“The words they have used to describe their feelings on this matter aren’t appropriate for publication.”
That’s a quote — actually the final memorable sentence — from FFP senior reporter Natalia Alamdari’s latest story that published today. They’re the words of Justin Hubly, director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees.
And he’s speaking about the unionized employees of the 16-person roads department in Richardson County, who have been locked in a two-year-long battle, trying to get a new contract and a raise from the county.
I think the one thing, maybe the only thing, that the two sides here can agree on is that it’s gotten ugly.
The southeast Nebraska county has spent a lot of dough fighting the extended court battle. And, Alamdari reports, that during this fight, the county commissioners voted to raise their own pay 40%.
Which evidently makes the county road employees say words unsuitable for print.
Prison play: The play is about women navigating life behind bars. And, fascinatingly, many of the actors are women who used to live behind real-life bars.
Our correspondent Leo Adam Biga with a story this week about a one-of-a-kind production that aims to tell Nebraskans a deep story about what it’s like to be incarcerated — and hopes to put on that show for women at the overcrowded York women’s prison, which has faced complaints about dirty water and mistreatment of inmates suffering mental health episodes.
Tips for Emily: Last week I announced we have hired a new reporter, Emily Wolf, to be the first FFP reporter dedicated to covering the city of Lincoln. This week I’m asking for a bit of help.
If you’re from Lincoln, or know the city well, shoot Emily a note at her brand-new email address, [email protected]. Welcome her to town. And tell her what you think needs to be covered, and covered well, in the city of Lincoln. All story ideas and thoughts are welcome, with bonus points for good ideas and kind thoughts.
DOGE in Nebraska: Have you been impacted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency? If so, we’d like to hear from you — even if you aren’t ready to speak on the record. Send a note to FFP reporter Jeremy Turley at [email protected] or on Signal at FlatwaterTurley.18.
Buzzy bar-and-grill: 30hop is one of the most crowded new restaurants that food critic Sarah Baker Hansen has reviewed in the past few years. I know this, because I’m her life dining partner.
The packed west Omaha spot isn’t perfect, she reports. But it is doing things, both with local beer and creative food, that make it worth checking out — even if you don’t care about the sports on the TVs. (Which, to be clear, she generally does not.)
Back to the ballot box: I know it feels like November just happened, but guess what, friends … it’s March 21, and city elections are just around the corner. We did a pretty damn cool Nebraska voter’s guide in 2020, if I may say so myself, and the FFP team and our designer Hanscom Park Studio have done it again. Want to learn more about candidates and the stakes in the city elections in Omaha, where the primary is quickly approaching? Click here.
And hey Lincoln — your version of this is also available.
Democracy!
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:
- I feel compelled to start with a bit of sad news. Don Wesley, longtime state senator, former Lincoln mayor and, so far as I could ever tell, just a genuinely friendly human being, died unexpectedly this week. Nebraska Examiner reporter Paul Hammel with the story of Wesley’s life and times. Chris Dunker and Margaret Reist also have a really nice story about Wesley in the Lincoln Journal Star, which you may need subscriber access to read.
- I really love this explainer video on tariffs, and how a trade war will impact farm states like Nebraska. And it’s from Iowa native Ana Swanson, reporting for the New York Times.
- It’s clear that Dan Osborn, who managed to keep it very close against Sen. Deb Fischer in November, is again going to run for something. But for what? New Examiner reporter Juan Salinas II (welcome, sir!) with the story of the different political offices that Osborn is considering seeking.
- 10/11 News Now in Lincoln is doing an important series on domestic violence following a horrific month of such violence in our capital city. Here’s the first story in their series, Digging Deeper into Domestic Violence. And here is the second.
- This Good Life district story just gets weirder. The Examiner’s Cindy Gonzalez reports that a set of proposed changes to the legislation may throw Bellevue’s mega tourism project into turmoil.
- That story points out a fact that our own Sara Gentzler reported on in January. The city of Gretna, another Good Life designated project, didn’t collect roughly $2 million in state sales tax revenue.
- U.S. Rep. Don Bacon has been publicly disagreeing with Donald Trump on his treatment of Ukraine, which he points out was invaded by Russia. He sat down with the OWH’s Steve Liewer and made some of his most forceful criticisms to date in an interview this week.
- Speaking of Congress, Rep. Mike Flood faced a boisterous and angry crowd at a town hall in Columbus earlier this week. At one point, the people started chanting “tax the rich,” reports WOWT. Additional coverage by KETV and The Hill.
- You think you live in a quiet place. And then, in the dark middle of the night, a train horn blows. A couple in Minden is trying to fight the law by attempting to get the city council to pass new regulation. Story by NTV’s Emma Leek.
