The Nebraska Tourism Commission is excited to announce the stops that will be part of the 2019 Nebraska Passport. Celebrating its 10^th year, the Passport inspires Nebraskans and tourists to travel throughout the state collecting stamps to earn prizes, while also supporting Nebraska’s tourism destinations. In 2018 a record-setting 749 participants in the program made it to every stop.

“There’s no better way to encourage Nebraskans to explore their own state than with this program. The Passport saw another record-breaking year in 2018 and we’re looking forward to seeing how it performs in its 10^th year,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism Commission executive director. “Nebraskans truly love to wander and have fun throughout their state, yet I’m amazed by how many people tell us they discover new things to see and do every year.”

The 2019 Passport will feature 70 attractions in 10 themed categories, including Not-At-All What You Thought and Nebraska Stories. As part of the 10^th anniversary celebration, several past “fan favorite” Passport stops will be featured. This year’s program represents 60 communities spanning the entire state. Travelers will have from May 1 through September 30 to visit the attractions and get their stamps.

“The purpose of the Passport program is to help travelers discover Nebraska’s hidden gems. In 2019, Passport travelers will experience a variety of unique destinations while creating lifelong memories,” said Erin Wirth, Passport program coordinator.

Passports will be available at participating stops starting May 1 or can be pre-ordered at NebraskaPassport.com. Participants are also encouraged to download the Nebraska Passport App on their smartphone and get digital stamps, supplementing the physical Passport booklet for convenience. Please note, the Passport app will be updated with the 2019 information on May 1. Those who used the mobile app last year will need to download the update to see the new program information. To download, search ‘NE Passport 2019’ in the Apple App Store or the Google Play App Store.

2019 Passport stop categories
Beautiful Nebraska
Bite of Nebraska
Family Fun
Happy Hour
History Alive
Nebraska Stories
Not-At-All What You Thought
Quirky Nebraska
Rural Gems
Shop Nebraska

Selected sites (by town)
The Dotted Daisy (Albion)
Carhenge (Alliance)
Victoria Springs State Recreation Area (Anselmo)
Wagner’s Quilts and Conversation Quilt Shop (Arapahoe)
John G. Neihardt State Historic Site (Bancroft)
Bayard Depot Museum (Bayard)
Homestead National Monument of America (Beatrice)
The Hive & LemonDrop Boutique (Bloomfield)
Kinkaider Brewing Co. (Broken Bow)
The Bluebird (Brownville)
Mariposa (Burwell)
Shotgun Annie’s Saloon & Grill (Callaway)
Prairie Creek Vineyard & Winery (Central City)
Museum of the Fur Trade (Chadron)
Cottontail Vintage (Clarkson)
River’s Edge (Columbus)
Rustic & Red (Cozad)
Post Museum, Fort Robinson (Crawford)
Staab’s Drive Inn (Crawford)
The Brew House (Crete)
The Twisted Mare (Curtis)
John Philip Falter Museum (Falls City)
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (Fort Calhoun)
Too Far North (Fort Calhoun)
The Tow Line (Fremont)
Blue Blossom Floral & Gifts (Friend)
Scotts Bluff National Monument (Gering)
The Mixing Bowl Café (Gering)
Raising Nebraska (Grand Island)
The Happy Brush (Grand Island)
Schramm Education Center (Gretna)
Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District (Halsey)
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (Harrison)
Odyssey (Hastings)
Andrew’s Garden (Kearney)
Stagecoach Gifts (Kearney)
KD Designs Jewelry (Lincoln)
Lincoln Children’s Zoo (Lincoln)
Morrill Hall – University of Nebraska State Museum (Lincoln)
Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café (McCook)
The Pink Palace (McGrew)
Main Street Market (Milford)
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area (Minatare)
Mullen Arts Center and Meadowlark Market (Mullen)
Kregel Windmill Factory Museum (Nebraska City)
Neligh Mill State Historic Site (Neligh)
Niobrara Valley Vineyards (Nenzel)
Niobrara State Park (Niobrara)
Magnolias Home Decor & Design (Norfolk)
Golden Spike Tower (North Platte)
Oconto Barn Quilt Trail & Charles Horn Sculpture Garden (Oconto)
Mansion on the Hill (Ogallala)
Crystal Forge @Hotshops Art Center (Omaha)
General Crook House Museum (Omaha)
Lithuanian Bakery (Omaha)
Mark Ferrari Specialty Coffees (Oshkosh)
J’s Place (Pierce)
It’s All About Bees! (Ralston)
On the Brix (Red Cloud)
Capitol View Winery & Vineyards (Roca)
Happy Jack Chalk Mine (Scotia)
Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room (Seward)
Springfield Drug & Old Fashioned Soda Fountain (Springfield)
Loup River Distilling (St. Paul)
Sandhill Rivertrips/Ewoldt’s Grocery (Thedford)
Smith Falls State Park (Valentine)
BREW Coffee House & Tasting Room (Valley)
Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company (Wayne)
Clayton Museum of Ancient History (York)
Lee’s Legendary Marbles and Collectibles (York)

More information on the Passport program can be found at NebraskaPassport.com or for more information on Nebraska’s other tourism opportunities go to VisitNebraska.com.

Governor Pete Ricketts responded to the discovery that a former campaign staffer had made anti-Semitic statements and other hateful statements in an online chat room.

“I am shocked and horrified to learn that this former staffer made these statements and I had no idea he harbored these feelings. He never expressed these views to me. I condemn these statements and this hateful worldview, which do not reflect my beliefs or the beliefs of Nebraskans.”

The staff person, Bennett Bressman, 22, of Omaha was a volunteer who was subsequently paid as a field staffer for seven months to do field work on the Governor’s reelection campaign. His responsibilities included distributing yard signs, as well as facilitating campaign volunteers and interns who did outreach to voters and walked at parades. His employment with the Governor’s campaign committee ended in December 2018.

“I unequivocally denounce his hate-filled views towards Jewish people, LGBT people, African Americans, journalists, women, and others. I am particularly concerned about his anti-Semitic statements. Anti-Semitism has no place in society no matter where it hides. The State of Nebraska stands with Israel and has been a home to thousands of Jewish families for generations. We are only a generation removed from World War II, during which millions of Jews who were killed because of their heritage and 400,000 American soldiers died to stamp out Nazism and its anti-Semitic ideology. We will continue to make this state a welcoming place for the Jewish faith and work with faith leaders to root out anti-Semitism wherever it may be.”

Governor Ricketts has worked to support Nebraska’s Jewish community and to strengthen the bonds between Nebraska and Israel.
Hosted the Jewish community for a Hanukkah celebration at the State Capitol in December 2018.

Hosted the Israeli Minister of Agriculture at the State Capitol in April 2018.

Addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas in 2018.

Wrote a column in the Jewish Press condemning anti-Semitism following the events of Charlottesville in 2017.

Issued a proclamation congratulating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem in 2017.

Supported the American Jewish Coalition’s fight against anti-Israel boycotts in 2016.

Sent a trade delegation to Israel to promote Nebraska beef in 2016.

Celebrated the reopening of the Israeli market to Nebraska beef in 2016.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska bill seeks to clarify the state’s law on protection orders and require at least an initial hearing for all applicants.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that almost 930 of the 3,300 protection orders filed in Douglas County last year were immediately denied without a hearing and often without an explanation from a judge.

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh says Nebraska is one of only two states that don’t require hearings for protection-order applications. Her bill seeks to require a hearing, clarify application details and create a standard renewal process for all three types of protection orders — domestic abuse, sexual assault and harassment.

The Nebraska Bar Association says lawmakers should be aware of the strain that would be placed on the judicial system if hearings are required within 14 days of an application.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Pond owners are being advised to check for winterkill after the ice is gone.

Jeff Blaser with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the prolonged winter and recent frigid weather are keeping ponds covered with snow and ice well into March, creating conditions for winterkill.

Snow and ice covering a pond prevent the water from exchanging oxygen with the air. The snow and ice allow little sunlight penetration, so plants can’t produce much oxygen. If the cover persists, the plants die. Subsequent decomposition, along with respiration by various aquatic organisms, can completely deplete the oxygen supply. The fish die.

Blaser suggests owners check the status of their ponds’ fish populations this spring. The findings could indicate whether the ponds are candidates for restocking

Pond owners can contact Blaser at 402-471-5435 for suggestions on handling major fish kills.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — The entry deadline is March 31 for this year’s Nebraska Handwriting Contest.

The contest is aimed at promoting and encouraging good penmanship and is open to Nebraska residents in four age categories: 12 and younger, ages 13-16, ages 17-49 and ages 50 and older.

It is administered by the Teacher Education Department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Contestants will be provided text to copy for their entries, which must be written in any of the various styles of cursive handwriting and not printed. Rules and text to be copied is available online.

Entries should be mailed to: Nebraska Handwriting Contest, Attention: Julie Agard, University of Nebraska at Kearney/Department of Teacher Education, Kearney, NE, 68849.

Contact Agard at 308-865-8556 for more information.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — The lingering snow and bitter winter in Nebraska has put a damper on the annual sandhill crane migration this year.

March is typically the prime time to see the roughly 500,000 sandhill cranes that stop along the Platte River as part of their annual migration.

But this year the crane numbers have been much lower because of the tough conditions.

Andrew Caven with the Crane Trust nature center told the Omaha World-Herald the number of migrating birds may not take off until sometime between mid-March and mid-April. But once it begins the cranes may gather in impressive numbers.

Every year, about 80 percent of the world’s sandhill crane population visits Nebraska to forage for food before continuing north to their breeding grounds.

Endangered whooping cranes and other rare birds also sometimes make an appearance.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — High school juniors with an interest in business are encouraged to apply for two summer programs hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Business.

The Accounting Summit and the Dreambig Academy provide insight into potential careers in the world of business and a preview of life at the university.

It’s scheduled for May 29-31. The students will stay in residence halls, work on projects with university accounting students and network with industry professionals during tours of local companies.

Go online by March 31 to apply for the Accounting Summit.

The Dreambig Academy is set for July 21-25. It emphasizes leadership, networking skills and success in the business world.

Anyone can go online by Friday to nominate a student.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — If you ever wished to gaze at a stomping, snorting, neighing panorama of Western heritage from your living-room window, now could be your chance.

A classic image of the American West — wild horses stampeding across the landscape — not only has endured through the years but has multiplied past the point of range damage. Through May 3, the U.S. government is seeking more private pastures for an overpopulation of wild horses.

Many consider rounding up wild horses to live out their lives on private pastures a reasonable approach to a tricky problem. Wild horses, after all, not only have romantic value, they are protected by federal law.

Just keep in mind a few of the dozens of requirements for getting paid by the government to provide wild horses a home.

“It’s not like you can do this in your backyard, or even a 5 acre plot,” said Debbie Collins, outreach specialist for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program in Norman, Oklahoma.

You need a lot of fenced-in land, enough to sustain anywhere from 200 to 5,000 healthy horses. Exactly how much land depends on pasture quality as determined by the government, but you can safely assume several hundred if not thousands of acres (hectares).

The pastured horses typically are left on their own with little human intervention. Still, they require continuous water and basic shelter from the elements, such as trees or a canyon; supplemental forage; and corrals for loading and unloading from trailers.

Participants in the private-pasture system must live in 14 Western and Midwestern states, from eastern Washington to the Texas Panhandle. Over two-thirds of the 37 existing off-range pastures are in Oklahoma and Kansas.

And: These horses aren’t pets. They’ve had little exposure to people. Many are over 5 years old and therefore not ideal for training and individual adoption or sale, other options available through the BLM.

Still, there’s no shortage of interest in the off-range pasture program. People call all the time asking for details, Collins said.

“My only advice would be to go into it with your eyes wide open,” said Dwayne Oldham, a former Wyoming state veterinarian who has taken in wild horses on his family’s Double D cattle ranch outside Lander, Wyoming, since 2015.

Working with the government can be demanding, but providing for the over 130 horses on the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary on the ranch isn’t too difficult, Oldham said.

The sanctuary is a little different from most private wild-horse pastures: It’s open to the public. Tourists headed to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks increasingly stop there.

About 50 miles (80 kilometers) to the south, cattle ranchers, wild horse advocates and the BLM have been embroiled in decades of lawsuits over wild horses in an area of mostly unfenced, interspersed public and private lands called the Checkerboard. The booming wild horse population there competes with cattle for forage and water in the high desert, the ranchers claim.

The BLM abides by the 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which protects wild horses and burros on BLM land in 10 Western states, attorneys for the government say.

“We want to be part of the solution and not just the adversary,” Oldham said.

A group often involved in wild-horse litigation, the American Wild Horse Campaign, says darting mares with contraceptives is the best answer to overpopulation but is underused. Roundups only encourage compensatory breeding and overpopulation, said Grace Kuhn with the group.

However, the group doesn’t oppose off-range pastures as an alternative to keeping wild horses in corrals for long periods.

“We do advocate that if the government is going to be removing wild horses from the range, long-term is more cost-effective than short-term holding,” Kuhn said.

Over 55,000 more horses and burros live wild in the West than the roughly 27,000 the BLM says can thrive in harmony with the landscape.

Adoptions and sales through the Wild Horse and Burro Program have recovered to over 3,400 a year after hitting a low of about 1,800 in 2014.

But while the number of off-range pastures has boomed from just a couple in the 1990s, the number of horses on them hovers very close to their current carrying capacity of about 36,500.

The number of pastured wild horses is determined mainly through roundups and adoptions. Stallions are gelded and kept at different off-range pastures than mares, preventing reproduction aside from the occasional pregnant mare rounded up from the wild.

How many new off-range pastures are established through the latest bid solicitation, the first of its kind since 2016, will depend on costs and how many existing ones get renewed, Collins said.

“It’s just a happier, healthier environment for a horse to be able to be out in a pasture,” she said.