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Grand Island Tourism

Nebraska Bigfoot Conference Moves to Fonner Park

Mar 6, 2024 / Visit GI

GRAND ISLAND, NE: The 2024 Nebraska Bigfoot Conference will take place at Fonner Park this April 26-27. Moving from its location in Hastings, Fonne...
Grand Island Police Department Logo.

GI Police Report

Mar 6, 2024 / GIPD

News media report for: 03/06/24All crimes reported in this news media report are felonies for the past 24 hours. For more information on repor...
Nebraska-Appleseed

Nebraska Schools Complete Breakfast Challenge

Mar 6, 2024 / Nebraska Appleseed

NEBRASKA – This February, 26 Nebraska schools volunteered to compete in the Nebraska School Breakfast Challenge 2024 hosted by Nebraska SNAC,...
FNBO

FNBO Announces 2024 City Ambassadors

Mar 6, 2024 / FNBO

Omaha, NE, March 6, 2024 – FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha) is proud to announce its 2024 City Ambassadors, a group of 21 employees helpin...
Nebraska State Patrol logo.

NSP Investigating In-Custody Death at Thurston County Jail

Mar 6, 2024 / NSP

MARCH 5, 2024 (NORFOLK, NEB.)  — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an in-custody death that occurred at the Thurston County Jai...
Jim Pillen 2024

Nebraska Should “Just Say No” to Needle Exchange Programs

Mar 6, 2024 / By Governor Jim Pillen

Nebraska has the lowest drug overdose death rate in the country. Yet, some state senators want to bring the failed policies of drug-infested cities...
Disability Community Calls on Governor to Address Crisis

Disability Community Calls on Governor to Address Crisis

Mar 5, 2024 / Arc of Nebraska and the Nebraska Association of Service Providers

Lincoln, NE – March 5th, 2024 - The chronic underfunding of Disability Services in Nebraska has reached a critical juncture, resulting in dan...
United States Department of Agriculture logo.

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program General Signup for 2024

Mar 5, 2024 / UDSA

LINCOLN, Nebraska, March 4, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can...
The Hastings Symphony Orchestra welcomes the Jackie Allen Quartet to Hastings

The Hastings Symphony Orchestra welcomes the Jackie Allen Quartet to Hastings

Mar 5, 2024 / Hasting Symphony

A special Saturday date-night performance by Nebraska’s chanteuse extraordinaire Jackie Allen and her Quartet, performing jazz standards and ...
Taste of GI Coming in April

Taste of GI Coming in April

Mar 5, 2024 / GI Rotary

People in the Grand Island area will soon have a chance to taste a variety of foods and beverages from local businesses under one roof while helpin...
Red Dirt stars Turnpike Troubadours headline Nebraska State Fair

Red Dirt stars Turnpike Troubadours headline Nebraska State Fair

Mar 5, 2024 / NSF

The Nebraska State Fair has announced their headline concert, as the kings of Red Dirt music Turnpike Troubadours have been added to the 2024 Nebra...
Nebraska State News

Senator Megan Hunt Responds to Governor Pillen’s Misguided Veto of Bipartisan Public Health Measure (LB307)

Mar 5, 2024 / Senator Megan Hunt District 8 Nebraska Legislature

LINCOLN, NE – 3.4.24 – Governor Pillen has vetoed LB 307, a data-backed public health measure with broad bipartisan support, citing non...
Buy Fresh Buy Local Opens Membership Registration

Buy Fresh Buy Local Opens Membership Registration

Mar 5, 2024 / UNL

Lincoln, Neb., March. 4, 2024— Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska announces the opening of registration for membership for its highly-anticipated 2...
Jamie Karl GI Chamber

A Fresh Perspective on the Future of Grand Island

Mar 5, 2024 / By Jamie Karl, President Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce

Grand Island is on a roll — and it has only just begun. That is my first impression after a few weeks on the job as the new president of...
Adrian Smith 3rd Dist

Countering Communist China

Mar 5, 2024 / By Rep. Adrian Smith

In December 2023, the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) released a bi...
Corn harvest. Photo by Chabella Guzman

Engaging Agriculture: Ideas For Estate and Transition Planning: Monetary Compensation

Mar 4, 2024 / By Jessica Groskopf, Nebraska Extension Agricultural Economist  

For many farm and ranch families, bringing children or grandchildren into the operation is the ultimate goal. Successfully bringing additional fami...
Fonner Park

Latest Details on Racing Accident Sunday at Fonner ParkAudio Icon, this article contains audio

Mar 4, 2024 / Fonner Park

3.3.2024 Hear a complete interview with Fonner CEO Chris Kotulak at the bottom of the page A freak accident resulted in a racing mishap that occu...
Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers Release

Attorney General Hilgers Announces National Consumer Protection Week

Mar 4, 2024 / Nebraska AG

Lincoln -- In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Mike Hilgers is encouraging Nebraskans to take proactive steps to ...
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Gov. Pillen Vetoes Bill Creating Government-Supported Free Needle Exchange Program for Drug Users

Mar 4, 2024 / Press Release

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen vetoed LB 307 which proposes the creation of Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) in local jurisdictions....
Grand Island Police Department Logo.

GI Police Report

Mar 4, 2024 / GIPD

News media report for: 03/01/24All crimes reported in this news media report are felonies for the past 24 hours. For more information on repor...
Update/State Fire Marshal - Wood River Home Explosion

Update/State Fire Marshal - Wood River Home Explosion

Mar 3, 2024 / Hall County Emergency Management

(Wood River, NE)  – At approximately 9:16 AM CST, Saturday, March 2, 2024, Wood River Fire Department responded to the report of a resid...
National-Weather-Service

Red Flag Warning Again

Mar 3, 2024 / NWS

Hello from the National Weather Service in Hastings, Dry conditions in conjunction with gusty winds will allow for rapid spread of fires today. W...
Nebraska Department of Transportation

NDOT Announces the Good Life, Great Journey Scholarship Program

Mar 1, 2024 / NDOT

March 1, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Today, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced the Good Life, Great Journey Scholarsh...
Strimple, Laura's profile photo Strimple, Laura unread, 2:54 PM (8 minutes ago)  to      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 1, 2024     CONTACT:  Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495     Gov. Jim Pillen & University Leaders Announce Food Animal Veterinary Scholarship Program     LINCOLN, NE. – Governor Jim Pillen has announced a new scholarship program for Nebraska students aimed at growing the number of veterinarians serving livestock producers across the state.  The Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program provides financial support to Nebraska students pursuing degrees in animal science or veterinary science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Today, is the first day that applications are being accepted for the first cohort of students.     “The need for production animal veterinarians is undeniable. It’s an issue for Nebraska and other state’s as well,” said Gov. Pillen. “Through this collaboration with UNL, Nebraska will be a leader in boosting the number of graduates in this field.”     UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett voiced strong support for the program, which he said will help the university meet two key goals.     “The Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program aligns with two key aims of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln -- first, to attract, retain, and graduate Nebraska’s best and brightest students; and second, to contribute to resolving pressing issues within the state of Nebraska,” said Bennett. “The University appreciates Gov. Pillen’s leadership and the state’s support of this program that will impact not only UNL but all Nebraskans who benefit from veterinary services.”     Nebraska’s livestock industry contributes more than $6 billion annually to the state’s economy – an impact that is especially significant in rural counties and communities. Veterinarians play a critical role in keeping livestock healthy, improving herd health, and responding to disease and public health issues, among many other services, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Access to high-quality veterinary care improves profitability for livestock producers and contributes to peace of mind for producers when their animals need care.     But Nebraska and other states across the country are facing a steep shortage of food animal veterinarians. One reason for this is the cost of veterinary training, according to the USDA. The Elite 11 Program removes the barrier of cost for Nebraska students interested in food animal veterinary medicine.     Dr. Larry Marshall has been a vet in Bertrand for nearly 40 years. He says students tend to return to their home communities to practice, which is both a benefit and a hindrance when it comes to recruiting food animal veterinarians, especially if that hometown is in another state.      “The point is that my plight in trying to find an associate is shared up and down areas of rural Nebraska with other veterinarians. This is a plan that I think is going to get to the root of the problem and it’s going to help solve that problem,” shared Marshall. “Our goal is to find, cultivate, educate, mentor and lead these students down a path that will let them be successful food animal veterinarians in rural Nebraska.”     Up to 25 first-time freshmen will receive the Nebraska Aspiring Animal Production Veterinarians Program Scholarship, which covers 50% of their tuition for the first two years of their study in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.     After the second year, up to 13 of the original 25 scholarship recipients will be awarded a continuation scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition for their third and fourth years of study at UNL. Ultimately, 11 students will be selected as part of the Elite 11. Those students will receive 100% of tuition and fees for UNL’s professional program in veterinary medicine, in which students complete the first two years of veterinary school at UNL, followed by two more years of schooling at the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. Students selected into the program will also receive mentoring and professional development throughout their studies.     “This program presents an incredible opportunity for Nebraska high school students who are passionate about agriculture and animal care to pursue careers in veterinary medicine without the burden of student loan debt,” said Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “This is an important program that will have a big impact on our state, our agriculture industry, and on the students who take part in it. I’m grateful to Gov. Pillen and the state of Nebraska for making this possible.”     “Based on my own experience, I know how academically demanding it is to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. It’s becoming even harder to find students who are interested in large animal care,” said Gov. Pillen. “This program aims to close that gap and produce experts in the field who can ably work with farmers and ranchers and continue to ensure Nebraska’s place in providing quality food products across the globe.”     Graduates of the Elite 11 Program are required to stay in Nebraska and practice as a production-animal veterinarian for eight years. Application instructions for the first cohort of the program are now available at casnr.unl.edu/elite11. Applications will be accepted through April 12. Scholarship recipients will be notified in late May.     “The Elite 11 Program brings together two of the things we are most passionate about at UNL – supporting Nebraska students and fulfilling our land-grant mission,” said Mike Boehm, NU Vice President and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “It’s truly a win-win.”     “As a rural senator representing District 44, as well as a cattle producer, I introduced LB1062 to address and support the demand for more rural veterinarians,” said State Senator Teresa Ibach. “Iowa, Kansas and Missouri all offer incentive programs that work to attract students, and their practicing veterinarian numbers well exceed ours. I am pleased that the Governor, the university and the legislature recognize the urgency to meet the needs of our ever-growing agriculture industry. This venture champions and supports students across our state who will serve this vital industry into the future.”

Gov. Jim Pillen & University Leaders Announce Food Animal Veterinary Scholarship Program

Mar 1, 2024 / Press Release

LINCOLN, NE. – Governor Jim Pillen has announced a new scholarship program for Nebraska students aimed at growing the number of veterinarians...
Ernie Goss

Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions February Index Slumped Below Growth Neutral

Mar 1, 2024 / Creighton University

Mid-America Manufacturing Slumped. Region Lost Manufacturing Jobs First Two Months of 2024 February 2024 Survey Highlights:-For the third stra...