News

Lincoln, Neb., March 17, 2026 — Rcent wildfires in Nebraska have left many cattle operations facing urgent management decisions. Once humans are safe, producers should focus on three priorities: stabilizing livestock through health checks and access to clean water and feed, documenting losses and engaging with insurers and/or assistance programs, and developing a grazing recovery plan that protects rangeland health going into the next grazing season.

Open Fields and Waters public walk-in access properties and wildlife management areas affected by wildfires are closed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission until further notice. Hunters are urged to stay away from OFW sites and WMAs affected by the recent wildfires in Lincoln, Dawson, Keith, Arthur, Morrill, Garden, and Cherry counties for public safety reasons and to allow recovery efforts to proceed.

LINCOLN – With the raging wildfires across the state, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is concentrating efforts on assisting our farm and ranch families and their livestock. Producers that have been impacted by the wildfire and need hay, feedstuffs, fencing materials, volunteer help, equipment, etc.

In response to the catastrophic and historic wildfires raging though central and western Nebraska, Nebraska Community Foundation, a statewide community development and philanthropy organization, has established the Nebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund.

OMAHA, Nebraska - As multiple large wildfires continue to burn across central and western Nebraska, resulting in hundreds of thousands of acres burned and hazardous air quality in affected regions, the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is urging residents, agricultural workers and cleanup crews to take steps to protect their lungs, eyes, skin and overall health during wildfire response and recovery efforts.

Congratulations to third quarter A Honor Roll students: Ainsley Adamson, Nathan Burchfield, Gunner Ford, Isabella Garza, Fiora Moreland, Carson Walkling, Cash Cooper, Blake Lancaster, Kynzee McConaughey, Kayleigh Ravenscroft, Lilly Ravenscroft, James Walkling, and Elliah Wolff.

BROOKINGS,S.D.(03/13/2026)The following students graduated after the summer and fall 2025 semesters at South Dakota State University. More than 1,000 students completed all requirements for a degree and/or certificate program.

Big Congrats to Kaylee Luthy for earning second place in the VFW Patriot's Pen Essay Contest. Mrs. Thorpe’s sixth grade English students competed with over 60,600 students in sixth through eighth grades to enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000.

Perfect attendance for the 3rd quarter at the Cody-Kilgore Elementary School. Pictured are back row, L to R: Zoey Johnson, Maya Burress, Grady Rahn. Front row, L to R: Christian Hendrix, Henry Heinert. Not Pictured: Sawyer Galloway.

Hands shot into the air and bids echoed across the room - but this was no ordinary auction. The energy-filled evening marked the annual Valentine FFA Hired Hand Auction, a unique fund raiser where local chapter members auction off hours of their labor to supportive community members.