Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
Bia Espinoza, owner of Susa's Sweets & Balloons, stands at her pop up shop located inside Union Bank Place on Thursday.
Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) joins her teammates on the bench as they celebrate a point against Florida Atlantic in the third quarter on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Amanda Docter of Lincoln uses a torch to heat the beginnings of a handmade glass ornament, or "glaskolben," while studio manager Matt Losee watches on Monday during a holiday workshop at Lincoln Hot Glass.
A student walks past the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts building Monday afternoon on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus. High temperatures reached the low 40s Monday in Lincoln, but a short warmup is in the forecast, with the high expected to reach the upper 40s on Tuesday and the low 50s on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
A near-full-moon rises over Memorial Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 in downtown Lincoln.
The first snow of winter falls over the Nebraska State Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 in downtown Lincoln.
Nebraska players, including Quinton Newsome (6), emerge from the tunnel before the game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's Tamon Lynum (left) watches as Iowa players, from left, Tory Taylor (9), Luke Lachey (85), and Steven Stilianos (86) lift kicker Marshall Meeder (92) to celebrate Meeder's game-winning field goal on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's Jaylen Lloyd (right) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against Iowa with teammate Chubba Purdy on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's Nouredin Nouili (63) embraces his family, including mother Melanie Ragaller (left) and sister Luna Ragaller (right), during the Senior Day activities before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Robert and Stefanie Kirkland from Lincoln sport turkey costumes during the 5K portion of the YMCA of Lincoln Turkey Trot on Thursday in downtown Lincoln.
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga celebrates after scoring from beyond the arc in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
St. Teresa Catholic School students Ephram Rutledge (center) and Paul Johnson (right) sing Christmas songs outside the Governor's Mansion during the inaugural "Hometown Christmas" celebration Sunday.
Nebraska's Lexi Rodriguez (right) places the Nebraska logo on a ticket to Tampa after winning in an NCAA Elite Eight match against Arkansas on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Rabbi Mendel Katzman, executive director at Chabad of Nebraska and a member of the Omaha Police Department Chaplains Corps, uses the shamash to light a second candle of the menorah on Tuesday during a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. In Hebrew the word "menorah" translates to lamp.
Nebraska's Laney Choboy (6) dives into head coach John Cook as she tries to save the ball from going out of bounds in the third set, during an NCAA Regional Semifinal match held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Lincoln.
Wearing his black Stetson cavalry hat, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph "Joey" Prichard of Omaha embraces his wife Samantha Prichard on Thursday at the Nebraska National Guard base in Lincoln. This was the second deployment for Prichard, with the first in 2010 to Afghanistan. "It's always a surreal moment. It doesn't hit you until you see them, you know you're coming home," he said. "I couldn't fight the tears. I did it on my first deployment too. I cried when I said goodbye to her, and now when I come home." A total of 91 Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers in the Troop C, 1-134th Cavalry returned to Nebraska on Thursday after a 10-month deployment to the Middle East.
Guests walk by the newly completely hangar-style addition at Lincoln North Star High School during an open house Monday. The $5.4 million expansion will house the school's aviation focus program.
The Journal Star Super-State first team includes (from left) Papillion-La Vista South's Lauren Medeck, Papillion-La Vista's Faith Frame, Bennington's Olivia Mauch, Grand Island's Tia Traudt, Lincoln Southwest's Malayah Long, Papillion-La Vista's Mia Tvrdy and Norris' Anna Jelinek.
The Career Academy students Amber Ortega (left) and Kameron Beckler cook during the annual Lincoln Public Schools culinary competition on Wednesday at The Career Academy.
Creighton's Trey Alexander makes a dunk against Nebraska's Rienk Mast on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 during the second half of a game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Hana Sindi, from Lincoln, holds a sign and chants alongside fellow protestors on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 during a Justice for Palestine march on the pedestrian bridge at Pinnacle Bank Arena. “I support Palestinian liberation and freedom from illegal occupation,” Sindi said.
11-year-old Dima al-Shorman (left) and her sister, Huda al-Shorman, 12, arrange a miniature farm at a play station on Saturday during the opening day of the new Here We Grow exhibit at Lincoln Children’s Museum.
Nebraska's Kennedi Orr checks her phone as teammate Bekka Allick takes a rest in the locker room after an NCAA Elite Eight match on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Ally Batenhorst (14) slams down a kill against Georgia Tech's Tamara Otene during an NCAA Sweet 16 match Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Jeremy Charging Hawk (left) counts a handful of dollars he made panhandling with his friend, Calvin, on Friday near 13th and on O streets in downtown Lincoln. A new partnership between CenterPointe and the Lincoln Police Department is designed to keep people experiencing homelessness out of jail.
Bride-to-be Taylor Schulz peruses the wedding dresses on sale at the former location of Dream Dress Express and Tip Top Tux on Saturday in Lincoln.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln assistant professor Aziza Cyamani (second from right) listen as students Wijdan Almamari (right), Will Janecek (from left) and Said Al Mahrouqi discuss their design concept for the Old City Hall on Friday.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (13) and Bekka Allick (5) celebrate after a block against Missouri in the second set during a second-round NCAA Tournament match on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s bench erupts as Alexis Markowski is fouled making a basket against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Pius X's Ava Markowski (40) and Millard North's Izzie Galligan (22) fall to the floor as they chase down a loose ball in the first quarter at Lincoln Pius X High School, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
Jawara, the 15-year-old patriarch of the giraffe herd at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, died unexpectedly Wednesday morning.
While he didn’t walk away with the $4.56 million prize, a 23-year-old Bellevue man said competing in Netflix’s "Squid Games: The Challenge" was a life-changing experience.
One person died early Sunday following a one-vehicle crash in southwest Omaha.
Six people were transported to a hospital following a house fire in Omaha.
Two teenagers from Omaha were killed in a crash in Union County, Iowa.
Omaha police have arrested a man in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Mauricio Chavez on Nov. 17.
A Nebraska lawmaker rules out forcing teachers to carry weapons, but wants to explore other options to boost school security.
Three teens accused of first-degree murder and assault in a drive-by shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy and wounded five others were ordered to be held without bail.
Joseph Ganz has been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child for the incident that police say occurred last month.
Some 53,230 lead pipes would need to be replaced in Nebraska under the Biden administration rule, according to an EPA estimate. An environmental group puts the number at 97,000.
The Nebraska Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in the case involving the Indian Child Welfare Act later this month.
A 60-year-old man is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of a woman Monday at an Omaha hotel.
A 41-year-old Lincoln man has been charged with sexually assaulting a child for multiple years, according a probable cause affidavit.
By crossing the river, Nebraskans can escape the geofencing that prevents them from placing a bet via mobile sports-wagering apps in their state.
As a U.S. District Court judge for Nebraska, Lyle Strom believed citizens should be held accountable for poor decisions but penalties should be fair.
An Elkhorn home builder has agreed to pay $10,000 for previously including a clause in its contracts barring bad reviews, in a deal with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.
The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case about an exploding e-cigarette battery — bought at a Lincoln truck stop — that injured a truck driver in Pennsylvania.
UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen called it a "great privilege to be part of a community that cares so deeply about UNK and the University of Nebraska."
Two Westside High School students, ages 14 and 15, are facing criminal charges in connection with a rape alleged to have occurred at the school last week.
FSC Edge said had to close down and lay off nearly its entire staff after losing a contract with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The Nebraska Humane Society has appointed a new interim leader in the wake of a World-Herald investigation revealing massive employee turnover and staffing issues within the nonprofit.
"I believe that this case hinges on a pretty unique issue to Nebraska," Angelina Clark's attorney Candice Wooster told the Nebraska Supreme Court.
A 44-year-old man was charged after members of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force found him with 5 pounds of meth a day earlier.
The launch of state-sanctioned casino gambling in Nebraska appears to be taking a bite out of revenue at two big Council Bluffs casinos, according to the state of Iowa.
Most foreign ownership of ag land has long been barred by law in Nebraska, though 795,000 acres of farmland were registered as having “foreign interest” in 2021.
Investigators served a search warrant at the residence of Clinton Smith, 42, of Benkelman, and located one of the four missing firearms.
A former postal carrier was sentenced to one year of probation for not delivering mail to a Gretna apartment complex.
More than 80 corrections were made to committee reports this year — four times as many as were made in both the 2021 and 2019 legislative sessions.
The USGS recorded the earthquake approximately 6 miles north-northeast of Guide Rock in Webster County near the Kansas border at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
The Lincoln Children's Museum opened the doors Saturday to its newest exhibit, Here We Grow, which focuses on teaching the importance of agriculture in Nebraska.
Texas authorities arrested a man on suspicion of murder in connection to the death of Lizbeth Medina.
A security guard sustained a stab wound early Sunday while intervening in a physical disturbance in downtown Omaha.
A Catholic priest died early Sunday after being attacked in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun. A man was arrested in connection with the slaying.
A Lincoln man was charged after hospital staff determined injuries on a 1-month-old victim were allegedly not consistent with the father's statements, according to court records.
A 15-year-old boy accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old classmate at Westside High School last week was ordered to be held without bail at his first appearance in adult court on Friday.
A 28-year-old Lincoln man was arrested after allegedly leading Nebraska State Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase that required assistance from police helicopters.
Ervin Dixon will close Cedar Creek Pottery at the end of the year after 47 years of business.
ASHLAND — The written word continues a rapid and perhaps inevitable shift from tangible forms toward the pocket-sized screens that offer count…
A 2-year-old child from Eagle who was riding a toddler bicycle was killed when he was struck by a vehicle, according to the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
Troopers arrested one person after the pursuit, during which the suspect rammed his car into a State Patrol cruiser near Ashland and injured a trooper.
The Bennington school district has scheduled a mail-in special election for its second attempt at building another high school.
Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese announced plans Monday to close an unclaimed property outreach office in Omaha this spring.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation and Game and Parks Commission were awarded a $400,000 federal grant to explore ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in western Nebraska.
The new Nebraska Clinical Trials Network will bring together organizations involved in some aspect of clinical trials from across the state.
Two North Omaha lawmakers are pledging support for city officials to establish an inland port authority, saying it would help coordinate economic development efforts in their districts.
The state of Nebraska's refusal to bargain over remote work arrangements led NAPE to seek remedy at the Commission for Industrial Relations on Wednesday.
Robert Revell was driving a Toyota RAV4 when he lost control and struck two trees around 6:45 a.m.
An 18-year-old from La Vista has been charged in Cass County Court after a high-speed chase ended with a Nebraska State Patrol trooper being rammed while in his cruiser.
A Lincoln inmate is back in custody after he absconded from the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln in September, according to a Nebraska Department of Correctional Services news release.
The U.S. Small Business Administration said it guaranteed $140.5 million worth of loans in Nebraska during the 2023 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. That was down 29% from 2022.
A 62-year-old woman died when the pickup truck she was driving rolled in north-central Nebraska.
Written on the white Converse sneakers a UNL student plans to wear to graduation on Saturday are the names of each of the 24 students she student-taught this semester.
WAVERLY — With flavors like “Bomb Pop” and “Caramel Cheesecake,” the first impression at new Waverly tea and shake shop The Mix might suggest …
An Omaha man will be sentenced to life in prison next year after being found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of an 18-year-old four years ago.
A 25-year-old woman died when her SUV crashed into a pole in South Omaha.
After Nebraska posted surprisingly strong growth in both jobs and income during 2023, growth should continue at more modest levels over the next several years, a team of economists projects.
Jack Stark alleged his civil rights were violated when he was arrested and charged with witness tampering. Stark was acquitted by a jury of that charge in January.
Vision loss threatened to keep this former Nebraska publisher from her local newspaper. Then her neighbors stepped up.
For more than 80 years Eddie Harms has worked as a farmer and soil conservationist, only recently selling his trusty Caterpillar Dozer. He turns 100 on Dec. 22.
Two Nebraska inmates being treated for medical conditions died this week, according to the Nebraska Department of Corrections.
Nebraska Beef's attorney said the company already provided USDA records that contained everything but the names of the cattle producers and called the allegation it had failed to cooperate "inaccurate."
Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson and his husband created the Fredrickson-Formanek Scholars Fund to support to first-year NU students who champion "LGBTQA+ causes and rights."
A "safety net" computer registry previously run by a nurse quit working after she retired. The VA won't say if other cancers were missed thanks to the broken registry.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said LB77, the Second Amendment and state constitution prohibit Lincoln and Omaha from banning firearms in public parks, sidewalks and trails.
A Lincoln police officer shot at a car after the driver fled a traffic stop in north Lincoln and drove toward the officer, police say.
Robber's Cave in Lincoln opened a Miracle Pop-Up Bar that serves up Christmas-themed cocktails.
Thanks to a new law, Nebraskans can now enroll in an online program called American Board and receive their teacher certification in under a year and for less than $2,000.
In the months leading up to Nebraska's next legislative session, one issue has emerged as a key subject for lawmakers to focus on: workforce development.
The EPA says Swift failed to comply with Clean Water Act permit limits for numerous pollutants at its facility in Grand Island.
Opioids are claiming a growing toll on Nebraskans while the state struggles over how to use nearly $180 million in settlement payments from purveyors of the highly addictive drugs.
Rescue crews pulled a body from the debris after a house was destroyed by what authorities believe were "destructive devices."
One person has been arrested after a fatal shooting in Superior, the Nebraska State Patrol said.
Players and fans aren't the only ones hoping for a win on Tuesday in Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl football game. It's a big night for the sponsor, Omaha-based Scooter's Coffee.
The son in the father-son duo convicted of animal cruelty in Nebraska's Logan and Lincoln counties was sentenced to probation.
In the complaint, four plaintiffs say the inability to carry a firearm has impeded their ability to freely move about the city.
An Omaha minister was arrested last week and is being held in custody without bail on allegations that he repeatedly sexually abused a young boy over a period of three years.
Over 115 million Americans are expected to travel over 50 miles from home this Christmas season with an increasing number moving through the nation's airports, including Eppley Airfield.
Bio-One in Nebraska is a professional crime scene and biohazard decontamination cleaning service company with nearly 140 locations in the U.S. “It’s a really needed service," co-owner Fred Myers said.
Twin brothers Luke and Seth Flowerday did everything together growing up. Recently, the brothers began a new chapter in their lives as their wives had babies on the same day.
A 22-year-old Omaha man was sentenced Monday to 32 to 40 years in prison for shooting and killing an 18-year-old man who attempted to steal a bag of marijuana during a drug deal.
A 76-year-old Lincoln man was found dead at a home near 12th and New Hampshire Streets in what police are calling a suspicious death, according to LPD.
NewFields didn't hit its goal of disposing of 24,000 tons of wet cake this year, but the environmental contractor says progress is being made on the cleanup at AltEn.
The Dakota County Sheriff's Office said David Hankins, 66, of South Sioux City, was one of two Good Samaritans to help at the scene of the crash.
A Keith County Fairgrounds open house featured a Nebraska Department of Natural Resources update on reviving the Perkins County Canal, allowed under the compact concluded in Ogallala in 1923.
An analysis shows the number of youth who were confined rose 24% in 2022-23 when compared with 2021-22, while the total number of confinement hours rose 32%.
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman on Interstate 80 who was found with 100 pounds of marijuana, according to the probable cause affidavit.
When the 19-year-old’s mother died in October, she became the primary caretaker for her younger siblings. Some Lincoln groups worked together to gift her a car.
A Beatrice man was arrested for allegedly being under the influence while driving, which led to a fatal crash that left one man dead and others with serious injuries.
An Omaha woman was arrested in connection to a 2021 attempt to smuggle methamphetamine and synthetic marijuana into the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln.
A Nebraska panel heard arguments Thursday about whether to let Gov. Jim Pillen's return-to-office order take effect for state employees on Jan. 2. Yet it made no immediate decision.
A Papillion man was arrested this week after he allegedly used a flying drone to secretly record video of a woman and child through the window of an apartment.
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office will put six automatic license plate readers on digital signs along the Interstate 80 to flag vehicles connected to missing persons and criminal suspects.
Two Lincoln men appear to be among the first in the state to mount legal challenges to their gun charges, arguing their conduct is protected by the Second Amendment.
The 12-week 50th Street Landing transitional living program graduates nearly 75% of its paroled residents, according to Director Shane Reilly.
Both companies paid a premium for Nebraska farmland. Meta paid nearly seven times the per-acre price in eastern Nebraska. In Sarpy County, Google paid almost 10 times the regional average.
UNL's new engineering building will show off the "cool things" engineers do, according to Dean Lance Pérez: "It’s important and we want people to be able to see it."
A car was pulled from Bowling Lake Saturday morning, and a dead man was later located in the lake near the Lincoln Airport.
Trees planted now could provide shade and joy for many generations — if the species added to your front yard or a downtown area can adapt to a warming Nebraska.
One person was killed in crash near Tecumseh, the Johnson County Sheriff's office said.
Construction of the Prairie Flower Casino’s 60,000-square-foot expansion in Carter Lake is coming along and only slightly behind schedule.
A Lincoln woman spends a decade compiling a biography of her daughter, a way for her grandson to know his mom, who died at 35.
The owner of an Omaha hotel has agreed to pay a $100,000 settlement to a former general manager who claimed he was fired because he was being treated for depression.
An 18-year-old Omaha man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree murder and various firearm charges in connection with a fatal November shooting.
Collectively, the state's racetrack casinos brought in just more than $1.6 million in gaming tax, making it the best month ever tax collections. The previous record was set in September.
