Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican (left) swears in the new senators for 2023, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Sen. John Fredrickson shows his son, Leon, the inside of the west wing on the first day of the 2023 Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Kristina Konecko, an administrative aide for Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, boxes up items at his old desk Tuesday at the Capitol. The new session begins Wednesday.
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Senator Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
A camera flash illuminates the newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the rotunda to the West Chamber to be sworn in on Thursday at Capitol in Lincoln.
Milford's Izzy Yeackley (left) grabs a rebound in front of Malcolm's Emma Brown on Thursday in Malcolm.
Tell Hanes (left) of the Waverly Fire Department and Southeast Rural Fire's Trey Wayne jump over freezing water to high-five while practicing surface ice rescues Friday at Holmes Lake. "We try to run these trainings for both our students and local first responders to make sure they are ready in case anything real happens," said Andrew Saunders, of the International Rescue and Relief program at Union College.
Lincoln Southeast's Kaitlyn Freudenberg (from left) tries to hold onto the ball against Lincoln Southwest's Brinly Christensen and Aniya Seymore on Friday at Lincoln Southwest.
Nebraska's Kendall Moriarty does push-ups as her teammates cheer after the Huskers beat Penn State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Brock Hardy (right) wrestles Minnesota's Jakob Bergeland in the 141-pound match, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the Devaney Center.
Ali Al-Mohammed, 17, kicks a soccer ball after school on Tuesday in front of Park Middle School. Renovations at Park that were part of the 2020 bond issue included a new cafeteria space.
Parkview Christian's Isabella Minatti (middle, right) is fouled against Johnson-Brock during a MUDECAS Tournament semifinal game Thursday at Beatrice Auditorium.
Nebraska's Emmanuel Bandoumel makes a dunk against Illinois' Matthew Mayer on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Derrick Walker is introduced before the Illinois game, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
A truck passes over an icy Platte River along U.S. 6 on Friday near Ashland. Friday's temperature failed to get above freezing, but the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is much better, with temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s before precipitation chances Sunday night and Monday.
A pair of ice skaters journey across a frozen Holmes Lake at sunset on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lincoln. As winter continues, weather this week will be consistently in the 40s with a dry weekend.
Ohio State's Rebeka Mikulášiková collides with Nebraska's Maddie Krull as they battle for the ball underneath the rim in the third quarter Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Kyrie Kelley-Johnson, son of Lincoln High head coach Dominique Kelley-Johnson, tries to keep the attention of the players while the Links stretch before their game Saturday at Lincoln High.
Governor Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska's open senate seat, during an announcement on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, has been expected to go to Ricketts after his depurate from the governorship last year.
Oscar and Yenifer Contreras, (left to right) both family workers, enjoy some of the food they made before lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Restaurante & Bar Sabor Latino in Lincoln.
Parker Moll braves a mix of snow and rain to clear the driveway outside his family's home on Wednesday.
Ohio State's Zed Key (left) lays the ball into the basket off of the backboard against Nebraska's Derrick Walker on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Sam Griesel (right) embraces teammate Keisei Tominaga after defeating Ohio State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Isabelle Bourne (left) is blocked at the rim by Maryland's Gia Cooke on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Pius X's Jackson Kessler (middle, bottom) celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against Lincoln Southwest on Thursday at Pius X High School.
Nebraska's Allie Gard completes a back hand spring during her routine on the balance beam during their duel against Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Lincoln Pius X's Nate Schauer (left) and Treyson Anderson celebrate after defeating Omaha Skutt on Tuesday at Pius X High School.
Nebraska's Denim Dawson bites a towel after the Huskers lost to Northwestern on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Leona Nissen (left) and Mackenzie Derowitsch chat during some one-on-one mentorship time at Lincoln Lutheran on Thursday. The 6-12 school has implemented a new mentor program called Warrior Walk that pairs a middle school student with a high school counterpart.
April and Stormi Mrsny hurtle down the hill on their sled while followed by their dog, Penni, on Monday at Pioneers Park. Chilly temperatures are in the forecast this week ahead of an Arctic air mass that could arrive by the weekend.
Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State address on Wednesday at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Lincoln High School senior Kristie Trinh was recently selected for the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program.
John Lee (left), an opponent of LB77, open carries his great-great grandfather's musket outside a Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday at the Capitol. "This is the only arms that they knew of when they were writing the Constitution," Lee said. LB77 would remove a requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon.
A group of men accused of killing a 15-year-old Omaha girl had searched for house addresses that weren't on her street before firing 37 bullets at the girl's house.
Tuesday's proclamation marks the latest effort to raise awareness about human trafficking, which is not prevalent in Nebraska but has increasingly become a focal point for lawmakers and criminal investigators.
Rep. Mike Flood gained appointment to the House Financial Services Committee in the new Republican-majority U.S. House of Representatives.
Legal Aid of Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed call NP Dodge Management v. Teresa Holcomb a landmark case.
Cole Vanderheiden is revved up about racing.
The Douglas County Health Department traced a source of the lead to food, specifically lead-contaminated spices.
Over the next year-plus, the Nebraska Public Power District will study 15 sites for the nuclear reactor, whittling those down to four.
The Huskers picked up a major piece out of the transfer portal in Sherman, who was a part of Georgia's back-to-back national title teams.
Lincoln resident Jessenia Morales, who goes by “Speedy Morales” on the track, is headed to Valence, France, this summer after punching her ticket to the Junior Roller Derby World Cup.
The former Waverly star wrote that she is stepping away to “focus on myself and be with my family and continued to heal due to the passing of my dad.”
Nebraskans would pay income taxes at a flat 3.99% rate and taxes on Social Security benefits would be eliminated under a legislative package unveiled by Gov. Jim Pillen.
Benson High School will soon receive a face-lift in order to bring crucial health care services to students, staff and the community.
A 22-year-old Omaha man will spend at least 16 years in prison after being sentenced for causing the deaths of two women and an unborn child while driving drunk at over 100 mph.
402 Creamery teased the release of the flavor, set to arrive on Jan. 26, in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Sarpy County is investing $5.3 million into an industrial park near the Nebraska Crossing outlet mall to spur development along the Interstate 80 corridor.
There's usually no quick solution to deadlocked school board elections such as Bennington's, which took a week to be resolved. One Nebraska district used a coin toss.
Sen. Mike McDonnell, a leader in the effort to build a new lake, says he believes "we will get there" after assuring Lincoln has access to an additional water supply.
The Huskers on Friday hosted offensive tackle Jacob Hood for an official visit, a source confirmed. Hood is a former composite four-star prospect from the 2022.
The York County sheriff will pay a $1,000 penalty for wearing his uniform in a 2022 campaign advertisement for unsuccessful GOP gubernatorial candidate Charles W. Herbster.
Forget about first-hand accounts of Jesse James’ time in the Ponca Hills. But the stories about the James gang — fact and fiction — tie into Pries Lake.
An arbitrator has ruled that Omaha police mishandled an internal investigation that led to the firing of Capt. Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez. Partially reinstated, she now is on paid administrative leave.
A TikTok captured in a Lincoln nail salon has gone viral, garnering over 16 million views on the social media platform.
Lincoln Police arrested a 29-year-old resident on suspicion of second-degree murder for the shooting near 18th Street and Euclid Avenue Saturday morning.
A team formed by the Douglas County Health Department and backed by local partner Coalition Rx aims to help prevent overdose deaths by digging deeper into the questions surrounding them.
Assistant Police Chief Brian Jackson said the confrontation that led up to Saturday's shooting "initially started with a disturbance about animals — dogs — and escalated from there."
The driver of the truck slid through the crossing on Road L due to icy conditions on Monday.
Volunteers and law enforcement agencies are searching on the ground and from the air for the elderly couple that was reported missing nearly two weeks ago.
Year 1 of Matt Rhule's rebuilds have been full of losses. On the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, Rhule said he thinks his first season at Nebraska will be different.
“I would personally wear a helmet and would encourage everyone else to wear one,” Sen. Ben Hansen said. “But this is a risk they are free to take.”
"We've all heard in court today how your choices have impacted her for the rest of her life, what she described in her words as a life sentence," the judge said.
The mother of Ryan Larsen, the La Vista boy who has been missing since May 2021, has filed a petition in court to have her son declared legally dead.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue bomb technicians disabled five explosive devices, two of which were uncovered amid a traffic stop Wednesday morning, the police chief said.
With egg prices causing sticker shock at grocery stores, local suppliers have become a hot commodity.
Construction plans for the $600 million skyscraper call for it to rise 677, 43 feet taller than First National Bank Tower.
A total of 83 projects from across Nebraska will receive a share of nearly $20 million in federal pandemic recovery funds to bolster the development of the state's behavioral health workforce.
A $915,000 grant will place 25 nurses across UNMC’s five campuses at K-12 schools later this semester through the newly created School Nurse Scholars program.
With a substantially smaller supply, officials said, treasurers in some counties don't have the ability to hold back plate numbers from customers who need new plates first.
The Sarpy County Museum is kicking off a $15 million fundraising campaign to raise funds for a new Papillion facility.
The Christ Child Society of Omaha donated a book vending machine to Westgate Elementary School. The machine is part of a pilot literacy program that could expand to more school districts.
Crete community members lined the street Friday morning to welcome home Doane professor and volunteer firefighter Brad Elder after his three-month stay in the hospital.
Seed companies that formerly supplied AltEn allege the company has continued paying employees, accountants and consultants with cash while never having “paid a dime toward actual remediation.”
Riley Royle, 26, of Monroe, died Jan. 17 after crashing into a piece of farm equipment. The incident occurred just before 6 p.m. on Nebraska 22 near Genoa.
Last year, about 25% of Nebraska's weather monitoring networks were shuttered or scheduled for closing.
A 69-year-old Plattsmouth woman, reported missing on Saturday morning, was found dead in a residential backyard late Sunday afternoon.
A staff member at an Omaha alternative school was cut Monday by a student with a knife, according to a spokeswoman for Omaha Public Schools.
Some teaching jobs are left vacant or filled with less-qualified candidates, a survey found. The number of unfilled jobs across the state is up nearly 60% over last year.
The exhibition explores the wonder of flight and the marvels of aerospace innovation, design and technology.
It's a bird! It's a plane! No, look, it's the “Hall of Heroes” exhibit at the Durham Museum.
Thayer Central Community Schools didn't close for winter weather, but because of a threat to students' safety.
Chuck Sorahan was awakened by an electronic alert asking people to look for the child. He found the baby more than 2 hours after it had been taken.
Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested an employee of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services in connection with a sexual assault of a co-worker.
A hearing on a bill that would establish some oversight for transitional housing for people recently released from prison could help the city with some controversial sober living homes.
Agricultural spokesmen praise Gov. Jim Pillen's effort to place new limits on school revenue growth while school representatives point to economic challenges created by a teacher shortage and inflationary environment.
Senate committee assignments were revealed Wednesday for newly appointed Sen. Pete Ricketts and two-term Sen. Deb Fischer.
The Omaha Police Department released body camera photos from the two officers who were shot during an attempted burglary at a storage facility..
Nebraska's chronic prison overcrowding has the state looking to build a $270 million prison, as a start. The issue also fueled Wednesday's emotional debate on changing criminal justice laws.
Joseph Maciarz Jr., 61, was taken to jail after State Patrol investigators found "numerous items of child pornography" while serving a search warrant at his south Lincoln home.
Sen. Dave Murman's plan (LB783) would eliminate the ability of community colleges to levy property taxes beginning in 2026-27, and replace that funding with state appropriations.
Two LPD recruits viewed a physical copy of an exam before taking it, while five others who "observed the cheating in some form" failed to notify supervisors, police officials said.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Jim Scheer to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents to replace himself.
A United Airlines jet en route from Chicago to Las Vegas made an unexpected stop in Lincoln on Saturday.
Seed companies seek AltEn assets to help cleanup; Northwest students still waiting to get into new auditorium; UNL students prepare for NASA challenge.
When bowling was at its zenith in Omaha, there was one lane for every 654 persons. Nearly 500 lanes at 25 establishments.
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce President Bryan Slone says state tax reductions and growing revenue open opportunities for economic growth, but federal immigration reform will be needed to address workforce shortage.
The proposal would be implemented "if and when the federal government allows states to do so," but only if at least three neighboring states also adopt similar legislation.
97,000 Nebraska borrowers had their applications sent to loan servicers to discharge student loan debt before the program was put on a court-ordered pause.
