Five years ago, Nebraska had plans, seemingly serious plans, to find Native people who had disappeared, and were continuing to disappear, at an alarming rate in our state and across the United States.
A law was passed. Recommendations were made. A solution was devised, a solution so thoughtful and noteworthy that it got its own name, the Nebraska Model.
But today’s story, by our wildly skilled UNL fellow Naomi Delkamiller, shows that in the five years since … not much progress has been made.
Most of the recommendations haven’t become reality. And more Native people are vanishing now than before, though law enforcement leaders note that may be because police agencies are simply counting more accurately.
There is some behind-the-scenes progress, Nebraska and Native leaders say. But we have a long way to go if we truly, deeply care about finding and saving Nebraskans like Merle Saul and Ashlea Aldrich.
The future is now: Reporters like Naomi Delkamiller are the future of Nebraska journalism. And consider, for a moment, the collaboration that got this story published.
Naomi wrote the story as part of UNL’s Deepe Family funded in-depth reporting course. Check out the whole project here. She got helped by UNL professor Chris Graves and then edited by Nebraska Examiner reporter Aaron Sanderford in his capacity as a grad student.
And then the story came to us, and managing editor Ryan Hoffman edited it again, working closely with Naomi to make it even better. (Ryan, who sometimes writes this newsletter when I’m out, is the behind-the-scenes editing hero of the Flatwater Free Press.)
Deepe. Graves. Sanderford. Hoffman. And, at the beginning and end, Naomi.
It takes a community to lose and discard the most powerless people among us. It takes a community to decide that we are going to find them. And it also takes a community to produce journalism like this, stories with depth, stories that take time and money, stories that can change lives.
That’s the future of Nebraska journalism, one that makes me so excited when we work together and it comes together.
Stuck in the middle with politicians: I like a good local political fight as much as the next nerd, which is why I eagerly read FFP Omaha reporter Chris Bowling’s story this week about a year-long power struggle over a Douglas County board.
But I gotta say: This fight also makes me angry.
It aided in Flatwater Free Press reporter Sara Gentzler being unceremoniously ejected from a Board of Mental Health hearing that the patient — the person who was the subject of the hearing — had personally invited her to. No editor is going to love that, and I made my displeasure known to Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley, whose office triggered Sara’s ouster from that hearing. (To his credit, he heard me out, and then agreed to an interview for this story.)
And the story sure makes me wonder if our elected and appointed leaders, as they squabble, are truly focusing on the nearly 1,000 county residents whose cases went before the Douglas County Board of Mental Health last year.
Lincoln, you’re the best: Give to Lincoln Day was Thursday, and it warmed my calloused heart. Some 261 Lincoln-area residents made a donation to FFP. These donations are going to allow us to do more quality journalism in Lincoln, and sooner.
It was stunning to watch, and lovely to read the comments donors made as they gave a few of their hard-earned bucks to support Nebraska nonprofit journalism.
Rita: “Thank you for the enticing and well-written articles.”
Michaela: “Thank you for your unbiased reporting.”
Debbie: “Keep up the great work — really admire what you’re doing!”
Nancy: “Thanks for your good work!”
Cydney: “Thanks for all the work you are doing to educate your readers!”
No, no, Lincoln. Thank you.
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].
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:
- I can’t believe I have missed this ‘til now. Nebraska Public Media has a new documentary, one produced by UNL journalism professor Barney McCoy, about the first journalist — a Nebraskan — to land at Normandy during World War II. Watch the documentary here.
Want to read more about it? The OWH’s Steve Liewer wrote about the film here. (You may need subscription access to read the story.) - Business leaders and a Nebraska Chamber of Commerce report say there’s only one way for the state to meet its workforce needs: Immigrants. Story by the Nebraska Examiner’s Cindy Gonzalez.
- Gov. Jim Pillen is still working on his property tax cut plan, including calling Republican state senators to the Governor’s Mansion for a closed-door and tight-lipped meeting. NPM’s Fred Knapp with that story.
- I had no idea that non-compete clauses in contracts harken back to slavery. Story by Gray Television, appearing on WOWT’s website.
- After the demise of Red Way airlines, it’s going to take some time for the Lincoln Airport to get a new air carrier, officials tell the Journal Star’s Pat Sangimino. (Subscription access may be required for this story.)
- Trees are supposed to help with climate change … right? Not necessarily in the Great Plains, says new research reported on by the Kansas News Service.
- And finally, I have never before posted a story about a high school principal winning an award. Why am I doing it this time? Because the principal in question is my friend Jason Settles of Norfolk — one of so many unsung education heroes in this state. Congratulations, Settles! Story by the Norfolk Daily News.
