LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Friday, May 15, to honor WWII airman Robert A. Keuchel. The remains of Staff Sergeant Keuchel were found and ultimately identified last year by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen says his agencies remain in a state of readiness and will assist in any way possible, now that U.S.-based passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship have arrived. Fifteen passengers were transported to the National Quarantine Center (NQC), and one was admitted to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit (NBU) early Monday morning. Both facilities are associated with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Two other passengers were flown to Georgia for further evaluation and treatment.

LINCOLN, NE – The Judicial Nominating Commission for the District Court Judge in the Third Judicial District advanced two names for consideration by Governor Jim Pillen: Jennifer A. Huxoll of Palmyra  and Jennifer A. Panko-Rahe of Syracuse.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen requested that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration related to severe wildfires that impacted the state from March through April. The funding will assist with covering the cost of damage to public infrastructure that occurred as a result of the Morrill, Cottonwood, Ashby and Minor fires. More than 821,000 acres were burned in those four fires.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide much-need loan assistance to farmers who are in counties impacted by drought.

LINCOLN, NE – State senators, chambers of commerce leaders, company owners, members of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and others joined Governor Jim Pillen at CLAAS in Omaha on Thursday to spread the message: Nebraska is open for business. Flanked by some of the company’s apprentices and speaking in front of one of CLAAS’ largest agricultural machines, the group spotlighted two newly passed legislative bills aimed at securing the state’s position as a national leader in corporate retention and growing a skilled workforce. Following the presentation, Gov. Pillen signed ceremonial copies of both bills and presented them.

LINCOLN, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen is calling attention to recent firefighting efforts involving the state.  Between April 22 and 26, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) closely monitored a series of significant wildfires across Nebraska, highlighting the scale and coordination required to respond to multiple incidents at once.

LINCOLN, NE -- Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Danielle J. Fliam as county court judge in the Seventh Judicial District. That district includes Antelope, Cuming, Madison, Knox, Pierce, Stanton, and Wayne counties. Fliam’s appointment is effective May 15.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen directed that all U.S. and Nebraska flags be flown at half-staff on Sunday, May 3 in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Trump honoring our nation’s fallen firefighters. May 2 – 3 is National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

LINCOLN, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen says the merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads will ultimately benefit American farmers, proving a more reliable and efficient way to move their products. Today, the railroads announced the refiling of their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board.