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Employer-built ‘affordable’ housing in Sarpy County aims to help recruit and retain workers
LA VISTA — For six years, Ashley Plack had a house. She also worked two jobs to pay the bills and, with the maintenance demands of a homeowner, had little time to herself. Recently she sold the house, moved into a studio apartment in a residential complex built by her employer, Streck, and figures she […]
Elk Creek is among Nebraska towns boosted with new grants totaling about $2 million
LINCOLN — It’s been a half-century since the tiny Nebraska village of Elk Creek has witnessed the rise of a new public building. But after a few years of seeking state assistance, the farm town in southeast Nebraska is set to construct a community center, a pivotal development made possible with a grant announced Tuesday. […]
‘Nebraska Poor People’s Campaign,’ rooted in national civil rights movement, rallies at State Capitol
LINCOLN — About 50 Nebraskans rallied on the steps of the State Capitol for a “Moral Monday” demonstration, saying they won’t be silent about state lawmakers’ actions that affect voting rights, transgender kids, gun control, a proposed sub-minimum wage for youths and more. The event was organized by the Nebraska Poor People’s Campaign, which represents […]
Nebraska’s first veterans home campus to begin transformation into modern housing
GRAND ISLAND — For 130 years, the sprawling campus with its own lake, majestic front lawn and patriotic street names reigned as the State of Nebraska’s longest-standing veterans home. That is, until four years ago, when state officials carried out a locally unpopular move and relocated the vet services to a neighboring city, rendering eight […]
Governors of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri throw collective support behind regional ‘hydrogen hub’ bid
LINCOLN — Excitement is mounting among state leaders over the possibility that Nebraska and two neighboring states could be named a regional “hydrogen hub,” a designation that would open a door to more than $1 billion in federal funds for clean energy projects. Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statement Thursday and included comments from the […]
Virtual leadership summit on Saturday to spotlight state’s fast-growing Latino population
LINCOLN — Nebraska politicians and economic development experts of Hispanic heritage will be among featured speakers Saturday at a leadership summit presented virtually. The “Latino Leadership in Nebraska: Looking to the Future” event is open to the public and sponsored by Las Voces Nebraska, whose mission is to advocate, inspire change and strengthen civic participation […]
Nebraska’s new tourist attraction: Kiewit Luminarium on Omaha’s riverfront is to open Saturday
OMAHA — Three years in the making, Nebraska’s newest tourist magnet is set to open Saturday: 82,000 square feet of interactive science museum on the edge of Omaha’s riverfront. The Kiewit Luminarium, whose roughly $100 million price tag was privately funded, is key to redefining a downtown landscape, along with the tri-park revamp and planned […]
Omaha streetcar survey shows high opposition, but Mayor Stothert criticizes it as ‘push poll’
OMAHA — A majority of Omaha voters participating in a recent survey about the $300 million-plus urban streetcar project gave it a thumbs down. The Heartland Strategy Group, a government relations, political and public affairs consulting firm with offices in Omaha and Lincoln, commissioned the poll as part of a “public opinion series.” Blueprint Polling, […]
Five Nebraska entities to share $13 million in federal grants aimed at helping low-income areas
OMAHA — Five Nebraska entities are to receive a combined nearly $13 million to improve access to financial services and stir investment in underserved communities, the Biden administration announced Monday. Midwest Housing Development Fund Inc. of Omaha was awarded the bulk of the Nebraska share, about $6.2 million. Other recipients are: Omaha 100 Inc., $2.97 […]
Chief Standing Bear movie project gets star power lift, deals with minor Nebraska grant setback
OMAHA — The show will go on and is adding star power, even though the State of Nebraska has pulled a $400,000 grant allocated for the planned historical drama film about Ponca Chief Standing Bear. Filmmaker Andrew Troy on Monday announced he’ll team up with acclaimed Irish playwright and director Jim Sheridan to co-write, direct […]
Nebraska icon, Chief Standing Bear, to be on 18 million postage stamps
LINCOLN — The story of Chief Standing Bear, which has reached new levels of prominence in Nebraska of late, now will be spread further through the U.S. mail. A “Forever” commemorative stamp bearing the likeness of the Ponca leader is to be issued and become available for use nationwide May 12. The U.S. Postal Service […]
State environmental grant to help build a HazToGo store in Lincoln that offers free ‘reuse’ items
LINCOLN — A $1.3 million state grant to expand Lincoln’s HazToGo operation will help establish an onsite store that offers usable household products to the public at no cost. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department on Friday offered more detail on how it plans to use the grant, which was part of a slate of 23 […]