AARON SANDERFORD
Omaha World-Herald
Democrat Kara Eastman celebrated her own aisle-crossing endorsement Friday, with Republican State Sen. John McCollister bucking his party and backing her U.S. House bid.
McCollister of Omaha, who made national news in 2019 for tweeting President Donald Trump and some in the GOP were “enabling white supremacy,†said Eastman was the best pick for the 2nd District.
He said Republican Rep. Don Bacon offers no meaningful check on the worst impulses of the Trump administration. Eastman, he said, won’t “buckle under any pressure from the Democrat Party.â€
“When Don Bacon comes into the district, he makes the claim that he’s independent and nonpartisan,†McCollister said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.â€
McCollister criticized Bacon for voting with Trump and the GOP more than 90% of the time. That is fealty, McCollister said. Last month, McCollister endorsed Democrat Joe Biden for president.
Bacon said Friday he wasn't surprised by the endorsement for several reasons, including that McCollister didn't respond when he reached out to him earlier this year.
"It doesn't change the fact that Kara Eastman's policies are too risky and radical for Nebraska," Bacon said.
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Bacon and his campaign have cited a Georgetown University review ranking him the 29th-most bipartisan member of the 435-member House, based largely on bills introduced with bipartisan sponsors.
Former Rep. Brad Ashford, a Democrat, endorsed Bacon on Wednesday. He praised Bacon’s ability to work across the aisle. Ashford has run for public office as a Democrat, a Republican and an independent over the past few decades.
Both endorsements in the Omaha-based race have family ties. Eastman defeated Ashford in 2018. She beat Ashford's wife, Omaha lawyer Ann Ashford, in this year's primary. McCollister’s son, Dan, works for Eastman’s campaign.
Eastman said she appreciated the endorsement from one of the most independent voices in Nebraska politics and praised McCollister as one of the nation’s first Republicans to call out Trump.
Kara Eastman speaks to supporters in November 2018. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
“We both recognize that if we want to be rid of Donald Trump, it’s imperative to vote out the people who’ve continually enabled Trump,†she said.
The Nebraska Republican Party, after McCollister’s 2019 tweets, asked him to leave the party. He declined, saying he wanted to fix his party from within.
Watch the process of filling out and dropping off your early voting ballot in Nebraska.
Top Journal Star photos for October
Top Journal Star photos for October
Birds flying over a barn, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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James Bond stands by as soybeans are seen being unloaded at Farmers Cooperative, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Lincoln Southeast's Derek Branch (6) had both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the first half as the Knights rolled up a 28-0 lead against Papillion-La Vista in the first two quarters on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at Seacrest Field.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
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Kindergarten teacher Brenna Walsh works with students on reading at Campbell Elementary on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Mauricio Gulla Moreira rides his bull on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, during the PBR Unleash the Beast event at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Concordia's Korrell Koehlmoos (left) catches a pass for a first down against Jamestown's Justin Six (26) in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at Concordia University. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Lincoln High's Parker Vyhlidal (4) rushes for a first down against Lincoln Northeast's Dylan Gray (9) and Gage LeMay in the first half on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Majesty Jackson (from left), Mason Winroth, and Cruz Rodriguez hold up white boards during a kindergarten reading class, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at Randolph Elementary. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Lincoln East's Kirby Le returns a shot during the singles finals against Lincoln Pius X's Joseph Plachy at the Heartland Athletic Conference tournament on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Norris pitcher Alexis Wiggins (2) grabs a short fly ball for an out in the first inning of a B-5 subdistrict game against Wahoo at Norris on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Keyshawn Whitehorse (left) executes his escape after completing the required 8 seconds on the bull on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, during the PBR Unleash the Beast event at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The event continues on Sunday at PBA. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Wahoo's Mya Larson gets a kill in the third set against Waverly in a 2020 match at Waverly.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
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A side dump trailer gets ready to unload dirt onto the floor of Pinnacle Bank Arena ahead of the rodeo event this weekend, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. The Professional Bull Riders Wrangler Invitational will host a first round competition Saturday evening, and a championship event Sunday afternoon. The stadium will seat up to half of its normal capacity due to coronavirus regulations. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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A man skates past trees of colorful changing leaves at Pioneers Park on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. The cool weather that came around last week will not stick around. With the week ahead forecasting highs in the upper 80s and lows in the 50s. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Gov. Pete Ricketts puts on a mask during a news conference, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, at Nebraska State Capitol. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Lincoln East's Morgan Adams (left) jumps in the air as she and the Lincoln East dugout celebrate a home run by teammate Zoie Armstrong (not pictured Lincoln Southwest during the first game of their doubleheader at the Doris Bair Softball Complex on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Samples of corn and soybeans are seen at Farmers Cooperative in Dorchester on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Jordan Clement pours corn samples into a machine to measure moister level and weight at Farmers Cooperative in Dorchester on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
Mike Born unloads corn at Farmers Cooperative in Dorchester on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Austin Cutright stands on a ladder and uses a paint sprayer to add color to a Lincoln home on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Lincoln. Temperatures for the weekend are expected to drop to the low 60s before becoming a little warmer the following week in the high 70s. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Millard West's Will Ekborg (9) hoist the interception he caught in the second quarter during their game at Buell Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Omaha. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Reid Gahan, Vinny Sinda, LPD officer Chassidy Jackson-Goodwin, and Dylan Kohler (from left) dig a hole as they plant trees with community members and members of Hold Cops Accountable at the Malone Center on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Lincoln East base runner Sydney Walz is cheered in by her teammates after hitting a home run during softball district finals at Doris Bair Sports Complex on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Millard North outfielder Lynn Davis jumps to catches a pop fly before it goes over the fence during softball district finals at Doris Bair Sports Complex on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
Pius X's Payton Tuttle (3) eyes the high pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, during the A-6 district winners' bracket game at the Doris Bair Softball Complex. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for October
Holding onto the top of the fence, Pius X outfielder Payton Tuttle (3) grabs a long flyball hit by Lincoln Southeast's Alexis Hubbard in the third inning on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, during the A-6 district winners' bracket game at the Doris Bair Softball Complex. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Wahoo head coach Chad Fox prays with his team before facing off against Ashland-Greenwood at Wahoo High School on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Wahoo. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Lincoln North Star's Delaney Warner (10) reaches out for a Lincoln Northeast shot on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, at Lincoln North Star High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for October
Lincoln East's Noah Walters (13) gets the pass off against North Platte's Gavyn Brauer (34) in the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Lincoln Southwest's Grant Miller (15) tries to avoid the tackle of Papillion-La Vista's Jared Jasinski (65) in the second quarter on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Lincoln Southwest's Collin Fritton (right) throws a complete pass with Papillion-La Vista's Will Hubert (43) putting pressure on him in the fourth quarter on Oct. 9, 2020, at Seacrest Field.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
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A new span of bridge connecting the Rock Island Trail to the Jamaica North Trail is moved into place over train tracks using a crane on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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A new span of bridge connecting the Rock Island Trail to the Jamaica North Trail is moved into place using a crane on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Pad thai (from left), fiery beef with tofu and sesame pork ribs seen at High Peak Asian Restaurant, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Shoeshine, a 12-year-old bugle, leads the way at the trail at Frank Shoemaker Marsh ahead of his owner Ed Southwick, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Poppy Massing, 11, gets vaccinated by Barb Martinez, a public health nurse at Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, during a vaccine clinic at Lefler Middle School, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Crete's Cassidy Skillett gets back to home plate to score as Wahoo's catcher Harper Hancock looks on during Game 1 of the B-8 district final in Crete on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Wahoo's Sidney Smart can't quite catch a Crete ball during Game 2 of the B-8 district final in Crete on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Crete softball players celebrate the victory against Wahoo in the B-8 district final in Crete on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Wahoo's Trent Hallowell and Gavin Pokorny celebrate a touchdown against Ashland-Greenwood at Wahoo High School on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Wahoo players warm up as the sun sets behind them before the face off against Ashland-Greenwood at Wahoo High School on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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A Lincoln police officer and Lincoln firefighter take a moment to speak to children watching them work after responding to a fire at an apartment complex at South 11th and A street on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Lincoln Southeast color guard members spin flags as the band performs during The LPS Marching Band Showcase at Seacrest Field on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Lincoln Southeast second basemen Rylan Ewoldt jumps into the arms of Karis Gifford after the final out against Lincoln North Star sending Lincoln Southeast to the state finals during softball district finals at Doris Bair Sports Complex on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Auburn's Mallory Brinckerhoff (L) braids teammate MaKenna Turner's hair during a C-1 subdistrict game in Auburn on Monday, Oct. 10, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Robin Williams shares a moment with her cat Cupcake at Oasis Inn and Suites on Friday, July 31, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Selina Nix (left) packs her room as Frank Zortman, a friend who used to stay at the hotel, takes a moment to wipe off sweat on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, at Oasis Inn and Suites. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Amanda Waldman holds up her daughter Brylee Waldman, 3, to throw the trash into the dumpster as her son Brayden Waldman, 4, and her boyfriend Travis Vesely look on at Oasis Inn and Suites on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Top Journal Star photos for OctoberLincoln North Star's Cole Coffey (13) is embraced by a teammate during Class A first-round playoff game, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Seacrest Field. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
Papillion-La Vista head coach Todd Petersen (left) reacts as he gets dunked with the Gatorade cooler after the Monarchs won their 16th state title with a win over North Platte on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, at the Bill Smith Softball Complex. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Papillion-La Vista senior Brooke Dumont (left) holds aloft the state championship trophy for her celebrating teammates after their win over North Platte on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, at the Bill Smith Softball Complex. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for October
Lincoln Southwest's Telo Arsiaga leaps into the end zone for a game-winning touchdown against Lincoln High during a high school football game at Seacrest Field on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
Tom White has become an accomplished Great Plains bird photographer. Along his way to photography , Tom worked as an editor at the Lincoln Journal and then at Nebraskaland magazine as an editor. After retiring he and his wife Kim became very invested in bird watching and photography. Tom White poses for portrait at one of his favorite places to take photos at Consestoga Lake on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Denton. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
Lincoln Stars left defensemen Carter Schade returns the puck while chased by Omaha Lancers forward Chase Bradley at the Ice Box on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Pop-art ads encourage patrons to wear masks in downtown Lincoln on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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A woman crosses a pedestrian bridge as a man fishes at Holmes Lake, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
The Class B Girls leaders runs through fall colors on Friday, Oct. 23 2020, during the NSAA State Cross Country championships at Kearney Country Club. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for October
Lincoln East's Izzy Apel (25) and her teammates Jenna Muma, Peyton Svehla and Berlyn Schutz celebrate their team title in the Class A Girls final as they take in cheers from the fans in the crowd on Friday, Oct. 23 2020, during the NSAA State Cross Country championships at Kearney Country Club. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for October
Lincoln North Star's Liem Chot (bottom) looks behind him to see where Elkhorn South's Gabriel Hinrichs is on the final apparoach to the finish line in the Class A Boys final on Friday, Oct. 23 2020, during the NSAA State Cross Country championships at Kearney Country Club. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Lincoln Southwest's Carter McElhose (right) gets a pass inference call as he defends Lincoln North Star's Jace Elliott in the final minutes of the Class A first-round playoff game, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Seacrest Field. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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A pair of Nebraska fans jump from their seats after a Nebraska touchdown in the first quarter shown on the cube in the Railyard on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
George Bang lifts his hands during the chorus of God Bless the USA, during a Back the Blue Rally at Eagle Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Eagle. Despite the threat of snow and below freezing temperatures there was no stopping the crowd of about 100 Nebraskans who wanted to show their support for law enforcement. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Jon Michelsen of Lincoln drops off a ballot at the Lancaster County Early Vote Drop Box on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, at Gere Branch Library. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for October
Sen. Tom Brewer speaks with Maghie Miller-Jenkins of Lincoln (bottom) as he calls off the the news conference to promote an upcoming bill to further penalize violence during protests, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, at Nebraska State Capitol. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Kooser Elementary School fifth grader Lila Kildow accesses the website to vote in the LPS Student Vote on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
Skeletons outside of a South Lincoln home encourage Lincoln residents to go vote in the upcoming election on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for October
Lincoln East's Austin Schneider (left) loses the ball as he's hit by North Platte's Tate Janas in the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, during a Class A second-round playoff game at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for October
People walk Grave Grabbers Screametery at 6025 South 41st Street on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in Lincoln. The extensive display took weeks to make, and the 11-foot-tall witch itself took over 100 hours. All the decorations are handmade and put together from PVC pipe and old animatronics. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Lincoln Christian's Jonas Burgher celebrates his interception against Gothenburg's Jake Burge next to teammate Josh Free (54) during a high school football playoff game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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