Author Archives: Brian Neben
Badge pinning ceremony held for two new Kearney Police Department sergeants
KEARNEY - A badge pinning ceremony for two new sergeants in the Kearney Police Department was held during the meeting of the city council during the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 13. Officer Derrick Hosick...
Jan 14, 2026 Kearney Police Chief Gabe Kowalek, right, introduces, Officers Derrick Hosick, center and Austin Hibberd, left, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
Gov. Pillen to announce appointment for District 41
LINCOLN - Lt. Governor Joe Kelly, as the presiding officer of the Nebraska Legislature, received and accepted the resignation of Sen. Dan McKeon this morning. McKeon's seat in District 41 became vacan...
Jan 14, 2026 Governor Jim Pillen, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation, Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force Report
LINCOLN - Attorney General Mike Hilgers, Governor Jim Pillen, and Colonel Bryan Waugh gathered today at the Nebraska State Capitol to recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. They were ...
Jan 14, 2026 Human Trafficking Poster, (Nebraska Attorney General's Office, Courtesy)
Good Samaritan launches robotic-assisted bronchoscopy-first in the state
KEARNEY-CHI Health Good Samaritan is the first in the state to offer a new groundbreaking robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform. This innovative technology allows for earlier, safer and more accurate...
Jan 14, 2026 The new Galaxy system helps physicians navigate more than 90% of the lung, an improvement compared to the 20-30% offered by traditional scopes, (CHI Health, Courtesy)
Hastings Police Department's activity from Jan. 13
HASTINGS - The Hastings Police Department released their daily activity from Tuesday, Jan. 13. Reported Offenses: On January 13, 2026, a 33-year-old Hastings resident reported a theft in the 200 block...
Jan 14, 2026 Hastings Police Department, Courtesy
Kearney, Elm Creek fire departments respond to grass fire near I-80 Odessa exit
ODESSA - The Kearney and Elm Creek fire departments responded to a grass fire that occurred near the Odessa exit on Interstate 80 during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, Jan. 13. Around 2 p.m., the Kea...
Jan 13, 2026 Members of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department on scene of the grass fire on I-80 near the Odessa exit, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
Sen. McKeon resigns from Legislature ahead of expulsion vote
LINCOLN - Senator Dan McKeon who represents District 41, resigned his position on Tuesday, Jan. 13 before the Nebraska Legislature was to move on a resolution to expel him. According to an investigati...
Jan 13, 2026 Former Senator Dan McKeon, District 41, (Nebraska Legislature, Courtesy)
Buffalo County adopts common legislative priorities with 'Big Five' counties
KEARNEY - The Buffalo County commissioners approved a resolution adopting common legislative priorities with the "Big Five" counties for the Nebraska Legislature's 2026 session during their meeting on...
Jan 13, 2026 Buffalo County Courthouse (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
Kearney Public Schools Board of Education appoints officers for the year
KEARNEY - The Kearney Public Schools Board of Education elected new officials to start their first meeting of 2026 on Monday, Jan. 12. The Kearney school board voted to elected Paul Hazard as presiden...
Jan 13, 2026 The Kearney school board voted to elected Paul Hazard, left, as president of the board and Amanda Smallcomb, right, as vice president, (Kearney Public Schools, Courtesy)
Nebraska lawmakers advance expulsion motion for Sen. Dan McKeon
LINCOLN - The Executive Board of the Nebraska Legislature advanced a resolution Monday seeking to expel state Senator Dan McKeon over an alleged groping incident stemming from a post-session party in ...
Jan 13, 2026 Senator Dan McKeon, (Nebraska Legislature, Courtesy)