When a loved one dies unexpectedly, it seems like the least we can expect is for someone official to be able to tell us what happened. To learn what caused that death.
But Nebraskans have to set their expectations lower than that, because here’s the truth: The system by which our state identifies cause of death, and autopsies bodies, is undeniably screwed up.
Our new story out today, a good one from Destiny Herbers and Jeremy Turley, lays out the infuriating details. Among them: We’re the only state in the country where county attorneys have to serve as coroners.
The training of these county attorneys is, shall we say, spotty.
Bodies have to get shipped hundreds of miles. Counties are clearly skimping on autopsies to save cash. My gosh, the county attorney in Hooker County has ordered one autopsy in the past 34 years. One! In 34 years!
Herbers and Turley also show us why this matters. They do so by telling us the story of Pete Chappell, and the tale of his grieving family’s futile effort to learn more about what killed him.
Want to tell us about your own experience with Nebraska’s death investigation system? Have you had a hard time getting an autopsy, or were left with unanswered questions after a loved one passed? Fill out this quick form to get us more info.
Steak State: Oh no. I haven’t even started typing this yet, and I’m already starving. On Thursday we kicked off a new yearlong project we are calling “Steak Town USA.”
It’s reviews and ratings of old-school and new-school Omaha steakhouses by none other than the state’s best food writer, Sarah Baker Hansen. (I may be biased.)
Here’s her first story, on a steakhouse where the pie tastes like childhood. Her childhood.
“Steak Town USA” will also include several stories from around the state, as SBH hunts for some great steakhouses in every corner of Nebraska. It’s interviews, podcasts, videos — even a steak event or two! (More on that later.)
And last but not least, it’s the first-of-its kind Nebraska steakhouse map. Our goal: Identify the location of every existing steakhouse in the state. It’s a work in progress. Check it out — it’s currently located inside the first story — and shoot me an email if you notice one missing.
This is a hazy criteria, but we’re looking for steakhouses, not restaurants that happen to serve a steak or two. I’m gonna have to hurry and finish this up, because I’m about ready to gnaw off my arm.
Homelessness spiking: FFP Omaha reporter Chris Bowling has been doing some incredible work on the city’s homelessness problem, covering the issue with clear eyes and heart. His latest story out this week is no exception. Clear eyes: Omaha’s unsheltered homelessness rate is rising faster than any other U.S. major city. This is true even though the city’s overall homeless rate, per capita, remains far, far below places like New York City, LA, Denver and San Francisco.
And heart: Chris this week tells the story of the Omahans who, each January, spend a frigid night searching in the woods, under bridges and behind buildings to complete a count that allows us to better understand homelessness.
Survey time: It turns out we aren’t perfect. I know, I know, hard to believe. Here’s your chance to weigh in on what we do great and what we could do better. Take the speedy, three-question FFP Reader Survey and give us your thoughts.
Coming soon: What the heck is lab-grown meat? Another look at the dangers to Nebraska’s drinking water. And, in our “Nebraska Evolving” project, we’ll continue to assess the impact of an immigration crackdown in Nebraska.
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].
Sincerely,
—Matthew Hansen, Executive Editor
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:
- Roger Mandigo, a UNL legend, died this week. He did many, many things as a professor and researcher, but he will be remembered as the man who made the McRib possible. Story by the Journal Star’s Matt Olberding. (May need Journal Star subscriber info to access story.)
- In other delicious food news, Sarah Baker Hansen appeared on Tony Bock’s really good Omaha-based podcast, Omapod, to talk about her career in food writing and to talk all things steak. Part 1 and Part 2.
- Bird flu has made its first official 2025 appearance in Nebraska. Story by the Nebraska Examiner’s Zach Wendling. A TV story on this by KSNB out of Hastings.
- The rumors and misinformation are flying on immigration raids. We have tried to track down several in the Schuyler area ourselves, but they have proven unfounded from our reporting. This story from 10/11 News Now, with officials pushing back on what they say are misleading social media posts and at least one news report.
- Groups of Omahans gathered at various points this week to protest the potential immigration raids and the crackdown. The largest was in South Omaha on Monday. KETV’s Bill Schammert and Jake Anderson with the story.
- So, are we gonna actually stop falling back and springing forward? The Examiner’s Zach Wendling, here with his second newsletter appearance of the week, on efforts in the Nebraska Legislature to go to full-year standard time, or full-year daylight saving time.
- Nebraska’s standardized test scores are dipping below the national average on reading. Story by Luna Stephens of the Omaha World-Herald. (May need OWH subscriber access to view.)
- Last but not least. I happen to know Kent Zeller through his daughter and son-in-law. But I would love this little story from 10/11’s Pure Nebraska even if I had never met him before. It’s just such a wonderful distillation of the pride a teacher takes in his students. It’s so captured by this little TV piece. And it’s proof of that old journalism axiom: Everybody has a story. Kent’s is heartwarming.
