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HERE’S YOUR RUNDOWN
Happy National Corvette Day
Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” makes Reed Moore’s top ten song list.
Today’s news:
- Fifty-four Omaha nonprofits will receive a portion of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
- Former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry appeals his conviction and sentencing.
- Gov. Pete Ricketts says he would consider allowing only one exception to an abortion ban.
REED MOORE’S FEATURED STORY
Metro Prepares for Sounds of Maha, Petfest and Outlandia
Omaha is gearing up for a full calendar of live music this summer. With annual events finally regaining their footing, new venues opening and old ones rebranding, Maha can be seen as having laid the groundwork for the city’s up-and-coming festival scene.
By Courtney Bierman. Published in The Reader.
The Reed Moore newsletter is supported by:
COVID-19 UPDATE
‘Rona roundup:
The World Health Organization says COVID-19 cases rose by 18% globally in the last week, with over 4.1 million new cases reported. While the worldwide number of deaths remains steady at 8,500, infections are rising at a steady rate. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the pandemic is changing, but not over, adding relaxed efforts make tracking the virus’s spread more difficult.
If you’re not yet up to date on COVID vaccines, visit vaccines.gov to make your appointment today. To order more at-home COVID tests, visit CovidTests.gov.
By the numbers:
AROUND OMAHA
- Fifty-four nonprofits based in Omaha will receive a portion of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. A total of $15 million is being distributed by the city. The United Way of the Midlands and the Omaha Community Foundation selected the nonprofits.
- The Western Douglas County Trail gets its grand opening today, June 30. It’s the first officially designated trail in Valley. The trail is 1.5 miles long and has a 450-foot pedestrian bridge.
- It’s been three years in the making, and now, the Gene Leahy Mall is back. There’s 50,000 square feet of green space, a sculpture garden, and who could forget the slides. The Omaha World-Herald walks through the renovations.
- D. Paul Hartnett, a longtime fixture in local politics, dies at 94. Hartnett was on the Bellevue school board from 1968 to 1984, when he was elected to represent the 45th Legislative District. He would serve there for 20 years, retiring in 2004. Hartnett is most remembered for his work on getting the Kennedy Freeway built through Bellevue.
AROUND NEBRASKA
- The closer-than-expected result in the 1st Congressional District race could make for an interesting rematch this fall. The Nebraska Examiner breaks down the special election.
- As expected, former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry is appealing his conviction and sentencing. Fortenberry, convicted of lying to the FBI, is sentenced to two years of probation, 320 hours of community service, and a $25,000 fine. The appeal temporarily pauses any attempt to disqualify Fortenberry from receiving a congressional pension.
- Gov. Pete Ricketts says he would consider allowing one exception in an abortion ban: protecting the life of the mother. He says he won’t call a special session unless there are enough votes to pass abortion restrictions, and that he’s working with Speaker Mike Hilgers to determine what to consider at a special session.
FACTS OF THE DAY
From Harper’s Index
1. Portion of U.S. Twitter bios including “storyteller”
that belong to current or former journalists: 4/5
2. Portion of Americans who respond negatively
to this descriptor when applied to journalists: 7/10
Source: Brian Calfano, University of Cincinnati (Ohio)
DAILY FUNNY
To see the full Doonesbury comic by Garry Trudeau,
plus more daily funnies, click the image or the link below.