News

Rocco John Group's Devotion perfectly balances straight and free jazz.

By Christopher Cooke

Omaha, Nebraska – One of the most amazing discoveries I have made in the last few years has been Rocco John Iacovone. Saxophonist, bandleader of his self-titled group, educator, and student of jazz masters, Rocco John is a musician deserving much wider recognition.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Daylight Savings Time takes effect this Sunday, and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal says the time change is a good opportunity to test your smoke detector.

John Falgione says when you set your clocks ahead one hour, you should also test your smoke detector to make sure it's working properly. He says ideally, smoke alarms should be tested once a month. Falgione says a properly maintained smoke detector will last five to ten years.

Show to present performances of area's finest music students.

By KIOS

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The Sarpy County Administrator says he's very confident that the Omaha Royals will play there in 2011.

The Sarpy County board and Omaha Royals entered in to a memorandum of understanding in December. That memorandum allowed both sides to negotiate in earnest a deal that would bring the Royals to Sarpy County from their longtime Omaha home.

By Martin Wells and Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – An outbreak of salmonella in the Omaha metro area has been linked to alfalfa sprouts.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the 14-confirmed cases are linked to sprouts grown by CW Sprouts of Omaha. The sprouts are marketed under the name Sun Sprouts and went to restaurants and grocery stores.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – More than 400 plays were submitted for consideration in this year's Great Plains Theatre Conference.

Omaha's Metropolitan Community College hosts the weeklong event. The fourth annual GPTC is May 23rd through the 30th. Creative Director Kevin Lawler says of the 400 submissions, 56 will be chosen and presented at the Conference.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – A report on business conditions in nine states continues to indicate a recession.

Creighton University Economics professor Ernie Goss compiles the Monthly Business Conditions Report. February's business conditions index rose slightly to 34.6. That index is an indicator of economic health. A number above 50 shows economic growth. Goss says he doesn't expect much improvement in the coming months.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The VA of Nebraska and Western Iowa plans to open a new clinic in Bellevue later this month.

The health care clinic will be located inside the health center at Offutt Air Force Base. VA spokesman Will Ackerman says the new clinic will provide care to 4,000 veterans in the metro area.

Ackerman says the new clinic provides better access to VA health care for Veterans living in Sarpy, Cass and Lancaster Counties.

By Martin Wells

Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Legislature advanced an immigration bill to second round debate Wednesday, without dealing with a controversial amendment on in-state tuition. For Omaha Public Radio, Martin Wells has this story from Lincoln.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The VA of Nebraska and Western Iowa has opened a new health clinic.

The Shenandoah, Iowa facility opened Monday. It's the first clinic in southwest Iowa. VA officials say it'll serve the needs of southwest Iowa, northwest Missouri and southeast Nebraska veterans who normally would travel to Omaha for care.