08/30/21 • Nebraska vaccine data • Nationwide case trends
Get Hired, Lose Insurance Benefits?
A convoluted system poses a challenge for Nebraskans with disabilities.
Story by Leah Cates. Published on omahajobs.com and in the print edition of The Reader.
Reed Moore’s Daily Rundown
National Grief Awareness Day
Today’s news knows all too well that everybody hurts: UNL’s Sigma Chi fraternity calls a self-suspension and removes the member accused of sexual assault, health professionals pen a letter to the Gretna Public Schools board asking for a mask mandate, and prepare for the probable chaos of state redistricting.
Harper’s Index Fact of the Day
Minimum amount spent by U.S. businesses
on corporate swag last year: $18,630,000,000
Source: Advertising Specialty Institute (Trevose, PA)
Want to get vaccinated against COVID-19 this week?
Check out these upcoming vaccine clinics in Douglas County.
Around Omaha
- CNN remembers the 13 service members who lost their lives in Kabul, including Daegan Page, a 23-year-old Millard South High School graduate.
- Read about the repercussions of Omaha Public Schools’ bus driver dearth.
- House of Bah, which serves modern African dishes, snags first prize in the Midlands African Chamber’s Pitch Black finale.
- The state’s Task Force 1, which includes Omahans, leaves for Louisiana, where force members will aid in recovery from Hurricane Ida.
- The Memorial Park Concert draws thousands of fans — and encourages them to take coronavirus precautions.
- Near Omaha: Health professionals ask the Gretna Public Schools board for a mask mandate.
- Stonewall Social events support and empower an older generation of LGBTQ+ community members.
- Bands from the community perform in support of veterans struggling with homelessness.
- Later today, keep an eye out for big storms.
Around Nebraska
- “We feel like a lot of this is unnecessary”: Nurses are fatigued and fed up with Nebraskans who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Understand the state redistricting process, for which Gov. Pete Ricketts ordered a special Nebraska Unicameral Legislature session, with this Omaha World-Herald deep dive. According to the article, challenges and convolution abound.
- Need help with rent following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against the eviction moratorium? Check out these resources.
- After an alleged sexual assault on its property, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s Sigma Chi fraternity calls a self-suspension and removes the accused member.
This Week in Your Local Government
- Property tax levy: As Mayor Jean Stothert requested for the 2022 city budget, the Omaha City Council will vote to lower the property tax rate to 46.922 cents per $100. The current rate is 47.922. The City Council will hold a public hearing at 1 p.m. Tuesday, before voting during the regular meeting at 2 p.m.
- TIF: The Holy Name Housing Corporation is requesting tax increment financing for an affordable housing project called Eastside Bungalows. The plan proposes $310,000 in TIF for the construction of 13 row homes residential units on contiguous lots on the corner of North 18th and Ohio streets, and another $310,000 for 12 units at 1620 Clark Street.
- Rental assistance: The City Council will vote Tuesday to allocate $16.9 million in emergency rental assistance from the American Rescue Plan to be distributed by Metro Area Consortium of Care for the Homeless (MACCH). The City Council approved a previous agreement with MACCH for $22.2 million in March.
- County board: The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday to declare September 2021 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, approve a speaking contract with Black and Pink’s Dominique Morgan on LGBTQ+ youth in the juvenile justice system, and receive a weekly COVID-19 update from Health Director Lindsay Huse.
Every week, The Reader picks out noteworthy agenda items from the Omaha City Council and Douglas County Board of Commissioners. See the full Omaha City Council and Douglas County Board of Commissioners agendas for Tuesday, August 31, and tune in here to the Douglas County Board at 9 a.m. and the Omaha City Council at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Reed Moore’s Things To Do: Art Show Guide
~ KANEKO ~
One major debate in the art world is whether craft is art. KANEKO sidesteps this question and exhibits both together. Founded by world-renowned ceramicist Jun Kaneko, the space regularly showcases monumental artwork by canonical artists such as Peter Voulkos, Therman Statom and Jun Kaneko himself. Although the gallery, located at 1111 Jones St., is closed August – October, you can look forward to visiting when hours resume. In the meantime, visit KANEKO’s website, and read a review of KANEKO’s Influence exhibition here.
Through Sept. 10, Reed Moore will feature one item each day from Jonathan Orozco’s Art Show Guide. As the delta variant spreads through the community, remember to get fully vaccinated and mask up — even if you’re fully vaxxed — before checking out these shows.
Find more local guides on our Things To Do page.
The Daily Funny
(Click drawing to see more.)
