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‘Chingona Fest’ celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, women’s empowerment
OMAHA — A “Midwest Chingona Fest” to be held this Saturday, Oct. 7, in Omaha celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and the empowerment of women. Thousands are expected at the family-friendly fiesta from noon to 8 p.m. at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 67th and Center Streets. Chingona is a slang word in Spanish that means […]
Douglas County expands center with 20-year history of redirecting troubled youths away from courts, prisons
OMAHA — “JAC” turns 20 years old this year. And on Tuesday, about 100 fans — including Douglas County administrators, judges, attorneys and community service providers — celebrated the program that so far has served an estimated 28,000 at-risk youths in Nebraska’s biggest county. Officially called the Juvenile Assessment Center, JAC reportedly saves taxpayers at […]
Round two of emergency rent aid, once a political hot potato, now available to 91 Nebraska counties
BELLEVUE — Just a few days into accepting applications for a new batch of emergency rent aid, the State of Nebraska already has fielded more than 600 requests from 55 counties. “It’s been insanely busy,” Tanya Gifford of Lift Up Sarpy County said Monday between visits with clients seeking the federal assistance. Her organization is […]
No interruption for now to DHHS services for Nebraska ‘Women, Infants and Children’ program
LINCOLN — Nebraska families receiving benefits from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program should not be affected by the pending federal government shutdown, at least not for now, the state Department of Health and Human Services said Friday. In Nebraska, WIC each month provides healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition information and referrals to about […]
UNMC and Nebraska Medicine open hub to help North Omahans reduce health disparities
OMAHA — Shanda Ross recalls sitting on her porch stoop as a kid, surrounded by a maze of North Omaha public housing units where violence and social ills had become all too familiar. That landscape near 30th and Lake Streets has since shifted dramatically, with a big church having risen on Ross’ old stomping grounds […]
Platte Institute awards microgrants to Nebraska groups that help integrate former inmates into workforce
OMAHA — Six Nebraska organizations that help former inmates tap into jobs and progress in their communities have been awarded “microgrants” from the Platte Institute. The nonprofit Institute said the funds are rooted in its mission to remove barriers to growth and opportunity, especially in workforce development. CEO Jim Vokal said the grants underscore what […]
Nebraska center that’s boosted budding businesses for nearly half century gets new leader
OMAHA — A rural Nebraska couple who started out selling barn kits have grown a national company that today is helping to build Omaha’s first modern mass timber commercial structure. The Timberlyne Group’s custom wood products also are reflected in places ranging from an event barn at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Gretna to the practice […]
$1.1 million federal grant to revive neglected Omaha park is linked to new affordable housing
OMAHA — A $1.1 million federal grant announced Friday will help resurrect a long-neglected North Omaha park and mesh with a $25 million affordable housing development rising nearby. Myott Park, near 52nd Street and Sorensen Parkway, is to expand and be revived with a new amphitheater, picnic pavilions, walking and cycling trails and courts for […]
Nebraska monthly unemployment rate remains the same, while the nation’s rises
LINCOLN — While the nation’s unemployment rate inched up, Nebraska’s remained the same in August compared to the month before, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by state and federal labor officials. Nebraska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2% for August compares to the U.S. average of 3.8%, which is an increase from the previous […]
‘Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska’ contest is down to final two
LINCOLN — The contest to name this year’s “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” is in its final stretch, down to a drone-based firefighting system or a wheelchair that gets around in tough terrain. One hails from Lincoln, the other from Columbus. Public voting in the bracket-style tournament will be open through the end of Sept. […]
State watchdog report points out concerns, strides in Nebraska child welfare system
LINCOLN — A government watchdog this year wrapped up investigations into the deaths or serious injury of five youths who in some way were under the State of Nebraska’s eye — including a toddler who became severely sick from eating cannabis. Results of the probes, along with recommendations, were part of the annual report from […]
Nebraska mom/felon takes personal message to Capitol Hill, seeking shift in food aid eligibility
LINCOLN — Kayla Tobey — a Lincoln mom, college student and drug felon — stepped out of her comfort zone and onto Capitol Hill this week to try to convince federal officials to make a change she and others haven’t had luck doing on the state level. “Here I am, a small-town Nebraska girl in […]