Recovery Plan Seen as Unprecedented Opportunity To Help Revitalize
North Omaha
A legislative bill aims to use about $450 million in federal COVID relief funds to strengthen North Omaha in far-ranging ways.
By Cindy Gonzalez. Originally published in the Nebraska Examiner.
Republished in The Reader.
Reed Moore’s Daily Rundown
Everyone already knows it’s Groundhog Day, so … Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!
Today’s news encourages everyone to support and celebrate these athletes as they strive to create a level playing field: A librarian shares their perspective on the W. Dale Clark Library move controversy, the Benson post office will be renamed to honor a Black World War II hero, and two proposals would assist teachers paying off student debts.
Harper’s Index Facts of the Day
1. Percentage of people worldwide who are
“not too concerned” about climate change: 27
2. Who are unwilling to make significant changes
to their lives to reduce its effects: 19
Source: Pew Research Center
Reed Moore’s COVID-19 Roundup
As announced in the Wednesday, Dec. 29, bonus newsletter, in light of the Omicron variant, Reed Moore will replace the “Thing To Do” section with a COVID-19 spotlight featuring coronavirus-related content. The Reader believes it’s irresponsible to promote events when hospitals are nearing capacity and some community members refuse to get vaccinated. As cases continue, The Reader won’t promote any events — be they concerts, plays, art-gallery openings or stand-up comedy — that don’t require
masks, vaccination and social distancing.
- Here’s what will — and won’t — happen when you report at-home coronavirus test results in Douglas County.
- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln gets 150,000 KN95 masks — free of charge.
- As schools and day cares close due to the pandemic, local families find themselves in a bind.
- In Case You Missed It: Reed Moore about the battle over a coronavirus vaccination mandate in the National Guard from CNN and The Hill.
For nationwide COVID-19 case
and vaccination trends, click here.
Around Omaha
- A retired Yale librarian shares their perspective on the W. Dale Clark Library move controversy.
- The Benson post office will be renamed to honor a Black World War II hero.
- Here’s the latest from the Omaha Public Power District, which is holding a virtual public forum on Feb. 3 for the public to discuss its plan to decarbonize and introduce more renewable energy.
Around Nebraska
- Latest in the Legislature: Bike advocates want financial help to complete a bicycle trail connecting Omaha and Lincoln, and two proposals would assist teachers paying off student debts. Lawmakers are also discussing bills to aid developmentally disabled children, make license plates last longer and restrict school district property taxes.
- Gov. Pete Ricketts introduces the Nebraska Homeowner Assistance Fund, which aids homeowners financially harmed by the pandemic.
- Companies in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri will incur fines for tampering with vehicle emission controls, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Nebraskans should now have an easier time claiming a new state tax credit, according to a state tax official.
- On the Campaign Trail: The Nebraska Farm Bureau endorses Jim Pillen for governor, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson supports Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers as his replacement, and Jim Pillen and Charles Herbster get blowback for not committing to an upcoming debate.
- The trial of indicted GOP Rep. Jeff Fortenberry might not happen until March.
This Week in Your Local Government
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s plan to relocate the downtown W. Dale Clark Library clears a hurdle, as the Omaha City Council approves the lease agreements for new locations. Omaha’s new downtown library will be at 1401 Jones Street, and administration and special collections will be moved to a former Shopko at 3020 South 84th Street. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners also meets to discuss declining COVID-19 cases, as well as labor negotiations for health department employees.
Read local government reporter Anton Johnson’s full article for The Reader here.
The Daily Funny
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