Stuck in Neutral: Nebraska used to be a leader in creating jobs and spurring growth. Not anymore.

A new Flatwater analysis shows the state has fallen behind its neighbors. Business leaders are diagnosing why – and hoping new efforts will reverse the troubling trend.

April 17, 2026Updated: April 20, 2026

By News Channel Nebraska

Regional

Norfolk Sculpture Walk offers healing and connection through stainless steel

NCN to provide live Nebraska primary election coverage May 12

Iowa hospital accused of harvesting patient’s organs without authorization

Valentine Chamber board fires newly hired executive director amid criminal case

State

Sidney Shooting Park to honor founding member Tom Bryant with remembrance shoot

First 250 CSC specialty license plates offered at no cost

NTSB gathering details on Frontier Airlines evacuation after plane hit and killed person in Denver

Stuck in Neutral: Nebraska used to be a leader in creating jobs and spurring growth. Not anymore.

Regional

Norfolk Sculpture Walk offers healing and connection through stainless steel

NCN to provide live Nebraska primary election coverage May 12

Iowa hospital accused of harvesting patient’s organs without authorization

Valentine Chamber board fires newly hired executive director amid criminal case

State

Sidney Shooting Park to honor founding member Tom Bryant with remembrance shoot

First 250 CSC specialty license plates offered at no cost

NTSB gathering details on Frontier Airlines evacuation after plane hit and killed person in Denver

Sheriff reports bovine located

Sidney High School sends out 2026 graduates

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana finds itself defending Nebraska's second house'

Sports

WNCC baseball ends season with loss to Southeast at regionals

Field set for Colorado 1A state tournament semifinals

Colorado sports notes: Schwarber homers twice, Phillies beat Rockies 6-0 and improve to 10-3 under Mattingly

WNCC baseball stays alive with 16-7 win over Otero

WNCC softball season ends after dropping two at regionals Friday

WNCC baseball goes 1-1 in first day of regional tourney

Ag & Outdoor

Powell wins 56th Cornhusker Trap Shoot

Outdoor notes: Spring shotgun turkey season opens

Outdoor notes: Bighorn sheep regular lottery applications begin April 20

Outdoor notes: NGPC offering pastures, hay tracts to those affected by wildfires

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Smith Lake WMA Aquatic Habitat Project

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks urges caution when recreating outdoors due to wildfires