Top Journal Star photos and videos for August 2026
Seen from the interior of a car, raindrops on the front windshield reflect the Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in downtown Lincoln. The city experienced its 10th wettest July on record, with 6.78 inches of rain, surpassing the normal by 3.53 inches
Lorenzo and Desarie Ball, co-owners of Capitol View Winery and Vineyards, stand in their vineyard Tuesday in Roca. The couple gave up their work in the corporate world to take over the winery south of Lincoln.
Carpet Land, including Fisher Irons (5), dogpiles with Bradyn Erickson (2, catcher) after defeating Creighton Prep to win the American Legion Class A state tournament Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land head coach Mychal Lanik celebrates with his 8-year-old son, Gehrig Lanik, after Carpet Land (Lincoln East) defeated Five Points Bank (Creighton Prep) 7-2 on Saturday at Den Hartog Field in Lincoln to win the American Legion baseball championship. Carpet Land swept the best-of-three series 2-0.
A sixth-grade Sixers’ player attempts a block as a T-Wolves player shoots inside the paint during the annual Railyard Rims 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by YMCA of Lincoln, Downtown Lincoln Association and Scheels on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at The Railyard in Lincoln.
Independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn waves to supporters as he is introduced during a campaign rally at Bourbon Theater on Monday in Lincoln.
Law enforcement officers on motorcycles lead a funeral procession for Crete Police Chief Gary Young as they arrive outside of Lincoln Memorial Cemetery on Monday.
Elsie Maranville ducks underneath her horse Katniss while her friend Saylor Bontrager, right, works to secure her saddle on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Sandhills Global Event Center.
Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea hands back a signed ball to 4-year-old Lily Decker, from Lincoln, on Saturday during Nebraska football's fan day at the Hawks Championship Center.
Seen through the digital viewfinder of a Journal Star video camera Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 during a press conference at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln.
Jasper Gonzalez plays in the water from a sprinkler during the city's first-ever hydrant party at Densmore Park on Monday. The city is hosting four hydrant parties this month. The next three are Friday at UPCO Park; Monday at Arnold Heights Park; and Aug. 21 at the Roberts Park. All parties are 4:30-6 p.m.
Jennifer Kramer hugs her son, Christian, as she drops him off for his first day of kindergarten at Humann Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Lincoln.
Andrew La Grone, representing the Nebraska Republican Party, presents his case during a hearing at the Lancaster County Courthouse on on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Lincoln.
A long-exposure-pan photograph of a cyclist on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, as they ride the Billy Wolff Trail at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln.
Lead teacher Alex Deaney (left) watches as 1-year-old Daniel Obe (right) plays with a bubble machine on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in a classroom located at the Bansal Family Home for Head Start in Lincoln.
Pius X head coach Michael Grindey greets players during warmups as the Thunderbolts hold football practice on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at Lincoln Pius X High School in Lincoln.
A 39-year-old Lincoln man went to prison this week for shooting at a teenage girl's home last year and a robbery at a Lincoln business nearly three months later.
The first thing signature reviewers do is identify a petition signer, and then they check their signature against the election commissioner's secure database of voter signatures.
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities announced portions of three road closures.
A friendship that began on the first day of first grade offers a reminder of what a new school year can bring.
Join community members and alumni at Park Middle School on Saturday to celebrate the school's 100th birthday.
Lincoln Police are investigating a stabbing early Sunday. Police spokesperson Erika Thomas said it happened at around 12:45 a.m. near the U-Stop at 110 W.
O Street.
A new bus driver with Lincoln Public Schools would earn $28.69 an hour under a proposed contract to be approved this month.
Technical support for the version of used by NU and the state colleges to manage budgets, procurement, human resources and other functions is being phased out.
On Sunday, the foundation announced a $1.6 million project to renovate its lobby and mezzanine space and convert existing indoor space to four more dedicated volleyball courts that can also be used for other purposes.
The Nebraska State Penitentiary saw two water line breaks late last week, prompting the state Department of Correctional Services to switch inmates to water bottles and portable toilets.
On May 22, 84-year-old Maxine Sundberg of Clarks was one of five people injured in a two-vehicle crash at North 48th and R streets in Lincoln.
An agreement between the city and LPS would add two police officers to the rotation of school resource officers. The SRO program would cost LPS about $901,000 for the year.
Lincoln police arrested a 37-year-old Lincoln man Monday night in connection to a stabbing early Sunday.
A lawsuit alleges a Lincoln driver’s negligence caused the death of a 25-year-old Crete man who was struck while crossing a street.
Since the Safe Routes to School initiative launched in 2020, Lincoln has completed 33 safety improvement projects at public and private schools around the city.
The federal government is paying $2.9 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the wife of a Papillion flight instructor killed in a plane crash 10 years ago.
Contractors working to repair water line breaks at the Nebraska State Penitentiary struck a gas line near a housing unit Monday night, prompting the evacuation of approximately 300 inmates.
Lincoln voters will decide Nov. 3 whether N4VB can use turnback tax revenue to help build a $17 million volleyball complex.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a 23-year-old Lincoln man died by suicide after fleeing from Lincoln police officers on Tuesday night.
Water has been restored at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, the state Department of Correctional Services said on Wednesday.
"It's ultimately, I think, a novel issue that this court is going to have to decide," Principal Deputy Solicitor General Zachary Pohlman said.
For three weekends, the Lincoln Community Playhouse will present the popular musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.”
A 27-year-old Arizona man was arrested near Lincoln after a trooper located approximately 70 pounds of methamphetamine in his truck.
The judge found that to succeed in a facial challenge they would have to show that no set of circumstances exists under which the act would be valid.
Last week, the a cappella quintet announced they will make a stop at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Nov. 12 during their “Christmas in the City Tour.”
The citizen-led ballot initiative would have required the city of Lincoln to hire at least 450 police officers, with two years to hit that threshold.
The 47-year-old Lincoln man was on parole and on electronic monitoring at the time of the crimes.
Pat Condon says his office will keep handling petition fraud prosecutions, rejecting Randy Ritnour’s argument that political connections raise questions about the investigation.
Aging Partners is warning seniors to be on the lookout for scammers.
Nebraska's Director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care Drew Gonshorowski has resigned from his role to pursue opportunities on the East Coast while being closer to family, Gov. Jim Pillen announced.
Lincoln is capping data center expansion to protect local water and energy supplies for future neighborhood and business growth.
A 41-year-old woman who was possibly abducted on Thursday afternoon was located at a north Lincoln motel.
A quick stop at a Lincoln convenience store paid off handsomely for a Nebraska Pick 5 player on Thursday.
On Saturday, local celebrities and first responders will play ball ahead of the Lincoln Saltdogs game.
Thousands of new and returning students will head back to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln beginning Sunday for Move-In 2026.
Lancaster County Court Judge Matt Acton dismissed the Amherst man's disturbing the peace charge Thursday, automatically sealing the case.
To access the improved signal, viewers are asked to rescan their televisions using the remote that was provided with their set, Nebraska Public Media said in a Thursday news release.
Two Lincoln families have filed what’s believed to be a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, accusing the state’s K-12 education system of violating their free-speech rights by only funding their children’s schooling if they accept “the government’s educational viewpoint.”
Cass County approved a 12-month moratorium on data center development this week, joining a slew of other Nebraska counties that have already hit pause.
Nebraska’s share of the settlement with NewRez amounts to more than $59,300, the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance announced in a Friday news release.
Nebraska missed its tax forecast for a fifth straight month. July’s miss was tiny — $400,000 — but the state’s budget problem is anything but.
"Generally speaking, this activity has all been found by the processes we have in place," Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen said Friday.
A routine security check at the Hastings YRTC led to a staff member’s suspension and an investigation, HHS said Friday.
City leaders look to 1st Congressional District Rep. Mike Flood to secure federal funding to help replace Lincoln Police Department radio system and equipment nearing its "end of life."
NeighborWorks bought the property in the fall of 2023 and wants to build on it 18 affordable homes for first-time homebuyers and two additional homes.
A Lincoln man has pleaded no contest to motor vehicle homicide in connection to a crash last November that killed an Omaha woman crossing North 48th Street on foot.
Lancaster County District Judge Darla Ideus, who was assigned to hear both of the cases, set a joint hearing Wednesday and issued temporary injunctions set to expire Aug. 20.
From a Hickman mansion to a huge home with an indoor pool and private pond access, here are the five Lincoln-area homes that had the highest sale prices in July.
Sonic is rebuilding, a new pizza place emerges and a local favorite is coming to York. Here’s a roundup of Lincoln business news this week.
While advocates raise concerns about Nebraska's unregulated school seclusion rooms, many others argue they are essential safety tools that help escalated students calm down without injury.
After the expansion, Monolith is expected to grow its employee ranks to 150 people, and Hallam residents will be prioritized, the company said.
Thousands of new and returning students will head back to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln beginning Sunday for Move-In 2026.
Westbound lanes of Old Cheney Road between South 27th Street and the Knolls remain closed Monday while Lincoln Transportation and Utilities crews repair a water main.
The Gathering Place currently provides free, hot and nutritious meals seven days per week from 5-6 p.m. to anyone who needs a meal — no questions asked.
"Forgiving is the right thing to do. But I can't find it in my heart to forgive anyone that had anything to do with his murder," Terrell Jones' aunt said.
Organizers behind petitions to legalize online sports betting are confident they have enough valid signatures to make the ballot despite Lancaster County's top election official saying some are potentially fraudulent.
Two closely watched budget measures failed 4-3 Monday, leaving Meadowlane Pool and a low-income tax assistance program without proposed city funding.
