Did Pope Leo find his voice in Africa? Or did America and the world finally hear him

There is a case to be made that Pope Leo XIV found his voice on his epic trip through Africa

April 20, 2026Updated: April 20, 2026

By NICOLE WINFIELD

Regional

Wildfire sparked by lightning forces evacuation in Dawson County

Wildfire sparked by lightning forces evacuation in Dawson County

LeMar Resigns from Hastings College Foundation

LeMar Resigns from Hastings College Foundation

19th Annual Springfest to Launch Spring Planting Season

19th Annual Springfest to Launch Spring Planting Season

Archway introduces new audio tour app, virtual museum tours

Archway introduces new audio tour app, virtual museum tours

Hastings Airport Awards Bid for Jet Hangar, Eyes Regional Status

Hastings Airport Awards Bid for Jet Hangar, Eyes Regional Status

Local volunteers invite Kearney residents to help design downtown crosswalk murals

Local volunteers invite Kearney residents to help design downtown crosswalk murals

State

Creativity and business meet at Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

Sidney hosts multi-department fire training with Dalton, Gurley crews

Fire from unattended burn spreads to debris piles near Sterling

Tower work to temporarily affect 98.7 FM signal in Sidney area

Potter Volunteer Fire Department honors members, reports 2025 activity

Red flag warning in effect through Monday for extremely dry, breezy conditions

Sports

Lowery, Akins lead Chadron State College to win

Colorado sports notes: Forward Logan O'Connor caps long comeback with a Game 1 goal to help Avalanche hold off Kings 2-1

WNCC softball splits conference games with Lamar

Colorado sports notes: Murray, Jokic lead Nuggets to 116-105 win over Timberwolves in physical opener to 1st-round series

WNCC baseball drops doubleheader to Southeast

Clutch hitting gives Columbus win over rival Norfolk

Ag & Outdoor

Outdoor notes: Spring shotgun turkey season opens

Outdoor notes: Bighorn sheep regular lottery applications begin April 20

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