#nebraska

Solid Soaking, But More Rain Needed After a significant rainfall event on Wednesday into Thursday, the likelihood of additional rain has decreased, though colder temperatures are expected. Rainfall totals across much of eastern Nebraska reached approximately an inch, while the western half of the state saw less precipitation. The next potential rain system is anticipated to develop in far eastern Nebraska on Friday afternoon, with a line of storms forming and rapidly moving eastward. This development could increase the risk of severe weather, with Iowa and Missouri facing an Enhanced Risk level 3 for severe storms on Friday evening. The Drought Monitor, which highlights the severity of drought conditions across the state, shows most of Nebraska in a Severe or Extreme Drought category. The recent rainfall from Wednesday into Thursday occurred after the latest Drought Monitor update was released, so the impact of the precipitation on drought conditions will be assessed in the coming week. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, with high temperatures on Friday projected to range from the 30s to 40s in eastern Nebraska. A gradual warming trend is anticipated for Saturday, with temperatures climbing into the 50s and 60s. The weather is expected to warm further for Easter Day, but a cooling trend will return early next week, accompanied by chances of rain or mixed precipitation. Meteorologist Rusty Dawkins provided the forecast, emphasizing the need for continued rainfall to alleviate the ongoing drought. The upcoming storm system, while bringing a chance of rain, also poses a threat for severe weather, particularly in the eastern parts of the state. Residents are advised to monitor updates and prepare for potential weather changes.#national_weather_service #nebraska #drought_monitor #rusty_dawkins #iowa_missouri

High Burn Danger Resurfacing Two weeks ago, wildfires erupted in southeast Nebraska, prompting officials to express hope that such an event does not recur today. Several counties in the Southeast and South-Central regions of Nebraska are currently under a Red Flag zone designation, indicating extreme fire danger. Alerts are issued to local volunteer fire departments, which are part of a mutual aid association. Emergency managers emphasized the importance of these partnerships, noting that the recent wildfires highlighted the value of collaboration among agencies and organizations like the 3 and 33 network. This time of year, the risk of severe thunderstorms increases, but this spring has brought persistent dry conditions. Lisa Wiegand, the Gage County Emergency Manager, noted that some residents are struggling to recall an early spring with such extreme temperature fluctuations. "My friends around me that are a little bit older cannot remember the weather being so fluctuated," she said. "What we do know is we have to be significantly ready for anything." Daytime temperatures have ranged from the 40s to record-setting mid-90s, creating conditions ripe for wildfires. While rain is expected in parts of eastern Nebraska over the next ten days, the chances remain low. Wiegand expressed concern about the wind driving fire danger, as it carries dry vegetation and fuel sources. During a recent trip to Lincoln, she observed some greenery emerging in fire-affected areas, but she warned that additional rain would be necessary to improve conditions. The National Weather Service reported that temperatures will cool slightly on Friday, with extreme fire danger peaking in southeast Nebraska on Saturday. Rainfall chances are projected to rise by the early-to-middle part of next week.#national_weather_service #nebraska #red_flag_zone #3_and_33_network #gage_county_emergency_manager

Iowa's Bracketology Status Deteriorates After Nebraska Loss The Iowa Hawkeyes' recent defeat to No. 9 Nebraska in overtime has significantly impacted their NCAA Tournament seeding prospects, pushing them further down the bracketology rankings. The loss, which ended Iowa's hopes of securing a single-digit seed, has led to projections of a No. 10 seed in the upcoming tournament. This marks the first time since the start of the season the team is projected to be a double-digit seed, reflecting a steep decline from their earlier AP Top 25 rankings and previous projections of a No. 6 seed. The Hawkeyes' struggles have been evident throughout the season, with six of their last eight games resulting in losses. Four of those setbacks came against ranked opponents, including the recent overtime defeat to Nebraska. The loss not only deepened their woes but also raised concerns about their ability to secure a favorable path in the tournament. Analysts note that a No. 10 seed would present challenges, as the team would face a No. 7 seed in the first round, a scenario that could prove difficult despite the potential for a second-round matchup against a No. 2 seed. Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi has placed Iowa in the Midwest region, where they would play in Philadelphia, with later rounds set to take place in Chicago. Their projected first-round opponent is No. 7 seed Kentucky, a team with a 19-12 record that has fallen from earlier expectations of a No. 2 seed. While Kentucky's performance remains uncertain, the Hawkeyes' path includes a potential matchup with UConn, the No. 2 seed in the region, and a No. 1 seed Michigan, which they narrowly defeated earlier in the season. Despite the challenges, Iowa's position in the bracket offers some hope. A strong showing against a No.#nebraska #iowa_hawkeyes #joe_lunardi #bracketology #midwest_region

NCAA Tournament Takeaways: Big Ten Dominates, Texas Shocks Gonzaga, Houston Leans Into Home Advantage The NCAA tournament’s first round has concluded, with eight teams securing spots in the Sweet 16, including four from the Big Ten. Top-seeded Duke advanced after a decisive second-round win over No. 9 TCU, joining No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Michigan State, No. 3 Illinois, No. 4 Nebraska, No. 4 Arkansas, and No. 11 Texas. The Big Ten’s dominance continued as all seven remaining teams advanced to the second round, with four securing Sweet 16 berths on Saturday. The Big Ten’s performance was a stark contrast to its early struggles. While Ohio State and Wisconsin suffered opening-round losses on Thursday, the conference’s other entrants dominated. No. 1 Michigan cruised past No. 9 St. Louis, while No. 3 Michigan State defeated No. 6 Louisville. In the evening games, No. 4 Nebraska edged No. 5 Vanderbilt in a thrilling matchup, and No. 3 Illinois swept No. 11 VCU. The Big Ten now holds a perfect 4-0 record in Sweet 16 chances for Saturday’s games, with three more matchups on Sunday involving Purdue, Iowa, and UCLA. Texas, seeded 11th, became the first double-digit seed to reach the Sweet 16 after a stunning upset over No. 3 Gonzaga. The Longhorns’ victory, which included a late-game 3-pointer from previously scoreless Camden Heide, has sparked debates about whether a power conference program like Texas can truly be called a “Cinderella” story. Despite its reputation as a well-funded powerhouse, Texas’s journey from the First Four to the Sweet 16 has been marked by resilience, including wins over NC State, BYU, and Gonzaga. The team now faces the winner of Purdue and Miami in the next round. Houston, guided by coach Kelvin Sampson, has reached the Sweet 16 for the seventh consecutive year.#texas #nebraska #big_ten #houston #gonzaga

Nebraska earns first NCAA tournament win with storybook ending OKLAHOMA CITY — With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg made a strategic move by substituting in junior forwards Pryce Sandfort and Berke Buyuktuncel, allowing them to soak in the moment as the Huskers secured their first-ever NCAA tournament victory. The No. 4 seed Nebraska team dominated No. 13 seed Troy with a 76-47 win, marking a historic milestone for the program after eight previous appearances in the Big Dance without a win. The crowd erupted in celebration, honoring the players who helped achieve the breakthrough, while the team’s bench emptied for a joyous embrace as they set a new single-season win record with 27 victories. The victory was a culmination of seven years of effort under Hoiberg, who faced three consecutive losing seasons from 2019 to 2022. After a 16-16 campaign in 2022-23, Nebraska rebounded with three straight seasons of at least 20 wins, including two NCAA tournament berths. This win solidified their place in tournament history, as they became the only major conference team without a prior tournament victory. The 29-point margin of victory also ranks among the largest in NCAA history for a team’s first-ever win, surpassing Fordham’s 31-point margin in 1971. Pryce Sandfort, the game’s leading scorer with 23 points, carried the Huskers with seven 3-pointers, including a career-high performance in the tournament. His 17 first-half points helped Nebraska overcome a slow start from Troy, as the team’s offensive rhythm took control. Sandfort’s efforts were highlighted by a surprise appearance from his brother, Payton Sandfort, who made his NBA debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder the night before.#nebraska #oklahoma_city #troy #fred_hoiberg #pryce_sandfort

Nebraska vs Richmond predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament first round The First Four of the 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament kicks off on Wednesday as No. 11 seed Nebraska faces No. 11 seed Richmond in the opening game of the two-game schedule. The matchup, set for March 18 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 7:00 PM ET. The game marks the start of the 68-team tournament, with the First Four games serving as the first round of the postseason. Expert analysts across the USA TODAY Sports Network have provided their insights into the matchup. Cydney Henderson, Meghan Hall, and Mitchell Northam all favor Richmond in the contest, citing the team’s defensive strength and balanced scoring potential. While Nebraska brings a strong offensive presence, the underdog status of Richmond has drawn attention to their ability to disrupt opponents’ rhythm. The game is expected to be a closely contested battle between two teams with similar rankings and competitive resumes. Odds for the game reflect the slight edge given to Nebraska, with the opening moneyline set at -155 for the Cornhuskers. The spread favors Nebraska by 2.5 points, while the total points for the game are listed at 138.5. These lines suggest a slight expectation of a low-scoring contest, though both teams have shown the ability to move the ball effectively in recent games. The 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament schedule is packed with key dates, with the First Four games running from March 18-19. The First Round follows from March 20-21, leading into the Sweet 16 (March 27-28), Elite 8 (March 29-30), Final Four (April 3), and the National Championship on April 5. The tournament’s structure ensures a fast-paced, high-stakes competition as teams vie for a spot in the Final Four.#nebraska #ncaa_tournament #richmond #cameron_indoor_stadium #usa_today_sports_network

2026 NCAA Tournament First-Round Schedule: Thursday's Games and Key Storylines The 2026 NCAA Tournament kicks off its first round on Thursday, featuring 16 teams vying to advance past the opening round as the path to the Final Four begins. The day’s matchups promise a mix of high-stakes battles, historic opportunities, and potential upsets. The first game of the day sees No. 9 seed TCU facing off against No. 8 seed Ohio State at 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS, with the winner set to face the victor of the No. 1 overall seed Duke and No. 16 seed Siena matchup. Another early highlight is No. 4 seed Nebraska challenging No. 13 seed Troy at 12:40 p.m. ET on truTV, marking a potential breakthrough for the Cornhuskers, who have never won an NCAA Tournament game. Duke, led by presumptive National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer, aims to return to the Final Four after a semifinal loss to Houston in 2025. The team’s path includes a potential clash with No. 16 seed Siena, while No. 6 seed BYU, featuring star forward AJ Dybantsa—the nation’s leading scorer—faces No. 11 seed Texas at 7:25 p.m. ET on TBS. Later in the day, No. 3 seed Illinois takes on No. 14 seed Penn at 9:25 p.m. ET on TNT, adding intrigue as Penn’s first-year coach Fran McCaffery, who previously coached Iowa, faces his former team. The tournament’s freshman class dominates the spotlight, with 13 of the 68 teams in the field featuring a freshman as their leading scorer—a record for NCAA Tournament history. Players like Boozer, Dybantsa, Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas, Keaton Wagler of Illinois, and Kingston Flemings of Houston will debut in the tournament, each with the chance to make an immediate impact. Nebraska’s quest for its first NCAA Tournament victory takes center stage as the team, which went 20-0 to start the season before finishing 6-6, faces Troy.#nebraska #duke #ncaa_tournament #tcu #ohio_state

Green Lantern' Writer Criticizes Damon Lindelof for HBO's 'Lanterns' Green Lantern has long been a challenging character to adapt into live-action, with past attempts often falling short. A 2011 film starring Ryan Reynolds was widely panned, and Warner Bros. blocked Zack Snyder from introducing the character into the present day in Justice League. A planned DC Extended Universe film titled Green Lantern Corps was abandoned after multiple writers, including David S. Goyer and Christopher McQuarrie, struggled to craft a viable script. The character’s unique blend of space cops and magic rings made it difficult to translate into a believable story, leading to its association with animated series and theme parks rather than serious cinematic efforts. HBO’s Lanterns takes a grounded approach, aiming to bring the character into a more realistic setting. DC Studios co-chief James Gunn described the series as “a very grounded, real show,” emphasizing its effort to make the outlandish concept of Green Lantern feel authentic. The teaser trailer, however, faced criticism for appearing disconnected from the character’s usual traits. It focused on Hal Jordan and John Stewart investigating a murder in Nebraska, a departure from the cosmic adventures typically associated with the Green Lantern mythos. Fans noted the lack of green elements and the dour tone, comparing the series to True Detective rather than a superhero story. Damon Lindelof, one of the show’s co-creators, made a lighthearted comment about the title, joking on the Lovett or Leave It podcast that the show is called Lanterns because the “Green” part was deemed “stupid.” This remark drew backlash from a Green Lantern comic writer, who criticized Lindelof for diluting the source material.#nebraska #hbo #damon_lindelof #green_lantern #james_gunn

Evacuations Issued as Wildfires Burn Across Nebraska During Red Flag Conditions Firefighters in Nebraska faced challenges on Thursday as they fought against multiple rapidly spreading wildfires fueled by strong winds, dry vegetation, and hazardous fire weather conditions. Grass fires broke out across several regions, including central Nebraska, the Sandhills, southeast Nebraska, and the Nebraska Panhandle, prompting evacuations, road closures, and large-scale emergency responses from fire departments, emergency managers, and volunteer crews. One significant fire burned in northern Gage County near Beatrice, where flames forced the closure of U.S. Highway 77 for several hours. The fire started near West Hickory Road and spread quickly across fields due to strong winds, eventually crossing the highway. Multiple fire departments joined efforts to contain the blaze and protect nearby structures. Another fire erupted in Jefferson County near Fairbury, where rural grass fires spread rapidly under the influence of strong winds. In central Nebraska, a fast-moving grass fire near Cottonwood Road and South Government Pocket Road in Lincoln County threatened rural homes. Strong winds pushed flames across open fields, leading to evacuation orders for residents. Additional fires were reported in southwest Lancaster County near Denton and Crete, where evacuations were issued as crews battled multiple grass fires. Further west, a wildfire in the Nebraska Panhandle spread from Morrill County into Garden County, prompting evacuations as flames moved through dry grasslands. Fires also threatened communities in the Nebraska Sandhills, including Dunning and Halsey in Blaine and Thomas counties.#nebraska #firefighters #nebraska_panhandle #nebraska_sandhills #red_flag_warnings

Big Ten Standings: Final Games Determine Tournament Seeds With one game remaining for each team, the Big Ten conference is entering the final stretch of the regular season, setting the stage for the upcoming tournament in Chicago. After Thursday’s action, including Michigan State’s narrow victory over Rutgers and Michigan’s overtime win against Iowa, all 18 teams are locked in a race to secure favorable seeding for the postseason. The outcomes of these final matchups will determine which teams earn triple byes, double byes, or must compete earlier in the tournament. Nebraska’s path to a top seed is particularly intriguing. A win over Iowa on Sunday, combined with a Michigan State loss to Michigan, could elevate the Huskers to as high as a 2 seed. Conversely, a loss to Iowa and a Purdue victory over Wisconsin could drop Nebraska to a 5 seed, potentially knocking them out of the triple bye. The Boilermakers’ game against Wisconsin on Saturday will play a critical role in shaping the standings, as its result will be finalized before Nebraska faces Iowa at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Iowa also has a chance to secure a double bye if Ohio State loses its Saturday matchup. For Nebraska, the focus is straightforward: a win over Iowa ensures a 2 or 3 seed in the tournament, avoiding early-round play. The Huskers’ game against Iowa is set for 4 p.m. on Sunday, with the outcome carrying significant weight for their tournament positioning. The tournament format, which will take place in Chicago, features all 18 teams competing. The top four seeds receive a triple bye, entering the tournament on Friday, while the top eight earn a double bye. The bracket will unfold over four days, with the lowest-seeded teams (15-18) facing off on Tuesday, followed by 9-16 on Wednesday, 5-12 on Thursday, and the quarterfinals on Friday.#nebraska #iowa #big_ten #purdue #wisconsin

Weight-by-weight preview of Big Ten wrestling championships The Big Ten Championships remain one of the most challenging conference titles to secure, with the 2026 event continuing this tradition. The conference fields the top-ranked wrestler at nine of the 10 weight classes and boasts depth across all divisions. Pre-seeds for the tournament have been released, offering insight into potential matchups and paths to the championship. At 165 pounds, Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl holds the No. 1 pre-seed after an undefeated 8-0 conference season, including a fall and four technical falls. Illinois’ Spencer Moore is the No. 2 pre-seed with a 7-0 record, while Nic Bouzakis, ranked second nationally, is seeded third. Bouzakis’ one loss to Lilledahl could position him to jump a spot in the bracket, potentially earning a first-round bye. Lilledahl’s path to a second consecutive title may begin with a matchup against Iowa’s Dean Peterson, who holds a 4-1 career edge over the Nittany Lion. In the semifinals, Lilledahl could face either Indiana’s Jacob Moran or Minnesota’s Jore Volk, both ranked among the top 15. A potential championship clash against Bouzakis would mark a rematch of Lilledahl’s sudden-victory win earlier this season. Illinois’ Lucas Byrd and Penn State’s Marcus Blaze both went undefeated in the regular season, but Byrd secured the No. 2 pre-seed, while Blaze earned the No. 3 spot. Byrd’s path includes a potential semifinal showdown with No. 9 Drake Ayala of Iowa, who finished as a runner-up in both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments last year. Wisconsin’s Zan Fugitt, a 2025 All-American, is seeded fourth, two spots ahead of Nebraska’s Jacob Van Dee. At 141 pounds, Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez holds the No. 1 pre-seed after an undefeated season and a 20-2 record.#penn_state #big_ten_championships #illinois #nebraska #iowa

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Tonight and Friday Severe thunderstorms are possible tonight and Friday across parts of Nebraska and Kansas. The first round of storms is expected to impact Central and Eastern Nebraska, as well as Northern Kansas, from tonight through early Friday morning. A second round of thunderstorms is anticipated late Friday afternoon to late Friday evening, affecting South Central and Eastern Nebraska, along with North Central and Northeastern Kansas. Fog and drizzle may persist through much of the morning in Central and Eastern Nebraska and parts of Northern Kansas. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for these areas until 11 a.m. today, with visibility potentially dropping to less than a quarter of a mile. Fog is expected to clear by this afternoon, leading to mostly sunny or partly cloudy conditions with mild temperatures. Highs will range from the low 60s to low 70s, accompanied by southeast winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching 30 mph. Showers and thunderstorms are likely this evening through early Friday morning. Isolated severe thunderstorms could bring large hail as the primary threat, along with strong wind gusts. A cold front moving through the region on Friday will bring windy conditions. The chance of rain in the panhandle and parts of Northern and Western Nebraska may transition to snow and a wintry mix. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible in South Central and Southeastern Nebraska, as well as North Central and Northeastern Kansas, from around 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms could develop, with large hail and damaging winds as the main threats. A few isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Winds will remain strong Friday, with south winds shifting to northwest at 20 to 30 mph, gusting to 40 mph.#nebraska #cold_front #kansas #severe_thunderstorms #dense_fog_advisory