesday, but the previous few days saw several examples of snarled security lines.

Security lines&nbsp;<a href="http://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/government-shutdown-hobby-airport-21963811.php" target="_blank">topped three hours</a>&nbsp;at Houston’s William P. Hobby International Airport on Monday and Tuesday.&nbsp;

Lines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport were up to two hours Monday and the airport’s social media drew a direct line to the shutdown.

“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, there continues to be a shortage of TSA workers at the security checkpoint … which is causing longer-than-average lines,” the airport’s X account&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/flyneworleans/status/2030952799811355119?s=20" target="_blank">posted</a>.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport also urged passengers to leave extra time to account for factors including “TSA staffing constraints.”

CBS News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-absences-double-shutdown-300-quit-airport-security-lines/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that more than 300 TSA agents have left their jobs since the shutdown began. TSA officials did not respond to messages seeking confirmation of that figure.

The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Washington’s Patty Murray, sought unanimous consent Wednesday for the Senate to approve a bill that would fund all of DHS other than Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the secretary’s office.

Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican who chairs the subcommittee on Homeland Security funding, objected.

Murray’s bill “would effectively defund our law enforcement officers that are charged with keeping Americans safe,” Britt said.

Each party blamed the other for the impasse, which has been unbreachable since the department’s funding lapsed Feb. 14.

Following the January fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis, Democrats are demanding changes to immigration agencies’ conduct as a condition of funding the department.

Republicans have said they are willing to negotiate the issue, but the parties disagree on what to do for the department, which also includes the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in the meantime.

Republican leaders sought to pass a short-term continuing resolution to fund the entire department, but Democrats rejected it, saying it would allow the operation of immigration agencies without adding accountability measures.

“Right now, TSA agents are going without pay because Republicans and the White House have decided they would rather shut down all of DHS than pass some very basic reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol,” Murray said. “We also want TSA and FEMA funded, but we are not going to be blackmailed into cutting a blank check for ICE to get it done.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, of South Dakota, said Democrats have stopped negotiating on DHS funding in a bid to keep the issue alive for the November midterm elections.&nbsp;

“The American people are tired,” he said. “Lines get longer at the airports because TSA isn’t funded. The American people want us to do our jobs. Republicans are at the table. We’re ready to work toward a solution. Democrats have walked away.”

Jones, the AFGE member and TSA officer, declined to say which approach to short-term funding was preferable, but said it was Congress’ job to fund the federal government.

“We all swear the same oath to the same Constitution,” he said. “Now my job function is a little different than theirs, so they need to do theirs so I can do mine.”

Long security lines pop up at airports as TSA officers go without pay

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Adrian Smith of Nebraska has introduced bipartisan legislation intended to help small businesses offer child care-related benefits to their employees.

Smith, along with Danny K. Davis of Illinois and Nathaniel Moran of Texas, introduced the Small Business Dependent Care FSA Opportunity Act in the United States House of Representatives during the 119th Congress.

The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a federal tax credit for certain small employers that establish dependent care flexible spending accounts, or DCFSAs, for their workers.

DCFSAs allow employees to set aside pre-tax income to pay for eligible dependent care expenses such as daycare and after-school programs. Supporters of the legislation say startup and administrative costs often prevent smaller companies from offering the benefit.

According to information released with the bill, about 29% of employees at businesses with fewer than 100 workers currently have access to a dependent care flexible spending account, compared with roughly 63% of employees at larger companies.

Under the proposal, eligible small businesses could claim a tax credit to help cover the startup and administrative costs associated with creating and maintaining a dependent care FSA plan. The credit would also apply to expenses related to educating employees about the benefit.

The legislation would provide a credit of up to $250 per non–highly compensated employee who is eligible to participate in the plan. The credit would have a minimum value of $500 and a maximum of $5,000 per year, and employers could claim it for the first three years after establishing the benefit.

Smith said the measure is designed to help small businesses remain competitive when recruiting and retaining workers while helping families manage child care expenses.

“The startup and administrative costs make providing competitive benefits challenging,” Smith said. “Our bipartisan bill will empower small businesses to offer DCFSAs, easing the financial burden of child care for working families while helping these businesses remain competitive in today’s hiring landscape.”

Davis said tax policy can play a role in addressing rising child care costs for families.

“The tax code is an important part of a comprehensive federal effort to help families struggling with the high cost of child care,” Davis said. “This change will work together with essential child care grants and child care tax credits to give a tax break to families to help them thrive.”

Moran said the bill aims to support both small businesses and working families.

“When we can get government out of the way and encourage small businesses to support their employees, we help ensure that hardworking Americans can keep their jobs while raising a family,” Moran said.

The bill has been referred to a committee in the House for consideration. If enacted, the tax credit would apply to eligible expenses paid or incurred after the law takes effect.

Click <a href="https://adriansmith.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/adriansmith.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/small-business-dependent-care-fsa-opportunity-act-2026.pdf">here </a>to see the full bill.

Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Expanding Child Care Benefits Through Small Businesses

Legislature rejects proposal to pull dollars from Perkins Canal project or restore funding for Cultural Endowment and Veterans Aid

LINCOLN — The second piece of Nebraska’s budget-balancing effort cleared its first round of floor debate Wednesday, but the only approved change made a negligible increase in the state’s projected deficit.

Lawmakers advanced Legislative Bill 1072 to the second of three rounds of floor debate in a 33-12 vote. The bill deals with statutory changes needed to enact the approved budget adjustments, including a collection of cash fund sweeps.

Lawmakers began the session with a projected $471 million deficit, which ballooned to more than $646 million following&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/02/27/nebraskas-budget-deficit-to-grow-by-roughly-175m-after-new-economic-forecast/">new economic forecasts</a>&nbsp;in late February.

Appropriations members approved a collection of cuts, changes and cash transfers that brought the expected deficit down to about $125 million. In reality&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmakers-advance-main-budget-adjustments-to-floor-debate-leaving-125-million-deficit/">it’s closer to $140 million</a>.

LB 1071, the other budget bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/03/10/nebraska-lawmakers-advance-first-of-two-budget-bills-with-no-dent-in-deficit/">advanced on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;and is expected to return to its second round of floor debate next week. Under the Legislature’s schedule, lawmakers are expected to finalize both budget bills and send them to Gov. Jim Pillen’s desk by March 25.

Lawmakers proposed multiple amendments that would have adjusted the projected deficit, but only one was adopted.

The amendment, from State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, would restore $34,000 to the Niobrara Council Fund. Legislative Fiscal Analyst Keisha Patent estimated that amount represents about 0.06% of state spending per year.

Lawmakers rejected an amendment from State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln to pull nearly $90 million out of the Perkins County Canal Project Fund and distribute the dollars to the general fund and two separate cash funds. Raybould said it didn’t make sense to her why lawmakers were so willing to sweep nearly all other cash funds — including ones with constitutional protections — but not the Perkins Canal.

“The biggest and most idle fund is the Perkins Canal,” Raybould said.

Fiscal analysts brought up the possibility of pulling dollars from the Perkins Canal fund on two separate occasions before the Appropriations Committee. Analysts noted the fund’s balance is about $613 million, but roughly $595 million is expected to remain unobligated for at least six years.

On both occasions, Republican members of Appropriations indicated they were opposed to taking any money from the fund, and that mindset was reflected during floor debate. State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha called the fund “a land mine,” as lawmakers said it was an issue on which many were unwilling to budge.

State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte said he would vote against any efforts to take “one penny” out of the fund and asked that lawmakers stop raising it as a potential option. He said even discussing it would make Nebraska seem unserious about the project to Colorado, with which the state is currently engaged in a lawsuit regarding its water rights to complete the project.

“Colorado, if you’re listening, don’t get excited. We are still on track,” Storer said.

Raybould repeatedly said she supports the canal project, but disagreed with arguments that pulling dollars from the fund would make Nebraska appear less serious about the project. She said Colorado officials think Nebraska is unserious because key first steps of the project haven’t been completed.

Raybould argued lawmakers could pull from the fund and bond out the difference, but Jacobson said he found it unlikely that the Legislature would agree to that option because it would incur state debt.

Other amendments lawmakers rejected included proposals to restore&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/02/23/nebraska-lawmakers-propose-cutting-5m-from-state-cultural-endowment-fund/">$5 million for the Nebraska Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund</a>&nbsp;and to restore&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/veteran-advocates-decry-proposed-5-million-transfer-from-veterans-aid-fund-to-support-state-veterans-homes/">$3 million to the state’s Veterans Aid Fund</a>.

Though the adopted amendments so far have had little impact on the deficit, the Appropriations Committee has met during lawmakers’ lunch break for the past two days, and greenlit a collection of spending cuts that combined would reduce the deficit by about $70 million. The full Legislature expects to vote on the changes next week.

The largest portion of that is a proposed $50 million transfer from the state’s Tobacco Settlement Fund, which the committee approved Tuesday. Among the latest committee adjustments Wednesday was a $3.5 million transfer from insurance proceeds that covered the loss of housing at state prisons and a $2 million rollback from state mentorship grants.

Patent noted that a collection of revenue-generating bills still up for debate could close the deficit by about $40 million, if approved by the Legislature. If lawmakers pass those bills and accept the committee’s recommendations, that would bring the $125 million deficit below $30 million.

Some lawmakers shared concerns about the continued reliance on cash fund sweeps to balance the budget, which has been a pillar of Pillen’s budget strategy in recent years. State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha said the sweeps might appear efficient, but he argued it undermines the sustainability of the government services the cash funds support.

“We can say we feel like it’s efficient,” Fredrickson said. “Efficiency is not just about dollar amount.”

Storer floated the idea of “across-the-board cuts” Tuesday, an approach mentioned by Pillen’s Policy Research Director Kenny Zoeller last week after the Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/03/04/nebraska-lawmakers-reject-50-million-proposal-to-increase-tobacco-taxes/">rejected a $50 million proposal to increase the state’s cigarette tax</a>&nbsp;by $1 and increase taxes on vape products.

Storer mentioned that in 2018 — the last year Nebraska’s budget bills failed to pass a filibuster-ending cloture vote — lawmakers agreed on a 2% cut to almost all state agencies. Following that, Storer said the state government was able to recover, and revenues got back on track “in short order.”

“It’s been done. The sky won’t fall. We’ll all be okay,” Storer said.

Nebraska lawmakers greenlight second budget bill, little change in deficit

President Trump says he will tap the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to bring gas prices down.

🎥President Trump's good news on gas prices and Strategic Petroleum Reserve

🎥US destroyed 16 mine-laying vessels as Iran threatens to block Gulf oil exports

🎥Dignified transfer for 7th US service member to die in Iran conflict

By: Con Marshall CSC Sports Information

CHADRON, Neb. – The Chadron State men's basketball team ended its season on a high note Saturday afternoon by pulling a 107-95 victory out of the fire in overtime versus the Westminster Griffins in the Chicoine Center.

In short, the Eagles dominated the first half by a 50-30 margin and the Griffins dominated the second half 56-36, thus tying the score 86-86 at the end of regulation. But the Eagles led all the way in overtime while outscoring the visitors 21-9 in the extra period. 

Both teams lived and died by the three-pointer. Chadron State was 11 of 18 from three-point range in the first half while Westminster was 1 of 15. The shoe was on the other foot in the second half when the Griffins were 7 of 16 from behind the arc and the Eagles were 2 of 14. Neither team made a trey in overtime, when CSC was 0-2 and the visitors 0-8 from long range.

Chadron State's three seniors who were saluted prior to the game were among the Eagles' heroes.  They joined forces to tally 64 points. 

Zach Smith nailed five of six three-point shots to lead the Eagles in the opening half when they built their 20-point intermission lead. He didn't make any three-pointers in the second half, but added a dunk and finished with a career-high 24 points.

Isaiah Randolph was the game's leading scorer with 25 points, including nine in overtime when he made seven of eight free throws, several of them when he was fouled while relentlessly driving to the basket. Overall, Randolph was 13-17 at the line.  

Blessing Adesipe ended with 15 points that included six crucial points from CSC's only second half treys after Westminster had fought its way back into the game.

The Eagles had another double-digit scorer in junior Jadon Cool. He finished with 19 points that included a driving layup and a putback in the space of 23 seconds to give CSC some breathing room in overtime.

After Chadron State jumped out to leads of 8-0 and 13-2, Westminster was never in contention in the first half. Slowly but surely, the Griffins whittled on what had seemed to be the Eagles' insurmountable lead and went ahead for the first time at 74-73 with seven minutes left to play.

Cool's layup and Adesipe's second trey of the half reclaimed the lead, but the Griffins soon scored five straight points to go ahead again 81-78 with 2:44 remaining.

After the Eagles regained the lead on a layup by Luka Djurovic and Smith's two free throws, the Utah team was never ahead again, but with 18 seconds left the Griffins' leading scorer with 20 points, 5-10 sophomore Nick Holland, tied the count at 86 with an off-balance field goal and a free throw that he was awarded for being fouled on the shot.

Chadron State ran the clock down and launched a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it failed to connect. A basket by Smith on the Eagles' opening possession in OT gave them the lead and they never relinquished it.

Saturday marked the Eagles' only overtime game this season. They finished with a 7-21 record and a 5-15 RMAC mark. They also topped the Griffins 73-67 in Salt Lake City on January 22. Westminster ends its schedule at 12-16 overall and 7-13 in the RMAC. 

Westminster—Nick Holland 20, Michael Frazier 18, Cole Kadoguchi 18, Cameron Kohn 12, Colin Hayes 11, Jonah El-Farra 8, Jack Mamele 6, Boston Painter 2. Totals: 32-69 FG, (8-39 3PT), 23-30 FT, 95 points, 48 rebounds, 15 assists, 5 turnovers. 

CSC finishes season with OT win over Westminster (UT)

🏀 Boys Subdistrict Match-Ups; Local Girls B Subdistricts &amp; C/D District Finals Details &amp; Scoreboards

Boys District Finals - February 28 &amp; March 2, 3 FINAL | C1-1 #1 Ogallala 90,&nbsp;#16 Columbus Lakeview 32 FINAL | C1-5 #12 Lincoln Christian 65 Bridgeport 55 C2-3: #14 Hemingford at #3 Valentine - 5:00 MT C2-6: #11 Pender at #6 Kimball - 5:00 MT FINAL | D2-1:&nbsp; Elgin Public/Pope John 77, Potter-Dix 54 D2-2: #15 Mullen at #2 Archangels Catholic D2-8: #9 Leyton at #8 Falls City Sacred Heart - 4:00 MT&nbsp;&nbsp;

Girls C/D District Championships - Friday, February 27 FINAL |C1-7: #7 Fort Calhoun 60,&nbsp;#10 Bridgeport 51 FINAL |C1-4: #4 Ogallala 62,&nbsp;#13 Louisville 43 FINAL |D2-1: #1 Dundy County-Stratton 71,&nbsp;#16 Potter-Dix 15 FINAL |D2-4: #13 Loomis 55, #4 Mullen 48 FINAL |D2-8: #9 Archangels Catholic 58, Hay Springs 32

Girls B-5 District FINAL | FEB 23: #4 Omaha Mercy 70,&nbsp;#5 Ralston 29 FINAL | FEB 25: #1 Sidney 57, Omaha Mercy 36 FINAL | Championship: Sidney 75, Gretna 71 OT

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements