Oct. 23, 2024
Lincoln Station Great Hall
201 N. 7th St, Lincoln, NE 68508
The Nebraska Journalism Trust presents the second annual Flatwater Free Press Festival — an evening as interesting, enlightening, and distinctly Nebraskan as our journalism aspires to be. This year, our annual festival will cap off a convening of local leaders, policy makers, and journalists in partnership with The Atlantic.
FLATWATER FESTIVAL RECAP
‘Journalism isn’t dying. It’s changing’: Sold-out FlatFest showcases state’s commitment to independent news
The Flatwater Free Press celebrated the growth and impact of its independent Nebraska newsroom with a sold-out event that highlighted the importance of journalism to a healthy society.
Festival Details
Join us for a meal, meet Flatwater reporters and hear from the people behind some of our stories, including a reading from the state’s Youth Poet Laureate.
A keynote discussion with three of our journalism heroes will dive into the issues, the news media and — in true Flatwater style — whatever you want to talk about since we’ll ask for your questions.
EMCEE —CAROL WANG
Executive Director, Metro Omaha Medical Association
SCHEDULE
5 p.m.
Doors open for social hour, drinks and hors d’oeuvres
5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Dinner served, buffet style
6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Program
8:15 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bar open
9 p.m.
See you next year!
PANEL DISCUSSION
Angel Jennings
UNL grad and editor at Los Angeles Times
Coulter Jones
Omaha native, Pulitzer Prize winner, investigative reporter Bloomberg News
Evan Smith
Senior advisor at Emerson Collective, Texas Tribune co-founder
Use this form to submit your questions, and we’ll bring them to the panel discussion.
POETRY READING
ALIYAH AMERICAN HORSE
2023-24 Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate will do a reading at the Festival
REPORTER REMARKS
Natalia Alamdari and Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press Senior Reporters
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I park?
Three options for parking:
- Metered street parking is available on 7th and P streets in front of the venue.
- Hourly parking is available in the city lot immediately south of the venue, accessible from O Street.
- Hourly parking is available in the large Green 2 and Blue 3 city garages just one block west of the venue, at Pinnacle Arena Drive and P Street. Note: Use N Street to access Pinnacle Arena Drive. Canopy Street will be closed to vehicle traffic for the Halloween in the Haymarket event.
Where can I stay if I need a hotel?
The Graduate by Hilton Lincoln, two blocks east of the venue, has discounted rates Oct. 22 and 23 for Festival guests, including free parking on site. Use this link to reserve your room or call (402) 475-4011.
Can I still get tickets?
The event is sold out. If a friend or family member wants to join the waiting list, email us.
How do I check in?
There are no paper tickets; just check in at the door.
Photography
Please note that photos and videos will be taken throughout the event. These will be used by the Nebraska Journalism Trust for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, and in social media.
What about the ‘State of Our Union’ event?
If you signed up for The Atlantic’s State of Our Union event along with your Flatwater Festival registration, we have shared your name with them and you should receive a separate email with information. Doors will open at 9 a.m. CDT at the Nebraska Union, with panel talks running from 10 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., with a break for lunch.
What if I have more questions?
Do you have questions about your registration or the event? Email donate@nebraskajournalismtrust.org.
Flatwater Festival Sponsors
Become a Sponsor
Your sponsorship will help the Flatwater Free Press convene hundreds of informed and engaged Nebraskans for conversation about the vital role of independent journalism in sustaining The Good Life.
Make it easy! Flatwater Festival guests can book a room at the Graduate Lincoln hotel, just one block from the Lincoln Station event venue. Flatwater guests enjoy a discounted rate that includes free garage parking on site. Stay one or two nights, Oct. 22 and 23.
Lincoln Station
Lincoln Station Great Hall, in the heart of the Haymarket, is a beautifully restored historic venue dating back to the early 1900s. Originally a warehouse, its elegant rustic charm includes exposed brick walls, towering ceilings, and original architecture.
FREE EVENT
State of Our Union: Nebraska
In partnership with The Atlantic
A free series of discussions held throughout the day, Oct. 23, on the UNL Campus
The Great Plains are at a crossroads — and nowhere is that more evident than in Nebraska. From its urban centers to rural communities, Nebraska’s economy is as diverse as its varied landscape. But opportunities and challenges remain — economic development, climate change, shifting demographics, and so much more.
The Atlantic, in partnership with the Flatwater Free Press, will convene local leaders, policy makers, and journalists to highlight the regional issues influencing the national dialogue, and the importance of local journalism.
Flatwater Festival 2023
Our inaugural celebration of Nebraska journalism — A sold-out night of stories and local food that brought us together to challenge us and our leaders to do better for our communities.
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023
The Barn at the Ackerhurst Dairy Farm in Bennington