North Platte, Ne - The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America made its way through the panhandle on Saturday with stops in Chadron for Lunch, Mullen for a fuel stop and finally in North Platte where the 150 plus riders stopped for the night. They rode into North Platte greated by the Guardians of The Children and a crowd of nearly 150 people, mostly NASCAR fans. 

Kyle Petty lead the motorcycles into the Holiday Inn Express parking lot around 7:30pm Satuday evening , the 28th Anniversary&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kylepettycharityride.com/" target="_blank">Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America</a>&nbsp;– it's one of the most popular charity rides in the country. From&nbsp;May 4 – 10, 2024, Petty will lead 150 motorcycles across nine states on a seven-day trek, covering more than 2,100 miles in an effort to raise funds and awareness for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.victoryjunction.org/" target="_blank">Victory Junction</a>&nbsp;– a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher handed Petty a "Key to the City", and then Petty along with celebrities&nbsp;NASCAR drivers Max Papis, David Ragan, and Kenny Wallace; former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker; and TV personalities Rick Allen who is the lead Nascar Announcer for NBC and a Grand Island Northwest graduate and Rutledge Wood all signed autographs.

Many of the riders went to the Lincoln County Raceway following their supper to root on fellow riders Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace who drove in the dirt races Saturday night.&nbsp;

The trip will contine all week long, today they'll leave North Platte around 9:30am, heading back north on Highway 83, then going through Broken Bow on Highway 2, stopping for lunch in St. Paul and then on to Omaha Sunday night where they'll stop for the night.&nbsp;

28th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714884900830.jpeg" alt="North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher with Kyle Petty" />
 <figcaption>North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher with Kyle Petty</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte, Ne - The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America made its way through the panhandle on Saturday with stops in Chadron for Lunch, Mullen for a fuel stop and finally in North Platte where the 150 plus riders stopped for the night. They rode into North Platte greated by the Guardians of The Children and a crowd of nearly 150 people, mostly NASCAR fans. Kyle Petty lead the motorcycles into the Holiday Inn Express parking lot around 7:30pm Satuday evening , the 28th Anniversary&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kylepettycharityride.com/" target="_blank">Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America</a>&nbsp;– it's one of the most popular charity rides in the country. From&nbsp;May 4 – 10, 2024, Petty will lead 150 motorcycles across nine states on a seven-day trek, covering more than 2,100 miles in an effort to raise funds and awareness for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.victoryjunction.org/" target="_blank">Victory Junction</a>&nbsp;– a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher handed Petty a "Key to the City", and then Petty along with celebrities&nbsp;NASCAR drivers Max Papis, David Ragan, and Kenny Wallace; former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker; and TV personalities Rick Allen who is the lead Nascar Announcer for NBC and a Grand Island Northwest graduate and Rutledge Wood all signed autographs.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnorthplattepost%2Fvideos%2F431017199630098%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Many of the riders went to the Lincoln County Raceway following their supper to root on fellow riders Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace who drove in the dirt races Saturday night.&nbsp;The trip will contine all week long, today they'll leave North Platte around 9:30am, heading back north on Highway 83, then going through Broken Bow on Highway 2, stopping for lunch in St. Paul and then on to Omaha Sunday night where they'll stop for the night.&nbsp;28th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:<ul>
 <li>Monday, May 6 – Omaha, Nebraska to Bettendorf, Iowa </li><li>Tuesday, May 7 – Bettendorf, Iowa to Indianapolis, Indiana</li><li>Wednesday, May 8 – Indianapolis, Indiana to Bowling Green, Kentucky</li><li>Thursday, May 9 – Bowling Green, Kentucky to Bristol, Virginia</li><li>Friday, May 10 – Bristol, Virginia to Greensboro, North Carolina</li>
 </ul><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKPCharityRide%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02sdFDga2vfeLGXSAyM4yatYAt8b2XhuP5v9ikKrZ4nkBtCATuzHWPftwBtbd2kQ3Xl&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="664" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKPCharityRide%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0uKkiSbhoV4sD1guYT1cV8pVWKzscUokrBzQYu13kC6vws5xBJG9KGGRGNWJpVAj5l&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="562" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Kyle Petty Charity Ride stops in North Platte Saturday night

DOUGLAS ALAN KOHLER, 51, NORTH PLATTE AND ALISON KATE SOWDERS, 36, NORTH PLATTE

GABRIEL EUGENE COON, 23, NORTH PLATTE AND MEGAN GRACE PENDERGAST, 24, NORTH PLATTE

HENDRICK NICOLAAS SMIT, 34, NORTH PLATTE AND TONI LYNN ALLEN, 36, NORTH PLATTE

DOUGLAS ALAN KOHLER, 51, NORTH PLATTE AND ALISON KATE SOWDERS, 36, NORTH PLATTEGABRIEL EUGENE COON, 23, NORTH PLATTE AND MEGAN GRACE PENDERGAST, 24, NORTH PLATTEHENDRICK NICOLAAS SMIT, 34, NORTH PLATTE AND TONI LYNN ALLEN, 36, NORTH PLATTE

Marriage Licenses For Lincoln County (Week of April 29th)

North Platte, Ne - A big crowd at Lincoln County Raceway in North Platte helped kick off the 2024 racing season in the region. Races planned for mid April were postponed due to weather, but Saturday's weather was perfect in the dirt racing world. Clear sky's, two former Nascar stars and a big walk up crowd led to a near sellout Saturday night. Over 150 cars showed up to race.

It was Nascar Night, former Nascar Cup Series drivers Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace who rode motorcycles from Deadwood, South Dakota Saturday morning to North Platte, part of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride got off their bikes at the the North Platte Holiday Inn around 7:30pm , were driven to Lincoln County Raceway and hopped in cars just in time for heat races in their respective divisions.

DIRTcar Late Models - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Josh Leonard 2-Kale Kosiski 3-Scott Rhoades 4-Denton Duncan 5-JJ Rodeman 6-Layne Bellm 7-Randy Hoff 8-Kyle Hill 9-Christopher Luzmoor

IMCA Modifieds - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Brandon Clough 2-Ken Schrader 3-Anthony Rhoades 4-Dave Pedersen 5-Don Geist 6-Tony Schultz 7-Dewain Coleman 8-Lance Lewis 9-Daniel Nichols 10-Troy Douglas 11-Jacob Tobey 12-Tanner Clough&nbsp;

IMCA Northern SportMod - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Robbie Thome 2-Tyler Nerud 3-Derek Murphy 4-Chad Dolan 5-Hunter Smith 6-Troy Bayne 7-Braxten Leonard 8-Kerry Jones 9-Brady Henderson 10-Zane Turner 11-Frank Ogden 12-JD Renfro 13-Joseph Cooper 14-Hailey Turner 15-Ray Harrington 16-Tyler Miller

IMCA Stock Cars- A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Kyle Clough 2-Tristan Grape&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2F3-Egge.Bo%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3BI5WJRS6nci4wGGVW5IjjaAcbKA7gg7Ke6A4eAzsAeKYZRq8aSpvrsUA_aem_ASjnFII2CaGhkhj9TmnioxyLtAB4svuMylshwgLRPUS2z5J7xUQGfLYwP5_Z9VsADy-hQo4wZUE0Uv7wJ_ghUfIH&amp;h=AT2_lY4fqDRYc0a3p0v_f6mTUKM552GBdglg4vrIU5m-3y5qduRv1ma4eMwNugY28-sg79IlGCDN0yO7pA5X0aKHJVzSe4rT5rc_9Re5ge7BLzEClWgPPgjyBd-NvwkecgOo&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT0gQiguLQ8xtyiNk6n5BIwCvu9ytWQi16hZAQJ5SnsddB-UAVewUwelfWkxezUfys4iKrf4fACWK9GW2CXu1sEBlwDkhPgygPfHhEAVR8m1rVfRh_s4tU91ePJ9S1zOBvlj44XnhQh41hQUXxvDrruOz47VKCBNRsPwNwhU8oROHQ-4Ntm8MUpHq2RJqsOEhEyhMA3EfDLimnnB9x4s9-yFYxfor84" target="_blank">3-Bo Egge</a>&nbsp;4-Austin Rhoades 5-Jacob Wolsleben 6-Robert Leonard 7-Kenny Wallace 8-Bill Brack 9-Bryan Herrick 10-Layne Bellm 11-Rick Maier 12-Kolton Vogel 13-Josh Weekley 14-Russ Small(Jr) 15-Kyle Brennan 16-Joseph Cooper 17-Mike Puckett 18-Zach Lomasney&nbsp;<a href="http://19-banks.dj/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3jT7PufzAF_DX5ctbIzC0EF1b_c0Vkyr5RC_uI5I1q68kjqfjYBSfFb4o_aem_ASjcuNcyf3I-3c0_UqdpIuKHiQX3luY5GX0uKWf7tDHS3VaGPwGGOd_deMdD-GDYIOr1-ooYthxzb2tMRja7Ff4T" target="_blank">19-DJ Banks</a>&nbsp;20-Ben Bogle 21-Brandon Gibreal&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hobby Stocks - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Tyler Thompson 2-Tanner Jones 3-Tylan Lambertus 4-Brayden Hurley 5-Paxton Stubbs 6-Brandon Nelson 7-Rob Durfee 8-Robbie Kosmacek 9-Taylor Greuter 10-Jordan Encinger 11-David Banks 12-Mike Taylor 13-Colt Gibbs 14-Jim Moore 15-Chuck Ledbetter 16-Raegan Douglas 17-Marcus Florom 18-Trent Matson 19-Scott Gibson

Warriors - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Craig Smith 2-JD Renfro 3-Jonus Aragon 4-Briana Worthington 5-Brandon Eller 6-Joe Renfro 7-Anthony Simants 8-Trevor Bartosik

SPC - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Anthony Simants 2-Robert Clanton 3-Brian Riley 4-Kaleb Hodges

Mini Mods - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Kayden Willie 2-Declen Shaw 3-Paxten Shaw 4-Stetson Fuller

The next race night at Lincoln County Raceway will be on Saturday, June 1. (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1011736834049128&amp;set=pb.100056384629769.-2207520000">Full Schedule</a>)

North Platte, Ne - A big crowd at Lincoln County Raceway in North Platte helped kick off the 2024 racing season in the region. Races planned for mid April were postponed due to weather, but Saturday's weather was perfect in the dirt racing world. Clear sky's, two former Nascar stars and a big walk up crowd led to a near sellout Saturday night. Over 150 cars showed up to race.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLincolnCountyRaceway%2Fvideos%2F962062092055399%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>It was Nascar Night, former Nascar Cup Series drivers Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace who rode motorcycles from Deadwood, South Dakota Saturday morning to North Platte, part of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride got off their bikes at the the North Platte Holiday Inn around 7:30pm , were driven to Lincoln County Raceway and hopped in cars just in time for heat races in their respective divisions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sold out crowd here tonight in North Platte, Nebraska. We got lucky and started 1st and won our heat racing a IMCA stock car. A lot of the <a href="https://twitter.com/KPCharityRide?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KPCharityRide</a> riders are in the stands 😁💯 <a href="https://t.co/2eBw6rc3Xv">pic.twitter.com/2eBw6rc3Xv</a>&mdash; Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kenny_Wallace/status/1786948470693073028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>RESULTS</h2>DIRTcar Late Models - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Josh Leonard 2-Kale Kosiski 3-Scott Rhoades 4-Denton Duncan 5-JJ Rodeman 6-Layne Bellm 7-Randy Hoff 8-Kyle Hill 9-Christopher LuzmoorIMCA Modifieds - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Brandon Clough 2-Ken Schrader 3-Anthony Rhoades 4-Dave Pedersen 5-Don Geist 6-Tony Schultz 7-Dewain Coleman 8-Lance Lewis 9-Daniel Nichols 10-Troy Douglas 11-Jacob Tobey 12-Tanner Clough&nbsp;IMCA Northern SportMod - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Robbie Thome 2-Tyler Nerud 3-Derek Murphy 4-Chad Dolan 5-Hunter Smith 6-Troy Bayne 7-Braxten Leonard 8-Kerry Jones 9-Brady Henderson 10-Zane Turner 11-Frank Ogden 12-JD Renfro 13-Joseph Cooper 14-Hailey Turner 15-Ray Harrington 16-Tyler MillerIMCA Stock Cars- A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Kyle Clough 2-Tristan Grape&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2F3-Egge.Bo%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3BI5WJRS6nci4wGGVW5IjjaAcbKA7gg7Ke6A4eAzsAeKYZRq8aSpvrsUA_aem_ASjnFII2CaGhkhj9TmnioxyLtAB4svuMylshwgLRPUS2z5J7xUQGfLYwP5_Z9VsADy-hQo4wZUE0Uv7wJ_ghUfIH&amp;h=AT2_lY4fqDRYc0a3p0v_f6mTUKM552GBdglg4vrIU5m-3y5qduRv1ma4eMwNugY28-sg79IlGCDN0yO7pA5X0aKHJVzSe4rT5rc_9Re5ge7BLzEClWgPPgjyBd-NvwkecgOo&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT0gQiguLQ8xtyiNk6n5BIwCvu9ytWQi16hZAQJ5SnsddB-UAVewUwelfWkxezUfys4iKrf4fACWK9GW2CXu1sEBlwDkhPgygPfHhEAVR8m1rVfRh_s4tU91ePJ9S1zOBvlj44XnhQh41hQUXxvDrruOz47VKCBNRsPwNwhU8oROHQ-4Ntm8MUpHq2RJqsOEhEyhMA3EfDLimnnB9x4s9-yFYxfor84" target="_blank">3-Bo Egge</a>&nbsp;4-Austin Rhoades 5-Jacob Wolsleben 6-Robert Leonard 7-Kenny Wallace 8-Bill Brack 9-Bryan Herrick 10-Layne Bellm 11-Rick Maier 12-Kolton Vogel 13-Josh Weekley 14-Russ Small(Jr) 15-Kyle Brennan 16-Joseph Cooper 17-Mike Puckett 18-Zach Lomasney&nbsp;<a href="http://19-banks.dj/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3jT7PufzAF_DX5ctbIzC0EF1b_c0Vkyr5RC_uI5I1q68kjqfjYBSfFb4o_aem_ASjcuNcyf3I-3c0_UqdpIuKHiQX3luY5GX0uKWf7tDHS3VaGPwGGOd_deMdD-GDYIOr1-ooYthxzb2tMRja7Ff4T" target="_blank">19-DJ Banks</a>&nbsp;20-Ben Bogle 21-Brandon Gibreal&nbsp; &nbsp;Hobby Stocks - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Tyler Thompson 2-Tanner Jones 3-Tylan Lambertus 4-Brayden Hurley 5-Paxton Stubbs 6-Brandon Nelson 7-Rob Durfee 8-Robbie Kosmacek 9-Taylor Greuter 10-Jordan Encinger 11-David Banks 12-Mike Taylor 13-Colt Gibbs 14-Jim Moore 15-Chuck Ledbetter 16-Raegan Douglas 17-Marcus Florom 18-Trent Matson 19-Scott GibsonWarriors - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Craig Smith 2-JD Renfro 3-Jonus Aragon 4-Briana Worthington 5-Brandon Eller 6-Joe Renfro 7-Anthony Simants 8-Trevor BartosikSPC - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Anthony Simants 2-Robert Clanton 3-Brian Riley 4-Kaleb HodgesMini Mods - A Feature 1 (Results): 1-Kayden Willie 2-Declen Shaw 3-Paxten Shaw 4-Stetson FullerThe next race night at Lincoln County Raceway will be on Saturday, June 1. (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1011736834049128&amp;set=pb.100056384629769.-2207520000">Full Schedule</a>)

Lincoln County Raceway hosts near sellout opening night of racing: Results

The Connection Homeless Shelter two thrift stores are open and underway. As we have entered garage season, any items that are not sold can be donated to one of the thrift stores. Also, the Connection Homeless Shelter has announced it has signed its HUD contract and is in the process of looking for landlords.&nbsp;

Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Ashely Lewis and the pair talked about what's new with the shelter, thrift stores, HUD contract and more. Check out the conversation below.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte Post&nbsp;&nbsp;The Connection Homeless Shelter two thrift stores are open and underway. As we have entered garage season, any items that are not sold can be donated to one of the thrift stores. Also, the Connection Homeless Shelter has announced it has signed its HUD contract and is in the process of looking for landlords.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712345316980.jpeg" alt="Ashley Lewis (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>Ashley Lewis (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Ashely Lewis and the pair talked about what's new with the shelter, thrift stores, HUD contract and more. Check out the conversation below.&nbsp;<div><iframe title="(Audio) Connection Homeless Shelter May conversation" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=cah4e-16022f9-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

(Audio) Connection Homeless Shelter May conversation

The West Central District Health Department announced a partnership earlier this week with CredibleMind, an online platform to help provide personalized mental health resources and the platform was launched on May 1st. The online platform, which was created in 2018, provides a population-based mental health ecosystem.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Meghan Trevino from the West Central District Health Department about CredibleMind, benefits from the platform, statistics and so much more. To listen to their conversation, check out the podcast below.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte Post&nbsp;The West Central District Health Department announced a partnership earlier this week with CredibleMind, an online platform to help provide personalized mental health resources and the platform was launched on May 1st. The online platform, which was created in 2018, provides a population-based mental health ecosystem.&nbsp;Earlier this week, Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Meghan Trevino from the West Central District Health Department about CredibleMind, benefits from the platform, statistics and so much more. To listen to their conversation, check out the podcast below.<div><iframe title="(Audio) WCDHD new partnership with CredibleMind during Mental Health Awareness Month" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3devb-160236b-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

(Audio) WCDHD new partnership with CredibleMind during Mental Health Awareness Month 

Hope - Esperanza along with Community Connections and West Central District Health Department will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration this Sunday from 1:00pm - 6:00pm and the event is taking place Downtown on the Bricks in North Platte and free admission. Games, food trucks, vendors and so much more will be happening during the day.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Angela Hipp from Community Connections and Maria Rodriquez about the event. To learn more, check out the podcast below.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte Post&nbsp;Hope - Esperanza along with Community Connections and West Central District Health Department will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration this Sunday from 1:00pm - 6:00pm and the event is taking place Downtown on the Bricks in North Platte and free admission. Games, food trucks, vendors and so much more will be happening during the day.&nbsp;Earlier this week, Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Angela Hipp from Community Connections and Maria Rodriquez about the event. To learn more, check out the podcast below.&nbsp;<div><iframe title="(Audio) Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration set for this Sunday in North Platte" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=7ge5c-160229a-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhope4np%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02euy44eu7irfPr9niivTFabB5xWWMoYLc2KQkw96hn5YK5SBjuLXNJ7y2BZv4EFCJl&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="696" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

(Audio) Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration set for this Sunday in North Platte

(May 3, 2024) Lexington, Neb.&nbsp;– At the May Board Meeting, Dawson PPD directors voted on the level of on-peak irrigation demand&nbsp;that the District will try to maintain through load management this summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dawson PPD and its irrigation customers work together to keep energy costs affordable through the load management program in cooperation with its wholesale provider, Nebraska Public Power District. Dawson PPD is the 4th&nbsp;largest wholesale customer of NPPD. In 2023, Dawson PPD’s irrigation customers helped save $437,892 in electrical costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

When Dawson PPD’s electric grid reaches the established threshold, Dawson PPD will shed load, or turn off power, to participating customers. This lowers Dawson PPD’s energy consumption during peak use times and saves on its wholesale power bill. In turn, the savings are passed to Dawson PPD’s customers in the form of steady rates and electrical system improvements.&nbsp;

The Board inspected Dawson PPD's latest addition to its fleet: a digger derrick with a reach of up to 92 feet. Over the next few years, the District plans to work on several transmission projects requiring taller poles. Today, Dawson PPD must rent cranes or hire contractors to complete some of these jobs. This vehicle eliminates the necessity of expensive crane rentals for those structural tasks and providing long-term cost savings for customers. Given Dawson PPD’s long-range work plan, the utility anticipates savings to be realized within a year or two.&nbsp;

With the end of the 108th&nbsp;Legislative Session, new laws will impact Nebraska public power districts, including Dawson PPD. Some bills of note are:&nbsp;&nbsp;

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 287 will create a new statewide website intended to serve as a repository of public notices. Starting on January 1, 2025, public meeting notices shall be published in the local newspaper, posted on the newspaper’s website, and submitted to the statewide website.&nbsp;&nbsp;

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 304 requires political subdivisions to disclose annual membership dues and lobbying fees.&nbsp;

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 969 has increased the dollar amount for the sealed bid process from $250,000 to $750,000 for utilities with gross revenues less than $500 million, such as Dawson PPD.&nbsp;

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 1358 – Each public power district with a gross revenue of less than $500 million may pay compensation to the board of directors not to exceed $13,440, and the President may not exceed $15,120.&nbsp;&nbsp;

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Irrigation load management tests will be conducted May 14 and 15. Impacted customers will be notified in advance.&nbsp;

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dawson PPD’s revenue is currently 7% over budget, but 3% less than last year.&nbsp;

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Board approved an update to the form for Customer Policy 209 regarding a public records request. It was updated to better reflect the language of Nebraska State Law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Government Emergency Telecommunications Service and Wireless Priority Service programs have announced that electric utilities are eligible for priority access to cell phone service in the event of a natural disaster. Dawson PPD is currently working to integrate this program with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.&nbsp;

5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dawson PPD will be hosting its annual Utility Line Camp on May 23. The camp is available to high school aged youth.&nbsp;

6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nebraska Public Power District Account Manager Chris Hegert educated the Board on how the wholesale power bill is calculated and what factors are considered. Dawson PPD and NPPD are currently in discussions for renewing their wholesale power contract. NPPD plans to have a wholesale rate increase in 2027 and 2028.&nbsp;

7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Dawson PPD Board Finance Committee is currently working to update financial standards, which will help steer conversations during a planned rate study later in 2024.&nbsp;

8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tree trimming and removal contractors are currently working in the Kearney, Lexington, and Eustis areas.&nbsp;

9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The next board meeting will be Wednesday, June 12.&nbsp;

Dawson Public Power District(May 3, 2024) Lexington, Neb.&nbsp;– At the May Board Meeting, Dawson PPD directors voted on the level of on-peak irrigation demand&nbsp;that the District will try to maintain through load management this summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dawson PPD and its irrigation customers work together to keep energy costs affordable through the load management program in cooperation with its wholesale provider, Nebraska Public Power District. Dawson PPD is the 4th&nbsp;largest wholesale customer of NPPD. In 2023, Dawson PPD’s irrigation customers helped save $437,892 in electrical costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;When Dawson PPD’s electric grid reaches the established threshold, Dawson PPD will shed load, or turn off power, to participating customers. This lowers Dawson PPD’s energy consumption during peak use times and saves on its wholesale power bill. In turn, the savings are passed to Dawson PPD’s customers in the form of steady rates and electrical system improvements.&nbsp;The Board inspected Dawson PPD's latest addition to its fleet: a digger derrick with a reach of up to 92 feet. Over the next few years, the District plans to work on several transmission projects requiring taller poles. Today, Dawson PPD must rent cranes or hire contractors to complete some of these jobs. This vehicle eliminates the necessity of expensive crane rentals for those structural tasks and providing long-term cost savings for customers. Given Dawson PPD’s long-range work plan, the utility anticipates savings to be realized within a year or two.&nbsp;With the end of the 108th&nbsp;Legislative Session, new laws will impact Nebraska public power districts, including Dawson PPD. Some bills of note are:&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 287 will create a new statewide website intended to serve as a repository of public notices. Starting on January 1, 2025, public meeting notices shall be published in the local newspaper, posted on the newspaper’s website, and submitted to the statewide website.&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 304 requires political subdivisions to disclose annual membership dues and lobbying fees.&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 969 has increased the dollar amount for the sealed bid process from $250,000 to $750,000 for utilities with gross revenues less than $500 million, such as Dawson PPD.&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LB 1358 – Each public power district with a gross revenue of less than $500 million may pay compensation to the board of directors not to exceed $13,440, and the President may not exceed $15,120.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also in May’s meeting:&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Irrigation load management tests will be conducted May 14 and 15. Impacted customers will be notified in advance.&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dawson PPD’s revenue is currently 7% over budget, but 3% less than last year.&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Board approved an update to the form for Customer Policy 209 regarding a public records request. It was updated to better reflect the language of Nebraska State Law.&nbsp;&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Government Emergency Telecommunications Service and Wireless Priority Service programs have announced that electric utilities are eligible for priority access to cell phone service in the event of a natural disaster. Dawson PPD is currently working to integrate this program with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.&nbsp;5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dawson PPD will be hosting its annual Utility Line Camp on May 23. The camp is available to high school aged youth.&nbsp;6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nebraska Public Power District Account Manager Chris Hegert educated the Board on how the wholesale power bill is calculated and what factors are considered. Dawson PPD and NPPD are currently in discussions for renewing their wholesale power contract. NPPD plans to have a wholesale rate increase in 2027 and 2028.&nbsp;7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Dawson PPD Board Finance Committee is currently working to update financial standards, which will help steer conversations during a planned rate study later in 2024.&nbsp;8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tree trimming and removal contractors are currently working in the Kearney, Lexington, and Eustis areas.&nbsp;9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The next board meeting will be Wednesday, June 12.&nbsp;

Dawson PPD Board Members vote on the level of on-peak irrigation demand

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Celso Carillo, 44, of Beryl, Utah, was sentenced on May 2, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Senior United States Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Carillo to 121 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Carillo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On January 10, 2023, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a car driven by Alfonso Carillo, in which Celso Carillo was a passenger, for license plate violations near North Platte, Nebraska.&nbsp; Celso Carillo admitted he had two THC vape cartridges in the car. Alfonso Carillo had a pipe with methamphetamine residue on his person.&nbsp; As a result, the vehicle was searched.&nbsp; 

Three packages of fentanyl weighing a total of 6.6 pounds were found.&nbsp; Later, additional information was developed which led investigators to do an additional search of the vehicle.&nbsp; During that search, an additional package of fentanyl weighing 2.5 pounds was found, for a total of 9.1 pounds.

While incarcerated in Lincoln County, Celso Carillo wrote two letters taking responsibility for the drugs.&nbsp; Alfonso Carillo, believed to be Celso Carillo’s nephew, pleaded guilty to a state felony charge of possession of meth in Lincoln County and was sentenced to 364 days in jail in June of 2023.&nbsp; He was given credit for time served and was released.&nbsp; He was federally indicted with Celso Carillo in August of 2023, but his whereabouts are currently unknown.

This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Celso Carillo, 44, of Beryl, Utah, was sentenced on May 2, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Senior United States Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Carillo to 121 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Carillo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.On January 10, 2023, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a car driven by Alfonso Carillo, in which Celso Carillo was a passenger, for license plate violations near North Platte, Nebraska.&nbsp; Celso Carillo admitted he had two THC vape cartridges in the car. Alfonso Carillo had a pipe with methamphetamine residue on his person.&nbsp; As a result, the vehicle was searched.&nbsp; Three packages of fentanyl weighing a total of 6.6 pounds were found.&nbsp; Later, additional information was developed which led investigators to do an additional search of the vehicle.&nbsp; During that search, an additional package of fentanyl weighing 2.5 pounds was found, for a total of 9.1 pounds.While incarcerated in Lincoln County, Celso Carillo wrote two letters taking responsibility for the drugs.&nbsp; Alfonso Carillo, believed to be Celso Carillo’s nephew, pleaded guilty to a state felony charge of possession of meth in Lincoln County and was sentenced to 364 days in jail in June of 2023.&nbsp; He was given credit for time served and was released.&nbsp; He was federally indicted with Celso Carillo in August of 2023, but his whereabouts are currently unknown.This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Nebraska State Patrol.

Utah man arrested near North Platte in Jan. 2023 Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl   

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific managers undermined the U.S. government's efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-southern-railroad-safety-derailment-ohio-25694e9f7fb9a5ee18c9800fb263b9a4">assess safety</a>&nbsp;at the railroad in the wake of several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">high profile derailments</a>&nbsp;across the industry by coaching employees on how to respond and suggesting they might be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/freight-railroad-whistleblowers-safety-derailments-3cd9619350bacc9c7c01c9a1910f3435">disciplined,</a>&nbsp;federal regulators say.

The meddling was so widespread across Union Pacific’s 23-state network that the Federal Railroad Administration had no choice but to suspend its safety assessment of the company, the agency's chief safety officer, Karl Alexy, told Union Pacific executives&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/railroadworkers/status/1785362654758060475/photo/1">in a letter</a>&nbsp;dated last week that labor groups posted online Tuesday.

The company indicated Wednesday that the issue was limited to one department. Its president told FRA in a response letter that Union Pacific“did not intend to influence or impede the assessment in any way.”

The agency launched safety assessments of all major railroads in the U.S. at the urging of congressional leaders after Norfolk Southern’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">disastrous February 2023 derailment</a>&nbsp;in eastern Ohio, and the episode with Union Pacific may prompt lawmakers to finally act on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/east-palestine-train-derailment-safety-regulations-railroad-4db52c68daf68da05425b5b70363fb0a">stalled railroad safety reforms</a>.

“FRA has discovered that numerous employees were coached to provide specific responses to FRA questions if they were approached for a safety culture interview," Alexy wrote. "Reports of this coaching span the UPRR (Union Pacific railroad) system and railroad crafts. FRA has also encountered reluctance to participate in field interviews from employees who cite intimidation or fear of retaliation.”

The chief of safety at the nation's largest rail union, Jared Cassity, noted that the FRA is so small that it must rely on the railroads to police themselves and report safety issues.

“To think that a company the size of a Union Pacific is willing to go to great lengths to intimidate and harass their employees, so that they’re not honest in their assessment of a company’s safety culture. That begs the question of what else are you covering up?” said Cassity, who is with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers' Transportation Division, also known as SMART-TD.

A Union Pacific spokeswoman said the railroad believes regulators' concerns center on a message that one manager sent out to employees in his department across the railroad with a copy of the questions FRA planned to ask to help prepare them for an interview.

“The steps we took were intended to help, not hinder, and were taken to educate and prepare our team for the assessment ethically and compliantly," Union Pacific President Beth Whited said in a response letter to the FRA on Tuesday. “We apologize for any confusion those efforts caused.”

Last year, the FRA found a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/union-pacific-railroad-safety-fra-defects-a3727942095fc3bd585b42d60c45fa6e">slew of defects</a>&nbsp;in Union Pacific's locomotives and railcars after sending out a team of inspectors, and the agency is still working to nail down what caused a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/union-pacific-railroad-safety-explosion-fra-inspections-afc2d979e5bdc2a88cb6b2bfc7583cd9">railcar to explode</a>&nbsp;in the railroad's massive railyard in western Nebraska.

Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who cosponsored the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">bipartisan railroad safety bill</a>&nbsp;after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-southern-train-derailment-east-palestine-ohio-eab23ed0fd6577a5cf96e8fd301da681">East Palestine derailment,</a>&nbsp;called Union Pacific's meddling “unacceptable.”

“The big railroads keep fighting efforts to improve safety,” Brown said. “We need much stronger tools to stop railroad executives from putting their own profits and greed ahead of basic safety.”

Brown pledged to fight for a vote in the Senate soon on the bill that would set standards for trackside detectors and inspections that are supposed to catch problems before they can cause a derailment along with other changes. The House has yet to take up a railroad safety bill because Republican leaders wanted to wait until after the National Transportation Safety Board's final report on the East Palestine derailment that's expected in late June.

Whited told the Federal Railroad Administration that Union Pacific plans to launch an internal safety assessment this month, as the agency suggested, because “our goal is to be the safest railroad in North America, a place we know we can get to even more quickly with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-east-palestine-derailment-buttigieg-aar-a44191c3e7c8517995e9737e46ae7915">FRA's assistance.</a>&nbsp;”

But Cassity said he doubts an internal survey would be accurate because many Union Pacific workers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-hotline-derailment-bnsf-610b06cac4a2f8094cdd3d51b72c74d9">afraid to speak out</a>&nbsp;about safety concerns. He said the prevailing attitude seems to be “move the freight at any cost,” making another major derailment all the more likely.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714141645381.jpeg" alt=" A Union Pacific worker walks between two locomotives that are being serviced in a railyard in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Dec. 15, 2023. Union Pacific reports earnings on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)" />
 <figcaption> A Union Pacific worker walks between two locomotives that are being serviced in a railyard in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Dec. 15, 2023. Union Pacific reports earnings on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific managers undermined the U.S. government's efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-southern-railroad-safety-derailment-ohio-25694e9f7fb9a5ee18c9800fb263b9a4">assess safety</a>&nbsp;at the railroad in the wake of several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">high profile derailments</a>&nbsp;across the industry by coaching employees on how to respond and suggesting they might be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/freight-railroad-whistleblowers-safety-derailments-3cd9619350bacc9c7c01c9a1910f3435">disciplined,</a>&nbsp;federal regulators say.The meddling was so widespread across Union Pacific’s 23-state network that the Federal Railroad Administration had no choice but to suspend its safety assessment of the company, the agency's chief safety officer, Karl Alexy, told Union Pacific executives&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/railroadworkers/status/1785362654758060475/photo/1">in a letter</a>&nbsp;dated last week that labor groups posted online Tuesday.The company indicated Wednesday that the issue was limited to one department. Its president told FRA in a response letter that Union Pacific“did not intend to influence or impede the assessment in any way.”The agency launched safety assessments of all major railroads in the U.S. at the urging of congressional leaders after Norfolk Southern’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">disastrous February 2023 derailment</a>&nbsp;in eastern Ohio, and the episode with Union Pacific may prompt lawmakers to finally act on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/east-palestine-train-derailment-safety-regulations-railroad-4db52c68daf68da05425b5b70363fb0a">stalled railroad safety reforms</a>.“FRA has discovered that numerous employees were coached to provide specific responses to FRA questions if they were approached for a safety culture interview," Alexy wrote. "Reports of this coaching span the UPRR (Union Pacific railroad) system and railroad crafts. FRA has also encountered reluctance to participate in field interviews from employees who cite intimidation or fear of retaliation.”The chief of safety at the nation's largest rail union, Jared Cassity, noted that the FRA is so small that it must rely on the railroads to police themselves and report safety issues.“To think that a company the size of a Union Pacific is willing to go to great lengths to intimidate and harass their employees, so that they’re not honest in their assessment of a company’s safety culture. That begs the question of what else are you covering up?” said Cassity, who is with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers' Transportation Division, also known as SMART-TD.A Union Pacific spokeswoman said the railroad believes regulators' concerns center on a message that one manager sent out to employees in his department across the railroad with a copy of the questions FRA planned to ask to help prepare them for an interview.“The steps we took were intended to help, not hinder, and were taken to educate and prepare our team for the assessment ethically and compliantly," Union Pacific President Beth Whited said in a response letter to the FRA on Tuesday. “We apologize for any confusion those efforts caused.”Last year, the FRA found a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/union-pacific-railroad-safety-fra-defects-a3727942095fc3bd585b42d60c45fa6e">slew of defects</a>&nbsp;in Union Pacific's locomotives and railcars after sending out a team of inspectors, and the agency is still working to nail down what caused a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/union-pacific-railroad-safety-explosion-fra-inspections-afc2d979e5bdc2a88cb6b2bfc7583cd9">railcar to explode</a>&nbsp;in the railroad's massive railyard in western Nebraska.Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who cosponsored the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">bipartisan railroad safety bill</a>&nbsp;after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-southern-train-derailment-east-palestine-ohio-eab23ed0fd6577a5cf96e8fd301da681">East Palestine derailment,</a>&nbsp;called Union Pacific's meddling “unacceptable.”“The big railroads keep fighting efforts to improve safety,” Brown said. “We need much stronger tools to stop railroad executives from putting their own profits and greed ahead of basic safety.”Brown pledged to fight for a vote in the Senate soon on the bill that would set standards for trackside detectors and inspections that are supposed to catch problems before they can cause a derailment along with other changes. The House has yet to take up a railroad safety bill because Republican leaders wanted to wait until after the National Transportation Safety Board's final report on the East Palestine derailment that's expected in late June.Whited told the Federal Railroad Administration that Union Pacific plans to launch an internal safety assessment this month, as the agency suggested, because “our goal is to be the safest railroad in North America, a place we know we can get to even more quickly with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-east-palestine-derailment-buttigieg-aar-a44191c3e7c8517995e9737e46ae7915">FRA's assistance.</a>&nbsp;”But Cassity said he doubts an internal survey would be accurate because many Union Pacific workers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-hotline-derailment-bnsf-610b06cac4a2f8094cdd3d51b72c74d9">afraid to speak out</a>&nbsp;about safety concerns. He said the prevailing attitude seems to be “move the freight at any cost,” making another major derailment all the more likely.

Union Pacific undermined regulators' efforts to assess safety, US agency says

&nbsp; LINCOLN, Neb. (May 1, 2024) –&nbsp;It's once again time to discover Nebraska's hidden gems. The 2024 Nebraska Passport kicks off Wednesday, May 1 and inspires Nebraskans and tourists to travel throughout the state collecting stamps to earn prizes while also supporting Nebraska’s tourism destinations. Visitors will enjoy fantastic food and drinks, take in beautiful scenery, uncover treasures along Nebraska’s oldest routes and so much more along the way.

This year marks the 15th&nbsp;anniversary of the Nebraska Passport.

The 2024 Passport runs from May 1 through September 30 and features 70 attractions organized into 10 categories, including: Bring Your Wallet, Drive, Stop, Drive, Stop, Drop Some Dough, Fine Vines, Great Stops, Non-Stop, The Old &amp; The Beautiful, Parks A’Plenty, Rare &amp; Remarkable, Rise &amp; Shine, and Various Vittles. A full list of this year’s stops and prizes can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://visitnebraska.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=30cc1cad235a879fac111c22b&amp;id=c751902d5d&amp;e=65d6a9d786" target="_blank">nebraskapassport.com</a>.

In addition to the 70 traditional stops, the Passport includes a 15-stop bonus tour this year. To honor the 15 years of the program, this tour will take visitors to a collection of fan-favorite spots around the state, all voted on by past Passport champions. For more information on bonus stops, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskapassport.com/bonusstops" target="_blank">nebraskapassport.com/bonusstops</a>.

“We are so excited to kick off this 15th year of the program!” said Madison Johnson, Nebraska Passport program coordinator. “There will be a handful of unique things offered this year such as stickers, events and of course, 15 bonus stops.”

Passports are available at all participating stops starting May 1 or can be ordered at&nbsp;<a href="https://visitnebraska.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=30cc1cad235a879fac111c22b&amp;id=79d488277b&amp;e=65d6a9d786" target="_blank">nebraskapassport.com</a>. Participants are also encouraged to download the Nebraska Passport App on their smartphone and get digital stamps, supplementing the physical Passport booklet for convenience. Program updates will be sent out regularly through the app.

Passport travelers are also welcome to join the brand-new Nebraska Passport Pals Facebook group. This group is a community for all enthusiasts of the Nebraska Passport program, where they can share thrilling travel tales, offer helpful tips and tricks form their stops and join each other in celebrating reaching all 70 destinations. Join the group at&nbsp;<a href="https://visitnebraska.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=30cc1cad235a879fac111c22b&amp;id=f78a4d6793&amp;e=65d6a9d786" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/nebraskapassportpals</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska Tourism&nbsp; LINCOLN, Neb. (May 1, 2024) –&nbsp;It's once again time to discover Nebraska's hidden gems. The 2024 Nebraska Passport kicks off Wednesday, May 1 and inspires Nebraskans and tourists to travel throughout the state collecting stamps to earn prizes while also supporting Nebraska’s tourism destinations. Visitors will enjoy fantastic food and drinks, take in beautiful scenery, uncover treasures along Nebraska’s oldest routes and so much more along the way.This year marks the 15th&nbsp;anniversary of the Nebraska Passport.The 2024 Passport runs from May 1 through September 30 and features 70 attractions organized into 10 categories, including: Bring Your Wallet, Drive, Stop, Drive, Stop, Drop Some Dough, Fine Vines, Great Stops, Non-Stop, The Old &amp; The Beautiful, Parks A’Plenty, Rare &amp; Remarkable, Rise &amp; Shine, and Various Vittles. A full list of this year’s stops and prizes can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://visitnebraska.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=30cc1cad235a879fac111c22b&amp;id=c751902d5d&amp;e=65d6a9d786" target="_blank">nebraskapassport.com</a>.In addition to the 70 traditional stops, the Passport includes a 15-stop bonus tour this year. To honor the 15 years of the program, this tour will take visitors to a collection of fan-favorite spots around the state, all voted on by past Passport champions. For more information on bonus stops, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskapassport.com/bonusstops" target="_blank">nebraskapassport.com/bonusstops</a>.“We are so excited to kick off this 15th year of the program!” said Madison Johnson, Nebraska Passport program coordinator. “There will be a handful of unique things offered this year such as stickers, events and of course, 15 bonus stops.”Passports are available at all participating stops starting May 1 or can be ordered at&nbsp;<a href="https://visitnebraska.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=30cc1cad235a879fac111c22b&amp;id=79d488277b&amp;e=65d6a9d786" target="_blank">nebraskapassport.com</a>. Participants are also encouraged to download the Nebraska Passport App on their smartphone and get digital stamps, supplementing the physical Passport booklet for convenience. Program updates will be sent out regularly through the app.Passport travelers are also welcome to join the brand-new Nebraska Passport Pals Facebook group. This group is a community for all enthusiasts of the Nebraska Passport program, where they can share thrilling travel tales, offer helpful tips and tricks form their stops and join each other in celebrating reaching all 70 destinations. Join the group at&nbsp;<a href="https://visitnebraska.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=30cc1cad235a879fac111c22b&amp;id=f78a4d6793&amp;e=65d6a9d786" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/nebraskapassportpals</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 2024 Nebraska Passport program begins Today

North Platte, May 1, 2024 – The North Platte Pow Wow is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous grant totaling $9,830 from Visit North Platte. This funding will significantly bolster efforts to enhance and expand this year's annual event, furthering its impact on the local community.

The grant, awarded by Visit North Platte, a leading tourism organization dedicated to promoting the vibrant culture and attractions of North Platte, represents a crucial investment in the North Platte Pow Wow. With this funding, the North Platte Pow Wow plans to introduce new elements and programming to its annual event, enriching the experience for attendees and highlighting the diverse cultural heritage of the region.

"We are immensely grateful to Visit North Platte for their unwavering support of our annual Pow Wow," said Char Swalberg, Organizer of the North Platte Pow Wow. "This grant will enable us to bring exciting new features to this year's event, further solidifying its position as a cornerstone of our community and a celebration of our cultural heritage."

The North Platte Pow Wow, an event cherished by locals and visitors alike, showcases traditional Native American music, dance, art, and cuisine, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of Native American culture. With the support of Visit North Platte, the Pow Wow aims to attract an even larger audience and create lasting memories for attendees of all ages.

As preparations for this year's North Platte Pow Wow are underway, anticipation is building for an unforgettable celebration of culture, community, and tradition. The North Platte Pow Wow extends its sincere appreciation to Visit North Platte for their generous grant, which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the success of the event.

For more information about the North Platte Pow Wow and upcoming event details, please visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NPpowwow.

North Platte Pow WowNorth Platte, May 1, 2024 – The North Platte Pow Wow is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous grant totaling $9,830 from Visit North Platte. This funding will significantly bolster efforts to enhance and expand this year's annual event, furthering its impact on the local community.The grant, awarded by Visit North Platte, a leading tourism organization dedicated to promoting the vibrant culture and attractions of North Platte, represents a crucial investment in the North Platte Pow Wow. With this funding, the North Platte Pow Wow plans to introduce new elements and programming to its annual event, enriching the experience for attendees and highlighting the diverse cultural heritage of the region."We are immensely grateful to Visit North Platte for their unwavering support of our annual Pow Wow," said Char Swalberg, Organizer of the North Platte Pow Wow. "This grant will enable us to bring exciting new features to this year's event, further solidifying its position as a cornerstone of our community and a celebration of our cultural heritage."The North Platte Pow Wow, an event cherished by locals and visitors alike, showcases traditional Native American music, dance, art, and cuisine, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of Native American culture. With the support of Visit North Platte, the Pow Wow aims to attract an even larger audience and create lasting memories for attendees of all ages.As preparations for this year's North Platte Pow Wow are underway, anticipation is building for an unforgettable celebration of culture, community, and tradition. The North Platte Pow Wow extends its sincere appreciation to Visit North Platte for their generous grant, which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the success of the event.For more information about the North Platte Pow Wow and upcoming event details, please visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NPpowwow.

"North Platte Pow Wow Receives $9,830 Grant from Visit North Platte to Enhance Annual Event"

Chadron, Neb., May 1, 2024—On August 9th, Smokey Bear will turn 80 years old. There will be opportunities to see Smokey at Forest, Grassland and community events all over the footprint of Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (NNFG).&nbsp;&nbsp;

The celebration starts today with a coloring contest open to area students, with categories for&nbsp;&nbsp;

ages 3-6, 7-11, and 12-15. Students can print coloring pages from the 80th celebration’s website,&nbsp; or pick them up at local NNFG office and visitor center locations. The coloring pages must be&nbsp;&nbsp;

turned in by July 31st, either to a local NNFG US Forest Service office location, mailed via US&nbsp;&nbsp;

Postal Service: Smokey Bear Coloring Contest c/o Supervisor's Office, 125 N. Main Street,&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chadron, NE 69337 - or emailed to&nbsp;SM.FS.nnf_info@usda.gov. There will be a winner selected&nbsp; from each category and they will receive a tree from NNFG’s own Bessey Nursery, in Halsey, NE.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The celebration website will also have a running list of events happening throughout the&nbsp;&nbsp;

summer, and events will be announced on NNFG’s social media sites. We post notification of&nbsp;&nbsp;

operations on our Facebook page; (https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaForestsGrasslands/),&nbsp; and on X @USFSNebraska. Events currently planned are as follows:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Smokey Bear will greet students from Burwell, NE, May 2nd, students from Mullen,&nbsp;

NE, on May 3rd, and Stapleton &amp; Halsey, NE on May 13th at Bessey Ranger District&nbsp;

• Smokey Bear appearance at Broken Bow Library May 22nd&nbsp;

• Smokey Bear appearance at Chadron Public Library May 25th&nbsp;

We look forward to seeing you out there, celebrating 80 years of Smokey’s lessons about how to avoid human caused wildfire.&nbsp;

Forest Service, USDAChadron, Neb., May 1, 2024—On August 9th, Smokey Bear will turn 80 years old. There will be opportunities to see Smokey at Forest, Grassland and community events all over the footprint of Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (NNFG).&nbsp;&nbsp;The celebration starts today with a coloring contest open to area students, with categories for&nbsp;&nbsp;ages 3-6, 7-11, and 12-15. Students can print coloring pages from the 80th celebration’s website,&nbsp; or pick them up at local NNFG office and visitor center locations. The coloring pages must be&nbsp;&nbsp;turned in by July 31st, either to a local NNFG US Forest Service office location, mailed via US&nbsp;&nbsp;Postal Service: Smokey Bear Coloring Contest c/o Supervisor's Office, 125 N. Main Street,&nbsp;&nbsp;Chadron, NE 69337 - or emailed to&nbsp;SM.FS.nnf_info@usda.gov. There will be a winner selected&nbsp; from each category and they will receive a tree from NNFG’s own Bessey Nursery, in Halsey, NE.&nbsp;&nbsp;The celebration website will also have a running list of events happening throughout the&nbsp;&nbsp;summer, and events will be announced on NNFG’s social media sites. We post notification of&nbsp;&nbsp;operations on our Facebook page; (https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaForestsGrasslands/),&nbsp; and on X @USFSNebraska. Events currently planned are as follows:&nbsp;&nbsp;• Smokey Bear will greet students from Burwell, NE, May 2nd, students from Mullen,&nbsp;NE, on May 3rd, and Stapleton &amp; Halsey, NE on May 13th at Bessey Ranger District&nbsp;• Smokey Bear appearance at Broken Bow Library May 22nd&nbsp;• Smokey Bear appearance at Chadron Public Library May 25th&nbsp;We look forward to seeing you out there, celebrating 80 years of Smokey’s lessons about how to avoid human caused wildfire.&nbsp;

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands to Celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday

Sandhills Post/North Platte Post&nbsp;

Ogallala, Neb. - The Velvet Spurs All-Womens Horseback riding club has announced that the Horseback Poker Run for this Saturday at Ash Hollow has been cancelled. The cancellation is due to weather conditions heading into Saturday that could possibly make the trails wet. The poker run was supposed to take place last weekend but was postponed due to weather.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713974976457.jpeg" alt="Velvet Spurs practicing at the Wild West Arena - photo from Don Christner" />
 <figcaption>Velvet Spurs practicing at the Wild West Arena - photo from Don Christner</figcaption>
 </figure>Sandhills Post/North Platte Post&nbsp;Ogallala, Neb. - The Velvet Spurs All-Womens Horseback riding club has announced that the Horseback Poker Run for this Saturday at Ash Hollow has been cancelled. The cancellation is due to weather conditions heading into Saturday that could possibly make the trails wet. The poker run was supposed to take place last weekend but was postponed due to weather.&nbsp;

Velvet Spurs announce Horseback Poker Run for this weekend is cancelled

West Central District Health Department

North Platte, NE (May 1, 2024) –The West Central District Health Department today announces its commercial partnership with <a href="https://crediblemind.com/?showcorp=1" target="_blank">CredibleMind</a>, an intuitive platform offering localized, wellness-oriented digital content that enables employees, insurers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to support consumer-centric engagement and provide personalized mental health resources. The partnership will make CredibleMind an accessible digital resource to West Central District’s more than 35,000 community members.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Founded in 2018 by Deryk Van Brunt and Marcos Athanasoulis, CredibleMind provides a complete population-based mental health ecosystem, including analytics reporting on service needs, use, and outcomes. Focusing on early intervention and prevention around mental health issues, CredibleMind contains over 10,000 evidence-based and science-backed resources to provide users with credible self-care options to improve their overall wellbeing without medical intervention.&nbsp;

“In today’s world, where stressors and mental health challenges are everywhere, it’s important to highlight the need to take care of our minds. Mental and physical health go hand-in-hand, yet mental health often receives less attention,” said Shannon Vanderheiden, Executive Director of West Central District Health Department. “Through our collaboration with CredibleMind, and the launch of this new platform, we are excited to offer a wide range of tools and resources that are available to everyone at no cost.” 

West Central District Health Department Assistant Executive Director, Meghan Trevino, added, “Our goal is to empower people to prioritize their mental health and well-being. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a community where seeking support is encouraged and celebrated. Your mental health matters!”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We are facing a mental health crisis in our country and the demand for mental health services is higher than ever,” said Deryk Van Brunt, CEO of CredibleMind. “We are thrilled to partner with West Central District Health Department and provide on-demand, reliable self-care and mental health resources to help its community members to improve their overall wellbeing and flourish.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information about West Central District Health Department visit <a href="https://wcdhd.crediblemind.com/" target="_blank">https://wcdhd.crediblemind.com/</a> and for more information about CredibleMind, visit <a href="https://www.crediblemind.com/" target="_blank">https://www.crediblemind.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

West Central District Health DepartmentNorth Platte, NE (May 1, 2024) –The West Central District Health Department today announces its commercial partnership with <a href="https://crediblemind.com/?showcorp=1" target="_blank">CredibleMind</a>, an intuitive platform offering localized, wellness-oriented digital content that enables employees, insurers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to support consumer-centric engagement and provide personalized mental health resources. The partnership will make CredibleMind an accessible digital resource to West Central District’s more than 35,000 community members.&nbsp;&nbsp;Founded in 2018 by Deryk Van Brunt and Marcos Athanasoulis, CredibleMind provides a complete population-based mental health ecosystem, including analytics reporting on service needs, use, and outcomes. Focusing on early intervention and prevention around mental health issues, CredibleMind contains over 10,000 evidence-based and science-backed resources to provide users with credible self-care options to improve their overall wellbeing without medical intervention.&nbsp;“In today’s world, where stressors and mental health challenges are everywhere, it’s important to highlight the need to take care of our minds. Mental and physical health go hand-in-hand, yet mental health often receives less attention,” said Shannon Vanderheiden, Executive Director of West Central District Health Department. “Through our collaboration with CredibleMind, and the launch of this new platform, we are excited to offer a wide range of tools and resources that are available to everyone at no cost.” West Central District Health Department Assistant Executive Director, Meghan Trevino, added, “Our goal is to empower people to prioritize their mental health and well-being. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a community where seeking support is encouraged and celebrated. Your mental health matters!”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“We are facing a mental health crisis in our country and the demand for mental health services is higher than ever,” said Deryk Van Brunt, CEO of CredibleMind. “We are thrilled to partner with West Central District Health Department and provide on-demand, reliable self-care and mental health resources to help its community members to improve their overall wellbeing and flourish.”&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information about West Central District Health Department visit <a href="https://wcdhd.crediblemind.com/" target="_blank">https://wcdhd.crediblemind.com/</a> and for more information about CredibleMind, visit <a href="https://www.crediblemind.com/" target="_blank">https://www.crediblemind.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

West Central District Health Department Announces Partnership with CredibleMind, Expanding Access to Convenient and Confidential Mental Wellbeing Resources for Community Members

Ogallala, Neb. - The Velver Spurs All-Womens Horseback riding club has announced that the Horseback Poker Run for this Saturday at Hollow Ash has been cancelled. The cancellation is due to weather conditions heading into Saturday that could possibly make the trails wet. The poker run was supposed to take place last weekend but was postponed due to weather.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713974976457.jpeg" alt="Velvet Spurs practicing at the Wild West Arena - photo from Don Christner" />
 <figcaption>Velvet Spurs practicing at the Wild West Arena - photo from Don Christner</figcaption>
 </figure>Sandhills Post/North Platte Post&nbsp;Ogallala, Neb. - The Velver Spurs All-Womens Horseback riding club has announced that the Horseback Poker Run for this Saturday at Hollow Ash has been cancelled. The cancellation is due to weather conditions heading into Saturday that could possibly make the trails wet. The poker run was supposed to take place last weekend but was postponed due to weather.&nbsp;

The University of Nebraska Medical Center will honor three individuals with special awards at its May 4 Omaha&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/academic-records/commencement/index.html" target="_blank">commencement</a>&nbsp;at 9 a.m. at Baxter Arena.

Barry Gold, PhD, emeritus professor and former chair of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science for achievement in the advancement of science and service in the health sciences fields.

Nebraskans Kent Lacey, MD, and Michael Sitorius, MD, will be honored with the J.G. Elliott Award for their significant contributions to medicine and health programs for the state of Nebraska. The honor is named for Jack Elliott, a longtime University of Nebraska regent who died in 1974.

The honorary doctorate is a homecoming for Dr. Gold, an esteemed scientist. Prior to his career at Pittsburgh, he spent more than 30 years at UNMC’s Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and Eppley Cancer Center. At UNMC, Dr. Gold’s leadership was indispensable, both as a mentor to his fellow faculty members, and as acting, then interim director of the Eppley Institute at a crucial time.

Dr. Gold’s leadership of the Eppley Institute included establishing the foundation for building a strong program in DNA repair and the discussions which led to the founding of the Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska. In the decades since, the Cattlemen’s Ball has raised millions for cancer research, and deepened UNMC’s outreach efforts to the state’s rural communities.

Dr. Lacey practiced family medicine in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Jack Elliott’s hometown, for 37 years. Throughout his career, Dr. Lacey has been lauded for his mentorship of nursing and medical students and family medicine residents. And, for his caring manner.

In one especially memorable moment, Dr. Lacey made a reverse house call – while he had to stay home to watch his own kids, he invited a mother to bring her sick child to see him at his house. He recommended an ER visit for a spinal tap, which showed the young girl had meningitis.

Dr. Sitorius, a Cozad, Nebraska, native, meant to stay at UNMC for one year before going on to rural practice. Instead, over a 42-year career at UNMC, he’s arguably had as big an impact on rural health in the state of Nebraska as anyone in the past 40 years. The UNMC Department of Family Medicine under Dr. Sitorius’ leadership has had a role in training about 70% of Nebraska’s practicing family physicians. He has developed and overseen numerous initiatives to find potential medical students within Nebraska’s rural communities and see them return to the state’s rural areas as practicing physicians.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714569926231.jpeg" alt="Michael Sitorius, Cozad native (Courtesy of UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>Michael Sitorius, Cozad native (Courtesy of UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCThe University of Nebraska Medical Center will honor three individuals with special awards at its May 4 Omaha&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/academic-records/commencement/index.html" target="_blank">commencement</a>&nbsp;at 9 a.m. at Baxter Arena.Barry Gold, PhD, emeritus professor and former chair of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science for achievement in the advancement of science and service in the health sciences fields.Nebraskans Kent Lacey, MD, and Michael Sitorius, MD, will be honored with the J.G. Elliott Award for their significant contributions to medicine and health programs for the state of Nebraska. The honor is named for Jack Elliott, a longtime University of Nebraska regent who died in 1974.The honorary doctorate is a homecoming for Dr. Gold, an esteemed scientist. Prior to his career at Pittsburgh, he spent more than 30 years at UNMC’s Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and Eppley Cancer Center. At UNMC, Dr. Gold’s leadership was indispensable, both as a mentor to his fellow faculty members, and as acting, then interim director of the Eppley Institute at a crucial time.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714569979772.jpeg" alt="Barry Gold (Courtesy of UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>Barry Gold (Courtesy of UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Gold’s leadership of the Eppley Institute included establishing the foundation for building a strong program in DNA repair and the discussions which led to the founding of the Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska. In the decades since, the Cattlemen’s Ball has raised millions for cancer research, and deepened UNMC’s outreach efforts to the state’s rural communities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714569997829.jpeg" alt="Kent Lacey (Courtesy of UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>Kent Lacey (Courtesy of UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Lacey practiced family medicine in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Jack Elliott’s hometown, for 37 years. Throughout his career, Dr. Lacey has been lauded for his mentorship of nursing and medical students and family medicine residents. And, for his caring manner.In one especially memorable moment, Dr. Lacey made a reverse house call – while he had to stay home to watch his own kids, he invited a mother to bring her sick child to see him at his house. He recommended an ER visit for a spinal tap, which showed the young girl had meningitis.Dr. Sitorius, a Cozad, Nebraska, native, meant to stay at UNMC for one year before going on to rural practice. Instead, over a 42-year career at UNMC, he’s arguably had as big an impact on rural health in the state of Nebraska as anyone in the past 40 years. The UNMC Department of Family Medicine under Dr. Sitorius’ leadership has had a role in training about 70% of Nebraska’s practicing family physicians. He has developed and overseen numerous initiatives to find potential medical students within Nebraska’s rural communities and see them return to the state’s rural areas as practicing physicians.

Three to be honored at UNMC Omaha commencement ceremony May 4

Nashville, TN -&nbsp;

The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today the selection of the Radio Hall of Fame 2024 nominees. The 24 nominees were chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners. 

Voting for inductees begins Monday, May 20, 2024, and runs through Monday, June 3, 2024. The top six vote recipients will gain induction as part of the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame Induction class. The two additional inductees that will make up the eight-person induction class will be selected by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. More than 900 industry members will receive a ballot on Monday, May 20th, to cast votes for up to six nominated individuals. The confidential ballot will be conducted by Votem.com, and overseen by Miller Kaplan‘s Andrew Rosen.The total of eight Radio Hall of Fame inductees for 2024 will be announced on Monday, June 17th, and will be honored at the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, September 19th at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Nashville, TN. Information on tickets for the event will be available soon.

THE 2024 RADIO HALL OF FAME NOMINEES TO BE VOTED ON BY INDUSTRY VOTING PANEL ARE (ALPHABETICAL BY FIRST NAME)

Dennis Green, Co-Chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame, stated: “It is an honor to nominate this amazing class of talented individuals and shows that have made their mark on the radio.&nbsp; The 2024 nominees to the Radio Hall of Fame represent one of the most diverse group of talents we have honored with the highest level of recognition one can achieve from the radio industry.&nbsp; Kudos to the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee for recognizing this year’s class of nominees whose careers only add to the special place radio holds in the hearts and minds of generations of listeners across the country.”

Kraig T. Kitchin, Co-Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame, commented: “Congratulations to our 2024 nominees for induction!&nbsp;&nbsp; I encourage each industry member receiving a confidential ballot to participate in the selection of this years’ inductees.&nbsp; It’s an honor and a privilege to see well-established on-air careers recognized with an induction; every vote makes a difference in the outcome.”

Nashville, TN -&nbsp;

The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today the selection of the Radio Hall of Fame 2024 nominees. The 24 nominees were chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBigDandBubba%2Fposts%2F1014454463370950&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="482" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Voting for inductees begins Monday, May 20, 2024, and runs through Monday, June 3, 2024. The top six vote recipients will gain induction as part of the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame Induction class. The two additional inductees that will make up the eight-person induction class will be selected by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. More than 900 industry members will receive a ballot on Monday, May 20th, to cast votes for up to six nominated individuals. The confidential ballot will be conducted by Votem.com, and overseen by Miller Kaplan‘s Andrew Rosen.The total of eight Radio Hall of Fame inductees for 2024 will be announced on Monday, June 17th, and will be honored at the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, September 19th at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Nashville, TN. Information on tickets for the event will be available soon.THE 2024 RADIO HALL OF FAME NOMINEES TO BE VOTED ON BY INDUSTRY VOTING PANEL ARE (ALPHABETICAL BY FIRST NAME)<ul>
 <li>Bert Weiss</li><li>Big D &amp; Bubba</li><li>Big Tigger</li><li>Bob and Sheri</li><li>Bob Stroud</li><li>Crook &amp; Chase</li><li>Dede McGuire</li><li>Diane Rehm</li><li>Free Beer and Hot Wings</li><li>Funkmaster Flex</li><li>Jaime Jarrin</li><li>John &amp; Ken</li><li>Johnny Magic</li><li>Kid Leo</li><li>Larry Elder</li><li>Laurie DeYoung</li><li>Lee Harris</li><li>Lincoln Ware</li><li>Mary McCoy</li><li>Matt Siegel</li><li>Mojo in the Morning</li><li>Phil Hendrie</li><li>Richard Blade</li><li>Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart</li>
 </ul><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714569233539.jpeg" alt="Big D and Bubba nominated for National Radio Hall of Fame -&nbsp;Big D &amp; Bubba met in 1996 in Baton Rouge, La., where Big D was hosting a morning show and Bubba was hosting afternoons. They immediately hit it off, both on and off the air, and ended up pairing up to co-host a show together at the ripe old ages of 24! Big D and Bubba have aired on (KZTL-FM) Z93.5 Country since 2007.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Big D and Bubba nominated for National Radio Hall of Fame -&nbsp;Big D &amp; Bubba met in 1996 in Baton Rouge, La., where Big D was hosting a morning show and Bubba was hosting afternoons. They immediately hit it off, both on and off the air, and ended up pairing up to co-host a show together at the ripe old ages of 24! Big D and Bubba have aired on (KZTL-FM) Z93.5 Country since 2007.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Dennis Green, Co-Chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame, stated: “It is an honor to nominate this amazing class of talented individuals and shows that have made their mark on the radio.&nbsp; The 2024 nominees to the Radio Hall of Fame represent one of the most diverse group of talents we have honored with the highest level of recognition one can achieve from the radio industry.&nbsp; Kudos to the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee for recognizing this year’s class of nominees whose careers only add to the special place radio holds in the hearts and minds of generations of listeners across the country.”Kraig T. Kitchin, Co-Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame, commented: “Congratulations to our 2024 nominees for induction!&nbsp;&nbsp; I encourage each industry member receiving a confidential ballot to participate in the selection of this years’ inductees.&nbsp; It’s an honor and a privilege to see well-established on-air careers recognized with an induction; every vote makes a difference in the outcome.”

Z93.5 Country's Big D & Bubba nominated for National Radio Hall of Fame

OMAHA, NEB., APRIL 30, 2024 - Union Pacific Railroad today announced that 137 companies are winners of the 2023 Pinnacle Award for their dedication and commitment to safely transporting chemicals by rail. This number of recipients is the highest the railroad has recognized in over a decade. The annual award honors customers who implement release prevention protocols, corrective action plans and have zero non-accident releases of regulated hazardous materials shipments.

“Safety is Union Pacific’s No. 1 priority, and we are proud to honor these likeminded companies with the 2023 Pinnacle Award,” said Jacque Bendon, senior vice president – Industrial, Marketing and Sales. “Our customers share our commitment to the safe transportation of chemicals, and we have a collaborative goal of protecting the environment and communities along our rail network.”

Union Pacific shares the same target as these companies to deliver every tank car safely. The railroad’s Hazardous Materials Safety team supports customers with joint rail safety training programs and rail car inspections. Hazmat teams are located regionally across Union Pacific’s network with a four-prong mission: Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. More information about these efforts is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://up.com/">UP.com</a>.

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/">www.up.com</a>.

OMAHA, NEB., APRIL 30, 2024 - Union Pacific Railroad today announced that 137 companies are winners of the 2023 Pinnacle Award for their dedication and commitment to safely transporting chemicals by rail. This number of recipients is the highest the railroad has recognized in over a decade. The annual award honors customers who implement release prevention protocols, corrective action plans and have zero non-accident releases of regulated hazardous materials shipments.“Safety is Union Pacific’s No. 1 priority, and we are proud to honor these likeminded companies with the 2023 Pinnacle Award,” said Jacque Bendon, senior vice president – Industrial, Marketing and Sales. “Our customers share our commitment to the safe transportation of chemicals, and we have a collaborative goal of protecting the environment and communities along our rail network.”Union Pacific shares the same target as these companies to deliver every tank car safely. The railroad’s Hazardous Materials Safety team supports customers with joint rail safety training programs and rail car inspections. Hazmat teams are located regionally across Union Pacific’s network with a four-prong mission: Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. More information about these efforts is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://up.com/">UP.com</a>.The 2023 Pinnacle Award winners are:<ul>
 <li>AdvanSix Inc</li><li>Aeropres Corporation</li><li>Afton Chemical Corporation</li><li>Altivia Petrochemicals LLC</li><li>Americas Styrenics</li><li>Arcanum Infrastructure LLC</li><li>Arkema Inc</li><li>Ascend Performance Materials</li><li>Aux Sable Liquid Products</li><li>Badger State Ethanol, LLC</li><li>Bakelite Chemical LLC</li><li>Bayport Lubrizol</li><li>Bayer CropScience</li><li>Berryman Chemical Inc</li><li>BioUrja Trading LLC</li><li>BP</li><li>Buckeye Pipeline</li><li>Cenovus Energy</li><li>Centennial Energy LLC</li><li>CIE Norfolk GNS, LLC</li><li>CF Industries Sales LLC</li><li>ChampionX</li><li>Chemtrade Logistics</li><li>Chief Ethanol Fuels, Inc</li><li>CHS Inc</li><li>CITGO Petroleum Corporation</li><li>Conestoga Energy Partners LLC</li><li>Cornerstone Chemical Company</li><li>Corteva Agriscience, LLC</li><li>Covestro, LLC</li><li>CVR Energy</li><li>Cyanco</li><li>Deer Park Refining LP</li><li>DK Trading &amp; Supply, LLC</li><li>DuPont</li><li>Dyno Nobel Inc</li><li>ECO ENERGY LLC</li><li>Eco Services Operations Corp</li><li>Elite Octane LLC</li><li>EnLink Midstream</li><li>ERCO Worldwide USA Inc</li><li>Ergon Asphalt &amp; Emulsions</li><li>Evonik Corporation</li><li>ExxonMobil</li><li>Flint Hills Resources LLC</li><li>Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.</li><li>Freeport-McMoRan Inc</li><li>FutureFuel Chemical Company</li><li>Genesis Alkali</li><li>Gibson Energy Infrastructure Partnership</li><li>Grain Processing Corporation</li><li>Grupo Mexico - Mining Division</li><li>Gunvor USA LLC</li><li>HELM US Corporation</li><li>Howard Energy Partners GT Logistics</li><li>Huntsman International LLC</li><li>HTP Energy</li><li>ICL Specialty Products</li><li>Indorama Ventures</li><li>INEOS Acetyls</li><li>INEOS KOH INC</li><li>INEOS Phenol, a Division of INEOS Americas, LLC</li><li>INEOS Oligomers USA LLC</li><li>Ingevity Corporation</li><li>Inter Pipeline U.S. Marketing Ltd</li><li>InterChem</li><li>IMTT St. Rose</li><li>International Raw Materials LTD</li><li>Irving Oil Limited</li><li>JR Simplot</li><li>K2 PURE SOLUTIONS</li><li>Kemira</li><li>Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation</li><li>Keyera Partnership</li><li>Kinder Morgan Terminals</li><li>Kiva United Energy Inc</li><li>Koch Fertilizer LLC</li><li>Koch Methanol LLC</li><li>Koppers Inc</li><li>LACC</li><li>Lotte Chemical Louisiana LLC</li><li>Louis Dreyfus Company Grand Junction</li><li>Messer LLC</li><li>Methanex Methanol Company</li><li>Mexichem Fluor SA de CV</li><li>MGP Ingredients</li><li>MMTX, Inc</li><li>Monument Chemical Houston</li><li>Musket Corporation</li><li>Nan Ya Plastics Corporation America</li><li>NGL Supply Co. Ltd.</li><li>NorFalco, A Glencore Company</li><li>Nouryon</li><li>NOVA Chemicals Corporation</li><li>Occidental Chemical Corporation</li><li>OCI Methanol</li><li>OQ Chemicals Corp</li><li>Parkland Corporation</li><li>PCI Nitrogen LLC</li><li>Pencco</li><li>Pilot Travel Centers</li><li>Plains All American</li><li>Ponderosa Solutions LLC</li><li>Pure Aviation, LLC</li><li>Rail Logix Holdings, LLC</li><li>Reagent Chemical and Research Inc.</li><li>Sabic Innovative Plastics LLC</li><li>Saconix LLC</li><li>Sasol Chemicals (USA) LLC</li><li>Sawtooth Caverns, LLC</li><li>Shintech Louisiana LLC</li><li>SI Group</li><li>Siouxland Energy Cooperative</li><li>SNF HOLDING COMPANY</li><li>Sojitz Corporation of America</li><li>Southern Ionics Incorporated</li><li>Sterling Ethanol, LLC</li><li>Sulphuric Acid Trading Company</li><li>Suncor Energy USA Inc</li><li>Targa Resources Inc</li><li>Tessenderlo Kerley Inc</li><li>The Chemours Company</li><li>The Plaza Group</li><li>TotalEnergies</li><li>TPC Group LLC</li><li>Universal Environmental Services</li><li>US Energy</li><li>U.S. Oil &amp; Refining Co.</li><li>Veolia ES Technical Solutions, LLC</li><li>Veolia North America Regeneration Services</li><li>Wanhua Chemical America Co LTD</li><li>Watco</li><li>Western Plains Energy, LLC</li><li>Westlake Corporation</li><li>Wildcat Midstream Limited Partnership</li><li>Williams</li><li>XCL Marketing LLC</li>
 </ul><h2>About Union Pacific</h2>Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/">www.up.com</a>.<ul>
 <li><a href="http://www.up.com/">www.up.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/unionpacific">www.facebook.com/unionpacific</a></li><li><a href="http://www.twitter.com/unionpacific">www.twitter.com/unionpacific</a></li>
 </ul>

Union Pacific Honors Companies for Safe Chemical Transportation

Peter Fletcher is coming back to North Platte Public Library for a classical guitar concert on Saturday May 11, 2024 at 3:00 pm – Space is limited!

Reserve your seat today at&nbsp;<a href="https://north-platte.libcal.com/event/12251080" target="_blank">https://north-platte.libcal.com/event/12251080</a>

Peter Fletcher is coming back to North Platte Public Library for a classical guitar concert on Saturday May 11, 2024 at 3:00 pm – Space is limited!Reserve your seat today at&nbsp;<a href="https://north-platte.libcal.com/event/12251080" target="_blank">https://north-platte.libcal.com/event/12251080</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714500224073.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Peter Fletcher to perform in North Platte on May 11th

North Platte, Neb. - After a nearly six-hour standoff in North Platte on Monday ended with the suspect in police custody according to officials.

At approximately 1:40 PM on April 29, 2024, police officers responded to a report of a person firing a rifle around Burlington and McCabe.&nbsp; The suspect was a resident of the 1500 block of Burlington Blvd.&nbsp; A safe perimeter was established and shortly after police arrival, the man came outside but quickly retreated into his residence after officers asked to talk with him.&nbsp; Telephone contact was established with the suspect.&nbsp; He was uncooperative and there was evidence that he was under the influence.&nbsp; 

The suspect made it clear that he would not voluntarily exit the house and hours of negotiations did not produce positive results.&nbsp; At 4:10 PM, the suspect exited the house with a shotgun and then retreated into the house.&nbsp; The suspect told the police negotiator of his intent to have the police shoot him.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At approximately 7:45 PM, a contact team of officers introduced a chemical agent into the suspect’s home.&nbsp; Shortly thereafter, the suspect came out the front door of his home carrying a shotgun.&nbsp; He complied with orders to put the weapon down and was taken into custody.&nbsp; The 52-year-old suspect was taken to GPH for evaluation, and he remains hospitalized at this time.

During a search of the home, officers located an additional loaded shotgun as well as two rifles.&nbsp; Criminal charges are likely after the case is submitted to the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office.

There were no injuries to law enforcement nor the suspect.&nbsp; The North Platte Police Department received assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Game and Parks.

A RAVE Alert was issued shortly after the incident was reported and the appropriate safety protocols were activated by staff in the nearby schools.&nbsp;

These situations are dangerous for curious people coming to the area.&nbsp; They place themselves in danger and cause a distraction for law enforcement.&nbsp; Please remain out of the area when asked to do so.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714439924446.jpeg" alt="North Platte Police, Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte EMS on scene at the standoff situation in North Platte (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>North Platte Police, Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte EMS on scene at the standoff situation in North Platte (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte Police DepartmentNorth Platte, Neb. - After a nearly six-hour standoff in North Platte on Monday ended with the suspect in police custody according to officials.At approximately 1:40 PM on April 29, 2024, police officers responded to a report of a person firing a rifle around Burlington and McCabe.&nbsp; The suspect was a resident of the 1500 block of Burlington Blvd.&nbsp; A safe perimeter was established and shortly after police arrival, the man came outside but quickly retreated into his residence after officers asked to talk with him.&nbsp; Telephone contact was established with the suspect.&nbsp; He was uncooperative and there was evidence that he was under the influence.&nbsp; The suspect made it clear that he would not voluntarily exit the house and hours of negotiations did not produce positive results.&nbsp; At 4:10 PM, the suspect exited the house with a shotgun and then retreated into the house.&nbsp; The suspect told the police negotiator of his intent to have the police shoot him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714493007065.jpeg" alt="Law enforcement on scene Monday at the standoff situation on Burlington and McCabe (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement on scene Monday at the standoff situation on Burlington and McCabe (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>At approximately 7:45 PM, a contact team of officers introduced a chemical agent into the suspect’s home.&nbsp; Shortly thereafter, the suspect came out the front door of his home carrying a shotgun.&nbsp; He complied with orders to put the weapon down and was taken into custody.&nbsp; The 52-year-old suspect was taken to GPH for evaluation, and he remains hospitalized at this time.During a search of the home, officers located an additional loaded shotgun as well as two rifles.&nbsp; Criminal charges are likely after the case is submitted to the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office.There were no injuries to law enforcement nor the suspect.&nbsp; The North Platte Police Department received assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Game and Parks.A RAVE Alert was issued shortly after the incident was reported and the appropriate safety protocols were activated by staff in the nearby schools.&nbsp;These situations are dangerous for curious people coming to the area.&nbsp; They place themselves in danger and cause a distraction for law enforcement.&nbsp; Please remain out of the area when asked to do so.&nbsp;

No injuries reported in Monday's standoff in North Platte, suspect remains hospitalized 

Editor's note: Story has been updated with information that the suspect was taken to the hospital treatment.

North Platte, Neb. - After almost seven hours, the standoff situation at Burlington and McCabe ended with the suspect in custody.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The suspect exited from his house sometime before 8:00pm and reportedly had his weapon with him. After several commands, he put his weapon down and surrendered. The suspect was taken to Great Plains Health for treatment.&nbsp;

It's reported that the man was firing a weapon outside his home. Around 2:23 pm, the North Platte Police Department issued a RAVE alert telling citizens to avoid the area of the 1500 block of Burlington as law enforcement was on scene handling the situation. Police set up barricades around the area to keep the public out. No more information has been released at this time.

***This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714439924446.jpeg" alt="North Platte Police, Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte EMS on scene at the standoff situation in North Platte (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>North Platte Police, Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte EMS on scene at the standoff situation in North Platte (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: Story has been updated with information that the suspect was taken to the hospital treatment.North Platte Post&nbsp;North Platte, Neb. - After almost seven hours, the standoff situation at Burlington and McCabe ended with the suspect in custody.&nbsp;&nbsp;The suspect exited from his house sometime before 8:00pm and reportedly had his weapon with him. After several commands, he put his weapon down and surrendered. The suspect was taken to Great Plains Health for treatment.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714440595242.jpeg" alt="Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte EMS on scene at the standoff in North Platte. (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte EMS on scene at the standoff in North Platte. (Photo taken by Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>It's reported that the man was firing a weapon outside his home. Around 2:23 pm, the North Platte Police Department issued a RAVE alert telling citizens to avoid the area of the 1500 block of Burlington as law enforcement was on scene handling the situation. Police set up barricades around the area to keep the public out. No more information has been released at this time.***This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.&nbsp;

North Platte standoff ends with suspect in police custody

April 29, 2024 (North Platte, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin today, April 29, on US-26, from reference post 136.46 to reference post 144.83, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Werner Construction of Hastings is the contractor for this project. Work includes milling, asphalt overlay, and earth shoulder construction. Traffic will be maintained with lane restrictions and a pilot car and flaggers. An 11-foot width restriction will be in effect. Anticipated completion is Sept. 2024.

The purpose of this project is to preserve the transportation asset, improve the reliability of the transportation system and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

April 29, 2024 (North Platte, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin today, April 29, on US-26, from reference post 136.46 to reference post 144.83, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Werner Construction of Hastings is the contractor for this project. Work includes milling, asphalt overlay, and earth shoulder construction. Traffic will be maintained with lane restrictions and a pilot car and flaggers. An 11-foot width restriction will be in effect. Anticipated completion is Sept. 2024.The purpose of this project is to preserve the transportation asset, improve the reliability of the transportation system and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public.Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Work Begins Today on US-26, West of Ogallala

Omaha, Neb. - Union Pacific Railroad today released its annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up.com/up/aboutup/esg/building-america-report/index.htm">Building America Report</a>, highlighting progress on key goals, including safety and sustainability, as well as the development and testing of a new cutting-edge hybrid battery-electric locomotive.

“The Building America Report is a comprehensive reflection on our daily drive toward operational excellence, our ongoing commitment to providing the safe, reliable service we promised our customers and our goal to provide meaningful work with best-in-class benefits for employees,” said CEO Jim Vena.

A key highlight in the report was Union Pacific’s partnership with ZTR, a leading rail technology company, to design and build hybrid-electric locomotives. Union Pacific will test six of these new locomotives, with the first locomotive deployed for testing next month. This innovative locomotive will run similarly to a hybrid car and is one example of Union Pacific’s continued research and development efforts to build a more sustainable future.

Union Pacific also improved on key safety metrics in 2023, underscoring its comprehensive and enhanced approach to safety. The railroad reduced year-over-year serious injuries by 15% from 2022. The reportable derailment rate declined 6% compared with 2022, and over the past 10 years, track-related derailments declined 28%.

The railroad continued to make headway on its climate action goals and has reduced absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 19.1% since 2018. Union Pacific also worked with the Science Based Targets Initiative to update its target to the SBTi’s revised, 1.5-degree ambition guidance, resulting in a commitment for the company to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 base year. Union Pacific also committed to reduce Scope 3 absolute emissions from our purchased goods and services, capital goods and fuel- and energy-related activities 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 base year.

On the corporate transparency front, Union Pacific earned high scores for its leadership on climate initiatives and data disclosures, receiving an A- from CDP and being named to the 2024 edition of the JUST 100, an annual ranking of companies based on their business practices and corporate responsibility.

With this year’s report, the Building America Report also includes information on topics formerly reported in the company’s Climate Action Plan and We Are One reports. Now fully comprehensive, the Building America Report will be released biennially, with a separate data supplement published annually.

Union PacificOmaha, Neb. - Union Pacific Railroad today released its annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up.com/up/aboutup/esg/building-america-report/index.htm">Building America Report</a>, highlighting progress on key goals, including safety and sustainability, as well as the development and testing of a new cutting-edge hybrid battery-electric locomotive.“The Building America Report is a comprehensive reflection on our daily drive toward operational excellence, our ongoing commitment to providing the safe, reliable service we promised our customers and our goal to provide meaningful work with best-in-class benefits for employees,” said CEO Jim Vena.A key highlight in the report was Union Pacific’s partnership with ZTR, a leading rail technology company, to design and build hybrid-electric locomotives. Union Pacific will test six of these new locomotives, with the first locomotive deployed for testing next month. This innovative locomotive will run similarly to a hybrid car and is one example of Union Pacific’s continued research and development efforts to build a more sustainable future.Union Pacific also improved on key safety metrics in 2023, underscoring its comprehensive and enhanced approach to safety. The railroad reduced year-over-year serious injuries by 15% from 2022. The reportable derailment rate declined 6% compared with 2022, and over the past 10 years, track-related derailments declined 28%.The railroad continued to make headway on its climate action goals and has reduced absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 19.1% since 2018. Union Pacific also worked with the Science Based Targets Initiative to update its target to the SBTi’s revised, 1.5-degree ambition guidance, resulting in a commitment for the company to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 base year. Union Pacific also committed to reduce Scope 3 absolute emissions from our purchased goods and services, capital goods and fuel- and energy-related activities 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 base year.On the corporate transparency front, Union Pacific earned high scores for its leadership on climate initiatives and data disclosures, receiving an A- from CDP and being named to the 2024 edition of the JUST 100, an annual ranking of companies based on their business practices and corporate responsibility.With this year’s report, the Building America Report also includes information on topics formerly reported in the company’s Climate Action Plan and We Are One reports. Now fully comprehensive, the Building America Report will be released biennially, with a separate data supplement published annually.<h2>About Union Pacific</h2>Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/">www.up.com</a>.

Union Pacific Highlights Commitment to Safety, Community and Sustainability in 2023 Building America Report

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

(Nenzel, Neb.) April 21, 2024 — The Bessey Ranger District successfully conducted a 2,650- acre prescribed burn on Sunday, April 21st at the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest near&nbsp;

Nenzel, NE. During burning operations, two areas burned outside control lines that totaled&nbsp;&nbsp;

approximately 20 acres. Though the burn was outside of control lines, all fire was kept on Forest&nbsp; Service lands and within the area future prescribed burning was planned.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While onsite resources were quick to begin suppression on the burn outside the control lines,&nbsp;&nbsp;

the decision was made to order contingency resources, which were local volunteer fire&nbsp;&nbsp;

departments including two engines from Kilgore, NE and one engine from Cody, NE.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The burns outside the control lines were contained prior to the arrival of contingency resources.&nbsp; Although the local volunteer fire departments could have traveled back to their home units, the&nbsp; engines graciously agreed to continue supporting fire operations. This help allowed successful&nbsp;&nbsp;

completion of ignition operations and ensured all control lines were secured.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The objectives of this prescribed burn were to reduce Eastern Red Cedar and other woody&nbsp;&nbsp;

encroachment within the unit as well as reduce thatch and ground litter to help improve grazing&nbsp; conditions. The reduction of fuel loading will also help with fire suppression in the event of a&nbsp;&nbsp;

wildfire. The objectives were met successfully according to fire staff.&nbsp;

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture(Nenzel, Neb.) April 21, 2024 — The Bessey Ranger District successfully conducted a 2,650- acre prescribed burn on Sunday, April 21st at the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest near&nbsp;Nenzel, NE. During burning operations, two areas burned outside control lines that totaled&nbsp;&nbsp;approximately 20 acres. Though the burn was outside of control lines, all fire was kept on Forest&nbsp; Service lands and within the area future prescribed burning was planned.&nbsp;&nbsp;While onsite resources were quick to begin suppression on the burn outside the control lines,&nbsp;&nbsp;the decision was made to order contingency resources, which were local volunteer fire&nbsp;&nbsp;departments including two engines from Kilgore, NE and one engine from Cody, NE.&nbsp;&nbsp;The burns outside the control lines were contained prior to the arrival of contingency resources.&nbsp; Although the local volunteer fire departments could have traveled back to their home units, the&nbsp; engines graciously agreed to continue supporting fire operations. This help allowed successful&nbsp;&nbsp;completion of ignition operations and ensured all control lines were secured.&nbsp;&nbsp;The objectives of this prescribed burn were to reduce Eastern Red Cedar and other woody&nbsp;&nbsp;encroachment within the unit as well as reduce thatch and ground litter to help improve grazing&nbsp; conditions. The reduction of fuel loading will also help with fire suppression in the event of a&nbsp;&nbsp;wildfire. The objectives were met successfully according to fire staff.&nbsp;Prescribed burns of this scale cannot often be implemented by just one agency or entity. It is the&nbsp; cooperation between interagency groups that allow for the accomplishment of fire management&nbsp; safety and the management of resources. Our cooperators for this project included Kilgore VFD,&nbsp; Cody VFD, Cherry County Emergency Management, Fort Pierre VFD, US Fish and Wildlife&nbsp;&nbsp;Service, National Park Service, as well as the Bessey, Fort Pierre, Wall, Fall River, and Pine&nbsp;&nbsp;Ridge Ranger Districts of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.&nbsp;The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands would like to thank everyone who supported not&nbsp; only the prescribed burn at Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest, but all completed prescribed&nbsp;&nbsp;burns this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local