Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Governor Pillen Appoints McGowan as District Court Judge in the Fourth Judicial District

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen appointed Richard P. McGowan of Omaha as district court judge in the Fourth Judicial District. That district consists of Douglas County. 

McGowan has had his own law practice in Nebraska for 18 years, focusing on criminal defense, juvenile law, personal injury, guardianship, and other related areas. Prior to opening his practice, McGowan served as an attorney in a variety of private law firms. He is chairperson for the Douglas County Board of Mental Health. 

McGowan has a degree in philosophy/sociology from Rockhurst University. He earned his juris doctor from Creighton University School of Law. 

The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Governor Pillen Appoints Decker as County Court Judge in the Third Judicial District

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen appointed Ryan N. Decker as county court judge in the Third Judicial District. That district consists of Lancaster County.

Decker has been a deputy attorney in Lancaster County since 2018 and has been the prosecutor for the Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court and the Adult Drug Court. He also handles felony traffic cases. Prior to that, Decker was an assistant county attorney in Black Hawk County, Iowa. 

Decker received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Ambrose University in Iowa. He earned his juris doctor from Creighton University School of Law. 

The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Laurie J. Yardley.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Dayne Urbanovsky, NDCS, (402) 479-5799

Nebraska Publishes Contract with ICE to use Work Ethic Camp as ICE Detention Facility

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the state has published a contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook as a federal detention center for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It’s anticipated that the center, known as the Cornhusker Clink, managed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), will be prepared to accept detainees prior to Nov. 1, at a base monthly payment of $2.4 million.

“I’m very grateful to President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for their strong leadership in securing our nation’s southern border and addressing illegal immigration through initiatives like this,” said Gov. Pillen.

The Governor also extended his appreciation to Director Jeffreys and the NDCS team for coordinating with DHS and ICE throughout preparations of the facility.

On Aug. 19 at a news conference in McCook, Gov. Pillen announced the state’s intent to support DHS and Nebraska-based ICE officials in enforcing immigration laws. That included conversion of the WEC to a detention facility within 45 to 60 days. During this timeframe, NDCS has been making modifications at the facility to accommodate the arrival of initial detainees. Last week, all remaining inmates were transferred to other facilities.

Use of WEC as a federal detention facility will result in cost savings to Nebraskans. The current cost to state taxpayers to operate WEC is $10.2 million. As a federal detention center, compensation to NDCS, based on the expected use of the facility and costs associated with providing services to ICE, will be $2,456,138.64 per month. The arrangement with ICE will net the state around $14.25 million annually, taking into consideration costs associated with an increased population and staff.  The current contract period will expire Sept. 29, 2027.

A link to the contract can be found here:  https://corrections.nebraska.gov/detention-facility

Building a ‘Charlie Kirk’ Legacy

By Governor Jim Pillen

October 17, 2025

This country is the greatest in the history of the world – free, strong, resilient, a land of unending opportunity. The American people are blessed beyond measure, but the brazen, public assassination of Charlie Kirk just over a month ago knocked all of us back onto our heels.

Political violence — no matter the situation — has no place in America. It is a senseless attack on the people of this extraordinary nation. This man didn’t deserve his death – and it came too early, leaving unfinished work. But it’s up to us to carry on. Charlie Kirk’s legacy is just beginning. 

In the week following his assassination, I joined hundreds of Nebraskans — students, families, mourners — at a vigil on UNL’s campus to honor Charlie after his tragic death. It was a moving evening. Together the crowd reflected on the life and impact of a young husband and father taken from this world so soon.

While the tears were about Charlie, it wasn’t just about a man. They were about what Charlie believed in. The handful of occasions that I got to spend time with Charlie, I learned he was about faith, family, and bettering our country. Charlie’s ‘why’ was to stand up and speak what he believed.

That night outside the union, as the darkness surrounded us – just as it can in this world – the candle wicks started to ignite, and we could see light.

In the light, you could see tears and unimaginable pain.

In the light, you could see the faces of young people yearning for truth.

In the light, you could see hope.

In the light, you could see the future of Nebraska.

Here’s what I want us all to take away: We have some extraordinary young people in this country, who are being built up into leaders — and Charlie was one of them. But there’s only one Charlie. As he challenged all of us, we can each be our own best versions of ourselves. Every single person reading this can make an impact on our communities.

What we can’t do is move on with our lives and let that light be put out. We need to stand up for freedom. We need to stand up for each other. We need to stand up for debate. We need to stand up for families. We need to stand up for truth. We need to stand up for our faith.

Since Charlie’s death, our prayers have been with the Kirk family — his wife Erika and their two young kids. During his memorial service at an overflowing NFL stadium in the Phoenix area, Erika shared something remarkable. In the midst of raw pain and deep despair, Erika announced that she has chosen to forgive the young man that shot Charlie. Why? Because, as she put it: “It’s what Christ did. And it’s what Charlie would do.”

What an amazing example. She continued, closing her husband’s service with these truths: “Choose prayer. Choose courage. Choose beauty. Choose adventure. Choose family. Choose a life of faith. Most importantly: Choose Christ.”

What great compassion. What great truth. What a great legacy there is for us to build together – for Charlie.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Judicial Nominating Commission Advances Names for Consideration as Supreme Court Associate Justice

LINCOLN, NE – Today, the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Second District of the Nebraska Supreme Court advanced Patrick Guinan and Derek Vaughn to Governor Jim Pillen for his consideration. They are both from Omaha.

The Nebraska Supreme Court consists of the chief justice and six associate justices. The chief justice represents the state at large, while each associate represents his/her judicial district. The Second Judicial District consists of a portion of Douglas County.

The vacancy is due to the retirement of Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman.