The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 12 to designate the North Plattelegraph as the county's official legal newspaper for 2026 following public comment from competing publishers and a review of statutory publication requirements.

During public comment, Dee Klein of the North Plattelegraph highlighted the paper's combined print and digital reach and asked the board to reappoint the paper as the official newspaper for legal notices. A representative from the North Platte Bulletin, identified as George, also addressed the board and emphasized the Bulletin's experience publishing legal notices and its presence on the Nebraska Press Association site. Both speakers said their publications regularly post legals online.

Commissioners discussed the statutory requirement for three consecutive weeks of publication and the practical trade-offs of designating a weekly paper versus one that publishes multiple times per week. Several commissioners raised cost concerns if the county were required to publish notices in more than one outlet. After discussion, Commissioner (motion) moved to select the North Plattelegraph; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call.

Quotes from the meeting included Dee Klein saying the paper "reached the largest audience in Lincoln County combining our print and digital products," and George noting that the Bulletin publishes legals on the Nebraska Press Association website and offers 24/7 access online.

What happens next: The county clerk's office will work with the designated newspaper to place legal notices for 2026 and ensure statutory publication timelines are met.