Local News

Thursday Fires in McCook

Mar 20, 2026 / McCook Fire Department

The City of McCook Fire Department responded to two separate fires on Thursday, March 19th. The first call came in at 4:09 pm reporting a fire near...

Second Budget Bill Advances at Unicameral

Mar 20, 2026 / KRGI News

After four hours of debate and several amendments, LB1072 advanced at the Nebraska Legislature. LB 1072, introduced by the Speaker at the request ...

Critical Fire Conditions Return Saturday

Mar 20, 2026 / NWS

Critical fire weather conditions are forecast for Saturday. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect area-wide from 11 AM Saturday to 4 AM Sunday. R...

DEA Delivers Major Blows to Drug Cartels, Advancing a Fentanyl Free America in 2026

Mar 20, 2026 / Public Information Officer

OMAHA, Neb., – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks during Phase II of Operat...

Christopher Milke Sentenced to Life in Prison for 1st Degree Murder of Tammy Leslie

Mar 20, 2026 / Heather Buell

Christopher Milke was sentenced by Judge Rick Schreiner to life in prison for the 1st Degree Murder of Tammy Leslie of Beatrice, Nebraska. The jury...

An Amended LB 901 Advanced at the Nebraska Legislature

Mar 19, 2026 / KRGI News

A major revenue generating bill advanced at the Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday. The basic features of LB901 - Adopts the Domestic Violence and H...

Rural Mainstreet Index Falls Below Growth Neutral Again Conflict in Iran Creating Significant Volatility in Ag Sector

Mar 19, 2026 / Kristen Crawford

March 2026 Survey Results at-a-Glance:-The overall RMI dropped below growth neutral for March to its lowest level since October 2025.Weakness in th...

Nebraska LEAD Class 43 Fellows celebrate their graduation after completing the two-year leadership development program. With their completion, the Nebraska LEAD Program now boasts more than 1,200 alumni dedicated to strengthening Nebraska’s agricultural industry and rural communities.

Nebraska LEAD Program Class 43 Graduates Recognized at Annual Banquet

Mar 19, 2026 / Kurtis Harms, Director, Nebraska LEAD Program

Lincoln, Neb., March 19, 2026 —The Nebraska LEAD Program honored the 30 Fellows of Class 43 during the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Counc...

Juried All Student Art Show opening this week at the JDAC

Mar 18, 2026 / Michael Howie Hastings College

(Hastings, Nebraska) – The Hastings College Juried All Student Art Show will be on view from March 19 to April 2, 2026, in the Jackson Dinsda...

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