Hello lovely readers, Natalia Alamdari here, bringing you this week’s newsletter.
Abortion is one of the most pressing issues in this year’s Nebraska legislative session. And one of the most pressing questions is whether state lawmakers will pass a six-week abortion ban.
In her story this week, FFP state government watchdog reporter Sara Gentzler answers that question for you. Gentzler tracked down 17 lawmakers to confirm where everyone stands on LB 626, a proposal to ban abortions after cardiac activity is detected, or roughly six weeks.
Based on interviews, past statements, endorsements and previous votes, it comes down to this: At least 31 state senators are likely to vote “yes” on passing a six-week abortion ban. The bill is two supporters shy of the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster and become law.
The two remaining Republicans seem likely to support it, Gentzler found.
Gentzler’s deeply reported story shines a light on the behind-the-scenes conversations that go into a bill becoming law and the party lines drawn in a body that’s supposed to be nonpartisan.
The struggle to keep teachers: My first journalism job was as an education reporter, and it’s still one of my favorite topics to cover. This week I jumped back on the education saddle to bring you all a story about how rural Nebraska school districts are trying a unique way to try and keep and hire teachers: shortening the school week.
I paid a visit to Weeping Water Public Schools, the latest of at least six school districts in the state that have made the switch. Teachers, parents, and (of course) students all love the change. But the research is spotty on how a shorter week affects learning.
The verdict is in: I feel like I’m burying the lead putting this so far down in the newsletter – remember how we went to court over a $45,000 public records fee a few weeks ago? Well, the verdict is in and we won.
On Feb. 14, a judge ruled that the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy had inappropriately applied Nebraska open records law, charging us for a legal review that cannot be part of any fees. He issued an order requiring the state to provide a new, legal cost estimate.
It’s a win for FFP and our ongoing reporting on nitrate in Nebraskans’ water, but it’s also a win for Nebraskans. Because public records should be exactly that – public.
Shameless plug: As part of covering Greater Nebraska, I’ve started up virtual office hours. I’ve had two sessions so far and they’ve gone great! I’m planning on holding these monthly, likely on the second Tuesday of the month depending on where I am in the state that week. If you want to talk Greater Nebraska, sign up here.
Questions wanted: Some of our best story ideas come from readers, and they typically start with a burning question that just cries out for an answer. Have a question that our reporters need to look into? Complete this form or reach our newsroom at [email protected].
‘Til next time,
—Natalia Alamdari, Seacrest Greater Nebraska Reporter
Here’s what we’re into this week: News from around Nebraska
Every week we like to share great Nebraska journalism, no matter who made it. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
- Lori Pilger of the Lincoln Journal Star brings us the wild story of how one Nebraska State Patrol employee nabbed nearly 200 pounds of drugs from the department’s Lincoln evidence room. The missing $1.2 million worth of drugs led to Lincoln prosecutors dropping dozens of felony drug cases – either because the evidence simply didn’t exist anymore, or because the accused employee had been part of the chain of custody.
- More than 20% of special education positions in Nebraska public schools are unfilled. At the same time, the number of complaints investigated by the state Department of Education has gone up. Five years ago, the state investigated 17 complaints in one school year. This year, halfway through the school year, it’s already investigated 16. Omaha World-Herald reporter Lauren Wagner speaks to families, and details a yearslong pattern of noncompliance.
- Last year, Jessica Votipka of the Grand Island Independent broke the story on how Northwest Public Schools ousted the school paper for publishing stories on LGBTQ issues. This week, she and student journalist Marcus Pennell spoke with the Education Writers Association about what the staff of that school paper went through. It’s a great discussion covering threats to student journalism, “deadnaming” and what it’s like being trans in Nebraska, and how a story turns from a tip to front-page story.
