Local News 

Columbus Aims to Revamp Howard Boulevard with U.S. transportation BUILD Grant
Columbus Aims to Revamp Howard Boulevard with U.S. transportation BUILD Grant

Columbus is applying for a BUILD grant to revamp Howard Boulevard, aiming to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety near schools and churches

Nebraska Athletics to provide additional scholarships

Nebraska Athletics to provide additional scholarships

Nebraska Athletics plans to increase its total number of scholarships over the next three years.

Former director charged in Norfolk Senior Center scandal

Former director charged in Norfolk Senior Center scandal

A Norfolk woman has been charged with theft after being terminated from the Senior Center in November.

Norfolk economic development director to leave city role

Norfolk economic development director to leave city role

Norfolk’s economic development director to take on a new role in the private sector.

Artist painting mural in Norfolk as part of national project

Artist painting mural in Norfolk as part of national project

A multi-year, nationwide project celebrating small towns has made a stop in northeast Nebraska.

Norfolk Republicans take on leadership roles in Nebraska GOP

Norfolk Republicans take on leadership roles in Nebraska GOP

Two Norfolk residents were appointed to statewide leadership positions

Nebraska woodcarver transforms ordinary wood into extraordinary art

Nebraska woodcarver transforms ordinary wood into extraordinary art

Roger Nadrchal's creative process involves meticulous attention to detail. Small ornaments can take up to an hour and a half to create, while larger, more complex pieces, like his favorite pair of giraffes, can require around 300 hours of work

Third day of abortion bill debate delays other Nebraska legislation

Third day of abortion bill debate delays other Nebraska legislation

Debate over a single bill has slowed proceedings at the Capitol.

Bill to require study of Black missing women and children

Bill to require study of Black missing women and children

Legislative Bill 751 would authorize a study to improve the reporting and investigation of these cases.

Norfolk City Council approves contracts for Downtown Gateway Sign and festoon lighting

Norfolk City Council approves contracts for Downtown Gateway Sign and festoon lighting

Construction can move forward on a pair of projects intended to enhance Norfolk’s downtown.

Nebraska companies, including Grain Weevil and Sentinel Ag, win top engineering awards in a show of momentum for the agtech ecosystem

Nebraska companies, including Grain Weevil and Sentinel Ag, win top engineering awards in a show of momentum for the agtech ecosystem

Six of the 33 companies that won 2026 AE50 awards are from Nebraska, signaling how far the state’s agtech ecosystem has come in under a decade.

Norfolk dance studio steps up to support national childhood cancer initiative

Norfolk dance studio steps up to support national childhood cancer initiative

A Norfolk dance studio is supporting the national "I Dance For A Cure" initiative, which raises funds for childhood cancer research, inspired by personal connections and the underfunding of research in this area

Northeast Nebraska man dies in South Dakota single-vehicle crash

Northeast Nebraska man dies in South Dakota single-vehicle crash

A Nebraska man has died following a crash in southern South Dakota.

Norfolk LAN party brings connection to the competition

Norfolk LAN party brings connection to the competition

Going on six years now the Norfolk LAN party is once again bringing gamers together, to show it’s not all about competition but about connection.

Small town bakery makes a big impact in community

Small town bakery makes a big impact in community

Walking down the streets of Wayne you might have noticed this small bakery, but when you step inside it’s way more than that.

Norfolk Police Department Navigates Challenges Amidst Multimillion-Dollar Renovations

Norfolk Police Department Navigates Challenges Amidst Multimillion-Dollar Renovations

The Norfolk Police Department is managing operational challenges due to ongoing multimillion-dollar renovations, necessitating a temporary relocation for some departments to ensure uninterrupted service

Train drags teen's pickup, minor injuries reported

Train drags teen's pickup, minor injuries reported

A 19-year-old driver was treated for minor injuries after his pickup was struck by a train and dragged along railroad tracks in northeast Nebraska.

Wayne Community Schools clear after calls of a possible shooter

Wayne Community Schools clear after calls of a possible shooter

Wayne Community Schools were placed on lockdown after several alarming calls reporting a possible shooter.

Norfolk man died after striking a tree in Pierce County

Norfolk man died after striking a tree in Pierce County

A Norfolk man died early Thursday morning after his pickup struck a tree in Pierce County.

Norfolk claims repeat girls wrestling title in dejavu win

Norfolk claims repeat girls wrestling title in dejavu win

One northeast Nebraska town is doing the unthinkable, celebrating back-to-back championships in girls wrestling.

Politicians react after SUV struck a student during an anti-ICE protest in Fremont

Politicians react after SUV struck a student during an anti-ICE protest in Fremont

Nebraska elected officials are responding after a high school student was struck by an SUV during an anti-ICE protest at Fremont High School.

Norfolk gears Up for massive gaming tournament, drawing gamers from across Nebraska and beyond

Norfolk gears Up for massive gaming tournament, drawing gamers from across Nebraska and beyond

Norfolk is hosting its sixth annual LAN party, drawing gamers nationwide for tournaments, giveaways, and social interaction.

High speed chase leads to crash and arrest in Northeast Nebraska

High speed chase leads to crash and arrest in Northeast Nebraska

One man is behind bars in Madison County after deputies arrested a suspect following a high-speed chase.

Nebraska jobless claims surge after Tyson plant closure

Nebraska jobless claims surge after Tyson plant closure

Nebraska was one of only seven states to see an increase in jobless claims during that period.

Hours-long hearing held on bathroom bill

Hours-long hearing held on bathroom bill

Who should be allowed to use communal bathrooms and locker rooms?

Norfolk woman sues guardian and service provider for allowing man with disabilities to remain soiled

Norfolk woman sues guardian and service provider for allowing man with disabilities to remain soiled

A Norfolk woman is suing Mosaic, claiming that an elderly client she cared for was allowed “numerous times” to come home from the provider’s day program covered in feces and smelling of urine.

Pierce community hosts early childhood training for local providers

Pierce community hosts early childhood training for local providers

One community in Northeast Nebraska is taking big steps in providing for the next generation while they are still crawling.

How new SNAP rules are being handled in local stores

How new SNAP rules are being handled in local stores

If you walked into a grocery store here in Nebraska and try to buy a quick drink using your EBT card, you might not be able to anymore.

Sen. Ricketts Addresses ICE Investigation, Government Shutdown, and Second Amendment

Sen. Ricketts Addresses ICE Investigation, Government Shutdown, and Second Amendment

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts addressed a wide range of national issues Wednesday during a press conference, touching on the federal investigation into a Minnesota ICE custody death, a potential government shutdown, and Second Amendment rights.

Shed storing vehicles and ranching equipment is a complete loss

Shed storing vehicles and ranching equipment is a complete loss

Firefighters spent four hours in Northeast Nebraska battling a massive Shed fire.

Pierce golf course gets a financial lifeline

Pierce golf course gets a financial lifeline

The Pierce Golf Course, burdened by significant debt from past incidents and declining memberships, was saved by anonymous investors, ensuring its continued operation and community value.

Nebraska population rises slightly, as international growth reverses

Nebraska population rises slightly, as international growth reverses

Data released Tuesday reveals a 0.6% annual population bump, or about 12,500 more residents overall from July 2024 through June 2025.

DHHS won’t seek to cap Medicaid waiver caregiver hours for Nebraskans with disabilities, elderly

DHHS won’t seek to cap Medicaid waiver caregiver hours for Nebraskans with disabilities, elderly

Latest version of Medicaid waiver changes heads to second public comment period ending March 4

Grant-funded bridge aims to improve pedestrian safety in Norfolk

Grant-funded bridge aims to improve pedestrian safety in Norfolk

Norfolk pedestrians will be getting a new, safer way to access two parks that are just a stone’s throw away from each other.

Huskers’ 2026 Football Schedule Revealed

Huskers’ 2026 Football Schedule Revealed

The Big Ten announced its 2026 football schedule on Tuesday, providing all 18 schools with dates for their nine conference games.

Thousand of dollars in grants given to Nebraska communities

Thousand of dollars in grants given to Nebraska communities

Nine communities in Nebraska received grants for health, education and recreation.

Pillen signs executive order on THC industry in Nebraska

Pillen signs executive order on THC industry in Nebraska

Nebraska’s governor is making a move to crack down on what he calls a dangerous THC market.

Gov. Pillen appoints new Judge in northeast Nebraska

Gov. Pillen appoints new Judge in northeast Nebraska

The Seventh Judicial District of Nebraska will soon have a new face behind the gavel.

Man arrested for multiple burglaries in northeast Nebraska

Man arrested for multiple burglaries in northeast Nebraska

Police say a Norfolk man is behind bars, accused of multiple burglaries.

Longtime northeast Nebraska county judge set to retire

Longtime northeast Nebraska county judge set to retire

A judge with nearly a quarter-century of experience on the bench is set to retire.

Gov. Pillen officially running for reelection

Gov. Pillen officially running for reelection

Gov. Jim Pillen officially filled to run for re-election as Governor of Nebraska.

Madison county fair announces 2026 concert lineup

Madison county fair announces 2026 concert lineup

The Madison County Fair has announced its concert lineup for 2026.

Northeast Nebraska school eyes $25 Million expansion to replace aging facilities

Northeast Nebraska school eyes $25 Million expansion to replace aging facilities

St. Francis Elementary is planning a $25 million expansion to replace its aging facilities, which suffer from outdated structures, accessibility issues, and limited capacity, hindering the school's ability to accommodate modern technology

Norfolk Updates Utility Billing Website

Norfolk Updates Utility Billing Website

The city of Norfolk is updating its utility billing payment system, adding new payment options. 

Former WNBA player from Nebraska makes a stop at youth basketball tournament

Former WNBA player from Nebraska makes a stop at youth basketball tournament

A small town basketball tournament had an extra twist this weekend when a former WNBA player came to talk.

Stanton County records high arrest and citation totals in 2025

Stanton County records high arrest and citation totals in 2025

The Stanton County Sheriff’s Office is touting its year-end arrest and citation numbers.

Northeast Nebraska nonprofit expands to serve more in need

Northeast Nebraska nonprofit expands to serve more in need

A Northeast nonprofit is expanding its facilities to better serve the community after providing essential clothing to over 2,500 people in 2025

Authorities investigate fire that destroyed Stanton County sheriff’s vehicle

Authorities investigate fire that destroyed Stanton County sheriff’s vehicle

Authorities are investigating a fire that totaled a sheriff’s patrol vehicle.

Battle Creek dam project denied at January board meeting

Battle Creek dam project denied at January board meeting

The plan for a dam near Battle Creek is off the table for now.

NWS advises ahead of dangerous cold and snow potential

NWS advises ahead of dangerous cold and snow potential

The National Weather service says that very cold temperatures and strong winds are producing life-threatening wind chills ranging from -20 to -35 degrees this morning.

Born with a less than a 4% chance of survival, Nebraska’s ‘miracle’ quadruplets ready for 18th birthday

Born with a less than a 4% chance of survival, Nebraska’s ‘miracle’ quadruplets ready for 18th birthday

When Rachel Woollen gave birth to quadruplets 17 weeks early, they had a less than 4% chance of all surviving. They’re about to celebrate their 18th birthday.

Norfolk’s most dangerous burrito run: how one rock is at the center of it

Norfolk’s most dangerous burrito run: how one rock is at the center of it

Have you ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place? Well some people’s cravings for Chipotle have put them there. 

Grass fire burns several acres northeast of Norfolk

Grass fire burns several acres northeast of Norfolk

A grass fire drew a response from several different departments Thursday afternoon in northeast Nebraska.

Modular homes speed up affordable housing project in Columbus

Modular homes speed up affordable housing project in Columbus

NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska is adding 15 affordable housing units to Columbus' Quail Meadows neighborhood using customized modular homes to expedite construction, with down payment assistance available for eligible homebuyers

Organization files suit over DOJ request for Nebraska voter data

Organization files suit over DOJ request for Nebraska voter data

A U.S. Department of Justice request for voter data is facing some pushback in Nebraska.

Shed fire in Northeast Nebraska a total loss

Shed fire in Northeast Nebraska a total loss

A shed fire in Northeast Nebraska prompted a response from fire officials, with the cause under investigation and the shed declared a total loss

Power outage leaves hundreds in the dark in Neligh

Power outage leaves hundreds in the dark in Neligh

City Superintendent Dan Donaldson told NCN over the phone the power outage started shortly after noon due to a subfeeder going down from high wind gusts.

New superintendent announced for Norfolk Public Schools

New superintendent announced for Norfolk Public Schools

Erik Wilson has been with Norfolk Public Schools for 25 years, he is currently the Associate Superintendent, and was voted to become the next superintendent. 

Norfolk Avenue Bridge to become more pedestrian-friendly

Norfolk Avenue Bridge to become more pedestrian-friendly

One highly trafficked bridge in Northeast Nebraska is becoming more accessible to pedestrians.

Final portion of highway 275 project is under contract

Final portion of highway 275 project is under contract

The final phase of a major construction project has now entered its final phase.

Lynne Walz enters race for governor

Lynne Walz enters race for governor

Former state senator Lynne Walz announced Wednesday morning that she is going to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in the May primary.

Texas-based Buc-ee’s likely headed to Gretna

Texas-based Buc-ee’s likely headed to Gretna

Mayor foresees mega convenience store with 100 gas pumps as catalyst for city’s ‘good life district’

Ricketts touts tax cuts during Nebraska roundtable tour

Ricketts touts tax cuts during Nebraska roundtable tour

Senator Pete Ricketts is campaigning for reelection in Nebraska, touting tax cuts during a tour that includes discussions with community leaders and highlighting potential economic benefits for families

Tiny home community re-zoning project put on pause in Northeast Nebraska

Tiny home community re-zoning project put on pause in Northeast Nebraska

One developer’s dream of building tiny homes in northeast Nebraska will have to wait a little longer.

Nebraska bill would require civics test for lawmakers

Nebraska bill would require civics test for lawmakers

A bill would require Nebraska lawmakers to complete a civics knowledge test within 90 days of taking their oath in office.