AGP Executive Report

Nebraska Volleyball at Wrigley Field: No. 1 Nebraska is set to make history again Sunday night, taking on Missouri inside Chicago’s Wrigley Field for the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge. The Huskers (4-0) bring a dominant 74-3-1 series edge over the Tigers and are expected to adjust to wind in the Friendly Confines. Sports & Entertainment Spotlight: Nebraska’s weekend also includes arts coverage like Omaha’s Orpheum Theater getting a fresh look for photo-friendly pre-show moments, plus Southeast Nebraska’s listings for “Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Musical Review” running through Sept. 12. Local News Notes: A Sarpy County hotel tied to a prior FBI sex-trafficking raid was used for a fire training exercise, while Lincoln police reported a USPS driver arrest tied to a stolen sports-card package valued near $46,000. Streaming Pick: HBO’s superhero mystery “Lanterns” returns with episode 4 tonight at 9 p.m. ET.

Volleyball in the spotlight: Nebraska’s No. 1 women’s team is taking its momentum to Wrigley Field for the Big Ten/SEC Challenge, with Missouri coming to Chicago Sunday on Fox and streaming via fubo—after a record-setting DePaul sweep that drew 8,786 fans. Huskers football recap: Matt Rhule’s era started with a 49-21 home win over Ohio, but Nebraska needed to clean up a sloppy first half before pulling away in the second. Local sports viewing: If you’re planning the weekend, there are guides for where to watch Nebraska vs. Missouri volleyball and Nebraska vs. Ohio football coverage, plus TV listings for Sunday. Community & memory: Nebraska firefighters and Lincoln-area reporting marked 9/11’s 25th anniversary, including firsthand recollections of that day’s impact on the state. Public safety controversy: Outrage spread after a Nebraska officer was filmed pointing and activating a taser at a Golden Retriever, sparking calls for accountability. Film pick: “Coyote vs. Acme” lands as a courtroom comedy that leans into underdog energy and never-give-up charm.

Nebraska Football: Matt Rhule’s Huskers opened the 2026 season with a 49-21 win over Ohio in a hot, sloppy-but-resilient home opener. True freshman Jamal Rule exploded with 169 all-purpose yards and three rushing TDs, while QB Anthony Colandrea settled in after a rough first half for 275 yards and three passing scores plus a rushing TD. Game Recap & Takeaways: Nebraska led 14-13 at halftime, then flipped the script with cleaner second-half execution and a late surge after Ohio threatened late. Media Notes: Colandrea called the first half “sloppy,” and Rhule said the fix was basically stopping self-inflicted mistakes. Nebraska Volleyball (sports culture): No. 1 Nebraska keeps rolling after sweeping DePaul, and heads to Wrigley Field for a Sunday showdown with Missouri as part of the SEC/Big Ten Challenge. Local Spotlight: Omaha honored Jazz legend Ron Boone by renaming a stretch of Pratt Street in North Omaha as “Ron Boone Street.” Weekend Plans: Crofton’s new rural fire hall opens with a Sunday public open house, plus Labor Day family events around Omaha (including monarch tagging at Lauritzen Gardens and first-responder night at Werner Park). Pop Culture (HBO): “Lanterns” continues to draw buzz for its grounded take on the Green Lantern mythos, with fans trading theories about Hal Jordan’s fate.

Nebraska Sports Spotlight: No. 1 Nebraska volleyball keeps rolling, sweeping DePaul 3-0 in Chicago and setting up Sunday’s huge showdown at Wrigley Field vs. Missouri (FOX, 8 p.m. CDT). Season Opener Buzz: Nebraska kicks off the 2026 football season Saturday vs. Ohio at Memorial Stadium (FS1, noon ET), with the Cornhuskers favored heavily as they debut new QB Anthony Colandrea. Local Arts & Community: Omaha Public Library is hosting fall author events tied to “I Am a Man: Standing Bear’s Journey for Justice,” plus free writing workshops for kids and adults across multiple branches. Nebraska Ballot Watch: Two petitions to legalize online sports betting have cleared signature thresholds and will appear on Nebraska’s Nov. 3 ballot, with public hearings planned by congressional district. Community & Safety: Nebraska leaders held a re-entry roundtable emphasizing that successful reintegration can’t be “just corrections,” while a Nebraska community mourns after a reported murder-suicide in Pierce County.

Nebraska Arts & Entertainment: The Nebraska State Fair’s Visual Arts category is spotlighting everything from painting and pottery to “trash to treasures,” with entries processed by volunteers and judged for top placements. Community Events: Oktoberfest is back in Norfolk, Sept. 18-19, with live music, polka bands, tailgate fun, cornhole tournaments, bounce houses, and a new Harvest Heat Rib Cook-Off. Sports (Local): Husker Volleyball kept rolling, sweeping DePaul in Chicago to stay perfect. Sports (Youth & Outdoors): The Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League kicks off its seventh season with a Bennington time trial “soft opening” Sept. 6, then a bigger Sept. 13 race expected to draw 300+ riders. Public Service & Health: UNMC broke ground on an infectious disease training facility and launched an Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine. Local Spotlight: Rep. Adrian Smith visited Hastings St. Cecilia to recognize a student’s winning congressional art entry.

Nebraska Sports & Culture: Jon Rothstein’s “viral promise” is finally turning into a real Lincoln night—he’ll host a Nebraska basketball happy hour Sept. 16 at Gate 25, right as the Huskers’ volleyball slate heats up. Husker Game-Day Buzz: Nebraska’s season opener vs. Ohio brings a new voice in the booth—Jay Moore takes over the Husker Radio Network analyst role, and the Legends Award honors former coach Frank Solich. Volleyball at Big-Time Venues: College volleyball keeps going bigger: Wrigley Field hosts the Big Ten/SEC challenge Sunday, with Nebraska set to play Missouri in the first-ever volleyball matches at the Friendly Confines. Arts & Community: Nebraska Innovation Studio names Michael Burton as its new director, aiming to push the makerspace’s art-tech projects forward. Local Events: Hastings marks the Sept. 11 anniversary with a ceremony at Hastings College and a museum documentary screening afterward. True Crime Media Watch: A Nebraska-focused piece critiques how social media and coverage can turn victims into background noise in high-profile trials.

College Sports Spotlight: Nebraska’s Protect College Sports Act is back in play after Sen. Deb Fischer urged passage, with Big Ten/SEC negotiations still shaping what lawmakers will accept. Husker Football Preview: Nebraska opens its 2026 season Saturday vs. Ohio, with QB Anthony Colandrea expected to “keep it on schedule” early as new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich leans into a fast, violent style. Volleyball Buzz: No. 1 Nebraska keeps rolling—sweeping South Dakota State—and heads to Chicago for DePaul Friday, with an injury scare involving Andi Jackson during the win. UNO Athletics Upgrade: The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved naming the $55 million Howard L. Hawks Training Center, and UNO athletics is already talking big about what the facility will unlock. Soccer Result: Nebraska women beat UNO 3-0 on a long cross-field goal and late scoring. High School Sports: Hastings jumps to No. 1 in Class B softball rankings after early statement wins. Arts & Entertainment: HBO’s “Lanterns” is drawing Nebraska ties in its latest episode, including Husker football trivia in the show’s storyline. Fan Practicalities: Nebraska Athletics will allow one sealed bottle of water at Memorial Stadium to help fans handle extreme heat.

Nebraska Volleyball Buzz: No. 1 Nebraska kept rolling in Brookings, sweeping South Dakota State 25-18, 25-20, 25-15 in front of a record 5,113 fans—an event that was as much about celebrating the sport as the win. Recruiting Shakeups: Millard South receiver Tay Ellis decommitted from Nebraska, and another Nebraska pledge change hit the pipeline as well. Big Ten Soccer Preview: Nebraska opens Big Ten play against Indiana and Iowa, setting the tone for a new stretch of conference matchups. Local Arts & Community: Johnson, Neb., added to its mural scene with a bald eagle painted by LA artist The Obanoth through UNL’s muralist class. Family-Friendly Fun: The 72nd annual Arcadia Fall Festival runs Labor Day weekend with rodeo, tournaments, live entertainment, and a wall of fame ceremony. Tech & Safety: Nebraska’s DMV launched “Nebraska Navigator,” a multilingual website tool aimed at cutting call volume and helping people find answers faster. Health Watch: A new Nebraska report flags major mental health needs for kids in foster care and juvenile justice, urging more community-based services.

Husker Sports Buzz: Nebraska volleyball and football fans are already packing fall travel, with Lincoln Airport seeing more charters as the season ramps up. Recruiting Shake-Up: Millard South three-star WR Antayvion “Tay” Ellis decommitted from Nebraska, leaving the Huskers with two other receiver commits. Volleyball Spotlight: South Dakota State’s sold-out showdown vs. No. 1 Nebraska is drawing major attention, with nearly 5,000 tickets gone fast. Local College Win: Wayne State kicker Boston Hensley nailed a 33-yard game-winner in a 21-20 win over Nebraska-Kearney. Parent Safety Online: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers rolled out a new “Parenting in the Digital Age” guide for families. Community & Safety: Omaha police say the parents who surrendered a newborn at a South Omaha fire station won’t face charges under Nebraska’s safe haven law. Arts & Culture: Wayne State College hosts free guest pianist Philip Daniel on Sept. 10. Entertainment Destination: Ho-Chunk Inc. broke ground on the $100M WarHorse South Sioux casino with an amphitheater and sports bar.

Nebraska Sports Spotlight: No. 1 Nebraska volleyball is set for a huge weekend in Brookings, S.D., with South Dakota State hosting the Cornhuskers Wednesday at First Bank & Trust Arena, plus a second match Friday against Western Illinois. College Football Culture: In-stadium beer has become the norm across FBS, with Iowa State finally joining the list this year—another sign of how game-day traditions keep evolving. Husker Football Launch Details: Lincoln construction could add 30 minutes to an hour to drives for Nebraska’s home opener, with specific detours and exit options flagged for fans. Local Community & Entertainment: Lincoln’s Zombie Walk returns after a 10-year break, drawing about 700 costumed participants for a night of themed fun and “resistance” vs. the undead. Nebraska Tech/Industry: UNL researcher Jun Wang is advancing high-voltage tech to make AI data centers more energy efficient, funded by a new $1.8M DOE grant. Sports & Society: A story on “immediately eligible” transfer QBs shows how the transfer portal is reshaping quarterback development nationwide.

Nebraska Football: First-year defensive coordinator Rob Aurich is preaching a “dark place” mentality ahead of Saturday’s season opener vs. Ohio, pushing a fast, violent 4-2-5 identity as the Huskers chase Week 1 intensity. Husker Sports Recap: Nebraska’s men’s golf season opener at the New York Harbor Cup didn’t go well, finishing last after a tough stretch. Volleyball Spotlight: Nebraska’s volleyball rivalry with Texas is back in the spotlight, with the Huskers sweeping No. 2 Texas in the Players Era Showcase. State Fair Entertainment: The Nebraska State Fair’s “Tiger Encounter” brings Bengal tigers and a rare white lion for daily big-cat shows with a conservation message. Community & Care: A Hillcrest caregiver in Papillion got a new car through the Cars for Caregivers program, aiming to give frontline staff more freedom to work and live. Public Safety & Policy: Omaha police defended school resource officers at a City Council hearing as the ACLU of Nebraska raised concerns, including links to the “shock gloves” controversy. Civic Life: Nebraska’s Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the “Fairness for Girls” sports measure, clearing the way for it to appear on the November ballot. Tech & Government: Nebraska is expanding DMV AI tools statewide after a pilot with Tyler Technologies, citing fewer calls and better resident access. Arts & Fundraising: Lincoln’s Wyuka Park is getting support for the Pershing Mural with a Cake Social fundraiser set for Sept. 13.

Nebraska Arts & Community: Katie Dia’s “A Commemoration to America 250th: Nebraska City” mural is turning public space into a hands-on history project, with bright, community-built artwork at 1024 Central Ave. Nebraska Arts Alumni: A new roundup spotlights 11 UNL alumni whose creative work helped shape American culture, from literature to performance. Local Music Scene: Lincoln’s Checkerfest 2026 brought a full night of local bands and community energy, while earlier summer coverage highlights Lincoln Calling and Omaha’s Slowdown shows. Nebraska State Fair Culture: The fair’s America 250 celebration continues with a new statue honoring the 250th birthday, plus music and family-friendly entertainment. Husker Game-Day Practicality: Omaha fans get a new $59 round-trip shuttle to Memorial Stadium for the Ohio home opener. Tech & Safety: Nebraska is set to receive up to $201 million from a landmark Meta settlement aimed at making Instagram and Facebook safer for kids. Business/Policy: Nebraska and Iowa join a multi-state lawsuit against Amazon over alleged hidden ad-price surcharges. Sports (Regional): KMAland’s Tuesday volleyball slate features Johnson-Brock/Sidney and Clarinda/Harlan, with more area matchups rolling through the night.

Nebraska Football Home Opener Prep: Matt Rhule’s Huskers open the 2026 season Saturday at Memorial Stadium vs. Ohio, with senior Anthony Colandrea set to start at QB and a running-back committee in the mix. Expect game-day logistics to look different: new gate closures, a clear-bag policy, and a new iPronto shuttle system replacing the long-running Big Red Express. Local Sports & Community Events: Hartington-Newcastle moved its Homer game to Thursday night (Sept. 3) due to heat, and Omaha’s Friday Night Fever Showdown returns Sept. 4 with Lee’s Summit at Omaha Westside, airing live at 7 p.m. High School Volleyball Buzz: Frontier and Grand Island are set for the second annual Frontier Volleyball Stadium Series on Sept. 19, building on last year’s massive outdoor crowd and court-on-the-50-yard-line setup. State Fair Entertainment: Grand Island’s Nebraska State Fair wrapped Older Nebraskans Day with free stage acts and a headline KC and the Sunshine Band concert, running through Labor Day. Arts & Culture: Jurassic Bark Live brings rescue dogs and dinosaur stunts to the Nebraska State Fair’s Family Fun Zone, blending comedy with animal rescue stories. Local Education/Arts Leadership: UNO welcomed Dr. Omri Senderowicz as the new Director of the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies. Consumer Tech Watch: The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” and misleading ad pricing—another big national story with real Nebraska small-business stakes.

Nebraska Volleyball: Top-ranked Nebraska closed the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas with a clean sweep of No. 2 Texas, 25-19, 25-19, 25-16, powered by Andi Jackson’s nine kills (.571) and a big defensive effort that held Texas to a .152 hitting mark. Local Arts & Community: Phil Wickham brought a sold-out crowd to the Nebraska State Fair, while Mid-America Arts Alliance’s Artist INC Express is set to run Sept. 11-13 to help artists build a lasting practice. UNL Student Life: UNL Dance Marathon kicked off its fundraising season with a pickleball tournament, raising support for Children’s Nebraska Hospital. Nebraska Extension: ScoutNebraska launches real-time crop scouting updates for farmers, using social platforms and quick expert guidance. Tech/Internet: Starlink’s customer satisfaction jump is noted in Nebraska, with reliability gains highlighted as cable and DSL lag. Entertainment (HBO): “Lanterns” Episode 3 keeps the mystery rolling with John Stewart’s origin and major DC lore teases. Business/Industry: KBR won FEED work for Live Oak’s large-scale e-NG project in Norfolk, Nebraska. Sports (National): Big Ten previews put pressure on Nebraska’s Matt Rhule with a brutal conference slate.

Nebraska Volleyball: No. 1 Nebraska closed the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas with a clean sweep of No. 2 Texas, 25-19, 25-19, 25-16, in front of 9,747 fans at T-Mobile Arena. Game Recap: Andi Jackson led the Huskers with nine kills on .571 hitting, while Manaia Ogbechie added seven blocks and seven kills; Nebraska limited Texas to a .152 hitting mark and finished with 10 blocks and seven aces. Rivalry Moment: It was the first regular-season meeting between the programs since 2016 and Nebraska’s first sweep of Texas since that earlier matchup. Local Sports Spotlight: In Grand Island, Lawrence-Nelson opened its 8-man season with a 56-22 win over Elm Creek in the 8-man Kickoff Classic. Arts & Entertainment: HBO’s Lanterns keeps rolling with Episode 3 dropping Sunday, and the show’s unusual costume choices are drawing fresh debate. Film Review: Cineplex is now playing Coyote vs. Acme, a courtroom comedy that leans into underdog energy and all-ages laughs.

Big Ten Sports Hosting: Nebraska will host the 2027 Big Ten Softball Tournament at Bowlin Stadium/Rhonda Revelle Field May 12-15, with the conference also naming Omaha’s Charles Schwab Field as the long-running site for the Big Ten Baseball Tournament. Volleyball Spotlight: No. 1 Nebraska opened its season with a 3-0 sweep over UNLV at the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas, then sets up a marquee Sunday showdown with No. 2 Texas on FOX. Local Arts & Community: Omaha’s Fifth House is reopening after an anonymous donation helped it weather streetcar construction impacts, while Ralston welcomed Armored MMA—steel-clad, cage-style combat—at Liberty First Credit Union Arena. Arts & Culture Feature: Chadron State student Leighton Johnson’s art journey is getting a boost as he pursues studies overseas after overcoming major financial hurdles. Sports on TV/Weekend Plans: Listings highlight where to watch Nebraska volleyball and other major games across the weekend.