By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post

Listen the full interview with Russ Jones on our Kubota Podcast Page.

North Platte, NE – Midwest Championship Fighting (MCF) is set to bring a night of intense MMA action and community celebration to North Platte with its upcoming “Salute to Veterans V” event at the D&amp;N Event Center.&nbsp;

Russ Jones, MCF President, says the event offers a mix of fight levels rarely seen in one night. “We start with street fights—guys literally off the streets—then move to amateur matches, amateur title fights, and finally professional bouts,” he explained. “The lower-level fights are just as important as the high-level fights because that’s how fighters get to the top.” Some street fighters even receive free training if they want to continue competing, giving local athletes an opportunity to develop skills and find a constructive outlet.

Veterans Honored
The “Salute to Veterans” program, now in its fifth year, invites over 200 veterans to attend free of charge with VIP seating. The event includes a flag salute at the start and a special parade of veterans during intermission. “We started this program to give veterans a place to gather, celebrate, and be recognized for their service,” Jones said. The initiative also creates a space where veterans of all ages can connect, fostering camaraderie and community.

Tickets remain available at <a href="https://www.midwestchampionshipfighting.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">midwestchampionshipfighting.com</a>, including a pay-per-view option for $35. Jones encouraged fans to arrive early to see the veterans parade, expected around 7:30 p.m..

He also highlighted several fights fans are eagerly anticipating, including local favorites Bristol vs. Seamann, Chris Burbine, Jareb Huerta, Oliver Nutter, and Madison McCord. 

“Bristol vs. Seamann is a heated street fight that fans have been waiting for,” he said. “And we also have a title fight that promises to be one of the standout bouts of the evening.”

Beyond entertainment, MCF provides a safe, structured environment where fighters—many on the "fringe" of society—can channel their energy positively. 

“These kids are looking for an outlet, a brotherhood,” Jones said. “Seeing fighters step into the cage is a moment you can’t put a value on.”

MCF events also draw a significant audience, boosting the local economy while providing a unique entertainment option in Western Nebraska. For North Platte residents, MCF Salute to Veterans offers a rare combination of high-level MMA action, veteran recognition, and community engagement.

🎙️Midwest Championship Fighting Returns to North Platte with “Salute to Veterans V”

North Platte Community College will be the site of an Applied Technologies Job Fair Nov. 12.

The event is free and open to the public. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon in Rooms 105, 107 and 109 of the W.W. Wood Building on the NPCC North Campus, 1101 Halligan Drive, in North Platte.

The fair will provide job seekers with an opportunity to network with representatives from area businesses and learn about open positions in a variety of applied technology-related fields.

An emphasis will be put on electrical, building construction, welding, HVAC, automotive, auto body, diesel and CDL.

Guests are encouraged to take résumés with them. At their discretion, employers may choose to interview candidates on site.

Businesses can register for a booth at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://joinhandshake.com/">https://joinhandshake.com/</a>. More information about the fair is available through Amy Sabatka, director of career services, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sabatkaa@mpcc.edu">sabatkaa@mpcc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (308) 535-3619.

Applied tech careers to be featured at upcoming NPCC job fair

November is recognized as&nbsp;National Family Caregivers Month, and Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) is taking time to thank and celebrate the many caregivers across our region. Whether you are currently caring for someone, have done so in the past, or expect to in the future, your commitment and compassion make a lasting impact.

“Caregivers are the backbone of many families and communities,” says Paula Wimer, Respite Coordinator for the Southwest service area. “They give their time, energy, and love to help others live better lives. This month, we want them to know their work truly matters.”

Caregiving can be both rewarding and difficult. Many caregivers provide around-the-clock support, manage health needs, and balance other responsibilities, often with little rest or relief. This can lead to stress, exhaustion, or burnout if self-care is overlooked.

Caregiver burnout can appear in many ways. Warning signs may include:

Recognizing these signs early is important. Seeking respite, asking for help, or connecting with local support programs can make a big difference in a caregiver’s health and outlook.

To help, SWNPHD offers Respite Services, a program that gives caregivers temporary breaks by providing trusted care for their loved ones. Funding for respite care begins at $125, and families with special circumstances may qualify for up to $2,000 in assistance. Funds can be used as a single payment or distributed monthly—whatever best meets the caregiver’s needs.

The Southwest Nebraska Respite Network currently supports 8 family caregivers and 13 respite providers throughout the region, helping families find balance while continuing to care for those they love.

“Even the most dedicated caregivers need time to rest,” continues Wimer. “Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s part of giving good care.”

For more information or to sign up for respite services contact SWNPHD at 308-345-4223 or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://respite.ne.gov/">respite.ne.gov</a>. Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department’s respite program serves Arthur, Chase, Dawson, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Grant, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow, and Thomas counties. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or view the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.swhealth.ne.gov/">www.swhealth.ne.gov</a>&nbsp;for many resources.&nbsp;

November is National Family Caregivers Month

Hershey, Neb. - The P.R. Martin American Legion Post 279 in Hershey will host its annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 11, at the Hershey American Legion Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a meal at 6:30, and the program beginning at 7 p.m.

This year’s event will feature guest speaker Miss Nebraska, McKenzie Gregory, along with special musical guests to close out the evening. The community is invited to attend and honor the men and women who have served our country.

The P.R. Martin Post 279 has been a cornerstone of the Hershey community for more than a century. The original American Legion Hall was dedicated in 1924, serving as both a veterans’ gathering place and a hub for community events. Throughout the years, the building has hosted celebrations, fundraisers, dances, and meetings — all while preserving the stories and service of local veterans.

Today, the Legion continues its mission of supporting veterans and their families, promoting patriotism, and strengthening the community through service and remembrance. The annual Veterans Day program remains one of its most cherished traditions, bringing together multiple generations to recognize those who have worn the uniform.

All are welcome to attend this year’s program, enjoy a meal, and take part in honoring Hershey’s veterans and their legacy of service.

Hershey Legion Honors Veterans with November 11 Program

The Hot Sheets: November 7, 2025

The Hot Sheets: November 6, 2025

Susi Bolt, of McCook, has been selected to receive the 2025 Faculty Member of the Year Award from Mid-Plains Community College.

Bolt was nominated by MPCC cabinet members based on her long-standing commitment to helping students succeed in the classroom, her ongoing support of athletics and her dedication to the McCook campus. &nbsp;She was recognized Sunday during the Nebraska Community College Association’s annual meeting in Lincoln.

After more than three decades of shaping minds and boosting student confidence, Susi Bolt’s story embodies the very spirit of the college.

Bolt’s journey at Mid-Plains began in 1991, when she was hired part-time by Judi Haney to work in what was then called the Individualized Learning Center (ILC) in McCook.

Three years later she became a faculty member, teaching mathematics while running the Student Success Center. Eventually, she transitioned to full-time teaching — her favorite role of all.

“I’ve always loved teaching,” Bolt says. “The other jobs were just part of what I was hired to do, but teaching has always been my passion.”

Bolt didn’t start out planning to teach. Growing up in Culbertson, she enrolled at McCook Community College on a basketball scholarship and initially intended to go into accounting.

That changed thanks to the influence of her own math instructor at MCC, Stan Garretson. “He truly cared about every one of his students,” she says. “He was passionate about teaching, and that inspired me to go into math education.”

Bolt went on to complete her degree at Kearney State (now UNK) and taught math for grades 7–12 at Maywood High School for four years, also coaching volleyball and basketball. By the time she joined MPCC full-time, she was raising a young family and ready to put down roots closer to home.

“My favorite part of teaching is connecting with students and building their confidence in math,” she explains. “A lot of students struggle because they don’t think they can do it. But if you can make them believe they can, they usually will.”

For Bolt, the most rewarding experiences are often the smallest. “When you hand back an assignment or test and see the look on a student’s face — the smile, the relief — that’s what I live for,” she says.

That dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Known for attending athletic events and finding ways to connect with students beyond the classroom, Bolt says she learned early on how much those personal touches matter.

“If you have a high percentage of student-athletes, you have to connect with them through what they do and what they like,” she says.

Now in her 34th year at MPCC, Bolt reflects on her time with gratitude.

“Since I started here as a student myself, then worked part-time and eventually became faculty, I’ve seen every level of how a small college comes together to help students succeed,” she says. “When I was a student, so many people helped me, and I’ve always wanted to have that same impact on others.”

Outside of work, Bolt enjoys spending time with her three children and seven grandchildren, all of whom live nearby. She calls herself “lucky” to see them regularly — a blessing she knows not everyone has.

Though she’s humbled by the Faculty Member of the Year honor, Bolt sees it as a reflection of the college as a whole.

“I don’t feel like I’m more deserving than anyone else,” she says. “I’ve just been blessed to be part of this institution for so many years, surrounded by great people.”

MPCC Honors Susi Bolt as 2025 Faculty Member of the Year

The Hot Sheets: November 5, 2025

By Chabella Guzman PREEC Communications

Scottsbluff, Neb. _ The annual AgSplosion Field Day welcomed 190 second graders on Tuesday, October 14, to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. The 4-H Ag Literacy event rotated the students through eight stations to learn more about agriculture in their surrounding communities.&nbsp;

“We teach second graders about agriculture, specifically within the Panhandle,” said Audra Brown, Nebraska 4-H Extension Assistant. “The students learn about agricultural commodities within the Panhandle, from beans to corn, and beef to dairy cattle. They are exposed to what is being produced in agriculture right here in their backyard.”

The event was held in early October across the Nebraska Panhandle. Elementary schools from Bridgeport, Chadron, Chappell, Hemingford, Mitchell, Minatare, Morrill, and Scottsbluff participated in field days in their areas. A 4-H team was created from extension assistants in the surrounding counties. They created a schedule, contacted schools, and then came together to help staff the stations at each field day to ensure a successful event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The stations included: beef, dairy, dry beans, potatoes, wheat, and their many products; corn, and the Nebraska Corn Board; and ag technology used by producers. The swine session, which explained commercial swine operations, was led by Brown.&nbsp;

“They really enjoy looking at the model swine barn - the comment I hear the most is ‘wow that's a lot of pigs in there!’ Having a physical model helps them to better understand what a farm looks like,” she said. The students were surprised to learn that pig heart valves can be used to replace damaged or diseased heart valves in humans, which function in much the same way. The students also learned about by-products that come from swine, such as chewing gum, crayons, and drumheads.

Sponsors this year included: Corn Board Grant, Morrill County Farm Bureau, Nebraska Dry Bean &amp; Lentil Commission, Oshkosh Heifer Development (donating dairy station supplies), Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau, and Walthers Farms (donating the potato chips).

Second graders engage with agriculture at annual AgSplosion Field Day

Rascal Martinez, of Sutherland, has been selected to receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award from Mid-Plains Community College.

Martinez was nominated by MPCC cabinet members based on his rising success as a professional musician and his deep connection to his alma mater and the community that helped shape his journey. He was recognized last night during the Nebraska Community College Association’s annual meeting in Lincoln.

Though it’s been ten years since Rascal Martinez walked the halls of MPCC, he still remembers his time fondly.

“Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday,” he says. “I was at the college practically every evening doing plays, audio work and more. That’s where I built some lifelong friendships.”

Martinez chose MPCC for its strong reputation and proximity to home. “My dad, aunts, uncles — a lot of my family went through Mid-Plains, so I knew it was a great place to start,” he recalls. “It was affordable, close and I’d always heard good things.”

Martinez balanced student life and sharing music with others during his time as a student. “I was already DJing proms and doing karaoke nights at Applebee’s while I was in school,” he says.

He credits his business, economics, theater and music instructors for helping him build the foundation for a sustainable career.

“Mrs. Nutt, Mrs. Chittick, Mrs. McCune, Sally Thalken, Mrs. Peters, Mr. Galvan and so many others really gave me the tools I needed to grow. I took a lot from all of them. I had so many great instructors and experiences that really shaped who I am today.”

Rascal is now a full-time musician with a nationwide following and a new album set to be released in the coming months. But despite the whirlwind of tour stops, recording sessions and late-night shows, he remains deeply grateful for the place where it all began.

“I always tell students — start at Mid-Plains,” he says. “You’ll save money, stay close to home and get a great education. MPCC had such a big impact on me.”

When he’s not on stage, Martinez enjoys traveling to comedy shows with his wife.&nbsp; He also loves spending time as a family with their young son.

Being selected as the MPCC Alumnus of the Year is an honor he doesn’t take lightly. “I was so excited when I found out,” he says. “MPCC has continued to support me even after graduation — inviting me to perform at events and keeping me connected. It really means a lot.”

Martinez named MPCC Distinguished Alum of the Year

The Hot Sheets: November 4, 2025

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed the opening weekend of basketball and what he observed from the games. Coach Thurman also discussed how important culture is to a young team and how he sees its effects early on.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #4 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the opening weekend of action vs Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming Community College and what he saw from his team. And what transpired on the Knights' first two road games earlier this week.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #5 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

Listen to the full interview with Landon Drews on our Kubota Podcasts

PAXTON, Neb. — What started as a small student idea has blossomed into one of Paxton’s most hands-on community agricultural projects. Paxton High School junior Landon Drews is preparing to host the second annual Harvest Day, part of his student-led Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project through FFA.

Landon first began the project as a freshman, taking on the challenge of managing a test plot on local farmland — a bold move that’s since grown into a full-scale, community-supported event.

“When we started, I was just supposed to farm the ground,” Drews explained. “Then my brother mentioned doing a test plot, and from there I knew I wanted to make it big.”

Last year’s plot featured six seed dealers and multiple corn varieties. This year, Landon expanded the project to include no-till and strip-till test plots with seven seed dealers — each providing a single variety for comparison. The project, he said, gives seed companies valuable data while helping him learn the science and strategy behind crop production.

“It’s a dryland test plot, which is pretty rare,” Drews said. “Most are irrigated, but I wanted to see how these varieties perform under real dryland conditions. It’s been awesome to watch it all come together.”

Support from area businesses like Hi-Line Co-op and Clauss Equipment in Ogallala has made the project possible, assisting with spraying and harvesting. Drews said he’s grateful for their continued backing — and for the enthusiasm from the community.

The highlight of the year is Harvest Day, happening Tuesday, November 4, starting with elementary student visits around 9 a.m., followed by a community hamburger feed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (MT).

This year’s event will include hands-on learning stations featuring farm equipment, seed corn, and ag technology from 21st Century Equipment, Akrs Equipment, Fendt, and more. Students will have a chance to see and touch machinery they might not encounter otherwise.

“I wanted to get kids involved and show them what agriculture looks like up close,” Drews said. “It’s amazing how many kids from rural schools haven’t had that opportunity. Maybe it sparks something in them to go into farming or ag careers.”

Landon’s leadership has already made an impact — younger students recognize him in the halls and ask how “their” test plot is doing.

“It shows me I might be a role model for them,” he said. “This project has really helped me grow as a leader.”

Looking ahead, Drews said he and his seed partners are already brainstorming what next year’s plot might hold — possibly dryland soybeans. He’s also applying for a proficiency degree, a prestigious FFA recognition awarded to top student projects across Nebraska.

For now, his focus is on celebrating this year’s success. “I invite everyone out to Harvest Day,” Drews said. “Come see what we’ve built, enjoy a hamburger, and learn a little bit about agriculture.”

Harvest Day 2025 will be held Tuesday, November 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (MT) at the Paxton test plot. The public is invited to attend.

🎙️Paxton FFA Student Grows Leadership and Community with Harvest Day Project

It's gameday everyone! On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the opening weekend of action vs Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming Community College.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #4 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed the team's journey this preseason and where the most growth has been shown. Plus, getting you prepared for the first regular season games of 2025, beginning on Friday.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #3 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman

OGALLALA, NEB - As Nebraska’s upland hunting season begins, a local conservation partnership is opening more land for public access while boosting the rural economy across western Nebraska.

Addie Piernicky, Coordinating Wildlife Biologist with&nbsp;Pheasants Forever, joined&nbsp;Sandhill Spotlight&nbsp;this week to discuss the&nbsp;Nebraska Community Access Partnership (NCAP)&nbsp;— a collaboration between Pheasants Forever, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, OnX, and the Keith County Chamber of Commerce.

“This program provides a one-time bonus for individuals who enroll land for public hunting access on top of their regular Open Fields and Waters payments,” Piernicky said. “It’s been really exciting — we’ve been able to spend nearly $900,000 on public access in just 18 months.”

The funding, made possible through an&nbsp;$800,000 Nebraska Environmental Trust grant, helps landowners earn additional income while providing hunters more opportunities. Participating landowners can receive&nbsp;$25 per acre for CRP ground&nbsp;and&nbsp;$10 per acre for rangeland&nbsp;as a one-time bonus, along with annual Open Fields and Waters payments that range depending on habitat quality.

For some property owners, Piernicky said, the payments can make a real difference.

“In some cases, it might even cover your property taxes,” she said. “If there’s a section of land you’re not using but has good habitat, it can be a great revenue source.”

Currently, the program is focused in&nbsp;Keith, Garden, Deuel, and Arthur Counties, with secondary areas including&nbsp;Lincoln, Morrill, Perkins, Kimball, and Cheyenne Counties. Piernicky said Pheasants Forever hopes to expand the program farther west after submitting a new grant application earlier this year.

So far in 2025, the group has enrolled&nbsp;57,000 acres&nbsp;in total, including&nbsp;14,000 acres added this year&nbsp;— about half of which are new to public access.

To address landowner concerns, Piernicky emphasized that participants are protected by the&nbsp;Nebraska Recreational Liability Act, which shields them from liability for injuries to hunters using the land.

“There’s no liability,” she said. “People are only allowed to walk. No driving, no camping, no target shooting — it’s all low-impact recreation.”

Hunters can find access areas in the&nbsp;Nebraska Public Access Atlas, available at gas stations, Walmart's, and online through the&nbsp;Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The digital atlas is updated more frequently than the print version and includes properties added throughout the year.

For a little extra fun this season, Pheasants Forever is once again hosting its&nbsp;Longest Tail Feather Competition, where hunters who harvest a rooster on public access can measure their bird’s tail feather at a participating business and submit entries online.

“Last year, the winning tail feather was 33¼ inches,” Piernicky said with a laugh. “It was wild — one of those rare, record-breaking birds.”

Entries can be submitted at&nbsp;NebraskaPF.com/Nebraska-Hunting, and prizes include a&nbsp;dog kennel and Sheels gift cards.

Piernicky encouraged both hunters and landowners to get involved in the spirit of conservation and community.

“Hunting provides not just recreation but real economic impact,” she said. “We’re thrilled to see so many people participating, and we’re looking forward to another great season.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙️Public Access Expands for Hunters in Western Nebraska Through Pheasants Forever Partnership

By Derek Beck | Z 93.5 Country/Q Country Classics 107.3 / North Platte Post

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — Nebraska musician Rascal Martinez is bringing his music career full circle, releasing a new single and music video while building a creative home base in his hometown.

In an interview with Z 93.5 Country’s Derek Beck, Martinez said his new song “Don’t Even Know You” will be released Nov. 21 on all streaming platforms. The track, written nearly a year ago, tells the story of a close friend coping with betrayal, addiction, and emotional abuse.

“It’s a song a lot of people can relate to,” Martinez said. “Hopefully, they can get something positive out of it.”

LISTEN TO FULL RADIO INTERVIEW WITH RASCAL

The accompanying music video, shot entirely in Sutherland and produced by a Nebraska-based team, features actress Katie Bodenhamer, Hershey who has had appearances as an actress in The Office, played Lacey in Desperation Road among other portrayals on-screen. The video also features North Platte local actor Landon Swedberg, who stepped in at the last minute as the male lead.

“We filmed it over three days and used all Nebraska people — Nebraska crew, Nebraska actors,” Martinez said. “It turned out just the way I hoped: heavy, emotional, and real.”

The project marks another milestone for Martinez, who in 2024 opened his own recording space, Stolen Vault Records, inside a renovated former bank building in downtown Sutherland.

“I bought it thinking it’d be an office, but then I turned the upstairs into a full recording studio,” he said. “We do rehearsals, record albums, and host intimate live shows for about 30 people. It’s kind of got that Bluebird Café vibe.”

Martinez said he’s been producing his own material and recording other artists while keeping his Nebraska roots at the center of his music.

“I’ve played all over the country, but I wanted something here that feels local — something where artists can tell their stories,” he said.

Fans can sign up for exclusive show announcements and ticket information at stolenvaultrecords.com under the “SVR Live” tab.

The music video for “Don’t Even Know You” is now streaming on YouTube, with the full single set to drop later this month.

“I just want to put out good music that people can connect with,” Martinez said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

<a href="https://www.stolenvaultrecords.com/svrlive">Sign up to get on Rascals Mailing List to see future events including LIVE AT SVR.&nbsp;</a>

Sutherland Musician Rascal Martinez Debuts New Song, Builds Music Hub in Hometown (podcast)

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed the team's journey to Lawrence, Kansas for the second preseason jamboree. As well as his thoughts going into the last preseason game this Saturday.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #2 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the final preseason games that took place last week in Colorado and how he feels going into the first match against Lamar coming up on October 31st.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #3 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

OGALLALA, NEB - Nebraska hunters are gearing up for the start of pheasant and quail season this weekend, and experts say bird numbers across southwest Nebraska are showing strong signs of recovery after recent drought years.

Pheasants Forever Coordinating Wildlife Biologist Addie Piernicky said during a recent interview that the season officially opens for adults on Saturday, Oct. 25, following a successful youth weekend last week.

“We are still somewhat recovering from our drought two years ago,” Piernicky said. “But our numbers — it’s amazing how well they have come back.”

According to Piernicky, recent crow count and rural mail carrier surveys show bird numbers are up significantly across southwest Nebraska, including in the McCook area and parts of Perkins and Keith Counties.

“We’re seeing about a 150% increase in our crow count surveys,” she said. “We’re still down from a few years ago when we had really, really good numbers, but they’re getting close.”

Hunters heading out this weekend are reminded to follow safety and access rules. Piernicky said firearms must be unloaded in vehicles, and hunters need permission—either written or verbal—from landowners before entering private property. Public access areas enrolled in the Open Fields and Waters program are clearly marked, and maps can be found in printed atlases available at gas stations, Walmarts, and online through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

For those targeting pheasants, the daily bag limit is three roosters, with a possession limit of 12. The quail limit is six per day, with a possession limit of 24.

Piernicky also reminded hunters pursuing waterfowl to carry a valid HIP number, along with state and federal duck stamps.

As excitement builds for opening weekend, Piernicky encouraged hunters to show respect for one another in the field.

“Have common courtesy,” she said. “We might all have the same public access area in mind. If someone’s already there, maybe try another spot — or make some new friends.”

Pheasant and quail season begins Saturday across Nebraska, and Piernicky said conditions in southwest Nebraska make this year one of the best opportunities in recent memory.

“This is the heyday of quail right now in southwest Nebraska,” she said. “Get out there, have fun, and happy hunting.”

🎙️​Pheasant and Quail Hunting Season Opens Saturday; Biologist Says Bird Numbers Bouncing Back

By Ashley Murray | Nebraska Examiner

WASHINGTON — A vote to stop President Donald Trump’s deadly strikes on alleged drug-running boats off the coast of Venezuela failed Thursday in the U.S. Senate, nearly mirroring the outcome of a similar war powers vote last month.&nbsp;

Senate Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky again joined Democrats in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00608.htm" target="_blank">a 49-51 vote</a>, just shy of the simple majority needed to advance legislation aimed at halting Trump’s escalating campaign on what his administration describes as “narco-terrorists.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/90/cosponsors?s=1&amp;r=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.J.res+90%22%7D" target="_blank">joint resolution</a>, brought to the floor by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., directs the “removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.”

Paul and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., initially cosponsored the bill, and a dozen more Democratic senators and one independent signed on.&nbsp;

Schiff’s similar measure&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-rejects-restriction-military-strikes-vessels-caribbean" target="_blank">failed</a>&nbsp;48-51 in early October.

Kaine forced Thursday’s vote under the War Powers Resolution, a Vietnam War-era&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47603" target="_blank">statute</a>&nbsp;that gives Congress a check on the president’s use of the military abroad.&nbsp;

The death toll from U.S. military strikes has risen to 67 since September, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/02/politics/timeline-us-strikes-caribbean-pacific-vis" target="_blank">CNN</a>. Notably, the Trump administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2025/11/04/uss-gerald-r-ford-heads-to-caribbean-to-support-anti-narcotics-effort/" target="_blank">relocating</a>&nbsp;the country’s most advanced aircraft carrier from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, joining other Navy resources currently amassed there.&nbsp;

On Oct. 16, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/g-s1-93677/trump-confirms-cia-operations-venezuela" target="_blank">publicly confirmed</a>&nbsp;a New York Times report that he had authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela and told reporters he was “looking at land” for possible further strikes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“All of this together with the increased pace of strikes in the Caribbean and the Pacific suggest that we are on the verge of something that should not happen without a debate and vote in Congress before the American people,” Kaine said on the floor before the vote.&nbsp;

Kaine and Schiff told reporters Thursday they viewed the White House Office of Legal Counsel opinion authorizing the fatal strike in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean near Venezuela.&nbsp;

The document, which senators are allowed to read in a classified setting, “makes no effort to claim that there’s a legal rationale for invading a sovereign nation, no effort to claim that it’s about Venezuela, or could be used with respect to Venezuela or any country,” Kaine said.

Schiff characterized the opinion as “broad enough to authorize just about anything.”

Kaine urged Senate Republicans, who received a brief and review of the document earlier this week, to introduce and debate legislation authorizing the administration to continue its military force in the region.

“Anybody in Congress who thinks we ought to be bombing ships in the Caribbean and Pacific, introduce an AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force) and have a debate and vote on it,” Kaine said, adding “but don’t just abdicate this power.”&nbsp;

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecWar/status/1985863010376642677" target="_blank">posted</a>&nbsp;a grainy video online Tuesday of a vessel in flames after a strike, and said the United States targeted the boat in the Eastern Pacific that had been operated by “a Designated Terrorist Organization.”&nbsp;

“Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. The strike was conducted in international waters in the Eastern Pacific.”

“No U.S. forces were harmed in the strike, and two male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed,” Hegseth wrote on social media.

It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jul/31/2003271432/-1/-1/0/DOD-LAW-OF-WAR-MANUAL-JUNE-2015-UPDATED-JULY%202023.PDF" target="_blank">unlawful</a>&nbsp;for the U.S. military to intentionally&nbsp;<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jul/31/2003271432/-1/-1/0/DOD-LAW-OF-WAR-MANUAL-JUNE-2015-UPDATED-JULY%202023.PDF" target="_blank">kill</a>&nbsp;civilians who are not actively taking part in hostilities against the U.S.&nbsp;

Ahead of Thursday’s vote, Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, defended the administration’s “decisive actions to protect thousands of Americans from lethal narcotics.”&nbsp;

“Some Democrat members and members of the media claim that President Trump does not have authority to conduct these strikes. I’ll tell you right now, that is plain wrong,” said Risch, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Risch said he and fellow Senate Republicans have sat through “hours of briefings and analysis by government legal departments and attorneys” regarding the strikes.

Schiff and Kaine told reporters their access to information and briefings has been more limited.

On the Senate floor ahead of the vote, Paul compared the strikes and buildup in the Caribbean to the U.S. military’s “misguided” intervention in the Middle East.

“We owe it to our service members to only send them into harm’s way when vital American interests are at stake. Who is in charge of Venezuela does not constitute such an interest,” Paul said, alleging the strikes are about regime change in the South American nation ruled by dictator Nicolás Maduro.

&nbsp; “We overthrew Sadam Hussein thinking Iraq would be transformed into this great Jeffersonian democracy. Instead what occurred was an insurgency that led to some of the most brutal sectarian violence in living memory,” Paul said.

Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in 1973 after the Nixon administration secretly bombed Vietnam and Cambodia,&nbsp;<a href="https://gsp.yale.edu/sites/default/files/walrus_cambodiabombing_oct06.pdf" target="_blank">killing hundreds of thousands of people.</a>&nbsp;

US Senate fails to pass war powers resolution blocking Trump attacks on Venezuela

Omaha, NE – Investigators with the Omaha Police Department’s Special Investigations Section, in collaboration with the Douglas County Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security, have concluded a months-long investigation resulting in the arrests of five individuals on multiple felony charges related to sex trafficking Oct. 30, 2025.

Omaha police emphasized that these arrests represent the culmination of months of diligent investigative work aimed at dismantling sex trafficking operations in the city.

Five Arrested in Omaha Sex Trafficking Investigation

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to continue carrying out, for now, its policy requiring that passports only list a person’s sex assigned at birth.

The nation’s highest court paused a lower court order that temporarily barred the administration from enforcing the policy, codified in an executive order Trump signed in January.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;made it the “policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female” and called on the State Department to “implement changes to require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder’s sex.”&nbsp;

Under then-President Joe Biden, the State Department&nbsp;<a href="https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/31/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-advances-equality-and-visibility-for-transgender-americans/" target="_blank">allowed</a>&nbsp;people to “select an ‘X’ as their gender marker on their U.S. passport application.”

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26219531-scotus-passports-11625/" target="_blank">the unsigned court order</a>, the majority noted that “displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth — in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, indicating a 6-3 decision.

Jackson, who authored the dissent, wrote that the court “fails to spill any ink considering the plaintiffs, opting instead to intervene in the Government’s favor without equitable justification, and in a manner that permits harm to be inflicted on the most vulnerable party.”&nbsp;

“This Court has once again paved the way for the immediate infliction of injury without adequate (or, really, any) justification,” she wrote. “Because I cannot acquiesce to this pointless but painful perversion of our equitable discretion, I respectfully dissent.”&nbsp;

In February, the American Civil Liberties Union&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.280559/gov.uscourts.mad.280559.1.0_2.pdf" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the administration on behalf of seven transgender and nonbinary people over the suspension of the Biden-era policy.

A federal judge in Massachusetts in June temporarily blocked the administration from enforcing the policy. The judge had issued an earlier preliminary injunction in April that applied to six of the case’s plaintiffs.&nbsp;

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit kept in place the district court’s order in September, prompting the administration to ask the Supreme Court to intervene.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Supreme Court OKs for now Trump passport policy that targets trans people

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to pay roughly $9 billion for November SNAP benefits by Friday. Vice President&nbsp; JD Vance criticized the ruling.

(click below to listen to Vice President Vance's comments)

🎥Vice President critical of judge's ruling to fully fund SNAP

WASHINGTON, D.C. —&nbsp;U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford&nbsp; outlined the proactive actions the FAA will take to maintain the highest standards of safety in the national airspace system. This includes achieving a temporary 10 percent reduction in flights at 40 high traffic airports across the country. &nbsp;

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