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Fremont Fire Department Rejects Homeschooled Applicant, Citing Unaccredited Diploma

Fremont Fire Department Rejects Homeschooled Applicant, Citing Unaccredited Diploma

Andrew Coates, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter from Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, had his application to the Fremont Fire Department rejected. The reason for the rejection was that his high school diploma indicated he was homeschooled, which the city considers an unaccredited form of education in Nebraska. Coates, who holds a state EMT license, applied for a position that initially only specified 'graduation from high school.' However, Jennifer McDuffee, Fremont's human resources director, stated that an accredited high school diploma was implied. Following the denial of Coates' application, the city updated the job description to explicitly require 'graduation from an accredited high school.' Coates, supported by approximately 30 homeschool advocates, appealed the decision to the Civil Service Commission, but the commission ruled it could not intervene in city policy. Chris Lichtenberg, Cedar Bluffs fire chief, expressed that the city of Fremont is missing out and discriminating against Coates due to his ho...
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Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Addresses Tourism Growth and Honors Tom Osborne Amid Contractor Scrutiny

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Addresses Tourism Growth and Honors Tom Osborne Amid Contractor Scrutiny

Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska has been actively involved in promoting the state's tourism industry and recognizing significant figures. He highlighted projections indicating that Nebraska's tourism spending is expected to reach $4.72 billion by 2025, underscoring the importance of showcasing the state's attractions. In a separate event, Governor Pillen participated in the induction ceremony of former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, held in the State Capitol Rotunda on Friday, September 18, 2026, Governor Pillen praised Osborne's contributions to the state and shared personal lessons he had learned from him. Concurrently, questions have arisen regarding the influence of Julie Bushell, a no-bid contractor hand-picked by Governor Pillen, who has been lobbying for state deals. These concerns persist despite reported reservations from the state's top environmental administrator.
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University of Nebraska at Omaha Breaks Ground on $55 Million Howard L. Hawks Training Center

University of Nebraska at Omaha Breaks Ground on $55 Million Howard L. Hawks Training Center

University of Nebraska at Omaha Breaks Ground on $55 Million Howard L. Hawks Training Center
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Cooler Weather Brings Fall Feel to Nebraska

Cooler Weather Brings Fall Feel to Nebraska

Nebraska is experiencing a significant drop in temperatures, marking the coolest stretch since May, according to KOLN. The week ahead will feel more like fall, with highs struggling to reach the low 60s°F (15-16°C) in cloudier areas on Monday, while southern regions may see mid-70s°F (23-24°C). Scattered showers are expected, particularly north of I-80, with light rainfall totals. The fall equinox on Tuesday will bring widespread lows in the lower 50s°F (10-11°C), with some areas dipping into the upper 40s°F (8-9°C). A brief period of clearing is anticipated midweek, with temperatures gradually warming into the upper 60s°F (19-20°C) to low 70s°F (21-22°C) by the weekend.
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Heartland United Way Distributes Nearly 13,700 Pounds of Food to Local Pantries

Heartland United Way Distributes Nearly 13,700 Pounds of Food to Local Pantries

The Heartland United Way's Annual Food Drive successfully collected nearly 13,700 pounds of food, which was distributed to local pantries, shelters, and backpack programs. This effort was crucial as organizations like Free Food and Many Blessings in Grand Island reported a significant increase in daily needs. Jim Elrod from Free Food and Many Blessings noted that the rising cost of living forces individuals to choose between essential expenses like rent, food, or medical bills. Pastor Ray Stone of First Faith United Methodist Church emphasized the importance of community support, stating that the collected food is incredibly helpful in supplementing what congregations can provide. FFA students from 104 chapters across Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas contributed significantly, filling a Chief Construction trailer with 12,480 pounds of food during Husker Harvest Days. Palmer Public Schools led the donations with 419 pounds. Local grocery stores in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick Counties collected nearly 970 ...
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Nebraska Braces for Cooldown and Rain This Week

Nebraska Braces for Cooldown and Rain This Week

Nebraska is set to experience a significant cooldown starting Sunday, September 20, 2026, with high temperatures ranging from 58°F to 70°F (14°C to 21°C) and morning lows between 45°F and 60°F (7°C to 16°C). North winds of 10-15 mph will contribute to the cooler feel. Rain and storms are expected, particularly in western Nebraska, where much-needed precipitation could bring up to 0.5 inches of rain in southeastern parts of the state. This weather marks the beginning of a stretch of cooler and drier conditions, with dew points staying in the 40s and 50s throughout the week. Occasional rain chances will persist, with the best opportunities for precipitation on Wednesday and Thursday, September 23-24, as a new weather pattern brings periodic disturbances.
Buckeyes WireBuckeyes Wire
Ohio State football updated game-by-game ESPN predictions after Week 3

Ohio State football updated game-by-game ESPN predictions after Week 3

The ESPN 'Matchup Predictor' has updated the percentage chances of Ohio State winning the remaining games on its 2026 regular-season schedule.
Spartans WireSpartans Wire
What Pat Fitzgerald had to say following MSU football's loss at Notre Dame

What Pat Fitzgerald had to say following MSU football's loss at Notre Dame

"I'm pissed -- we came down here to win a game (and) we didn't execute."
Eagles WireEagles Wire
Eagles’ updated 53-man roster, notes for Week 2 at Tennessee

Eagles’ updated 53-man roster, notes for Week 2 at Tennessee

We're examining Philadelphia's updated 53-man roster, player notes and key statistics before Sunday’s road game against Tennessee
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Plummer Insurance Inducted into Nationwide FAST Track Hall of Fame for Agricultural Insurance Excellence

Plummer Insurance Inducted into Nationwide FAST Track Hall of Fame for Agricultural Insurance Excellence

Plummer Insurance Inducted into Nationwide FAST Track Hall of Fame for Agricultural Insurance Excellence
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Expands Local Energy Autonomy for Member Cooperatives

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Expands Local Energy Autonomy for Member Cooperatives

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Expands Local Energy Autonomy for Member Cooperatives
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USDA Designates 18 South Dakota Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Drought

USDA Designates 18 South Dakota Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Drought

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially designated 18 counties in South Dakota as natural disaster areas. This designation is a direct response to severe drought conditions that have impacted these regions. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that these counties experienced a drought intensity of D2 (Severe Drought) for eight or more consecutive weeks, or D3 (Extreme Drought) or D4 (Exceptional Drought) during the growing season. This declaration allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to agricultural producers affected by the drought. These loans are intended to assist with various recovery needs, including replacing essential items like equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. The FSA will evaluate loan applications based on the extent of losses, available security, and repayment capability. Additionally, several contiguous counties in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota are also eligible for assis...