News

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – Omaha Public Schools officials say state projections for aid to schools mean layoffs are possible.

Assistant Superintendent Dennis Pool updated the district's budget situation during a school board committee meeting Monday. $31 million in state aid to schools was cut last November during a special legislative session. Federal economic stimulus money was used to boost the state aid to Nebraska's schools.

By Cheril Lee

Omaha, NE – Creighton University's Empty Bowls Project happens Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Empty Bowls Project benefits Omaha's Siena/Francis House. Creighton and Duchesne Academy students make the ceramic bowls, which the public can buy.

Project Coordinator Amy Nelson says each bowl costs ten dollars. The Empty Bowls Project happens Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 and Wednesday afternoon from 11:30 to 1:00 at the Lied Education Center for the Arts on the Creighton campus.

By Chris Cooke

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – New state budget figures show negative revenue growth this fiscal year and next.

Lawmakers received the budget adjustments last Thursday and are set to begin debating them this week. Revenue growth this fiscal year and next is projected to be -1.7%. Revenue has grown a total of 15% over the past 28 years. Senator Lavon Heidemann, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, says the negative revenue growth shows how the recession is impacting Nebraska's budget.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – The Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office says this weekend's time change is also a good opportunity to check your smoke detector.

By Cheril Lee

Omaha, NE – Douglas County has received a $35,000 grant for a study of the youth detention center.

Commissioner Chris Rodgers says the Board plans to use that grant to fund a study by the Burns Institute. It'll be an individual assessment of disproportionate minority contact issues. The goal is to help reduce racial and ethnic disparities within the Youth Detention Center.

Rodgers says the grant is a first step toward what he feels will be a five-year endeavor to reform the juvenile justice system at the local level.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – 17 people are seeking the open District 7 seat on the Omaha City Council.

Wednesday was the deadline to submit applications and petitions. Former District 7 Councilman Chuck Sigerson resigned last month, six months after suffering a stroke. Council President Garry Gernandt says he's pleased with the amount of interest in the District 7 seat.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson says he'll vote against a new $140 billion jobs bill.

The Senate passed the jobs bill Wednesday afternoon on a 62-36 vote. If signed in to law, it'll extend unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks in most states. But Nelson believes it'll also add $100 billion to the national debt.

Nelson introduced an amendment Tuesday that would have paid for the new jobs bill in part with unallocated stimulus money. That amendment was blocked, something Nelson says is disappointing.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – A new funding formula for Nebraska's six community colleges could be in place by the summer of 2011.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – Flood Warnings are in effect for the Platte River near Ashland affecting western Sarpy County, and the Nishnabotna River in western Iowa affecting Pottawattamie, Fremont and Montgomery Counties. Both Flood Warnings are in effect until Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service says river levels in those areas are expected to rise near flood stage Thursday afternoon.

Ice jams also continue to cause flooding in low-lying areas.