Legendary Miami Herald crime reporter Edna Buchanan once said that her perfect beginning, or lede, of a story would cause a man reading the newspaper over breakfast to spit out his coffee, clutch his chest and yell, “My God, Martha, did you read this?!”
I was thinking about Edna when I read today’s Flatwater Free Press story for the first time. I didn’t spit coffee all over my work laptop. But I may have yelled something to the effect of, “Holy (expletive deleted)!”
It involves a grisly discovery by a farmer hauling hay, the disappearance of a small-town police chief, an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries,” an eyebrow-raising new interview and also…well, I don’t want to give anything more away. You should read it.
Husker head injuries: It’s well known by now that tackle football can be hazardous to your noggin’. A story we published Thursday, a collaboration with fellow nonprofit newsroom Retraction Watch, did a deep dive into a concussion research study at UNL — and how it went off the rails.
The study appeared to suggest a way to more effectively diagnose concussions. It appeared to show a path forward for cheaper and easier treatment of those head injuries. But the study, which involved Nebraska Cornhuskers football players, also ran afoul of some pretty serious ethical boundaries. Retraction Watch editor Ellie Kincaid with the story.
Brother can you spare a (recurring) dime? You may have noticed that April is the month where we ask you for moola. The Flatwater Free Press is, of course, entirely free — free website, free newsletter and we distribute for free to every newsroom in Nebraska. Our stories run in the state’s biggest newspapers and TV/radio station websites and also in small-town weeklies and everywhere in between. For free!
I would be grateful if you could kick us a little spare change for the effort.
FFP is powered by people like you, people who want to support the future of Nebraska journalism, people who realize that the future of Nebraska itself depends on our ability to speak truth to power — and also our ability to tell our shared Nebraska stories to one another.
This month, we are pushing to get 150 new recurring donors, who sign up to give us a little each month or year. At last check we’re at 112.
Help us close out this campaign. Join me, quite literally — Sarah and I are recurring donors. I’m hoping you will support us today, either by clicking here to do a recurring donation or by making a one-time gift. Thank you.
Goodbye to a legend: Ron Hull was one of the kindest, most generous Nebraskans I ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was also a titan of Nebraska media, a man who helped build public television as we know it, both in this state and across the country. He passed away this week, at age 92. I was saddened to hear the news, and a little surprised — Ron seemed too epic to die. But I’m also absolutely positive that he squeezed all the juice out of those 92 years.
Flatwater Free Press was lucky enough to catch up with Ron a few months ago, when freelancer Leo Adam Biga wrote a nice story about his life and times. For starters…the man was born in a brothel.
And I loved this video tribute from Nebraska Public Media.
Rest in peace, Ron.
Thanks to our sponsor: This week it’s the Platte Institute, which worked with us to build a valuable database that allows reporters — and the public — to transparently track taxpayer spending on public employees. Thank you, Platte.
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:
- This is breaking in the Omaha World-Herald just as I put the finishing touches on this newsletter. An Omaha City Councilman has been federally indicted. Story tag teamed by OWH reporters Emily Nitcher and Jessica Wade.
- Evidently if you shout “Shame!” repeatedly from the balcony, you can get banned from the Nebraska State Capitol building…for life?
That’s reportedly what happened to gun control activist Melody Vaccaro this week, just after the Legislature passed a bill that will make it legal for Nebraska adults to carry a concealed weapon without training or a permit. The Journal Star’s Chris Dunker with the story and her reaction. - People don’t realize it, but we have a bona fide sports media star in our midst. Omahan Paula Lavigne is a fantastic investigative reporter for ESPN. She has a new 30 for 30 podcast, called Bag Game, that details how a top college recruit’s NBA dreams ran into a sprawling federal investigation. I’m getting on a plane tonight. This is what I’m listening to on the flight.
- Why is the Nebraska Board of Health advocating for a ban on gender affirming care? The Nebraska Examiner’s Paul Hammel has the story.
- And finally, just because: A profile of Edna Buchanan, the legendary crime reporter I mentioned at the top. No big deal, just one of the finest magazine profile stories ever written.
