Howdy, Omaha — it’s Jeremy.
Whenever out-of-towners ask me what to check out on their visit, North O is always on the tip of my tongue.
My dad, an architect, taught me to appreciate neighborhoods that manage to feel modern and vibrant while staying true to their history. To me, North 24th Street strikes that balance perfectly.
The sight of brick buildings and colorful murals, the sound of pick-up games at the George Bryant courts, the smell of fried catfish emanating from Jackson’s Fair Deal — it all combines to give a strong sense of place that scarcely exists elsewhere in the city.
Later this month, North 24th will be at its very best when Native Omaha Days returns for its 25th installment. The biennial homecoming provides an opportunity for thousands of Black Omaha expats to reconnect with the people and places that have meant so much to them and their families.
But as correspondent Leo Biga reports in our feature story, the weeklong event is more than a reunion — it’s a party, it’s an invitation to support Black-owned businesses and it’s a chance to remember the past and to look forward.
Check out Leo’s story here (or click the photo above) to learn more about the celebration’s inspiring origin story.
On an unrelated note, I have a favor to ask. I’m looking to speak with current and former Nebraska high school athletes who transferred to a different public school district. If you or someone you know fits that bill, please reach out at jturley@flatwaterfreepress.org. I’d love to hear from you!
— Jeremy Turley, Flatwater Free Press
This month is packed with events that’ll have you making memories, meeting new faces and soaking up every bit of summer. Don’t sit this one out — scroll down and get in on the action!
Annual Back-to-School Splash Party
Get ready for a day of fun, laughter and community at the Families of the Stolen annual back-to-school splash party! Enjoy free food, water slides, games, live entertainment and backpacks loaded with school supplies — plus raffle prizes and good vibes for all ages.
– When: July 19, 1-4 p.m.
– Where: The Assembly of the Saints, 4224 N. 24th St., Omaha
Women’s Community Ride at Tranquility
Join Trails Have Our Respect for a mellow-paced bike ride. Expect good vibes, great company and post-ride snacks — perfect for riders of all skill levels looking to connect and explore.
– When: July 24, 6-8 p.m.
– Where: Fort Street Trailhead, Kelley Softball Complex North Parking Lot, 12481 Fort St., Omaha
Teen Cooking Demo with No More Empty Pots
Teens: Sharpen your cooking skills and learn about nutrition, teamwork and food safety with Omaha Public Library and No More Empty Pots. This free hands-on demo will highlight local, seasonal ingredients — and spots fill up fast!
– When: July 25, 2-3 p.m.
– Where: Milton R. Abrahams Library, 5111 N. 90th St., Omaha
Live on the Lawn at Miller Park: The USB Band
Kick back at Miller Park’s outdoor amphitheater for an evening of smooth, live music with The USB Band. Bring your lawn chair, cooler and crew for this free concert series presented by City of Omaha Parks & Recreation.
– When: July 25, 6-9 p.m.
– Where: Miller Park, 2707 Redick Ave., Omaha
Rockbrook Camera Used Gear Buying Event
Got camera gear collecting dust? Bring it to Rockbrook Camera’s used gear buying event and get cash on the spot or score store credit with a value bump for your next upgrade. Meet with expert buyers from Used Photo Pro, get top-dollar offers and maybe even leave with something new from the tent sale!
– When: July 17-18, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; July 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
– Where: Rockbrook Camera, 2909 S. 169th Plaza, Omaha
— Xavier Jackson is an Omaha-based entrepreneur who connects creatives and forges more opportunities for them through his organization Local Art Plug.
I have a lot of respect for the reporters at the daily newspaper I worked at prior to joining FFP. One of my former colleagues, a longtime veteran of the cops and courts beat, would often bring up a citizen fire academy that he attended, how it informed his reporting and gave him a greater understanding of how our local fire departments worked. He even kept a pair of boots that he somehow obtained during the program.
One of his recommendations for me as a newbie reporter was to pursue any similar learning opportunities. When I moved to Omaha, I was excited to see that the Omaha Police Department offers its own citizen academies sponsored by the various city precincts. Since most of what I know about cops comes from repeated viewings of the HBO series “The Wire,” I jumped to sign up for the Southeast Precinct’s citizen academy starting next Thursday.
For about the next month and a half, I’ll be spending an evening each week getting better acquainted with how the police operate in Omaha. I don’t usually report on Omaha or on cops, but I’m excited to act on some advice I’ve received, and I expect to leave the experience as a better-informed community member and journalist.
— Joshua Shimkus, Flatwater Free Press
Thirteen women detained by ICE in the June raid on the Glenn Valley meatpacking plant alleged agents mistreated them during and after the enforcement operation, The World-Herald’s Grace Lewis reported. The women say ICE agents verbally taunted them, denied them basic medical care and misled them into signing documents written in English. An ICE spokeswoman denied that the women were mistreated in any way, saying that agents adhered to federal detention guidelines. (You may need a subscription to read this story.)
Prosecutors say the statute of limitations prevents them from pursuing criminal Social Security fraud charges against many detainees of the raid, Lewis reported. Glenn Valley failed to recertify employees’ I-9 documentation on an annual basis, so many employees went more than five years without presenting fraudulent Social Security numbers to the feds, a spokesperson said. (You may need a subscription to read this story.)
MUD is suing a local construction company over a 2023 pipe failure that released more than 14 million gallons of water in the Florence area, KETV reported. The lawsuit alleges that Hawkins Construction carelessly operated an excavator, causing the pipe to burst.
ICE arrested two undocumented Salvadoran men in the Omaha metro with alleged ties to the notorious MS-13 gang, the Nebraska Examiner reported. The agency described one of the men, Melvin Alejandro Varela Perez, as a “kingpin” and said he was wanted in connection to five slayings in El Salvador.
Fernando’s temporarily closed its two restaurant locations after the Department of Homeland Security requested documentation for workers, KETV reported. The owner said the federal subpoena forced the firing of several valued employees who didn’t have legal work authorization, causing an immediate worker shortage. One location has since reopened.
The Omaha Inland Port Authority welcomed new director Garry Clark, who previously led a similar economic development group in Washington state. Clark attended college in Nebraska and said coming back was a “full-circle moment,” WOWT reported.
The Flatwater Free Press is published by the Nebraska Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity