Omaha Vampire Flick, Tourism Upswing, Stagnant Economy Projected

Haven’t registered to vote yet and want to participate in the midterms? Head to your election commission office before Oct. 28. Check out pages 10 and 11 of The Reader’s October issue for what you need to know.

HERE’S YOUR RUNDOWN

Happy National Pumpkin Day
Reed Moore thinks the best thing about pumpkins is that, somehow, they turn into pies on the holidays.

Today’s news:

A ’90s vampire flick filmed in Omaha finds new life.
Omaha tourism returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2021.
Economic indicators suggest a stagnant economy up to the first half of 2023.

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REED MOORE’S FEATURED STORY

Fangs for the Memories: ’90s Vampire Flick Finds New Life

Meredith McAdams plays the role of Sapphire, a vampire hunter, in the mockumentary-style film.

Back when vampires didn’t sparkle and downtown Omaha gave its oddballs room to play, a crew set out to hunt a Midwestern monster.

To listen to this story as an audio feature, click here.

By Gaby Martinez-Garro. Published in The Reader.

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COVID-19 UPDATE

Set up an appointment for the new booster today.

By the numbers:

This graphic is updated as of 9:20 a.m. on Oct. 26. For the latest stats, click the image, which sends you to the Johns Hopkins site.

AROUND OMAHA

There’s a new vehicle ramp at Eppley Airfield. The ramp leads to the premium parking area on the third level of the south garage. The premium area was relocated from the first level. The road and garage upgrades are part of the airport’s terminal modernization project.
The Nebraska National Guard is building a readiness center in Bellevue. The center is located between Offutt AFB and base housing, a break from the trend of keeping readiness centers away from communities. It’s the 43rd center of its kind in the state.
Omaha tourism returned to near pre-pandemic levels in 2021. Data released by the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau says 12.7 million people visited Omaha and Douglas County. The tourists poured $1.25 billion into the Omaha economy.
Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse says more than 42,000 ballots have been returned out of the 93,000 handed out. Kruse says he expects between 55-60% turnout in the midterms, with about half voting early.

AROUND NEBRASKA

There’s little improvement in Nebraska’s economy, according to UNL economics chair Eric Thompson. Thompson, the director of the Bureau of Business Research, says the state’s leading indicator suggests a stagnant economy up to the first half of 2023. The indicator is designed to project activity six months ahead.
The Nebraska State Environmental Trust is heavily criticized during a “listening session” for its grant approval process. The grant is supposed to fund projects by using $20 million in state lottery revenue. Three people who testified said the trust is departing from its mission to protect the environment.
After a delay, work is set to begin on a temporary casino in Grand Island. A portion of the Fonner Park clubhouse is being remodeled to include 300 slot machines, kiosks for wagering on live and simulcast horse races, a snack bar and a club. Casino leadership hopes to open before Christmas.
Indoor protests are banned at the University of Florida. Outgoing President Kent Fuchs made the decision after U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, the sole finalist to replace Fuchs, was the subject of demonstrations during an on-campus forum. The UF Board of Trustees will consider Sasse’s candidacy next week.

REED MOORE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Omaha City Council approves an agreement with Google Fiber, as well as the preliminary plat for a Costco in West Omaha. Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse assures the Board of Commissioners the Nov. 8 election will be safe.

Click here to read local government reporter Anton Johnson’s article for The Reader.