News
Big lake, Perkins County Canal, investments in North and South Omaha get final OK
LINCOLN — A 4,000-acre lake between Omaha and Lincoln, a water-preserving canal on the South Platte River and a $335-million investment in North and South Omaha all got a final green light Tuesday from the Nebraska Legislature. They were among a marathon list of nearly 100 bills given final-round approval by state lawmakers as they […]
Nebraska legislative bill to require computer technology classwork for graduation
LINCOLN — In Arkansas, enrollment in technology-related college courses increased 10-fold after the state passed a requirement that school kids pass computer-related classes. “Now, they have companies moving there because they have skilled workers,” said Mike Cassling, the CEO of an Omaha health care tech firm. Cassling was among advocates for an increase in computer […]
School janitor in Nebraska’s Weeping Water gets a national spotlight — and prize
A school janitor in Weeping Water, Nebraska, has been selected as a finalist in a national “Custodians Are Key” contest that will gift a $15,000 grand prize to the champion and their respective K-12 school. Already, though, Laurie Yard is a winner. She rose to the top three of nearly 1,000 people nominated for the […]
Community Alliance nonprofit plans new $60 million headquarters
A surge in mental illness and an Omaha nonprofit’s 40-year record of responding to that demand has given rise to a $60 million headquarters plan that triples program space for Community Alliance. Now based at 41st and Leavenworth Streets, Community Alliance expects to move into its new 120,000-square-foot complex at 72nd Street and Mercy Road […]
Biden says biofuels ‘have a role to play’ in easing gas prices
MENLO, Iowa — In response to rising gas prices, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that fuel stations may sell cheaper, higher-ethanol blend fuels through the summer. “I’m here today because home-grown biofuels have a role to play right now … as we work to get prices under control and reduce the costs for families,” Biden […]
New Omaha corporate base triples space for fast-growing Triage medical staffing
A fast-growing medical staffing agency buys new headquarters that triples its space and prepares for future growth that the chief executive does not see slowing down.
Charles Herbster adds another $4.2 million of his own money to his campaign warchest
OMAHA — Charles Herbster has continued largely self-funding his bid for the Republican governor’s nomination in Nebraska, giving his campaign $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2022. Individual donors and groups gave him $113,000 over the same span. By early April, Herbster, the CEO of Conklin Co., personally funded $8.9 million of the $9.2 […]
Lindstrom pulls bill on ‘quick action closing fund’ from agenda
LINCOLN — A proposal to give Nebraska governors a “quick action” fund to close economic development deals ran into charges Monday that it would become a “slush fund” to hand out political favors. The idea was eventually pulled from the agenda, dealing a legislative setback to its sponsor, State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, a […]
Concealed carry handgun bill comes up two votes short and fails to advance
LINCOLN — In a surprise, state lawmakers failed to muster enough votes Monday to advance a concealed carry handgun bill, called “constitutional carry” by some. The vote to invoke cloture was 31-9, two short of what’s needed to stop a filibuster and advance a bill. It was also four fewer senators than the number who […]
Hastings meatpacker pays fine for failing to report injuries to workers
LINCOLN — A Hastings, Nebraska, meat processing plant has agreed to pay a $3,000 fine for failing to report injuries to workers in order to avoid paying higher premiums for workers compensation insurance. The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, which investigated and prosecuted the case, announced the settlement Friday against Noah’s Ark, a New Jersey-based corporation. […]
Known to be toxic for a century, lead still poisons thousands of Midwestern kids
When the pediatrician recommended Lisa Pascoe have her then-toddler tested for lead poisoning, she thought there was no way he could be at risk. Everything in her South St. Louis home had been remodeled. But then the nurse called to say her son’s blood lead level was dangerously high — five times the level federal […]
Trump Jr. to make three-stop campaign swing for Herbster in Nebraska
OMAHA — Political scion Donald Trump Jr. is set to join Nebraska GOP gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster on a three-city tour Wednesday of western and central Nebraska. The campaign confirmed Monday that Trump Jr. would start with a 10 a.m. stop in Gering, a 1 p.m. stop in North Platte and a 3 p.m. stop […]