Close encounters of the zoning kind

The Nebraska Legislature began talking about “exterrestrials” the other day, and well, who could pass up writing about that?I have a buddy who insists that an alien craft hovered over his acreage outside of Ashland.

A republic, a democracy & initiatives

Our American form of government is often referred to today as a democracy, but that is inaccurate. We are a constitutional republic which represents a distinctly different system of government.

Bracket is broken, but fun continues

Every year I fill out an NCAA tournament bracket. And every year, about this time, it ends up in the trash.They say there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. I’d like to propose a third — broken brackets.

Staying Nebraska strong

Over the last several days, we have been reminded how quickly life can change. Across Nebraska, wildfires are tearing through more than 800,000 acres and counting. Grasslands are turning to ash. Families are being forced to evacuate. Ranchers are watching fences burn and livestock scatter.

Simple ways to close the state budget gap dismissed

If you’re like me, you were sickened to read about the wildfires running amok across sections of Nebraska in mid March.

Tested by crisis, defined by resilience

Over the past week, smoke has filled the skies across central and western Nebraska as wildfires have torn through more than 826,000 acres—destroying homes, infrastructure, and forcing families to evacuate with little notice.

America’s attack on Iran

The other day I watched as our Commander in Chief welcomed home six fallen American service members. These military members – one from right here in Nebraska – returned to their homeland in caskets draped in American flags. Standing behind the president were our Nebraska governor and our U.S.

Feeling like Murtaugh: Too old for this stuff

I’ve found myself relating more and more lately to Roger Murtaugh from the Lethal Weapon movies.Murtaugh is one of the main characters in the film series. To be fair, I’m not out fighting crime. I’m more Clark Kent than Superman, spending my days behind a keyboard instead of chasing bad guys.

Paying tribute to our fallen soldiers

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens of Bellevue, who was killed in Kuwait while supporting Operation Epic Fury, was honored at Dover Air Force Base last weekend.

Simple ways to close the state budget gap dismissed

Way back in the day, when I was in high school, I had a summer job of mopping floors at a local hospital.Being a janitor was a really satisfying job because when you were done, you could easily see what you had accomplished, unlike a lot of other occupations.