State senator surveys historic Morrill Fire as blaze becomes fifth largest fire in U.S. history

The Morrill Fire has now burned more than 570,000 acres across western Nebraska, making it the largest wildfire in state history. State Sen. Paul Strommen toured the damage Saturday and says the scale of the fire is “extraordinarily large.”

March 16, 2026Updated: March 17, 2026

By News Channel Nebraska

Regional

Local volunteers invite Kearney residents to help design downtown crosswalk murals

Downtown Kearney festoon lighting project moves forward

Hastings Public School Superintendent on Administrative Leave

Firefighters Warn for Vigilance as Warm Weather Returns

Learning Without Limits: UNK expands online options for undergraduate students

Hastings City Council Debate Leads to Failed Appointments

State

Red Flag Warning issued for Thursday as critical fire conditions threaten Panhandle region

State senator surveys historic Morrill Fire as blaze becomes fifth largest fire in U.S. history

Regional

Local volunteers invite Kearney residents to help design downtown crosswalk murals

Downtown Kearney festoon lighting project moves forward

Hastings Public School Superintendent on Administrative Leave

Firefighters Warn for Vigilance as Warm Weather Returns

Learning Without Limits: UNK expands online options for undergraduate students

Hastings City Council Debate Leads to Failed Appointments

State

Red Flag Warning issued for Thursday as critical fire conditions threaten Panhandle region

Tegtmeier, Evnen headline Cheyenne County Republican Assembly

‘I don’t want to go outside — it’s scary’: Parents of boy attacked at Omaha Walmart talk in aftermath of fatal incident

Several county offices are uncontested races in Primary

Downtown Norfolk set for annual Putt Putt Pub Crawl this Saturday

Nebraska budget back in $72M deficit after tax revenues hit below forecast

Sports

Cougar notes: WNCC's Travers earns Region IX softball player of the week

Johnson-Brock earns eight top medals

Scottsbluff, Hemingford highlight strong day at Mitchell golf invites

Potter-Dix boys, Ogallala girls claim titles at Leyton Invite

Kimball Junior High Track begins track season, setting personal records

Cougar notes: WNCC baseball sweeps Otero on Sunday

Ag & Outdoor

Outdoor notes: Bighorn sheep regular lottery applications begin April 20

Outdoor notes: NGPC offering pastures, hay tracts to those affected by wildfires

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Smith Lake WMA Aquatic Habitat Project

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks urges caution when recreating outdoors due to wildfires

Outdoor notes: Temporary closure of Clear Creek WMA for safety

‘Worst-case scenario’: Fertilizer, fuel cost spikes hitting Nebraska farmers hard