03/30/21 • Nebraska vaccine data • Nationwide case trends
Nebraska’s Criminal Justice Crossroads
Nebraska has shifted toward more preventive solutions to crime, but age-old disparities remain as pervasive as ever.
Reed Moore’s Daily Rundown
Happy National Pencil Day
Today’s write stuff: Construction begins on a downtown music venue, early voting deadlines approach, and the Nebraska corrections union is dissatisfied with raises for prison guards.
Around Omaha
- Construction begins on Omaha Performing Arts’ $103 million live music venue next door to the Holland Center. It is expected to open in mid-2023, with enough capacity for crowds up to 3,000 people.
- The Taste of Heaven food truck is providing meals to 200 kids, five days a week, in food-insecure neighborhoods.
- The deadline for early in-person voting in the Omaha Primary Elections is 5 p.m. April 5. Early voters with ballots have until 8 p.m. April 6 to return their ballots to a drop-box or the Election Commission Office.
- Despite the disapproval of Pine Creek Villas neighbors, construction of an OPS high schoolcontinues in their neighborhood.
- The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program allows any adult over 18 to get a COVID-19 vaccine, but appointments remain difficult to acquire as pharmacies deal with a high volume of inquiries.
- Two Omaha health care companies agree to a settlement with the Nebraska attorney general’s office after facing charges of misleading advertising, marketing, distribution and sales of coronavirus antibody testing.
Around Nebraska
- The Nebraska corrections union says salary increases for state prison guards is not enough, as officers are paid less than county jail staff and continue to leave their jobs.
- Some Nebraska cities are asking lawmakers to allow keno on mobile phones, but opponents say such a measure would expand gambling beyond what voters approved last year.
- The Nebraska Legislature advances a bill that requires training for teachers to identify when students are having a seizure.
Reed Moore’s Things to Do in Omaha on 4/20
Keep the Good Vibes Going: Undesign the Redline
- Virtual Event April 20
- 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Free, register online
If you’re a 420-enthusiast living in Omaha, you’re likely seeking cannabis legalization. But there is also a solid chance you might be interested in other reforms.
Undesign the Redline is an ongoing community conversation that centralizes core topics such as Redlining, voter suppression, and the fight to desegregate Omaha. All can “attend” these necessary conversations virtually by registering online for free.
Additionally, the event will be moderated by Maria Corpuz, director of Jasmine Harris’ mayoral campaign. The event will be punctuated by a panel discussion that includes Alexis Bromley, director of One Omaha, Amanda Huckins of Media Corp., and Clarice Dombeck, UNO student. While the 420 holiday and this virtual conversation aren’t related, the two are in a way related. And it’s a good thing to attend, safely, at home, before blasting into your celebration, thereby giving that celebration new meaning.
The Daily Funny
