Howdy, Omaha — it’s Jeremy.
I met Jake and AJ at a lightly attended event our newsroom hosted in the back room of a local library. They wanted to talk urban planning and housing — two of my wonkier interests.
In the hours that followed, they thoughtfully articulated the shortcomings of Omaha’s car-centric layout and the complex causes of the affordable housing crisis.
I left thinking they were the first people I’d met who put a fine point on an issue so many young folks have with our city: that it’s hard to get anywhere without driving.
At the time, Jake and AJ were starting local chapters of an organization called Strong Towns to advocate for walkable urban design, pedestrian safety and public transit in Blair and Omaha, respectively. I told them to keep me posted.
Since that conversation more than a year ago, their urbanist groups have spurred pedestrian protections at intersections, helped transform a parking lot into a public art display and placed homemade benches at barren bus stops.
There’s still plenty of work to do, they say, but their recent wins prove ordinary people can change their cities — even if it’s just one intersection at a time.
You can read the story here (or click on the photo above).
— Jeremy Turley, Flatwater Free Press
Data-driven beef dream in Ashland
Ruhlman’s Steakhouse is one of the newest restaurants that’s part of our yearlong Steak Town USA series (the other is Pivot Prime). I was curious about both for different reasons, and it turns out that what owner Phil Ruhlman has opened in Ashland is a study primarily of two things: passion for steak and a deep reliance on data, believe it or not.
While that might seem like an unlikely back story for why one would open a restaurant, it starts to make sense once you learn a little bit about Ruhlman. Read it this week, and then make a reservation. There’s a lot to like.
Read my review here (or click on the photo above).
Sarah Baker Hansen is an award-winning writer who has covered Omaha’s food scene for more than a decade. She posts restaurant reviews and food news on her blog, sarahbakerhansen.com.
Fall is here! And it brings us a one-of-a-kind parade, a state biennial, international group shows, two amazing fundraisers as well as a remembrance.
Giant puppets! Homemade floats! Banners! DIY Costumes! Live performances! All of these brought to you by Benson First Friday Omaha and the Giant Joy Collective in their first Handmade Parade. Come witness or become part of this moving work of art made up of artists, neighbors, schools and organizations in the Benson Creative District. This is a one-of-a-kind event that you do not want to miss.
– When: Friday, Oct. 3. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m., but pre- and post-parade activities go from 4-10 p.m.
– Where: Benson Creative District, 5605 Corby St., along the south alley to 62nd Street
This fall, Gallery 1516 brings us the 2025 Nebraska Biennial, a juried exhibition that features more than 100 visual artists working in all mediums from across our great state, or who have connections to Nebraska.
– When: Public opening reception, Friday, Oct. 3, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until Dec. 21.
– Where: Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St.
Primarily known for its solo exhibitions, this month the Garden of the Zodiac brings us a group show of international and regional artists whose work has appeared in the Old Market institution over the years. It will primarily feature paintings, photography and sculpture, including works by gallery owner Vera Mercer and her late partner, Mark Mercer.
– When: Opening reception: Thursday, Oct. 9, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m., Sunday, noon-6 p.m. On view until Dec. 7.
– Where: The Garden of the Zodiac, 1042 1/2 Howard St.
Art Factory: After Dark Fundraiser
For one night only, the Hot Shop Art Center transforms into the Art Factory: After Dark Fundraiser. Featuring interactive, immersive experiences, live demonstrations, a silent auction and an after party with Omaha’s own DJ Angie Spence. Funds raised this evening will go to support Omaha’s most iconic community of artists.
– When: Friday, Oct. 10, 6-11 p.m.
– Where: Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St.
Bemis Center Benefit Art Auction
The Bemis Center’s annual Benefit Art Action is the art event of the year. For more than 40 years, the Bemis has been bringing artists from all over the world to participate in their residency program. And for two weeks every year, they provide the most global, professional and eclectic art exhibition and fundraiser in the region. Celebrate the Bemis with a night of great food, great musical entertainment and, of course, great art.
– When: Exhibition opening: Friday, Oct. 10, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Benefit art auction: Friday, Oct. 24, 5:30-9:15 p.m.
– Where: Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, 724 S. 12th St.
For decades, artist and gallerist Larry Roots supported and showcased Nebraska artists throughout the region. We lost Roots this past year, and his family asks us to come celebrate his life and career at his gallery in midtown Omaha. Come see one of Nebraska’s greats and the bodies of work he brought into the world.
– When: Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
– Where: Modern Arts Midtown, 3615 Dodge St.
— Bart Vargas is a visual artist, educator and advocate based in Omaha, Nebraska. He publishes a weekly list of local arts, culture and entertainment events on social media and operates an international studio with his wife Bekah Jerde.
Flatwater Free Press, in partnership with ProPublica, is working on a yearlong project about the the legacy of lead in Omaha. After decades and millions of dollars spent cleaning the toxic metal out of yards here, we’re taking a deeper look at how effective the cleanup has been — and we need your help to do it.
If you’d like to have your soil tested, fill out our online form. Please note: We’re prioritizing properties either in or near the Superfund site.
Have questions or a story to share about lead? Contact Chris Bowling.
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Sarpy County commissioners kept the property tax levy flat for 2026, but rising valuations will still push tax bills higher, generating $84.4 million in revenue. At a recent state-mandated hearing, residents voiced concerns about costs for those on fixed incomes and frustration with late-arriving postcard notices that cost nearly $1 million to mail. Read the full summary here and the full meeting notes on the Documenters website.
Want to help inform your community and create better journalism while getting paid? Become a Documenter today.
— Leah Wambui Keinama, Nebraska Journalism Trust
As someone who would like to improve his “coolness” credibility, I’m planning to attend the 9th Annual Porchfest Omaha this Sunday. The free community festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Gifford Park neighborhood.
There will be over 80 performances on 14 different stages, ranging from live music and poetry to comedy and dance. Local vendors, food trucks and activities for kids will also be available to check out. More info can be found on its Facebook event page.
Next on my “coolness” mission: getting a tattoo. Or maybe just parting my hair differently. That’s probably more my speed.
— Ben “Aspiring Cool Guy” Goeser, Silicon Prairie News
Omaha police held Terence “Bud” Crawford at gunpoint during a traffic stop on Saturday just hours after a parade honoring his latest boxing victory, Dan Crisler at The World-Herald writes. Public officials and community advocates say the incident highlights concerns of police bias. Last year, the Flatwater Free Press found the Omaha Police Department had never sided with a citizen complaint of bias or discrimination in the past decade.
The Omaha City Council delayed a vote on a proposed ordinance that would make camping on public property a crime punishable by a fine or jail time. Council member Brinker Harding, who sponsored the ordinance, said he’s working to amend the proposal, Melissa Wright at KMTV reports.
City leaders want to regain control of the former Omaha Civic Auditorium site, saying the developer of a long-delayed project there has defaulted on the terms of a redevelopment agreement. The developer says his company has fulfilled its contractual obligations, writes Cindy Gonzalez at the Nebraska Examiner.
For years, AltEn extracted ethanol from pesticide-coated seeds — and in the process contaminated the small town of Mead about an hour outside of Omaha. As the government continues cleanup of the area around the now-closed facility, a researcher is searching for answers on health impacts, writes Jessica Wade at Nebraska Public Media.
A German agricultural company is moving combine manufacturing out of Omaha to avoid paying U.S. tariffs, Matt Olberding at Nebraska Public Media reports. The company is not planning any layoffs.
The Flatwater Free Press is published by the Nebraska Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity