Latest news with #NebraskaStatePatrol
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announces reelection bid amid Herbster speculation
A screenshot from Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen's reelection campaign kickoff video. (Courtesy of Jim Pillen for Governor) LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a day after passage of a bill he supported limiting participation in women's sports to a student athlete's sex at birth, kicked off his second campaign for governor with a red-meat appeal to his Republican base. The first-term governor's campaign video emphasized his role in signing 'the largest income tax cut in Nebraska history' and says he 'reduced property taxes,' done mainly by having the state absorb more of the costs of community colleges from property taxpayers. Pillen touted his rural roots as Nebraska's first active farmer as governor in at least a century. His family runs a massive hog operation based in Columbus, Pillen Family Farms. He is also a veterinarian and former University of Nebraska regent. He also vocally backs law enforcement, including pay raises for the Nebraska State Patrol. He plans to run again with Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, a former top prosecutor in the Nebraska Attorney General's Office and Lancaster County. The kickoff video jumped back into controversies from his 2022 campaign for governor, including tough talk about illegal immigration and his willingness to keep spending state tax dollars deploying the Nebraska National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border. Some opponents have argued he says one thing and does another by attacking immigrants while running a major agricultural operation, many of which rely heavily on immigrant labor, including some who are not in the country legally. Pillen also highlighted culture war changes he supported, including his push to 'keep men out of girls' sports,' limiting gender-affirming care for minors and federal efforts to ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in schools, colleges and universities. 'Here in Nebraska, it's what you do, not how you look, that still determines how far you go,' he said in the announcement. 'If you learn anything growing up on the farm, there's always more work to do.' The message and its timing, as the Legislature closes Pillen's third regular session in charge, appear aimed at asserting himself to a GOP audience of two: President Donald Trump and Trump donor Charles Herbster, Pillen's top GOP primary election opponent from 2022. Herbster, a multi-state businessman with southeast Nebraska ties, has announced no timeline for deciding on a bid. His spokesman, Rod Edwards, said Thursday that Herbster has been 'hearing from a lot of Nebraskans wanting him to run.' Pillen's campaign had no immediate comment beyond a statement issued alongside the announcement. In it, the governor said he 'proudly advanced President Trump's agenda.' Pillen has made more first-term White House trips than recent predecessors. Some of that appears aimed at keeping Trump on the sidelines in a potential GOP primary rematch with Herbster, whom Trump endorsed in 2022 against Pillen. Pillen had the backing of departing Gov. Pete Ricketts, whom Pillen appointed to the U.S. Senate one week after becoming governor and won a special election in November to serve out the final two years of former GOP U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse's term. Several Republican operatives expect Pillen to draw one or more primary challengers, if not more. Among the criticisms he is likely to face are those about increased spending, the effectiveness of state investments in property tax relief and some of his budget decisions, including recent troubles turning in line-item vetoes to the right office at the right time. Nebraska Democrats have also been recruiting a potential challenger for Pillen but have not announced one yet. Some Democratic political observers have speculated that a state senator might run against him or Herbster. Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said the state deserves a leader who 'prioritizes our economic livelihoods, not Donald Trump's culture wars.' 'Governor Pillen will have to answer for why he is choosing slum lords and bed bugs over Nebraskans,' Kleeb said. 'Or why he has failed to lower property taxes. Or why he chooses to attack vulnerable kids and our public schools.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kearney police chief confirmed as new Nebraska State Patrol superintendent
LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU) — The Nebraska legislature recently voted to confirm the appointment of Colonel Bryan D. Waugh as Superintendent of the State Patrol. He will be the Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety for the state of Nebraska. Colonel Waugh was appointed to be Nebraska State Patrol's 19th Superintendent earlier this month by Governor Jim Pillen. 'I'd like [to] thank the members of the Nebraska legislature for their confirmation vote today,' Colonel Waugh said in a press release. 'I believe that the future is bright for the Nebraska State Patrol and I'm eager to join this talented team of men and women serving our state. Together, we will serve with integrity, dedication, and a shared mission to keep Nebraska safe.' He was previously the Chief of the Kearney police department and has 32 years of experience in law enforcement. Colonel Waugh is set to start his new role on June 2nd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Family of 4, including a 7-month-old and a 6-year-old, dead in Montana murder-suicide
A couple and their two young children were found dead in a northwest Montana home after a man opened fire on his family, called 911 and died by suicide, authorities said Monday. Police in Kalispell, a city of just under 30,000 in the shadow of Glacier National Park, said the man had made disquieting statements to a 911 operator before officers responded to the home in the Silverbrook Estates community just before 6 a.m. Sunday. Officers discovered the family, including a 7-month-old and a 6-year-old, dead from gunshot wounds in the home, Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio said. The mother was identified by police as Katie Olson-Hartley, 27; the father and suspected shooter was identified as Nicholas Olson-Hartley, 33. "After collecting evidence throughout the day and interviewing numerous people, we believe this tragic event to be the result of a murder-suicide," Venezio said. The chief said investigators believe Nicholas Olson-Hartley had killed his family before he dialed 911 and made unspecified statements officials described only as "concerning." "It appears Nicholas Olson-Hartley took the lives of his young family before calling 911," Venezio said. "After making the phone call to dispatch, he took his own life." The incidents remained under investigation, the chief said. The deaths were discovered a day after a husband, wife and their two teenage children were found dead inside their home in Nebraska in a suspected murder-suicide, according to Nebraska State Patrol. In Montana, court records show that Nicholas Olson-Hartley filed a marriage license application that includes his wife's name in 2018. Katie Olson-Hartley's Facebook page, which was verified by NBC News, proudly displays the children, both girls, in numerous photographs. In 2023, she characterized a photo featuring Nicholas Olson-Hartley and herself amid fall foliage as a loving portrait. "This is how people look at each other in movies when they're in love," Katie Olson-Hartley wrote in a comment. The neighborhood, a planned community called Silverbrook Estates adjacent to the Stillwater River, features homes built in the last five years, some listed for sale with asking prices of more than $1 million The community's developer, Westcraft Homes, said in a statement on Monday, "We are deeply saddened by the recent tragic loss of one of our Silverbrook families. Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences go out to all who are grieving — especially the extended family, neighbors, and friends affected by this unimaginable tragedy." It urged neighbors to appreciate each other. "Let us honor the lives lost by fostering kindness, reaching out, and lifting one another up," it said. "Let us support, listen, and show compassion. Together, we can help by choosing compassion and knowledge." If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or go to to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or visit This article was originally published on
NDTV
13-05-2025
- NDTV
US Man Fatally Stabs Wife, 2 Sons, Then Kills Himself In Murder-Suicide
A 42-year-old man in the United States allegedly killed his wife, two children and then died by suicide, authorities in Nebraska said. According to the Independent, Jeremy Koch fatally stabbed his wife, Bailey, 41, and two sons, Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, before turning the knife on himself. The family of four were found dead with fatal knife wounds at their Johnson Lake home on Saturday. The incident took place just days after Koch was released from a psychiatric hospital, according to the officials. An investigation is ongoing, and the Dawson County Attorney has ordered autopsies for the four family members, the Independent reported. "The Nebraska State Patrol, the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, Eustis Fire & Rescue and the Dawson County Attorney extend condolences to all, across multiple communities, who will be affected by this incident," the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) said in a statement. Bailey Koch's father, Lane Kugler, said that he found the bodies of all four victims in the home. He also said that his son-in-law, Jeremy Koch, had struggled with his mental health for years and that his wife was trying to get him help. "What I saw will haunt me the rest of my life," Kugler wrote in a Facebook post. "This country's mental health care is a disaster. A catastrophe. Broken. And it's not getting any better, it's getting worse," he added. Days before the incident, Bailey, a special education teacher in Holdrege, said that Koch had been released from a mental health hospital three days earlier. In another post, she said that her husband, whom she had first started dating in high school 25 years ago, was "diagnosed with severe depression in 2009". "I have no pride left," she wrote, adding, "Mental illness is taking my husband from me, and I'm begging you to open your eyes and see the reality that is this society's mental health crisis." In a GoFundMe page, launched just days before the incident, Bailey said that her husband's condition worsened in 2024, and in March. She also claimed that she awoke to her husband standing over her with a knife. In her last Facebook post, Bailey said that they had submitted paperwork to their insurer in an attempt for Koch to be approved for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatments, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique used for treating mental health conditions. "Jeremy had been fighting mental illness for many, many years. His depression had turned into psychosis. It was not Jeremy that committed this horrific act. It was a sick mind," Bailey's parents wrote on their joint Facebook page. According to the outlet, the deaths occurred hours before the oldest son's high school graduation. "Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community," the school district wrote. "In light of yesterday's tragedy, we understand that some students may be experiencing some difficulties," it added in a separate update Sunday. The investigation into the deaths is ongoing, said the Nebraska State Patrol.
NBC News
13-05-2025
- NBC News
Family of 4, including a 7-month-old and a 6-year-old, dead in Montana murder-suicide
A couple and their two young children were found dead in a northwest Montana home after a man opened fire on his family, called 911 and died by suicide, authorities said Monday. Police in Kalispell, a city of just under 30,000 in the shadow of Glacier National Park, said the man had made disquieting statements to a 911 operator before officers responded to the home in the Silverbrook Estates community just before 6 a.m. Sunday. Officers discovered the family, including a 7-month-old and a 6-year-old, dead from gunshot wounds in the home, Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio said. The mother was identified by police as Katie Olson-Hartley, 27; the father and suspected shooter was identified as Nicholas Olson-Hartley, 33. "After collecting evidence throughout the day and interviewing numerous people, we believe this tragic event to be the result of a murder-suicide," Venezio said. The chief said investigators believe Nicholas Olson-Hartley had killed his family before he dialed 911 and made unspecified statements officials described only as "concerning." "It appears Nicholas Olson-Hartley took the lives of his young family before calling 911," Venezio said. "After making the phone call to dispatch, he took his own life." The incidents remained under investigation, the chief said. The deaths were discovered a day after a husband, wife and their two teenage children were found dead inside their home in Nebraska in a suspected murder-suicide, according to Nebraska State Patrol. In Montana, court records show that Nicholas Olson-Hartley filed a marriage license application that includes his wife's name in 2018. Katie Olson-Hartley's Facebook page, which was verified by NBC News, proudly displays the children, both girls, in numerous photographs. In 2023, she characterized a photo featuring Nicholas Olson-Hartley and herself amid fall foliage as a loving portrait. "This is how people look at each other in movies when they're in love," Katie Olson-Hartley wrote in a comment. The neighborhood, a planned community called Silverbrook Estates adjacent to the Stillwater River, features homes built in the last five years, some listed for sale with asking prices of more than $1 million The community's developer, Westcraft Homes, said in a statement on Monday, "We are deeply saddened by the recent tragic loss of one of our Silverbrook families. Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences go out to all who are grieving — especially the extended family, neighbors, and friends affected by this unimaginable tragedy." It urged neighbors to appreciate each other. "Let us honor the lives lost by fostering kindness, reaching out, and lifting one another up," it said. "Let us support, listen, and show compassion. Together, we can help by choosing compassion and knowledge."
