Labor & Growth
Tourism slogan ‘not for everyone’ as Nebraska senator seeks more coordinated messaging
LINCOLN — Nebraska got a lot of publicity after it unveiled an edgy state tourism slogan in 2018: “Honestly, it’s not for everyone.” But a state senator proposed Thursday that more unified messaging might be accomplished if the state’s economic development director and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce were more involved. After all, the pitch […]
Developers promote plan for ‘transformational’ destination development at Nebraska Crossing
LINCOLN — Developers joined a state senator on Wednesday in seeking state help to create a “destination” retail-sports-entertainment complex that would rival “The Legends” area in Kansas City, which draws 15 million visitors a year. Such a development — a proposed 1,000-acre expansion of the existing Nebraska Crossings outlet mall in Gretna — could include […]
Powell signals higher interest rates. Here’s why Friday’s jobs report will affect Fed’s decision.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this week that interest rate increases could be higher and come faster if Friday’s unemployment data shows the nation’s labor market isn’t cooling off. Stock indexes fell after his comments. That’s been a familiar pattern over the past year as the federal bank has tried to combat inflation. A […]
North and South Omaha representatives converge to push for $435 million for communities
LINCOLN — North and South Omaha representatives presented a unified front Tuesday behind an updated legislative proposal that now calls for about $435 million to be distributed largely in their communities. The additional $100 million — up from the $335 million in the Nebraska Economic Recovery Act adopted last year — is among key changes […]
Freight train personnel encourage two-person crew mandate for public safety
LINCOLN — At 5:21 one evening, freight train crews could not tell whether a pickup truck was parked on railroad tracks because of the curvature of the path. Though the train had improved technology, Amanda Snide said there was no indication the truck was there. Emergency brakes were applied at 38 mph, needing to stop […]
Nebraska lawmaker pitches return to Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission
LINCOLN — Almost eight years after Nebraska left a Midwest commission designed to improve passenger rail services, a lawmaker pitched Monday for Nebraska to rejoin the group. Legislative Bill 44, proposed by State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, would have Nebraska rejoin the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, a coalition of states in the region […]
Lawmakers to hear public views on how to disburse millions of dollars in North and South Omaha
OMAHA — The jostling over hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds approved last year for North and South Omaha will pick up in the Legislature again this week. Public hearings are scheduled Tuesday and Thursday before two different legislative committees and are expected to set off more debate over how the money is […]
Supporters of child labor resolution say it could make Nebraska ‘new champion’
LINCOLN — Supporters of a U.S. constitutional amendment related to child labor said Friday it could make Nebraska a “new champion” in the anti-child labor movement. Legislative Resolution 5, proposed by State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, would have Nebraska ratify the Child Labor Amendment of 1924. This would amend the Constitution and specify that […]
Nebraska lawmaker continues push for LGBTQ nondiscrimination employment policy
LINCOLN — Jayden Speed, an 18-year-old high school student, said he is counting down the days to graduation while calculating whether Nebraska is the state to stay in. As a queer young person, Speed said, he loves Nebraska, its communities and the Legislature, and Wesleyan University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton University have offered […]
LGBTQ protections at crossroads in Nebraska Legislature
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature stands at a crossroads in 2023 regarding LGBTQ Nebraskans, with critical bills that could expand or limit protections. This session’s proposals include restrictions on what bathrooms transgender youths could use and which athletic teams they could participate in. Other bills could expand nondiscrimination policies to include gender identity or sexual […]
Another park proposed for downtown Omaha is seen as a selling point for growing Builder’s District
OMAHA — In the works for downtown Omaha is another park, a privately owned but publicly accessible entertainment space expected to help lure residents to the developing Builder’s District that’s anchored by Kiewit Corp. The Square, as it is referred to in city documents, would cover about 1.4 acres southeast of 17th and Cuming Streets. […]
South Omaha raises a collective voice to say the area is ready for $100 million in ARPA funds
OMAHA — South Omaha leaders gathered Monday for the second time in a week to shout out a message to state officials that they are ready to put roughly $100 million in pandemic recovery funds to use in their community. Their rallying point this time was the Plaza de la Raza — and a long-sought […]