Top Journal Star photos and videos for March 2026

A federal judge in New York ruled Wednesday that companies that paid tariffs struck down last month by the Supreme Court are due refunds.

Lincoln officials are considering changes that would allow rural wineries to sell beer, liquor and prepared food.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue responded to a basement fire in south Lincoln Monday afternoon. Homeowner Steve Eaton said he was vacuuming his garage when he began to smell smoke.

It’s March Madness at Open Harvest, where cheeses go head-to-head and only the sharpest make the cut.

Around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, first responders were called to the area of Southwest 84th and West A streets for a single-vehicle rollover crash. 

Police released more details Wednesday morning about the body found near Oak Creek in north Lincoln Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jeff Mathers said the case reflected a serious breach of trust.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Education will be used to create online courses that teach educators about how to use artificial intelligence in their K-12 classrooms.

A Kansas City resident reported receiving a scam call from a supposed Lincoln lieutenant accusing them of a sexual assault, police said.

Lincoln police have identified the 46-year-old man found dead by Oak Creek on Tuesday.

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office didn't start using cameras until after George Floyd's death, and Lincoln didn't allocate funds for cameras for all of its police patrol teams until 2021.

Before permanent installation at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, the three bison sculptures, crafted by a Grand Island native, visited Morrill Hall for a day.

Rezac has worked in the district court clerk's office for 28 years and was appointed by the County Board to the top job in 2024.

"The office probably could benefit from somebody coming in and really giving it the time and attention it deserves," said Anderson, who 

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities announced that a lane on Ninth Street between L and K streets will close beginning Monday to allow for the delivery and assembly of heavy construction equipment.

Yocelin Bahena, 29, was charged with sexual abuse of an inmate in the first degree and committing unlawful acts by a corrections employee.

Authorities initially believed 20 to 30 vehicles were involved.

The Northeast Senior Center, 6310 Platte Ave., will be closed at least through Friday due to water damage in the building.

A second teenager is facing three felony charges for his alleged involvement in a shooting in Havelock in January that injured two teens. 

The drafting of the plan included a 10-month data analysis and review phase, and the plan ultimately proposes 19 projects focused on street segments.

A 24-year-old Lincoln man has been charged with two felonies after allegedly pointing a gun at patrons after being kicked out of Barry’s Bar this weekend.

Lincoln officers tased a 40-year-old man nine times during an arrest Monday night after a reported knife incident. He now faces multiple felony charges.

The International Quilt Museum in Lincoln will host its 16th annual National Quilting Day event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The free community event includes museum admission, demonstrations, lectures and access to current exhibitions at the museum, located at 33rd and Holdrege streets.

A Lincoln police officer used a Taser on a man Tuesday who was later discovered to have a stolen gun, according to court records.

StarTran riders can hop on for free Friday as Lincoln marks Nebraska Public Transit Week. Here’s what to know about routes and services.

Cindy Burbank is off Nebraska’s Senate ballot after a GOP complaint argued she did not intend to serve if elected.

Friends of Opera will host High Tea and Songs of Spring on Saturday at Wilderness Ridge Club and Resort from 2 to 4:30 p.m. 

Lincoln officials rebid Project O Street after protests. Now, a local company has been selected to lead the multi-million dollar downtown overhaul.

As part of a wide-ranging talk and Q&A, the mayor touched on topics from artificial intelligence to the state budget and the Trump administration.

"Mr. Anderson is a danger to children in the community. He's a danger to other people in the community. He cannot be trusted," Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Morgan Smith said.

A Subaru Crosstrek flipped during a three-vehicle crash near South 84th Street and North Hazelwood Drive Wednesday evening. All involved parties are in stable condition.

A judge ruled longtime Lincoln police officer Melissa Ripley's discrimination lawsuit can move forward, rejecting the city’s bid to end the case before trial.

Homes and businesses constructed before the 1950s may be contaminated with lead, and the city put together a list of about 5,000 homes that could have contaminated lines.

A 21-year-old Nebraska City man was flown to Omaha after a head-on crash with a semi in Cass County. Authorities say dust reduced visibility.

A judge has rejected a Nebraska woman's legal challenge following her removal from the primary ballot after she was deemed a "plant candidate," prompting a same-day appeal.

An Atlanta man is wanted in Nebraska after allegedly trying to get away with nearly $130,000 of another man's unclaimed property from the state Treasurer's Office. 

Lincoln police are warning families after a water gun mistaken for a firearm caused alarm at a church youth program.

Hundreds of Lincoln families are scrambling after child care closures cut more than 500 slots. Many say the system feels unstable and uncertain.

A proposed dementia care home in a Lincoln neighborhood was approved despite dozens of letters and a petition opposing the project.

A 24-year-old Lincoln man has been charged with resisting arrest using deadly force after allegedly hitting a police officer with drumsticks Thursday.

Lancaster County Public Defender Kristi Egger is running for a second term, pointing to office upgrades and decades of experience ahead of a May 12 primary.

Sarah Newell says the public defender office is “hemorrhaging” attorneys. She’s running against her boss to push structural changes and reduce burnout.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the Journal Star will highlight Nebraska’s role in shaping the nation and invite readers to help guide the coverage.

Northeast Senior Center at 6310 Platte Ave. will not offer any programs or lunch service until the cleanup is complete, according to a news release.

With a red flag warning in effect for much of eastern Nebraska until Sunday, Lincoln Fire and Rescue is urging everyone to avoid burning anything.

The fire caused $200,000 damage to the structure and $75,000 worth of contents inside were lost.

A Lincoln man accused of DUI crashed into a tree, then allegedly spat blood on officers and nurses at the hospital, injuring one officer.

Nearly 8,000 FFA members and guests are expected in Lincoln this week for the state convention, featuring competitions, workshops and award ceremonies.

Nebraska’s high court ruled Cindy Burbank must be restored to the U.S. Senate primary ballot, reversing a lower court and ordering the secretary of state to certify her.

The City Council is considering loosening some regulations around second, smaller homes that can be connected to a main home or detached, which are known as ADUs.

A new downtown space is changing how Lincoln adopts cats — by letting people spend time and bond before taking them home.

A Lincoln man with three felony warrants was arrested Tuesday after a multi-agency response. A nearby middle school was placed on secure status during the incident.

Lincoln City Council voted to cancel liquor licenses for The Office and Playmakers, citing alleged criminal activity tied to the businesses.

Anthony Meints will serve as Lincoln Public Schools' next director of facilities and maintenance, the district announced Tuesday. His time with LPS spans more than 33 years.

A Lincoln man is charged with felony assault after a January attack at a bus stop that police say targeted a registered sex offender.

Bikers will ride through rural Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota along the more than 240-mile adventure, which begins in Hartington, Nebraska, on June 23.

Jason Schmidt, 51, was sentenced for sexually abusing a developmentally disabled teenager.

Just before 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a burglary at Lobo City Mex Supermarket, 340 N. 27th St., after a passerby noticed a broken glass door.

Lancaster County prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a Lincoln man accused of killing his half-brother, his pregnant wife and their unborn child in January.

A judicial nominating commission is reopening the search for a Lancaster County district judge after failing to advance enough candidates this week.

"Mr. Hamilton simply cannot be allowed to remain in the community. In our community, and in any other community," Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Morgan Smith said at the sentencing Wednesday.

A 64-year-old man has been arrested in Lincoln for the 1990 killing of a Texas couple, known as the Lovers' Lane Murders.

A 21-year-old Lincoln woman has been charged with two felonies for allegedly stabbing her ex-boyfriend in west Lincoln.

Lincoln police say serious crime hit a 20-year low in 2025, driven by drops in property crime and stronger staffing levels.

The judge said while she understands that the adjacent landowners are not happy about the project, "it begs the question — if not here, where?"

Outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia is suing Wyn Wiley, a drag queen and activist from Nebraska who goes by the name Pattie Gonia.

Police say a live video led them to a violent assault case. Now, a Lincoln man is headed to prison.

A 40-year-old Lincoln man was charged after allegedly selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with police in Lincoln. A search then turned up more than five pounds of methamphetamine.

He scans groceries by day — and now his art greets customers on the wall. Meet the Lincoln artist behind Open Harvest’s new mural.

Two more teenagers are facing felony charges for their alleged involvement in a shooting in Havelock in January that injured two teens.

The Arkansas-based coffee chain 7 Brew is opening two more Lincoln locations this fall, marking the drive-thru stand's fifth and sixth in Nebraska's capital.

Alicia Davis was shocked to hear her name announced during a ceremony Friday for the Scottish Rite Educator of the Year award, with a $10,000 check waiting for her.

To celebrate the opening, the first 100 customers will receive a T-shirt commemorating the occasion.

Nolte, a career public servant, is seeking a second term as assessor/register of deeds, whose responsibilities include setting the value of the county's real property and keeping certain records.

DISH Network customers in Nebraska no longer have access to some of their favorite local channels.

Investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force believed a 37-year-old man had been on a long-distance trip to bring cocaine to Lincoln. 

Ndamukong Suh returned to Lincoln to talk business, football and life after the NFL — and why he’s always aimed to be more than an athlete.

Nebraska advisers are urging a pause on a new disability assessment tool after many participants were reassigned to different funding tiers. Families say the system lacks transparency.

The Nebraska Supreme Court figuratively slapped the hand of an Omaha lawyer suspected of using AI in a brief, striking his brief and referring him to the Counsel for Discipline.

A Lincoln treasurer for Morley Elementary’s parent-teacher organization has been arrested for possible embezzlement of nearly $15,000, police said.

A Nebraska Democrat is suing after being removed from the Senate primary ballot and labeled a “plant candidate.” A judge is expected to rule before Friday’s deadline.

An early investigation shows the man, who was with two friends, fell from a ladder and suffered a severe head injury, according to LPD.

A man set to leave prison March 19 is accused of making repeated threats toward a behavioral health caseworker at the Reception and Treatment Center.

A Lincoln woman turned herself in Tuesday on a theft charge for allegedly embezzling more than $50,000 from the civil engineering firm where she worked.

A Lincoln man was arrested after allegedly stabbing a woman with a screwdriver in central Lincoln, police said.

A Lincoln man has been charged after allegedly strangling a Lincoln woman with a charger cord, court records show.