No time for chit chat today. Let’s get to the big news.
New Flatwater reporter Anila Yoganathan has uncovered a massive one, and has the scoop for you today: Google is planning a data center so big that it would use more energy than Lincoln does.
Yes, you read that right.
The planning appears to involve Nebraska-based natural gas company Tenaska securing the options to buy large swaths of land in southeast Nebraska. If it becomes reality, the companies would actually build a power plant to power the data center — but only if the Legislature passes a to-this-point slightly mysterious bill that would pave the way.
The story has much more: Campaign donations. Farmers getting approached. The chance that this project would make American history. National context. A nuanced debate about the costs, benefits, opportunities.
Great work from Anila, who delivered the goods in her second-ever Flatwater story.
Sex abuse and systemic rot? Speaking of important work: Without reporter Sara Gentzler, the state’s citizens wouldn’t know diddly about the scary stuff happening at a Kearney center that long housed youths in the state’s care.
Gentzler has news today that a second employee has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor. And she interviews two judges raising serious questions about the center itself — and whether the problem lies much deeper than a few rogue employees.
Drumroll, please: On April 15, we’re co-hosting a free event in Omaha that will star the famed journalist who runs the best magazine in America. And the mayor of Omaha. And us. And you.
The Atlantic is doing a 50-state tour to talk about the state of our democracy on the occasion of our nation’s 250th birthday. Its Nebraska stop will be in Omaha, co-hosted by us. Mayor John Ewing has agreed to be interviewed onstage. And, incredibly, Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg has agreed to come, too, and talk about the role of journalism and nonprofit journalism in our state and country.
If you can’t tell, I’m pretty fired up. More info to follow. RSVP and secure your seat right here … I anticipate this one is going to sell out.
It’s absolutely bonkers that we are going to be doing free “journalism on stage” events in Kearney, Lincoln and now Omaha in the next month. (Sign up for the free afternoon/evening Kearney event and the free Lincoln evening event.)
This is bad for my sleep schedule. It’s good for Nebraska. See you there.
Unveiling Naomi, Lily and a new focus for Flatwater: Matt Wynn is the executive director of Nebraska Journalism Trust, my boss, my co-founder of Flatwater and, as he told me yesterday, a man who was once challenged to a fistfight inside Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
He did not fight that fight, but he is fighting the good fight for Nebraska journalism. This week, he wrote a column about our newest hires, two incredibly talented young journalists who are going to help us tell quality Flatwater stories in different ways.
Read Mr. Wynn’s (really good) column here.
Stories that bind the state together: As I have said many times over the years, Flatwater’s mission is twofold. One mission is investigative journalism, which is illustrated by the Google and Kearney youth center stories above.
The other is something we call “stories the bind the state together.”
The point of those stories is to tell deep, important stories about people, places and things in Nebraska. These are meant to be stories that you can connect to no matter where you live.
We have two of ’em for you this week.
A man from an African island nation moved to Nebraska with a dream — he wanted to start to a vanilla business in Grand Island, and he wanted to do it to support the vanilla farmers in his home country. He’s working his butt off, new Flatwater correspondent Josh Salmon reports. He’s getting help from Nebraskans. And he’s making his dream a reality.
And correspondent Chris Burbach has a crucial story out of North Omaha. It’s about a mixed-use development called the Highlander that offers rent-controlled living, business spaces and a bunch of amenities, including a farmers market and yoga. And it does it on a spot that was long a notorious housing project.
A decade after it was announced, there’s some lingering doubt that the Highlander is actually by and for North Omaha. But there is also much cheering, including from residents who grew up near the housing project.
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? Email our newsroom at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Matthew Hansen, Executive Editor
Thanks to this week’s sponsor
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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:
- Wildfires in Nebraska in early March. Not great.
A large wildfire has already charred 36,000 acres in the Nebraska National Forest, reports Nebraska Rural Radio.
Four wildfires burned near Lincoln yesterday, reports 10/11 News Now. And Nebraska Public Media reports that a state of emergency has already been declared in seven different Nebraska counties. - The war with Iran is driving up prices for farmers and threatening to further shake an already teetering ag economy. Story (with a gift link) from the New York Times, with an interview from a Nebraska farmer. And a local story on the same subject from KNOP’s Darsha Dodge, appearing on News Channel Nebraska.
- Here’s a slightly different ag story. Nebraska researchers have launched an idea to grow corn on … the moon? Story by Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson.
- The Lincoln Police Department is now handling the investigation into that no-bid contract tied to Gov. Jim Pillen that State Auditor Mike Foley has labeled “suspect.” Story by Nebraska Public Media’s Molly Ashford.
- As Aaron Sanderford reported today, Nebraska’s most influential political consultant is no longer working with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen. Sanderford, the editor of the Nebraska Examiner, notes that Jessica Flanagain’s departure came a day after it was announced that Lincoln police are now investigating that $2.5 million no-bid contract.
- An effort to raise cigarette taxes in Nebraska went up in smoke this week. Story by the Journal Star’s Chris Dunker. (You may need LJS subscriber access to view this story.)
- A bill that would maintain help for working-class families who struggle to pay for child care is alive in the Legislature, reports the Examiner’s Zach Wendling. Our Lincoln child care event will include the sponsor of this bill, Sen. Wendy DeBoer.
- Former NU president Ted Carter is out after a scandal at Ohio State. Story from the New York Times.
- And finally, in part because our upcoming Tri-Cities event Happy Hour is happening at the Museum of Nebraska Art … here’s a cool Pure Nebraska story about the renovations and expansion of MONA.
