Stories from Friday, January 2, 2026

Last year, the Adolph Coors company took ownership of the phrase, “Mondayest Monday,” to describe the day after the Super Bowl. For many, that’s probably a good descriptor. Statistically, a 2025 UKG survey found that an estimated 22.6 million U.S. employees planned to miss work on the Monday after Super Bowl LIX — up from about 16.1 million the previous year, a nod to how the post-Super Bowl Monday has become synonymous with exhaustion, distraction, and a collective lack of enthusiasm for the workday ahead.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - When historians look back at 2025, the shorthand assessment may well be that it was the year McCook found itself in the national spotlight—often unexpectedly, and not always comfortably. The year began on a positive and forward-looking note. ...

FRONTIER COUNTY, Neb. - Although the official count was 133, Phil Miles of Nebraska Game and Parks believes the number was higher—especially with four-legged friends included. “Red Willow draws some of the largest numbers in the state for the first day hike,” said longtime coordinator Ronda Graff. “We always have the highest numbers.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The most recent Men’s League results and top performers at TJ’s Family Fun Center: Men’s Major Steve Lytle Fishing 99-51 Kingpins 98-50 Chipperfield Ag 88-59 Fullmomentum 86-64 Rednecks 82-68...

Donna A. Kolbo Christianson of Cozad passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln. Donna was born on July 12, 1945 in Lexington, Nebraska to Morris “Tag” and Lucille A. “Sugar” Dillon. She was raised on a farm south of Cozad and graduated from Cozad High School with the class of 1963...

XTELL, Neb. — Surprisingly, the three-town team with only three wins proved to be No. 1 in Wednesday’s Axtell Holiday Tournament title team. Chambers-Wheeler-Central unleashed a 15-9 final quarter and edged Dundy County-Stratton, 54-53, in that title game...