It’s simple to install the Bulletin App on your smart phone or iPad:If you have an Android phone connect to the Bulletin’s website— https://northplattebulletin.com Look at the bottom of the screen for the install command The Bulletin icon will appear on the page of your home screen where there is space for a new icon Look for it and move it to the front page for handy access This process creates a web app on an Android phone It does not always require an internet connection A celebration of life and Memorial Mass for Mary Beth Dodson will be held on Saturday Here parents moved to North Platte in 1940 Mary Beth graduated from North Platte High School in 1954 and attended college at Nebraska Wesleyan Dodson and they had four children: Kelly J Mary Beth was active in art circles in North Platte She was a signature member of the Nebraska State Art Organization She wrote feature articles for the newspapers and published a book of poetry Banners of her paintings were seasonally hung over Orange Ave for several years and she continued writing, Log in to post Talk Back A proposed ordinance on Tuesday’s North Platte City Council agenda would require owners of chronically vacant properties to register and pay fees on them and let city building officials inspect them every year they’re vacant Council members will hold first-round debate and an initial vote during their 5:30 p.m It’ll be shown on Allo Communications Channel 1 and the city’s YouTube channel Mayor Brandon Kelliher and City Attorney Bill Troshynski said the ordinance would take advantage of a 2018 state law letting cities — with some exceptions — mandate registration of properties vacant at least 180 days says it enables cities and villages “to discourage property vacancy (and) maintain unoccupied buildings” and “protect the public health safety and welfare of community residents.” Some 40 occupied or vacant lots are currently on North Platte’s “property resolution list” due to conditions judged by city officials to be unsafe The text of the proposed registration ordinance may be found in Tuesday’s agenda book, downloadable at northplattene.gov/agendacenter owners of long-term vacant properties would have to fill out a form with basic owner and property information the lot’s date of vacancy and “the owner’s plan for occupancy of the property.” LB 256’s maximum fee of $250 per residential lot or $1,000 per commercial property would be due 180 days after registration or 360 days after the lot became vacant That fee would double every six months they stay vacant with total supplemental fees capped at 10 times the initial fee Such fees enable cities “to compensate for the public costs of vacant properties,” LB 256’s text says Vacant lots would be exempt if they’re “advertised in good faith for sale or lease” as described in the ordinance; under construction or renovation for up to six months; tied up in divorce probate or estate proceedings for less than 18 months; or “damaged by fire an act of God or vandalism” for up to six months “Evidence of vacancy” under the ordinance and LB 256 could include “overgrown or dead vegetation,” accumulated “abandoned personal property trash or other waste”; graffiti; and “visible deterioration or lack of maintenance of any building or structure on the property.” The ordinance would empower city building officials to inspect “the interior and exterior of the vacancy” when it’s registered and every year that it remains on a database created under the measure Unpaid registration fees and fines would become a lien against the property though it would be subordinate to any other liens The ordinance says its terms would apply to subsequent owners of the property as long as it remains vacant Owners must notify the city building official when it’s occupied or it qualifies for one of the measure’s exemptions the council will be asked to approve the purchase of the city’s fourth property under a $1.25 million state-seeded revolving fund to recycle and resell deteriorating lots for infill housing by a subsequent owner from owner Steven Vargas of Ansley for $9,742 less than half its 2024 taxable value of $21,774 The item is part of an eight-item consent agenda which will be approved with a single vote unless one or more council members seek separate votes on one or more items Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter Email notifications are only sent once a day The Nebraska Military Department has signed an initiative to strengthen links between its and the North Platte community Residents may watch on Allo Communications Channel 1 and the… Eisenhower Elementary student Addalyn Goodell was awarded first place in the Region 51 Emergency Management Severe Weather Awareness poster co… The North Platte City Council May 6 will hold hearings and initial votes on rezoning land for 290-unit Newberry Village Representatives of The Connection Homeless Shelter will be next to speak to Lincoln County commissioners about federal funding cuts as part of… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account The Nebraska Department of Transportation didn’t stray outside west central Nebraska in choosing a local chief engineer for only the fifth time in a century North Platte resident and Ogallala native Cameron Craig began work April 14 following the retirement of 20-year District 6 Engineer Gary Thayer joined his hometown’s district office of the then-Nebraska Department of Roads in May 1987 Both he and Craig worked under the late Les O’Donnell who led District 6 for 31 years before Thayer succeeded him in October 2005 House became director in 1925 of North Platte’s field office of the Bureau of Roads and Bridges of the Nebraska Department of Public Works It became the Department of Roads and Irrigation in 1933 held the job from 1948 until O’Donnell took over in 1974 His office’s parent department saw its roads portion split off by the Legislature in 1957 A 2025 map of the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s eight statewide districts said he joined the roads department as a college intern in 2003 O’Donnell recruited him for District 6 after he received his University of Nebraska-Lincoln civil engineering degree in 2005 He served as a graduate engineer until he became a licensed professional engineer in 2009 Craig had served since 2015 as the district’s construction engineer overseeing construction and repair projects in the 14 counties fully or partly inside District 6 “I really am excited to carry the torch and fill the big shoes before me with Gary and Lester and serve the area and provide the best transportation system possible,” said Craig the son of Butch and Katy Craig of Ogallala is executive director of the Community Connections human services nonprofit group in North Platte joined the District 6 office five months after getting his own UNL civil engineering degree in December 1986 Thayer held Knott’s position from 1995 until applying for the top post after O’Donnell retired I would have had 38 years with the department,” said the 1979 North Platte High School graduate and we’ve always lived in North Platte except for going to school in Lincoln.” Between his nearly 20 years as director and decade before that as construction engineer he oversaw 592 construction or repair projects in District 6 with a combined sticker price of $1.36 billion His tenure as director included the recently wrapped-up multistage rebuilding of Jeffers Street will be similarly rebuilt starting in 2027 Both Thayer and Craig oversaw the massive 2019-21 redesign and reconstruction of the Interstate 80-76 Exit 102 interchange near Colorado’s northeast corner west of Big Springs That “at the time was probably the biggest monetary project we had ever built,” Thayer said He credited project manager Josh Willard with his use of technology to complete the new I-80/76 split “in a very Thayer also praised veteran District 6 operations and maintenance manager Roger Klasna for his aid as message-board-like “variable speed limit” signs sprouted along I-80 in recent years He and Klasna first discussed such a project when Thayer became district engineer “It took us almost 20 years to deliver that project.” The changeable signs will pay dividends during snowstorms “They’ll be a hug safety improvement on the interstate because people honestly don’t know what speed to drive” in adverse conditions Thayer’s retirement means Craig will be in charge locally of the long-awaited expansion of North Platte’s Newberry Access from two to four lanes from I-80 to U.S with land reserved for the expansion ever since State NDOT leaders have said design work on four-laning Newberry has begun Construction likely won’t start until late this decade He takes over as workers have begun tearing out and rebuilding I-80 from Roscoe to Ogallala That 6-mile-long stretch holds District 6’s last remaining I-80 concrete from when the interstate opened to Ogallala in 1968 That two-year rebuild also includes replacement of the westbound I-80 rest area near Roscoe home to the “Up/Over” sculpture installed during the U.S The full Ogallala-to-Roscoe project is expected to last through 2026 a radiological technologist at North Platte Surgical Center plan to see more of their two sons and two grandsons and enjoy their 20-acre spread south of town and their 30-year-old mare He recently bought a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle that he expects to take on the road I’m really not worried about what to do with time.” North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher and City Attorney Bill Troshynski said the ordinance would take advantage of a 2018 state law targeting ci… President Donald Trump is opening a new salvo in his tariff war In a post Sunday night on his Truth Social platform Trump said he has authorized the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S Trade Representative to slap a 100% tariff “on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.” Principal Cory Spotanski makes the announcements North Platte High School held an academic pep rally Friday morning to celebrate significant improvements in scores on the American College Testing exam The entire student body attended the rally The ACT is a standardized exam widely used for college admissions It evaluates students’ knowledge in four core topics — English A student’s composite score is derived from the average score of the four main sections All Nebraska public school juniors must take the ACT as part of the state assessment system the average scores for the junior class were 17-18 Although the composite scores for the class of ’26 will not be released until November Principal Cory Spotanski wanted to celebrate the students who achieved a score of 20 or higher Spotanski said NPHS adopted the motto “Level Up,” encouraging efforts to improve and the results show students took the challenge to heart.Spotanski said 265 students took the ACT this year 105 participated in a preparation course for test by John Baylor The results mark a significant improvement from last year’s scores.This year 67 students earned composite scores between 20-24 last year only 51 students were in the 20–24 range and no one scored above 30.Spotanski praised the class for their dedication and growth.He said three-tiers of incentives were implemented this year to motivate students to perform well on the ACT with rewards ranging from extra privileges to high-tech gadgets.The first incentive involved the John Baylor ACT prep course Students who completed the course were dismissed from Bulldog Time a dedicated study period designed to prepare for the test.The second reward was lunchtime freedom Students who earned a composite of 20 or higher on the ACT were allowed to leave school during the lunch period.The final incentive came in technology Students who scored above 25 received an iPad while those who achieved scores above 30 received a MacBook Air The rewards were made possible through donations from community members and organizations.The donors included the Kaschke family Above: students who earned a 30 or higher: Henry Cline Above: Students who earned a 25- 29: Mason Axford Above: Students who earned a 20-24: Shayleigh Ackman Cinco de Mayo has long stood out for honoring a battle won in a lost war It’s also observed these days more broadly in the United States than in Mexico with ethnic pride colorfully evident in annual celebrations like North Platte’s Saturday in the downtown Canteen District A young girl and her would-be competitors watch as candy flies out of a taco-shaped piñata following her decisive blow during North Platte’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration Saturday in the Canteen District HOPE Esperanza sponsored the afternoon-long event which recalls the Mexican army’s decisive though temporary victory over French invaders in the Battle of Puebla on May 5 But that irony makes Cinco de Mayo an ideal opportunity to build appreciation and understanding of a centuries-old culture on both sides of the border executive director of event sponsor HOPE Esperanza “You talk to my father who lived in Mexico,” she said “They don’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico It’s not so much about the date and historical forces It’s about looking around the culture that we have here “Fifth of May” — began both north and south of the Rio Grande River after a Mexican army of 4,000 soundly defeated an invading French force twice its size in the Battle of Puebla on May 5 resolved upon forming a “Second French Empire” like his namesake uncle soon deposed Mexican President Benito Juarez and declared Austrian Archduke Maximilian to be emperor of Mexico with French protection a year after Union victory in the American Civil War leaders forced Napoleon III to pull out his troops tried and executed by Juarez’s forces in 1867 People walk North Dewey Street in North Platte’s Canteen District Saturday during the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration features bright and energetic displays of folkloric dancing It also gives human-service nonprofits like HOPE Esperanza golden opportunities to reach out to Latino Americans needing their assistance Today’s Mexico gives more prominence to its own Fiesta de Independencia (Independence Day) marking the nation’s breakaway from Spain on Sept HOPE Esperanza may in time sponsor a local celebration “The reason why we celebrate is that we do the welcoming work in the community,” she said “It’s creating a welcoming and cultural competence for the Hispanic community that is here (but) you say ‘Cinco de Mayo,’ (and) Americans know what that means.” Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter gives Hotel Pawnee owner Jay Mitchell until May 8 to correct violations in a voluntary Oct Cheers erupted from students in the North Platte High School gym Friday as their peers’ names were called one by one Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInNORTH PLATTE (KNOP) - The City of North Platte will begin trimming trees that are not in compliance with the city’s code City crews began marking trees with pink ribbon this week The notice comes after there were several complaints of branches hanging too low for RVs and buses and in some cases covered street signs City workers will begin pruning the marked trees on or after May 19 and continue through the summer According to the City’s Public Service Department, the notice to all property owners within the city of North Platte are pursuant to Title IX, Trees, Chapter 96 of the City of North Platte Code of Ordinances Public service director Steve Mentzer said residents can contact his office at 308-535-6700 ext 2417 if they have a tree that is non-compliant and would prefer to bring it into compliance prior to May 16 Questions or inquiries regarding the tree ordinance may be directed to the City Public Service Department Click here to subscribe to our KNOP News 2 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox The decision to impose tariffs comes amid claims that Mexican growers are undercutting U.S tomato producers in the competitive market Guacamole has been spared from tariffs for now While President Donald Trump put threatened tariffs on Mexican avocados on pause government plans to put a nearly 21% duty on fresh Mexican tomatoes starting July 14 A duty — like a tariff — is a tax on imports and this one would impact the 4 billion pounds of tomatoes the U.S Tomatoes imported from Mexico are for sale in a supermarket in Miami as the United States imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico starting a trade war with its closest neighbors and allies Proponents say the import tax will help rebuild the shrinking U.S tomato industry and ensure the produce eaten in the U.S Mexico currently supplies around 70% of U.S "Unless we even the playing field in terms of fair pricing you're not going to have a domestic industry for fresh tomatoes in the very near future," Robert Guenther the trade group's executive vice president but most of California's crop is turned into sauces and other products Opponents say the duty will make fresh tomatoes more expensive for U.S a San Antonio-based company that grows tomatoes in Mexico as well as the U.S. said it will be paying millions of dollars each month in duties if the decision isn't reversed "We will look for ways to adapt or streamline our operations we are always doing that so we run an efficient business already," said Skip Hulett We're determining what portion of the cost we could absorb but these added costs will most certainly need to be passed on to the consumer." a professor at the Morrison School of Agribusiness at Arizona State University retail prices for tomatoes to rise by around 10.5% if the duty goes through Mexico's government said last month it was convinced it could negotiate over the issue Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has hinted her country may impose duties on chicken and pork legs imported from the U.S The tug-of-war over tomatoes has a long history shortly after the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect Department of Commerce investigated allegations that Mexico was exporting tomatoes to the U.S government agreed to suspend the investigation if Mexico met certain rules including selling its tomatoes at a minimum price the agreement has been subject to periodic reviews but the two sides always reached an agreement that avoided duties the Commerce Department announced its withdrawal from the latest agreement saying it had been "flooded with comments" from U.S tomato growers who want better protection from Mexican imports said even though Mexican exporters are required to charge a minimum price industry because it costs 40% to 50% less to grow tomatoes there labor is cheaper and inputs like seeds and fertilizer cost less industry typically relies on immigrant workers through the H-2A visa program That program required farmers to pay workers an average of $16.98 per hour last year an amount that has jumped as labor has become harder to find Richards estimates that workers on Mexican tomato farms earn about one-tenth that rate NatureSweet acknowledges that it's more cost-effective to grow tomatoes in Mexico but says climate is one of the biggest reasons The company's Mexican greenhouses don't need lighting heating or cooling systems because of the year-round weather conditions but you can't relocate climate agriculture," Hulett said the president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas which represents importers of Mexican tomatoes said Florida doesn't produce the vine-ripened tomatoes that U.S Florida tomatoes are picked when they're green and shipped to warehouses to ripen "Florida doesn't grow the kinds of specialty tomatoes that have taken off but they want to get protection," Jungmeyer said "Their market share is dropping for reasons of their own choice." "If you put a Florida tomato up against a Mexican tomato I think it would do very well in taste test," he said an upscale Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth He compares it to fine wine; if he wants a good cabernet sauvignon If he wants a good tomato that reminds him of his childhood "We know the flavors they are going to bring to the salsas and moles We don't want to compromise flavors," Burciaga said Burciaga said his restaurant uses 300 to 400 pounds of Roma tomatoes from Mexico every week He currently pays $19 for a 25-pound crate of tomatoes He doesn't relish paying the additional cost Burciaga said the tomato duty — and the threat of Trump implementing the paused 25% tariff on many other products from Mexico — are making it difficult to run his business A small or medium restaurant budgets things out We know in advance that in six months things will increase "But we don't know these things in advance AP Reporter Maria Verza in Mexico City contributed Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly Trade Representative to slap a 100% tariff “on any an… NEW YORK — President Donald Trump is opening a new salvo in his tariff war Trade Representative to slap a 100% tariff "on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands." "The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death," he wrote complaining that other countries "are offering all sorts of incentives to draw" filmmakers and studios away from the U.S "This is a concerted effort by other Nations and President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after disembarking Marine One upon arrival on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington It wasn't immediately clear how any such tariff on international productions could be implemented It's common for both large and small films to include production in the U.S Big-budget movies like the upcoming "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning," for instance Incentive programs for years have influenced where movies are shot increasingly driving film production out of California and to other states and countries with favorable tax incentives Yet Trump's tariffs are designed to lead consumers toward American products American-produced movies overwhelming dominate the domestic marketplace China has ramped up its domestic movie production culminating in the animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" grossing more than $2 billion this year its sales came almost entirely from mainland China where successive governments have offered rebates and incentives in recent years to draw Hollywood films to the country the film industry has generated billions of dollars in tourism revenue driven by the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" films which featured the country's pristine and scenic vistas the blockbuster "Minecraft" movie was filmed entirely in New Zealand productions in 2023 delivered $1.3 billion New Zealand dollars ($777 million) to the country in return for NZ$200 million in subsidies New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was awaiting more details of Trump's measures before commenting on them but would continue to pitch to filmmakers abroad "We've got an absolutely world class industry," he said didn't immediately respond to messages Sunday evening The MPA's data shows how much Hollywood exports have dominated cinemas the American movies produced $22.6 billion in exports and $15.3 billion in trade surplus in 2023 has made good on the "tariff man" label he gave himself years ago slapping new taxes on goods made in countries around the globe That includes a 145% tariff on Chinese goods and a 10% baseline tariff on goods from other countries Trump has exerted extraordinary influence over the flow of commerce creating political risks and pulling the market in different directions set to be subject to new tariffs in the weeks ahead Trump has long voiced concern about movie production moving overseas he announced that he had tapped actors Mel Gibson Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone to serve as "special ambassadors" to Hollywood to bring it "BACK — BIGGER film and television production has been hampered in recent years the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area which asked about preferred filming locations Central Europe and Australia came out on top The problem is especially acute in California production last year was down 5.6% from 2023 according to FilmLA during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic proposed expanding California's Film & Television Tax Credit program to $750 million annually Chicago and San Francisco have also used aggressive tax incentives to lure film and TV productions Those programs can take the form of cash grants "Other nations have been stealing the movie-making capabilities from the United States," Trump told reporters at the White House on Sunday night after returning from a weekend in Florida "If they're not willing to make a movie inside the United States we should have a tariff on movies that come in." Associated Press writers Gary Field in Washington and Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington contributed to this report from Washington In a post Sunday night on his Truth Soc… Pete Kelsey and his team 3D-mapped all of Alcatraz Island gaining access to areas previously off limits the team unveiled details around the famous 1962 prison escape and created new models that could help str… NEW YORK — President Donald Trump says he is directing the government to reopen and expand Alcatraz the notorious former prison on a California island President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday in West Palm Beach In a message on his Truth Social site Sunday evening who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals and keep them far away from anyone they could harm to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders," he wrote adding: "The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law no one knows the fate of Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin to this day although authorities believe they likely died in the treacherous waters of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island is currently operated as a tourist site The order comes as Trump has been clashing with the courts as he tries to send accused gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador Trump has also talked about wanting to send American citizens there and to other foreign prisons President Donald Trump has made moves to expand the United States' already gargantuan carceral system from mass deportation to harsher punishments for some crimes are reliant on the federal government having access to more prison and jail cells to enact his promises on immigration and crime and punishment This lack of space is one of the major barriers to ramping up deportations, and ICE is limited by its budget. But Trump is now considering tapping into defense funds. Those funds "would allow civilian-run companies to quickly and rapidly expand temporary detention facilities," such as tents, according to NBC News putting their safety—and that of employees—at risk Yet another sign of a private prison infrastructure expansion is a report that the Trump administration is preparing to restart family immigrant detention, including incarcerating families with young children, and is expected to ask companies to bid for contracts, according to NBC News he told sheriffs: "We need your bed space." Homan promised to make it easier for local jails to incarcerate people for ICE by lowering detention standards and limiting the number of federal inspections He said he hoped to eliminate federal rules and instead defer to state-level standards it's good enough for an illegal immigrant detained for us," Homan said Other state politicians have resisted cooperation with ICE. A law in Illinois prohibits local sheriffs from renting jail space for immigrant detention. Trump is now suing the state over the law The president's search for more prison and jail cells for imprisoning both citizens and undocumented immigrants extends beyond U.S legal to deport a non-citizen to a third country the administration's effort to send three Venezuelan men to Guantánamo Many have speculated that Trump's sending people to Guantánamo, like many of his immigration efforts, is an attempt to create a massive spectacle intended to project power and instill fear But despite the significant legal and practical barriers the Trump administration's numerous efforts to find more jail and prison cells indicate a clear desire to build a larger carceral system Trump has styled himself as a "law and order" president and is using that frame in his efforts at expanded incarceration But despite his wide-ranging moves to increase prison and jail space he has been selective in who should be imprisoned or punished for illegal behavior This story was produced by The Marshall Project nonprofit news organization that seeks to create and sustain a sense of national urgency about the U.S Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email Judges in several states may soon get a new tool to stop dangerous drivers from speeding again Chrissy Houlahan and CNN Political Commentators Ashley Allison and Kristen Soltis Anderson discuss Trump saying he doesn’t know if he has to uphold the Constitution as well as growing concerns over his handling of the economy — President Donald Trump is circumspect about his duties to uphold due process rights laid out in the Constitution saying in a new interview that he does not know whether U.S citizens and noncitizens alike deserve that guarantee President Donald Trump holds a document with notes about Kilmar Abrego Garcia as he speaks with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on April 18 in Washington He also said he does not think military force will be needed to make Canada the “51st state” and played down the possibility he would look to run for a third term in the White House interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press" came as the Republican president's efforts to quickly enact his agenda face sharper headwinds with Americans just as his second administration crossed the 100-day mark according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research made clear that he is not backing away from a to-do list that he insists the American electorate broadly supported when they elected him in November Here are some of the highlights from the interview with NBC's Kristen Welker that was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday Critics on the left have tried to make the case that Trump is chipping away at due process in the United States they cite the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia a Salvadoran man who was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned without communication Trump says Abrego Garcia is part of a violent transnational gang The Republican president has sought to turn deportation into a test case for his campaign against illegal immigration despite a Supreme Court order saying the administration must work to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution I don’t know,” Trump said when pressed by Welker The Fifth Amendment provides “due process of law,” meaning a person has certain rights when it comes to being prosecuted for a crime the 14th Amendment says no state can “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said.” He said he was pushing to deport “some of the worst most dangerous people on Earth,” but that courts are getting in his way “I was elected to get them the hell out of here and the courts are holding me from doing it,” Trump said The president has repeatedly threatened that he intends to make Canada the “51st state.” Fareed assesses the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term with Jon Meacham Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential biographer Before his White House meeting on Tuesday with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Trump is not backing away from the rhetoric that has angered Canadians told NBC that it was “highly unlikely” that the U.S would need to use military force to make Canada the 51st state He offered less certainty about whether his repeated calls for the U.S to take over Greenland from NATO-ally Denmark can be achieved without military action “Something could happen with Greenland,” Trump said we need that for national and international security economy is in a “transition period” but he expects it to do “fantastically” despite the economic turmoil sparked by his tariffs He offered sharp pushback when Welker noted that some Wall Street analysts now say the chances of a recession are increasing some people on Wall Street say,” Trump said Some people on Wall Street say that we’re going to have the greatest economy in history.” He also deflected blame for the 0.3% decline in the U.S “I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he’s done a terrible job,” referring to his Democratic predecessor Trump doubled down on his recent comments at a Cabinet meeting that children might have to have two dolls instead of 30 denying that is an acknowledgment his tariffs will lead to supply shortages “I’m just saying they don’t need to have 30 dolls The president has repeatedly suggested he could seek a third term in the White House even though the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution says that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Trump told NBC there is considerable support for him to run for a third term “But this is not something I’m looking to do,” Trump said “I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody Trump's previous comments about a third term sometimes seem more about provoking outrage on the political left The Trump Organization is even selling red caps with the words “Trump 2028.” he has suggested he was seriously looking into a third term Vice President JD Vance waves waves as he departs Charleston after touring Nucor Steel Berkeley in Huger Trump said in the interview that Vice President JD Vance is doing a “fantastic job” and is “brilliant.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio whom Trump last week tasked to simultaneously serve as acting national security adviser But Trump said it is “far too early” to begin talking about his potential successor He is confident that his "Make America Great Again" movement will flourish beyond his time in the White House The limited-edition nutcrackers titled "Resolute Desk of the President," featuring a seated figure signing a "presidential proclamation," is seen at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg A woman works on nutcrackers of a cowboy at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg A woman uses hairspray to fixe the hair on a nutcracker titled "Resolute Desk of the President," featuring a seated figure signing a "presidential proclamation," at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg manager and owner of the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory Fabrics for nutcracker costumes are stored on the shelf at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg Nutcrackers are displayed at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg The desk of the limited-edition nutcracker titled "Resolute Desk of the President," featuring a seated figure signing a "presidential proclamation," is seen at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg A nutcracker commemorating the coronation of Britain's King Charles III stands alongside other nutcrackers at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg A man walks on the road near the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg A man works on a lathe in the carpentry of the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg Two limited-edition nutcrackers titled "Resolute Desk of the President," featuring a seated figure signing a "presidential proclamation," are seen on a table at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg A woman fixes a coat on a nutcracker titled "Resolute Desk of the President," featuring a seated figure signing a "presidential proclamation," at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg An Uncle Sam nutcracker with an American flag stands between other nutcrackers at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg nutcrackers showing Britain's King Charles III Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam are displayed at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg A woman combs the hair on a nutcracker titled "Resolute Desk of the President," featuring a seated figure signing a "presidential proclamation," at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg and Kristen Soltis Anderson discuss Tru… It didn't begin a long time ago or in a galaxy far far away memes and promotional deals involving “Star Wars” have an inescapable gravity A Star Wars supporter poses for a photo during a fan convention called the Star Wars Celebration Japan on April 18 in Chiba as fans say — has evolved over the years into Star Wars Day an informal holiday celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise Star Wars Day was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films' most popular catchphrases It's not an official holiday but has become so well-known that even former President Joe Biden marked it last year when “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House a day beforehand “I think it's a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for ‘Star Wars’ once a year,” said Steve Sansweet founder and executive chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan a nonprofit museum in California that has the world's largest collection of “Star Wars” memorabilia A collection of “Star Wars” memorabilia is displayed at Rancho Obi-Wan The phrase “May the 4th be with you” was used by fans in the years after the first film was released in 1977 and even appeared in a British political ad in 1979 celebrating Margaret Thatcher's victory as prime minister on May 4 that year the official Star Wars Day comes on May 25 The Los Angeles City Council even declared the date to be Star Wars Day in 2007 although the California Legislature voted in 2019 to designate May 4 as Star Wars Day May the 4th caught on informally among fans through inside jokes shared on social media and viewings of the films to mark the occasion Businesses eventually joined in on the fun with brands ranging from Nissan to Jameson Whiskey running ads or posting on social media about it Star Wars fans in different creations of the Boba Fett uniforms attend a fan convention dubbed the Star Wars Celebration on April 18 in Chiba embraced the day as a way to further promote the franchise with merchandise special screenings and other events surrounding the brand Not all “Star Wars” fans are enthused about how ubiquitous the once-underground joke has become a senior editor at Mashable and author of “How Star Wars Conquered the Universe,” labels himself a “May the 4th grinch" in part because of its commercialization a Protestant congregation held a Star Wars-themed service Sunday Pastor Samuel Dörr and some of his congregants wore costumes and decorated their church in Bensberg The day is being celebrated on a large and small scale this year Disney+ is launching the new series “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld” on the date and it comes as the second season gets underway for another franchise series It also follows the announcement that a new stand-alone “Star Wars” film installment starring Ryan Gosling will be released in 2027 Disney marks the day with the launch of new “Star Wars” merchandise Most Major League Baseball teams have marked the day in recent years with special events incorporating “Star Wars” characters the San Francisco Giants sold special tickets for Saturday's game that included a bobblehead portraying pitcher Logan Webb as “Obi-Webb Kenobi.” It's hard to find a place where May the 4th celebrations aren't occurring from bakeries serving cookies with a “Star Wars” theme to concerts featuring the memorable scores of the films which shares its name with the subtitle of the first “Star Wars” film located 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia plans to have costumed characters throughout town with restaurants serving themed items like a “YodaRita.” “I would always joke around and wish people ‘May the 4th’ — but taking it to this level I've definitely upped my ‘Star Wars’ nerdiness,” said Michael Sklar president of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce Beryl • Atop a dried-up lakebed in the middle of nowhere and seemingly light-years from everywhere this southern Utah sci-fi retreat in the remote desert 50 miles west of Cedar City would not seem to hold much allure But since its opening in a barren and sagebrush-dotted basin last March, its otherworldly vibe has turned it into a utopian getaway that has emerged as a tourist destination of choice rather than a place of last resort, The Salt Lake Tribune reports Billed as a blend between "Star Wars," "Mad Max" and "Dune" movies and a glamping-style resort, Outpost X has garnered millions of views on YouTube It has also captured the popular imagination and solitude seekers to the site from across the country and as far away as France and Germany it shares one important concept with Seinfeld the earthly hit '90s television sitcom famously touted as "a show about nothing." to feel like you have the opportunity to be on a different planet without being on a different planet," said John Lawson "We want guests there to reconnect with themselves or whomever they are with Outpost X is the brainchild of Travis Chambers who conjured up the idea while working as a social media manager for 20th Century Fox and other film industry jobs building $100,000 disposable film sets that were summarily scrapped as soon as filming was over "I thought it would be really cool to build a film set that people could stay in overnight," said Chambers "I wanted to build movies that people could immerse themselves in … and escape the city and modern life." The sale of his ad agency for millions of dollars in September 2021 put that dream within reach and their three children and staying in off-the-beaten-path adventure hotels in 30 foreign countries Chambers bought the land for Outpost X for about $110,000 To get the resort off the drawing board and onto the ground, Chambers turned to crowdfunding, raising more than $900,000 from investors in exchange for stays of up to seven nights once the project was completed Unable to find a builder during the post-COVID-19 construction boom Chambers teamed up with various contractors and bootstrapped the project Construction started in 2022, and Outpost X, which can accommodate up to 35 people, has enjoyed about 90% occupancy ever since opening. The resort's living quarters consist of three upscale, cave-like dwellings similar to Luke Skywalker's abode in the desert world of Tattooine in "Star Wars." It also features four smaller and less expensive futuresque zen glass domes ideal for stargazing in an area devoid of light pollution Although the resort is built on the concept of nothingness, it is a mistake to assume there is nothing to do. Even before guests arrive at the post-apocalyptic-style property, they are sent podcasts for a front-end education on the backstory of Namaajin a planet destroyed during a cosmic upheaval that they will be asked to resettle as part of their stay Guests' immersive experience continues upon their arrival as they hop aboard one of five electric "Star Wars"-style landspeeders—essentially modified golf carts—to cruise the site and stop at 20 interactive stations to glean more about the planet Visitors who want to take over the whole property can do so for $5,000 a night guests can dress up as one of 20 prominent Namaajin denizens The only limit to how far guests can take their role-playing is their imagination Aiding that imagination is an array of amenities which resembles an avant-garde Viking longhouse or French Polynesian dwelling It's a lush communal hangout where guests can lounge on couches to watch movies on a drop-down screen download an app for yoga and kickboxing tutorials Guests can further indulge their whims outside the downstairs of which is devoted to a game room where guests can piece together puzzles or seat themselves at the controls of a PlayStation which is ensconced in a replica of a spaceship cockpit where guests can pay extra to access recipes and ingredients to make exotic nonalcoholic drinks Those preferring alcoholic libations are free to bring their own Just outside the cantina is a skydeck where visitors can take in the 360-degree views of There's also an outside common area where guests can gather around two fire pits for conversation or to throw pottery on a nearby clay wheel that they can air dry rather than use a kiln A nearby spa area on the other side of a walled entry has a sauna The cold plunge brings back warm memories for Lawson who recalls seeing a coyote drinking from the pool as a couple were in the water a few feet away "They were actually enjoying the experience," Lawson said "taking pictures of the coyote as it drank." Chambers enjoys the experimental aircraft that soar overhead from Area 51 the clandestine government base secreted 125 miles away in the Nevada desert where some guests meditate and others levitate drones to take aerial photos is the fully made bed located in an empty field near the cave rentals Staff removed the bed from a cave rental and placed it outdoors for removal after deciding it didn't fit with the resort's decor "We have found people sleeping in the bed and jumping or taking pictures on it The hardest part of that is changing the sheets every day and chasing pillows blown away by the wind." All the resort's caves and zen domes come equipped with modern amenities, including large-screen televisions, heat and air conditioning, and kitchenette and shower areas. Guests can bring and cook their own food or purchase exotically named meal packages designed by celebrity chef and influencer Cody Candelario that they can cook themselves in their rental or on a communal fire pit and creative role-playing was a big draw for Las Vegas residents Dennis and Lizzie Haro "We wanted to do a quick off-grid getaway," Lizzie Haro said while checking out the Kaan Lounge. "We enjoy doing unique stays and once stayed at a spaceship near Joshua Tree National Park we loved the 'Star Wars' feel about it and decided to take our children here." "We've had tons of Star Wars fan groups stay and film out here," Chambers said, "like The 501st Legion which is one of the largest of those groups." National Geographic and Vogue magazine photojournalists have also visited the site, and Utah videographer Devin Graham, better known by his online moniker, DevinSuperTramp, recently shot a film at the resort to promote Star Wars Outlaws, an action-adventure video game for Ubisoft and Lucasfilm Games resort officials urge would-be visitors to come with an open mind and let go of any preconceived expectations He is also constructing an adventure resort in the jungles of Puerto Rico and shopping for land in the Rocky Mountains to open a Viking village "Now we have proven that this immersive and experimental concept can work," he said "My goal is to build about 20 of these projects over the next 10 years." This story was produced by The Salt Lake Tribune and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly it's no secret that coffee is the drink of choice for many starting their day From the importance of sourcing high quality green beans We take an inside look into the coffee roasting process Reneé Colón stands on a stepladder in the rented corner of a warehouse pouring Brazilian coffee beans into her groaning old roasting machine The beans are precious because they survived severe drought in a year when environmental conditions depressed coffee production globally doubling the price of raw beans in just months coffee is going to become more scarce," said Colón founder and roaster at Fuego Coffee Roasters "Seeing that dramatic loss of the Brazilian crop is a perfect example." Losses from heat and drought have cut production forecasts in Brazil and Vietnam Global production is still expected to increase but not as much as commodity market investors had expected largely because of continued high demand in Europe Prices peaked in February but have remained high forcing roasters like Colón to weigh how much of that cost to absorb and how much to pass on to consumers The beans Colón was roasting cost her $5.50 per pound in early March more than double what they cost in September Specialty coffees — grown in delicate climates to slow growth and add flavor — can cost even more President Donald Trump's current 10% tariffs cover most coffee-producing countries and are expected to drive up costs for Americans Amid his chaotic tariff pronouncements — at one point he threatened 46% tariffs on Vietnam imports and 32% on Indonesia imports before pausing them — American coffee roasters are rethinking their supply chains "With all these changes in coffee maybe we should open our own damn farm," Colón muses Coffee beans fall into the cooling tray of a roasting machine at Fuego Coffee Roasters' roasting facility The world's best coffee thrives near the equator where slow growing allows beans to gather flavor either — labor costs are too high and she worries about the increasing risk of crop-damaging hurricanes She shrugs off buying coffee from Hawaii and California global coffee green exports were down 14.2% from a year earlier according to the International Coffee Organization's market report The shortage led to the highest price ever for raw coffee in February breaking the record set in 1977 when severe frost wiped out 70% of Brazil's coffee plants Climate isn't the only thing driving up prices a buyer for San Francisco-based Ritual Coffee Roasters She described being in Mexico in April seeking to finalize contracts between Trump's fits and starts on tariffs It reminded her of being in Colombia a month earlier as Trump threatened and then backed away from tariffs that would have affected coffee prices because at the end of the day it didn't exist," Whalen said Some of the recent rise in coffee prices may be from importers buying extra in anticipation of the tariffs Colón believes prices will go still higher as import taxes begin being paid And with consumer confidence hitting a 12-year low Colón could see a decrease in demand for her premium coffee "It is tough on our end because it drives the price up tough on the consumer end because they have to pay more and tough on the farmers' end because they may be experiencing really significant losses," Colón said make coffee at Fuego Coffee Roasters in Rochester she and her husband took out a $50,000 loan to buy a custom coffee roaster from Turkey that will triple capacity They're trying to increase sales by adding new wholesale clients like coffee shops and selling directly to homes via a beans-of-the-month-style subscription service The Colóns have raised the wholesale price on a pound of roasted beans by 25 cents They're considering doing the same for pour-overs and espresso drinks at their two retail locations one couple said they don't look at the coffee's price on the receipt "We know we could go find coffee cheaper somewhere else," said Rob Newell as he held a cooing infant daughter alongside his wife "Maybe it's just because we're new parents cabin fever staying in the house all day." The warehouse where she roasts has some extra space so she's weighing stacking up more bags of raw beans there to save as much as $500 on monthly storage costs in port cities She's tried to cultivate relationships with farmers to minimize price spikes and control bean quality She described working with a farmer in Colombia as coffee prices were spiking in February to lock in a one-year contract that avoided the worst of the increase she's had to get used to the complexity of tariffs she turned down a pitch from a Montreal coffee importer who suggested the U.S dollar's strength in Canada would allow her to save money by importing through their warehouse She feared that tariffs on Canada could increase prices the coffee would have to cross an extra border And the value of the dollar has been up and down "I want things to be less complicated instead of more," she said The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org In a post Sunday on his Truth Social platform Trump said he has authorized a 100% tariff "on any and all Movies" coming into the U.S Sam McKewon and Amie Just talk their takeaways from Nebraska football's spring game and volleyball's spring match ORD — The Nebraska volleyball team closed out its spring practice by winning all four sets it played against South Dakota State on Saturday at Ord High School Nebraska won all eight sets it played against Kansas and South Dakota State And in doing so the Huskers showed they have many players who could help the team play at a high level New head coach Dani Busboom Kelly feels good about what the team accomplished this spring ”We played great in all of our scrimmages and we got to see a lot of players in different situations,” Busboom Kelly said “The team I felt like got adapted to the practices and the coaching style Busboom Kelly knows the team will face some adversity in August when she has to decide on the first group of starting players “I feel like this spring prepared us to be able to handle that “If we stay together we’re going to be pretty unstoppable.” Freshman setter Campbell Flynn played all four sets on Saturday instead of sharing time with returning starter Bergen Reilly “Bergen has been kind of battling a sore wrist and after warmups we just felt like it was the best thing to do to not push it,” Busboom Kelly said “Campbell is super-capable and it's great for her to have that experience I really wanted everybody to get a start this spring so it was just a last-minute decision to not push somebody going into the long break.” Flynn graduated from high school early to join the Huskers for the spring and feels good about the start of her college career “I think I’ve become a better volleyball player even just in the two months we had in the gym.” The tradition of taking the team on the road each spring is a reminder of how many fans the team has outside of Lincoln especially for the nine players on Nebraska’s spring roster who aren’t from Nebraska including junior outside hitter Harper Murray of Ann Arbor how much volleyball is appreciated here,” Murray said “Obviously Michigan is more a football (and) basketball school I forgot how much our fans love us and love our sport Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner. In the latest episode of The Showdown, Sam McKewon and Amie Just talk their takeaways from Nebraska football's spring game and volleyball's sp… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. Watch the full Run for the Roses at the 151st Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs! Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, crosses the finish line Saturday to win the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday. Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay. This time, he knew the result immediately. Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away. Jockey Junior Alvarado celebrates after riding Sovereignty to victory in the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, on Saturday, at Churchill Downs. The winner covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.31. Baeza was third, Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth. Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos. Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, crosses the finish line to win the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby. Nebraska's Will Bolt full press conference from April 17, 2025 LINCOLN — Robby Bolin’s bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth propelled Nebraska to a 5-4 walk-off win over Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. The two-strike hit came with one out and teammates swarmed Bolin in shallow right-center as NU evened the weekend in dramatic fashion. A season-high home crowd of 6,785 — the 40th most to see a Husker game in Haymarket Park history — watched it play out. The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. Like Friday, Nebraska played from behind early. A pair of soft hits — a Josh Fitzgerald bloop double to left and a Jake Perry looper to right-center — helped produce a second-inning run. The visitors went ahead 3-0 in the third when Drew Berkland hammered a high breaking pitch onto the left-field berm for a two-run homer. The Huskers couldn’t get to Minnesota right-hander Kyle Remington early. The 6-foot, 165-pounder got all but his final out through the air or on the bases across four innings and 54 pitches. NU finally broke through in the fourth when Cayden Brumbaugh reached on an infield flub, Gabe Swansen singled and Ty Stone pulled a center-cut 90-mph fastball way out — 412 feet — to right-center for the tying blast. The hosts took their first lead of the weekend their next time up in more manufactured style. Devin Nunez walked, moved up on a sacrifice bunt, advanced again on a wild pitch and trotted home when Bolin blistered a double down the left-field line. Horn bought time for Big Red while mixing pitch speeds and offerings. The righty retired nine straight — including six strikeouts — until a Charlie Sutherland two-out blooper to right in the sixth. Sutherland stole second and Fitzgerald drove him with a liner to left. Horn nonetheless tied a career high with six innings, which he also achieved last week. He struck out six and walked none across 87 pitches in a performance made more valuable after Nebraska used multiple high-leverage relievers in Friday’s extra-innings loss. Tucker Timmerman kept NU even late. The reliever authored a 1-2-3 seventh and escaped a runners-at-the-corners jam with two outs in the eighth by coaxing a groundout to third base. He worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth. The bills are coming due. And rural Nebraskans are learning their price. We have warned more than once of a coming reckoning for decades of politicians enacting programs without coming clean about their costs. It strikes every few years in Nebraska, when our agricultural economy moves from its proverbial “seven fat years” into its “seven lean years” and declining state revenues force budget cuts. It’s hitting again, five years after COVID-19 and its now mostly spent influx of federal aid to keep the economy from depression. Despite weeks of efforts, state senators still must cut and-or raise some $262 million to balance their budget as the Nebraska Constitution requires. But they didn’t count on Washington blitzing the land with fiscal havoc. Does anyone remember that the federal budget was balanced for three years as the millennium began? It took 30 years to get there, plus three decades of warnings that Americans can’t keep insisting on lower taxes and borrowing through U.S. bond sales to pay for what the nation needs and wants. Democrats and Republicans forged budget discipline then — only to return to borrow-and-spend with a vengeance. Skip the partisanship. Look in the mirror. No one can escape blame for the $2 trillion annual budget deficit and overall $37 trillion national debt for all our years of mutual irresponsibility. Nebraskans are only just beginning to be confronted with what happens when our simplistic “just cut spending” mantra is turned on us. Consider the fiscal and human damage inflicted by Washington turning over federal budget-cutting to unelected fiscal machete-wielders who slash and slash — without considering who gets hurt — and crow over doing it. Lincoln County’s human-service nonprofits, so vital in serving the most vulnerable among us, are seeing the federal grants that make their services possible suddenly snatched away. Individually, their grants are measured in thousands, not billions. Together, a new coalition’s dozen or so nonprofits could lose more than $5 million that keeps their doors open, they recently told county commissioners. But indiscriminate federal budget-cutting also is striking farmers, schools, first responders and health care services across sparsely populated rural America. If Washington also cuts off life-and-death Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements to doctors and hospitals, combined lost federal aid in Lincoln County alone could top $100 million, the nonprofit coalition told commissioners. Rural and lower-income Nebraskans will notice if their hospitals, clinics and nursing homes close. Guaranteed. They’ll notice, too, should state senators decide — as they so often have in past economic downturns — that they can’t afford to maintain current human services or hold down property taxes. Those are their usual targets when funds get tight, which we’ve said as they’ve thrown hundreds of millions into tax relief to get meaningful results. We all are “the government.” It’s not out of line to demand that our elected leaders “cut smart” and with much less callousness than we’ve seen lately. But there’s a cost to what we expect from government — and to helping each other through government when trouble strikes one or many of us. Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! State Sen. Merv Riepe has given the Legislature an opportunity to step away from limiting where transgender people can go to the restroom. Law… © 2025 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC. with North Platte's boys team placing 7th and the girls team finishing 5th Top individual performances for North Platte included notable finishes in the 800-meter and relays In girls' tennis at the Grand Island Invite securing a few wins but struggling overall in singles and doubles matches Despite some strong individual performances North Platte teams overall struggled to match the scoring power of competitors like Kearney highlighting areas for improvement in future competitions The upcoming competitions will be crucial for North Platte's track and tennis teams to build momentum and improve their standings against local rivals North Platte's mixed results underline the need for focused training ahead of future meets particularly in harnessing individual talent to enhance team performance The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it OK Privacy policy (KLKN) – The National Weather Service of North Platte confirmed eleven tornadoes spawned from a late April event the western Sandhills and Cherry County saw a lot of tornadic activity That night started out near Bingham and ended near the Merritt Reservoir This was a historic tornado in that it was the widest tornado ever surveyed in the North Platte National Weather Service county warning area this was only the 7th tornado to exceed a mile in width for the entire state of Nebraska Records date back to 1950 and are maintained by the Storm Prediction Center NWS North Platte damage survey: “One supercell strengthened as it moved through extreme northeastern Garden County producing a tornado 5 miles west-southwest of Bingham This tornado quickly increased in size as it moved northeast impacting utility poles and trees along Highway 2 the tornado impacted a farmstead and freight train The tornado continued to move slowly to the northeast for the next hour primarily impacting open country in rural southwest Cherry County It ended 11 miles north-northeast of Ashby.” NWS North Platte damage survey: “Significant damage was found to pine trees Multiple dead trees were tossed a significant distance.” There was an apparent satellite tornado to the Merritt tornado meaning there was likely a smaller tornado revolving around a larger This would be a second tornado to help the count end up at a total of 11 for this event No additional information was included in the preliminary report by the NWS office in North Platte There were also seven EF-U (unknown) tornadoes confirmed to bring the final count up to eleven with no observable damage done: This is a preliminary report from the National Weather Service of North Platte LINCOLN COUNTY, Neb. — A North Platte man has been charged with seriously assaulting a woman over the weekend. Nathan Creel, 29, is charged in Lincoln County Court with first-degree domestic assault causing serious bodily injury. According to an arrest affidavit, just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday, deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Lincoln Highway RV Park for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies found a woman inside behind a couch in a hunched position. The affidavit said the woman’s eyes were bruised and swollen shut, and the side of her head and nose were bleeding. Deputies said the woman told them she could not see anything. The affidavit said the woman was taken to a local hospital where she had a bruise on her face, both wrists and left bicep. She also complained of head and rib pain and was unable to open her eyes. The affidavit said the woman’s daughter came home to find the victim “beaten up” with Creel standing over her. She added the house “was a disaster” and blood clots were “all over the floor.” The affidavit said the daughter told deputies that at one point, Creel grabbed a dish towel and cleaning solution to clean the blood off the floor. Creel was later arrested and booked into the Lincoln County Jail. His bond has been set at $100,000, 10% of which he would need to post to be released from jail. READ MOREFormer North Platte nurse faces charges for drug theftby NTV News — A former North Platte nurse faces federal charges after allegedly stealing drugs from a surgery center District Court with acquiring a controlled substance by fraud According to Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services records detailing his license suspension Campbell was previously employed as an advanced practice registered nurse at the North Platte Surgery Center Campbell admitted to surgery center leadership that he had been taking Propofol and Fentanyl for his personal use The center said an internal investigation determined numerous vials of these drugs were missing from its stock DHHS says Campbell was later terminated by the surgery center for theft of unauthorized drugs Here are some of our most read articles that might interest you A North Platte man is behind bars after authorities say he assaulted his girlfriend Lincoln County Court records say 29-year-old Nathan Creel is charged with 1st-Degree Domestic Assault a Class 2A Felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison if convicted Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Lincoln Highway RV Park on a report of a disturbance on April 26th and one of them reported her mom had been assaulted The affidavit says once authorities came to the residence the victim was found sitting behind a couch in a hunched position Authorities say she had suffered several injuries including wounds to her eyes which were reportedly bruised and swollen shut The victim told authorities she couldn’t move because of the pain from her injuries The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says the victim was taken to the hospital and was later transported to a Lincoln hospital due to the severity of her injuries They say she is expected to be released in a day or two Creel was previously convicted of 3rd Degree Domestic Assault in August 2024 involving the same victim His next court hearing is scheduled for May 8 at 1:30 p.m © 2025 Nebraska Rural Radio Association. All rights reserved. Republishing, rebroadcasting, rewriting, redistributing prohibited. Copyright Information Website ©2025 Nebraska Rural Radio Association | All rights reserved. | Website developed by Hollman Media you will be automatically redirected here whenever you go to https://ruralradio.com you can click the "Clear home" link in the footer of the site CASPER – Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts should prepare for rising water levels in the North Platte River as a 10-day flushing flow operation begins Monday the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced the Bureau of Reclamation will release additional water from Gray Reef Reservoir to improve fish spawning habitat and increase invertebrate populations that support trout in the North Platte River the flow from Gray Reef Reservoir will rise from 500 cubic feet per second to 4,000 cfs between 3 and 7 a.m before gradually returning to 500 cfs by 10 a.m The cycle will repeat daily through March 26 after which flows will stabilize at approximately 500 cfs “Research shows these flushing flows are essential for sustaining wild trout populations,” said Matt Hahn fisheries supervisor for the Casper region trout populations often fell below 400 per mile the population averages more than 3,500 trout per mile.” Game and Fish urges anglers and recreationists to be cautious during the flushing flow period especially as the operation will extend through a weekend Areas typically safe for wading at 500 cfs may become hazardous at 4,000 cfs The flushing flow is scheduled March 17 to 26 to maximize benefits for spawning rainbow trout celebrating their academic excellence during the school’s first ACT pep rally North Platte High School students who received a score between 25 and 29 on the ACT were awarded tablets on Friday during a morning pep rally Tablets were donated by individuals and businesses from around the North Platte community The standardized American College Testing exam — given primarily to high school juniors and some sophomores — covers four academic skill areas: English NPHS Principal Cory Spotanski said every year they see scores increase in the students but that this year they were celebrating “significant improvements,” on the test that scores students between one and 36 “Our kids put a lot of effort and energy into this particular test and it’s really paying off for our kids.” 18 more students than the previous year scored an 18 or higher 16 that scored better a 25 or better and six more that scored a 30 or better great work,” Spotanski told the assembled students our school as a whole has the highest potential composite going into next year than we’ve had over the last six years.” Carter Stewart and Andrew Kurz stand together in the North Platte High School gym after being recognized for earning a score above 30 on the ACT Each student was presented with a Mac Book for their accomplishments Students that scored between 20 and 24 were recognized with certificates those between 25 and 29 were awarded iPads and those that scored over 30 were awarded Mac Books The tablets and computers were donated by dozens of community members and businesses from around North Platte in addition to the North Platte Public Schools Foundation Parents and sponsors of the prizes were invited to attend the morning rally taking pictures with the students following the announcements The level of support and community involvement with his students “To see donors step up and say ‘we want to be a part of this’ for your kids for our kids and for our future I really can’t put that into words,” he said “It’s just overwhelming support and we’re so fortunate in our community to have people that care beyond the walls of their own home.” Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox A North Platte man is facing charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman Lincoln County Court records say 27-year-old Kyle Barnum is charged with 1st-Degree Sexual Assault a Class 2 Felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison if convicted authorities responded to Great Plains Health in the early hours of April 10th on a report of a sexual assault The affidavit says investigators spoke with the victim she agreed to let Barnum in her residence to talk She said the two went up to her room and after a few minutes Barnum allegedly began to sexually assault her The affidavit says the victim reported to officers that she told Barnum “no” and to stop several times Barnum and another woman went to report the assault to authorities in which the woman implicated that Barnum had sexually assaulted the victim The woman reported that she talked with Barnum which was recorded by a surveillance system Court records say while reviewing the footage Barnum appeared to acknowledge that the assault occurred where his bond was set at 10% of $1 million He is due back in court on April 17 at 1:30 p.m Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to check out a reported domestic assault at the Lincoln RV Park on Rodeo Road just west of North Platte’s city limits.  Sheriff Jerome Kramer said a teenage daughter of the victim called 911.  When deputies arrived at the trailer house they found the front door open and a man standing in the kitchen.  He was later identified as the suspected offender Deputies found the victim behind the sofa in the living room with both eyes swollen shut. The sweater she wore had a significant amount of blood on it She told deputies that she could not move because she was in too much pain Fitch told deputies that she and Nathan live together there An ambulance took Fitch to the hospital. Creel was charged with first-degree assault and taken to the Lincoln County jail Kramer said it became apparent at the hospital that Fitch had numerous injuries to her head and upper body She was transported to Bryan West hospital in Lincoln.  A sheriff’s investigator visited with Fitch by phone on Monday. She is expected to be released from Bryan West in a day or two Creel is charged with first-degree assault — intentionally or knowingly causing serious bodily injury Bond was set Monday at $250,000 in Lincoln County Court He was ordered to return to court at 1:30 p.m The charge is a Class 2A felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment if convicted Creel was charged with assaulting the same victim Witnesses said he hit her in the face and pulled her hair Creel was convicted then of third-degree assault and sentenced to 60 days in jail qualifying for early release because he did not cause any trouble at the jail which is called a “good time” provision Creel was involved in a domestic assault with Jessica Wilson grabbing his throat and cutting his arm with a knife Those charges are still working their way through the courts 2025; the Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney determined that Four of the Five Felonies charged against a man for Strangulation and Assault Against a North Platte Women should be totally DROPPED Law Enforcement thought that the Victim had been Assaulted and Strangled The staff at the Hospital thought that the Victim had been Assaulted and Strangled The Victim was hospitalized for three days the Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney was able to determine that both Law Enforcement and the Hospital Staff were delusional The Assault and Strangulation simply never happened Maybe a Protection Order will save their lives He made a Facebook post saying how much he loved her the day before this happened I believe she was getting ready to leave him and he knew it When the Facebook post didn’t change her mind he lost it & beat her terribly to keep control of her The MOST dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when they leave I guess the prosecutor (unnamed) thought the swollen eyes were caused by allergies And the blood must have been from cutting up chicken Going to the hospital in Lincoln for three days was just a coincidence And the fact that he had done the same thing another time to the same woman…ahh Throw that slime ball away and toss the key! Worthless piece of (fill in the rest yourself) are well known for being slack on criminals I am very familiar with their tactics and coddling of the “criminally inclined” Their clearance records are more important than the victims Most people will never realize any of this until you have to deal with it as a victim,or the parents or loved ones of a victim looking for some sort of justice As far as I am concerned,ALL of these should be brought up on charges and introduced to the system they have created As far as this particular criminal goes,I would hope he rots in prison and receives their own type of poetic justice First off that smirk needs knocked off his face The county attorney she’ll drop the charges like she did in a case I know of The person was pregnant got assaulted and the county attorney dropped the case all together she’s worthless Until there’s county attorneys that will do their job and make examples out of these pos’s and send them to federal prison or many years in prison nothing will change They should have to serve every single day locked up there is a Gentle Man listed there with the following 3rd Offense usually indicates that there have been two others If the victim can still walk; so can you!! This talkback has been deleted because it was a personal attack Thanks for deleting my post….however what it said still stands Click on the cop to report Talk Back abuse and misuse ALLO has North Platte pretty well covered with fiber You can expect speeds up to a gigabit with equally fast uploads CenturyLink offers a tiny oasis of fiber in a small area north of the airport.  ALLO and Spectrum both offer gig-level downloads ALLO’s fiber network can match that download speed with an equally fast upload speed while Spectrum’s cable network tops out at 41Mbps uploads.  ALLO is North Platte’s primary fiber internet provider a solid customer service reputation and straightforward pricing If budget is more of a consideration than upload speeds Spectrum’s two-year introductory deals for new customers can help you get online with good speeds at an affordable price.  CNET's top pick for internet service in North Platte is ALLO making it a standout choice for most residents in the area If you’re more focused on saving money Its introductory pricing is among the best in town even if its reliability may not match ALLO which offers DSL and limited fiber service North Platte has just about every flavor of the internet my top recommendations are fiber from ALLO cable from Spectrum and fixed wireless from ATC Communications.  ALLO and Spectrum should be the first ISPs you check into for home internet in North Platte but they aren’t the only options available may look at ATC Communications or Rise Broadband to get online CenturyLink covers a lot of the town with its outdated DSL network ALLO and Spectrum are North Platte’s fastest providers ALLO makes a strong case with its fiber network and straightforward plans while Spectrum competes on affordable introductory pricing Joseph Sohm/Visions of America/Getty ImagesPricing details on North Platte home internet serviceThe starting price for home internet in North Platte is $50 or under from most ISPs Spectrum has wide coverage for its affordable $30-per-month 100Mbps cable plan ALLO starts at $72 per month for 500Mbps service while Spectrum’s 500Mbps plan tops out at 20Mbps uploads While CenturyLink’s $30 fiber plan is a bargain there’s very little availability in North Platte Most CenturyLink customers will be looking at the $55 DSL plans You’ll be better off with Spectrum’s $50-for-500Mbps plan at least until the price goes up down the line ALLO’s entry-level $72 plan is your best bet for fiber across most of North Platte Recent Ookla Speedtest data shows North Platte with a median download speed of 357Mbps. That compares well to the US overall median download speed of 287Mbps North Platte’s healthy internet stats are thanks to ALLO and Spectrum’s speedy offerings Both providers have gig download speeds available with ALLO’s fiber service also offering fast uploads (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET ALLO is top of the pops when it comes to symmetrical speeds The ISP’s 1,000Mbps plan is more expensive than the Spectrum equivalent (at least at first) but it’s worth the price for anyone who needs to upload large files Spectrum comes in cheaper at the gig level The only other ISP that comes close is CenturyLink’s fiber plans Lack of availability is the big issue regarding CenturyLink fiber options in North Platte it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city we tap into a proprietary database of pricing availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.  It doesn't end there: We go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.  To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our page on how we test ISPs Picking your North Platte home's best internet provider will depend on your needs. As a fan of fiber, I recommend checking out ALLO. If you're on a tight budget, Spectrum has some affordable deals, but be prepared to negotiate your price once the introductory period is up If you're in a more rural area where ALLO and Spectrum don't reach ATC Communications or Rise Broadband to get online CenturyLink offers a tiny oasis of fiber in a small area north of the airport.  ALLO’s fiber network can match that download speed with an equally fast upload speed while Spectrum’s cable network tops out at 41Mbps uploads.  ALLO is North Platte’s primary fiber internet provider Spectrum’s two-year introductory deals for new customers can help you get online with good speeds at an affordable price.  — A North Platte man has been charged after law enforcement found pounds of marijuana and hundreds of THC vape cartridges in his possession is charged in Lincoln County Court with two counts of distribution or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a controlled substance a Nebraska State Patrol investigator arranged a controlled buy between Burtt and confidential informants The investigator said the informants purchased 10 pounds of marijuana and 300 THC vape cartridges from Burtt for $9,900 Burtt was arrested after he handed over the items to the informants The affidavit said a search warrant was obtained to search Burtt’s vehicle and he consented to law enforcement searching his home the affidavit said law enforcement seized 175 pounds of marijuana 1,375 THC vape cartridges and numerous THC edibles 10% of which he would need to post to be released from jail 8 city press release and Mitchell comment after original e-edition publication North Platte city officials have issued a “notice of violation and corrective order” against the current owner of the Canteen District’s 1929 Hotel Pawnee gives California historic redeveloper Jay Mitchell until May 8 to correct violations found in an Oct 25 inspection that render the eight-story hotel “an unsafe and dangerous building and a nuisance.” This photo provided by North Platte city officials shows a “notice of violation and corrective order” posted Wednesday morning on the east door of the historic 1929 Hotel Pawnee An unknown party had removed it by Wednesday afternoon 28 condemnation suit by the city against Mitchell which District Judge Michael Piccolo dismissed "without prejudice" Oct "The City of North Platte has announced that it has dismissed the condemnation proceedings against the Pawnee Hotel "The decision follows productive discussions with Mr "To ensure the safety and integrity of the historic building Mitchell have agreed to conduct a comprehensive building inspection before the end of October 2024." Mitchell did not return a text and voicemail message seeking comment on the April 8 notice before an earlier version of this story appeared in The Telegraph's Friday e-edition Mitchell declined to comment regarding the latest notice He said the city dismissed its lawsuit before reaching agreement on the inspection eventually conducted Oct The April 8 notice cites graffiti on internal walls; dead pigeons and their feces throughout the hotel; inoperable or boarded-up windows and fire exits; and “trash and debris” stored or scattered throughout the building If Mitchell should “fail or neglect the necessary repairs and improvements,” the city “will take such further action as is authorized” under city codes Any such action “shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate.” City Hall could in time move to acquire title to the hotel at East Fifth Street and Bailey Avenue if the lien isn’t settled who provided The Telegraph a copy of the notice Wednesday who acquired sole ownership of the Pawnee in 2019 has the right to appeal the violation notice to the city’s Board of Adjustment Kelliher said city building inspectors posted copies of the notice Wednesday morning on the Pawnee’s main south and east doors after the city’s previous efforts to notify Mitchell had failed This copy of a North Platte “notice of violation and corrective order” was posted on the main East Fifth Street door of the 1929 Hotel Pawnee Wednesday morning Mitchell’s known representatives in the area this notice around the original date of (its) generation,” the mayor told The Telegraph “But both notices were returned (as) undeliverable.” city officials “have reached out” to Mitchell via email “and had no response,” Kelliher said The notices were gone from both doors when a Telegraph reporter walked by them late Wednesday afternoon The photos accompanying this story were taken by city inspectors “We know they were there around lunchtime” Wednesday when he attended a Nebraska National Guard event at Venue 304 catty-corner from the Pawnee The Pawnee is one of 42 properties on North Platte’s “property resolution list” of structures or vacant lots considered to have unsafe conditions Kelliher and City Administrator Layne Groseth said for an April 23 Telegraph story that a City Hall “property resolution team” first seeks voluntary repairs before considering other action if we have contact with the owner at this point (in the process) we would work with them to resolve the issue,” Kelliher said Wednesday has not been occupied since the National Register of Historic Places structure closed as a retirement center in August 2013 The North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp bought a county tax sale certificate related to the closure in March 2019 who had earlier bought a defaulted bank loan bought out the chamber’s interest that July He and a small team spent much of the fall and winter of 2020-21 working inside the Pawnee and held a public open house that Christmas Little external progress has been evident at the hotel since fall 2021 The city’s since-dismissed lawsuit cited conditions noted by city inspectors on Sept They were detailed in a notarized letter to Mitchell dated that Oct Reinspections in May 2021 and April 2022 noted little to no progress as did a March 2022 Lincoln County Assessor’s Office inspection for tax purposes Mitchell texted The Telegraph that “the Pawnee restoration is going very well” and the hotel was “a solid The county issued a fresh tax sale certificate on the Pawnee in March after the hotel’s 2023 property taxes went delinquent bought the certificate for $5,550.36 plus 14% annual interest The hotel’s $3,704.78 tax bill for 2024 can’t be paid until the tax sale certificate is paid off the County Treasurer’s Office said Thursday 2021 and 2022 tax bills also had languished until Mitchell paid them up in February 2024 He told The Telegraph last fall that the timing of his payments is “simply part of smart money management.” The following conditions found during an Oct 25 Hotel Pawnee inspection were noted by North Platte city building official David Hahn in a "notice of violation and corrective order" issued April 8 to building owner Jay Mitchell: With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLINCOLN COUNTY (KNOP) - Multiple firefighters remain on scene of a grass fire south of North Platte North Platte fire crews were dispatched at around 3:55 p.m about a quarter of a mile south of Grain Bin Antique Town Around a dozen local and area fire departments responded to this fire the fire has burned around 150 acres and is contained Embers from a previous control burn is believed to be the cause crews will remain on scene through the day to monitor hot spots They say this is an area that is encroached with cedar trees and access is problem due to the steep canyons firefighters are also battling a large grass fire between Mullen and Tryon The fire is believed to have started near Mullen and has worked its way south In a social media post the North Platte Fire Department is reminding everyone to check their recently issued burn permits as conditions will be favorable for fuels to ignite and spread rapidly They urge everyone to check their burn areas to ensure fires are completely out and bury embers to keep them from rekindling North Platte Airport and North Platte Rural Fire Department assisted in the South Old Highway 83 fire Stick with News 2 for updates on this developing story Click here to subscribe to our KNOP News 2 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox (KNOP) - The North Platte Police Department issued a snow alert just before 11:35 a.m Officials issue snow alerts when forecast conditions are favorable for a snow emergency to be issued and boats must be removed from snow routes within the city of North Platte Click here to subscribe to our KNOP News 2 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. North Platte man sentenced to probation for child pornography possessionby Ricardo Hernandez A North Platte man charged after child pornography was found on his phone has been sentenced According to Lincoln County District Court records was sentenced to four years probation on two counts of possession of child pornography He also must register as a sex offender for 25 years Palmer pleaded no contest to the charges last December four additional child pornography charges were dismissed a witness showed a Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) investigator Palmer's phone Court records say the investigator reportedly confirmed this after getting a search warrant and seizing the phone (KNOP) - A teen was severely injured after a rollover accident on the city’s north side on Wednesday According to Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer at the intersection of Hall School Road and Twin Lakes Road told deputies he was turning at the intersection when he heard a ‘pop’ and rolled his SUV injuring his 17-year-old passenger who was not wearing a seat belt The teen was taken to Great Plains Health and later flown to Omaha for a broken nose and fractured vertebrae The driver and two 15-year-old passengers were wearing seat belts and were not injured Kramer said empty shooter bottles were found in the vehicle A blood test was taken from the driver through a search warrant It is unknown how the driver and the teens are related Click here to subscribe to our KNOP News 2 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox