Local News

Lower crop prices and tighter margins contributed to declines in Nebraska cropland values, while strong cattle markets supported higher pasture values, according to the 2026 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey. (Craig Chandler/University Communication and Marketing)

Nebraska ag land values decline for second consecutive year

Mar 18, 2026 / Ryan Evans Center for Agricultural Profitability

Lincoln, Nebraska, March 18, 2026 — The value of agricultural land in Nebraska declined 1% over the past year to an average of $3,905 per acr...

Morrill and Cottonwood Fire Update

Mar 18, 2026 / Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

Video update on Wednesday, March 18th, for the Cottonwood Fire.Containment on the Morrill and Cottonwood Fires is expected to increase with updated...

Education Committee Package Advances at Legislature

Mar 18, 2026 / KRGI News

The Education Committee's package of measures contained in LB 937 advanced at the Nebraska Legislature on Tuesday. District 38 Senator Dave Murman ...

After exposure to wildfire smoke, vigilance will help calves stay healthy. Photo by Chabella Guzman

Vigilance in monitoring calf health following exposure to wildfire smoke

Mar 17, 2026 / : Brock Ortner, Nebraska Extension Livestock Educator

Lincoln, Neb., March 17, 2026 —Wildfires occurring in western and central Nebraska mirror a broader trend of increasing wildfire frequency an...

Rangeland in Lincoln County, Nebraska two months after the February 27, 2024 Betty's Way wildfire.

After Wildfire: Livestock Care, Documentation, and Recovery for Nebraska Cattle Operations

Mar 17, 2026 / T.L. Meyer, Livestock Systems Extension Educator

Lincoln, Neb., March 17, 2026 —Recent wildfires in Nebraska have left many cattle operations facing urgent management decisions. Once humans ...

Ricketts Addresses Historic Nebraska Wildfires

Mar 17, 2026 / Sen. Ricketts Office

Today, on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) addressed the devasting wildfires in Western Nebraska. Senator Ricketts express...

Senators Reject Proposal for Statewide Office Pay Raise

Mar 17, 2026 / KRGI News

Nebraska State Senators rejected a measure to increase the salaries of elected officials. The raises, which would have been the first in 20 years, ...

State Senators Discuss Wildfires

Mar 17, 2026 / KRGI News

District 44 State Senator Teresa Ibaugh began Tuesday's Legislative Session with a message to those affected by the ongoing wildfires in the state....

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

Mar 17, 2026 / By Andela Taylor, NCTA News

Curtis, Neb. — During a week meant to recognize agriculture, NCTA faculty, staff, and students have been living its values in real time. On T...

Cottonwood and Morrill Fires Update

Mar 17, 2026 / Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident...//nenes-morrill-fire https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incide.../nenes-cottonwood-fire The Rocky Mountain Comp...

Nathan Rippe, left, receives a Nebraska Sorghum Producers Scholarship from Chair Tracy Zink at the 2026 Nebraska Sorghum Appreciation Banquet in Grand Island, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nebraska Sorghum Photo/Jesse Harding Campbell)

Nebraska Sorghum leaders honored at annual banquet

Mar 17, 2026 / Jesse Harding Campbell

LINCOLN, Neb. (March 17, 2026) – Nebraska Sorghum Producers and the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board recognized industry leaders and students dur...

Joint Statement of Opposition by Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, and Secretary of State Bob Evnen

Mar 17, 2026 / Laura Strimple

LINCOLN, NE -- As the Nebraska Legislature continues its work to finalize a balanced budget for the 2025-2027 biennium, our offices write to expres...

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

Mar 17, 2026 / Laura Strimple

Lincoln, NE – Due to the Nebraska wildfires that have severely impacted livestock feed and supplies within the state of Nebraska, Governor Ji...

CS-CASH: Protect lung, eye health during wildfires and post‑fire cleanup

Mar 17, 2026 / John Keenan, University of Nebraska Medical Center

OMAHA, Nebraska - As multiple large wildfires continue to burn across central and western Nebraska, resulting in hundreds of thousands of acres bur...

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Mobilizes Support for Farmers and Ranchers Amid State Wildfires

Mar 16, 2026 / Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture

With the raging wildfires across the state, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is concentrating efforts on assisting our farm and ranch f...

Near Critical to Critical Fire Weather Tuesday

Mar 16, 2026 / NWS

Key Message #1: A Red Flag Warning is in effect Tuesday Key Message #2: A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Tuesday Key Message #3: Wind gusts up t...

RMIMT Western Nebraska Fire Update

Mar 16, 2026 / Josh Keenportz

David Boyd PIO on the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team gives an update on the Morrill and Cottonwood fires. The Complex Incident Management...

Grain Safety Sponsorship 1, 2026: The Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board are collaborating to support grain bin safety initiatives by providing grain rescue equipment and training to rural fire and rescue departments.

Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board to Partner for Grain Bin Rescue Equipment and Training in 2026

Mar 16, 2026 / Jill Bookhout

LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) are partnering once again to encourage grain bin safety by...

Winter Weather Advisory and High Wind Warning Today

Mar 15, 2026 / NWS Hastings

High winds (gusts near 65 MPH) are still on-track for today. A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for northeastern areas due to the combinat...

Last year, Jenifer Roach, RN (middle), surrounded by co-workers in the hospital’s Wound Center, displayed a large check for a $2,000 Good Samaritan Health Care Career Scholarship awarded through the Foundation

Good Samaritan Accepting Applications for Health Career Scholarships until April 1

Mar 15, 2026 / Anissa Paitz External Communications Manager

KEARNEY - Applications are being accepted until April 1 for Good Samaritan Foundation’s annual Health Care Career Scholarship program. Recipi...

Gov. Pillen Tours Wildfires, Provides Update on Operations

Mar 15, 2026 / Laura Strimple

KEITH COUNTY, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen provided an update on operations following an aerial tour of wildfires burning across Nebraska. He wa...

UNK selects 19 students for Kearney Law Opportunities Program

Mar 15, 2026 / Tyler Ellyson UNK Communications

KEARNEY – Nineteen high school seniors from across the state will study at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the prestigiou...

Jesus Rocha, Gibbon High School – “Buffalo Bloom”

UNK contest recognizes outstanding young writers and artists

Mar 15, 2026 / Tyler Ellyson UNK Communications

KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney is recognizing eight students selected as winners of the annual Nebraska Emerging Writers and...

Courtesy/NDOT. Highway south of Gothenburg

Gov. Pillen Declares Emergency, Mobilizes Guard as Wildfires Burn in Central and Western Nebraska

Mar 13, 2026 / Governor's Office

LINCOLN, NE -- Today Governor Jim Pillen issued an emergency proclamation to unlock state resources and support the response to multiple wildfires ...

McCook Fire Department Has Issued an Immediate Burn Ban

Mar 13, 2026 / McCook Fire Department

Due to extremely dry conditions, lack of recent precipitation, and increased risk of wildfires, the McCook Fire Department has issued an immediate ...