This is Sara Gentzler, your state government accountability reporter. In the year since Nebraska passed a 12-week abortion ban, 12% fewer med students applied to residencies here. Pediatrics and OB-GYN programs saw drops twice as big.
Before you grab your pitchforks, read this story that we published today.
It’s not clear how much of the drop is related to that ban. There’s been an intentional effort nationally to get students to submit fewer applications. And the Governor’s Office said UNMC had no problems filling its residency openings.
But one thing is clear: These laws are a factor in some students’ decisions. Whether it means they don’t apply to particular states, they rank some programs low that they otherwise wouldn’t or they ask questions about politics in program interviews.
Omahahahahaha: Where do Omaha’s aspiring comedians go to try new things and hone their craft? The Backline on Harney Street. (That wasn’t a punchline, it’s a fact.) Freelancer Pat Janssen introduces us to the place that’s become the home for Omaha’s small but scrappy comedy community.
Parents, talk to me: I’ll be with our esteemed executive editor Matthew Hansen and some experts in the field for a pop-up newsroom focused on child care. We want to hear questions and concerns from parents, providers, business owners – anyone with a stake in the child care crisis.
Where: Elkhorn Public Library
When: Tuesday, May 28, 4-6 p.m.
What: Help inform future reporting, to build on stories like this and this.
Can’t make it? Fill out this (extremely brief) survey.
Lincoln love: The annual Give to Lincoln Day is Thursday, May 30, and online giving is already live at givetolincoln.com. This is Flatwater’s second year taking part. We’ll devote all money raised through Give to Lincoln Day to expanding Lincoln coverage.
Tips wanted: You’re probably sitting on some awesome ideas. The thing that’s been bothering you is probably bothering other Nebraskans. That neighbor doing something cool could probably inspire more people to do cool things. Have a potential story that our reporters need to check into? Complete this form or reach our newsroom at [email protected].
Thanks for reading,
—Sara Gentzler, state government accountability 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:
- A meeting in Scotts Bluff County devolved into a shouting match when two residents voiced their anger at the board’s rejection of a proposed solar project. The Star-Herald’s Fletcher Halfaker has a context-rich recap of the meeting, including video in which one resident remarks to a commissioner “that’s how much of an idiot you are” (some readers may need a subscription to read this story). To be sure, Scotts Bluff County is far from the only Nebraska locale wrestling over renewable energy, as we reported earlier this year.
- It’s official: Malcolm X became the 27th member of Nebraska’s Hall of Fame. He is the first African American to receive the honor. The Nebraska Examiner’s Cindy Gonzalez documented the historic day.
- Gov. Pillen’s plan to eliminate nearly 1,000 jobs could negatively impact services some Nebraskans rely on, reports The World-Herald’s Martha Stoddard (some readers may need a subscription to read this story).
- A judge ordered the City of Lincoln to pay nearly $727,000 to cover attorney fees and costs related to a discrimination lawsuit brought by a former firefighter. The Journal Star’s Lori Pilger with the story (some readers may need a subscription to read this story).
- Twenty years ago, a monster tornado tore through the small town of Hallam just south of Lincoln. Nebraska Public Media looks back on the devastating twister that left one person dead and 37 injured.
- The sound of civics: A Grand Island mom, surprised to learn her in-home piano lessons ran afoul of city code, successfully got the city to change the law. A fun story from NTV’s Steve White.
- Mother Nature, go away. A Thursday night storm caused major damage near Lake McConaughy, according to News Channel Nebraska. Meanwhile, parts of eastern Nebraska are still drying out after flooding earlier this week. Residents of a flooded apartment building in Omaha said their homes were looted, reports Mike McKnight at WOWT. Elsewhere, the flood waters swept away a homeless encampment.
- Patrick Gottsch, an Elkhorn native and the founder of Rural Media Group, died this past weekend at 70. His significance was evident in the range of people who expressed condolences. The list included members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation, The World-Herald reported, and Miss Dolly Parton, according to RFD-TV.
- Indulge me on the loose Nebraska connection for this last one: A multi-month analysis by USA Today of leaked documents found roughly 1,050 guns recovered from crime scenes in Mexico during a two-year span came from five U.S. gun shops. Of those, 215 were traced back to Cabela’s, the outdoor retailer formerly headquartered in Sidney.
