Social Services
Habitat for Humanity to muscle up affordable housing efforts in Omaha area
OMAHA — Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, boosted by donations and $4 million in federal pandemic recovery funds, plans to build or rehab about 400 houses for lower income families over the next four years. The nonprofit expects to invest more than $200 million by the end of 2026 in housing programs — almost double […]
Assaults on staff nearly double at Lincoln Regional Center, new report says
LINCOLN — Assaults on staff nearly doubled this past year at the Lincoln Regional Center, according to a new report that detailed concerns and progress at state institutions. The annual review of Nebraska’s public institutions also raised concerns about staff turnover that exceeded 30% in some facilities, and the overall high number of vacant positions. […]
Norfolk woman sentenced for diverting funds from tribal account for domestic violence victims
LINCOLN — A Norfolk woman has been sentenced to probation and fined for diverting funds intended for victims of domestic abuse in the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska to her own use. Andrea Rodriguez, 42, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge John Gerrard for two counts of embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization. […]
Room confinements in Nebraska juvenile justice get shorter, report says
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services files quarterly reports to the Nebraska Legislature on youth confinements in its facilities. LINCOLN — Nebraska youths in the juvenile justice system spent fewer hours confined alone in 2021-22, according to the state’s latest annual report on youth confinement. Youths […]
Registered nurse’s license revoked for patient abuse, unprofessional conduct
LINCOLN — The State of Nebraska has suspended the medical license of a registered nurse for being belligerent and disrespectful with colleagues and overly aggressive with patients. In one instance, cited by the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, nurse Scott Shoff left a patient’s mouth and nose bloody after physically pushing the person onto a hospital […]
Millions of dollars raised for Giving Tuesday through SHARE Omaha & SHARE Iowa
OMAHA — SHARE Omaha and SHARE Iowa had a record-breaking year by raising over $4.2 million on their websites for Giving Tuesday. Local philanthropists created SHARE Omaha to help area nonprofits, primarily in Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders or Washington Counties, fulfill their missions by recruiting donors to share money, material goods and time, according to a […]
Nebraska selects youth-focused Simple Foundation for $6 million anti-crime grant
OMAHA — You might say the Simple Foundation began, well, rather simply some 20 years ago. Osuman Issaka, founder and CEO, said that’s when he and his brother, Sal, started kicking around soccer balls with refugee and newcomer kids in the eastern part of Omaha. “We saw youths needing guidance, not having anything to do,” […]
Omahans greet bus from U.S. southern border, filled with asylum-seeking migrants
OMAHA — A charter bus carrying 39 asylum seekers from seven countries arrived Tuesday in Omaha, where local volunteers temporarily will host the group that was part of an overflow at the U.S. border. The Omaha team had been preparing for weeks for the men, women and children sent by a faith-based shelter in the […]
Lawsuit settlement funds obtained by the state go to many places, purposes
LINCOLN — The State of Nebraska recently raked in more than $20 million as part of settlements of multi-state consumer lawsuits against corporate giants Google and Walmart. The state will receive nearly $12 million from Google as part of a $391.5 million out-of-court settlement over misleading tracking of users’ locations. Another $11 million is on […]
Scholarships now available for nursing students to address shortage created by COVID-19 resignations
LINCOLN — In an effort to address a COVID-19-induced shortage of nurses in Nebraska, the state is now seeking applicants for $2,500-per-semester scholarships for nursing students. A total of $5 million in scholarships is being offered, with recipients being required to practice nursing in Nebraska for a minimum of two years. “Nurses are an indispensable part […]
Prosperity index: Nebraska ranked No. 11 among states
OMAHA — Nebraska ranked 11th among the states for overall prosperity in a newly released report, scoring low in certain areas such as its natural environment but making up ground in others including health and employment. Behind the findings are partnering organizations, the Legatum Institute and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. The […]
Omaha group poised for role in helping asylum-seekers crowding southern U.S. border
OMAHA — A team of Omahans is preparing to offer temporary refuge to a busload of asylum-seeking migrants crossing the Texas border at a rate that has overwhelmed shelters and has had some sleeping on the streets. Calling it a humanitarian outreach, the local volunteers have formed a nonprofit organization and dubbed their effort Omaha […]