A relative of mine saw Sen. Pete Ricketts on a flight recently. He texted to tell me that Ricketts was flying coach — actually seated a row or two behind my family member.
It is noteworthy as a man of the people move from Nebraska’s former governor and newly elected senator, giving up that extra leg room and first-class service and choosing to hobnob with regular Huskers wedged back there in the belly of the plane.
And it’s noteworthy because it illustrates how Ricketts, an heir to an Omaha-made fortune, doesn’t spend his money — and also how he does.
Sara Gentzler’s new story today, using the most comprehensive analysis ever done on Ricketts’ campaign spending, breaks down how then-Gov. Ricketts and his parents spent serious coin to help elect state senators who would back the governor’s agenda. It shows how he used money to attack Republican state lawmakers who displeased him, an unheard-of move here until he did it.
And Gentzler interviewed many longtime legislative observers who believe two things:
1. This money helped change the Nebraska Legislature, making state senators more partisan and less independent, and 2. That change continues to this day.
Here’s the second installment of “Ricketts’ Riches,” a series produced in concert with award-winning data journalist Alex Richards. (And here’s part 1 if you missed it, along with our “quick hit” story and chart on the top political donors in Nebraska.)
A signature voice signs off: As an Omahan for the last 18 years, I can recognize that made-for-radio voice in an instant. But I didn’t know much about Otis Twelve’s life, which turns out to be a fascinating one. Our Omaha correspondent Leo Adam Biga has the story of Otis, whose given name is Douglas Wesselmann. It involves training in a monastery, working for Robert Kennedy, guarding Paul Newman, meeting Dennis Hopper, surviving being raped at age 12, overcoming addiction and lending his one-of-a-kind voice to rock radio stations, talk radio stations, a classical radio station and countless commercials.
You may have noticed …: That our end-of-year fundraising campaign kicked off this week. I know those asks can get a tad annoying. But I also know that we’re building and growing a nonprofit newsroom, and doing important stories like the duo above, only because of people like you, who choose to give us a little of your hard-earned dough.
Our work is free. It’s free in this newsletter, on our website, and to media outlets all across this state — dozens of Nebraska newspapers, TV stations and radio stations run our stories on a regular basis. And if you agree with me that this is important — that preserving Nebraska news while writing the next chapter in Nebraska journalism is crucial — then join our cause and donate, or donate again, today.
We’re going for 400 new donors by the end of the year. We’re already at 75! Donate today, or make a new donation today, and your gift will be doubled thanks to a funding match.
FFP is working. And you are a massive reason for our success. I thank you from the bottom of my ink-stained editor’s heart.
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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:
- An important nugget in this story for Nebraskans wondering if their property taxes will be lowered. It cites Sen. Rob Clements, chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, saying that the state’s ballooning budget shortfall means that “there doesn’t appear to be any room for further (property tax) relief in the near future …” Story by Erin Bamer of the Omaha World-Herald. (You may need an OWH subscription to read this story.)
- A great story from ProPublica — one that may shed more light on a recent Flatwater story about Nebraska therapists growing frustration with state-backed audits.
UnitedHealth, a massive insurance company, is using an algorithm to ID patients and limit their mental health coverage. The practice is now illegal in three states — but not in Nebraska, where many mental health practitioners told FFP reporter Chris Bowling that United and two other massive insurance companies, being paid $4 billion (with a b!) by the state to administer Nebraska’s Medicaid program, are flagging them for reasons they don’t understand and doing what they view as extremely aggressive audits. Some mental health professionals are leaving the Medicaid program completely as a result, meaning they can no longer see their low-income patients.
We’ll continue to follow this one. - Dan Osborn, fresh off a nonpartisan campaign for U.S. Senate that ended with a close loss to Deb Fischer, has started a new organization meant to help more working-class candidates to run for political office, the New York Times reports.
- A UNO student group is no longer distributing free pregnancy tests or period products after the university froze funding to six student groups, including groups for international students, LGBTQ students and women students, the Omaha World-Herald’s Luna Stephens reports. UNO’s chancellor said the pause followed an internal audit and portrayed the move as a way to ensure proper financial stewardship. (You may need an OWH subscription to read this story.)
And let’s hear it for student journalists: The UNO Gateway, the university’s student newspaper, first reported this story. Nice work, young journos! - The state auditor is questioning why a foundation tied to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office is paying for some expenses on Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s international trips — and why those expenses aren’t publicly reported. Story by the Nebraska Examiner’s Zach Wendling.
- This story, from NPR Midwest Newsroom reporter Kavahn Mansouri, says that Nebraska is leaving several million dollars meant to help homeless students on the table.
- How, if at all, will Nebraska schools be impacted if President-elect Donald Trump follows through with a campaign promise to shrink or shutter the U.S. Department of Education? 10/11 News Now’s John Grinvalds asks that question.
- And finally, how about young York resident Emory Conrad? She just graduated high school in May, and now she’s running a business in her hometown. And it’s a popcorn business! I’m stopping by Goody Pop the next day I’m in town. Story by the fine folks at 10/11’s Pure Nebraska.
