WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that it expects to award up to four discretionary grants for all-hazards emergency preparedness in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The estimated total program funding available was cited as $19,727,086. The funding is open to state or territorial governments; state administrative agencies; or the state emergency management agencies. The agency description of the grant states: "  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey announced that it expects to award a cooperative agreement for research on fish responses to climate change in lakes in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The estimated total program funding available was cited as $327,773. The agency said the grant was associated with science and technology and other research and development.  more

OMAHA, Nebraska, Feb. 17 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District awarded a $37.4M construction contract to Weston Solutions of Chester, Pennsylvania, Friday. Awarding this contract keeps the team on track for closing the final breach on the L-550 levee system before Mar. 1. This contract is the second final repair contract to be awarded for the Missouri River Left Bank Levee Systems, which will allow the Corps to b  more

OMAHA, Nebraska, Feb. 17 -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District awarded a $37.4M construction contract to Weston Solutions of Chester, Pennsylvania, Friday. Awarding this contract keeps the team on track for closing the final breach on the L-550 levee system before Mar. 1. This contract is the second final repair contract to be awarded for the Missouri River Left Bank Levee Systems, which will allow the Corps to begin  more

OMAHA, Nebraska, Feb. 17 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Omaha District issued the following news release: As of Tuesday, repairs on the Missouri River Levee System L-611-614 have returned the entirety of the levee system to its pre-flood height. Although the system has been returned to its pre-flood height, there is still an elevated risk until all of the damages on the levee system can be repaired. Repair efforts will continue on this levee system, such as relief well testing and replacem  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration issued the following news release: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $10.7 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants to 18 airports in Nebraska. This investment in Nebraska's airports is part of a $520.5 million national investment in America's airports that was announced by Secretary Chao. "This $520.5 million   more

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration issued the following news release: * * * - Traveler claimed he forgot he had his loaded gun with him * * * A Keith County, Nebraska, man was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration with a 9 mm gun loaded with 17 bullets, including one in the chamber at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport security checkpoint yesterday (Feb. 18). TSA officers caught the handgun   more

OMAHA, Nebraska, Feb. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration issued the following news release: A Saline County, Nebraska, man was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration with a 9 mm gun loaded with 17 bullets at the Eppley Airfield checkpoint on Valentine's Day. TSA officers caught the handgun as it entered the checkpoint X-ray machine. Omaha Airport Authority Police were contacted, confiscated the gun and detained the man, a resi  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, Feb. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service - Nebraska Field Office issued the following news release: Nebraska growers, dealers, and processors held 4.0 million cwt of potatoes in storage on February 1, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Current stocks represent 42 percent of the 2019 production. Total stocks are defined as all potatoes on hand, regardless of use, including those that will be lost throug  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Nebraska office issued the following news release: The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service unveiled a new video series, Conservation at Work, which consists of 90-second videos that highlight common conservation practices. The videos shine the spotlight on farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners from across the U.S. who tell us their own conservation stories, and how practices a  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Nebraska office issued the following news release: * * * - Craig Derickson was named 2019 Outstanding State Conservationist * * * Craig Derickson, state conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nebraska was named "Outstanding State Conservationist" by the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA). Mike Brown, executive director of NASCA sa  more

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska, Feb. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force (55th Air Wing) issued the following news: Three Seabees deployed from Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center Mobile Utilities Support Equipment Division recently completed the installation and inspection of equipment to provide temporary power to the 595th Command and Control aircraft maintenance facility. In March 2019, a third of the base and its infrastructure was ruined by a flood. One building had been   more

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force (55th Air Wing) issued the following news: More than a dozen Airmen assigned to the 55th Security Forces Squadron's National Airborne Operation Command Security section are scheduled to host a volunteer fair Feb. 28, 2020, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Base Exchange here. The fair will host more than 10 agencies to assist Airmen in finding volunteer opportunities that match their interests. "Sometimes it gets difficult finding   more

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska, Feb. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force (55th Air Wing) issued the following news: The director for the 55th Wing Equal Opportunity and Alternative Dispute Resolution Offices here was invited to Central Park Elementary School in Omaha as one of the guest speakers for Black History Month. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Randy White holds a Master of Science in Human Relations degree, certification through the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, and many  more

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Strategic Command issued the following news: U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper spent the day with members of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Feb. 20, engaging with warfighters throughout the day, answering questions at a town hall, and working out at the Offutt Field House alongside service members. "This is an important visit for me and shows how very important what you all do is for our nation's security," said Secre  more

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command issued the following news: U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) showcased its ability to conduct coordinated, worldwide operations, reassure partners and allies, and accomplish its primary mission of global strategic deterrence with the conclusion of a series of operational events and tests of the nuclear triad, Feb. 12. USSTRATCOM coordinated these strategic opportunities with combatant commands and components  more

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Strategic Command issued the following news: U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) showcased its ability to conduct coordinated, worldwide operations, reassure partners and allies, and accomplish its primary mission of global strategic deterrence with the conclusion of a series of operational events and tests of the nuclear triad, Feb. 12. USSTRATCOM coordinated these strategic opportunities with combatant commands and components across multip  more