Henry Cordes has been writing important Nebraska stories since I was watching Sesame Street.
He’s the gold standard of in-depth journalism in this state, a reporter who has exposed wrongdoing, malfeasance and general skullduggery so many times that he likely has forgotten more good stories that bear his byline than most reporters have written.
So, late last year, when I realized we had a chance to bring him to Flatwater … well, yes, that seemed like a good idea.
And it’s paying off, for you and for me, starting today, with Cordes’ first Flatwater story.
Gov. Jim Pillen championed a bill meant to get tough on China, and it sailed through the Legislature into law last year. But now an unnoticed part of that law poses a threat to giant Nebraska companies like Valmont, Werner and Fiserv.
Or maybe it’s another version of a timeless tale about how lawmakers should understand the contents of a bill before they make it a law.
By the way: A Pillen administration statement emailed to us after 4 p.m. yesterday, hours before publication (and several weeks after Cordes first sent them questions) suggests that the Governor’s Office will likely support efforts to clean up that law and more specifically define which companies might lose state tax incentives under it. That statement is included in the story. We’ll follow the story and give you an update if something does change.
Weed in my drink? It’s not weed, exactly. Rather it’s a THC beverage, one that can produce the same intoxicating effect as marijuana. You can buy the drinks in bars and liquor stores. Heck, they have their own aisle at the big box booze store Total Wine & More in Omaha.
In her first story for Flatwater, Howard fellow Emma Croteau delves into the world of “hemp-derived cannabis products.”
What are they? Why are they legal, when recreational marijuana use is illegal? And will these increasingly popular options vanish in Nebraska as quickly as they arrived?
ICE’d into Nebraska: A scoop from Flatwater reporter Emily Wolf this week, one that connects the immigration sweeps, arrests and unrest happening for months in Minneapolis to our own state.
At least 20 immigrants detained during those sweeps have ended up in a Nebraska county jail, Wolf reports. In some cases, they’re arriving here as they lose contact with lawyers and loved ones.
Care about child care? We’re hosting a free “journalism on stage” event and discussion just for you. Lincoln’s Child Care Crisis, an event sponsored by the Lincoln Community Foundation, will feature Flatwater reporter Sara Gentzler interviewing a state senator, a local expert and a parent about recent child care closures in Lincoln — and the continued affordability struggle for parents across Nebraska.
It’s happening at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s journalism school auditorium on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. Expect an hourlong presentation, with plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Thank you to the Lincoln Community Foundation for sponsoring this event, and for supporting the mission of nonprofit news.
A Gorat’s heir, doing deli right: Sarah Baker Hansen’s new restaurant review this week focuses on the great-grandson of the founders of Gorat’s, the iconic old-school Omaha steakhouse.
But Jeff Gorat is making a name for himself in Elkhorn, with a deli that is packing in lunchtime crowds because he’s packing a bunch of flavor into his made-from-scratch sandwiches. Check out her review of J. Gorat’s.
Help Flatwater get better: As the Flatwater Free Press continues to grow and evolve, we want you to help guide it. Our FFP readership survey is your chance to do so. It’s a short, four-question form with one open-ended question: How could the Flatwater Free Press be improved?
We’ve used this feedback over the years to improve our newsroom in a variety of ways. From more newsroom collaborations to creating a commemorative print edition, these suggestions help us make sure our newsroom serves Nebraskans better.
Psssst, Central Nebraska: Remember, we’re coming to Kearney to do an afternoon-long Flatwater Forum on April 10. It’s an afternoon of discussions on a host of topics important to the present and future of Central Nebraska. Then we’re throwing a party at the Museum of Nebraska Art in the evening. Sound informative? Sound fun? Learn more and register for the free event here.
Questions wanted: True story … many of our very best story ideas come from readers. Have something that our reporters need to look into? Complete this form or reach our newsroom at [email protected].
See you next Friday,
Matthew Hansen, Executive Editor
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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:
- Today, we republished another of Nebraska Examiner Editor Aaron Sanderford’s stories as he continues to dig into a Pillen administration no-bid contract that has raised the ire of State Auditor Mike Foley. Today, Foley confirms that his referral to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office could lead to a probe that investigates the actions of employees directly under Pillen’s control. Pillen, meanwhile, went on KFAB and addressed rumors about the nature of his relationship with Julie Bushell, the person given the no-bid contract. He called their relationship professional.
- Another important one from the Examiner. Allegedly semiretired reporter Paul Hammel has a story on falling Nebraska vaccination rates, even as measles begins to make a reappearance in our state.
- Jerico’s is closing this weekend after nearly 50 years in business. It’s a fine time to read or reread Sarah Baker Hansen’s first story in her Steak Town USA series. It’s her love letter to Jerico’s, the Omaha steakhouse of her childhood Christmas Eves.
- Nebraska crop farmers are feeling more economic stress, while cattle owners continue to enjoy a strong market, writes Nebraska Public Media’s Jackie Ourada, who delved into the findings of a new Federal Reserve report.
- If you’re like me, you had a fine time reading stories and interviews related to former Husker Athletic Director Bill Moos’ new book. Wait, he didn’t want to hire Scott Frost? Wait … he wanted to move back to the Big 12? Wait … Dana Altman and Chip Kelly got nixed by Pillen and/or other regents? Here are six excerpts from the book, courtesy of the always must-read Sam McKewon in The World-Herald. Here is Moos’ interview with KETV. Here’s a longer interview with 97.3 The Ticket. And here’s a story focused on the Kelly-Frost situation, courtesy of ESPN.
