Daily Minute: Drought spreads across Nebraska; Lincoln mom found guilty; historic sellout milestone

Good morning, Lincoln. Here's what you should know today.

Drought spreads across Nebraska

Drought continued to worsen last week, both locally and across Nebraska, but some relief could be on the way .

Nearly 35% of Nebraska is now in at least a moderate drought, including nearly 9% in severe drought. That's up from 28% moderate and 6% severe drought last week.

The portion of Lancaster County in moderate drought more than doubled in just one week, going from 37% to 76%, and it now includes Lincoln.

The National Weather Service is forecasting 2-3 inches of rain for Lincoln and many other parts of southeast Nebraska from late Friday night into Monday morning. The rain this weekend will also usher in much cooler temperatures.

Lincoln mom found guilty

A Lincoln mother has been found guilty of intentional child abuse resulting in her young son's death .

Brittany Cook ignored signs of the abuse and did not get help for her 22-month old son for nearly five hours after she couldn't wake him up.

Earlier this summer, a separate jury found Cook's ex-boyfriend, Joshua Tackett, guilty of causing the injuries that resulted in the death of the boy.

Cook faces at least 20 years and up to life in prison when she is sentenced in November.

Historic sellout milestone

And, dating back to the 1962 season, every single Nebraska football home game has been played in front of a sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium. On a typical fall Saturday, the sign that chronicles the progress of Nebraska's sellout streak is updated ahead of time with another game added to its total.

However, Nebraska's upcoming matchup is hardly typical — and it won't be played on a Saturday either.

When the No. 22 Huskers host No. 24 Illinois on Friday night, they'll do so in front of a Memorial Stadium crowd that will celebrate the program's historic 400th consecutive sellout .

That's it for Friday, Sept.20. Stay in the know with Lincoln's longest-standing news source at JournalStar.com and we'll see you back here on Monday.