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Nebraska unemployment rate up slightly
OMAHA — Nebraska has dropped in a national ranking of states for low unemployment, dipping to a three-way tie for fourth place with a 2.2% unemployment rate. That’s according to September data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At times around the start of the year and more recently, Nebraska’s unemployment rate […]
Lawmakers’ road trip pushes airport-related change to Nebraska Constitution
LINCOLN — A bipartisan trio of Nebraska lawmakers traversed Husker land this week touting an air travel-related ballot measure as a way the state can ramp up new business and talent. Amendment 1, which Nebraskans will vote on Nov. 8, would open a gate for cities and counties with airports to spend public funds to […]
North Omaha Trail seeks to connect, heal wounds of past
OMAHA — Minneapolis has the Midtown Greenway, New Orleans has Lafitte Greenway and Atlanta has its BeltLine trail. Now local community leaders, who took a cue from those popular urban trails, are marking the near completion of the first phase of the North Omaha Trail. About two miles of infrastructure on the walking-biking-scooter path is […]
Confessions of a ‘Murphy’s Law Child’ turned Omaha city councilman
OMAHA — After two decades of navigating the ups and downs of public office, Franklin Thompson said it would have been easy to “quietly ride off into the sunset and celebrate my retirement years.” But the former four-term city councilman harkens to the lyrics of an old gospel tune in explaining why he didn’t take […]
Nebraskans honored by State Commission on Latino-Americans
The Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, recognized outstanding people and entities in the state as part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. An event Thursday held at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel honored: Nonprofit: The City of Norfolk, for advancing the needs of Latinos across Nebraska, especially in education, employment, health, […]
Nebraska officials reveal new hotline for human trafficking
OMAHA — Nebraska has a new local hotline for the public to report suspected cases of sex trafficking and labor trafficking. The new line, available 24 hours a day, is 833-PLS-LOOK (833-757-5665). Announced Thursday by Attorney General Doug Peterson and the Nebraska State Patrol, the hotline is designed to receive tips on possible human trafficking […]
$35 million federal grant to expand internet access for Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
OMAHA — The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has received a $35 million federal grant to expand high-speed internet access on its land. Announced Tuesday at the Ho-Chunk Village in Winnebago, the award from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It is expected to install fiber […]
Subway car takes the win in “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” contest
OMAHA — The winner, announced Tuesday, of the first-ever “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” competition by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a new technology subway car made in the Lincoln plant of Kawasaki Motors. The R211 subway car, which can be found running on tracks in New York City, emerged on top […]
‘Greenlining’ fund aims to counter ill effects of redlining in Omaha
OMAHA — The nonprofit Front Porch Investments is preparing to launch a “Greenlining Fund” to help reverse the historic and ill effects of local redlining. The organization, supported by major philanthropic foundations and the City of Omaha, describes the new program as a way to help low- to moderate-income families and individuals build wealth and […]
131 years later, a new marker remembers George Smith, who was lynched in Omaha
OMAHA — “No one was ever held accountable for the lynching of George Smith.” So reads the last sentence of a freshly planted plaque that was unveiled Friday in front of the Douglas County Courthouse, marking the murder of a 20-year-old Black man at the hands of a White mob in 1891. On Friday, however, […]
University of Nebraska Medical Center research program continues to grow
The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s outside grant and contract funding for research, education and public service again hit a new record this past fiscal year. Total sponsored program awards reached $251.9 million, an increase of 10%, also marking four years of consecutive growth, according to a media statement from the University of Nebraska Medical […]
A pair of longtime Nebraska nonprofits serving refugees and immigrants join as one legal entity
OMAHA — Two Nebraska nonprofits known widely for providing support services to newcomers from other countries have officially joined forces as one organization. The Immigrant Legal Center has absorbed the Refugee Empowerment Center as a program, officials announced Wednesday. The move will not prompt any layoffs, according to a media release, and current services offered […]