Today, let’s start by sitting together for a moment on the hard wooden pews inside First United Methodist Church of Lexington. It’s a Sunday morning. Look around. That couple sitting in the front row, the rancher who has removed his hat near the back, even the preacher at the pulpit — their lives have been changed, inexorably altered, by the news of the Tyson plant closure.
The macro view of what is happening in Lexington is terrifying enough. Thousands of jobs. Billions in economic impact.
But today, Flatwater reporter Andrew Wegley really helps us to understand the human reality of those numbers. He puts us in the pews and shows us that the church’s Spanish-speaking congregation is already fleeing town in droves, while the English-speaking congregation is losing neighbors, business and hope.
The Most Nebraska Food Pairing?We have a really fun and fascinating food story, and, really, a history story, for you this week.
Correspondent JJ Harder went deep on that beloved Nebraska pairing, the chili and cinnamon roll. Where did this come from? Why do people from other states look at us funny when we mention it? And what are all the different ways — seven different ways, Harder says — that Nebraskans actually consume this thing he calls a C&CR? It’s a chili-and-cinnamon roll tour de force.
Oh, and bonus link: JJ appeared on Tony Bock’s podcast, OMAPOD, this morning, to talk more about his fascination with the food pairing and the story’s origins. Money quote: “What’s very normal where you come from is far from normal elsewhere.”
Is that … a castle? I have seen the castle-like structure at the corner of Burdette and Florence Boulevard in North Omaha, but damn, I had no idea of its rich history. Brand-new correspondent Asia Rollins, in her very first story for Flatwater, tells us the tale, including the fact that the castle served as a safe space for Black Nebraskans and travelers during the Jim Crow era.
Just in case you weren’t already hungry: Another food story this week, this one a review from Flatwater restaurant critic Sarah Baker Hansen on a new, wildly creative Mexican spot in Omaha’s Little Bohemia neighborhood.
Come for the vibes, the tamales, the cocktails … but especially those chips, says SBH.
Making a difference: In December, Emily Wolf had a story that $3 million in state money meant to help survivors of domestic violence, and the orgs helping them survive, wouldn’t actually be delivered — because the promised money simply wasn’t there.
A fantastic update that came weeks after Wolf’s coverage. The state has now found that elusive $3 million and will deliver it to groups helping Nebraska’s domestic violence survivors.
‘Could have been a hell of a lot worse’: We republished an eye-opener from Investigate Midwest’s Sky Chadde this week. He showed that a dust explosion at a Fremont ADM grain plant happened after a lack of knowledge among company leaders and numerous safety lapses and dangerous actions taken by employees. Between 2018 and 2024, ADM plants suffered at least eight such explosions, Chadde reports.
Shoot us a tip: Some of our best story ideas really do come from you. Have something that a Flatwater reporter should look into? Complete this form or reach our newsroom at [email protected].
Stay warm, everybody, and see you next week.
— Matthew Hansen, Executive Editor
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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:
- If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the biggest Nebraska government and political story of the week. The Nebraska Examiner’s Aaron Sanderford with a scoop. Here’s the lede: “Gov. Jim Pillen, while pressing the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in 2024 to tighten its belt, steered the state agency to award a $2.5 million no-bid emergency contract to a bioeconomy consultant and lobbyist he knew and had traveled with …”
- Moments before the beginning of a debate that was likely to end in his being kicked out of the Nebaska Legislature, Sen. Dan McKeon resigned. Here’s the story from the Associated Press’ Margery Beck. And here’s the video of his resignation speech, thanks to Nebraska Public Media.
- The University of Nebraska regents approved a deal this week that will pave the way for the university to take control of Nebraska Medicine, buying out the half previously owned by Clarkson Regional Health Services for $800 million. (In this newsletter last week, I mistakenly said they were trying to buy it from Clarkson College. Nope. It’s Clarkson Regional Health Services.) Story by Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal.
- Gov. Pillen is calling for a criminal investigation into Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh after she pulled down several pieces of a controversial American history traveling exhibit inside the Capitol building. Story by 10/11 News Now’s Abigail Carrera. And, this morning, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it had opened an investigation into the matter. That story by the Journal Star’s Alyssa Johnson. (You may need Journal Star subscriber access to view that story.)
- OmaPod had a really good week. Here is Tony’s interview with famed comic book writer, and one-time Daily Nebraskan journalist, Van Jensen, who just published his debut novel that’s soon to be made into a TV series directed by none other than Ron Howard.
- What do drones have to do with making Nebraska farmers and ranchers fighting back against an invasive species? Let Ben Goeser, a reporter for our sister publication Silicon Prairie News, explain.
- How about some good news? In Columbus, a medical device company is investing $110 million and adding a whole bunch of jobs as it expands. Story by NPM’s Matt Olberding.
