Nebraska News Service - Audio Report: Recent Episodes
Nebraska News Service
Sixpence is an early childhood program that helps prepare Nebraska children from birth to four years old for success. Heading this movement were Helen Raikes and her late husband, former Sen. Ron Raikes. Helen Raikes explains that Sixpence was created in order to help bring pilot pre-kindergarten programs off the ground with the help of private and public sectors.
KRNU student reporter Holly Fischer covers Initiative 433 on the ballot. Initiative 433 may increase the minimum wage over the next few decades. It all depends on voting Nebraskans.
KRNU student reporter Quin Sleddens covers Initiative 433. Initiative 433 would raise Nebraska's minimum wage over the next few decades.
KRNU student reporter Hallie Gutzwiller covers Initiative 432 and why Nebraskans think it's controversial. Initiative 432 would require all Nebraskans to present a photo ID in order to vote at the polls.
Campaign advertising is abundant during election season. KRNU student reporter Kelby Bachman covers why campaign advertising sticks in our heads.
KRNU student reporter Emma Smith covers Initiative 432, a policy that Nebraska voters will vote upon on November 8th. Initiative 432 would require all Nebraskans to present a photographic ID when voting at the polls.
KRNU student reporters Erick Estrada and Bousaina Ibrahim give an overview of the 2nd Congressional District candidates, Tony Vargas and Don Bacon.
KRNU student reporter Samantha Grove covers profiles of Nebraska 1st Congressional District candidates Patty Pansing Brooks and Mike Flood.
Nebraska Nightly reporter Rebecca Heckel sits down with legislative candidates James Michael Bowers and Danielle Conrad on what makes each the right candidate for North Lincoln in the Nebraska Legislature.
This episode highlights the issue surrounding women working in the sports media field. In this audio story, you will hear from three women who are currently working in the sports media field and get to hear there perspective on this issue.
On November 13th and 14th, the Lancaster Event Center is hosting the 5th annual Brick Days event. Brick Days is an event that welcomes Lego fans both young and old to showcase their builds, and the opportunity to connect over a shared interest.
Event Organizer Daniel Schmidt spoke about the growing popularity of the event since its inception in the back section of a HobbyTown Store.
Expert Builder John Tooker spoke about the included use of technology to continue to build bigger and better Lego builds.
Lego fan Joshua Schulty said he was excited to show off his first train build at this year's event.
Em Paquette, a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is training her husky, Luna, to become her service dog. Once her training is complete, Luna will be able to help Paquette with her PTSD once her training is complete.
Chrystal Walter is the community outreach coordinator and assistant to the founder of Domesti-PUPS in Lincoln. While the process is not a short one, she said that it is “indescribable.”
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/?p=86596&preview=true
Photo courtesy of Em Paquette.
Senior music education major and multi-instrumentalist Justin Richard and his peers created a new event for the three Friday Night Pep Bands (called Unity Walk, Misty's, and Football Friday) after COVID-19 restrictions made it so they couldn't play at their normal locations.
Football Friday Leader Hunter Foged said he's enjoyed every second of the new event.
The Lincoln Firefighters Association hosted the first-ever Cornhole for Coats on Oct. 23. The event benefits Operation Warm, an organization that helps provide free winter coats to children.
Operations Manager Kevin Poague and Education Directer Jason St. Sauver, both of the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center in Denton, offer guided bird walks on the third Tuesday of each month.
The aptly named Third Tuesday Bird Walks provide an opportunity for Nebraskans to learn about species native to the prairie of southeastern Nebraska.
However, these birds, along with birds across the country, face the threat of habitat loss due to agriculture and population growth.
With Plan Forward 2050 showing an expected population growth of over 100,000 people by 2050, methods exist to protect these birds while the population grows.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/as-lincoln-grows-bird-friendly-communities-can-protect-native-species/
Experts are warning we could see a resurgence in the flu this winter. The CDC reports relaxed COVID-19 measures such as lapsing mask mandates may result in an increase in flu in the 2021–2022 flu season.
This is bad news as Nebraska is still averaging more than 600 COVID-19 cases each day, potentially leading to a “twindemic.” The CDC says a twindemic could emerge as people get sick from the flu and COVID at the same time.
Full story - https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/experts-warn-a-resurgence-in-flu-could-cause-a-twindemic-with-covid-19/
UNL students, Amy Conner and Des Backer, said they are often targeted by sexist players in online multiplayer video games. Two studies published out of Ohio State University and Florida State University found this harassment has major effects on the mental health and well-being of women.
A controversial Texas law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect on Sept. 1, 2021. Senate Bill 8 bans abortions after medical professionals can detect a heartbeat—which can be as early as six weeks.
A study from Monmouth University shows 54% of the public disagrees with the Supreme Court, which allowed the Texas law to go into effect. Andi Curry Grubb, state executive director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska, and Sadie Brewer, a senior psychology student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said they are opposed to the law.
Brooke Fullerton, parent life director at Youth for Christ, said she supports the law. Gov. Pete Ricketts tweeted support of the bill and said Nebraska is pro-life state.
A local entrepreneur and music artist named HAKIM is influencing the rap culture around Lincoln. He has released eight full albums and is working on releasing another in the future.
HAKIM has 422 monthly listeners on Spotify, his most frequently streamed songs off the album “Cream of Crop 2” are “Back Seat Freestyle” and “New Edition.” Despite his success, he said being a rapper in Nebraska can be challenging.
Back Seat Freestyle – HAKIM
Heights – HAKIM & Monte Alkanas
Call Log – HAKIM & Monte Alkanas
Full story -
Toxic behavior in video games can take a toll on players' mental health. Online multiplayer games like Overwatch have text and voice chat so players can communicate with each other. It’s through these channels that toxicity like trash-talking, hate speech, and sexual harassment occurs. Sam Newell and Steven Spotanski are two members of UNL Revival, University of Nebraska Lincoln's Overwatch team, that have experience with this issue.
Full Story - https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/in-game-toxicity-affects-unl-esports-team/
The Dig Deeper Farm Tour gave Southeast Nebraska residents the chance to get out and learn more about local agriculture. Wally Graeber, the program coordinator for the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, encourages Nebraskans to get out and see the benefits of supporting local farms.
FULL STORY - https://nebraskanewsservice.net/news/farm-tour-opens-doors-for-learning-and-discovery/
Noah Velinsky, a former Husker sprinter needed an outlet for his anxiety after a year marked by COVID-19, and he found it in country music.
Velinsky began successfully making music on his own, then through social media and chance encounters, formed the Noah James Band in 2021. The band has been performing in and around Lincoln since its formation.
FULL STORY - https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/former-husker-sprinter-finds-outlet-in-songwriting/
Members of the Lincoln community gathered at the Union Plaza Amphitheater on September 9th for the 3rd annual Hub and Soul music series. This event is open to people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate music, local food and Lincoln’s parks. The first week of the series was postponed due to a heat advisory and the second was canceled due to weather. On the 9th, the temperature was 85 and sunny. After almost a month of anticipation, attendees said they're happy the event is finally happening.
Full Story - https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/hub-and-soul-unites-local-restaurants-breweries-and-musicians/
With Nebraska's sellout streak on the line, Dr. Lawrence Chatters, the University of Nebraska's Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, found a solution that would allow for underprivileged youth from around the state to attend the home opener against Fordham, continuing the sellout streak.
Hundreds gathered to protest in response to the sexual assault allegation that occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's campus.
The crowd first assembled Tuesday, Aug. 24, outside of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity house where one of its members is alleged to have sexually assaulted a UNL student in the early morning hours of Tuesday morning, according to the UNL Police Department.
Though the investigation by UNLPD is ongoing, protesters said that they would not stop protesting until the Greek letters were removed from the house. Protests continued for several nights after the allegation, and a candlelight vigil took place Aug. 30.
Protesters reacted at the event.
Full story - https://nebraskanewsservice.net/news/students-protest-outside-of-unl-fraternity-house-after-reported-sexual-assault/
Cody Thomas, Nebraska State Patrol Public Relations Director and Bill Kovarik, Highway Safety Administrator of the Highway Safety Office discuss the recent "U Text, U Drive, U Pay" distracted driving campaign to raise awareness about distracted driving.
Full story -
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is returning to full capacity and decreasing web-conferencing offerings for the fall 2021 semester. Sophomores Hallie Gutzwiller and Hannah Bartling discuss their experiences with online classes.
Last year, 22 year-old Tucsonan student Josh Swain, created a Facebook group chat. This group chat, was comprised of around 20 others, all with the name: "Josh Swain."
His message read: "You're probably wondering why I've gathered you all here today." Josh then issued the formal invitation: "Precisely, 4/24/2021, 12:00 p.m., meet at these coordinates, (40.8223286, -96.7982002) we fight, whoever wins gets to keep the name, everyone else has to change their name, you have a year to prepare, good luck."
What came next, would make history in the city of Lincoln. On April 24th, 2021 in Air Park Green Area, about 1000 spectators gathered to witness a competition for the name. Later dubbed, The #SwainBowl.
Special thanks to: Attendee from Memphis Tennessee, Josh Tupey & Swain Bowl event organizer Ryan Wall
The game of chess has seen massive growth in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic.
A group of Lincoln players have found a unique over-the-board experience.
Cigarz Lounge near 8th and Q street in Lincoln hosts a Monday night chess league every week.
Owner of Cigarz Lounge Stacy Williams and league judge Steve Kuzma began the league in September 2020.
Participants play for weekly prizes and a spot atop the bar’s leaderboard.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/lincoln-cigar-bar-hosts-weekly-chess-nights/
As summer draws near, small towns across Nebraska are busy planning the return of their annual summer celebrations after COVID-19 eliminated most events beginning in the spring of 2020.
Cindy Walsh, co-coordinator of Ashland’s Stir Up celebration, and Ashland resident Marilyn Wright discuss what the return of the event means to the community.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/news/small-town-summer-celebrations-return-after-year-of-covid-19/
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s LGBTQA+ & Women’s Center hosted a “What does it mean to Be a Man?” webinar April 15. Male students and faculty of UNL were encouraged to attend, share stories and discuss what they believe it means to be a man.
Derrick Gulley, program coordinator for the LGBTQA+ & Women’s Center, and Trenton Haltom, Ph.D. candidate in sociology, talk about the importance of letting men express their feelings publicly.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/manhood-we-need-to-talk-about-it/
The Beatrice Public School district is one of the first districts to eliminate its mask mandate. Beatrice is the closest proximity school district to Omaha and Lincoln to do so. The school board voted to eliminate the mask mandate at its April board meeting after teachers reported they had been vaccinated.
Jason Alexander, superintendent for Beatrice Public Schools, explains how the district made the decision and discusses protocols if an outbreak were to occur. David Jesperson, public information officer for the Nebraska Department of Education, explains the broader impact of Beatrice’s decision, including how it may affect Lincoln and Omaha’s districts.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/nebraska-school-eliminates-mask-mandates-other-districts-consider-options/
Sources
Jason Alexander, Superintendent, Beatrice Public Schools
David Jesperson, Public Information Officer, Nebraska Department of Education
Image courtesy of Beatrice Public Schools, Jason Alexander
Many Nebraska artists and creatives have felt their creativity and motivation to produce art decrease dramatically throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local Lincoln jewelry designer, crafter, and small business owner Alison Stasny, owner of Spitfire July, said not having a physical separation from her day job and creative space at home negatively impacted her ability to create.
Omaha artist, painter, sculptor,and graphic designer, Ameri Grace, said it was hard for her to stay motivated and creative throughout the pandemic.
Kim Morrow, director of Climate Planning and Resilience at sustainability company Verdis Group, and Vivian Nguyen, contractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development and co-founder of Sustain UNL, spoke at the Solve Climate by 2030 webinar on April 7. Morrow and Nguyen spoke to an audience of students, faculty and staff about how people can be better climate activists, reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change in Nebraska.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln environmental studies program hosted the webinar in partnership with Bard College.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/panelists-discuss-reducing-carbon-footprint-by-2030/
Lincoln Public Schools will open the doors to a new high school in the fall of 2022. This would be the seventh LPS high school in Lincoln. Scott Wieskamp, director of operations for Lincoln Public Schools, said another high school was severely needed because of overcapacity.
The school’s location will be at Northwest 48th and West Holdrege Street.
Cedric Cooper, current Schoo Middle School principal, will serve as the first principal of the new high school. Cooper said he is excited about building a culture with the community of a new high school.
After more than 200 name suggestions from community members, the committee decided to carry on the directional tradition of naming Lincoln’s public high schools. However, the Lincoln Board of Education must approve the recommendation.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/lincoln-public-schools-to-open-new-high-school-in-fall-2022/
Normally, members of the Catholic faith are obligated to attend mass every week, according to the church’s canon law.
However, since COVID-19 started, the Catholic Dioceses of Nebraska issued a general dispensation excusing Catholics from the requirement.
On March 31, Archbishop Lucas of Omaha announced the dispensation will end the weekend of May 22.
Leah Heyen is a home health care worker from Lincoln who has not been to mass since the pandemic started. She said she is eager to return but worries the dispensation might be ending too soon.
Fr. Nicholas Kipper of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Lincoln said Catholics who worry about the spread of COVID will still have the choice to stay home.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/mass-requirement-begins-again-in-may/
Without prior experience in healthcare, Diane Sprock left her career in insurance after nearly 35 years to help the elderly during the pandemic.
Entertainment venues lost nearly $40 million last year with the cancellation of concerts and other live events. With the return of live events, venues have welcomed fans back after a year of limited entertainment.
Curtis Ray, director of events at Ralston Arena, and Chris Kotulak, CEO of Fonner Park, discuss how their venues handled the first wave of live events.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/concert-fans-excited-as-live-events-return/
YMCAs across Nebraska have started a new esports league. The competitive gaming league encourages children to cultivate skills like teamwork, leadership, online safety and individual growth.
Todd Johnson, executive director of YMCA youth sports in Lincoln, and Bailie Meissner, youth sports director at the Southwest YMCA in Omaha, discuss the new program.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/ymca-levels-up-to-esports/
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States last year, UNL students Lizzy Lavin and Syrah Andrews found themselves with open schedules and a big idea.
Lavin, a junior English and Women’s and Gender Studies major from Lincoln and Andrews, a junior Secondary Math Education major from Omaha launched the “That’s What You Missed at the Women’s Center” podcast in 2021. In it, they discuss advocacy issues including how to be an activist in Nebraska.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/unl-students-create-podcast-to-promote-advocacy/
Valuing the vote is an eight-part series dedicated to the history of voting rights in America including the civil rights and women's suffrage movements.
Mary Yaeger, associate director of Humanities Nebraska, and Dianne Bystrom, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska discuss voting rights and voter suppression.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/the-right-to-vote-past-present-and-future/
Hy-Vee employees and Lincoln residents can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine at local Hy-Vee pharmacies.
Alyssa Logan, a service manager, and Blake Hudak, a customer service employee at the 70th and Pioneers Hy-Vee in Lincoln, discuss the process of getting the vaccine as Hy-Vee employees.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/covid-19-vaccine-shots-available-for-lincoln-hy-vee-employees-residents/
As a former student journalist, Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln passionately advocated for the advancement of his bill, which creates the Student Protection Journalism Act.
On March 18, after three days of heated legislative debate, LB88 advanced with a 28-15 vote.
His bill would designate public high schools and post-secondary school publications as public forums not subject to article prior review. The bill also prevents student disciplinary action for exercising freedom of speech and press rights.
Morfeld invoked cloture after a full eight hours of debate, which is a legislative motion used to stop debate and have senators vote on the bill and any amendments.
After the cloture motion passed with a 33-12 vote, Albrecht’s amendment failed and the bill advanced to the next round of debates.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/news/bill-to-protect-student-journalist-expression-advances-filibuster-overcome/
D-Wayne is young Nebraska broadcaster who got his start through performative beatboxing. Now is the voice of several husker athletics programs as well as hosting his own morning show on 106.3 KFRX.
D-Wayne speaks on the mentality that has help him through his career: aggressive improvement.
Special thanks to DeWayne Taylor and KFRX's former promotions director Lexi Trumbley.
Full Story:
Home renovations have been rising since the start of COVID-19. As a result, lumber prices are at a record high. Homeowner Patrick Petersen changed his renovation plans from an addition to a large renovation.
Chris Moroschak, an independent remodeling contractor, said he suspects lumber prices will stay high because people are still willing to pay the high prices and take advantage of low-interest loans.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/demand-for-lumber-increases-as-home-renovating-booms/
Concerts and live events are back, bringing a sense of normalcy and fun.
Adam Smith, Operations Manager and Program Director, at 93.1 The River and University of Nebraska Kearney student Micah Dostal discuss their experience attending the Parker McCollum concert at the Viaero Center March 12th.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/return-of-concerts-and-live-events-brings-normalcy/
In-person dining has been limited in Lincoln and Lancaster County for a year. Local restaurants are still recovering from the decrease in capacity and sales.
Don Mayhew, the owner of The Pasta Place in Lincoln, and Craig Zimmermann, Marketing Director of the Pillar restaurant group, talk about how their restaurants stayed afloat during the pandemic.
Full story:
UNL's Spring 2021 graduation will be held in-person for the first time since December 2019. The announcement was welcome news for many graduating seniors and their families. Tessa Weddle, a senior from Bellevue, and Brian Reetz, father of Bret Reetz from Lincoln share their excitement for the ceremony.
The 28th annual Nebraska Star Party will run from August 1st through the 6th. Participants can set up camp at Merritt Reservoir and stargaze during the summer's darkest week. The event features activities each day and stargazing every night.
Photo courtesy of John Johnson and the Nebraska Star Party Organization.
Nebraska State Patrol has a difficult job, patrolling hundreds of thousands of miles of roadway every day, including the heavily traveled Interstate I-80. The I-80 corridor is a 455-mile stretch running east to west across the Cornhusker state and crossing through 15 counties.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraska cities and counties developed their own public health protocols, making policing those areas more complicated.
Nebraska State Patrol officers Lt. Kaleb Bruggeman of Troop H (Lincoln), and Capt. Tyler Schmidt of Troop D (North Platte), discuss some of the challenges officers have faced over the last year.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/patrolling-i-80-in-a-pandemic/
Capt. Tyler Schmidt, Nebraska State Patrol--North Platte
Lt. Kaleb Bruggeman, Nebraska State Patrol--Lincoln
Image Courtesy of NSP Twitter. (@NEStatePatrol)
Broadcast radio faced a challenge when the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerts, contests, and many other events were postponed forcing radio to find unique, creative ways to connect and build rapport with their audience.
Maria Hansen, Promotions Director at Broadcast House in Lincoln and Eugene Bichelmeier, Program Director at Hits 106 in Kearney discuss how their radio stations found ways to connect with the community, even without events.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/radio-stations-get-creative-to-engage-with-listeners-during-covid-19/
Show notes:
Photo Courtesy of Broadcast House
Sen. Terry McKinney of Omaha introduced a bill to the Nebraska Legislature that would raise the minimum wage by $1 dollar each year until 2032. McKinney said raising the minimum wage to $20 is essential to protect Nebraskan workers.
Senators heard testimony on the bill Monday, March 8. Supporters said the bill would help keep Nebraskan workers from leaving the state for better pay. Those opposed to the bill said businesses would not be able to keep up with higher costs that come with raising the minimum wage.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/nebraska-bill-seeks-to-raise-minimum-wage-to-20/
Show Notes: Audio from hearing courtesy of http://netnebraska.org/
The 2021 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Winter Lecture Series concluded its four-part series “Pandemics Old and New” on March 7. Dr. Sharon Stoolman, a pediatric medical physician at Children’s Hospital in Omaha, presented “Sorting Through Racial Disparities in COVID-19”. Stoolman discussed how racism, past and present, has affected minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/the-2021-winter-lecture-series-finishes-with-talks-of-racial-disparities-in-covid-19/
Show notes:
Additional audio provided by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Winter Lecture Series.
The full video presentation of “Sorting Through Racial Disparities in COVID-19” can be found here.
Related coverage – UNL Professor compares COVID-19 to past pandemics in Winter Lecture Series
Special thanks to:
Leslie Reed, the spokesperson for UNL's commencement committee & Lyrica Baxter, a graduating UNL senior.
Diamond Distribution, the sole comic distributor for Marvel, DC and Darkhorse closed for nearly six weeks beginning in the spring of 2020, which meant a lack of new releases. ICv2, a comic book trade publication showed a loss of 29% in national sales revenue from January 2020 into the summer.
Nationally, retailers were struggling to make money without new releases.
John Doan, owner of Trade-A-Tape Comics, and Tim Runge, manager of Rainbow Comics, discuss how these two Lincoln comic book stores fought through the shutdown and saw business rebound.
Spring temperatures have arrived in Nebraska, but record-setting cold in February means big electric bills in March. Arctic cold temperatures reached record lows on Feb. 13, 15, and 16, increasing electricity usage and cost to Nebraska customers.
Grant Otten, media relations specialist with the Nebraska Public Power District and Bruce Kutler, owner of Bruce Kutler Electric discusses saving on electricity bills, even in extreme weather conditions.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/nebraskans-see-a-spike-in-electric-bills-from-februarys-polar-vortex/
The 2021 University of Nebraska-Lincoln four-part Winter Lecture Series on pandemics old and new continued on Feb. 28 with the third presentation in the series. In “Zoonosis of SARS-CoV,” Prof. Peter Angeletti discussed the nature of viruses and transmission between animals and humans. Angeletti, associate professor in the Nebraska Center for Virology in the School of Biological Sciences, also spoke about the confusion between COVID-19 and the flu.
“Zoonosis of SARS-CoV” was part three of a four-part series about pandemics old and new. The Winter Lecture Series ended on March 7 with a presentation on Racial Disparities in COVID-19.
https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/unl-professor-compares-covid-19-to-past-pandemics-in-winter-lecture-series/
The Nebraska Passport Program begins May 1 and will feature 70 locations. Madison Johnson, a Nebraska Passport coordinator, said each stop fits into one of ten categories.
2021 Passport stop categories
Visual Treats
Parking Spots
Aroma Therapy
Now Hear This
Growth Opportunities
Grub & Cuisine
Shoptimum Values
Childish Things
Branching Out
Time Travel
Last year, the program included places like the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center in Nebraska City. Doug Friedli, executive director of the center, said he was pleased to see the number of visitors increase when the program featured the center in 2016 and 2020.
Selected sites (by town)
Shelmadine Print Shop (Alliance)
Victoria Springs State Recreation Area (Anselmo)
Grazers Bar & Grill (Arnold)
Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park (Ashland)
Cottonwood Gallery & Arts (Aurora)
Chimney Rock Museum (Bayard)
The Vault (Bayard)
Clean Slate Soap (Beatrice)
TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest (Bellevue)
Chapin’s Furniture & Decorating (Broken Bow)
Chadron Art Alley at Bean Broker Coffee House & Pub (Chadron)
Chadron State Park (Chadron)
Glur’s Tavern (Columbus)
Q’s Dairy Sweet (Crawford)
Pekarek’s Produce (Dwight)
Sugar Shack Home Décor (Edgar)
Enders State Recreation Area (Enders)
Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (Fairbury)
Washington County Museum (Fort Calhoun)
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area & Nature Center (Gering)
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer (Grand Island)
Tommy Gunz Bistro (Grand Island)
Nebraska National Forest, Bessey RD (Halsey)
Gifts & Things (Holdrege)
Hyannis Hotel Inc (Hyannis)
Michelle’s Scrumptious Bakery (Juniata)
Buffalo Records (Kearney)
Kearney Area Children’s Museum (Kearney)
Lincoln Children’s Museum (Lincoln)
Saro Cider (Lincoln)
Screamers Family Restaurant, Home of the Singing Servers (Lincoln)
Smoking Gun Jerky (Lincoln)
The Burkholder Project (Lincoln)
Platte River State Park (Louisville)
Blackbird Hill Studio (Macy)
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park (Merriman)
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park (Nebraska City)
Nebraska City Historical Murals at First Class Flowers (Nebraska City)
Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast (Nebraska City)
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska (Niobrara)
District Table and Tap (Norfolk)
Norfolk Arts Center (Norfolk)
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park (North Platte)
Feather River Vineyard and Winery (North Platte)
The Cedar Room (North Platte)
Fat Brain Toys (Omaha)
Hollywood Candy (Omaha)
Malcolm X Memorial Foundation (Omaha)
Spielbound Board Game Café (Omaha)
Wenninghoff Farm Market (Omaha)
Joy Boutique (O’Neill)
Orleans Hotel Bed & Breakfast (Orleans)
Anne Marie’s Antiques and Gifts (Paxton)
Fork and Hammer (Plattsmouth)
P-Town’s Daily Grind Boutique & Coffee (Plymouth)
Keller Pharmacy (Ponca)
Chuckaboo Station (Potter)
National Willa Cather Center (Red Cloud)
Miletta Vista Winery (Saint Paul)
Tossed & Found Antiques (Scottsbluff)
Bottle Rocket Brewing Co (Seward)
Laughing Lamb Fibers (Sidney)
The Koffie Knechtion (South Sioux City)
Meridian Bridge (South Yankton)
Montz Motorcycle Museum Inc. (Tecumseh)
Chatterbox Brews (Tekamah)
Broken Spoke Boutique (Valentine)
Smith Falls State Park (Valentine)
Blue Cat Gallery & Studio (Wayne)
GoodyPop (York)
Photo courtesy of Doug Friedli and the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center. Photo courtesy of Nebraska Tourism.
https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/nebraska-passport-program/
The Perry Photo Challenge is a competition designed to put students’ photojournalism skills to the test. Participants like Tristan Powell, a 2019 finalist, are given a small window of time to capture and edit their photo essay before handing it over to a panel of judges. The UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications is preparing for its Philip Perry Photojournalism Challenge.
This year’s competition includes several substantial changes to the competition including virtual judging and extended time for participants to complete their entries. The competition is set to start on Friday, March 12, and the winner of the competition will receive a $10,000 scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/unl-prepares-for-virtual-perry-photojournalism-challenge/
While many workplaces have changed drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic, officers at both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department and the Lincoln Police Department's are faced with challenges despite having a duty to serve and protect. Officers risk their own health for the safety of the public by tending to those who might be COVID positive, to provide protection to the City of Lincoln.
Sergeant Chris Vigil, a lead investigator for the Lincoln Police Department and John Backer, Captain of Patrol Services for the UNL Police Department discuss the difficulties they have faced as officers during the pandemic. Vigil and Backer also talk about changes they have made to protect themselves, their fellow officers, and the public.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/policing-during-a-pandemic/
SOURCESChris Vigil, Sergeant, Lincoln Police Department
John Backer, Captain of Patrol Services, UNL Police Department
Photo Courtesy of Lincoln Police Department
Siren Sound Effect, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKieGUH9pzg
9-1-1 Cll Sound effect, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVYQdZ0Gj68
Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha introduced LB 183, known as the Sexual Emergency Care Act. The bill would require all hospitals and emergency rooms in Nebraska to inform survivors of sexual assault about emergency contraception.
Supporters and opponents testified during a Health and Human Services Committee hearing on Friday, Feb. 19.
Full Story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/nebraska-legislature-hears-bill-for-sexual-assault-emergency-care-act/
When COVID-19 hit the U.S. last March, the restaurant industry was hit hard. Due to the pandemic, many businesses shut down or paused their operations, while Tony Bailey and others decided to open up their own business, Cocky's Chicken & Brew. With COVID-19 still impacting restaurants today, Cocky's has decided to shift its business model for a bigger profit.
Winter weather has affected Nebraska school districts over the last several weeks, causing cancellations due to snow, frigid temperatures, and winter storms. Some districts have traditional snow days, canceling school for students and staff. Other districts opt for remote-learning days to avoid the possibility of extending the school year.
Lincoln Lutheran is one of the schools that has continued to have remote-learning days during inclement weather. Lincoln Lutheran Superintendent Scott Ernstmeyer discusses how he met with teachers and staff to coordinate their remote-learning days. Ernstmeyer also discusses the equipment that is used by teachers and students in remote-learning classes.
Lincoln Public Schools chose to cancel school due to cold on Feb. 15, using the last of its five built-in closure days. Buffy Beerenstrauch, a second-grade teacher at Holmes Elementary school in Lincoln, discusses how increasing access to technology for elementary school children may be the final piece in doing away with snow days.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/lincoln-schools-remote-learning-versus-snow-days/
More people are making the switch from in-person gyms and workout facilities to their living rooms.
Without gyms readily available, the health and fitness industry shifted drastically to accommodate people’s needs.
Brooke Gustafson of Lincoln is one of many who swapped out her gym membership for personal home gym equipment. In doing so, she said she is less pressured to workout every day and is more consistent than before. Ian Zimmerman also offers advice for establishing a home fitness routine.
According to NPD Group, a research marketing firm “revenue from health and fitness equipment more than doubled to $2.3 billion between March and October 2020.”
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/people-change-workout-programs-during-pandemic/
Nebraska performers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The livelihoods of these performers depend on social gatherings and live shows. Tom Adelman of The Midland Band and Dixie Longate from Dixie Longate’s Tupperware Party have kept audiences involved by live-streaming their performances.
Dianne Willey, sales and marketing director for Heartland Event Center in Grand Island, said the Center continues to look for ways to use its space to benefit residents during the pandemic.
Full story: https://nebraskanewsservice.net/multimedia/nebraska-performers-and-venues-use-creativity-to-overcome-challenges/
Nebraska’s 2020 election races were not much different from the rest of the US, though, when it comes to specific patterns and trends, especially in terms of the rural-urban red-blue split, and voters who elected a Democrat President and Republican representatives to the House and Senate.
Women are majoring in media, but many aren’t entering the industry or rising through the ranks after graduation. According to Poynter, two-thirds of students who earn degrees in journalism or communications are women, but women only make up one-third of the media industry. Women occupy only 23% of leadership roles in the top 200 major news outlets.
Kristin Gilger and Paola Boivin are professors at Arizona State University and are both leaders in their respected media field. Gilger and Boivin address key issues that women in media are facing and discuss some of their own experiences. They provide solutions to getting women in the media, keeping them in media, and helping them advance in the industry.
During the 2020 election, Nebraskans will make the final decision on allowing all forms of gambling at racetracks. Initiatives 429, 430 and 431 are on the ballot. These initiatives would legalize gambling at racetracks and establish a new tax system. Nate Grasz, policy director at Nebraska Family Alliance, opposes the three initiatives. Drew Niehaus with Keep the Money in Nebraska supports the initiatives. They both explain why.
College may never be the same again. Classes are migrating online, there are mandatory mask mandates on campus and there is no answer to the looming question about the return of collegiate sports. No sports means no screaming fans, no tailgating and no mascots.
The mascot is the life of a college sporting event. They feed energy into the crowd. They create an atmosphere that lives beyond what is happening on the field. These are moments families, friends and fans will remember for years to come. With sports on hold, mascots have had to come up with different ways to engage with the fans.
UNO Mavericks’ mascot Durango, and the team behind him, has evolved the role from hugs and high-fives to timelines and tik toks.