Immigration raid at Omaha meatpacking plant spurs protests, stokes fear in the city
My first national story for NPR's Morning Edition
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Featured
Could anything have prevented an Omaha man from killing his beloved grandmother?
Third place in the Nebraska Press Association's inaugural A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting (2025)
'Unconscionable': How Omaha's Legacy Crossing apartments were allowed to deteriorate
A personal favorite written alongside a great friend
Agriculture & Environment
Nebraska will ban soda and energy drinks from federal food aid. Cuts in other states are likely next
Nebraska recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will be banned from buying soda, soft drinks and energy drinks starting next year under a pilot program announced Monday.
A federal conservation program protects her farm from erosion, but Project 2025 aims to end it
In March 2019, as a storm unleashed heavy snow, rain, wind and devastating flooding across Nebraska, Judith Puncochar watched as eight acres of her family’s farm were sucked into the Middle Loup River.
Federal hiring freeze forces understaffed weather service offices to halt weather balloon launches
Citing staffing challenges, the National Weather Service announced it would suspend the typical twice-daily launches of weather balloons at five local offices.
Ricketts supports legislative effort to end perpetual conservation easements in Nebraska
An effort to end perpetual conservation easements has support from a prominent and outspoken critic of the voluntary agreements: Gov. Pete Ricketts.
Courts & Justice
Sheriff’s department in one of Nebraska’s least populated counties enters ‘task force’ agreement with ICE
On May 8, ICE approved what is known as a 287(g) agreement with the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office.
'The wrong answer is the status quo': Nebraska eying major changes to juvenile probation
Half of the teens charged with murder or manslaughter in Douglas County since 2023 were on juvenile probation at the time of the alleged killings.
No big immigration raids in Nebraska but ICE has quietly been at work in courthouses, jails
Mike Myers, the director of the Douglas County Correctional Center, said the number of people in the jail with immigration detainers has nearly doubled since Donald Trump took office.
Why Douglas County puts kids in confinement for longer than other Nebraska detention centers
The Douglas County Youth Center has long isolated detained children in their rooms or other areas far more often and for longer periods of time than any other juvenile detention facility in the state.
Trump’s DOJ moves to dismiss case against former Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry
Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss federal felony charges against former Nebraska Rep. Jeffrey Fortenberry, who was to face a second trial after his previous conviction was overturned.
Murder charge dropped against 11-year-old Omaha boy found incompetent to stand trial
An 11-year-old Omaha boy facing a dozen felony charges in Juvenile Court, including first-degree murder, had the charges against him dropped and the cases sealed.
Nebraska prisons urged to stop putting inmates in 'volatile' settings after 3rd death
Both men were in longer term restrictive housing, a solitary-like housing assignment used if staff determine an incarcerated person is a risk to themselves or others.
Nebraska Supreme Court: Nebraskans with felony convictions can 'immediately' register to vote
In an unusual midweek opinion, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued an order that will allow people with felony convictions to register to vote in the November election.
After fatal shooting, Omaha police suspend use of some no-knock warrants
Omaha Police Deputy Chief Scott Gray said the department is unlikely to do away with standard entry no-knock warrants entirely, but use of the method has been suspended pending a full review.
Millions given to Nebraska police nonprofits didn't go to community causes. Who got the money?
First place in-depth reporting from Nebraska Press Association (2025)
Douglas County grand jury recommends more scrutiny of jail and prison deaths
“The Grand Jury recommends that in all deaths in correctional facilities, both county and state, that there be an independent review of those deaths," a Douglas County grand jury wrote.
Aubrey Atta...
Aubrey Atta...
Mentally ill inmate in Nebraska prison pummeled with pepper balls during two incidents
Over the course of hours, corrections officers fired a barrage of projectiles — at least 110 pepper balls, 20 bursts of pepper spray and a dozen rubber bullets — into the small room until he finally surrendered.
Politics & Government
As more states move to restrict intoxicating hemp, people in the industry worry for its future
After the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, THC products made from the plant have grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Getting into the weeds on medical marijuana in Nebraska, proposed legislative changes
Without anywhere to buy medical cannabis legally, it remains inaccessible in Nebraska.
Nebraskans confront U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts at contentious town hall
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts became the latest Republican representative to face a contentious meeting with constituents during a Kearney town hall on Thursday.
Kamala Harris wins the 'Blue Dot' — Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District
Nebraska’s unique approach to allocating Electoral College votes catapulted the state into the national spotlight.
US Sen. Pete Ricketts faces 'long-shot' opponent in Nebraska's 2-year Senate race
Love, who has compared the race to the biblical battle between David and Goliath, said his travels around Nebraska convinced him that a close race may be possible.
Nebraska battle over cannabis: Sales of hemp THC goods rising, but AG says they're illegal
Nebraska's attorney general has brought a series of lawsuits against cannabis businesses. But the businesses say what they sell is allowed by state and federal law.
Hiring of deputy 911 director may mean Omaha quits 911 agreement with Douglas County
Omaha city officials say they are "re-evaluating" an agreement with Douglas County to provide 911 services over hiring concerns.
Bacon would work with Dems to elect moderate House speaker if GOP's McCarthy falls short
"If we have total gridlock, I'm going to work with like-minded people across the aisle to find someone agreeable for speaker," Bacon said.
Fun & Features
More Nebraskans are getting vanity plates — here are some that were rejected
New applications for custom-message plates have more than doubled in recent years from just under 6,600 in 2021 to more than 14,100 in 2023..
'It's all poetry': Nebraska state poet seeks to bring craft to every Nebraska county
Mason, appointed the Nebraska state poet in 2019, had one goal when his term began: To hold a poetry event in each of Nebraska’s 93 counties.
Omaha skaters show off tricks at Skate Fest
The event was organized by Skatefest Omaha, a local nonprofit that aims to promote and grow Omaha’s thriving skate scene through events, lessons and contests.
Skate school rewards Nelson Mandela Elementary students with big surprise
As instructors asked the students to reflect on the experience, the group of tie-dye shirt-clad kids grew impatient as they eyed a row of brand-new skateboards.