The Flatwater stories this week are the news equivalent of a deep, cleansing breath.
The government is shut down. Our country can feel like it’s coming apart at the seams. Wars and unspeakable atrocities rage on several continents.
And, if you have been following Flatwater for a while, you know we don’t shy away from hard topics — if anything, we barrel toward them.
But this week, for one week only, why don’t we all just admit we need a break. For a few moments, why don’t we focus our energies on stories filled with whimsy, progress, success. Stories with the power to bind Nebraskans together.
Stories like …
Hunting for the dinosaur pay phone: I was delighted to read today’s story from longtime Flatwater correspondent Kevin Warneke, because I love a good quest.
Kevin takes us with him as he sets out to find the pay phones that remain in Nebraska, peering into dark corners at hospitals, airport terminals, small-town gas stations. And he asks some important questions along the way, questions about why pay phones still exist — and if this hunt is about a disappearing dial tone or something else entirely.
Fighting the Almighty Automobile: How about a story about small but measurable success? In Omaha and Blair, Flatwater reporter Jeremy Turley finds young activists who are working to make their cities more friendly to people who want to get out of their cars.
We long ago reoriented the places we live around the Almighty Auto. But now there’s movement to make these places more walkable, more bikeable, more mass-transit friendly — and safer, too. Turley with the hopeful story.
Steak Dream Becomes Reality: Ashland, located smack dab in the middle of Omaha and Lincoln, is growing rapidly. And now it has a high-end steakhouse, one that is filling with diners from both cities, and Ashland’s growing population, too. Sarah Baker Hansen with our latest in her series Steak Town USA, on the steak dream becoming reality at Ruhlman’s.
Go (Small Town) Cubs, Go: In the interest of full disclosure, I should out myself as a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. And I swear I didn’t plant this story about a Cubs scout who lives in small-town Nebraska, but I do love that we have it.
Quick Hit: Recently, Destiny Herbers wrote a crucial story about how Nebraska has long undercounted drug deaths, and why it matters, or should, to our leaders and to Nebraskans alike.
For our bigger stories, we often do “Quick Hits” for people who want to get the gist but may not want to read the whole thing. Here is our Quick Hit on “Dying Blind.”
Hit me with your best shot: 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:
- The state of Nebraska is starting to move inmates out of the McCook Work Ethic Camp as it prepares to turn that prison into a detention facility for ICE. WOWT with the story.
- Interesting time to close a prison, as Nebraska continues to be the state that has the most overcrowded prisons in the country, according to this story from the Nebraska Examiner’s Erin Bamer.
- A good one from our sister publication, Silicon Prairie News. Alarm bells are ringing as job growth and wages stall in Nebraska. Important story by SPN’s Lev Gringauz.
- A state senator is quitting — and citing the terrible pay of state senators as one reason why. Story by 10/11 News Now.
- That reminded me of this story from Flatwater state government watchdog reporter Sara Gentzler, which shows that the low pay state senators receive is warping who can serve and who can’t.
- Juicy development story out of Omaha. Who will redevelop the Civic Auditorium site? The city and a developer are fighting, and there’s an unnamed nonprofit waiting in the wings, reports Nebraska Examiner’s Cindy Gonzalez.
- Will the health impacts of the environmental disaster at Mead ever be understood? Nebraska Public Media’s Jessica Wade with an important story.
- Nebraska opted into a new federal school choice program, the Journal Star’s Jenna Ebbers reports. (May need LJS subscriber access to view this story.)
