Latest News from the Governor's Office

  • Governor Pillen Announces Appointments to Boards and Commissions May 15, 2026 Ezra Fri, 05/15/2026 - 13:17

    CONTACT:

    Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

     

    Governor Pillen Announces Appointments to Boards and Commissions

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced appointments made to boards and commissions from December 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026.

    A list of current board and commission openings can be found on the Governor’s website (https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req), along with instructions on completing an application.

     

    Abstracters Board of Examiners

    Robyn Dvoracek – St Paul

     

    Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council

    Jean Holt – Lincoln

    Alexander DeGarmo – Greenwood

     

    Big Blue River Compact Administration

    Jason D Pohlmann – DeWitt

     

    Board of Educational Lands and Funds

    Jason Bryant – Lincoln

     

    Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors

    Jeremy F Feusner - Holdrege

     

    Capitol Environs Commission

    Ann Post -- Lincoln

     

    Commission on Indian Affairs

    William (Bill) Johnson, Jr – Elkhorn

    Eugene DeCora – Winnebago

    Rudi Mitchell – Omaha

    Nancy M Kile – Crawford

    Gabriel Bruguier – Lincoln

    Kameron Runnels – Niobrara

     

    Commission on Latino-Americans

    Roy Rivera Barcenas – Lincoln

    Sandra Lopez - Omaha

     

    Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

    Bill Maendele – Kearney

    Sara Hoyle – Lincoln

     

    Commission on Public Advocacy

    Benjamin H Murray - Hebron

     

    Conveyance Advisory Committee

    Matthew Murphy – Omaha

    Greg Anglim – Valley

    Bret Abels - Papillion

     

    Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education

    Paul J Von Behren – Fremont

    William Wilson – Plattsmouth

     

    Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Committee

    Misty J Beair – Wayne

     

    Foster Care Advisory Committee

    Sheryl Blaha – Ord

    Vicki Adams – Papillion

    Andrea Phillips – Lincoln

    Spencer Shute – Omaha

     

    Midwestern Higher Education Compact

    Dennis Headrick – Lincoln

     

    Nebraska Aeronautics Commission

    Edward Dunn – Grant

     

    Nebraska Board of Geologists

    Jeffrey S Seymour – Elkhorn

     

    Nebraska Capitol Commission

    Katherine Spohn – Friend

     

    Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice

    Joel B Jay – North Platte

    Melodie L Bellamy – Kearney

     

    Nebraska Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

    Cheryl Livingston – Lincoln

    Linda Mentink – Columbus

     

    Nebraska Dairy Industry Development Board

    Douglas Temme – Wayne

    Kent Pulfer – Wayne

    William Demerath – Plainview

     

    Nebraska EPSCoR/IDeA Committee

    George Burba – Lincoln

    Bryan Kuntz – Kearney

    Juliane Strauss-Soukup - Kearney

     

    Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

    Douglas Zingula – Crawford

     

    Nebraska Invasive Species Council

    Jonathan Spurgeon – Omaha

     

    Nebraska Investment Finance Authority

    Colten R Zamrzla - Lincoln

    Benjamin Martens – Lincoln

    Charlie Sullivan – Omaha

     

    Nebraska Power Review Board

    Kristen Gottschalk – Colon

    David Liegl – Lincoln

     

    Nebraska Propane Education and Research Council

    David Rhoads – Comstock

    Mark T O’Donnell – Yankton, SD

    Douglas Hohbein – Lincoln

    Paul Searle – Papillion

     

    Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board

    Horacio J Wheelock – Omaha

    Thomas Dargy – Papillion

     

    Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board

    Lori Johnson – Lincoln

     

    Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission

    Evelyn Haro – Lincoln

    Beth Smith – Lincoln

     

    Nebraska State Fair Board

    Mark Hesser - Lincoln

     

    Police Standards Advisory Council

    Sherie Thomas – Omaha

    Jason Stille – Lincoln

    Greg London – Lincoln

    Paul Graham – Aurora

    Allen Bolzer – Lincoln

     

    Rural Health Advisory Commission

    Makayla Brockhaus – Creighton

     

    ServeNebraska/Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission

    Clarence King – Omaha

    Anastazia Bauer Scheer – Arlington

    Mikki Tighe – Omaha

     

    State Highway Commission

    James W Hawks – North Platte

    Heath Mello – Omaha

    Matthew Meister - Kearney

     

    State Racing & Gaming Commission

    Randall Conroy – Papillion

    Dennis P Lee – Omaha

    Antonio Gomez - Jackson

     

    Tax Equalization and Review Commission

    James D Kuhn – Grand Island

     

    Technical Advisory Committee for Statewide Assessment

    Sara Conahan - Omaha

    Christy Hovanetz, PhD – National Expert (Florida)

    Jeffrey Nellhaus – National Expert (Washington DC)

     

    Veteran’s Advisory Commission

    Daniel Stramel – McCook

     

    Wheat Development, Utilization and Marketing Board

    Mark Spurgin, Ogallala (correction)

     

    Wyuka Cemetery Board of Trustees

    Brad Brodersen - Lincoln

    Aaron Sundberg - Roca

  • Gov. Pillen Issues Executive Order for Motor Vehicles Hauling Supplies for Wildfire Needs May 15, 2026 jim Fri, 05/15/2026 - 12:19

    CONTACT:

    Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

     

    Gov. Pillen Issues Executive Order for Motor Vehicles Hauling Supplies for Wildfire Needs

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen re-issued an executive order for commercial motor carriers who are continuing to deliver supplies to ranchers impacted by this season’s wildfires.

    Those needs continue to be evident. The order relaxes hours of service, load and weight limits, as well as other regulations. It will expire June 14.

    A copy of the order is included below.

  • Gov. Pillen Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day May 14, 2026 jim Thu, 05/14/2026 - 12:46

    CONTACT:

    Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

     

    Gov. Pillen Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen ordered all U.S. and Nebraska state flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday, May 15, 2026, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. The directive follows a national proclamation issued by President Donald J. Trump.

    In conjunction with National Police Week, this day allows Nebraskans to pay special tribute to the brave men and women of law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

    “I’m incredibly grateful to our law enforcement – the ones putting their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe,” said Gov. Pillen. “It is vitally important that we take time to remember those who have protected us here in Nebraska and across our nation.”

    Flags should be flown at half-staff beginning at sunrise on Friday, May 15, and returned to full staff at sunset.

  • Pillen Highlights E15 Affordability, Supports EPA Waiver May 13, 2026 jim Wed, 05/13/2026 - 20:59

    CONTACT:

    Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495 

     

    Pillen Highlights E15 Affordability, Supports EPA Waiver

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen announced today that the State of Nebraska will comply with recent guidance from Lee Zeldin, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to help address fuel supply and address affordability issues.

    “E15 is great for the people of Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “It’s good for the environment and a cheaper option that helps families keep more money in their pockets. The corn used to produce it is grown right here in the Good Life by Nebraska’s hard-working farmers. E15 is a win-win for the Cornhusker state.”

    The State of Nebraska will be honoring the EPA National Fuel Waiver issued March 25, 2026 for the duration of the EPA regulatory control season, just as it has in past years.

    “E15 has been overlooked by federal legislators since 2011, but not in Nebraska,” said Nick Bowdish, president and CEO of Siouxland Ethanol. “Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of Governor Pillen, Nebraskans have access to higher blends of ethanol and are saving money at the pump with E15. While the Iranian War drives attention to fuel prices, ethanol’s practical solution is shining bright as always!”

    In 2023, Gov. Pillen signed LB562 into law, creating the E15 Access Standard which requires all newly built gas stations to offer E15 at 50% of their fuel dispensers and will require existing stations to offer E15 at a single dispenser if that state-wide ethanol blend rate is not above 14% by 2027.

    Generally, E15 options run about $0.20 less than regular fuel. The EPA has approved E15 for all standard vehicles produced after 2001 and the University of Nebraska -- Lincoln has completed studies showing no adverse effects of using it in standard vehicles.

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    List of E15 Retailers in Nebraska

    Name Address City Frontier Cooperative 200 7th St Adams Bosselmans 109 E Fourth St Ainsworth Ampride C Store 409 E Fourth St Ainsworth Pump & Pantry 317 W State St Albion Pump & Pantry 710 HWY 183 Alma White's Service 405 E 5th St Atkinson Aurora Cooperative Services 1318 M St Aurora Aurora Cooperative Services 2530 Harvest Dr Aurora Cenex 508 Main St Axtell Cenex 86 Commercial St Bartley Pump & Pantry 3605 Summit Plaza Dr Bellevue Casey's 2104 Pratt Ave Bellevue Casey's 7724 S 22nd St Bellevue Casey's General Store 7141 N 156th St Bennington Maverik's 692 County Rd 209 Big Springs Kwik Stop 1000 State St Brule Pump & Pantry 517 S 1st Ave Burwell Anew 41501 Harvest Dr Cambridge Pump & Pantry 1110 G St Central City Aurora Cooperative 601 16th St Central City Pump & Pantry 981 Second St Chappell Cenex 404 N Center St Clay Center Deano's Mini Mart 302 W Broadway St Coleridge Casey's 1118 8th St Columbus Casey's 510 S Meridian Ave Cozad Casey's General Store 2151 Cardinal Ln Crete RBs Corner Stop 405 D St David City Pump & Pantry 604 6th Street Doniphan Casey's 130 HWY 34 Eagle Elgin One Stop and Sleep Inn 501 N 2nd St Elgin Hy-Vee 20410 George B Lake Pkwy Elkhorn Casey's 3110 S 204th St Elkhorn Pump & Pantry 214 Front St Elm Creek Casey's General Store 5785 Buffalo Creek Rd Elm Creek Casey's 1302 F Rd Fairmont Pump & Pantry 3441 E 24th St Fremont Qwik 6 1535 1st St Friend CPI Cooperative 111 Anderson St Funk Corner Store 418 N 13th St Geneva Kwik Stop 904 US HWY 30 Gibbon Cenex 605 Giltner Spur Giltner Blue Heron Flex Fuel Plaza 1102 S Lake Ave Gothenburg Pump & Pantry 101 W HWY 20 Gordon Nebraska Dept Roads 3305 Old Potash Rd Grand Island Blake's Fast Fuel 1102 S Lake Ave Gothenburg Pump & Pantry 2028 HWY 30 Grand Island Pump & Pantry 3436 S Locust St Grand Island Pump & Pantry 1235 Allen Drive Grand Island Pump & Pantry 3210 Old Potash HWY Grand Island Pump & Pantry 2511 N Diers Ave Grand Island Casey's 1420 S Locust St Grand Island Aurora Cooperative 4155 E HWY 30 Grand Island Pump & Pantry 821 S Webb Rd Grand Island Bosselman Travel Center 3335 W Wood River Rd Grand Island Fat Dog’s 3310 W Platte St Grand Island Aurora Cooperative 76195 N HWY 61 Grant Pump & Pantry 14341 S HWY 31 Gretna Kum & Go 11205 Wickersham Blvd Gretna Hy-Vee 19141 Oakmont Dr Gretna Hy-Vee 20410 George B Lake Pkwy Gretna Casey's 572 572 S Highway 6 Gretna Stop N Go 605 N Robinson Ave Hartington A Stop 4965 E South St Hastings Pump & Pantry 2412 E Osborne Dr Hastings Fill & Chill 228 N Burlington Ave Hastings Kwik Shop 100 E 2nd St Hershey CPI 201 Nelson St Hildreth Pump & Pantry 916 4th Ave Holdrege Pump & Pantry 400 W Elk St Jackson Cenex 208 E 14th St Juniata Pump & Pantry 4311 2nd Ave Kearney Premier Stop Kearney 7810 2nd Ave Kearney Kwik Stop 1206 W 24th St Kearney Casey’s General Store 607 W 39th St Kearney Pump & Pantry 1616 2nd Ave Kearney Casey's 11728 Emiline St La Vista Casey's 7828 S 123rd Plz La Vista Maverik 10764 Virginia Plaza La Vista Costco 12515 Portside Pkwy La Vista Casey's 2700 Plum Creek Parkway Lexington Country Partners Cooperative 2700 Plum Creek Parkway Lexington Fat Dogs 2607 Plum Creek Parkway Lexington Casey's 1445 S 17th St Lincoln Casey's 1200 N 10th St Lincoln Casey's 120 S 90th St Lincoln Casey's 4715 W Adams St Lincoln U-Stop 6600 N 84th St Lincoln U-Stop 610 S 10th St Lincoln U-Stop 110 W O St Lincoln Pump & Pantry 345 W O St Lincoln U-Stop 200 W Amaranth Ln Lincoln Casey’s General Store 4350 State Hl Dr Lincoln Fat Dog’s 1105 W Bond St Lincoln U-Stop 6930 S 73rd St Lincoln Shell 5757 S 85th St Lincoln Casey's 2243 N Cotner Blvd Lincoln Frenchman Valley Coop 312 E B St Mccook Aurora Cooperative 1185 33rd Rd Minden Kwik Stop 102 SW 1st St Mullen Speedee Mart 101 E Omaha Ave Norfolk Casey's 1020 S 13th St Norfolk Kwik Stop 101 Platte Oasis Parkway North Platte Kwik Stop 1421 S Dewey St North Platte Fat Dogs 1313 S Dewey St North Platte Time Saver 1220 S Dewey St North Platte Oakland Express 909 HWY 32 Oakland Casey's 101 Chuckwagon Rd Ogallala TA Travel Center 102 Prospector Drive Ogallala Super Saver 5710 S 144th St Omaha Bucky's 4865 S 108th St Omaha Casey's 7141 N 156th St Omaha Kum & Go 7152 Pacific Street Omaha Kum & Go 1819 N 72nd St Omaha Casey's 14344 Fort St Omaha Kum & Go 4041 N 168th St Omaha Kum & Go 17925 Burt St Omaha Kum & Go 4443 S 84th St Omaha Kum & Go 2627 S Hws Cleveland Blvd Omaha Kum & Go 8990 Boyd St Omaha Casey's 8409 S 168th Ave Omaha Casey's 14330 Hillsdale Ave Omaha Kum & Go 14353 Q Street Omaha Kum & Go 1010 S 154th St Omaha Casey’s General Store 15611 Harrison St Omaha Casey’s General Store 3725 N 147th St Omaha Casey’s General Store 18280 Wright St Omaha Casey’s General Store 16960 Evans Plaza Omaha Casey's 250 N 168th Cir Omaha Casey's 9905 Q St Omaha Casey's 2540 N 90th St Omaha Fantasy Food and Fuel 2450 N 90th St Omaha Sapp Brothers 9905 Sapp Brothers Dr Omaha VIP Express Car Wash 11910 M St Omaha Casey's 15275 Weir Plaza St Omaha QuikTrip 14405 W Center Rd Omaha Pump & Pantry 328 W Douglas St O'Neill Pump & Pantry 2320 L St Ord Osmond Mini Mart 202 E HWY 20 Osmond Kum & Go 10764 Virginia Plz Papillion Kum & Go 11333 Cumberland Dr Papillion Casey’s General Store 9911 S 71st Ave Papillion Tom's Service 332 E Main St Pierce One Stop 85286 HWY 13 Pierce Speedee Mart 204 W Park Ave Plainview Ralston Fuel and Service 7701 Main St Ralston Cardinal Express 518 W Broadway St Randolph Randolph Farm Supply 550 W Jackson St Randolph Farm Service Cooperative 35885 Ravenna Rd Ravenna Cenex 305 E 4th Ave Red Cloud Fuel Mart 1128 US 30 Schuyler Scribner Express 205 Railroad St Scribner Maverik 655 Cabela Dr Sidney Kum & Go 3808 Dakota 3808 Dakota Ave South Sioux City Pony Express 1501 Stable Dr South Sioux City Casey's 117 Main St Stromsburg Miller Power Sports 120 S Walnut St Spalding Casey's 1013 2nd St St. Paul Pump & Pantry 514 2nd St St. Paul Aurora Cooperative 614 Second St St. Paul Cooperative Producers, Inc (CPI) 548 N Bloom St Superior U-Stop  775 NE-50 Tecumseh Conoco 203 E HWY 20 Valentine Casey's 1445 Dry Run Dr Wahoo Pony Express 137 HWY 77 Winnebago Cooperative Producers, Inc (CPI) 15123 W Wood River Rd Wood Wood River Pump & Pantry 109 N Lincoln Ave York A Stop 1320 Road L York Pump & Pantry 3901 S Lincoln Ave York

     

  • Flags to Fly at Half-Staff on May 15 Honoring Omaha Native Robert Keuchel, Killed in WWII May 12, 2026 jim Tue, 05/12/2026 - 15:50

    CONTACT:

    Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

     

    Flags to Fly at Half-Staff on May 15 Honoring Omaha Native Robert Keuchel, Killed in WWII

     

    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.

    Born in Omaha in 1923, Keuchel was killed on March 22, 1945. He and fellow crewmembers were aboard a B-17G Flying Fortress conducting a bombing run. While flying over Poland, the aircraft was hit and damaged during an enemy attack, and the airmen were forced to bail out. Of 10 crew members, eight were killed due to enemy fire while they were attempting to parachute to the ground. Keuchel was among them.

    Attempts to find his remains were unsuccessful until a series of excavations were conducted at the crash site between 2019 and 2024. In July 2025 the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that his remains had been identified.

    An interment will take place at Omaha National Cemetery at 10 a.m. on May 15. Flags should be flown until sunset that day.