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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Crime

Lincoln man enters plea in crash that killed 86-year-old Waverly man

Justin Plugge faces up to a year in prison in connection with a crash that killed 86-year-old Fernando Ortiz last November.

Meet the candidates: Houchin, Pitts seek to succeed longtime sheriff

Republican Ben Houchin and Democrat Jay Pitts are vying to replace Sheriff Terry Wagner, the longest-serving sheriff in county history, who is retiring this year.

Nebraska inmate makes 1st appearance on murder charge, bound over to district court

A Johnson County judge Thursday found probable cause to send Dmitry Vanderbeek's case on to district court for the first-degree murder of his cellmate at the Tecumseh state prison.

FBI investigates suspicious mail sent to Nebraska, other state election offices

Nebraska's Secretary of State's office said Thursday it received a suspicious envelope, joining election offices nationwide targeted by similar mailings. The FBI is investigating.

Lincoln man arrested after allegedly strangling, assaulting woman in vehicle

A 37-year-old has been arrested after allegedly assaulting, strangling and falsely imprisoning a woman in her vehicle last month.

New details emerge in case of Fargo murder suspect arrested in Nebraska

Police used a North Dakota woman's smart watch to help narrow down the time of her killing, according to court records in Nebraska, where her son awaits extradition for murder. 

Lincoln man charged in September stabbing at D’Leon’s

A confrontation in a D’Leon’s drive-thru lane ended with one man hospitalized and another accused of second-degree assault. 

Bond set at $2M for suspect accused of shooting man in head

Stanley Murray, who is on parole, is accused of shooting a 32-year-old man in the head.

Nebraska man sentenced to life in prison for father's shooting death

A Wayne County jury in July found Carl Ruskamp, 34, guilty of first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and possession of a deadly weapon by a felon for the Sept. 7, 2022, shooting death of Gerald Ruskamp, 65, at a rural Wayne County home.

Lincoln man accused of sexually assaulting 2 children

Prosecutors charged Ronaldo Santos with first-degree sexual assault of a child, third-degree sexual assault of a child, intentional child abuse and sex trafficking of a minor.

1 arrested after woman robbed at gunpoint; police search for other suspect

A 26-year-old woman told officers she was in her vehicle when she was told to get out and held at gunpoint with a rifle.

Lincoln teen accused of threatening school resource officer arrested at gunpoint

The Lincoln teen was taken into custody at gunpoint after a disturbance outside Lincoln Northwest High School.

Attorney for brothers accused of selling mushroom gummies says state lacks probable cause

Mirzah Meskin, 44, and his brother, Khalil Meskin, 38, both are charged with possession of psychedelic drugs with an intent to deliver for separate undercover sales at Cloud 9.

Lincoln couple accused of selling fentanyl; search warrant turns up drugs, guns in home

A Lincoln couple allegedly worked together to sell drugs, according to court documents.

Lincoln man who allegedly set welcome mat on fire accused of arson

A 26-year-old Lincoln man has been charged with arson for allegedly starting a welcome mat in his apartment building on fire.

Leader of nationwide drug ring unraveled by Nebraska traffic stop enters plea

"I know it sounds ridiculous that in 2025 you can still be arrested for the devil’s lettuce, but unfortunately it is not a joke," David "Max" Leidermann said.

1 dog dies, 3 recovering after severely malnourished husky mixes found near Lincoln

Teddy didn't survive. Maisie needed a blood transfusion. Two other husky mixes are recovering after all four were found starving west of Lincoln.

Retired longtime sheriff's deputy remembered as a 'great guy'

"He was a good guy, did a great job here," Sheriff Terry Wagner said of Craig Schnieder. "Just a life cut too short. No doubt about it."

LPD provides update on a shooting in Everett nieghborhood

LPD Assistant Chief Jason Stille provided an update on a 32-year-old man who was found shot in the head on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.

Photos: Lincoln police investigate Monday shooting that injured 1

1 in jail after Lincoln shooting injures 32-year-old man

Police believe a 32-year-old man was shot in the head and walked to a nearby house.

Suspects sought after 16-year-old robbed at gunpoint, assaulted in Lincoln

Police said multiple unknown juveniles allegedly assaulted and robbed the Lincoln teenager at gunpoint.

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Community News

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2026 NSAA boys state tennis championships recap

Creighton Prep ends Lincoln East’s reign in Class A while Owen Brown goes 30-0. Mount Michael claims a third straight Class B title behind Killeen and Pentel.

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2026 walk to end hunger surpasses goal

The 2026 Walk to End Hunger in Lincoln surpassed its goal, raising $91,258.53 and collecting 59,130 pounds of food to support the CSS Food Market.

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2026 NSAA boys state tennis schedule update

NSAA Boys State Tennis Championships move indoors due to rain forecast, with updated Class A and B match times at Dillon and Woods Tennis Centers.

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2026 NSAA girls golf championships recap

Omaha Marian and Omaha Duchesne extend state golf title streaks in Classes A and B, while West Holt claims its first Class C crown and Minden’s Jorgensen wins gold.

Shopping

What Really Happens When You Call for Emergency HVAC Help at 2 AM

Affiliate content. Learn what to do if you need an emergency HVAC repair. 

Buying or Selling a Midwest Home? What the HVAC System Is Really Worth at Closing

Affiliate content.  Learn why it is important to check the HVAC system when buying or selling home. 

Your utility bill is telling you something: what rising costs reveal about your HVAC system

Affiliate content. Learn what to do about rising energy costs from your HVAC system. 

What Your Home's Age Reveals About the HVAC Problems Coming Your Way

Affiliate content. Learn the most common HVAC problems based on the age of your home.

UNL police investigates sex offenses at residence hall, fraternity

Police believe the incident occurred between 1 and 3 a.m. Friday at the Harper Residence Hall, 1150 N. 14th Street.

Kansas truck driver arrested in Wichita for grabbing woman on UNL campus

A Kansas truck driver suspected of grabbing a young woman on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and forcefully kissing was arrested Friday in Wichita on a warrant in the case. 

Traffic stop near Lincoln uncovers $250,000 in copper tied to suspected $1 million theft scheme

A truck leaning to one side on I-80 caught deputies' attention. Inside, they found 22 tons of copper tied to a suspected series of thefts.

Jury finds Lincoln man not guilty of assault at Lancaster County jail

Prosecutors alleged William Ice helped restrain an inmate during an assault that knocked out two teeth. A jury found Ice not guilty.

California man arrested in Nebraska with 20 tons of stolen copper

A California man has been jailed in Nebraska after allegedly being found with 20 tons of stolen copper in a stop on Interstate 80 near Lincoln.

Lincoln man jailed in machete attack that severed victim's tendons

A Lincoln man has been jailed after allegedly assaulting a stranger in an alley with a machete in August, leaving him in need of surgery to repair severed tendons.

Ex-gas station clerk who stole thousands in lottery tickets participating in drug court

A 30-year-old Lincoln man accused of manipulating a Nebraska Lottery machine resulting in a loss of nearly $150,000 has pleaded guilty to two felony theft charges.

Ex-treasurer and husband charged for allegedly stealing over $32K from school, nonprofit

A Lincoln couple has been charged with allegedly stealing more than $32,000 from local organizations where the wife served as a treasurer.

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