Author
National study predicts Nebraska’s future unemployment rate
Nebraska’s latest unemployment rate was 1.9% — which continues to be a record low for Nebraska, currently is the lowest of states in the country, and ties the record low for any state ever. A new study that looks at the future predicts that Nebraska in five years will have an even lower unemployment rate, […]
Metro marks 50th birthday with free fares for a day, new ORBT station and bus wrap art contest
OMAHA — Omaha’s public transit system celebrated its golden anniversary Friday with a day of fare-free rides and an announcement of a bus-wrapping art contest targeting area students. Metro also marked its 50-year milestone with the opening of its newest bus station — at Eighth and Farnam Streets, next to the newly re-opened Gene Leahy […]
Economic survey covering Nebraska and surrounding states shows gloomy confidence level
OMAHA — Confidence in business conditions has plummeted to the lowest level since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the latest regional economic report produced by Omaha’s Creighton University. Only about 4% of supply managers surveyed in a nine-state region that includes Nebraska expect the U.S. economy to expand in the next six months. […]
Grand reopening of Omaha’s Gene Leahy Mall caps half-century of history
OMAHA — Nearly 50 years have passed since Omaha leaders crafted a dramatic plan to help rescue a dying downtown: Build an iconic, people-magnet park through the city’s central business district. It’s been 30 years since that resulting Central Park Mall was renamed after affable Mayor Gene Leahy, who championed a “return to the river” […]
Omaha nonprofits selected to get a piece of federal ARPA pandemic recovery funds
OMAHA — City of Omaha and community leaders on Wednesday announced 55 more local nonprofit agencies that are to receive a piece of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funding. The organizations that collectively will get $15 million were selected for their direct response to negative economic impacts of COVID-19. A total of 244 applications […]
Cyberattack downs system Nebraskans use to file for jobless benefits
The NEworks website — used by Nebraskans to file for unemployment benefits — has been shut down as a result of a cyberattack. The Nebraska Department of Labor issued a statement Tuesday, saying the website is unavailable due to a national outage involving the department’s web vendor, Geographic Solutions Inc. GSI reportedly discovered a cyberattack […]
Sprawling mixed-use development launches on longtime Sarpy County farm site
PAPILLION — A sprawling, 120-acre greenspace in the midst of this Sarpy County seat is about to sprout a neighborhood of hundreds of homes, offices, commercial spaces and trails oriented toward the city’s iconic water tower. Dubbed the Tower District Papillion, the new subdivision north of Highway 370 between 84th and 90th Streets is expected […]
First Nebraska case of monkeypox identified, in Douglas County
OMAHA — Nebraska has identified its first case of monkeypox, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Douglas County Health Department reported Monday. The agencies said the state public health laboratory identified a positive orthopoxvirus test taken by a state resident, a male in his 30s with recent international travel. The specimen is […]
Omaha event on July 9 will celebrate and support African culture
A celebration of African art, culture and history is to take place July 9 at the Omaha Community Playhouse, with profits helping to support local program efforts of the African Culture Connection. The family-friendly event is called Tikpere, a word that in the Bariba language means “our culture and history will not disappear.” Doors of […]
Heartland Workers Center gets new leader as “get out the vote” season ramps up
The Omaha-based Heartland Workers Center, whose aim is to build leadership and civic engagement among underserved groups across Nebraska, has named Lina Traslaviña Stover as executive director. As head of the nonprofit headquartered on Omaha’s historic South 24th Street, Stover oversees programs including a “Get out the Vote” campaign, Young Nebraskans in Action and a […]
Abortion rights rally draws crowd that lines busy Dodge corridor near Omaha’s Memorial Park
OMAHA — Waving signs and chanting to motorists, abortion-rights protesters packed the pedestrian bridge straddling Omaha’s Dodge Street near Memorial Park Friday evening. They lined both sides of the city’s primary corridor for a few blocks, several people deep in many spots. They were of various colors and ages, with dogs, children and a range […]
Omaha group plans free June 28 webinar exploring commercial real estate trends
A free June 28 virtual event presented by Omaha’s Commercial Real Estate Summit team will discuss industry topics including how businesses are responding to rising interest rates and demands for a hybrid work environment. The hourlong live webinar, set to start at 11:30 a.m., is open to the public It is hosted by CRE Summit […]