Whooping cough, chlamydia and chickenpox: Diseases that increased in the Panhandle in 2025

Chlamydia, whooping cough and chickenpox were among several diseases that saw an increase in the Nebraska Panhandle in 2025, according to the Panhandle Public Health District’s newly released annual disease surveillance report.

February 5, 2026Updated: February 5, 2026

By Casey Wonnenberg

Regional

Royal Engineered Composites announces $5M expansion in Minden

Osborn addresses campaign finance and policy priorities in Kearney town hall

Berke Buyuktuncel enters transfer portal

Kearney SportsPlex celebrates first anniversary

Four train cars derail in North Platte

Train derails in North Platte

Shinedown Headlines Rock Lineup at Nebraska State Fair

State

Lodgepole to hold special election

Whooping cough, chlamydia and chickenpox: Diseases that increased in the Panhandle in 2025

Regional

Royal Engineered Composites announces $5M expansion in Minden

Osborn addresses campaign finance and policy priorities in Kearney town hall

Berke Buyuktuncel enters transfer portal

Kearney SportsPlex celebrates first anniversary

Four train cars derail in North Platte

Shinedown Headlines Rock Lineup at Nebraska State Fair

State

Lodgepole to hold special election

Well-known toy collector comes to northeast Nebraska

AARP Nebraska raises awareness as scam losses grow nationwide

Federal lawsuit filed against Stanton County Sheriff, chief deputy

Osborn addresses campaign finance and policy priorities in Kearney town hall

Pillen announces departure of Nebraska broadband director

Sports

Michael Lorenzen throws efficiently into the 6th, Rockies beat Astros 9-1 to complete 3-game sweep

Scottsbluff edges Sidney to win Red Raider Golf Invite

North Platte St. Patrick’s sweeps team titles at Storm Invite in Chappell

WNCC softball falls twice to Southeast in exciting action

Colorado sports notes: Avalanche beat the Blues 3-1 to clinch Central Division and top seed in the Western Conference

Norfolk announces new coaches for girls basketball, cross country, dance

Ag & Outdoor

Outdoor notes: NGPC offering pastures, hay tracts to those affected by wildfires

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Smith Lake WMA Aquatic Habitat Project

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks urges caution when recreating outdoors due to wildfires

Outdoor notes: Temporary closure of Clear Creek WMA for safety

‘Worst-case scenario’: Fertilizer, fuel cost spikes hitting Nebraska farmers hard

Outdoor notes: Haag shares 100 years of Nebraskaland