On a warm July morning, three busloads of young people ranging in age from 14 to 25 roll through flashing yellow traffic lights before dawn in Kearney.
Mckinley Segelke of Minden, Neb., pulls a tassel from a cornstalk. The detasseling rite of passage has begun to fade among young Nebraskans.
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On a hazy, humid July 30 morning, Hagan detasselers stopped to visit and headed down the field for their next row assignments. Rain overnight in the Minden area and earlier irrigation made rain coats or plastic garbage bags important gear for walking through the cornfield.
Daily for about three weeks in July and early August, detasselers board Hagan buses at 5:30 a.m. - three at Kearney and one at Minden - to arrive at an area cornfield by sunrise. On most days, they detassel in more than one field and work until early afternoon.
Detasselers mostly wear their own clothes, such as long pants and tennis shoes. They also are provided safety equipment by Hagan Detasseling that includes orange wide-brimed hats with face netting and protective glasses.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2026
Heavy rain is seen falling over west Omaha, as viewed from the east on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
People set off fireworks in Omaha, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Kids reach for bubbles on Woolworth Ave. during the annual 4th of July parade held at Omaha’s Field Club neighborhood in Omaha, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
People set off fireworks in Omaha, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
People set off fireworks in Omaha, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
People set off fireworks in Omaha, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
People set off fireworks in Omaha, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Damages is seen after a vehicle hit Eyebrow Microblading Specialists at 5723 NW Radial Highway in Omaha, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The neighboring business in the same building, Benson Shoe Repair, was also recently hit by a vehicle and sustained heavy damage.
A Wednesday night storm knocked a tree onto 710 Donegal Drive in Papillion, as seen on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
A Wednesday night storm knocked a tree onto 710 Donegal Drive in Papillion, as seen on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Participants walk down Woolworth Ave. during the annual 4th of July parade held at Omaha’s Field Club neighborhood in Omaha, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
People arrive for The RiverFront Fourth of July Celebration featuring the Omaha Symphony at Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha on Saturday, July 4, 2026 .
From left, Alexis, 7, Ron Lewis, James, 6, and Jackie Lewis visit Edith German’s headstone in the Omaha National Cemetery in Papillion, on Friday, July 3, 2026. German was Jackie’s mother and the children’s great-grandmother. German’s husband, Kenneth, served in the Airforce, and she was a registered nurse, who worked in the Omaha V.A. hospital.
A lightning strike is seen near the Omaha National Cemetery and a Google AI Data-Center in Papillion on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Iris Herse, a former Rosie the Riveter who worked in a factory making bombs during World War II, displays her American Spirit Medallion at Lakeside retirement home in Omaha on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
Iris Herse, a former Rosie the Riveter who worked in a factory making bombs during World War II, stands for a portrait at Lakeside retirement home in Omaha on Thursday, July 2, 2026. She wears her American Spirit Medallion.
A peacock stands at the door of Diane Keane’s home in Omaha on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Keane believes the bird belongs to one of her neighbors, and says “it kind of just does whatever it wants.”
A peacock walks across Diane Keane’s porch as her dog, Biscuit, watches in Omaha on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Keane believes the bird belongs to one of her neighbors, and says “it kind of just does whatever it wants.”
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's second congressional district, talk with reporters during a campaign event at WheatFields Eatery and Bakery in Omaha on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Attendees wave as 30 buses pass by along Q Street to launch an anti-child sex trafficking awareness campaign in Omaha on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Lincoln View principal Monica Thompson cuts the ribbon during a ceremony for the new elementary school in Papillion on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Lincoln View is Papillion La Vista Community Schools 17th elementary school to open.
Keyhden Ramirez stands for a portrait in her Papillion home on Friday, July 24, 2026. Ramirez is taking daraxonrasib in a clinical trial, which is Revolution Medicine's pancreatic cancer drug.
Ben Steffen, Democratic candidate for Nebraska Lt. Governor, waits for an interview in Omaha on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
Brennan Polito of Henderson, Tx. rides a bull during extreme bull riding at the Sarpy County Fair in Springfield on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Rhett Martin loses his shoe while riding a sheep during mutton busting at the Sarpy County Fair in Springfield on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
