Cottonwood Fire grows to more than 131,000 acres in central Nebraska

Firefighters continue working to contain the Cottonwood Fire

March 17, 2026Updated: March 17, 2026

By News Channel Nebraska

Regional

Lodgepole to hold special election

Lodgepole to hold special election

Returning to the field after catastrophe

Returning to the field after catastrophe

Niobrara Valley Preserve near Norden pursuing Dark Sky designation

Niobrara Valley Preserve near Norden pursuing Dark Sky designation

Berke Buyuktuncel enters transfer portal

Berke Buyuktuncel enters transfer portal

Donated hay heads from South Dakota to Nebraska fire victims

Donated hay heads from South Dakota to Nebraska fire victims

SAGA introduces Katie Raffelson as summer intern

SAGA introduces Katie Raffelson as summer intern

State

Lodgepole to hold special election

Well-known toy collector comes to northeast Nebraska

AARP Nebraska raises awareness as scam losses grow nationwide

Federal lawsuit filed against Stanton County Sheriff, chief deputy

Osborn addresses campaign finance and policy priorities in Kearney town hall

Pillen announces departure of Nebraska broadband director

Sports

Scottsbluff edges Sidney to win Red Raider Golf Invite

North Platte St. Patrick’s sweeps team titles at Storm Invite in Chappell

WNCC softball falls twice to Southeast in exciting action

Colorado sports notes: Avalanche beat the Blues 3-1 to clinch Central Division and top seed in the Western Conference

Norfolk announces new coaches for girls basketball, cross country, dance

Norfolk recognizes former Northeast soccer player drafted by FC Dallas

Ag & Outdoor

Outdoor notes: NGPC offering pastures, hay tracts to those affected by wildfires

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Smith Lake WMA Aquatic Habitat Project

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks urges caution when recreating outdoors due to wildfires

Outdoor notes: Temporary closure of Clear Creek WMA for safety

‘Worst-case scenario’: Fertilizer, fuel cost spikes hitting Nebraska farmers hard

Outdoor notes: Haag shares 100 years of Nebraskaland