State 

Lightning strike knocks Cheyenne County Country off air
Lightning strike knocks Cheyenne County Country off air

A lightning strike knocked Cheyenne County Country off the air Tuesday night. 1340 AM is back, but 95.7 FM will remain down until equipment is replaced.

North Platte woman charged in Cherry County for assaults on law enforcement, others

North Platte woman charged in Cherry County for assaults on law enforcement, others

A 38-year-old North Platte woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting people near Penbrook Landing on the Niobrara River, then attacking officers during the booking process at the Cherry County Jail.

One dead, two injured in early-morning crash near Lexington

One dead, two injured in early-morning crash near Lexington

One person is dead and two others are injured after an early morning crash occurred near Lexington on Monday.

Wounded Knee man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for committing child sexual abuse

Wounded Knee man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for committing child sexual abuse

Evidence offered at trial showed that a 13-year-old acted heroically when 28-year-old Anfernee Rondeau was sexually abusing a 6-year-old.

St. Francis man sentenced to seven years for resisting and impeding federal officers and possessing meth bound for distribution

St. Francis man sentenced to seven years for resisting and impeding federal officers and possessing meth bound for distribution

A 30-year-old St. Francis man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Arraignment rescheduled for Liberty man on child abuse charges

Arraignment rescheduled for Liberty man on child abuse charges

Case involves alleged child abuse resulting in death

Alliance school incident quickly resolved after juveniles arrested

Alliance school incident quickly resolved after juveniles arrested

Alliance High School was placed on "Hold" at about 4 p.m. Tuesday after reports of juveniles driving past the school displaying weapons. The juveniles were taken into custody a short time later and the "Hold" was lifted.

One dead and one in custody from a shooting in Columbus

One dead and one in custody from a shooting in Columbus

A suspect is in custody following a fatal shooting Tuesday night in Columbus.

Alliance murder suspect to appear in Sheridan County Court

Alliance murder suspect to appear in Sheridan County Court

A 26-year-old Alliance woman accused of killing a man and dumping his remains in rural Box Butte County is set to appear in Sheridan County Court on Thursday.

Steele City West bridge closed for safety concerns

Steele City West bridge closed for safety concerns

FAIRBURY, Neb. — The Steele City West Bridge in Jefferson County has been closed indefinitely after inspectors determined the structure no longer meets state safety standards. The bridge, located on Romeo Road about a half-mile west of Steele City,

Agencies team up to supply at-risk Southeast Nebraska citizens with a literal ton of food

Agencies team up to supply at-risk Southeast Nebraska citizens with a literal ton of food

Churches and senior centers across Southeast Nebraska received an influx of 2,000 pounds of donated meat Tuesday, spread throughout the area by orgs committed to combatting food insecurity in the state.

Valentine’s often overlooked Black history: The Buffalo Soldiers

Valentine’s often overlooked Black history: The Buffalo Soldiers

When many people picture the history of rural Nebraska, they imagine Native Americans and white settlers carving out a life on the Plains. But Black Americans also played a vital role—especially the Buffalo Soldiers, who helped protect early communities.

Downtown Norfolk revitalization: business improvement district funds new manager

Downtown Norfolk revitalization: business improvement district funds new manager

Norfolk City Council green lights a project aimed at boosting business for downtown property owners

Thriving Children Conference brings together hundreds to tackle Nebraska’s child care crisis

Thriving Children Conference brings together hundreds to tackle Nebraska’s child care crisis

More than 450 early childhood advocates gathered in Kearney on Tuesday to discuss the issue of childcare in the state.

Norfolk city council green lights plan for street improvements

Norfolk city council green lights plan for street improvements

Norfolk City Council approved a million dollar community program alongside the 2025-2026 budget

When daughter becomes caretaker: watching her mother battle her demons

When daughter becomes caretaker: watching her mother battle her demons

When Ashley Fritz was young, 14, she found herself in a situation she still remembers: helping her mom after she over-dosed.

North Platte man sentenced for distribution of meth

North Platte man sentenced for distribution of meth

Michael W. Stroble, 32, of North Platte, was sentenced on Sept. 11, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual. Stroble will also serve a 5-year term of supervised release.

Mullen science teacher named Nebraska Teacher of the Year

Mullen science teacher named Nebraska Teacher of the Year

Sarah Hardin, a high school science teacher at Mullen Public Schools, was named the 2026 Nebraska Teacher of the Year during a surprise award presentation Monday.

Gov. Pillen disperses $20M for property tax relief

Gov. Pillen disperses $20M for property tax relief

Thanks to higher-than-expected casino revenue and the return of unused county funds, Nebraska homeowners are set to see $20 million in property tax relief.

County to hold public hearing on budget September 22

County to hold public hearing on budget September 22

Cheyenne County will host a Pubic Hearing on the 2025-2026 budget Monday. The meeting will be held at the Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting room, and will include a Board of Equalization meeting on the 2025-2026 mill levy.

Suspect in Kirk killing charged with aggravated murder as prosecutor says DNA found on gun trigger

Suspect in Kirk killing charged with aggravated murder as prosecutor says DNA found on gun trigger

Prosecutors brought an aggravated murder charge on Tuesday against the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk.

Panhandle Public Health District to host 3K walk raising awareness toward fight against suicide

Panhandle Public Health District to host 3K walk raising awareness toward fight against suicide

The annual Alliance Community Suicide Prevention Walk is coming up September 27.

State auditor alleges Mitchell mayor misused municipal equipment, resources

State auditor alleges Mitchell mayor misused municipal equipment, resources

The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office released a letter on Tuesday detailing their findings in a recent investigation regarding the City of Mitchell’s alleged misuse of municipal equipment and resources.

State Patrol certain they've identified homicide victim as missing Alliance man

State Patrol certain they've identified homicide victim as missing Alliance man

The Nebraska State Patrol has identified the victim in the Box Butte County homicide as 32-year-old Ebram Sifuentes of Alliance.

Bird flu confirmed on Nebraska dairy farm

Bird flu confirmed on Nebraska dairy farm

Pasteurization proven to kill virus in milk

Norfolk police department set for $7 million dollar expansion

Norfolk police department set for $7 million dollar expansion

The Norfolk City Council has approved Scheele-Kayton Construction to begin a $7 million expansion and renovation of the Norfolk Police Department to address issues of cramped spaces and outdated facilities

Protection order surfaces in Box Butte County homicide case

Protection order surfaces in Box Butte County homicide case

A protection order filed after the disappearance of an Alliance man is offering new insight into a Box Butte County homicide case.

Photography exhibit chronicles early 1900s in western Nebraska

Photography exhibit chronicles early 1900s in western Nebraska

Historic black-and-white photographs by Mabel Graham McIntosh Souther are on display at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center through the fall 2025 semester.

Norfolk's city council green-lights project to boost downtown economy

Norfolk's city council green-lights project to boost downtown economy

Norfolk's city council approved a project to boost the downtown economy by hiring a full-time manager to attract visitors and support local businesses.

Study: Slow job growth in Omaha, Lincoln costs Nebraska hundreds of millions

Study: Slow job growth in Omaha, Lincoln costs Nebraska hundreds of millions

Nebraska is falling behind peer states in job and wage growth as workers and companies leave for other opportunities, according to a new report released by the Aksarben Foundation.

Tourism and history meet in the Panhandle

Tourism and history meet in the Panhandle

Developers are beginning to see what residents of the Panhandle know. The Nebraska Panhandle is rich in historic sites drawing the interest of the historically curious and the tourist. In addition there are recreational sites that generate economic gains.

Update: Two Kearney men killed in plane crash Northeast of Airport

Update: Two Kearney men killed in plane crash Northeast of Airport

More information is coming in about the fatal plane crash that happened in Kearney last month.

Norfolk man arrested on drug charges following gaming machine incident

Norfolk man arrested on drug charges following gaming machine incident

Roger A. Humphrey, 67, of Norfolk, was arrested on drug charges after a glass pipe was found near gaming machines. Surveillance footage supported staff claims that no one else was in the area

Sartore spreads awareness with Photo Ark

Sartore spreads awareness with Photo Ark

Photographer challenged by extinction photos

Cheyenne County Clerk announces retirement date

Cheyenne County Clerk announces retirement date

Cheyenne County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh announced today she is retiring after 31 years in office. Her retirement is effective Jan. 2, 2026.

Daughter's artwork sewed in memory quilt

Daughter's artwork sewed in memory quilt

"Together we made sure my family had something to remember Kari by"

Beatrice Fire aerial truck getting extended range

Beatrice Fire aerial truck getting extended range

New nozzles funded through a fire assistance grant

Panhandle Public Health District announces scholarship contest winner

Panhandle Public Health District announces scholarship contest winner

An Alliance High School senior received a $250 scholarship award for sharing his story of living a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Want your teen to open up? Expert shares surprising advice in Valentine

Want your teen to open up? Expert shares surprising advice in Valentine

As the youth mental health crisis continues nationwide, research shows the parent-teen relationship is one of the strongest protective factors.

Community foundation announces Homegrown Challenge

Community foundation announces Homegrown Challenge

Mark Davis, Kiel VanderVeen start fundraising campaign with $500,000 goal

Fairbury hosts 14th annual vehicular community celebration: the car show and cruise night

Fairbury hosts 14th annual vehicular community celebration: the car show and cruise night

The sounds and sights of cars of all kinds once again filled the streets of downtown Fairbury this Sunday for the small city’s annual mid-September vehicle-centered community celebration: the car show and cruise night.

Kearney man dies in overnight house fire

Kearney man dies in overnight house fire

One person has died following an overnight house fire in Kearney.

Alliance police arrest three juveniles in burglary case

Alliance police arrest three juveniles in burglary case

Alliance police arrested three juveniles after a burglary in progress was reported Sunday on Yellowstone Avenue. One was taken to a juvenile detention center, while two were released to guardians.

An inmate died in a southeast Nebraska prison fire. That was just the first tragedy.

An inmate died in a southeast Nebraska prison fire. That was just the first tragedy.

An internal review of the fatal 2023 fires at Tecumseh state prison found corrections officers made multiple missteps in their response. A grand jury later concluded prison staff weren't criminally at fault.

UNL proposes $27.5 million in ‘devastating’ cuts, six program areas for elimination

UNL proposes $27.5 million in ‘devastating’ cuts, six program areas for elimination

University of Nebraska-Lincoln administrators mapped out $27.5 million in proposed cuts that faculty say will be “devastating” to a campus that has already endured $75 million in cuts over the past six years.

Teen helps family escape Scottsbluff mobile home fire

Teen helps family escape Scottsbluff mobile home fire

A quick-thinking teen helped his family escape after a fire damaged a trailer home in Scottsbluff. Officials say the blaze was electrical in nature.

CSC students’ prints included in publication

CSC students’ prints included in publication

Prints by nine Chadron State College students, designed during a Spring 2025 course with Art Professor Laura Bentz, were published in August in Volume 4 of the Honeycomb Project.

Body found in Box Butte County; two arrested in suspected homicide

Body found in Box Butte County; two arrested in suspected homicide

Nebraska State Patrol says human remains found in rural Box Butte County are being investigated as a homicide. Two people have been arrested.

Planned McCook immigrant detention center faces backlash and uncertainty

Planned McCook immigrant detention center faces backlash and uncertainty

Some Nebraska lawmakers and residents say the governor's plan to convert a prison into an immigration detention center has come with few details about the transition.

Third times a charm for Crofton school bond

Third times a charm for Crofton school bond

Crofton Community Schools will soon see major security upgrades after voters passed the long-awaited school bond.

Sidney Public Schools approves budget with levy reduction

Sidney Public Schools approves budget with levy reduction

Sidney Public Schools has approved its 2025–2026 budget with an emphasis on both student opportunity and taxpayer responsibility. The General Fund budget reflects a total increase of just over 3 percent.

Live Fire training underway at Western Nebraska Engine Academy

Live Fire training underway at Western Nebraska Engine Academy

The 2025 Western Nebraska Engine Academy is underway in Gering. Live fire exercises are actively taking place within the Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area this weekend. Travelers may see smoke and flames in the Buffalo Creek area.

Fairbury Walmart celebrates completion of renovation and redesign project

Fairbury Walmart celebrates completion of renovation and redesign project

Fairbury was one of the very first towns in the state of Nebraska that Walmart put down roots in back in the early 80s, and Friday the big chain formally debuted a renovated and redesigned storefront and interior.

Sidney council accepts resignation of City Manager David Scott, appoints Josh Hanson as interim

Sidney council accepts resignation of City Manager David Scott, appoints Josh Hanson as interim

Sidney City Council has named Josh Hanson as Interim City Manager following the resignation of David Scott. Hanson, a Sidney native and U.S. Marine veteran, says he’s ready to step up and keep the city moving forward.

Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing had become 'more political' and likely acted alone, authorities say

Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing had become 'more political' and likely acted alone, authorities say

The man accused in the Charlie Kirk assassination had earlier expressed to family his opposition to the viewpoints of the conservative activist.

Names released of Ainsworth, Long Pine men killed in UTV crash

Names released of Ainsworth, Long Pine men killed in UTV crash

Curtis Shawn Malone, 60, of Long Pine, and Shawn Lee Malone, 41, of Ainsworth, were killed in the crash on Sept. 1.

Trump administration wants to cancel Biden-era rule that made conservation a 'use' of public land

Trump administration wants to cancel Biden-era rule that made conservation a 'use' of public land

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to cancel a public land management rule that sought to put conservation on equal footing with industry.

Fairbury Car Show, Cruise Night return this weekend

Fairbury Car Show, Cruise Night return this weekend

The weekend kicks off on Saturday with a Cruise Night, with cars gathering downtown at 6 p.m., The main show takes place Sunday.

‘He changed my life:’ Kearney community mourns death of Charlie Kirk during candlelight vigil

‘He changed my life:’ Kearney community mourns death of Charlie Kirk during candlelight vigil

Students and community members alike gathered at UNK Thursday for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk.

Valentine City Council lowers property tax request and levy

Valentine City Council lowers property tax request and levy

The Valentine City Council voted Thursday night to lower the city’s property tax request from $430,000 to $399,000, reducing the levy to 15 cents.

Fairbury man gets a year in jail for second assault conviction

Fairbury man gets a year in jail for second assault conviction

Lynn Vieselmeyer-Scheets was sentenced to a year in jail for an assault last Halloween, his second assault conviction.

Too many stray cats in Valentine? Here’s what new group hopes to do

Too many stray cats in Valentine? Here’s what new group hopes to do

With the number of feral cats in Valentine continuing to grow, a group of local residents has launched the Valentine Cat Rescue.

Four legged officer is donated new protection gear

Four legged officer is donated new protection gear

One of the smallest officers in the Grand Island Police Department is sporting a protective vest from a non-profit.

Norfolk community honors 9/11 fallen with stair climb

Norfolk community honors 9/11 fallen with stair climb

Norfolk, Neb. - In a poignant tribute, the Norfolk community joined forces with Norfolk Fire and Rescue to host their 2nd annual 9/11 memorial stair climb, honoring the lives lost in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The event recreated the gruelin

Lodgepole Village Board approves rezoning lot to Industrial

Lodgepole Village Board approves rezoning lot to Industrial

The Lodgepole Village Board of Trustees approved on a split vote zoning a parcel at Cheyenne County Road 147 and Highway 30 Industrial, allowing Keith and Susan Mitchell to conduct their insulation business and a haying operation.