One Does Not Bear Arms Against A Rabbit

by John Heaston

Gun violence and the wide availability of assault rifles are rightfully in the center of debate following last week’s massacre. We are an unusually armed country, with almost enough guns for every single person.

An important overview is offered by the nonprofit investigative news outfit Propublica and their “The Best Reporting on Guns in America.” Their summary introduces Jill Lepore’s New...

Heineman Gives Health Care to Feds

by Kandra Hahn

When Governor Dave Heineman told the federal government on Nov. 15 that Nebraska would pass on running its own health insurance exchange, he pointed to cost and lack of control. It was a very different Governor from the one who had presided over a public meeting featuring invited panels of health insurance executives and agent/brokers just 10 weeks earlier.

Industry was ready, but the...

The Difference in Every Election

by Kietryn Zychal

There is a big hole in Douglas County voting.

If residents in Ben Gray, Chris Jerram and Garry Gernandt’s east Omaha districts registered and voted at the same rate as Thomas Mulligan’s district in northwest Omaha, there would be an additional 35,000 votes – enough to make the difference in every city, state and federal election held in the last 20 years.

There are 83 days left until...

Something, but is it enough?

by Kietryn Zychal

Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale approved the Douglas County Election Commissioner's polling place restorations this week. The addition of polling places follows an unprecedented removal, far exceeding any changes in the two previous U.S. Census, after which redistricting is implemented.

From an initial cut of 88 polling places, 28 are slated to be added, leaving 208 polling places for...

Researchers Stand Up for Report

by Kietryn Zychal

While violence in Omaha, particularly among young males, continues at an alarming rate, the only recent examination of gang violence is being buried by the stakeholders who commissioned it, and who are tasked foremost with addressing this issue – North Omaha’s Empowerment Network and the Omaha Police Department. 

UNO professors Pete Simi and Dennis Hoffman spent 14-months on the 2011-2012...

Bringing in new light

by Amanda Hayward

The new 12-story TD Ameritrade Tower compliments the sky scape as you head into Old Mill on interstate 680.  The “ticker-tape” design on the building, an idea on the architect’s part, is homage to what they do and according to Kim Hillyer, director of communications and public affairs, it incorporates a little of their past into the building as well as their future.

TD Ameritrade is putting...

It’s not about the flood … it’s about the safety culture 

by Kietryn Zychal

On December 13, 2011, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission put Omaha Public Power District’s Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant under special oversight -- the first plant in 10 years to be placed under such close supervision. The finding was due to significant operational concerns and the crisis caused by the historic flood of 2011. Fort Calhoun cannot go back online until it completes a...

A synergy in North Omaha harkens a new arts-culture district for the city

by Leo Adam Biga

The days when North 24th Street jumped with folks out on the town, strolling the main drag, hitting one live music spot after another, are decades past.

Aside from biennial homecoming activities, North 24th is a drive-through artery on the way to somewhere else. Few souls trod its walkways. If people do stop it's for Sunday sanctification, a haircut, a fill-up or some social service business....