News across Douglas County
Interstate of Despair
The latest “what if we made a metaphor literal” movie tackles the oft-sung refrain “life is a highway.” Don’t worry: It Ends realizes that the road trip of sentient modern human existence is, in fact, an abject nightmare for which there is no working GPS. Writer/director…
Douglas County sheriff referred cases to ICE and floated deal with agency amid national crackdown
Rain clouds covered the Omaha sky as Arshpal Singh’s semi sped down Interstate 80. Near the 84th Street exit, the California driver lost control. The truck, carrying 13,000 pounds of candy, jackknifed and smashed into the concrete median, taking out a light pole. Singh, who was…
Nebraska’s Catholic schools launch pilot program for career and technical education
Six Catholic schools in the Omaha Archdiocese will launch a multi-year pilot program next school year focused on offering students education and technical training for alternative career paths. Archbishop of Omaha Michael McGovern said Friday that the pilot program represents a…
Omaha postal workers defend mail-in voting process
Omaha postal workers are defending the integrity of mail-in voting ahead of the November election, as their national union begins airing a new TV ad in Omaha. The American Postal Workers Union, which represents about 200,000 U.S. Postal Service employees, is running a 30-second…
New study will investigate Nebraska’s missing Black women and children
Ai’Yauna Young was 10 years old when her mother, Camisha Hollis, went missing. She was 14 years old when her father, Marvin Young, was convicted of manslaughter. And she was a junior in high school when her mother was declared legally dead. Her body hasn’t been found. Ai’Yauna…
Have a child under 12? The City of Omaha wants to hear about your childcare needs
The City of Omaha is calling on parents and guardians with children 12 years old and younger to fill out a survey. The results will help shape the city’s and local nonprofit’s mission to address affordable childcare and early childhood education. Organizers gathered in the…
Farnam Street bridge to reopen ahead of schedule
An Omaha bridge project is wrapping up sooner than expected and will reopen this week. Omaha Mayor John Ewing announced Thursday that the Farnam Street Bridge will officially reopen to traffic by 3 p.m. Friday. A press release stated the reopening represents an important…
Jill Anderson and friends bring show with something to say to the Bluebarn Theatre
Veteran Omaha theater artist and singer Jill Anderson is known for deep subject dives – from Irish folk music to literary icons. As writer-director of a new staged concert at the Bluebarn Theatre, “Rise: Songs of Resistance and Resilience,” she delves into social justice music.…
Charges dropped in case of man bringing firecracker to Omaha airport
Federal prosecutors dismissed the case against a man accused of bringing a firecracker through security at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield. The government’s motion to dismiss the case was granted by a judge on Tuesday. Che Salpas, an Oregon resident who was in Nebraska to visit family,…
State auditor finds issues in Douglas County benefits program
State Auditor Mike Foley is calling for benefits reform in Nebraska’s largest county. In a letter to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning, Foley’s office identified multiple issues with the county’s Department of General Assistance that “merit corrective…
Ex-NU coach John Cook is celebrity guest for ‘Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!’ Omaha show
A volleyball legend in Nebraska will take the stage at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater this week as the celebrity guest on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” live show with Nebraska Public Media. John Cook, former head coach of the Nebraska volleyball team and current co-owner and general…
Interfaith Alliance to launch ‘The Vote is Sacred’ tour in Omaha
A national interfaith bus tour is kicking off in Nebraska’s largest city. “The Vote is Sacred” get-out-the-vote bus tour, organized by the nonpartisan Interfaith Alliance, will start on Oct. 6 in Omaha — the day after early voting begins, and four weeks before Election Day. Each…