Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Yutan Firefighter

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen, in coordination with Mayor Matt Thompson of Yutan, has delegated authority to the mayor to order flags at half-staff in honor of the life and service of Yutan Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter/EMT Wendell D. Pascarelli, who passed away following complications from line-of-duty-related cancer.

Pascarell dedicated 35 years to the Yutan fire station, serving many years as Fire Chief and as an active member and Rural Board President.

Under this delegation, the Mayor of Yutan may direct that flags within the City of Yutan be lowered to half-staff starting immediately through the day of service.

The Yutan Volunteer Fire Department requests privacy for the family and is providing ongoing support to them and department personnel. Funeral and memorial details will be shared through local department channels when finalized.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Yutan Firefighter

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen, in coordination with Mayor Matt Thompson of Yutan, has delegated authority to the mayor to order flags at half-staff in honor of the life and service of Yutan Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter/EMT Wendell D. Pascarelli, who passed away following complications from line-of-duty-related cancer.

Pascarell dedicated 35 years to the Yutan fire station, serving many years as Fire Chief and as an active member and Rural Board President.

Under this delegation, the Mayor of Yutan may direct that flags within the City of Yutan be lowered to half-staff starting immediately through the day of service.

The Yutan Volunteer Fire Department requests privacy for the family and is providing ongoing support to them and department personnel. Funeral and memorial details will be shared through local department channels when finalized.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Jenn Gjerde, Visit Nebraska, 402-471-3768

Gov. Pillen and Nebraska Tourism: Travel spending in Nebraska reached $4.72 billion in 2025

LINCOLN, NE -- Travel spending in Nebraska reached $4.72 billion in 2025, up 2.6% from the year before. That’s according to a newly issued report on the state’s tourism industry. The finding was one of many highlighted during a news conference by Governor Jim Pillen and Executive Director Jenn Gjerde of the Nebraska Tourism Commission.

“We say it all the time. In Nebraska, it’s the people, it’s the people of Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “We have extraordinary attractions that we can brag about and enjoy right here. We don’t need to travel far to experience great tourism, connect with great people, and take in the sights and scenery of Nebraska.”

The report, prepared by Dean Runyan Associates, found that travel also generated nearly 42,000 jobs and $339.5 million in state and local tax revenue, up $16.2 million from 2024

“Here’s what I love about these numbers -- you can see what they mean in communities all across Nebraska,” said Gjerde.  “It’s another night at a hotel, dinner at a local restaurant, a stop at a small business or a tank of gas on the way to the next town. Those choices add up. Tourism is a major economic driver for Nebraska, and we continue to see that impact grow.”

That growth has continued beyond the period covered by the report.

Nebraska closed the last fiscal year with another record in lodging tax collections, narrowly topping the previous record. So far, this fiscal year, lodging tax collections are running about 26% ahead of the same time last year.

The annual Dean Runyan report looks at travel spending, jobs and tax revenue across Nebraska and includes information for individual counties. For instance, Buffalo County had the strongest growth among Nebraska’s top five tourism counties last year.  Paul Younes, whose family operates hotels and conference centers in Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings talked about the importance of creating relationships and what it takes to attract visitors.

“In Kearney, we work to bring people together as much as we can. We bring conventions and special events to Kearney, and we create so many opportunities here. Why does it work in Kearney? Because everybody works together. One person alone doesn’t do it; the whole community comes together,” said Younes. “Our job is to bring people to Kearney, ensure they have a great experience and welcome them back to continue to come.

“What excites me most is that we continue to see growth,” said Gjerde. “Tourism is no longer a nice-to-have. It supports jobs, brings money into our communities and generates tax revenue across the state. There is a lot of opportunity in front of us, and we’re going after it.”

In addition to the information contained in the Runyan Report, 2026 Future Partners research found that both recent and likely Nebraska travelers view the state as family-friendly, safe, welcoming, scenic and relaxing.

“We develop that relationship, loyalty, and mutual trust by showing them what we can do for them,” said Younes. “You could have all the facilities in the world wherever you want, but if you don’t have people like Nebraskans, you don’t have anything.”

“It’s really important that we quit being so humble, that we appreciate how extraordinary what we do truly is,” said Gov. Pillen. “We have to get the word out, and the first part starts with us. If we appreciate how extraordinary it is, the message gets out.”

Gov. Pillen speaks at news conference highlighting new tourism data for Nebraska

Jenn Gjerde speaks at news conference highlighting new tourism data for Nebraska

Paul Younes of Kearney speaks at news conference highlighting new tourism data for Nebraska

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Offers Remarks, Issues Proclamation at Tom Osborne Nebraska Hall of Fame Induction

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined members of the Nebraska Hall of Fame for the formal induction ceremony of Tom Osborne.  Osborne is the 28th member of the Hall of Fame and the first living member to ever receive the honor.

The ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda included remarks by Gov. Pillen and his presentation of a proclamation marking Coach Tom Osborne Hall of Fame Day. During his remarks, Gov. Pillen referenced his time as a college football player and the lessons he and other players learned being part of Osborne’s Husker team.

“This is about a guy that I’ve loved for almost five decades, from the time I got a call on Sunday afternoon in January of 1974 when my dad and I were unloading cattle, and Coach said, ‘Jim, I’d like you to come down for a recruiting visit.’”

“There is nobody in the history of the State of Nebraska who has done more for young people in his entire life, who also just happens to be one of the greatest football coaches of all time,” added Gov. Pillen. “He taught us extraordinary things that have served us our entire lives.”

The most important lessons can be summarized in a couple words, said Gov. Pillen.

“The first is discipline. We never talked about winning against an opponent. We talked about the discipline it took within us to be the best we could possibly be. And the other, which is so essential, is the gift of belief. For so many of us, Coach was the first to believe in us, and then he taught us the belief to be the best we could be -- that we could do anything we set our minds to.”

The induction ceremony was led by Dr. Sara Crook, chairwoman of the Hall of Fame Commission. Created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1961, the Hall of Fame is meant to recognize those either born in Nebraska or who have gained prominence while living in Nebraska and that their time in the state had significant influence on their lives and their achievements.

Previously, induction ceremonies were held every five years for a nominated person who had been deceased for at least 35 years. This past year, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 596, allowing living individuals to be included. In July, members of the Hall of Fame Commission approved Osborne’s nomination unanimously.

Jim Rose, a radio commentator and former Husker sports announcer, spoke to Osborne’s background and his reasons for nominating the former coach for this honor.

“Tom is a humble son of our state who has dedicated his life’s work to our young people,” “First as a legendary college football coach whose teams delivered not only just great victories, memorable moments and championships, but with them a rare loyalty that begot a pride of place that we Nebraskans had never before known.” 

“Coach Osborne is widely known for his leadership, integrity, honor, and compassion,” added Crook. “His accomplishments include mentoring thousands of student athletes on and off the field, in the classroom, and devoting the past 33 years to the TeamMates Mentoring Program he and his wife Nancy founded in 1991.”

Following his legendary coaching career, Osborne continued to serve his home state as the 3rd District representative in Congress. After three terms, he turned his attention back to athletics and was the University of Nebraska’s athletic director from 2007 – 2013.

The bust of Osborne, which will reside in the State Capitol along with the likenesses of the 27 other Nebraska Hall Fame members, was designed and created by world-renowned artist and native Nebraskan Matthew Placzek. His work includes more than 200 sculptures that have become iconic landmarks and featured in numerous national art and architectural publications. 

Placzek explained to the audience his source of inspiration and meaning of the final piece.

“The era depicted in this sculpture is from the 1990’s, a defining period in Osborne’s life and career. This includes the 1991 founding of the TeamMates Mentoring Program by Tom and Nancy Osborne, as well as the historic 1995 season, when he led Nebraska to a national championship victory. This moment represents both professional excellence and a commitment to community.”

Concluding his remarks, Gov. Pillen shared with the audience that he has personally spoken to President Trump about Osborne’s potential receipt of the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.  

“Coach, what I’m so incredibly grateful for, besides my dad, is that you were the first to believe in me, and the first to believe in many faces here today. You were the first to believe that we could do extraordinary things for the state of Nebraska.”

 Gov. Pillen also called attention to the language that will be included on the pedestal that will support the bust. In addition to his most notable achievements, is a quote that Coach Osborne selected: “Nebraska’s greatest asset is its people. It has been an honor to serve them.”

 Additional information about the Nebraska Hall of Fame

Gov. Pillen reads proclamation marking Coach Tom Osborne Hall of Fame Day

Gov. Pillen welcomes Tom Osborne to podium

Members of Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission and Tom Osborne

Gov. Pillen presents Nebraska Admiralship to artist Matthew Placzek

Bust of Tom Osborne

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Justin Pinkerman, DED, justin.pinkerman@nebraska.gov

Breakout Sessions and Speakers, Lunch Panel Announced for 2026 Governor’s Summit in Kearney

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen invites Nebraskans to register for the 2026 Governor’s Summit, featuring keynote speakers Ben Sasse and Fred Hoiberg. The event will take place September 28-29 at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney. Breakout session topics and speakers—along with a lunch panel—have been announced for Tuesday, Sept. 29, the main day of the event. Breakout session information is listed on the Governor’s Summit agenda.

This year, the Governor’s Summit will feature three breakout tracks:

       (1) Why Nebraska’s Workforce Is Growing

       (2) Feeding & Fueling Nebraska’s Ag and Manufacturing Future

       (3) Investing in the Next Generation of Nebraskans

Over lunch, Dr. Josie Schafer, director of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, will present evidence of encouraging trends in Nebraska’s workforce and population growth. She will also lead a panel discussion featuring young professionals who have decided to stay in Nebraska following graduation from an in-state college. The panel will provide insight on the compelling reasons why young Nebraskans are increasingly choosing to start their careers in the Good Life.

The 2026 Governor’s Summit kicks off on Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, with an update on the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative. The Governor’s Office, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, and Nebraska Department of Economic Development co-launched the initiative in 2024 to encourage cooperation, rather than competition, among neighboring communities. Over the past two years, each region has undertaken projects, supported by state and philanthropic funding, to tackle issues like housing affordability and childcare availability.

On Monday evening, the Nebraska Diplomats will host their annual awards banquet at the Governor’s Summit. Gov. Pillen will provide remarks and present awards to individuals, businesses, and communities who have made significant contributions to the state’s growth.

Former Midland University president and U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, a native Nebraskan, will headline Tuesday morning’s session at the Summit. Participants will then attend breakout sessions, both before and after lunch, on various topics related to workforce development, agriculture and manufacturing, and creating opportunities for young Nebraskans. Fred Hoiberg, head coach of the Husker men’s basketball team, will keynote the Summit’s afternoon session on Tuesday.

This year’s Governor’s Summit will coincide with the second annual Youth Summit for high school students and recent graduates. The Youth Summit is designed to connect students with rewarding career opportunities in Nebraska. Attendees will meet one-on-one with colleges and employers, gaining privileged access to internships, scholarships, and career opportunities available within the state.

View the Governor’s Summit agenda and register.

View more information about the Youth Summit.