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

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

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

An Omaha woman is currently in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, completely alone, on a quest to prove that you don't need to be an expert to do something extraordinary. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Mahoney State Park replaced the ice in its ice rink with a synthetic surface called glice. Is it as nice? Skaters we spoke to don't mind it. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/is-glice-as-nice-as-real-ice-mahoney-state-park-officials-think-so/

A hospital in Nebraska is requiring patients and staff to wear face masks again as the number of patients with flu soars. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/flu-cases-drop-but-hospitals-seeing-more-patients/

The State Board of Ed was set to decide on a Community Achievement Plan — until discussion of transgender care arose. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/mention-of-transgender-care-imperils-douglas-sarpy-learning-community-plan-at-state-board-of-ed-meeting/

There are differing opinions among Nebraska's congressional delegation on whether the U.S. should ramp up its military operations in Greenland. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/flood-ricketts-support-greenland-negotiations-bacon-calls-military-action-one-of-the-silliest-things/

As the CDC backs away from vaccines, some Nebraska pediatricians are reminding parents that vaccines are safe and available. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/lincoln-pediatrician-recommends-previous-cdc-vaccine-schedule/

After an error that resulted in 3 districts receiving overpayments in state aid, Ed. Commissioner Brian Maher says his department is making some changes. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-education-commissioner-discusses-literacy-school-funding-headed-into-new-year/

On the same afternoon state senators sent a letter about NU's for Nebraska Medicine, the NU regents decided to delay the vote. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/regents-meeting-to-vote-on-buying-clarksons-half-of-nebraska-medicine-delayed/

As the Legislature convenes Wednesday, senators will surely be focused on the $471M budget shortfall. One committee chair expects DHHS will be a big target for cuts. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/budget-challenges-may-overshadow-initiatives-in-legislature/

Nebraska's going big for the United States' 250th birthday this year. Part of the celebration includes displays from PragerU. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/controversial-content-creator-prageru-displays-posted-in-nebraska-capitol-ahead-of-america250-celebrations/

In case you missed it: Nebraska's Dept. of Ag revealed Monday that several counties have reported bird flu in flocks in the last two months. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-reports-more-cases-of-bird-flu/

Nebraska's unemployment rate continues to be lower than the national average, but more Nebraskans are losing their jobs. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraskas-unemployment-rate-might-not-be-telling-the-whole-story-on-job-market/

Several Nebraska clinics closed in 2025 due to financial issues. A western Nebraska hospital is transforming its facility to avoid that fate. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/oshkosh-hospital-will-convert-to-rural-emergency-hospital-model-preserving-ems-care-in-the-area/

If it seems like everyone is sick right now, it's probably because there's high transmission of flu and COVID-19 in Nebraska. UNMC's Dr. Mark Rupp says the peak is expected to arrive in early January. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-seeing-surge-in-influenza-a-cases/

Some state laws and programs are changing in 2026, including Nebraska's SNAP program, which will now restrict purchases of soda and energy drinks. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/soda-and-energy-drinks-off-the-table-for-snap-users-starting-jan-1-in-nebraska/

A lot of Nebraskans spent money this year on repairing damage left behind from gnarly winds. And these high wind events are becoming increasingly common. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/strong-winds-broke-records-along-with-trees-buildings-and-budgets-in-nebraska-this-year/

Nebraska reports its second measles case of the year. Health officials say it's an unvaccinated child in Platte County who may have exposed others at two locations in Columbus. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/nebraska-reports-second-measles-case-this-year/

Sen. Dan McKeon suggests Gov. Pillen interfered in a December vote in which senators unanimously decided to recommend expelling him. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/senator-accused-of-inappropriately-touching-staff-member-says-calls-to-resign-are-politically-motivated/

A new effort in Crete hopes to peel people away from the keyboards and hold more uniting community events in person. Organizers, which includes a former state senator, want to focus more on what unites neighbors in a year marked with political violence. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is proposing big program cuts as it tries to shore up its $21M budget deficit. It's also making $6.5M in "proactive" cuts. Hearings on cuts and consolidations begin today. NPM's Jolie Peal previews what's at stake: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

An ethanol plant for years contaminated Mead, Nebraska. Questions remain over the health impacts it may have left behind. From Jessica Wade at the Reader: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

A German-based company that makes combines in Omaha for the Canadian market plans to move production overseas to avoid 50% reciprocal Canadian tariffs on steel and aluminum. thereader.com/2025/10/01/g...

It became apparent last summer that some bur oak trees at Mahoney State Park were in trouble. Dozens started dying, and the problem has only gotten worse. ✍️📸by @jackieourada.bsky.social nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

New: The group that tried in 2024 to abolish property, income and inheritance taxes is back with an “EPIC 2.0” petition. Organizers say they’d have adequate funding this time around “if everyone who signed the initial EPIC Option petitions donated just $250.” nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Left: Mahoney State Park's observation tower, surrounded by dozens of leafy trees, in July 2022. Right: Same scene in June 2025 but with about 75 fewer trees and more nearby that are either dead or dying. 🧵

New from me: Bur oak trees, known as the “King of the Great Plains native hardwoods,” are dying en masse throughout the eastern part of the state, both in urban and forested areas. The sneaky, tree-killing culprit isn’t known to strike in Nebraska. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

A little peek into South Dakota from a peak in Nebraska. 📍 Ponca State Park

It's that time of year when farmers and ranchers turn out their cattle to pasture for spring and summer feeding. But drought may be pushing some of them to feed yards instead. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

It’s wildfire training field day with the Nebraska Forest Service pros. Here @unlincoln.bsky.social students are learning how to dig line. NU students are able to get their Red Card (to fight wildfires) for free. It’s an effort to get more young people to help fight wildfires in Nebraska.

In his 'skinny budget' released today, Trump singled out a grant given to @unlincoln.bsky.social. A UNL scientist who leads the grant-funded program said it served an important purpose — retaining more people in STEM, specifically, ornithology studies. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

March is usually Nebraska's 2nd windiest month — only behind April. But March 2025 set some of the windiest and costliest records in Nebraska history. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

The longstanding Rural Response Hotline is seeing an increase in calls from farmers in financial stress. They're pointing to decreasing commodity prices and worries about another drought year. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

It's been crazy windy in Nebraska. So windy that we set several new records last month, according to @NWSOmaha. Why March winds are so damaging and why this windy trend is probably only going to continue to increase ➡️🔗 nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Several rural fire departments are battling a wildfire in north central Nebraska between Ainsworth and Valentine. Nebraska Forest Service says the fire grew out of control from a prescribed burn on Monday. It's burned about 12-14,000 acres, ~30% contained. 📸 Ann Moylan Fiala

Since the deadly floods in March 2019, about $675M in federal funding has helped towns rebuild and rebound after the devastation. NPM's Jolie Peal reports the future of federal help like this is unclear under President Trump's administration. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

About 75% of Nebraska is in some level of drought, according to the latest National Drought Mitigation Center map. NDMC's Brian Fuchs on the small improvements we're seeing and areas to watch: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Southeastern Nebraska saw the greatest declines in groundwater in 2024, following drought in that area in 2023. But the long-term look gives stark groundwater decreases in two spots in western Nebraska (and a Sandhills surprise!) ⬇️ nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Sen. Pete Ricketts said President Trump's new tariffs may "in the short run, increase [prices] this year, but then that's already baked in for the following year." He said he believes Trump's long-term goals will pan out following this "adjustment period." nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

For the committed Perkins County canal watchers: NPM's Fred Knapp reports Colorado landowners are apparently not fond of negotiating a deal to give up their land for the ~$650M water project. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Two National Weather Service offices in Nebraska are discontinuing storm spotter trainings ahead of severe weather season. Storm spotter veteran Justin Williams told NPM a storm spotter made a critical difference last year during the Arbor Day storms. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Remember that continuing resolution passed by Congress to keep the government from shutting down? It also dried up funding for several water projects in Nebraska. From NPM's Brian Beach: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

During the annual crane migration, a record-high 736,000 cranes traveled to Nebraska with no signs of bird flu (so far). Big win after bird flu killed 1,500 sandhill cranes in Indiana. NPM's Arthur Jones + Macy Byars cited in this Smithsonian Mag article. www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/r...

ICYMI: Lower crop prices, higher interest rates and higher farm input costs are believed to be behind the first decline in Nebraska ag land values in six years. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Lunch hour update on power outages in Nebraska from today's blizzard. About 90k reported by the following power companies: ⚡️ Lincoln Electric System (4.7k) ⚡️ Norris Public Power District (29k) ⚡️ Nebraska Public Power District (11k) ⚡️ Omaha Public Power District (46k)

Current look at power outages in Nebraska. Looks to be about 53k people without power this morning. ⚡️Lincoln Electric System ⚡️ Norris Public Power District ⚡️ Nebraska Public Power District ⚡️ Omaha Public Power District

Some stats from Nebraska State Forester John Erixson: 🔥 ~90% of Nebraska wildfires are caused by humans. 🔥 ^That's ~10% higher than the national average. 🔥 A bad fire season is when 100k+ acres burn. We're at 30k so far this year with summer still ahead. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...

Calving season is a tiring time for farmers. Lots of midnight checks and very little sleep. Two Nebraska farmers — from Hoskins and Red Cloud — told me about the sweat and the heart that goes into helping bring a new herd into the world. Full story:🔗 nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...