News

Lincoln, NE – The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is celebrating Community Action Month, honoring the agencies throughout the state that create economic opportunity, strengthen local communities, and help families find pathways to prosperity.

Last year, prescribed fires in Nebraska burned more acres than any year in recentmemory.Recentwildfiresshowed how those burns can offer protection and risk peril. This story is made possible through a partnership between Flatwater Free Press and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

Lincoln, NE – May has been recognized as National Foster Care Month. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is celebrating the dedicated foster parents and foster homes who provide safe, stable, and supportive environments for children and youth across Nebraska.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Scott Gray as executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (i.e. Crime Commission). Gray, a decorated 30-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, willassumehisrolewiththeagency on August 9. He succeeds Bryan Tuma, who announced his retirement from the Crime Commission in April.

During the week of May 24 - 30, the following arrests were made by the Valentine Police Department: • On May 25, at 1:00 a.m., a call of a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of West 3rd Street lead to the arrest of a 36 year old South Dakota man on the charge of Domestic Assault. • On May 25, at 10:35 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance complaint in the 800 block of Dowden Street.

The 21stannual Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony will be held June 6, 2026 at the 4-H Building at the Cherry County Fairgrounds in Valentine, NE. Social Hour will begin at 4:00 p.m., Benefit Auction will take place at 5:00 p.m., Banquet at 6:00 p.m.

Artists at Work: A Golden Opportunity at Valentine Main Street Art Walk! Get ready for an evening of artistic inspiration and community fun as the Sand Painters Art Club presents Artists at Work during the Valentine Main Street Art Walk! Join us this Friday, May 29, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., for a unique opportunity to meet local artists, witness their creative process firsthand, and participate in exciting scavenger hunts.

Columbus, NE – A siting feasibility study found that Sutherland, Beatrice, Brownville, and Norfolk are the top four communities best suited to host a next generation nuclear facility, based on current infrastructure and siting criteria. The siting feasibility study was conducted at the direction of the Nebraska Legislature, who allocated $1 million to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to fund the study.