The work never really ends, especially when your boss is a tad obsessive.
I loved our series, “Who’s Buying Nebraska?” so much that I asked senior reporter Yanqi Xu to do one more story, one we didn’t finish before the series concluded. So I guess today’s story is the new finale of “Who’s Buying Nebraska?” … unless I get another great idea. (Yanqi’s not in the office today, but I can sense that she just rolled her eyes.)
Anyway, I wanted you to read the story because it’s just so unexpected, and also so telling of the way land ownership has changed in our state.
A Philadelphia-based corporate farm, started by execs who used to run an energy company, bought a farm near Hastings and four other farms further southwest in Nebraska. They spent $41 million, making Belltown Farms the second-biggest purchaser of land in the Cornhusker State.
Totally normal in modern-day Nebraska — 7 of the top 10 buyers of ag land are headquartered in other states! But also unique, because Belltown is an organic farm that raises the crops that go into your organic food.
Good work from Yanqi, even though she rolled her eyes. And really great work on the series from her, FFP reporter Destiny Herbers and former intern Evelyn Mejia, now graduated and a reporter in Virginia.
Read the “quick hit” summary of the series here, and check out who bought the most land.
Speaking of quick hits: Did you miss the beginning of the “Nebraska Evolving” series by FFP’s other senior reporter, Seacrest Greater Nebraska Reporter Natalia Alamdari, last week? We have a little “Quick Hit” summary of that series, which will show how Nebraska’s small towns are morphing and, in many cases, growing after decades of decline because of immigration.
Husker hero homecoming: Jordan Larson is a four-time Olympian, one of college sports’ all-time greats, a bona fide Nebraska legend. She’s also now John Cook’s assistant coach, a founding member of a new pro volleyball league and the survivor or some turbulent years that have given her new perspective.
A nice profile by our correspondent Leo Adam Biga.
We have the best reporters: In our Omaha newsletter, which goes out each Thursday — sign up here by checking the “Omaha News” box — there’s a little section called “What I’m Into,” where a different FFP reporter each week tells the newsletter readers about a new book, a new store, a new event … a new thing they are into. Cool, right?
Sara Gentzler, FFP state government watchdog reporter, wrote the “What I’m Into” this week. It’s the first time I have gotten choked up reading one of these. I wanted you to see it. Here it is:
Sara Gentzler here. Getting diagnosed with thyroid cancer meant spending a lot of time in the hospital and on the phone with pharmacies and physicians. And despite the lovely doctors and nurses, my environment in those weeks felt anything but hopeful. A dingy hospital room. A cold, sterile surgery clinic.
But walking into the cancer center at UNMC — with its airy spaces and beautiful artwork — almost immediately alleviated some of the anxiety that had accumulated in my subconscious. Meeting my thoughtful, competent oncologist did it again.
This facility just off Saddle Creek is “the largest public-private partnership in the history of Nebraska,” according to its website. You can almost feel the innovation buzzing when you walk in. Feeling relieved and at ease after my first official cancer doctor appointment? Not what I expected.
And so, entering that building felt like a metaphor for exiting the confusion and chaos that led to my diagnosis. The cancer is super treatable, and the prognosis is “excellent.”
I’ve only been to the Buffett Cancer Center once. But I’ll be in the vicinity next week to receive radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer, and back for more follow-up appointments down the road.
I’m not looking forward to being radioactive or the isolation period that comes with it. But I’m sort of, strangely, looking forward to spending a little more time at the Cancer Center in the future.
Here’s to moving forward.
P.S. I’ll have a lot of time to myself next week. Send me your book, podcast, music, TV and movie recommendations: [email protected].
OK, it’s Matthew again. It is hard to process that level of gratitude in the face of a cancer diagnosis. Hard to believe there’s that much wisdom inside a human being who is simply too young to have to wrestle this.
It is less hard if you know Sara Gentzler.
At that email address above, shoot her a book, podcast or movie rec, and if you’re so inclined, a kind note, too.
A new empire rises: And that empire is constructed upon dumplings. Sarah Baker Hansen’s latest restaurant review, on a spot in a Ralston strip mall that she’s gonna be returning to again, and again. (Especially if I have anything to say about it.)
FlatFest update: Oh my gosh, you won’t stop buying tickets to the second annual Flatwater Festival! How annoying of you! We have a social media campaign all planned to publicize it starting next week, and postcards dropping into some mailboxes starting today, and … there are only roughly 65 tickets left to sell before we’re sold out.
So, if you would like to come to the shindig we’re throwing inside Lincoln’s historic train station on Oct. 23, click on this link to learn more and buy us out.
Thank you to our sponsor: This week, it’s the Nebraska Community Foundation, which helps the state’s smaller communities reinvest in themselves while helping them chart their own paths forward. Thank you to NCF for supporting the mission of Nebraska nonprofit journalism, and its importance in every corner of our state.
Questions wanted: Next week, we’re publishing a big story from Madam Gentzler that was in part driven by reader suggestions. Some of our best story ideas do come from readers, and they typically start with a question that 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].
See you next week,
—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:
- All the Florida reporting on the spending of departing University of Florida President and former Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse was starting to feel like it had reached its logical conclusion.
Then I read this story yesterday, which included details on a $38,000 sushi bar and a $900/person holiday party. It also included this incredible line that should make financial compliance officers and nonprofit board members everywhere shudder: “One invoice for $14,892 dated in July 2023 was labeled, ‘Chris.’”
We aren’t near done with this reporting, are we?
Story appearing here in the Tampa Bay Times. Registration is free. - The Norfolk Daily News’ Austin Svehla is getting to the bottom of what’s happening inside the Norfolk Police Department. It includes allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying by bosses — and now three top officials placed on administrative leave. Great work from Austin, and thank you so much to the Daily News for making this story free to all readers of this newsletter through the weekend.
- A secretive church under FBI investigation held a large gathering in York, and York News-Times reporter William Swett was there. The story, appearing here in the Journal Star, gets into the eye-opening sexual abuse allegations and alleged coverup by the Two By Two faith’s leaders. (May need subscriber access to read.)
- Silicon Prairie News, our sister publication, has the story of a massive new investment in health care and biotech innovation that’s soon to open at the University of Nebraska Medical Center — and soon to start changing the med center, the city and the state, reports SPN reporter Ani Schutz.
- Another important one: The Journal Star’s Jenna Ebbers charts a recent surge of school shooting threats and rampant social media misinformation being spread in Nebraska this week. (May need subscriber access to read.)
- Breaking news this morning. Signatures on the petition to get medical marijuana onto the ballot were allegedly forged by a Hall County man who is now charged with fraud. NTV’s Steve White with the story.
- The workers feared for their lives during a tornado. Then many of them got laid off. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena with a new look at the employees of Garner Industries, and who is helping them now.
- And finally: The 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11 was this week, and on Wednesday I sat down during my lunch break and read this incredible, incredible story from the Atlantic, about the different manifestations of grief inside of one family. Set aside some quiet time for this.
Probably a good time to point out we’re co-hosting a free day-long Nebraska event with the Atlantic before FlatFest on Oct. 23. Learn more and reserve your seat here.
