Let’s start with the good news, before we get to the hard hitting.
We have two stories for you this week, from entirely opposite ends of the state, that have something in common — regular people stepping up to make their homes better.
In Ogallala, it’s Stacey and Kathleen Bauer, who despite having full-time jobs and little experience in the field, bought the famed Front Street a few years ago, potentially saving it from its demise.
FFP correspondent Leo Adam Biga crossed the state to tell today’s story about what goes on there, including a 62-year-long run of telling local stories via the state’s longest-running summer stock theater … gunfights, drunken cowboys, saucy madams, cattle drives and other Wild West tropes but also a connection to Nebraska’s very real past.
It’s a tourist attraction. It’s also a western Nebraska tradition.
And in North Omaha, on a recent Monday afternoon, a man named Dana Murray taught eight kids how to hit a snare drum, and something bigger.
“Everything is attainable, but what we learn is … the only thing that separates you from someone else who does something great is work.”
Our new correspondent Chris Burbach, back with another lovely story — this one a profile of Murray, who is creating a haven for musicians young and old in the heart of North Omaha.
They’re traveling from all parts of the metro for the music. But they’re getting so much more.
Public money for private lakes? OK, hold onto the warm and fuzzy stuff. But now let’s talk turkey. And tax dollars.
The City of Valley has repeatedly used something called tax increment financing, or TIF, to help developers build new neighborhoods.
These new neighborhoods are filled with nice homes — some really, really nice homes, mansions worth millions of dollars. And their value is boosted by the manmade lakes that tax increment financing has also helped to fund — lakes and shorelines that are private, off limits to the rest of the citizens of Valley.
Now, there’s a legit debate about whether this is a smart idea or a silly one.
Supporters of this use of TIF point out that Valley is booming. They believe the incentive has spurred development and created a much bigger tax base in Valley that is already starting to rain money, and will eventually rain more money, on the town.
But others point to brown water in the town’s pipes, the strapped public school system, the fire department that needs to fundraise in order to build a new station because the tax money isn’t there. They argue that the use of TIF in Valley is a creating a system of haves and have-nots.
A really thought-provoking story from FFP Omaha reporter Chris Bowling. And I gotta say — one of the most fascinating tales about tax policy I have read in a long while.
What the heck is TIF? If you happen to be wondering that right now, you surely aren’t alone. We’re here to help. Bowling did a Flatwater Explains on tax increment financing, summarizing what it is and how it’s used around Nebraska. Take a gander.
And while you are at it, peruse our growing library of Flatwater Explains explainers, on where Nebraska corn goes, Sandhill cranes and Runza, too.
FlatFest update: It’s been a week, and half of the available tickets have vanished! Thanks to all of you who have already bought ’em. If you haven’t yet, or haven’t been to one of our Flatwater Free Press Festivals yet — here’s the link to learn more, get your tickets and support nonprofit news.
I’m so excited about this event, both the free afternoon portion and the evening party. It’s gonna be epic. Join us.
Thanks to our sponsor: It’s JP Morgan Chase, back with another sponsored story, giving you 8 steps to build a better budget. Interesting stuff.
We thank JP Morgan Chase for supporting the mission of Nebraska nonprofit news.
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].
Enjoy this perfect August weather! See you next week.
—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:
- Oh, no. Nebraska’s gross domestic product tanked in the first quarter, driven downward by an ag economy that’s struggling. Story from Erin Bamer of the Nebraska Examiner.
- The former head of the Lincoln Police Department’s Special Victims Unit resigned Thursday, months after an investigation by the Midwest Newsroom detailed alleged sexual misconduct in the department. The Midwest Newsroom and Nebraska Public Media with the latest.
- Nebraska-based Union Pacific is seeking to buy another railroad and become the first truly transcontinental railroad in U.S. history. Story by the Associated Press, seen here on KETV’s website.
- So much airport news this week. The Lincoln airport has a new airline, and the Journal Star’s Neal Franklin reports how it came together. And the first stage of Omaha’s nearly $1 billion airport expansion and renovation is complete, reports the OWH’s Julie Anderson, with much more to come. (You may need subscriber access to the LJS and the OWH, respectively, to view these stories.)
- Really interesting story on the future of child care from the Nebraska Examiner, where Cindy Gonzalez reports that recent polling shows that the state’s Republican voters think finding child care is a serious challenge that’s too costly. Will it spur change?
- The University of Nebraska is bracing for massive budget cuts. NU President Jeffrey Gold announced that the university’s campuses will need to chop $20 million more, on top of recent deep cuts already approved. Story by KLKN’s Mark Fischer.
