Skip to main contentSkip to main content

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close

57°

• Log In
• Subscribe

• Guest
• Logout

Read Today's E-edition

Site Search

• AI Answers
• Site Search

• News

  • Local
  • Crime
  • Nebraska News
  • Politics
  • Records
  • Business
  • Nation & World
  • Last 24 hours
  • Markets & Stocks
  • News TIp

• Obituaries

  • Share a story
  • Recent Obituaries
  • Find an Obituary
  • Archives

• Opinion

  • Submit a letter
  • Letters
  • Editorial
  • Columnists

• Sports

  • Huskers
  • High School
  • College
  • Stars Hockey
  • Saltdogs Baseball
  • Outdoors
  • Professional
  • Scores

• Lifestyles

  • Arts & Theatre
  • Event Calendar
  • Movies & TV
  • Music
  • Puzzmo
  • Puzzles
  • Comics
  • Contests
  • Play
  • Food & Cooking
  • Parenting
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • People
  • Pets
  • Faith
  • Announcements

• Join the community

  • News tip
  • Share video

• Brand Ave. Studios

• Print Edition

  • E-edition
  • E-edition Archives
  • Special Sections

• Buy & Sell

  • Place an Ad
  • Jobs
  • Auto Sales
  • Marketplace
  • Public Notices
  • Shop Local

• Shopping

• Customer Service

  • Manage Subscription
  • Activate Digital Subscription
  • Newsletter sign-up
  • Subscribe
  • Contact us
  • Help Center

• Gift Subscriptions

• Mobile Apps

• Weather: Live Radar

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• YouTube
• Instagram

© 2026 Lee Enterprises

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Site Search

• AI Answers
• Site Search

Site Search

• AI Answers
• Site Search

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

Subscribe

Read Today's E-edition

Subscribe

• Log In

• 

  Welcome, Guest

  • My Subscription

    Help Center

  • My Account

  • Dashboard

  • Profile

  • Saved items

  • Logout

• E-edition
• News
• Obituaries
• Opinion
• Huskers
• Puzzmo
• Puzzles
• Lifestyles
• Public Notices
• Jobs
• Autos

• 57° Clear

Share This

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email

Sen. Ernie Chambers' life & times: A timeline

0 Comments

Share this

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

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

Editor's Pick

Sen. Ernie Chambers' life & times: A timeline

• JoANNE YOUNG Lincoln Journal Star
• Dec 20, 2020
• Dec 20, 2020 Updated Jul 3, 2026
• 0

1 of 6

Ernie Chambers shows off the "Republican" on his desk, an inflatable bird with an elephant trunk. This 1989 photo was taken shortly after Chambers filed as a Republican instead of an Independent. 

• Journal Star File Photo

Ernie Chambers tapes a Hitler quote to his chest in this 1989 photo to protest a special session called by then Gov. Kay Orr to address the state's tax problems. 

• Journal Star File Photo

Wearing his gridiron garb, Sen. Ernie Chambers made one last pitch to designate University football players as state employees in May, 1983. 

• Journal Star File Photo

Senators Terry Carpenter and Ernie Chambers talk in this 1978 photo.

• Journal Star File Photo

State Senators John De Camp and Ernie Chambers are interviewed in 1971. 

• Journal Star File Photo

Ernie Chambers speaks on the unmarked human burial sites and skeletal remains protection act in 1989. 

• Journal Star File Photo

Prefer us on Google Learn More

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

JoANNE YOUNG Lincoln Journal Star

1910-1920 -- Malcolm D. Chambers, Ernie's father, moves to Omaha with his parents, Samuel and Emma, and brothers and sister from Lowndes County, Mississippi. Malcolm is listed as a 12-year-old newsboy in the 1920 Omaha census.

kAmw6 8@6D @? E@ >2CCJ {:==:2? $H:7E[ 2?5 E96J 92G6 D6G6? 49:=5C6? \\ tC?:6[ #@36CE[ t55:6[ v:=36CE[ }6EEJ6[ p=J46 2?5 y@p??] |2=4@=> r92>36CD 364@>6D 2 q2AE:DE >:?:DE6C 2?5 H@C<D 2E 2 A24<:?89@FD6 E@ DFAA@CE 9:D 72>:=J] q@E9 |2=4@=> 2?5 {:==:2? =:G6 E@ E96 286 @7 gg]k^Am

kAm`hbf \\ tC?6DE (] r92>36CD :D 3@C? :? ~>292 @? yF=J `_] w:D >@E96C[ H9@ 4=62?65 9@FD6D[ :D @C:8:?2==J 7C@> #2JG:==6[ {@F:D:2?2]k^Am

kAm`hca \\ u:G6\J62C\@=5 tC?:6 DE2CED <:?56C82CE6? 2E z6==@> t=6>6?E2CJ $49@@=]k^Am

People are also reading…

• Huskers beat up after Oregon: Broken bones and season-ending injury
• Lincoln teen killed in crash at 84th and O streets
• Pius X community mourns after Lincoln teen dies in O Street crash
• Man found dead west of Elkhorn identified by Douglas County Sheriff's Office
• Ricketts defends pardon of man convicted of sexually assaulting estranged wife
• Nebraska father sues HHS after agency quotes $1M, 50 years for public records
• Why an NBA great is wading into the Lancaster County sheriff's race
• Texas murder-suicide suspect who killed Doane student also attended Crete school
• Doane student killed in Texas in attempted murder-suicide
• Massive elk killed, vehicle totaled in unusual southwest Lincoln crash
• Just: We are all tired. And the whys keep coming in Nebraska's latest soul-crusher
• 'Much respect to him': Nebraska reunion with Dylan Raiola short-lived — and painful
• Blackout at night: Kickoff time set for Washington-Nebraska Halloween game
• Nebraska high school football rankings: See who rose and fell after Week 8
• Lincoln man enters plea in crash that killed 86-year-old Waverly man

kAm`hcb\`hd` \\ w6 >@G6D E@ {@E9C@A t=6>6?E2CJ E@ 4@>A=6E6 7:CDE E9C@F89 6:89E9 8C256D]k^Am

kAm“%96J 925 E9:?8D =:<6 V{:EE=6 q=24< $2>3@V C625 2?5 =:EE=6 H9:E6 <:5D 4@F=5 =2F89 2E FD[” 96 C642==D] “p?5 E96JV5 D:?8 V~=5 q=24< y@6V 2?5 E96JV5 =:?86C @? :E] p?5 6G6CJE9:?8 E92E A6CE2:?65 E@ q=24< A6@A=6 H2D >256 E96 @3;64E @7 C:5:4F=6] p?5 D:?46 E96C6 H6C6 76H @7 FD[ H6 3642>6 E96 =:G:?8 DJ>3@=D @7 E96D6 E9:?8D]”k^Am

kAmpD 2 3@J[ tC?:6 56G@FCD 3@@<D =:<6 2? 255:4E[ 9:D 3C@E96C t55:6 D2JD[ C625:?8 =@?8 :?E@ E96 ?:89E]k^Am

kAmr92>36CD 2EE6?5D E96 #@3:?D@? |6>@C:2= r9FC49 @7 v@5 :? r9C:DE[ 2 !6?E64@DE2= 49FC49 :? ~>292] w6 4@?G6CED 9:D 3C@E96C[ t55:6[ E@ r9C:DE[ BF@E:?8 w63C6HDi “%96 52J J@F 962C |J G@:46[ 92C56? ?@E J@FC 962CE]”k^Am

kAmxE 492?865 9:D =:76[ t55:6 r92>36CD D2JD[ E2<:?8 9:> 7C@> 9:D 5C62> @7 36:?8 2 72>@FD ;2KK 5CF>>6C E@ 364@>:?8 2 42C66C E62496C 2?5 2 r9C:DE:2?] qFE 2D 2 E66?286C[ tC?:6 r92>36CD =62G6D E96 49FC49] w6 ?@H AC@76DD6D 2E96:D>]k^Am

kAm`hdd \\ r92>36CD 8C25F2E6D 7C@> ~>292 %649?:42= w:89 $49@@=]k^Am

kAm`hdh \\ w6 8C25F2E6D 7C@> rC6:89E@? &?:G6CD:EJ H:E9 2 32496=@C @7 2CED 568C66 :? 9:DE@CJ 2?5 >:?@CD :? $A2?:D9 2?5 A9:=@D@A9J]k^Am

kAm`he` \\ %96 uqx @A6?D 2 7:=6 @? r92>36CD[ H9:49 6G6?EF2==J H:== 8C@H E@ `df A286D] %96 7:=6 H2D AC@>AE65 3J 2 4@>>F?:42E:@? 7C@> E96 A@DE @77:46 56A2CE>6?E[ H96C6 r92>36CD H@C<65 2D 2 DF3DE:EFE6 5:DEC:3FE:@? 4=6C<[ 25G:D:?8 E92E 96 “>2J 36 2? 2596C6?E E@ E96 E6249:?8D @7 t=:;29 |F92>>25]”k^Am

kAmw6 H2D ?@E[ 96 D2JD] %96 7:=6[ 56G6=@A65 E9C@F89 `hfa[ D9@HD “2 A2E9@=@8:42= 762C @7 2?J q=24< >2? H9@ 42? AFE E@86E96C `_ H@C5D 2?5 >2<6 D6?D6[” r92>36CD D2JD] k^Am

kAm`hea \\ r92>36CD[ ad[ >2CC:6D y24<=J? p] wF?E6C[ aa[ :? !2A:==:@?] %96J 92G6 7@FC 49:=5C6?[ |2C<[ v2J=2[ tC?:6 yC] 2?5 s2G:5]k^Am

From left to right, Ernie Chambers, Bill Armstrong and Dan Goodwin cut hair at an Omaha barber shop in 1968. 

Journal Star File Photo

kAm`hee \\ pE 2 Qq=24< !@H6C %6249\:?Q 2E E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 }63C2D<2[ r92>36CD 56=:G6CD 2 =6?8E9J DE2E6>6?E 4@?56>?:?8 C6=:8:@?[ ~>292 =2HD[ 4@FCED[ ~>292 |2J@C p]s] $@C6?D6? 2?5 E96 ~>292 !@=:46 s6A2CE>6?E] w6 2D<D H9J $@C6?D6? 42? D2J Q}68C@6D 42? =:G6 2?JH96C6 :? E96 4:EJ E96J H2?EQ 2?5 E96? EFC? 2C@F?5 2?5 2D< 7@C @A6? 9@FD:?8 =68:D=2E:@?]k^Am

kAmw6 2AA62CD :? E96 5@4F>6?E2CJ Qp %:>6 7@C qFC?:?8Q 2?5 364@>6D 2 D@F89E\27E6C 4:G:= C:89ED DA62<6C 24C@DD E96 4@F?ECJ]k^Am

kAm`hef \\ r92>36CD E6==D 2 82E96C:?8 2E 2 &?:E2C:2? 49FC49 E92E q=24< A6@A=6 92G6 6I92FDE65 6G6CJ >62?D @7 ECJ:?8 E@ 82:? 6BF2=:EJ[ 2?5 G:@=6?46 :D E96 @?=J E@@= =67E 2E E96:C 5:DA@D2=]k^Am

kAm`heg \\ $A62<:?8 2E 2 q=24< A@H6C 4@?76C6?46 2E vC:??6== r@==686 :? x@H2[ r92>36CD :D BF@E65 2D D2J:?8 q=24< A@H6C :D Q2 H6==\=@2565 8F? :? E96 92?5D @7 2 q=24< >2? H9@ <?@HD H9@ 9:D 6?6>J :D] ]]] xV> =@@<:?8 7@C C6G6?86 9@H6G6C x 42? 86E :E]Qk^Am

Senator's Ernie-Grams reflect trail of controversies that followed him

kAmw6 CF?D 7@C E96 ~>292 D49@@= 3@2C5 2D 2 HC:E6\:? 42?5:52E6 2?5 5@6D ?@E H:?]k^Am

kAm`heh \\ r92>36CD :D 2CC6DE65 5FC:?8 C24:2= @FE3C62<D @? ~>292VD ?62C ?@CE9 D:56]k^Am

kAmw6 CF?D F?DF446DD7F==J 7@C 2 DA@E @? E96 ~>292 r:EJ r@F?4:=]k^Am

kAm`hf_ \\ r92>36CD[ bb[ :D 6=64E65 E@ E96 }63C2D<2 {68:D=2EFC6[ C6A=24:?8 :?4F>36?E v6@C86 p=E9@FD6[ eh[ :? E96 ``E9 s:DEC:4E] sFC:?8 E96 42>A2:8?[ 96 =:DED E96D6 2C62D E@ 255C6DD :? E96 {68:D=2EFC6i 65F42E:@?[ AC:D@? C67@C>[ 5CF8D 2?5 =@H6C:?8 E96 G@E:?8 286 E@ `g]k^Am

Ernie Chambers on the legislative floor in a 1971 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

kAm%96 ~>292 (@C=5\w6C2=5 65:E@C:2=:K6D E92E[ 3642FD6 @7 9:D DEC@?8 C96E@C:4 282:?DE ~>292 !@=:46 !2EC@=>2? {2CCJ |:?2C5[ H9@ H2D <:==65 27E6C 36:?8 =FC65 E@ 2 9@FD6 @? 2 72=D6 C6A@CE[ r92>36CD 92D ?@ A=246 Q>2<:?8 =2HD :? 2 4:G:=:K65 D@4:6EJ]Qk^Am

kAmr92>36CD 925 ?@E65 E96C6 H2D ?@ 4@>>F?:EJ @FE4CJ 27E6C 2? ~>292 A@=:46 @77:46C H9@ D9@E 2?5 <:==65 2 `c\J62C\@=5 q=24< 8:C= H2D EC:65[ 7@F?5 :??@46?E 2?5 AFE 324< @? E96 A@=:46 7@C46]k^Am

kAmx? s646>36C[ 2D 2 ?6H=J 6=64E65 D6?2E@C[ r92>36CD >2<6D 9:D 7:CDE EC:A 6G6C E@ CFC2= ?@CE962DE }63C2D<2 2E E96 :?G:E2E:@? @7 2?@E96C 7C6D9>2? D6?2E@C[ y@9? s6r2>A] w6 4@>6D 7246 E@ 7246 7@C E96 7:CDE E:>6 H:E9 2 96C5 @7 42EE=6[ 2 7C:89E6?:?8 6IA6C:6?46]k^Am

kAm`hf` \\ r92>36CD[ C676CC65 E@ 3J D@>6 2D 2 “q=24< >:=:E2?E[” 368:?D 9:D 7:CDE E6C> :? E96 }63C2D<2 {68:D=2EFC6[ DE2CE:?8 2 bg\J62C 42C66C C6AC6D6?E:?8 s:DEC:4E ``]k^Am

kAm%96 DE2E6 :?DE2==D 2 DEC:4E ?6H D64FC:EJ DJDE6> 2E E96 r2A:E@=[ D2J:?8 :E :D 4@:?4:56?46 E92E :E 4@>6D 2E E96 D2>6 E:>6 2D E96 ?6H=J 6=64E65 D6?2E@C 7C@> ~>292]k^Am

Ernie Chambers speaks with Virgil Taylor, center, in this February 1978 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

kAmr92>36CD 4=2D96D H:E9 9:D 92H<:D9 4@==628F6 %6CCJ r2CA6?E6C @G6C E96 ':6E?2> (2C 2?5 2? FA4@>:?8 G:D:E 3J !C6D:56?E #:492C5 }:I@?] x? E:>6[ E96 EH@ 56G6=@A 2 4@==68:2= 7C:6?5D9:A 2?5 H@C< E@86E96C E@ A2DD 5:DEC:4E\32D65 G@E:?8 =68:D=2E:@?]k^Am

kAm`hfb \\ r92>36CD D6?5D 2 =6EE6C E@ E96 DE2E6 q@2C5 @7 !2C@=6[ FC8:?8 :E E@ C64@>>6?5 r2C:= uF82E6VD D6?E6?46 36 4@>>FE65 E@ 2 E6C> @7 J62CD 2?5 E92E D96 E96? 36 A2C@=65]k^Am

kAm“%@ 56?J 96C 7C665@> :D E@ 56?J @FC :?E6C6DE :? AC6A2C:?8 @776?56CD E@ C6EFC? E@ D@4:6EJ[” 96 HC:E6D] “%9:D >2EE6C :D 3:886C E92? r2C:= uF82E6]”k^Am

kAmr92>36CD AC@A@D6D 2 D>@<:?8 32? @? E96 =68:D=2E:G6 7=@@C]k^Am

kAm`hfc \\ !6E:E:@? 42?5:52E6 r92>36CD CF?D 7@C }63C2D<2 8@G6C?@C[ D2J:?8 E92E :7 96 :D 6=64E65[ QJ@F H:== D66 }63C2D<2 E2<6 @77 =:<6 2 ;6E A=2?6 E@H2C5 D@4:2= ;FDE:46 2?5 6BF2=:EJ 367@C6 E96 =2H]Q w6 5@6D ?@E H:?]k^Am

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts

kAm`hfe \\ r92>36CD DF44665D :? 86EE:?8 “{:EE=6 q=24< $2>3@” C6>@G65 7C@> AF3=:4 D49@@= =:3C2C:6D :? E96 DE2E6]k^Am

Senators Ernie Chambers and Terry Carpenter speak in this 1978 photo. 

Journal Star file photo

kAm`hfg \\ p7E6C :?:E:2==J 4=2D9:?8 H:E9 $6?] %6CCJ r2CA6?E6C[ E96 EH@ 56G6=@A 2 4@==68:2= 7C:6?5D9:A] w6 D6CG6D 2D 2 A2==362C6C 7@C r2CA6?E6CVD 7F?6C2= :? $4@EED3=F77]k^Am

kAm`hfh \\ r92>36CD 4@>A=6E6D 9:D =2H 568C66 2E rC6:89E@? &?:G6CD:EJ 27E6C 2 ?6H 562? @7 E96 =2H D49@@= @776CD E@ =6E 9:> 4@>6 324< EF:E:@?\7C66 E@ 7:?:D9] w6 925 =67E H96? E96 D49@@= C67FD65 E@ =6E 9:> 7:?:D9 3642FD6 @7 23D6?46D[ 6G6? E9@F89[ 96 D2JD[ 96 A2DD65 2== @7 9:D 6I2>D] w6 36=:6G6D E96 D49@@= 5:5?VE =:<6 9:D A@=:E:42= 24E:G:E:6D 2?5 4=2D96D H:E9 E96 A@=:46[ 9@FD:?8 2FE9@C:EJ[ D49@@=D 2?5 >2J@C] w6 D2JD 96 H:== FD6 9:D =2H 568C66 E@ 96=A A6@A=6 H9@ 92G6 F?A@AF=2C 42FD6D 3FE ?@ >@?6J]k^Am

kAmw6 D9@HD FA @?6 52J 2E E96 {68:D=2EFC6 H:E9 2 ?6H =@@<i w:D 92:C :D 3C2:565 :?E@ 4@C?C@HD]k^Am

kAmQ!6C92AD DA:56CD H@G6 :E :? E96 >:55=6 @7 E96 ?:89E[Q 96 E6==D 76==@H =68:D=2E@CD]k^Am

kAm%96 {68:D=2EFC6 A2DD6D r92>36CDV 562E9 A6?2=EJ C6A62= 3:==[ H9:49 DF3DE:EFE6D 2 >2?52E@CJ >:?:>F> b_\J62C D6?E6?46] v@G] r92C=6D %9@?6 G6E@6D E96 3:==]k^Am

kAm`hg_ \\ %96 {68:D=2EFC6 A2DD6D 2 C6D@=FE:@?[ DA@?D@C65 3J r92>36CD 2?5 $6?] $E6G6 u@H=6C @7 {:?4@=?[ E@ H:E95C2H 23@FE Sad >:==:@? :? DE2E6 7F?5D 7C@> :?G6DE>6?E :? 4@>A2?:6D E92E 925 :?E6C6DED :? $@FE9 p7C:42] xE EFC?D @FE E@ 36 2 ?2E:@?2= EC6?5]k^Am

kAm`hga \\ r92>36CD 72:=D :? 2 3:5 E@ 36 DE2E6 2EE@C?6J 86?6C2=]k^Am

Sponsoring a bill to outlaw corporal punishment in schools, Sen. Ernie Chambers shows the paddles which he says are used on junior high students in Omaha in this 1980 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

kAm`hgc \\ w6 DF446DD7F==J DF6D E96 DE2E6 E@ 86E C6:>3FCD6>6?E 7@C D6?2E@CDV EC2G6= 2?5 7@@5 6IA6?D6D]k^Am

kAmp? 2CE:4=6 :? 2 ?2E:@?2= >282K:?6 42==D r92>36CD E96 Q2?8C:6DE q=24< >2? :? p>6C:42]Q r92>36CD D2JDi Q~? 2 4@?D:DE6?E 32D:D[ xV> AC@323=J >@C6 FAD6E E92? >@DE A6@A=6 23@FE H92EVD 92AA6?:?8 E@ q=24< A6@A=6 :? p>6C:42]Qk^Am

kAm`hgg \\ r92>36CDV 3:== E92E H@F=5 A2J 2 DE:A6?5 E@ 7@@E32== A=2J6CD :D G6E@65 3J v@G] z2J ~CC]k^Am

Sen. Ernie Chambers holds a child on the legislative floor in this April 1982 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

kAmw6 CF?D F?DF446DD7F==J 7@C $6?2E6 2D 2 }6H p==:2?46 !2CEJ 42?5:52E6]k^Am

kAm`hh_ \\ r92>36CD DFAA@CED E96 AFC492D6 3J E96 {68:D=2EFC6 @7 de =62E96C\2?5\3C2DD 492:CD 7@C D6?2E@CD[ d` @7 E96> 4@DE:?8 S`[cbd]dg 6249 2?5 7:G6 4@DE:?8 S`[aeb]aa 6249] %96J D9@F=5 @FE=:G6 E96 D6?2E@CDV A@=:E:42= 42C66CD[ 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm`hhb \\ r92>36CD :?EC@5F46D 2 3:== E92E H@F=5 C6BF:C6 A@=:46 E@ 4@CC@3@C2E6 G:DF2= @3D6CG2E:@?D @? 2 42CVD DA665 H:E9 C252C @C 6=64EC@?:4 AC@@7[ :?DE625 @7 =62G:?8 E96 49@:46 FA E@ @77:46CD] r92>36CD[ H9@ 5C:G6D 324< 2?5 7@CE9 E@ {:?4@=? 7C@> ~>292 7C6BF6?E=J[ 925 366? 492C865 H:E9 DA665:?8 @? 2E =62DE 7@FC @442D:@?D 2?5 925 492==6?865 E96 244FC24J @7 DA665@>6E6C >62DFC6>6?ED]k^Am

kAm`hhc \\ r92>36CD CF?D 7@C 8@G6C?@C 2D 2 HC:E6\:? 42?5:52E6[ 56D4C:3:?8 9:>D6=7 2D 2 A6CD@? H9@ 5@6D?VE D66< 72G@CD 7C@> 2?J@?6[ 92D E@E2= :?56A6?56?46[ DE2?5D 7:C> 2?5 ?6G6C 96586D @C 5:D8F:D6D H92E 96 36=:6G6D] w6 86ED 23@FE d[___ G@E6D[ 3FE @?=J 23@FE 92=7 @7 E9@D6 2C6 4@F?E65[ 3642FD6 E96 @E96C HC:E6\:?D 5:5?VE :?4=F56 2 CF??:?8 >2E6]k^Am

kAm`hhd \\ r92>36CD @776CD 2?@E96C 3:== E92E H@F=5 >2<6 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 }63C2D<2 7@@E32== A=2J6CD 6>A=@J66D @7 E96 F?:G6CD:EJ 2?5 H@F=5 >2<6 :E 2 4C:>6 E@ C67FD6 E@ 5@ D@]k^Am

kAm`hhe \\ r92>36CD E6DE:7:6D 367@C6 E96 w@FD6 yF5:4:2CJ r@>>:EE66 @7 r@?8C6DD[ H62C:?8 2 AFCA=6 DH62ED9:CE[ 2D A2CE @7 2 56=682E:@? @7 7:G6 =68:D=2E@CD 7C@> G2C:@FD DE2E6D 8:G:?8 E96:C G:6HD @? 2 3:== 562=:?8 H:E9 D2>6\D6I >2CC:286] w6 =2E6C D2JDi Q$E] yF56 2?5 x 4@==23@C2E6 :? 36:?8 E96 =2DE 9@A6 @7 E96 9@A6=6DD]Qk^Am

kAma___ \\ }63C2D<2 G@E6CD A2DD x?:E:2E:G6 c`d[ :>A@D:?8 2 =:>:E @7 ?@ >@C6 E92? EH@ 4@?D64FE:G6 E6C>D 7@C DE2E6 =68:D=2E@CD] %96 =:>:ED 2AA=J E@ D6CG:46 27E6C y2?] `[ a__`[ D@ E96 7:CDE 6=64E:@? :? H9:49 E6C>\=:>:E65 D6?2E@CD 2C6 F?23=6 E@ CF? :D a__e] r92>36CD D2JD E96 =2H H2D A2DD65 DA64:7:42==J E@ 86E C:5 @7 9:>]k^Am

kAma__c \\ r92>36CD @AA@D6D 8:G:?8 x?E6C?6E 2446DD E@ D6?2E@CD @? E96 7=@@C[ H@CCJ:?8 E96 x?E6C?6E H:== <66A E96> 7C@> A2J:?8 2EE6?E:@? E@ E96 5632E6 2?5 3FD:?6DD 2E 92?5]k^Am

kAma__d \\ $6?2E@CD <:== E96 ~>292 D6?2E@CVD 7:=:3FDE6C 2?5 25G2?46 2 AC2:C:6 5@8 >2?286>6?E 3:==] p r92>36CD A@6> 6?DF6Dik^Am

kAm“r=@EFC6[ E96J >2J 2D< E@52Jj E@>@CC@H[ E96JV== 36 52F?E65] %96JV== 92G6 H92E E96J 2D<65 7@C \\ 3FE :E H@?VE 36 H92E E96J H2?E65] (96? E96J 4C@DD E92E 72E67F= =:?6[ H9:49 42??@E 36 F?4C@DD65[ E96J[ A6C92AD[ >2J H:? 2 =:EE=6[ H9:=6 2 =@E :D =@DE]”k^Am

Senators Kathy Campbell and Ernie Chambers embrace after the legislature voted Wednesday, May 27, 2015 to override Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of a law ending the death penalty in Nebraska.

Journal Star file photo

kAmr92>36CD D2JD 96 D66D >2?28:?8 AC2:C:6 5@8D 2D F??646DD2CJ 2?5 4CF6= 2?5 2C8F6D E96 DE2E6 :D ECJ:?8 E@ EFC? @G6C E96 4@DE @7 >2?28:?8 AC2:C:6 5@8D E@ =@42= =2?5@H?6CD]k^Am

kAma__e \\ r92>36CD D96A96C5D E96 3C62<FA @7 ~>292 !F3=:4 $49@@=D[ 2C8F:?8 E96 5:DEC:4E 92D 72:=65 >:?@C:EJ 2?5 A@@C 49:=5C6? 2?5 E92E :EVD E:>6 7@C E96 D49@@=D E96J 2EE6?5 E@ 36 25>:?:DE6C65 3J E9@D6 >@DE 72>:=:2C H:E9 E96:C ?665D]k^Am

kAmx? 2? :?E6CG:6H :? Q|@E96C y@?6D[Q AF3=:D965 :? y2?F2CJ[ 96 :D BF@E65 2D D2J:?8i Q%9:D 4@F?ECJ 4@F=5 364@>6 p>6C:42 E96 362FE:7F=[ 3FE :E ?6G6C H:==] xEVD :? E96 92?5D @7 E96 HC@?8 A6@A=6] p?5 E96 AF3=:4 :D D@ 2A2E96E:4] %9@D6 H9@ 2C6 ?@E 2A2E96E:4 2C6 5:DA:C:E65[ 5:D4@FC2865 2?5 5:D962CE6?65]Qk^Am

kAma__f \\ r92>36CD DF6D v@5 E@ AC@G6 2 A@:?E 23@FE 7C:G@=@FD =2HDF:ED] p=2D[ E96 5676?52?E 5@6D ?@E C6DA@?5]k^Am

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha speaks on the floor of the Legislature in late March 2019. On Thursday, senators debated a bill introduced by Chambers that would repeal the death penalty.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo

kAm“!=2:?E:77[ 56DA:E6 C62D@?23=6 677@CED E@ 67764EF2E6 A6CD@?2= D6CG:46 FA@? 5676?52?E[ Vr@>6 @FE[ 4@>6 @FE[ H96C6G6C J@F 2C6[V 92D 366? F?23=6 E@ 5@ D@[” 96 D2JD] %96 DF:E 2D<D 7@C 2 “A6C>2?6?E :?;F?4E:@? @C56C:?8 5676?52?E E@ 462D6 46CE2:? 92C>7F= 24E:G:E:6D 2?5 E96 >2<:?8 @7 E6CC@C:DE:4 E9C62ED]”k^Am

kAma__g \\ (92E :D E9@F89E E@ 36 r92>36CDV =2DE D6DD:@? 368:?D[ 2?5 E96 DE2E6 6286C=J 2H2:ED 9:D H@C5 @? H92E H:== 92AA6? ?6IE]k^Am

kAm“x 6?E6C65 E96 {68:D=2EFC6 2 A@@C >2?[ 2?5 x H:== =62G6 E96 {68:D=2EFC6 2 A@@C >2?[” 96 92D D2:5 >2?J E:>6D]k^Am

kAmx? 2? :?E6CG:6H H:E9 “|@E96C y@?6D[” 96 D2JDi “x H:== H@C< 92C5 E@ ECJ E@ 86E C:5 @7 E96 562E9 A6?2=EJ] x7 x 4@F=5 5@ E92E[ H:E9 2== E96 @E96C E9:?8D x 92G6 ?@E DF4466565 :? 5@:?8[ x H@F=5 4@?D:56C >J A@=:E:42= 42C66C E@ 92G6 366? 2 C6D@F?5:?8 DF446DD]”k^Am

kAm“(96E96C xV> @FE @7 E9:D @77:46 3J E6C> =:>:ED @C C6E:C6>6?E[ x >2J 5@ D@>6 A@=:E:42= @C82?:K:?8] qFE E92EVD E96 @?=J 4@?E24E x E9:?< x H@F=5 92G6 :? A@=:E:4D] x H@F=5 ?@E 36 2 42?5:52E6 7@C 2?J @E96C @77:46]”k^Am

kAma_`b \\ r92>36CD C6EFC?D 7@C EH@ >@C6 E6C>D[ 2?5 282:? :D E6C>\=:>:E65[ 67764E:G6 y2?] e[ a_a`] k^Am

'I might consider coming back again': Chambers nears end of latest term

kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm!w~%~$ u t#}xt rwp|qt#$ %w#&vw %wt *tp#$ik^DA2?mk^Am

Photos: Sen. Ernie Chambers through the years

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Sen. Ernie Chambers urges senators to override Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of a law repealing the death penalty in Nebraska during debate on the motion Wednesday, May 27, 2015.

ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Former State Senator Ernie Chambers talks outside the Robert V. Denney Federal Building during a rally calling on Congress to slash America's bloated military budget on Tuesday afternoon, April 12, 2011.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Former State Senator Ernie Chambers talks outside the Robert V. Denney Federal Building during a rally calling on Congress to slash America's bloated military budget on Tuesday afternoon, April 12, 2011.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Former State Senator Ernie Chambers talks outside the Robert V. Denney Federal Building during a rally calling on Congress to slash America's bloated military budget on Tuesday afternoon, April 12, 2011

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Former State Senator Ernie Chambers talks with Journal Star reporter Don Walton outside the Robert V. Denney Federal Building prior to the start of a rally calling on Congress to slash America's bloated military budget on Tuesday afternoon, April 12, 2011.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Nebraska senator Ernie Chambers (right) enjoys a laugh with fellow senator Brad Ashford of Omaha during Day 90 of the Nebraska legislature session on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at the Nebraska Capitol Building.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Senators Patty Pansing Brooks and Ernie Chambers embrace after the legislature voted Wednesday, May 27, 2015, to override Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of a law ending the death penalty in Nebraska.

Journal Star file photo

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Senators Kathy Campbell and Ernie Chambers embrace after the legislature voted Wednesday, May 27, 2015 to override Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of a law ending the death penalty in Nebraska.

Journal Star file photo

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Nebraska Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln (left) enjoys a laugh with fellow Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha during Day 90 of the Legislature on June 5, 2013.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Senator Ernie Chambers (R) and other senators are sworn in as the 103rd Legislature got under way on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Meg Wightman, 8, and her sister, Emalie Wightman, 11, listen after being introduced to Senator Ernie Chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, on the floor of the legislature. The Wightman sisters are granddaughters of Senator John Wightman.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Senator Ernie Chambers calls from Criminal Justice reform in front of the Nebraska State Capital on Friday June 19, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

State Sen. Charlie Janssen (right) and his daughter Scarlett, 18 months, greet fellow senator Ernie Chambers before the start of the final session of the 103rd Nebraska Unicameral Legislature on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at the Capitol.

KRISTIN STREFF, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

State Sen. Ernie Chambers (right) makes a point during a hearing as fellow committee member State Sen. Paul Schumacher listens on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, at the State Capitol.

KRISTIN STREFF, Journal Star

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

State Sen. Ernie Chambers listens during the opening day of the 105th legislative session in 2017.

Journal Star file photo

Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years

Sen. Ernie Chambers speaks during debate, July 27, 2020, at Nebraska State Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photos

Ernie Chambers, Megan Hunt

Sen. Megan Hunt (left) speaks with Sen. Ernie Chambers during floor debate on Aug. 13 at the state Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo

Ernie Chambers

About 100 people show their support for State Sen. Ernie Chambers on Aug. 13, 2020, the last day of his last legislative session, outside the Nebraska State Capitol.

ANNA REED, Omaha WORLD-HERALD file photo

Ernie Chambers

State Sen. Ernie Chambers in his Capitol office, piled high with filing boxes.

ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star

Ernie Chambers

Sen. Ernie Chambers returned to the Legislature in 2013 after sitting out four years due to term limits.

Lincoln Journal Star file photo

103rd Legislature starts

Sisters Meg (left) and Emalie Wightman, granddaughters of then-Sen. John Wightman, talk to Sen. Ernie Chambers after being introduced in 2013.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo

103rd Legislature starts

Sergeant at Arms corps member Lois VanDeventer (left) talks with Sen. Ernie Chambers in a hallway of the Capitol on Jan. 9, 2013.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo

Surprise Ernie Chambers Rally, 8.13

State Sen. Ernie Chambers (center) is led back to the Legislature by fellow Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks (right) after a surprise rally by supporters on Aug. 13, 2020, on the north steps of the Capitol. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR file photo

Surprise Ernie Chambers Rally, 8.13

Ernie Chambers, Nebraska's longest-serving state senator, addresses supporters on the stairs of the Capitol on Aug. 13, 2020, when more than 100 people gathered outside to celebrate his tenure.

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR file photo

Surprise Ernie Chambers Rally, 8.13

Supporters of state Sen. Ernie Chambers surprised the legislator with a celebration of his tenure on Aug. 13, 2020, on the north steps of the state Capitol. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR file photo

BLM Protest

Sen. Ernie Chambers joins Stand In for Lincoln protesters outside the state Capitol on May 29, 2020. 

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Chambers Birthday Card

Sen. Ernie Chambers with a birthday card from Gov. Pete Ricketts and “return to sender” message in July 2020. 

JoANNE YOUNG, Journal Star file photo

Legislature First Day

Sen. Ernie Chambers speaks on the first day of the legislative session on Jan. 8, 2020, at the Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo

XGR - Schimek and Chambers

Legislative aide Elaine Menzel (from left) consults with state Sens. DiAnna Schimek, Ernie Chambers and Bernice Labedz during the 1991 legislative session. Schimek is responsible for the state's unique electoral vote system law and Chambers has been instrumental in blocking attempts to change Nebraska back to a winner-take-all state.

Lincoln Journal Star archives

Chambers 45

Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers answers a reporter's questions Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in his Capitol office, piled high with filing boxes. 

ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star

Chambers and his 'Republican'

Ernie Chambers shows off the "Republican" on his desk, an inflatable bird with an elephant trunk. This 1989 photo was taken shortly after Chambers filed as a Republican instead of an Independent. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers quotes Hitler

Ernie Chambers tapes a Hitler quote to his chest in this 1989 photo to protest a special session called by then Gov. Kay Orr to address the state's tax problems. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers at death penalty debate

Ernie Chambers listens to the debate in opposition to LB 675, his priority bill intended to eliminate the death penalty. in 1988.

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers reloads

Ernie Chambers plays with a toy gun in this 1986 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers campaign

Ernie Chambers holds up a bumper sticker for his campaign in 1988, when he was actively campaigning for both the Senate and a legislative seat. 

Journal Star Archives

Chambers on burial sites

Ernie Chambers speaks on the unmarked human burial sites and skeletal remains protection act in 1989. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers on University

Ernie Chambers makes some calls in his office while wearing a University of Nebraska at Kearney shirt. The legislature was, at the time of this May 1989 photo, considering making KSC part of the university system in Nebraska. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers addresses the press

Sen. Ernie chambers addresses the press at the Capitol in this 1988 file photo.

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers on speed limits

Ernie Chambers spells out his speed limit bill in this March, 1996 archival photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers in 1974

Ernie Chambers wears an "Elect Chambers" button in this 1974 photo.

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers aims

Ernie Chambers aims down the barrel of a toy gun in this 1986 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers in 1978

Sen. Ernie Chambers, who will leave the Legislature in January, speaks in 1978.

Journal Star File Photo

Ernie Chambers

Ernie Chambers is arrested in 1969 during racial protests on Omaha's near north side. 

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL FILE PHOTO

Chambers at a hearing

Ernie Chambers speaks at at hearing in this March 1984 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers at Grenada protest

Ernie Chambers talks to Bruce Erlich at a protest of American action in Grenada in this October 1983 file photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers on gambling

Ernie Chambers comments on an ad in the Omaha World Herald during debate over a bill that would legalize sport wagering in the state in this 1988 file photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers enters the legislature

Ernie Chambers' headshot in Oct. 1970 before he enters the legislature. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers goes fourth and long

Wearing his gridiron garb, Sen. Ernie Chambers made one last pitch to designate University football players as state employees in May, 1983. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers in 1974

Ernie Chambers in 1974.

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers' death penalty shirt

Sen. Ernie Chambers waits for the debate on his bill to eliminate the death penalty in this 1978 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers and Carpenter

Senators Terry Carpenter and Ernie Chambers talk in this 1978 photo.

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers and Taylor

Ernie Chambers speaks with Virgil Taylor, center, in this February 1978 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers on lawyers

Ernie Chambers wears a shirt protesting what he called the death of Nebraskans' constitutional right of appeal to the state's highest courts and measure LR8 in February, 1990. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers at anti-apartheid rally

Ernie Chambers tells an anti-apartheid rally at UNL that the black majority should kill South African whites in this Oct. 1985 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers' desk

A sign on Ernie Chambers' desk in 1996 references "The Terminator."

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers with Nigerians

Ernie Chambers speaks with a group of Nigerians in this 1981 photo.

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers in 1982

Sen. Ernie Chambers holds a child on the legislative floor in this April 1982 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers at Boyd Elementary

Tiffany Wright, a fourth grader at Boyd Elemntary School, shows Sen. Ernie Chambers how to witch for water in this 1988 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers cutting hair

From left to right, Ernie Chambers, Bill Armstrong and Dan Goodwin cut hair at an Omaha barber shop in 1968. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers and the electric chair

In Feb. 1976, Mel Beckman of the Holy Family Church in Omaha, lent Ernie Chambers moral support in his effort to repeal the death penalty by presenting him a replica of the state's electric chair, inscribed with the words, "Oh Life, how precious you are!"

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers in 1971

Ernie Chambers on the legislative floor in a 1971 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Ernie Chambers apartheid

State Sen. Ernie Chambers speaks to the crowd during an anti-apartheid rally at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Oct. 12, 1985.

Journal Star file photo

Chambers and De Camp

State Senators John De Camp and Ernie Chambers are interviewed in 1971. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers on corporal punishment

Sponsoring a bill to outlaw corporal punishment in schools, Sen. Ernie Chambers shows the paddles which he says are used on junior high students in Omaha in this 1980 photo. 

Journal Star File Photo

Chambers and Carpenter

Senators Ernie Chambers and Terry Carpenter speak in this 1978 photo. 

Journal Star file photo

Chambers' uniform

Ernie Chambers models his new shirt for the Journal in this 1985 photo. He'd been recently criticized for his dress in the legislature. 

Journal Star File Photo

Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com. 

On Twitter @LJSLegislature

0 Comments

Love

5

Funny

0

Wow

0

Sad

0

Angry

0

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Sign up!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

Related to this story

'Without Ernie, there is not a brakeman for the Legislature'

Even his detractors are going to find themselves wishing at times that he were there, said lobbyist Walt Radcliffe. 

Watch Now: Related Video

3C's ASL

Elon Musk says SpaceX-Tesla merger is 'a good idea'

Elon Musk says SpaceX-Tesla merger is 'a good idea'

US envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia for talks with Putin to end Ukraine war

US envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia for talks with Putin to end Ukraine war

Sen. Pete Ricketts on his track record

Sen. Pete Ricketts on his track record

Close

Sen. Ernie Chambers holds a child on the legislative floor in this April 1982 photo. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Ernie Chambers shows off the "Republican" on his desk, an inflatable bird with an elephant trunk. This 1989 photo was taken shortly after Chambers filed as a Republican instead of an Independent. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Ernie Chambers tapes a Hitler quote to his chest in this 1989 photo to protest a special session called by then Gov. Kay Orr to address the state's tax problems. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Wearing his gridiron garb, Sen. Ernie Chambers made one last pitch to designate University football players as state employees in May, 1983. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Senators Terry Carpenter and Ernie Chambers talk in this 1978 photo.

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Ernie Chambers speaks with Virgil Taylor, center, in this February 1978 photo. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

From left to right, Ernie Chambers, Bill Armstrong and Dan Goodwin cut hair at an Omaha barber shop in 1968. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Ernie Chambers on the legislative floor in a 1971 photo. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

State Senators John De Camp and Ernie Chambers are interviewed in 1971. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Sponsoring a bill to outlaw corporal punishment in schools, Sen. Ernie Chambers shows the paddles which he says are used on junior high students in Omaha in this 1980 photo. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Senators Ernie Chambers and Terry Carpenter speak in this 1978 photo. 

• Journal Star file photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Ernie Chambers speaks on the unmarked human burial sites and skeletal remains protection act in 1989. 

• Journal Star File Photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha speaks on the floor of the Legislature in late March 2019. On Thursday, senators debated a bill introduced by Chambers that would repeal the death penalty.

• GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Senators Kathy Campbell and Ernie Chambers embrace after the legislature voted Wednesday, May 27, 2015 to override Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of a law ending the death penalty in Nebraska.

• Journal Star file photo

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

×

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• YouTube
• Instagram

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Sites & Partners

• The Columbus Telegram
• The Fremont Tribune
• The Beatrice Daily Sun
• Place an ad
• Event Calendar
• Online Features
• Work here
• Inspire Lincoln

Services

• Subscriber Services
• Advertise with us
• E-edition
• RSS
• Newsletters
• Contact us
• Become a Carrier
• Services
• Licensing
• Shopping

© Copyright 2026 The Lincoln Journal Star, PO Box 81609 Lincoln, NE 68501

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

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Privacy Choices | Cookie Preferences

Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.

{{title}}

{{summary}}

• Notifications
• Settings

You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Subscribe

Breaking News

Subscribe

Husker News

Subscribe

Back ×

Offer

Sorry, an error occurred.

Already Subscribed!

Get StartedManage Service

Cancel anytime

You are logged in

 Switch accounts

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Back ×

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information

Username (Optional)

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!

* First name

* Last name

* Email Address

Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.

* Password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.

* Confirm Password

Confirm your password.

CAPTCHA

Create Account

or

Sign up with

Facebook Google

Have an account? Log In

×

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Back ×

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Email Address

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Log In

Email me a log in link

or

Sign in with

Facebook Google

Admin login Subscribe

Need an account? Sign Up

Back ×

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Email or Screen Name

CAPTCHA

Reset Password

×

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Back ×

Email me a log in link

Account Email

CAPTCHA

Send Email

Back ×

Promotional Offers

Promo code

Enter Promo Code

Redeem

No promotional rates found.

Back ×

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

See More Offers

details close

×

An error occurred

×

Secure & Encrypted

Sign in with

Email Address

Continue with Email Address

or

Continue with Facebook Continue with Google

What's your email address?

Email

Password

Confirm password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

What's your name?

First name

Last name

Who is this gift for?

Recipient name

Recipient email

Optional message for the recipient

Who is this gift from?

Purchaser name

Purchaser email

Purchaser zip code

Delivery date

Delivery date

What's your billing location?

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code

Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

What's your delivery address?

Copy billing location

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip code

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Phone

Purchase detail

Subtotal:

Total:

How would you like to pay?

Ending in

Add New Card

Terms of service confirmation

I Agree to the Subscription Terms of Use.
This service will be automatically renewed and your credit card billed once it nears expiration.

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

×

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

Rate: Begins: Transaction ID:

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

×

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.

Close

Search AI Answers