On December 12, 2025, the Northeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court celebrated the graduation of one of its participants at the Madison County Courthouse, with the Honorable Mark Johnson presiding. Retired District Court Judge James Kube also attended the hearing and celebration; Judge Kube oversaw the...

The Office of Public Guardian has seen firsthand the growing need for guardianship services in Nebraska communities. We believe that it is vital for our vision, mission, and policies to reflect changing needs and circumstances. With this goal in mind, the OPG partnered recently with two consultants...

Robin Cobaugh, Clerk Magistrate of Keith and Arthur County Courts, passed away December 13, 2025. She served as Clerk Magistrate beginning in 2022 and began her career with the Judicial Branch 12 years prior to that. Annette Shafer of Lincoln County will assume the role of Clerk Magistrate in both...

Communities across Nebraska marked National Adoption Day in November with heartwarming celebrations honoring children finding their forever families. In Norfolk, CASA of Elkhorn Valley welcomed nearly 100 attendees to a science-themed celebration, “Families Are the Perfect Formula,” hosted at the...

Edward D. Steenburg, former judge of the 11th Judicial District County Court in Nebraska, died December 7, 2025. He took the bench in 2004 and retired in February 2025. During his time on the bench, Judge Steenburg served as President of the Nebraska County Judges Association, volunteered with high...

In September 2025, the Office of Dispute Resolution’s (ODR) concluded the Juvenile Restorative Justice & Family Intervention Initiative (JRJFII), a federal grant project under the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. A key component of the grant initiative was to provide youth...

Judges from across Nebraska played a starring role in this year’s Judge Lyle Strom High School Mock Trial competition, beginning with the top two teams in the state being coached by members of the judiciary. Duchesne Academy, the 2025 state champion, was coached by sitting Judge Stefanie Martinez...

On December 8, 2025, two participants graduated from the Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court at the Saline County Courthouse in Wilber. Judge David Bargen presided over the ceremony. A former Drug Court graduate, now a college student pursuing a degree in drug and alcohol counseling, served as the...

On December 4, 2025, the Midwest Nebraska Problem-Solving Court Adult Drug Court held a graduation ceremony at the Dawson County District Court in Lexington, with Judge Michael Piccolo presiding. The graduates brought their families with them to celebrate this great achievement. Both graduates...

Research has shown that ongoing, post-divorce interparental conflict is linked to children experiencing higher emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, depression) and more behavior problems (e.g., aggression, rule-breaking). Ongoing conflict between parents may directly harm children when they get caught...