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Reed Moore will be taking Monday, July 4, off for the Independence Day holiday. We’ll be back with your regularly scheduled programming on Tuesday, July 5.
HERE’S YOUR RUNDOWN
Happy American Zoo Day
Simon and Garfunkel sang “it’s all happening at the zoo.” Reed Moore is pretty sure they had the Henry Doorly Zoo in mind.
Today’s news:
- The Gene Leahy Mall reopens after three years of renovations.
- The Emergency Rental Assistance Program saves 7,400 Omahans from eviction, but one part of Omaha is underserved compared with its need.
- The number of abortions in Nebraska continues to trend downward.
REED MOORE’S FEATURED STORY
Ring-a-Ding King
Nobody should answer “The Black Phone.”
Film review by Ryan Syrek. Published in The Reader.
The Reed Moore newsletter is supported by:
COVID-19 UPDATE
‘Rona roundup:
North Korea says “alien things” at its border with South Korea caused COVID-19.
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 years ago, then-Mayor Gene Leahy pushed a “return to the river” theme as the key to reviving downtown’s prominence. The Central Park Mall was seen as the linchpin of a downtown revitalization plan. Now named for Leahy, it opens today, July 1, after renovations.
- A new report from Creighton professor Pierce Greenberg says the Emergency Rental Assistance Program prevented 7,400 people from getting evicted. But South Omaha was underserved, compared with its need.
- Nearly $8.4 million in philanthropic funds have gone into renovating Miller Park in North Omaha. The pavilion has been redone, along with a new amphitheater, a walking trail, a dog park, and sports courts. The park opened Thursday, June 30.
AROUND NEBRASKA
- A new report shows that the number of abortions in Nebraska continues to trend downward. There were 2,360 abortions in Nebraska last year, similar to 2020. The numbers come one week after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to restrict abortion.
- The state of Nebraska renews AltEn’s permit to apply treated wastewater to farm ground. The plant was shut down by the state in 2021 for not following environmental regulations. The six seed companies leading the cleanup effort will be able to move treated wastewater offsite through 2027.
- A cable guard rail is being installed along I-80 west of Lincoln. The guard rails will be installed on the stretch from Pleasant Dale to Milford. The Nebraska Department of Transportation says the guard rails are necessary to improve safety.
PORTRAIT OF A PET
This is Squilliam, a mix of American Bulldog and Bullmastiff. He’s 2 years and 5 months old and weighs 104 pounds. Squilliam would not be a good fit for an apartment — he wants a home with a fenced yard for playing. He works best as an only dog and would prefer to be in an adult-only home. If you think Squilliam is the right fit for you, click here to learn more.
FACTS OF THE DAY
From Harper’s Index
1. Average amount that American Catholics or
Protestants would pay a stranger to pray on their behalf: $2.34
2. That non-believers would pay to avoid being prayed for: $1.56
Source: Linda Thunström, University of Wyoming (Laramie, Wyo.)
DAILY FUNNY
Comic by Koterba. Support him on Patreon.