News

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Second Congressional District Candidate Jim Esch says all options should be on the table if America is going to become energy independent.

Esch is challenging Congressman Lee Terry for the second time in the Second District race. Esch says a long-term strategy is needed to address rising oil and gas prices. He says offshore drilling and alternative fuel sources should be part of that plan.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The University of Nebraska Medical Center has a new College of Medicine.

UNMC officials Thursday opened the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education. Medical, pharmacy, nursing and allied health students will all take classes at the Sorrell Center starting in August.

UNMC Chancellor Dr. Harold Maurer says the Sorrell Center has a specific goal: to create highly educated, caring physicians.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Nebraska's Second District Congressman says there is no short-term solution to high gas prices.

Congressman Lee Terry says lawmakers could pass a comprehensive plan now that would result in some immediate relief. But Terry says constituents are telling him they're frustrated by Congress' lack of action on any sort of energy plan.

Eight part series continues Thursday night on KIOS.

2008 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Jazz in June Festival. The festival in Norman, Oklahoma is a highlight of the annual festival scene in the midwest. For the past few years, over 50,000 jazz fans have converged in Norman to enjoy the festival.

Highlights from the 2006 Jazz in June Festival will be broadcast over KIOS this summer.

The thirdd installment will air on Thursday night. The program for June 26th includes performances by The Christopher Wray Quartet and The Eric Byrd Trio.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – One of Eppley Airfield's taxiways is headed for an improvement and an expansion.

The Omaha airport is set to undergo a $17 million project that'll replace the current asphalt taxiway with concrete. A connection point will also be built at the north end of the Airfield to connect two taxiways.

Dave Roth, Director of Planning and Engineering for the Omaha Airport Authority, says the taxiway project will take about a year to complete. In the meantime, planes will use an alternate taxiway.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The four Boy Scouts killed when a tornado hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch earlier this month were remembered during the Mid America Council's annual luncheon.

13-year-olds Sam Thomsen, Ben Petrzilka, and Josh Fennen, and 14-year-old Aaron Eilerts, died in the storm. Mid America Council Scout Executive Lloyd Roitstein called the past couple of weeks a tough challenge. He says all 94 Boy Scouts at the Little Sioux Ranch were selected by their Scout masters as future leaders.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha is preparing to welcome the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.

The Swim Trials begin Sunday at Qwest Center Omaha. They'll determine which swimmers represent Team USA at the Beijing Olympics.

Among the big-name swimmers expected at the Trials are Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Amanda Beard, and Natalie Coughlin. Phelps will be swimming in five or six events. On the women's side, 19-year-old Katie Hoff is swimming in six events at the Trials. She won three gold medals at the 2007 World Championships.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha Public Radio – State Senator Ernie Chambers says he has only four words to describe his tenure in the Legislature: I did my job.

Chambers spoke Thursday at the Omaha Press Club's noon forum. He's served in the Nebraska Unicameral for 38 years. His last day as a lawmaker is January 6, 2009.

Among the topics the Omaha lawmaker talked about Thursday were:

Things Chambers believes he saved during his 38-year term. Senator Chambers says he saved the state Constitution, a death row inmate, and the Capitol Building.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The Chairman of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority says MECA's not interested in political in-fighting. David Sokol's comments came Thursday following MECA's meeting.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – MECA Chairman David Sokol is back on the MECA board. The Omaha City Council Tuesday approved Sokol's reappointment.

Previous story: Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey could re-appoint MECA Board Chairman David Sokol to that position. The decision comes after Fahey was notified that Sokol's removal from the MECA board could jeopardize private funding for the new downtown stadium.