If you are like me, and you heard that one Nebraska family has shoveled $1.6 million into a mayor’s race — and also nationally poured as much into political races as Alphabet, the parent company of Google — you’d think of a last name that rhymes with crickets.
And then, like me, you’d be wrong.
Ryan Hoffman, our new Lincoln reporter, with a must-read deep dive and an eye-opening new analysis of the political giving of the Peed family.
My guarantee to you: Anytime a Nebraska family of any political stripe or ideology begins to pour as much money into our political system as casino magnate Steve Wynn and the founder of LinkedIn, the Flatwater Free Press is gonna call them, ask what motivates them, and do a story.
Our thanks to the one-and-only Jeffrey Koterba for illustrating this important story.
Merv? That Merv? Really? There are things that are unlikely, and then there is an 80-year-old Republican who has the Nebraska Right to Life stamp of approval deciding — seemingly without telling anyone — to vote “present — not voting” on the proposed six-week abortion ban, denying the bill the 33 votes it needs to pass and wounding or outright killing the abortion ban effort in the Nebraska Legislature.
That’s what Merv Riepe did on Thursday, despite the fact that he had previously co-sponsored the bill in question. That’s what Merv did, seemingly infuriating Gov. Jim Pillen and abortion ban supporters while thrilling those who have been working feverishly to keep abortion legal in Nebraska.
Yes. The man’s name is Merv. Sometimes truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
FFP state government watchdog reporter Sara Gentzler had a good story a few weeks ago signaling Merv’s sudden public discomfort on a six-week abortion ban, in part because many women don’t even know they are pregnant at that point.
Oh and humblebrag on Gentzler: Her reporting was featured in this Washington Post story Thursday.
She’s continuing to work this story, in fact posting a Twitter update this morning. We’ll continue to bring you any developments as they happen. There’s surely gonna be some more twists and turns here.
A big ol’ thank you: As you have surely noticed, it’s our April fundraising drive. It comes to an end today. I realize these things can feel a bit tedious. But I also realize that Nebraska nonprofit journalism — really a big part of the future of journalism in our state — is powered by … you.
From me to you, a heartfelt thank you and much appreciation to the 147 new recurring donors and 112 one-time donors who have given to us in April. And an equally giant thank you to all of you — more than a thousand Nebraskans! — who have donated some of your hard-earned dough to power FFP since it began.
So, our goal at the start of April was 170 new recurring donors. We’re only three short! Been thinking about a recurring gift to FFP? Be a hero and help us hit our April goal right here.
It’s office warming party time: We have meats and cheeses, chips and dips, wine and beer and Diet Cokes. (OK we don’t have them yet, but they are ready to be picked up at Wohlner’s Grocery.) We’re ready for you. Come on down FRIDAY (that’s today!) between 3-6 p.m. to the Elevator building for the building’s grand opening and the FFP newsroom open house. We’re on the third floor. Behind the break room. Don’t steal anything out of the fridge on your way in here.
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:
- A group of Plattsmouth High students aren’t cool with 52 books potentially being banned from their school library. KETV’s Sean MacKinnon with the story of the ensuing protest.
- The Journal Star’s Chris Dunker has the story from the momentous or infamous Thursday in the Nebraska Legislature, depending on your point of view.
- The Omaha Chamber of Commerce is signaling some serious discomfort with the culture wars being fought in the Nebraska Legislature, suggesting that things like a ban on gender-affirming care for minors is scaring off employers and potential employees alike. Story by Paul Hammel of the Nebraska Examiner.
- Gun violence is going down in Omaha, and the city’s police chief is increasingly a national voice called on to explain why. Story by The World-Herald’s Luna Stephens.
- The saga continues of indicted Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo this week. Palermo and his alleged co-conspirators, who remain behind bars, said many eye-widening things into federal wiretaps in recent years. Story by the OWH’s Jessica Wade.
- And finally, anyone else need a deep breath? How about a story from the very first newspaper I interned for, the Hastings Tribune, on the Barrel Bar, a place where my family and Sarah and I have eaten many many stroamers. To the uninitiated, that’s a open-faced cheese char-burger topped with chili.
The Barrel Bar has been owned for 50 years by the same couple. They just sold the place. But not before one last party, and one sweet story.
