Top Journal Star photos and videos for July 2026
Marilyn Hooper, left, leads a group of “Pissed Off Grandmas” in songs of protest outside Bellevue West High School, where Rep. Mike Flood hosted a town hall on Tuesday.
After popping his bubblegum, Bryan DeWilde of Omaha tries to return the bubblegum to his mouth without using his hands in the bubble blowing contest during Seward’s Fourth of July celebration Saturday, July 4, 2026, in downtown Seward.
Lennox Rose Easley, playing Opal, bottom, leaps into a group picture with Harper Jo Madsen playing Skipper, top Lydia Robinson playing Annie, left, and Marley King playing Tessie, before a dress rehearsal for "Annie" on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Pinewood Bowl Amphitheatre.
A runner makes their way along the Prairie Corridor trail with the Capitol in the distance at Pioneers Park on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Lincoln.
Ken Baldinger, dressed up as Uncle Sam, stands outside the Seward County courthouse during Seward's Fourth of July festival Saturday. The festival's theme this year was "One Nation, Many Stories" to honor America's 250th birthday.
Mary Sneed of Malvern, Iowa, paints a mural Wednesday on the west side of the Kohll's Rx's new building, 3333 O St. Sneed said owner David Kohll asked her to paint the pharmacy's founder, Louis Kohll, and include some of the items they sell to help people remain independent, like walkers, scooters and wheelchairs. “The heat has been better than it was,” said Sneed, who is painting along with her daughter, Maggie. “We just try to take breaks from the heat and will come out when it is cooler as well.”
Rosston Pile, left, throws a cupful of water at his friend Olivia Kingston at the Trago Park sprayground on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Lincoln.
Michael Moeller is lit by ceiling light as he restocks fireworks at Kracklin Kirks Fireworks Stand on Monday, June 29, 2026, in Denton. Garth Bornschlegl, manager of the stand, said fireworks sales are up by about 45% this year as Nebraskans prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.
Katie Speer and Zach Witt with Bryan Young Professionals help pack a time capsule Monday at Bryan East Campus. Bryan Health placed a time capsule to mark the end of its 100th anniversary, which will remain sealed until the organization celebrates its sesquicentennial (150 years) in 2076.
Electrical Enterprises apprentice Adam Hanau, center, opens his mouth to hold a wooden block as his teammates, including lead electrician Phillip Herzog, left, pile on more during the inaugural Construction Olympics on Saturday at NeighborWorks Lincoln.
Chelsey and Jesse Nielsen, right, get married in the Sunken Gardens while surrounded by family and friends on Friday, June 26, 2026. The Sunken Gardens is honoring America's 250th anniversary with a theme inspired by the country's quilting past. "Quilts are such a huge part of America and America's 250th birthday. We got a lot of inspiration from some of the designs and concepts we saw there," said Zac Halley, supervisor for the public garden district at Parks and Recreation.
Zehana Gebremeskel buckles her daughter Rakeb Hirpesa, 4, into a car seat outside of their home on Thursday. Gebremeskel is looking to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to take Rakeb, who has a rare genetic condition, to appointments in Omaha.
Joseph's College Cosmetology will shut down on July 31 when L. Jane Nims, its owner and longtime president, retires, the college said in a social media post last week.
Zoo Bar owner Pete Watters said ZooFest, the annual outdoor music festival, will continue as normal at North 14th and P streets on Friday and Saturday despite Project O Street shutting down the surrounding area.
Gov. Jim Pillen issued a memo Wednesday directing state agencies, boards and commissions to reduce state spending to help close the gap in state revenue.
