Lincoln Northwest and Standing Bear to join Heartland Athletic Conference

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Heartland Athletic Conference voted unanimously Tuesday, Aug. 19, to expand to a 13-team league beginning with the 2026–27 fall sports season.

August 20, 2025Updated: August 20, 2025

By News Channel Nebraska

Regional

Game and Parks talks turkey numbers, amidst spring season

Storm spotters provide 'truth on the ground'

UNL student vanishes after driving from Lincoln to Florida

Four rural Nebraska churches adapt to pastoral shortage with lay leaders

Eighth Annual Tattoo Arts Festival in Omaha showcases artists from all over the world

Fire danger peaks Saturday in Nebraska; elevated risk continues through weekend

State

New Family Health Center unveiled in Grand Island, opens April 6

Nebraska bill would require DHHS to maintain retroactive Medicaid coverage

Golf, games and pickleball: Drop Zone opens in Kearney

Highway 250 project near Gering set to begin mid-April

NDOT begins multiple road construction projects across Southeast Nebraska

Sports

Colorado sports notes: Tyler Freeman drives in winning run in 10th as Rockies beat Blue Jays 2-1

WNCC’s Lashley ready to lead her Anguilla national team in CONCACAF qualifier

Eagles Sweep 5000 Meters at Central Nebraska Challenge

Johnston hits a 2-run homer as the Rockies rout the Blue Jays 14-5 for their 1st win of the season

Cougar notes: WNCC softball plays tough against No. 25 McCook despite falling

Ag & Outdoor

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

Outdoor notes: Haag shares 100 years of Nebraskaland