Good morning, Lincoln. Here’s what you should know today.
Suspect was parolee
The man arrested in connection with a homicide Sunday a few blocks south of downtown Lincoln was released from prison less than two months ago.
According to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services website, 41-year-old Timothy Washington was released Dec. 27 after serving less than three years in prison for a 2021 robbery.
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The website indicates Wright was released early under Nebraska's Good Time Law, which allows inmates to cut their sentence roughly in half if they follow prison rules.
Wright is accused of shooting a man to death Sunday morning near 13th and E streets, in what was the city’s first homicide of 2025.
State trooper killed
A Nebraska State Patrol trooper was killed Monday in a weather-related crash on Interstate 80.
The State Patrol said in a news release that a crash occurred when the trooper and others were responding to another crash on I-80 between Ashland and Greenwood. The interstate was shut down between mile markers 420 and 426 in both directions.
The State Patrol did not provide any other details and said it has asked the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office to conduct the crash investigation. The name of the trooper was not released.
Section 504 lawsuit
If a recent lawsuit calling for the removal of a “essential” law that provides protections for people with disabilities is upheld in court, those accommodations could be taken away from individuals with disabilities across Nebraska.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is one of 17 Republican attorneys general across the country to join the lawsuit that states that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act enacted more than 50 years ago is unconstitutional.
The lawsuit filed in Texas in September against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is in response to changes made under the Biden Administration in 2024 to include gender dysphoria in the definition of disability under Section 504.
That’s it for Tuesday, Feb. 17. Stay in the know with Lincoln’s longest-standing news source at JournalStar.com and we will see you back here tomorrow.
Top Journal Star photos for February 2025
As icy stalactites hang from the ceiling, Sawyer Downs, 25, and his neighbor Macoy Fergus look for personal effects inside of the Downs home near 25th and L street, which was destroyed in Tuesday's fire, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Lincoln.
The Lincoln North Star team celebrates after defeating Omaha Marian in the A-4 district final on Friday at Lincoln North Star.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman Carter Geddings, a business administration major from Fremont, shoots hoops outside Abel Hall on Tuesday in Lincoln. After the extreme cold last week caused school closures, warmer temperatures returned to Lincoln this week.
Lincoln East’s Jadeon Carter celebrates winning the Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.
Lincoln Southeast's Chewy Thoat (33) and Tre Bollen (12) carry the A-6 district plaque to the student section following the Knights' victory over Lincoln Northeast on Monday at Lincoln Northeast High School.
Lincoln Pius X's Ellie Wells holds the net after the Bolts defeated Elkhorn North in the B-2 district final on Saturday in Lincoln.
Norris High School senior Anneliese Bargen (left) and Raymond Central senior Sarah Lange pose for a portrait on Thursday at the Capitol. The two students were selected to take part in the prestigious U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C.
Omaha Westview's Kalynn Lyons (left) wrestles against Bennington's Maycee Peacher in the Class A 130-pound championship match last February in Omaha.
Nebraska’s Jessica Petrie (left) and Washington’s Elle Ladine vie for possession of the ball on Feb. 23 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln East’s Jadeon Carter (front) and Bellevue’s Alexander Jones compete in the Boys 500 Yard Freestyle on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.
Lincoln Pius X's Joe Andreasen celebrates his win against Sidney’s Patrick McCartney wrestles during the Nebraska Class B 190-pound championship match on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at CHI Health Center in Lincoln.
Jed Stonacek (from left), Kelli Dorsey and Brian Dorsey wade out of the water at Holmes Lake during Saturday's Polar Plunge. The annual event challenges costumed participants to plunge into the cold water to raise money from family and friends for Special Olympics Nebraska. Prizes were awarded for creativity and money raised.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue personnel battle flames as they respond to a three house fire near South 25th and L streets on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Lincoln.
People gather during a Presidents Day protest Monday at the Capitol.
Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., cousin of Emmett Till and the last living eyewitness to Till’s abduction, poses for a photo at City Impact on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Lincoln. Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., cousin of Emmett Till and the last living eyewitness to Till’s abduction, as the keynote speaker for its 2nd Annual Black History Month event and program, “We're Not Done Yet!”Â
Lincoln Northeast’s Elijah Harris and Papio South’s Jayden Herrera reach for the ball in front of Papio South’s Grant Beckenhauer, Lincoln Northeast’s Lazerek Houston and Papio South’s Levi Webb on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Lincoln Northeast High School in Lincoln.
The Church of Blues Duo performs during Lincoln Exposed on Wednesday in Lincoln.
Elvis tribute artist Taylor Salamon (from left) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, (from left) speaks with fellow Elvis performers Ryan Rose, of Tipp City, Ohio, and Benjamin Johnson of Missouri during the Nebraska Elvis Festival held at The Graduate Hotel on Friday.
Nebraska's Brice Williams (right) attempts a 3-pointer against Maryland's Derik Queen on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lexis Funk (left) and Aud Koch clear snow from the west steps of the Capitol on Wednesday. Frigid temperatures kept Civil War reenactors from standing guard near the Abraham Lincoln statue as they normally do on the anniversary of 16th president's birthday. Wednesday would have been the 216th anniversary. The cold also drove people to Lincoln's homeless shelter. The People's City Mission reported it had 430 people spending Wednesday night in the shelter, which was built to house up to 280 guests, meaning many slept on mattresses on the floor.
Moore Middle School student Charani Kummiti competes in the 2025 LPS Spelling Bee at Culler Middle School on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Lincoln.
Nebraska’s Balvin Israel lands during the Men’s Triple Jump on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.
Savannah Gardner laughs while barreling down the Holmes Lake dam Wednesday.
Dick Wolf (from left), Pat Wolf, Mary Ann Bendezu and Don True practice lunging with their foils during an introductory fencing class at Aging Partners Victory Park Senior Center on Friday.
Attendees of Nebraska Walk for Life, including Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman (center), recite the Pledge of Allegiance on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at the Capitol.
Nebraska’s Juwan Gary dunks the ball on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
Kristi Sittner sets up her booth in preparation for the Nebraska Builders Home and Garden Show on Thursday at the Sandhills Global Event Center. Sittner is the owner of “Tailored Landscapes,” and said she thinks people are often “pleasantly surprised when they find something to shop for” due to many of the booths being construction-based. The show runs through Sunday at the center, South 84th Street and Havelock Avenue. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per person with 10% of ticket prices going to the Food Bank of Lincoln.
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New head volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly (right) speaks to fans during a welcome celebration held on Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Lincoln North Star's Sarah Gatwech (second left) celebrates after defeating Lincoln Southwest in the Heartland Athletic Conference championship Saturday at Lincoln North Star High School.
Loralei Jeffery shows her mother Sara (right) an egg that was laid earlier in the morning on Tuesday. The Jeffery family coop gives the family a steady supply of eggs.
Heather Circo holds a sign towards oncoming cars during the National Day of Protest on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Former Nebraska head volleyball coach John Cook (center) raises his fist as he is recognized for his service during a welcome celebration held on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Lincoln Northeast's Lazerek Houston (center left) celebrates the win against Lincoln North Star with teammate Quincy Montoya on Saturday at North Star.
Nebraska's Britt Prince dribbles around Michigan's Syla Swords in February at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
