Local News

Gov. Pillen Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Wildfire Damage

May 8, 2026 / Laura Strimple

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen requested that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration related to severe wildfires...

From left, Chris Kratochvil, MD, vice chancellor of external relations for UNMC, Lauren Sauer, PhD, associate professor in the UNMC College of Public Health and associate director of research at the Global Center for Health Security, and Col. Lee Williames (USAF, Ret.), MD, inaugural director of the Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine. (Rich Watson/UNMC)

UNMC establishes Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine

May 8, 2026 / John Keenan, University of Nebraska Medical Center

OMAHA, Nebraska – The University of Nebraska Medical Center has formally established the Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine (OMM...

Nebraska Leads 23-State Coalition Asking Supreme Court to Uphold Mifepristone Stay

May 8, 2026 / Suzanne Gage Director of Communications

Today, Nebraska Attorney General Michael Hilgers filed an amicus brief on behalf of 23 states asking the Supreme Court to leave in place a lower co...

Nebraska State Patrol High Speed Pursuit

Troopers Make Arrest After Multiple Pursuits in Lancaster County

May 8, 2026 / Cody Thomas – Public Relations Director

May 7, 2026 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a man after a pursuit and search in northern Lancas...

Two New Holland methane-powered tractors, which were donated to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln by CNH, were unveiled during an event May 5 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead. (Emily Hanson/ENREEC)

Methane-powered tractors will bolster ag research at Nebraska U

May 7, 2026 / Press Release

Ithaca, Nebraska, May 5, 2026 — Faculty and students in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural...

New members inducted into Phi Theta Kappa (front L to R): Courtney McCarthy, Newport, NE; Jenna Barnes, Kensington, KS; Ann Prigge, Ulysses, NE; Ailey Marburger, Malvern, IA; Carly Stewart, Atlanta, NE; Layna Wear, Holyoke, CO; Hailey Loutzenhiser, Flagler, CO. Back row (L to R): Weston Ploeger, Linden, IA; Savannah Hall, Ekalaka, MT; McKenzie Heil, North Platte, NE; August Schow, Paxton, NE; Jace Lien, Chadron, NE; Kyra Jespersen, Hemingford, NE; and Samantha Durre, Oakdale, NE. Not pictured are Natalie Baker, Severance, CO; Ashley Sasse, Plymouth, NE; and Sydney Sybrant, Bassett, NE. (NCTA / N. Dragoo)

NCTA Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Inducts Large Class of High Achievers

May 7, 2026 / By Andela Taylor | NCTA News

Students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture were recognized for academic achievement and leadership during the Alpha Iota Tau Chapter...

Nebraska Labor Force Demonstrates Strength with Low Unemployment and Robust Participation

May 6, 2026 / Grace Johnson Public Information Officer

Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for March 2026 is 3.1 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the February 2026 une...

Nebraska net farm income is projected to reach a record $9.96 billion in 2026, driven by higher government payments, strong livestock receipts and a rebound in crop revenue. Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Nebraska Farm Income Projected to Reach Record High in 2026

May 6, 2026 / UNL

Lincoln, Neb., May 6, 2026 — Highlights-Nebraska net farm income is projected to increase 12% in 2026, reaching a record $9.96 billion.The p...

MPCC to Recognize First Graduating Class of North Platte College

May 6, 2026 / MPCC- NP

North Platte, Neb. – Mid-Plains Community College will recognize the 1967 graduating class of North Platte College during its commencement ce...

NCTA Crops Judging Team at NACTA (L-R): Rachel Bose, McCook, NE; Hailey Loutzenhizer, Flagler, CO; Kyra Jespersen, Hemingford, NE; KaCee Jo Saffer, Arriba, CO; Wyatt Ozenbaugh, Ohiowa, NE; Mason Semler, Exeter, NE; Grant Ottun, Sargent, NE; Jada Eilert, Jewell, KS; and Aaron Underwood, Esbon, KS.

NCTA Students Shine at Crops and Precision Agriculture Contests

May 5, 2026 / By NCTA News

Continuing a season defined by competitive excellence, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) Crops Judging Team earned top placement...

Gov. Pillen Calls Attention to Recent Firefighting Efforts Involving the State

May 5, 2026 / Laura Strimple

LINCOLN, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen is calling attention to recent firefighting efforts involving the state. Between April 22 and 26, the Nebr...

Former GI Senator Honored as part of Problem-Solving Court Month Proclamation

May 4, 2026 / KRGI News

Nebraska Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke held a proclamation signing ceremony announcing Nebraska Problem-Solving Court Month on behalf of the State Ju...

Spellerberg Announces ‘Why I Want to Go to College’ Sweepstakes Winners

May 3, 2026 / Jamie Carl

(LINCOLN, Neb.) — Nebraska Treasurer Joey Spellerberg has announced the winners of the 2026 “Why I Want to Go to College” sweepst...

Motorcycle Rider Dies in Crash After Fleeing Attempted Traffic Stop

May 3, 2026 / Cody Thomas – Public Relations Director

May 3, 2026 (Lincoln, Neb.) — The Nebraska State Patrol has asked the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a fatal cr...

U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Panel of Judges Blocks Access Through the Mail to Mifepristone Abortion Pill

May 1, 2026 / Suzanne Gage Director of Communications

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a nationwide APA stay of the Biden Administration's 2023 Rule removing the in-person ...

Flags to Fly at Half-Staff in Nebraska Honoring Fallen Firefighters

May 1, 2026 / Laura Strimple

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen directed that all U.S. and Nebraska flags be flown at half-staff on Sunday, May 3 in accordance with...

A New Traffic Violation Scam Targets Nebraskans via Text Message

May 1, 2026 / Press Release

May 1, 2026 A new ongoing traffic-related scam is being sent via text message to try and steal personal data. Scammers are sending text messag...

Purdue/Sackler $7.4 Billion Opioid Settlement Goes into Effect

May 1, 2026 / Suzanne Gage Director of Communications

Lincoln — Attorney General Mike Hilgers today announced that a $7.4 billion settlement reached with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler...

Mid-America Index Advances Above Growth Neutral for Third Straight Month, Price Gauge Surges to Two-Year High

May 1, 2026 / Kristen Crawford

April 2026 Survey Highlights -The overall index rose above growth neutral for a third straight month.-The nine-state region added manufacturing jo...

Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony Set for May 8

May 1, 2026 / Spencer Schubert Communications Manager City of GI

Grand Island, Neb. — Law enforcement officers, state leaders, family members and community supporters from across Nebraska will gather in Gra...

Farm Bill Passes House for First Time in 8 Years

May 1, 2026 / Press Release

LINCOLN, NE — The House passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 on Thursday morning by a vote of 224-200. Three Republicans w...

Nebraska Department of Energy and Environment

Drought planning groups across state urge public to conserve water

May 1, 2026 / Carla Felix,

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Platte Basin Coalition, the Lower Platte River Drought Consortium, the Republican River Basin NRDs, and the Nebraska Depa...

Gov. Pillen Says Farmers Will See Benefits from Proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger

Apr 30, 2026 / Laura Strimple

LINCOLN, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen says the merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads will ultimately benefit American farmers, p...

Andela Taylor unread, 11:04 AM (3 hours ago) to ncta...@lists.nebraska.edu, Natalie Jones, Geitner Simmons, Russell Shaffer, Cheyanne Wood April 29, 2026 NCTA Staff Member Shares Stroke Survival Journey By Andela Taylor | NCTA News Cheyanne Wood was supposed to go to her cousin’s baby shower that morning. Instead, she found herself standing at her kitchen sink, feeling something she couldn’t explain. “I could feel my blood pressure rising… and then it was like sparks went off in my brain.” Within seconds, the sensation intensified. “It felt like somebody came up behind me, grabbed my spinal cord and ripped it out of my body.” Disoriented and in pain, she searched her symptoms. Stroke. She called 911. “I’m 31. I think I’m having a stroke. Please hurry.” Emergency responders arrived to find her alone with her children. While arrangements were made for their care, Cheyanne’s condition worsened. She began vomiting before the ambulance even left. From there, everything moved fast. A helicopter was called. Medical teams prepared for immediate transport. Somewhere between the ambulance and the flight, reality began to blur. “I’m Cheyanne… I think I had a stroke this morning.” “I think you’re having one right now.” That was one of the last moments she clearly remembers. On Nov. 15, 2025, Cheyanne suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, a type of stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain. Though less common than ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes are often more severe and can become life-threatening within minutes. “About 35–52% of patients don’t survive a hemorrhagic stroke, many within days or weeks,” she later shared. “I survived.” She spent three days in intensive care and 16 days in inpatient rehabilitation. When she began to understand what had happened, the reality was stark. She had lost motor control on the left side of her body and part of her vision. In those early days, one thing stood out clearly—gratitude. “I am so grateful for the paramedics, the nursing staff, and the doctors at CHI Good Samaritan. They took very good care of me.” Her recovery didn’t happen all at once. It came in phases. A Recovery Measured in Milestones Chey’s recovery unfolded over time—each phase building strength, independence and confidence. Within two weeks: Began walking again, covering short distances without a walker and starting treadmill work in therapy. She also regained independence in essential daily tasks. By three weeks: Discharged from inpatient rehabilitation and returned home to her family. Around one month: Reached key physical and emotional turning points, including regaining vision in her left eye. By six to eight weeks: Focused on rebuilding balance, coordination and core strength while improving overall mobility. At two months: Returned to work on a part-time basis, marking a major step toward a normal routine. Beyond two months: Advanced from walking to light jogging, setting goals to improve movement on her left side. As the weeks passed, the milestones became less about firsts and more about strength, endurance and perspective. But her journey didn’t stop at recovery. It turned into purpose. On March 24, Chey organized and hosted a campus event at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture focused on stroke awareness, stress and mental health. What began as a planned panel evolved into a conversation centered on recognizing stress in others and understanding the warning signs of stroke. “We all know the saying, ‘See something, say something,’” she shared. “I think it should be, ‘See someone, support someone.’” In March, she also reached another milestone by returning to work more regularly, continuing to rebuild both physically and mentally. At the same time, recovery has remained an ongoing process. Recent updates reflect continued medical follow-up, including lab work, testing and monitoring related to brain function. She has also been open about the emotional side of recovery. After experiencing a headache, she shared the anxiety that followed—the immediate fear that it could signal another stroke. In that moment, something as simple as relief from medication brought reassurance, but also highlighted the lasting mental impact of what she had endured. More recently, she has asked for continued prayers as she works through challenges related to thalamus function—another reminder that recovery is not always linear. Today, more than four months into recovery, Chey continues to push forward, focused not only on regaining strength, but on helping others recognize the importance of awareness, support and early action. “Know the warning signs. Be prepared. B.E.F.A.S.T. Knowing this could save someone’s life—or your own. It saved mine.” Her journey is still unfolding, shaped by resilience, perspective and determination. “I will never give up on myself—because I am worth it.” Cheyenne continues to share her progress on her Facebook page @Chey Lynne Wood. Cheyenne Wood presents her stroke story at NCTA, along with the panel she organized with Ambience Counseling licensed mental health professional, Kristina Messersmith, and Eustis EMTs Lacey Parker and Becky Busboom. P/C J. McConville

NCTA Staff Member Shares Stroke Survival Journey

Apr 30, 2026 / By Andela Taylor | NCTA News

Cheyanne Wood was supposed to go to her cousin’s baby shower that morning.Instead, she found herself standing at her kitchen sink, feeling so...

Two to be honored at UNMC commencement in Omaha

Apr 30, 2026 / John Keenan, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Former USAF Surgeon General James Roudebush, MD, and transplant pioneer James Armitage, MD, to be recognized. Two University of Nebraska Medical C...