Cars pass over Salt Creek on Van Dorn Street on Thursday. Drought conditions have largely subsided in Nebraska this summer, especially in eastern parts of the state. As of this week, about 9% of the state is considered in drought.
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Top Journal Star photos and videos for September 2025
Monarch butterflies stop to feed on pollen and nectar from bushes of flowers along the Billy Wolff Trail on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Lincoln. At the end of the summer months, a super generation of monarchs that has an extended life span emerge and prepare for their annual migration. Typically, as the weather begins to cool, the butterflies will begin their migration south. Those east of the Rocky Mountains migrate south to overwinter in the forests of central Mexico, while those from west of the Rockies fly to coastal California.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) walks off the field after the Huskers loss to Michigan on Saturday.
Charlie DeMoss touches up a painting during the Art in the Garden event at the Sunken Gardens on Saturday.
Runners, led by Pius X's Joe Majerus (552) and David Krier (549) take off from the starting line in the boy's varsity 5,000 meter race during Harold Scott Invitational at Pioneers Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Lincoln.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule reacts after a Michigan touchdown on Saturday. The Huskers fell to 3-1 this season with the 30-27 loss.
A cyclist rides across a bridge on the Helen Boosalis Trail over Nebraska Parkway near the intersection with South 27th Street on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska's Dasan McCullough (15) celebrates with his teammates after sacking Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, not pictured, during the first half on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
The Lincoln East Spartans student fan section roars on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Seacrest Field in Lincoln. Lincoln East was up 7-0 going into the half.
Former Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook reacts as he sees a statue of himself for the first time during a statue dedication ceremony at the Devaney Sports Center on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Lincoln.
6-year-old Gracie Wolfe plays on the trampoline with her seizure dog, Addie —a 3-year-old golden retriever — on Thursday at her family's home in Valparaiso. Gracie has Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy, and routinely experiences seizures.
Nebraska’s Bergen Reilly (2) and Rebekah Allick (5) go for a block against Michigan’s Jenna Hanes (12) as Nebraska hosts Michigan on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.
Nebraska's Williams Nwaneri (96) Vincent Shavers (9, behind, not visible) and DeShon Singleton (8) tackle Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomores Bethany Fox, second from left, and Brayden Ebbers, third from left, attend a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Wednesday outside the Nebraska Union. “Charlie was such a light in this world,†Fox said. “He was such a phenomenal role model, and I hope that everybody can remember him for his courage.â€
Crete Fire and Rescue firefighter and UNL senior Landon Chao kneels on the ground to rest after climbing the steps of the west stadium for over an hour during the annual 9/11 memorial stair climb at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Lincoln. "Every time I stop to kneel, I think of the men and woman who lost their life that day," Chao said.
Nebraska’s Andi Jackson (15) hits against Creighton’s Eloise Brandewie (10) and Creighton’s Jaya Johnson (6) on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, as Creighton hosts Nebraska at CHI Health Center in Omaha.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) leads the Husker players out of the tunnel before tking on Houston Christian on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Chicago-based artist Matthew Mederer negotiates his scaffolding as he paints a mural featuring Lincoln-area buildings Wednesday at The Flats at Leighton District apartment complex. Mederer was one of three artists set to work on murals in the University Place neighborhood this week ahead of the Emerge LNK mural and street art festival, which is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the LUX Center for the Arts, 2601 N. 48th St. The festival, started in 2021 in an effort to revive University Place, will feature live music, food trucks, a makers market, art activities and more.
10-year-old Zayne Johnson of Lincoln uses an elliptical Thursday at the Fitblock outdoor gym at Tierra Park. The new gym features a system of exercise stations designed for people of all levels of experience and is wheelchair accessible.
Jim Spence and his grandson Cam, 3, practice putting on the practice green at Jim Ager Golf Course on Monday. Lincoln got into the high 80s on Monday and could touch 90 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. There is a chance for thunderstorms Tuesday night with rain chances continuing the rest of the week. The weather service is calling for a high of 80 on Wednesday and 74 on Thursday.
Maintainence technician Harold Lyon, right, chisels open a time capsule at the William Jennings Bryan house at Bryan East Campus with help from fellow technician Ced Schweitzer, left, on Tuesday. The capsule was placed in a wall at the hospital in June 1987 to celebrate the hospital's 60 years of service. Lyon was part of the team that placed the capsule nearly four decades ago.
A red steel beam in the upper arena reflects the players on the court on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, as Nebraska hosts Grand Canyon University at Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. Nebraska swept Grand Canyon 3-0.
The Creighton Prep Junior Jays are reflected in a drum in the marching band section during warmups as the Creighton Prep Junior Jays face off against the Lincoln Southeast Knights on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at Seacrest Field in Lincoln. Creighton Prep was up 17-10 going into the half.
Stones stand in the ground on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the Standing Stone Circle on the Prarie, which Renae Koehler constructed on her farm in Firth. Koehler, a minister for over 35 years, found inspiration in her study of various world religions, and in visiting other stone circle sanctuaries—such as Stonehenge—while traveling across Europe. “It’s an energy spot, and those big stones are the doorways to the Four Directions,†she said. “So we made sure we lined it up to the North, South, East and West.†Koehler says she’s hosted various rituals in the circle, and that guests will whisper to, listen for and even kiss the massive stones. Most of those standing upright were embedded more than 5 feet deep, so she estimates they’ll be standing at least a few millennia. When she interacts with the stones, she says she finds them “mystical, alive and healing.â€
Standing Bear’s Maddie Kulhanek (17) pitches on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, as the Standing Bear Grizzlies take on the Waverly Vikings at Waverly High School in Waverly. Waverly took down Standing Bear 10-7.
Kimberly Donis, a Park Middle School eight grader and member of the school's Hope Squad, adds a butterfly to a tree display Wednesday as part of an activity to raise awareness on World Suicide Prevention Day. Hope Squads are peer-led suicide prevention groups that are in more than 1,600 schools nationwide, including all Lincoln Public Schools middle and high schools.
Noah Lewis, bottom first left, and Jessica Ramos, bottom left, cheer on the Huskers after a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's Luke Lindenmeyer (44) proposes to his girlfriend, Scarletts dance team member Aailyn Storovich, after the game on Saturday, Sep. 5, 2025, at Memorial Stadium. “I’m so shocked but so excited,†Storovich said. “I love him so much.†Nebraska shut out Akron 68-0.
Board members stand and applaud John Skretta, first right, as he is named the official superintendent of the Lincoln Public School district on Tuesday.
Nebraska's Nyziah Hunter (13) and Emmett Johnson (21) dance in celebration of Johnson's touchdown in the first quarter against Akron on Saturday.
A Lightshow with drones takes place between the third and fourth quarter during the game between Nebraska and Akron on Saturday, Sep. 6, 2025, at Memorial Stadium.
Courtney Brummel, coordinator of the Great Plains Master Beekeeping program, blows onto a honey frame to move honeybees out of the way as she demonstrates how to perform health inspections and other checks during an apiary class at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus on Aug. 14. Many Nebraskans are turning to beekeeping through programs like the one Brummel leads.
Wright State’s Reilly Zegunis (2) and Elena Dubuc (4) defend a hit by Nebraska’s Skyler Pierce (21) in the second set at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Lincoln.
Kearney's Willa Lewandowski (28) and Sophie Glandt (8) try to block a kill from Lincoln Southwest's Emma Rink (22) in the first set at Lincoln Southwest High School on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Lincoln.
Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola leads his players back to the locker room as eager fans lean over the banisters to catch high-fives before the game against Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Nebraska's Malcolm Hartzog (7) reacts after his interception with his teammates Ceyair Wright (1), Marques Buford (3), and DeShon Singleton (8) in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati on Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Nebraska's Malcolm Hartzog (7) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati's Caleb Goodie (10) late in the fourth quarter Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule reacts as he calls a timeout in the fourth quarter on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Levai Alles, from Lincoln, holds a sign during a protest against the planned ICE detention facility in McCook on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. “Camps in America are the least American thing that we could be doing as a country—let alone in Nebraska,†Alles said.
2-year-old Aleigha Dove catches bubbles on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Highlands Academy childcare center in Lincoln. The academy, situated at 5901 Northwest 1st Street, offers curriculum based childcare for children age 6 weeks through 12 years.
Bennington's Jake Russell (8) celebrates his touchdown catch with his teammates, Brett Langan (51) and Charlie Swoboda (54) during the second quarter at Waverly High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Waverly.
Waverly's Nathan Axmann (27) hurdles over Bennington players as he runs the ball in the first quarter at Waverly High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Waverly.
Bennington players locking arms wait to enter onto the field before the game at Waverly High School on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Waverly.
Lincoln Paddle Company owner Kyle Winchell poses for a portrait at Holmes Lake boat ramp on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Lincoln.
Cincinnati's Christian Harrison (5) and Xavier Williams (36) tackle Nebraska's Janiran Bonner (4), causing him to lose his grip on the ball in the fourth quarter on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Lincoln Southeast’s Trey O'Hara (33) celebrates a fumble recovery on Thursday against Grand Island at Seacrest Field.Â
Brian Fuchs
Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On X @HammackLJS
Zach Hammack
Managing Editor
