Return of the Grace: Erin Grace and I became Omaha World-Herald metro columnists on the same day in 2013, and for years worked side-by-side, trying to tell important stories to Nebraskans. I came to know Erin as a good reporter filled with passion for her work and empathy for her subjects. I came to know her as an even better person.
Which is why I’m excited to tell you that today, you can read Erin’s first story as a Flatwater Free Press freelance contributor. It’s a story about how hard work and the kindness of strangers led a new Nebraskan to a better future. It’s a story about trying to locate the elusive American Dream in 2021. In other words, it’s vintage Erin Grace. Here’s hoping that you see her byline under our banner many more times in the years to come.
My sincerest apologies to Reddit: Long ago I referred to it as the “cesspool of the Internet” in a column, and boy, people got mad about that. And you know what? I was wrong. Exec director Matt Wynn and I did a Reddit Ask Me Anything earlier this week, and we received some of the most thoughtful goshdarn questions about nonprofit journalism, the future of journalism, and much more. And more than 12,000 people have viewed it! Check it out. While you are at it, listen to Mr. Wynn’s interview with KIOS, Omaha’s NPR affiliate. It includes my favorite question we have been asked thus far. “What were you thinking???”
In case you missed it: Out first two full-time reporters are starting Nov. 1. Here is Matt’s column on what Natalia and Yanqi will bring to FFP, and to Nebraska journalism.
One last thing: Remember that these stories are your stories, and the Flatwater Free Press could always use your help. Do you know of a story that needs to be told? Send us your news tips using this form or via [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:
- We were born newspaper nerds, and one thing that nerds like us love is a good, ol’ fashioned, spit out your morning coffee type of scoop. Which is exactly what Paul Hammel of the Omaha World-Herald delivered this week, when he broke the news that Congressman Jeff Fortenberry was about to be federally indicted. Hammel has followed it with smart follow-ups like this one. We bow down to the great and wondrous Hammel.
- Thursday, nearly every media outlet in the state was reporting on the same tragic story: A mass shooting in Superior, Nebraska, that has now claimed the lives of two victims as well as the shooter. Coverage from News Channel Nebraska and the Hastings Tribune.
- An oh-so-important story from the OWH’s Alia Conley. A police officer was accused twice of sexually assaulting a child. He wasn’t arrested or reprimanded. Instead, he got promoted.
- One of Nebraska’s biggest companies and the unions representing its workers are getting mighty litigious over a looming vaccine mandate. Nebraska Public Media’s Jackie Ourada reports one example of a bigger story that will continue to play out in the months and years ahead.
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