As we speed toward the homestretch of a predictably divisive presidential campaign, and watch a special session of the Nebraska Legislature that one reporter memorably called “a trainwreck in slow motion,” it would be understandable to assume that everything is awful.
But it simply isn’t true.
One of the essential and oft-ignored truths of journalism is that it should hold a mirror up to society. It should allow us to see our leaders and ourselves, help us to see our shared reality — the bad, the ugly and also the … good.
Which is why I was so glad to read FFP managing editor Ryan Hoffman’s story, published today, that tells the tale of a small band of local artists and helpers in Lincoln.
This group, called Live Yes, got a death sentence earlier this year when its big national benefactor moved to shut it down.
But this little band of artists and helpers didn’t give up. Instead, they used teamwork and sheer force of will. Instead, they fought back.
Here is Ryan’s story. It’s not about a presidential campaign or property taxes. It’s important nonetheless.
Sasse’s spending spree: I’m a proud alum of the Daily Nebraskan, UNL’s college newspaper, and will always have a soft spot for student journalists.
But that’s not why I’m posting this story from the University of Florida student media outlet, one that flew around the internet, including to many email inboxes and text threads in Nebraska this week.
These student journalists uncovered that outgoing university president and former Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse more than tripled spending in the president’s office, to $17.3 million, during his short tenure as university president.
He hired several former Senate staffers, gave them big pay bumps and allowed several to work from Washington, D.C. He also spent an eye-popping amount on travel, partly to fly these staffers back and forth to Florida.
After the story, the State of Florida’s chief financial officer urged university leaders to investigate the spending.
Sasse, on X/Twitter this morning, posted a lengthy defense of his spending, tying it to aggressive higher education reforms that he said he was pursuing while UF’s president.
About those mosquitoes: You may have noticed that the mosquitoes are thick this year. And they are — their count nearly doubled in mid-July. So what’s going on? Freelancer and longtime environmental reporter Nancy Gaarder reports that the mosquito hordes can be a serious health risk as well as a nuisance, and that climate change is making it worse.
It’s a journalism party: We’re holding the second annual Flatwater Free Press Festival, which I call FlatFest because I’m cool, in Lincoln this year on Oct. 23. We’re soon to announce three special guests to the event, all big-time journalists, two of whom with Nebraska ties.
What I can already confirm is that this party will be held in Lincoln’s historic train station, will have food and drinks and some Nebraska beer, and will be a chance for you to meet Flatwater reporters and myself while also supporting our efforts to grow nonprofit journalism in Nebraska.
Interested? Learn more and buy your tickets here.
Thanks to our sponsor: This week it’s KIOS, Omaha’s National Public Radio affiliate. KIOS, 91.5 on your FM dial, is the place I head to for much of my national news and radio programming. (“This American Life” and “Fresh Air” continue to be among my fave things in 2024.) Thank you, KIOS, for supporting the mission of Nebraska nonprofit journalism.
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:
- I’m gonna be honest. I don’t have a clue what’s going on in the Nebraska Legislature right now, and honestly I don’t think Nebraska’s elected leaders do, either. Let’s try to break the twists and turns down.
First, Gov. Pillen was going for big time property tax cuts, and that crashed and burned, in part because he wanted to have the state take much control over local schools and in part because some conservatives called it a tax increase. Then legislative leaders, including top Pillen allies, pivoted to a bill that won’t actually lower many Nebraskans’ property taxes, though it will get some money to people who previously failed to claim income tax credits meant for property tax relief.
But then some other state senators said this was pointless, and not enough property tax relief, and they started trying to resurrect previous tax cutting ideas.
As I send this email to you just after noon on Friday, every state senator appears to be mad and no one seems to know what’s going to happen.
On second thought, maybe I do understand what’s going on in the Nebraska Legislature. Thank you to the Journal Star, The World-Herald, Nebraska Public Media, the Nebraska Examiner, local TV and others for covering every twist and turn this week. (You may need subscriber access for some links above.) - Speaking of the Examiner, I thought this was a really smart story from Aaron Sanderford. Pillen appears to have hitched his political future to property tax cuts. It may yet result in a massive win — or a primary challenge.
- Nebraska Public Media’s Fatima Naqi shared the stories of young Afghan refugees who are resettling in Nebraska, fleeing war and becoming college students, restaurant employees and young people scared for their friends back home and their country.
- Nebraska homeowner’s insurance is roughly twice the national average. Erin Sullivan of WOWT reports about why.
- The World-Herald’s Julie Anderson points out that the Omaha area has had three “100-year storms” just in the past six weeks, and asks questions about why it happened, and why it hasn’t been even worse. (May need subscriber access.)
- “Heat is likely killing more people in the Midwest and Great Plains than what’s recorded. Here’s why.” That’s the headline for this story by Harvest Public Media (appearing on Nebraska Public Media). It’s worth reading … or listening to.
- The state and housing advocates are working to build thousands of new homes for the Nebraskans who are hardest to house. Story by the Examiner’s Cindy Gonzalez appearing here in the North Platte Telegraph.
- And finally, a nice one from South Omaha. A couple helped a South Omaha boxing club owner who the husband had once arrested. Now the boxing club owner is returning the favor. The OWH’s Emily Nitcher with the story of enemies-turned-allies. (May need subscriber access.)
