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How Nebraska Officials Are Trying to Solve the Plastic Problem

This story was originally published on the Nebraska News Service Reduce, reuse, recycle. Everyone recognizes the phrase, but the emphasis is commonly misplaced on the “recycle” part when the first two may be more important, at least when it comes to plastic. According to a 2022 article by The Atlantic, a mere 5% of plastic is actually […]

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Prairie Lawns Help Nebraskans Alleviate Climate Change and Promote Biodiversity

This story was originally published in the Nebraska News Service In the midst of droughts during the state’s driest year on record, homeowners struggle to maintain the ideal image of the impeccably-manicured, emerald-green front yard. As the weather turns to fall and Nebraskans finish up summer’s final yard work and prepare their lawns for cold weather, […]

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Douglas County Corrections Struggles with COVID, but Health Director Says Declining Hospitalizations Provide Breathing Room. City Council Approves Extending Infrastructure into Northwest Omaha.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday to receive reports on the corrections department and COVID-19, as the Omicron variant wave subsides. Douglas County Corrections Director Mike Myers said that the department experienced an “unprecedented” 95 staff members who missed time because of COVID throughout January. This resulted in nearly $600,000 being spent on […]

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Hoodoo: Passion and Persistence

Let’s start with what’s new. The newly opened jazz club, The Jewell, in the Capitol District. The vision and efforts of Omaha transplant Brian McKenna are bringing world-class jazz artists to Omaha and giving some of our fine local talent that has been gigging at places like Jambo Cat in Dundee a new place to […]

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The Kids Aren’t OK: Mental Health Issues Skyrocketed for Nebraska Children during Pandemic

This story was originally published on the Flatwater Free Press. Six-year-old Elijah Wastell, of Omaha, started feeling anxious last fall.  It came hard for the kindergartener at bedtime. His parents tried breathing exercise.They attempted to build up his confidence. They tried everything they could think of, but the anxiety only got worse. It got to […]

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Housing Affordability Action Plan Passes, and the Omaha City Council Authorizes Streetcar Bonds. Tablets Provide Opportunities for Douglas County Corrections Inmates.

After two meetings with several hours of public hearing, the Omaha City Council approved both the Housing Affordability Action Plan and bonds for the streetcar project Tuesday. The Housing Affordability Action Plan was approved 5-2, with Councilmembers Brinker Harding and Aimee Melton voting against.  Councilmember Harding had moved for amendments to remove recommendations for a […]

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Six Small Nebraska Towns are Trying to Ban Abortion. Will it Change Anything?

This story was originally published in the Flatwater Free Press. For three weeks this July, Pastor Bill Forbes left his house around 5 p.m. and didn’t return until sundown. The Lutheran pastor went door to door his western Nebraska town asking his neighbors the same question: Would they sign a petition in support of banning […]