Two politicians fighting isn’t really news, at least not the kind I think we should care much about.
But here is what’s news: When community leaders believe that feud can potentially harm a part of town that needs the most help.
Flatwater Free Press reporter Jeremy Turley spent the past week talking to North Omaha community leaders about the feud between Mayor Jean Stothert and North O City Councilwoman Juanita Johnson — one forced into public view when Stothert publicly scolded and appeared to punish Johnson after Johnson called a city employee “smartass” during a council meeting.
He reported on the feud’s origin, which appears to go back years. He talked to the mayor, both politicians’ allies and North O leaders about who’s to blame, while attempting to place the spat into historical, racial and socioeconomic context. Mostly, he focused in on how North Omaha advocates, activists and business people think this City Hall fight might impact the Omaha residents who live a few short miles north of there.
Bless this house? In the Catholic churches run by the Omaha Archdiocese, there’s been a shocking 42% decline in mass attendance in the past 20 years.
Think this is a Catholic problem? Some 81 United Methodist churches in Nebraska and Kansas have closed since 2014. Eighty one!
Naomi Delkamiller’s story is filled with interesting insight into the decline of organized religion in our state and country. And she entered the story through a fascinating question: What happens when a church’s pews are empty?
It’s Naomi’s very first story for the Flatwater Free Press, as she’s our new reporting intern. Oh, and, no big deal, she took all the photos, too. She’s a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Like our last UNL intern, Evelyn Mejia, she’s a goshdarn rising star. It is very, very cool to be able to support the next generation of great journalists while they simultaneously do great work for you to read.
Get out your calendars: We have two free events you should attend.
On March 12, Flatwater Free Press’ parent org, the Nebraska Journalism Trust, is co-hosting an event at Omaha’s Tri-Faith Initiative. The topic: faith and climate change. A panel of Nebraska experts will hold a conversation and answer audience questions. Learn more and register here.
(Note if you want to watch from home: There will be a virtual viewing option offered for this event as well.)
And on March 5, from 3:30 to 6:30, our monthly pop-up newsroom series continues. Three FFP reporters will be at the South Omaha Branch Public Library waiting to talk to you about story ideas and answer your questions. Learn more and pre-register here.
Thanks to our sponsor: This week, it’s KIOS, Omaha’s National Public Radio station — 91.5 on your FM radio dial, and No. 1 in your hearts. KIOS has a bunch of new interesting local shows on food, music, movies. And of course I always love my Live and Local chats with Mike Hogan. Thanks to KIOS for supporting the mission of Nebraska nonprofit journalism.
Hey, speaking of radio: Lincoln, heads up. Myself and an FFP reporter appear on the “Dan Parsons Show” on KLIN News Talk each Monday starting at 5:08 p.m. Dan’s great, and we love the weekly chance to chat with him about our latest stories.
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:
- There’s an effort to restore Fred Astaire’s childhood home in Nebraska. Story by the World-Herald’s Emily Nitcher.
- Speaking of famed Nebraska natives, a Malcolm X museum will rise in North Omaha with the aid of $20 million in state money. Story by the Nebraska Examiner’s Cindy Gonzalez.
- Oh, this twisting, turning Gage County horse story. Some horses who were allegedly mistreated, malnourished and some killed while under the ostensible care of a veterinarian were set to be auctioned off this week, a move that worried and infuriated the horse rescue that is nursing the survivors back to health. But then Friday morning, the auction was abruptly canceled a day before it was to be held. Stories by KETV and 10/11.
- Unrelated but also about veterinarians: Harvest Public Media reporter Lilley Halloran has a really interesting one about how female that profession has become, and also how women veterinarians still face sexism in rural areas — where they are most needed. Story appearing in Nebraska Public Media.
- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and a Gretna-area developer met with the National Hockey League about an expansion team in eastern Nebraska. But the NHL is saying it has no current plans to expand, reports the World-Herald’s Joe Dejka.
- Some 750 Nebraskans are getting notices that their student loan debt is canceled, reports the Lincoln Journal Star’s Chris Dunker.
- A state senator is joining an effort to improve living conditions at the Underwood Tower, a midtown Omaha property owned by the Omaha Housing Authority. Story by KETV’s Kalé Searcy.
- And finally, Happy Birthday, Nebraska! On March 1, 1867, President Andrew Johnson (basically against his will) proclaimed our state a state. Did you know we exist because of some bitter, post-Civil War politics? Learn more from History Nebraska.
And watch this video celebrating Nebraska’s 157th birthday, courtesy of Nebraska Public Media.
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