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

Over the past 25 years, Dollar General stores have become a fixture of the retail landscape in rural Nebraska. Now, there are 142 chain “dollar” stores — 115 of them Dollar Generals — in Nebraska towns with a population smaller than 10,000. 

Natalia Alamdari • July 11

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

Sara Gentzler • July 10

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

Chris Bowling • July 3

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.

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

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

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Documenters

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

June 17: Omaha Human Rights and Relations Board focuses on poverty, immigration and community collaboration

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

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

Joshua Shimkus, Roy W. Howard Fellow • 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

As Nebraska reports first measles case in 8 years, state contends with rising religious vaccine exemptions

Emily Wolf • May 28

Metro

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

‘Just broke’: Omaha-area safety net failing mentally ill amid rising demand, families say

Chris Bowling • 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

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

Nebraska’s Afghan refugees use food to say thanks and make friends

Nasrin Nawa • June 6

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: 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

  • Flatwater Explains: Where does Nebraska’s corn go?

    Only a small portion of Nebraska’s corn ends up at the grocery store, and then often in an indirect way. So, if the destination for Nebraska corn isn’t the frozen aisle, it raises the question: What are all those endless cornfields for, anyway? Read more

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