Roxy,
being originally from south Dakota, The only "Kearney" I know of is in Nebraska. If that's the case, you're in a "right-to-work" state, and basically screwed. Without intending to start a political fight, you can largely thank your Republican government for the lack of employee protections. But, even with employment laws, many companies will in fact do whatever they want, on the premise that damn few people will challenge the wrongful decisions they make. They know it takes money and willpower to fight them. your employer can let you go for any reason they concoct, and not necessarily for a perceived "fault". they can also get away with ignoring their own established company practices, regarding past job reports, etc. The problem they may run into, as has been stated here, is when their "reason" for firing you is not the same reason they give to the unemployment board, or the labor Relations board. Even then, it will fall upon you to pursue the issue further. They operate on the assumption that you won't. My son, in Colorado, had quite the same thing happen to him about 6 months ago. They actually did him a favor, since even though it was tough on them for a while, he has a much better job now. that said, he is pursuing the case, and has a second hearing with the unemployment board in Denver in another week. and, in his case, he has lined up a number of his former co-workers to testify on his behalf. We'll see how that goes.
I don't know for sure about Nebraska, but in a large number of other states, if you have been "fired", for whatever reason, you are not entitled to any form of unemployment benefits. Only if you are able to prove that it was an improper firing, will you be able to collect. Nebraska does, however, not allow for a firing based on Gender discrimination. But I'm not sure if that would apply in your case. Only a lawyer could help you. I would remind you that most lawyers will give you a 30 minute free consultation to discuss your case and tell you what your chances are. just be sure you talk to a lawyer experienced in labor law.
Sorry to see this happen to you. Unfortunately, it happens a lot. I hope you land in a better spot the next time. Patti