Social Services
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 […]
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 […]
Damage to cemetery at now-closed Hastings Regional Center saddens residents
LINCOLN — Drive down a long, shaded, country lane west of the long-closed Hastings Regional Center site, follow a couple of bends in the road, and eventually you’ll arrive at the Ingleside Cemetery. The burial grounds are the last remnant of a mental health complex, formerly known as the Ingleside Hospital for the Insane, that […]
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 […]
Nebraskans for Peace calls for reduction in ‘bloated’ U.S. defense budget
OMAHA — Officials with Nebraskans for Peace called Monday for support for a bill that would cut the nation’s “bloated” military spending by $100 billion and shift those funds to social issues. At a press conference in downtown Omaha, officials said America spends more on the military than the next 10 countries combined and that […]
UNMC and Nebraskans to have role in national $450 million study of COVID long-term impact
The University of Nebraska Medical Center is participating in a $450 million national grant that will study roughly 40,000 adults and children across the country to gain a better grip on the full scope of post-COVID symptoms. The goal of the four-year research project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is to improve treatment […]
Nebraska starts scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations for kids as young as 6 months
Now that two COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for children as young as 6 months, the State of Nebraska is gearing up to work with the federal government and providers to get enough vaccines to families who want them. A spokeswoman for Gov. Pete Ricketts, Alex Reuss, said that initially, the vaccines will ship directly […]
Despite some gains, health professionals still lacking in rural areas of Nebraska
LINCOLN — Despite some recent statewide gains in nurse practitioners and pharmacists, health professionals are still lacking in many rural areas of Nebraska, a report released Thursday concluded. A health care workforce report from the University of Nebraska Medical Center based on 2021 statistics also flagged as a concern the aging of health care workers […]
Abortion care on wheels
As the nation braces for a decision that could come any day from the U.S. Supreme Court ending federally protected abortion rights — and making abortion a crime from the earliest stages of pregnancy in some states — women’s health care advocates have been thinking outside the box about ways to protect abortion access. Here’s […]
Hunting for a Nebraska directory of grant resources? (There’s a shift)
LINCOLN — A state directory of philanthropic and funding organizations now will be maintained and published by the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. Historically, that “Foundation Resource Directory” was published by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which announced the change Friday. The directory now on the NCFF website offers a convenient online listing of […]
Ricketts announces new effort to combat suicide by veterans and active military
LINCOLN — In the past two years, 87 veterans have committed suicide in Nebraska. That sobering statistic, and a desire to reach more veterans before they take their life, prompted state officials Monday to announce that they’re joining a national effort to prevent suicides by veterans, active military members and their family members. With a […]
Health-care providers seek solutions for increase in workplace violence
LINCOLN — Profanities aimed at nurses. Taser needed in the emergency room. Physical assault of front-desk personnel. Nebraska health care officials said Friday they’re seeing a significant uptick in violence aimed at medical professionals. And after deadly incidents at hospitals in Tulsa and Dayton this week, they’re seeing more nurses and health care workers considering […]