News

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey is asking all city departments to cut their budgets.

Fahey says the city's $280 million general fund budget needs to be cut by two percent. That amounts to four to six million dollars in cuts. He says all options are on the table and all departments, including the Police and Fire Departments, are being asked to make cuts.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The economic downturn is putting a strain on the Omaha Food Bank's resources.

Food Bank Spokeswoman Jewel Knapp says the need for assistance began to spike eight months ago. She says pantries who receive food from the food bank have noted a 13 to 59 percent increase in requests for assistance. Knapp says some of those requests are from people with full-time jobs, who aren't familiar with the process.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha City Councilman Jim Vokal plans to run for Mayor.

Vokal, who represents District Three, is scheduled to make the announcement at 5:30 PM at his campaign headquarters, located at 8815 F Street. Vokal is the second City Councilman to enter the race. Last week, City Councilman Jim Suttle announced he's running for Mayor.

We'll have more on Vokal's announcement Tuesday morning on Omaha Public Radio news.

Jazz documentary to air Thanksgiving Night on KIOS.

By KIOS

Omaha, Nebraska – On Thanksgiving night, November 27th at 8:00PM, KIOS will present the one hour documentary Come On Down To Central Avenue.

The program explores the sounds of the mid-20th Century jazz scene of Los Angeles with historian Steve Isoardi, editor of the book Central Avenue Sounds.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – More than one thousand Omaha area residents will receive Thanksgiving dinner this year from the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army of Omaha's Turkey Fest delivers meals to low-income and elderly families. This year, 1,220 meals will be distributed by volunteers.

Salvation Army of Omaha spokeswoman Susan Eustice says the organization has seen a request this year for holiday meals and assistance. The Chapter's Christmas Assistance program signed up 800 more families this year than in 2007.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha's Open Door Mission expects to serve thousands of Thanksgiving meals this Thursday.

Open Door Mission Director Candace Gregory says 1,500 meals are served there every day. The Mission has seen a 46 percent increase in services over the past year. Because of that, Gregory says donations of items such as canned meat and canned soup are needed.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha City Councilman Jim Suttle is running for Mayor.

Suttle is the third candidate to enter the Mayor's race. He announced his candidacy Monday night at the Slowdown, calling it a journey to unite and improve Omaha. Among Suttle's campaign platforms are creating 1,000 jobs along the Missouri River corridor and curtailing gun violence.

We'll have more on this story Tuesday on Omaha Public Radio.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Building Bright Futures is turning its focus to academic support, behavioral services and mentoring.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – As Nebraska lawmakers prepare to vote on the safe haven bill a third time, they're also forming a task force to discuss the needs of older children.

The safe haven task force will be chaired by Senator Amanda McGill. The goal is to find solutions that'll keep families together and provide the services that older children and teenagers need.

By Katie Knapp

Bellevue, NE – Bellevue University is offering a new program designed to help STRATCOM employees learn more about strategic deterrence.

The University will begin offering the nine-credit-hour Strategic Deterrence program this spring. Jim Biernesser, BU's Director of Military Programs, says the program focuses on using all elements of national power to defer attacks. He says students in the program will be asked to look at diplomatic and business approaches in addition to military ones.