Start time: 1:10 p.m.

Mayor John Ewing sits down with FFP Editor Matthew Hansen to talk about his vision for Omaha, as well as the current state of the city. What can solve Omaha’s housing crunch? Will the streetcar actually change the city? How does Ewing want to build on the downtown and midtown growth that happened under Mayor Jean Stothert? And what needs to happen in the neighborhoods and communities that feel left behind, and left out?

Start time: 1:42 p.m.

Nebraska is changing — Hispanic Nebraskans account for the majority of the state’s population growth. From 2010 to 2020, every single Nebraska county saw an increase in the number of people of color living there. Every single county grew more diverse. What does that mean for the future of the state? 

Join us as we discuss immigration in Nebraska, how it’s shaping the state, and how immigration crackdowns are affecting all corners of Nebraska.

Start time: 2:22 p.m.

Omaha’s leading philanthropists quietly wield enormous influence across Nebraska. But a generational changing of the guard – and a potential massive influx of wealth – will lead to shifts in how Omaha funds the arts, medicine, education and social services. Learn more about how some charitable foundations are growing and others are sunsetting, while a new generation of philanthropists steps up to try to solve some of our most pressing challenges.

Start time: 3:20 p.m.

For decades, Omaha has grappled with the consequences of widespread lead contamination. Lead from smelting, paint and other sources settled into yards, parks and gardens, posing long-term risks to children and families. Cleanup efforts have made progress, yet questions remain about what’s still contaminated and what risks there are to residents’ health. This session digs into Omaha’s lead story through the lens of soil testing, examining the past, present and future of Omaha’s lead legacy.

Start time: 3:20 p.m.

Omaha’s already home to the servers, fiber and infrastructure powering the next wave of innovation — but could it brand itself as The AI City? This conversation will explore how the region’s technological backbone, including its AI-ready infrastructure, can drive business attraction, job growth and investment. We’ll examine the competitive advantages already in place, from a skilled workforce pipeline to a central U.S. location, and what it would take to fully seize the AI moment. The discussion will also address the potential and challenges presented by large-scale operations that can spark economic opportunity while creating demands for energy, land and policy adaptation.

Start time: 3:53 p.m.

Nebraska’s news landscape is in flux, with newspapers shuttering, legacy outlets shrinking and entire communities losing local coverage. Yet amid the closures, new shoots are taking root: independent publications, nonprofit newsrooms and bold experiments reshaping how journalism serves its audience. This session explores the seismic changes underway, what’s being lost, what’s emerging and what’s next for the craft and the industry.