Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 262
A good buddy has a favorite saying: “We’re all smart. We have smartphones.” It’s funny, and I’ve used it several times. After all, smartphones have, in a lot of ways, made our lives easier and smarter. Got an unfamiliar address to find? Use the smartphone to give you directions. Hungry for a burrito? Use a smartphone to find the nearest restaurant. Engaged in a heated argument over who hit the most home runs, Willie Stargell or Harmon Killebrew? Google it on your smartphone. They have basically...
After more than 100 days on the road, Camilo Ruiz has learned that America's highways tell only part of the story. The rest is written by the strangers who stop to offer a bottle of water, a meal, words of encouragement or simply a friendly conversation. "I think people over here are a lot nicer," Ruiz said while making his way through northeast Nebraska on Friday, June 26. "I've never really had people be mean anywhere, but places like Missouri rolled out the red carpet." Ruiz, 29, left...
You've heard of "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, but have you heard of A Tale of Three Clearwaters? The communities of Clearwater, Minnesota; Clearwater, Kansas; and Clearwater, Nebraska, all share a name - as well as a love for rodeo. The Silver Bullet Saddle Club hosts an annual rodeo located between Clearwater, Minnesota, St. Cloud, and the Twin Cities. In an interview, Kari Wrobel, secretary of the club, said, "We were established in 1979 as a saddle club and started putting on...
The Advocate-Messenger has four summer interns who fill a variety of positions at the news office....
Gov. Jim Pillen has always insisted that he’s “not a politician,” but more of a regular guy. “Speech-i-fying” isn’t his cup of rhetorical tea. I’m sure he’d admit that. But every so often, we get evidence of, shall we say, a misstep of the vocal variety. Most recently, it was when he was signing an executive order intended to “further eradicate” antisemitism, a worthy goal. Pillen had already ordered state agencies to use a definition of antisemitism developed by an organization, the I...
Jake Rosmarin has never set foot inside an Omaha restaurant. And yet, in the past month, he has eaten Reuben egg rolls from Paddy McGown's, a burrito bowl from Bomb Taco, a box of candy from Chocolat Abielle, buffalo chicken pizza from Mama's and, of course, a Runza. These and many other Omaha takeout standouts have been delivered directly to his address: A door located inside the University of Nebraska Medical Center National Quarantine Unit. Rosmarin, an Instagram-famous travel blogger from...
Elections often bring surprises, but the upset victory of retired Omaha businessman Scott Petersen in the Republican primary for Secretary of State wasn’t that surprising. Sure, he defeated an incumbent, Lincoln attorney Bob Evnen, who was seeking a third, four-year term. His office runs our state elections and handles several different tasks, like registering corporations. More than a couple of things were working in Petersen’s favor. First off, Petersen appeared to mount a more aggressive camp...
There are a lot of things high school students wish they had more of. Money. Sleep. Gas in the tank. Followers. Time tops the list-and it's the one thing nobody is getting a refill on. Here's the uncomfortable truth: most students don't actually have a time problem. They have a time management problem. And yes, that sounds like something an adult would say right before telling you to clean your room - or be on time for prom or the 8 a.m. bell - but stay with me. Because this isn't about nagging....
Small businesses play a critical role in creating jobs, driving economic growth, and contributing to the overall well-being of rural communities. In many areas, they are the backbone of the local economy, providing essential goods and services. Spring offers a good reminder of the importance of these contributions to our communities, in particular with National Small Business Week celebrated from May 3 to 9. Small-scale entrepreneurship is a proven strategy to strengthen our small towns and...
Almost every time I head over to the local work-out joint, there's some petition circulators waiting. They scurry up and ask for my signature on a proposed ballot initiative that would make it harder for state legislators to change laws that voters have passed at the ballot box. Nebraska is one of only 26 states that allow voters – if they collect enough signatures to put something on the ballot – to directly pass laws and constitutional amendments, or to repeal such measures via a ref...
Some State Capitol watchers say they can't relax until state legislators go home for the year. As a reporter who chased the occupants of the "Hall of Hot Winds" for too many decades, I can attest that the fire drill-like finish to legislative sessions leaves you ready for something different. Or a stiff drink. Late-night sessions – which used to be a rarity – are par for the course these days, with debates extending 12 hours or more in the waning days of a legislative session. Filibusters also u...
Nebraska Public Power District sought public input during an open house Tuesday in Clearwater on a proposed 345-kV transmission project spanning about 27 miles across Antelope County. The project would use steel single-pole structures and the process will take about three years to complete, connecting a substation in southeast Holt County near the Antelope County line to an existing substation northeast of Neligh. According to Grant Otten, NPPD media relations specialist, 72 people attended the...
Go Big Red. What an opening to the collegiate basketball tourney. Like I wrote on the paper's Facebook page following Saturday's game, I've waited 60-some years for the Huskers to win a tournament game. Now we have two. Incredible. Watching Reink Mast hug longtime announcer Kent Pavelka following Thursdays win, priceless. Watching Sandfort hit three-point shot after three-point shot, Pryceless. Watching the Husker faithful show up en masse, priceless. Watching Tyler Tanner's last-second shot dro...
The text popped up on my phone on a Saturday morning. The message warned about unresolved traffic violations in my name and threatened a barrage of legal penalties and fines if I didn't reply within a specified time frame. Luckily, I didn't click on the link provided in the text. Unfortunately, it is likely that more than 1,000 individuals will click and make a payment. Scams like these generally originate from outside Nebraska, utilizing spoofed numbers, making it difficult to track down those...
Students at Summerland Public School spent last week doing a little detective work while celebrating reading. During Read Across America Week, several mystery guests appeared on screen as "The Masked Reader," disguising their voices and identities while reading a book to elementary students. Each segment was recorded and shown in classrooms throughout the week and also shared on the school's social media page so families could view from home and discuss who's behind the mask. But the real fun...
On March 4, Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced a major consumer‑protection and child‑safety lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, alleging that the company has knowingly created and maintained an online environment that exposes millions of children to sexual predators, violent content, and illegal activity while misleading parents about the platform's safety. The complaint asserts that Roblox, despite having detailed knowledge of widespread exploitation occurring on the platform, markets its...
The 2026 Great American Comedy Festival will be bringing a Midwestern voice that's made millions laugh to the Johnny Carson Theatre stage. Charlie Berens will be headlining the annual gala on Saturday, June 20 at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk. Berens is a comedian, New York Times best-selling author, Emmy-winning journalist, musician and creator of the viral sensation, The Manitowoc Minute, a comedic news show about the Midwest which first launched him into notoriety in 2017. Since then,...
Questions recently circulating on Facebook about Orchard's water quality prompted discussion at the Feb. 9 Orchard Village Board meeting, according to Village Chairman Stephanie Cleveland. "During our board meeting last night, it was brought to our attention that there have been some questions circulating on Facebook regarding the water in Orchard," Cleveland said in a statement released on social media. "After discussing the matter, the village board would like to clarify some issues."...
A longtime Orchard business announced Monday, via social media, that it will close its doors. Lazy T Tire & Implement, known for its flatbed installation and mower sales, will cease operations immediately. "Lazy T Tire has been an asset to many. It became so much bigger because of you - our customers, friends, and community. Your support, encouragement, and loyalty carried us through every season. "Though this chapter is coming to an end, we are deeply thankful for the relationships and...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES January 12, 2026 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Mon., Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger, was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open...
Scammers continue to rely on familiar tactics to exploit fear, urgency, and trust-targeting people through tax threats, impersonation, personal relationships, and travel plans. While these schemes aren't new, they remain effective because they evolve just enough to catch people off guard. Recognizing the warning signs and knowing how to respond can help prevent financial loss and identity theft. Tax Season is Prime Time for IRS Impostor Scams: Tax season is stressful enough, and scammers take...
Scroll through social media - any platforms - and you’ll see artificial intelligence-generated photos and videos. While elements of AI products may make it difficult to differentiate between what’s real and what’s not, the rapid rollout of deepfakes makes the line between fact from fiction a blurry mess. Case in point: A person from my hometown posted multiple pieces of AI-generated media on the book of faces over the weekend. So many, in fact, that I snoozed her for 30 days, all the while...
Across Nebraska and the country, lawmakers are gathering in their state capitols and Washington, D.C. to begin another year of debating and passing legislation. The democratic process is something America prides itself on and one that requires input to thrive. While the process for public contributions varies by state, one commonality exists-lawmakers need to hear directly from their constituents on issues that are important to them. How can you make sure your voice is heard? Whether you're...
Dr. Ali Khan knelt down outside a Karachi doorway and extended his hand. The young girl who, moments earlier, had just received the polio vaccine extended her hand and a skeptical look toward the smiling doctor in a red hat emblazoned with a white N. "On the front lines in Karachi, meeting a superstar who just got her polio protection. Every drop counts!" Khan wrote in an October social media post accompanying the photo. The dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska...
As the new year gets underway, consumers are encountering a rise in scams that exploit job seekers, financial pressures, and seasonal challenges. Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal personal information and money. Here are some practical steps to help protect yourself and your loved ones from these growing threats. Fake Jobs, Real Losses: If your New Year’s resolutions include finding a new job, work-from-home opportunities may sound appealing. While many remote positions are legitimate, some aren’t what they app...
