Freemont Student Victim of Hit and Run
Around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, a student from Fremont High School was stuck by a car while protesting. Students had gathered outside around 2 p.m. to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and a few students had entered the street.
The student was struck by a car with a “Trump 2024” flag mounted on the review window. The car had stopped in front of the demonstration before accelerating and driving off after hitting the girl.
The Fremont Police Department identified the driver as a juvenile, adding that charges will be determined after an investigation. According to Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood, the girl was alert and talking before she was taken to the hospital. He also wrote on the social media platform X, “Our country must preserve the ability of people to safely protest.”
Similar sentiments were shared by Sen. Pete Ricketts, Rep. Don Bacon, and Sen. Deb Fischer. Fremont Public Schools superintendent Brad Dahl shared a statement to this school district acknowledging that while the protest was not sponsored by the school, student safety is important, and he praised the help of first responders on the scene.
Lancaster County has First Measles Case in 36 Years
Lancaster County reported a measles case on Wednesday, Jan. 29. This is the first case for the county since 1990. The case was confirmed in a vaccinated adult with no out-of-state travel history. People who were at the Lincoln Walmart on 4700 N. 27 st. from 1-3:30 pm and 7120 S. 69th St. Med Elite urgent Care from 1:30-5 p.m. on Jan. 18.
Health Director Kerry Kernen spoke to Nebraska Public Media, saying the case was expected as measles cases across the United States have risen. “We want people to know that Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air by breathing, coughing, sneezing,” Kernen said.
Measles has an incubation period that can vary from individual but Kerene says 21 days is how long they want people quarantined after exposure. Platte County had four confirmed cases in December, but no community spread was identified.
As of Jan. 30, 2026, there are currently 588 confirmed cases in the United States, with 58% being aged 5-19 years old and 94% are unvaccinated. So far, there have been no measles related deaths in 2026.
