Latest News from the Governor's Office

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Nebraskans are Asked to Lower Flags Saturday for Firefighter Nathan Matthews

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, in recognition of the service and sacrifice by firefighter Nathan Matthews. Matthews died last week from injuries he sustained while battling a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border in late June.

Originally from Lincoln, Matthews was serving with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service as part of the Rifle Helitack crew battling the Knowles fire. Matthews and another firefighter were injured in that incident and hospitalized. Three other members died at the scene.

Matthews will be co-honored by Nebraska and Colorado. Governor Jared Polis will order that flags be lowered in Colorado on Friday. A motorcade escorting Matthews remains will depart at 7:30 a.m. (MT) tomorrow from Denver to Grand Junction along I-70.

Here in Nebraska, flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, the day of Matthews’ memorial. The event, organized through the Upper Colorado River Interagency Management Unit, is open to the public. It will begin at 10 a.m. (MT) at the Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Flags to Fly at Half-Mast Monday for Police Chief Young

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has requested that Nebraskans lower their flags to half-staff on Monday, Aug. 3 in honor of Crete Police Chief Gary Young. Young died on Monday. The Crete Police Department has since shared details of the funeral service and procession that will take place that day.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Monday at Ag Hall in Tuxedo Park in Crete. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. After that, law enforcement will lead a procession to Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Lincoln for the burial. 

Per Gov. Pillen's request, flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday. 

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

USDA Designates More Nebraska Counties as Disasters; Frees up Loan Assistance to Farmers Impacted by Drought

LINCOLN, NE – The number of Nebraska counties adversely impacted by drought continues to grow. Governor Jim Pillen has announced the approval of two primary counties and 11 contiguous counties that will now be eligible for loan assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“This most recent secretarial disaster designation from Sec. Brooke Rollins will now increase the number of counties that can access to emergency loans. I appreciate Sec. Rollins, her constant attention to the needs of or farmers and ag producers who might require this assistance as a result of the drought impact during this growing season,” said Gov. Pillen.

The counties are listed below:

Primary: Lancaster, Saline

Contiguous: Butler, Cass, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Otoe, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, York

In May, the USDA took similar action for 13 Nebraska counties, which are named here: USDA Loan Assistance Counties.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with additional information.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Joins Letter Supporting President Trump’s Call for Swift Passage of Budget Reconciliation Package

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has joined more than 20 other Republican governors in supporting a call by President Trump for the U.S. Senate to pass a budget reconciliation package prior to the August recess. The measure supports key priorities for funding defense, aiding farmers and reforming election laws.

“I’m honored to join my fellow governors in supporting President Trump’s call for the U.S. Senate to pass a commonsense budget resolution that strengthens our military, supports Nebraska agriculture producers and builds on the groundbreaking Voter ID law I fought to pass during my first legislative session while I was in office. It’s time to get the job done for America,” said Gov. Pillen.

The letter to President Trump says in part:

“The SAVE America Act includes commonsense measures that are critical for restoring Americans’ trust in our electoral process. As governors, we are on the frontlines of the fight to restore confidence in our election process. The shocking revelation that hundreds of thousands of ineligible individuals were found to be on voter rolls across the United States only underscores the urgency of this effort. This budget resolution begins the process for Republicans to enact critical election integrity measures included in the SAVE America Act.

“This resolution will also ensure our military has the munitions, equipment and supplies they need to deter our adversaries and keep our homeland safe. We fully support the Administration’s funding request for the Department of War (DOW) to cover increased operational costs and readiness expenses, while making critical investments in munitions to ensure our military is the strongest in the world. 

“Republicans, with the passage of this resolution, would have the opportunity to help lower food prices by providing much-needed economic assistance to America’s farmers. You have made clear that you will not leave America’s farmers behind, and as governors who represent robust and diverse agricultural industries, we stand with you in ironclad support for America’s family farms.”

In addition to Gov. Pillen, signatories to the letter include: Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), Governor Ron DeSantis (FL), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Brad Little (ID), Governor Mike Braun (IN), Governor Kim Reynolds (IA), Governor Jeff Landry (LA), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Mike Kehoe (MO), Governor Greg Gianforte (MT), Governor Joe Lombardo (NV), Governor Kelly Armstrong (ND), Governor Kevin Stitt (OK), Governor Henry Dargan McMaster (SC), Governor Larry Rhoden (SD), Governor Bill Lee (TN), Governor Greg Abbott (TX), Governor Spencer Cox (UT), Governor Patrick Morrisey (WV), and Governor Mark Gordon (WY).

PDF copy of the letter

A copy of the letter is attached below.

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov Pillen: New Report Affirms Nebraska’s Top Ranking Among States

LINCOLN, NE – A new report highlights the best states to live, with Nebraska securing a top spot near the head of the list. 

“There is no better place to live, work, and raise a family than here in Nebraska, and this report reflects the incredible strength of our state,” said Gov. Pillen. “We are committed to continuing this momentum and making sure Nebraska remains a national leader for years to come.”

First launched in 2017, the U.S. News and World Report: Best States Rankings measure performance across 71 metrics in eight categories that matter most to Americans including the economy, crime and corrections, infrastructure, natural environment, fiscal stability, healthcare and opportunity. In the latest 2026 rankings, Nebraska earned the 5th overall spot in the nation.

Substantial gains across the Midwest in the economy, healthcare, and natural environment sectors played a major role in the region’s overall rise. Nebraska performed exceptionally well in key categories, ranking third in infrastructure and eighth in fiscal stability.

Nebraska’s infrastructure strength is driven by its large presence as an energy, transportation, and logistics hub. The state ranks third in energy, largely due to the combination of grid reliability, renewable energy generation, and affordable public power. In addition, Nebraska is a central hub for transportation thanks to its high-quality roads, well-maintained bridges, and short commute times.

“States that ranked highly in the 2026 Best States rankings have demonstrated exceptional leadership in working toward a prosperous future for their citizens,” said U.S. News Executive Chairman & CEO Eric Gertler. “By excelling in pivotal areas like healthcare, education and modern infrastructure, these top-performing states are proving that targeted policy and smart investments are the true catalysts for long-term opportunity and success.”

Nebraska continues to build on its success in creating an environment focused on growing, attracting, and retaining top talent – reinforcing the state’s positioning as: open for business.