NEWS Finding Middle Ground
Ask Chuck Hagel where American politics is headed and he’ll tell you to forget all the party rhetoric, all the headlines touting a fierce red-blue divide, and focus on the middle. It’s a spot the former Nebraska senator knows well. In the waning years of his two-term Senate career, Hagel was rumored first as a 2008 Republican presidential candidate, then as a potential running mate for...
entered on 11/17/10 at 09:50 AM | read more »
Nelson could be a target for Republicans seeking health care reform
As the last Democrat left in Nebraska's congressional delegation and with a potential 2012 reelection bid hanging in the balance, Sen. Ben Nelson is expected to be one of the primary targets for Republicans seeking piece-by-piece reform of President Barack Obama's health care bill. Nelson enraged Republicans with his decision last December to support the measure. Now the GOP may need him as they...
entered on 11/12/10 at 11:37 AM | read more »
State Supreme Court passes on Fremont law
The Nebraska Supreme Court on Nov. 5 refused to rule on whether or not municipalities could enact local immigration laws. The court said plaintiffs have not proven the City of Fremont broke state laws when it approved an ordinance passed by voters in June that prohibits undocumented immigrants from working or living in the city. A lawsuit filed with Nebraska's Federal District Court by the...
entered on 11/05/10 at 09:02 AM | read more »
Heineman out, Bruning in for 2012 Senate race
One day after Gov. Dave Heineman said he would not run for Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson’s seat in 2012, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning announced on Nov. 5 that he would. And he has formed an exploratory committee to begin raising funds. Both Heineman and Bruning won landslide reelection bids on Nov. 2. Nelson won a sweeping bid for reelection in 2006, garnering 64 percent of the vote...
entered on 11/05/10 at 07:41 AM | read more »
City Council’s vote against protecting gay community from discrimination noted nationally
“Horrible.” That’s how Jeff Schamp described the gay community's perception of Omaha after the City Council voted against an ordinance on Oct. 26 prohibiting discrimination based on sexual identity and gender expression. “When you look at this big picture, it’s shocking what they came down with,” says Schamp, executive director of Citizens For Equal Protection. That picture was...
entered on 11/03/10 at 10:15 AM | read more »
Numbers Cruncher
Amount Pete Ricketts has donated to GOP candidates and campaigns in Nebraska this year: $74,700 Number of GOP legislative candidates whose campaign funds have nearly doubled thanks to Ricketts: 2 Amount Joe Ricketts, Pete’s father, has contributed through a one-man Political Action Committee to defeat Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada: $860,000 Source: Federal Election...
entered on 11/03/10 at 10:00 AM | read more »
Omaha gay protection ordinance defeated
The Omaha City Council failed to pass an amendment on Tuesday offering non-discrimination protection to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. The measure failed on a 3-3 vote with Councilman Franklin Thompson — who has proposed putting the decision to a public vote — abstaining. Councilmen Ben Gray, Pete Festersen and Chris Jerram voted in favor of the ordinance. Thomas...
entered on 10/27/10 at 09:05 AM | read more »
Suttle supporters asked to open their checkbooks
Mayor Jim Suttle blew the dust off his campaign website last week, adding a link for supporters to contribute money to fight a recall effort. Earlier this month, Suttle called the efforts of the Mayor Suttle Recall Committee “expensive, divisive, and reckless” in a statement that will appear on recall petitions. The Committee announced it would begin collecting on Oct. 21 the nearly 27,000...
entered on 10/24/10 at 03:18 PM | read more »
First, a primer on how to pronounce “Schmaderer,” the new police chief’s last name: “SHMA’ der.” Rhymes with water. “Some ... more »
As winter takes hold the number of homeless moving into shelters is on the rise. Winter is the toughest time of the year ... more »
Alberto Gonzales didn’t enter the meeting room at the South Omaha Library on March 15 so much as the room opened up and ... more »
Police reviewing gun policy following school shooting
The Omaha Police Department is reviewing its gun policy for off-duty officers after Robert Butler Jr. used his father's ... more »
