A popcorn giant in small-town Nebraska: How the Zangger family grew an international seed behemoth

On a bitter October morning in 1982, Chuck Zangger stood in his field near North Loup, staring at the brittle, ruined stalks of corn. The early frost had…

Nasrin Nawa • July 18

‘A rare, sacred kind of unity’: Omaha’s celebration of Black pride and togetherness to draw 17,000 back home

Leo Adam Biga • July 17

Flatwater Explains: What’s a Runza?

Natalia Alamdari • July 16

Grocery Goliath: Small-town Nebraska grocery stores disappear as Dollar General booms

Nebraska is one of the worst states for Black babies. Recent momentum toward change offers hope.

Sarpy Scuffle: County attorney suing county board after refusing demand to fire top prosecutor

Lincoln landlords weighing lawsuit, state law switch after voters barred them from denying low-income renters

A Nebraska crypto company wants to get bigger. Landowners decry NPPD’s use of eminent domain that will help it grow.

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Documenters

July 9: Omaha Land Bank plans expanded outreach and events

Omaha Documenters and Leah Keinama • July 17

June 24: Sarpy County Board hears tax exemption plea, approves budget adjustments and sheriff’s office expansion

Omaha Documenters • July 9

June 27: Benson Business Improvement District launches beautification and anti-litter initiatives

Omaha Documenters and Leah Keinama • July 2

June 17: Sarpy County Board approves major housing and mixed-use developments

Omaha Documenters • June 25

WHAT IS DOCUMENTERS?

We train and pay people to attend under-reported public meetings in Omaha and publish the results.

We are part of a national network of organizations that seeks to help people understand what’s going on in their local communities by making important information available to the public, encouraging open conversations, and inspiring people to get involved. 

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Statewide

Nebraska colleges, saying they have little choice, are axing scholarships that favored immigrants, single moms, LGBTQ students

Shelby Rickert • June 26

Parched projects: Nebraska’s water systems need fixing. The fund meant to help can’t keep up.

Joshua Shimkus • June 20

In overcrowded Nebraska prisons, several suspected of killing cellmates while double bunked in cells meant for 1.

Shelby Rickert • June 18

‘Shot down at every turn’: Nebraska schools frequently deny kids with disabilities

Jeremy Turley and Lauren Wagner • June 5

Metro

Just Add Salt

The SBH Review: Lively Santoro offers Omaha a mix of Mexican favorites and novel offerings

Sarah Baker Hansen • June 26

From foster care to Snoop Dogg: ‘Huge life-changing trauma’ couldn’t kill Omaha singer Dreion’s dreams

Leo Adam Biga • June 19

Steak Town USA: Steakhouse checks every box, then checks a few more

Sarah Baker Hansen • June 12

Immigration raid rocks Nebraska meatpacking plant; protesters and law enforcement clash

Jeremy Turley and Natalia Alamdari • June 10

HIGHLIGHTS

Ricketts’ Riches: Nebraska politician and family deliver deluge of campaign cash

Sara Gentzler and Alex Richards • Sept. 20, 2024

Nebraska Evolving: Immigration is changing, and maybe saving, some small Nebraska communities

Natalia Alamdari • Sept. 6, 2024

Who’s Buying Nebraska? Corporations, investors grabbing giant chunks of Nebraska farmland

Yanqi Xu and Destiny Herbers • Nov. 16, 2023

Pillen’s Water: High nitrate detected on hog farms owned by Nebraska’s governor

Yanqi Xu • Sept. 7, 2023

Greater Nebraska

Rare disease cost a Nebraska woman her leg. Now she’s competing for a national golf championship.

Greg Echlin • June 25

Honoring Doc Susan: First Native hospital, built by nation’s first Native doctor, to again care for Nebraskans

Natalia Alamdari • June 13

‘I know I have a dust problem’: ADM failed to stop grain explosions

Sky Chadde • May 30

Desperate for teachers, Nebraska schools turn to the faraway Philippines

Natalia Alamdari • May 23

Historically Excluded

Nebraska colleges, saying they have little choice, are axing scholarships that favored immigrants, single moms, LGBTQ students

Shelby Rickert • June 26

From foster care to Snoop Dogg: ‘Huge life-changing trauma’ couldn’t kill Omaha singer Dreion’s dreams

Leo Adam Biga • June 19

Honoring Doc Susan: First Native hospital, built by nation’s first Native doctor, to again care for Nebraskans

Natalia Alamdari • June 13

Immigration raid rocks Nebraska meatpacking plant; protesters and law enforcement clash

Jeremy Turley and Natalia Alamdari • June 10

Flatwater Explains

Things You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know about the Best State In the World.

Flatwater Explains is an occasional series during which FFP reporters explain the people, places and things that make Nebraska what it is, while answering questions that both long-time residents and first-time visitors might have.

What Nebraska-centric topics, places and things do you want the Flatwater Free Press journalists to explain? Email us at tips@flatwaterfreepress.org.

  • Flatwater Explains: What’s a Runza?

    What is this little pillow of dough and meat, this Nebraska specialty that sometimes confuses residents of the other 49 states? And where did it come from? Let us explain. Read more

  • Flatwater Explains: Sandhill Cranes

    Each spring, some of Nebraska’s most anticipated visitors descend on the Platte River in droves, both by land and by air: the sandhill cranes and the people who come to look at them. Read more

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