06/07/21 • Nebraska vaccine data • Nationwide case trends
Nebraska Foster Care, Climbing Out of the Spiral
Saint Francis Ministries won a state contract to take over Douglas and Sarpy counties’ foster care system. Controversy followed. Now the questions are: How will they find their footing? And what effect will this have on Nebraska’s neediest kids?
Reed Moore’s Daily Rundown
Happy National Chocolate Ice Cream Day!
Two scoops on a waffle cone for today’s news: Proposed health education standards are slated to undergo changes, LPS and OPS receive a combined $255.4 million in federal aid, and locals walk four miles in honor of Zachary Bear Heels, who died in police custody.
~ Harper’s Index Facts of The Day ~
- Percentage of No. 1 pop songs that credited a single songwriter in 1990: 40
- Percentage of No. 1 pop songs that credited a single songwriter in 2020: 0
- Percentage by which the average length of a hit single has fallen since 1990: 24
Sources: 1 and 2 Billboard (NYC); 3 Charlie Harding and Nathaniel Sloan (Los Angeles)
Around Omaha
- More than 75 people walk four miles to remember Zachary Bear Heels on the anniversary of his death at the hands of police officers.
- Two summer concert series — The Omaha Summer Arts Festival and Music at Miller Park — start their seasons.
- Here’s a look back at “No Man’s Land” in late 19th-century Omaha.
- The Olympic swim trials bring business to restaurants in downtown Omaha.
- More than one hundred underserved students celebrate their high school and college graduations with Partnership 4 Kids, a local mentorship program.
- June is slated to be hot.
Around Nebraska
- Omaha Public Schools will receive $194 million and Lincoln Public Schools $61.4 million in federal “rescue” money.
- Following criticism about proposed revisions to health education standards — including teaching kids about gender identity and sexual orientation — state education officials suggest a second draft will contain changes.
- As the federal government targeted Japanese-Americans during WWII, one Nebraskan stood up for the rights of his neighbors.
This Week in Your Government
- Inauguration Day: Mayor Jean Stothert will be inaugurated for her third term Monday evening, along with all seven Omaha City Council members. Three newcomers will be sworn in: District 2’s Juanita Johnson, District 3’s Danny Begley, and District 5’s Don Rowe.
- Juneteenth proclamation: Tuesday’s City Council meeting will begin with a presentation about Juneteenth, a celebration of emancipation from slavery held on June 19. Juneteenth became a paid holiday for the Omaha Police Department after the City Council approved a police union contract last fall, a choice that was criticized by opponents of the contract.
- Music festival liquor license: The City Council will vote on a special liquor license for the Brokedown Palace, a Grateful Dead-themed bar at 8805 Maple St., to host an outdoor music festival called Run for the Roses, June 24 to 26.
- TIF projects: A construction project near 72nd and Dodge streets, Clove Apartments, is seeking $4.4 million in tax-increment financing to build a five-story apartment building at 7837 Dodge St. and 8004 Farnam Drive. The City Council will hold more hearings on TIF in coming weeks.
See the full Omaha City Council agenda for Tuesday, June 8.
Reed Moore’s Things To Do
Find more on our Things To Do page.
Dining After Dark in Omaha
The Burlington League
- 1002 S 10th St. | (402) 885-8927
If you are a sports fan, chances are this gastropub was made to suit your atmospheric wants and needs. The Burlington League (TBL) offers a great place to unwind after a long day and has succeeded in doing so for five years.
Open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, TBL can quell all levels of hunger, with options from light snacks to smorgasbords. There’s also an eclectic bar that features a solid list of beers on tap, including local, plus plenty of cans and bottles to keep you on your toes. It’s the kind of stuff worth podcasting about.
The Burlington League wields unique quaintness, making this fine-eating and drinking establishment another jewel in Omaha nightlife. If you are looking for a semi-late bite and drink in a refreshing and casual atmosphere, there is no place downtown quite like TBL.
The Daily Funny
