Bridgeport News-Blade

Serving Bridgeport & Morrill County, Nebraska since 1900.
Trusted local news, community stories, and updates that matter.

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USDA DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Emergency Assistance for Wildfire
https://t.co/U12oY0mfbY

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2025 Annual PARTT scheduled for Aug. 14

Nebraska Extension Release

The annual Panhandle Agriculture Research and Technology Tour will be held on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center campus in Scottsbluff.

The free event will begin with registration at 9 a.m. and a welcome by UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Director John Westra at 8:30 a.m., followed by tours of the research plots. Vendors and equipment will be on-site. Demo and field visits will be held, along with a tour of dry bean varieties.

Following is the agenda:

9 to 9:30 a.m. - Registration (coffee and rolls)

9:30 a.m. - Welcome by Director John Westra

9:30 to Noon - UNL Outdoor presentations:
Trailer Tours
Dr. Xin Qiao & Gary Stone: Irrigation Research Update
Dr. Carlos Urrea: Update on the dry bean breeding program
Dr. Nevin Lawrence: Palmer Amaranth Management
Dr. Bijesh Maharjan: Nitrogen management in sugar beet
Dr. Pin-Chu Lai: Insect Control
Booth space visits with specialists
Dr. Wei-zhen Liang: STEM education with sensors and cameras
Dr. Dipak Santra: Alternative crops for Nebraska
Dr. Mohamed Khalil: Geophysics in groundwater and hydraulic structures
Dr. Bob Harveson: Multi-crop diseases
Jessica Groskopf: Ag economy update

Noon to 1 p.m. - Lunch

Vendor & Equipment Visits

1-2 p.m. - Dry bean variety tour - Mitchell Ag Lab, hosted by Carlos Urrea

Register for PARTT at https://t.co/wft0FHFCum

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USDA Designates 12 Nebraska Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought

Cheyenne County listed as contiguous

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional.

Impacted Area: Nebraska
Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)
Application Deadline: 02/02/2026

Primary Counties Eligible:
State: Nebraska: Counties include Blaine, Brown, Dawson, Deuel, Hooker, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Platte, Rock and Thomas

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
State: Nebraska: Counties include Arthur, Banner, Boone, Boyd, Buffalo, Butler, Cherry, Cheyenne, Colfax, Custer, Frontier, Garden, Gosper, Grant, Hayes, Holt, Keith, Keya Paha, Loup, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Perkins, Phelps, Polk, and Stanton
State: Colorado: Counties include Logan, Sedgwick, and Weld
State: Wyoming: Counties include Laramie

More Resources
On https://t.co/7IfLdmwPOJ, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.

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Nebraska Panhandle hosts 2025 Wheat Variety Tours

Nebraska Extension

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Crop Performance Testing Program’s annual wheat variety tours will be in the Panhandle June 10-12. Hosted by local farmer-cooperators and university farm managers, the tours highlight unique wheat varieties and experimental lines being tested.

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture’s associate professor Cody Creech and research associate professor Amanda Easterly will lead the tours. They will be joined by Katherine Frels, agronomy and horticulture assistant professor and small grains breeder, and Stephen Wegulo, Department of Plant Pathology small grains plant pathologist, who will provide updates and answer questions. Seed industry partners will also share insights.

The Banner and Deuel County events will be grower-led, offering added opportunities for one-on-one engagement with the Nebraska wheat team. For more information, visit https://t.co/B5LWXiSeRR.

The following are dates, times, and locations:

• June 10 - V&F Seeds, Deuel County - Tuesday, at 5 p.m. MDT

• June 11 - High Plains Agricultural Lab, Cheyenne County - Wednesday, at 8:30 a.m. MDT

• June 11 - Cullan Farm Seed, Hemingford, Box Butte County - Wednesday, at 5 p.m. MDT – Irrigated Trial

• June 12 - Jim Wyatt Farm, Banner County - Thursday, at 9 a.m. MDT

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https://t.co/s3uy5fdgNk

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Drought prep and planning for the beef producer webinar is scheduled for June 5

Nebraska Extension

The Nebraska Extension will host a free webinar, “Drought Management Tools, Expected Grass Production and Early Weaning,” on Thursday, June 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. MT. The webinar will feature specialists from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. They will assist producers in evaluating their options and making the best decision for their situations.

While the recent rains have been very welcome and brought some drought reprieve, the impacts of drought will still impact decisions for cattle producers across much of the state as the summer progresses. The webinar will cover key management practices and decision-making strategies to help mitigate the effects of drought.
• Early weaning calves – Karla Wilke, cow-calf management specialist
• New drought planning tools – Tonya Haigh, National Drought Mitigation Center
• Range and pasture outlook – Mitch Stephenson, range and forage specialist
• Summer annual forage options – Jerry Volesky, range and forage specialist

Producers may attend virtually or join one of several in-person host site locations across Nebraska:
• Rushville – Brock Ortner, Sheridan County Extension Office, 308-327-2312
• Scottsbluff – Mitch Stephenson, PREEC Bluestem Room, 308-632-1355
• Kimball – Aaron Berger, Kimball Extension Office, 308-235-3122
• O’Neill – Bethany Johnston, Holt County Annex, 402-336-2760
• Fullerton – Josie Crouch, Nance County Extension, 308-536-2691
• Lexington – Talon Mues and Brent Plugge Dawson County Office, 308-324-5501

There is no cost to attend, but producers are encouraged to contact the host site ahead of time to help with planning.

To attend remotely via Zoom, contact Aaron Berger at [email protected] or 308-235-3122 to register and receive login details. A recording of the webinar will be made available following the event for those unable to attend live.

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DED and DHHS Announce Public Comment Period, Public Meeting on Proposed Plans to Use Federal Funds for Community Planning and Development
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will solicit public comments from June 6, 2025, through July 7, 2025. The public comment period pertains to the planned use of federal funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community Planning and Development (CPD) Programs. These programs, administered by the State of Nebraska, primarily benefit low- to moderate-income persons in residential areas.
Following Congressional appropriation, HUD allocates annual federal funding to the State of Nebraska for CPD Programs. DED and DHHS assess and prioritize community development needs and develop plans to address those needs using the HUD allocation (Proposed Plans). These Proposed Plans identify programs to be implemented, outline the method of distributing funds, and describe how funded activities will meet HUD requirements. The Proposed Plans include:
• The 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, a five-year planning instrument that identifies and prioritizes community development needs that may be served with certain CPD funding;
• The 2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP), a summary of actions and activities to be carried out in the 2025 program year, the first program year in the Consolidated Plan. An AAP describes the projects and eligible activities to be assisted, which support low- and moderate-income persons, meet national objectives, and achieve state priorities. The AAP also describes application schedules and selection criteria, priority activities, and plans for minimizing the displacement of persons as a result of funded activities; and
• The Citizen Participation Plan, which describes the public engagement process to facilitate meaningful, effective program implementation and compliant investment of the federal funding.
These plans primarily involve the state’s allocation of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), National Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Emergency Solution Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program funding. DED administers the CDBG, HOME, and HTF programs for the non-entitlement areas of the state, whereas DHHS administers the ESG and HOPWA funding. Federal funding amounts to approximately $18.9 million for the 2025 program year.
To inform planning and decision-making, the State is seeking as much public engagement and input as possible from low- and moderate-income individuals and from entities serving these populations. Preliminary data findings were presented during a Public Hearing held on April 21, 2025. In developing the Proposed Plans, the State utilized data and public input to identify community development needs statewide and devise strategies to best address these needs through investments in community-based projects and activities. DED and DHHS will solicit public comments on the Proposed Plans from June 6, 2025, until July 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CT. After the public comment period ends, DED and DHHS will address the public comments and then submit revised Proposed Plans to HUD for approval, according to HUD requirements.
During the public comment period for the Proposed Plans, the state will hold a Public Hearing (in person and online) to review the Proposed Plans and accept public comments. Date, time, location, and registration information are listed below. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. MT
In-Person Location:
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
245 Fallbrook Blvd (Hearing Room, Lower Level, Room 031) Lincoln, NE 68521
Register at: https://t.co/IZKPWriT4T
Livestream Access:
Webex platform, closed captions available
Register at https://t.co/IZKPWriT4T
Starting June 6, 2025, electronic copies of the Proposed Plans will be available on DED’s website at https://t.co/gZqE68aVZW. Copies of the Proposed Planscan also be requested by contacting Lori Cole, DED Office Manager, at 800-426-6505 or 402-471-3746, or by emailing [email protected].
All written comments must be received by DED before the close of the comment period. Those interested in submitting a public comment can email comments to [email protected] with the subject line “2025 CPD Proposed Plans.” Written comments can also be mailed to: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, ATTN: 2025 CPD Proposed Plans, 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Suite 002, Lincoln, NE 68521.
Individuals requiring additional accommodations (e.g., sensory, interpreter services) for this meeting, and anyone with questions about the hearing, should contact Laura Hart at 308-202-0177 or [email protected].
Los individuos que no hablan inglés y los individuos con discapacidad podrán solicitor ayuda y servicios necesarios para contactar el Departamento de Desarrollo Economico, 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Lincoln, Nebraska 68521, [email protected].

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Gov. Pillen Extends Burn Ban in Central, Western Nebraska
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order extending a burn ban due to continued dry conditions in the central and western regions of Nebraska. The new order remains in effect until midnight May 20.
The burn ban applies to a wide swath of the state to help mitigate risks associated with potential grassland fires. The border runs south along U.S. Highway 81 from the South Dakota border to Highway 92. The line then goes west to U.S. Highway 281 and runs south to the Kansas border.
Last week, Gov. Pillen revised the burn ban to allow fire chiefs discretion in granting burn permits to irrigation districts so that they can continue to clear vegetation from ditches. These exceptions still apply. However, under no circumstances are burns to be authorized in any area when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a red flag warning.
The map is below.

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Gov. Pillen Temporarily Waives Regulations for Truckers Hauling Critically Needed Fuel

LINCOLN, NE – Noting that Nebraska and other states are currently experiencing fuel shortages due to high demand, Governor Jim Pillen has issued an executive order waiving federal hours of service requirements. The order temporarily allows drivers to work extended hours to haul gasoline or gasoline blends, diesel, fuel oil, ethanol, propane, and biodiesel into or within Nebraska.

Drivers operating under this order should keep a copy with them. The Governor’s order (25-11) is effective immediately and will remain so through May 15, 2025, at 11:59 pm.

A copy of the order is below.
https://t.co/gt6ApgFwJN

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Thanks, Jerry, for another great article!
https://t.co/q6b8ZZXc3p

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Ricketts Announces Upcoming Town Hall in Scottsbluff on Friday, April 25

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced three upcoming town hall events next week across Nebraska. Senator Ricketts will give an update on his work in Washington, D.C. Then, he will answer questions directly from Nebraskans.

The town hall events are open to the public, but Nebraskans attending are encouraged to RSVP to [email protected]. All times below are local.

Friday, April 25th, 2025

Scottsbluff Town Hall
UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center
4502 Avenue I
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
2-3 pm MT

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Media Advisory: University of Nebraska Board of Regents to meet April 11

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will meet on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus on Friday, April 11. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the UNO STEM TRAIL Center, 6005 University Drive N., in Omaha. The meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed at https://t.co/WZSK81pSqb, https://t.co/yCKLPM5AYA

A detailed agenda for the Board meeting is available here, https://t.co/Z4hthn18aS
NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., will brief the board on the university’s state budget request and ongoing federal funding. Additionally, he will provide an update on the university’s strategic planning process, which the board will review during the meeting.

"A well-defined strategic plan is essential to ensuring the University of Nebraska remains strong and resilient in the face of financial challenges, while also positioning us to maximize opportunities during times of growth,” said Dr. Gold. “Thoughtful planning allows us to invest wisely in our students, faculty, and staff, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to excel. Given the university’s significant economic and social impact across Nebraska, this work is not just about our campuses—it’s about the future prosperity and wellbeing of our entire state."

The board also will recognize the late Jack Hoffman with an honorary degree. Hoffman’s historic run and touchdown during the 2013 Husker Spring Game spurred a movement and eventually a foundation that has raised millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research. The board will also hear a report on naming the recording booth at Memorial Stadium in honor of Greg Sharpe, the voice of the Huskers from 2008-2024, who died earlier this year after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The board also will recognize Jim McClurg, who served on the NU Board of Regents from 2002-2012, including as board chairman from 2006-2012, with Regent Emeritus status.

Other items for the Board’s consideration include:
• Creation of a graduate certification for emergency nurse practitioners, to be administered by the College of Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Addendum XII-A-4;
• Approval of the naming of the John Cook Arena at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, Addendum XII-B-2;
• Approval of the intermediate design report #1 and authorization of additional budget for the enabling work for Project Health at UNMC, Addendum XII-B-7;
• Approval of the UNO program statement and budget for the Biomechanics Research Building phase 3 addition, Addendum XII-B-12.

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Reframing the Story: The Status of Newspaper Media in Nebraska
https://t.co/47b2BB3ejs