Journalism exists in part to uncover stories hidden in plain sight. To make the invisible visible.
Our newest reporter, Jeremy Turley, did just that this week with his very first FFP story.
I have lived in Omaha for 17 years. Until Jeremy told me, I had no idea what the nondescript brick building pictured above was, even though I had whizzed by it on Abbott Drive dozens of times as I hurried to catch a flight.
It turns out that it’s an immigration court.
Jeremy’s story made the invisible visible to me, and brought me into the lives of people from Mexico and Central America who say they are fleeing violence – and that they will be harmed, or in fact have been harmed, if and when they are deported to their home countries.
I’d say that’s a pretty good first effort. With Jeremy’s help, we are going to make the invisible visible more often in Omaha in the months and years ahead.
My favorite zoo turns 50: Journalism also exists to celebrate the best, the weirdest, the most unlikely and most magical people, places and things among us. To point out the super in superlative, if you will.
Such is it with the Zoo Bar, a truly singular Nebraska place. For the past 50 years, inside a narrow, weathered 1,888-square foot bar in downtown Lincoln, Zoo Bar crowds have watched musicians perform on a tiny stage – including most of the giants of American blues.
As a young buck reporter in Lincoln, I feel like the Zoo Bar, and the blues fans who frequented it, showed me a slightly different way to be an adult. And how fitting is it that my first editor, Catharine Huddle – one of those blues fans who helped me navigate my way into adulthood – wrote this story for us this week.
It’s the Zoo Bar’s 50th anniversary. And if you are anywhere near Lincoln this weekend, you would be wise to go check out the gigantic party they are throwing for themselves.
News you can use: And finally, journalism ALSO exists to inform, to be news you can actually use. Which is why I was glad we could republish this story today from our friends at The Reader. It’s Bridget Fogarty’s story on how Omahans and Nebraskans can weatherize their homes — and how, in many cases, you can get help to do so.
Your weekly reminder: Journalism, guys. For all of these reasons, and many more, it’s worth celebrating. Which is exactly why you should join us Thursday evening, Sept. 14, at our first annual event, which is officially called the Flatwater Free Press Festival. I call it FlatFest. In the past week, we have confirmed three big-time journalists with Nebraska ties who are going to be appearing, and holding a conversation, at the event. More info, and a link to tickets, coming soon. In the meantime, circle it in virtual permanent marker on your iPhone’s calendar.
FFP Goes to Washington: Our plucky lil’ Flatwater Free Press made it into the hallowed pages of the Washington Post on Thursday. They cited reporter Natalia Alamdari’s fine reporting on Seward County deputies routinely seizing drivers’ money without charging them with a crime. There’s actually bipartisan movement in Congress to end the practice of civil asset forfeiture. Here’s the Washington Post editorial board on the subject.
We will have more on Seward County and civil asset forfeiture soon.
Thanks to our sponsor: This week, it’s the Nebraska Community Foundation, which for decades has been helping small Nebraska towns help themselves to thrive. As always, thank you, NCF, for continuing to be a supporter of nonprofit journalism – for understanding that the Nebraska stories we tell to each other matter.
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:
- Do Lincoln law enforcement need an armored vehicle … another one? 10/11 with the story.
- It’s shaping up to be another hotly contested race for the U.S. House seat in the Omaha area. Tony Vargas, narrowly defeated by incumbent Rep. Don Bacon, has announced he’s running again. Story by KETV.
- We have heard a bunch from the politicians, but we haven’t heard very much from trans teenagers who will be affected by the Nebraska Legislature’s new law. The Nebraska Examiner’s Zach Wendling corrects that with his new story.
- The Journal Star’s Andrew Wegley is everywhere, including often hanging out in this newsletter. This week, he had a story on brain drain in Nebraska … a story prompted by a Gov. Jim Pillen tweet.
- Money continues to talk. Businesses and other organizations in the state spent a whopping $21 million on lobbyists in 2022, reports the World-Herald’s Martha Stoddard.
- And finally: Yours truly, a noted lover of ice cream as the best food in all the world, was excited to read this story from the Journal Star this week that suggests that ice cream might be good for us. I KNEW IT.
