News

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Educare is preparing to begin construction on its second site in Omaha. Educare of Omaha-South will provide child care and education for 200 low-income children.

Omaha is one of only six cities nationwide with an Educare facility. Educare focuses on the total development of a child, including social, cognitive, physical, and intellectual. The goal is to close the achievement gap by preparing at-risk students for kindergarten.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The Omaha City Council has approved one of the first steps in the possible building of a downtown stadium for the College World Series.

Tuesday, City Councilmen signed off on a plan to demolish the Pinnacle Foods site in downtown Omaha. The Stadium Oversight Committee's ballpark proposal calls for tearing down the Pinnacle plant and using the site for parking. It'll cost $3.4 million to demolish the building.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The Douglas County Health Department has begun its West Nile Virus surveillance.

Reid Steinkraus of the Health Department says dead bird collection began Monday. The birds are tested for West Nile, which is spread by bites from infected mosquitoes. Testing will happen until three dead birds test positive for the virus.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Monday would have been the 83rd birthday of civil rights leader Malcolm X.

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little May 19, 1925 in Omaha. He was 39 years old when he was assassinated in 1965 during a speech in New York City. Saturday, Omaha's Malcolm X Foundation hosted a celebration of his life.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub could be ready to seek that office again. Daub confirmed Thursday that he's formed an Exploratory Committee, a first step toward another mayoral run.

Daub served two terms as Mayor before Mike Fahey was elected in 2001. During Daub's tenure, Qwest Center Omaha became a reality. He now serves on the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority Board, which manages the Qwest Center.

Veteran percussionist, bandleader, created unique blend of tropical jazz.

By Chris Cooke

Omaha, Nebraska – Norman Hedman, one of the most accomplished percussionists in the world, passed away Monday, September 29th, in New York.

A master congero, bandleader, and sideman, he had been diagnosed with leukemia while rehearsing for a recent tour with the Alicia Keys band.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – A local election expert doesn't expect Nebraska to go Democrat in November. Randy Adkins, the Chair of the Graduate Program at the University of Nebraska-Omaha Department of Political Science, says Nebraska has a long history of supporting Republican candidates.

Senator Barack Obama won the Democratic Presidential primary in Nebraska Tuesday, but the vote is largely symbolic. Nebraska Democrats caucused in February and officially selected Obama as the nominee.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Voter turnout in Douglas County for Tuesday's primary election was lower than anticipated.

Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps says 16 percent of the county's registered voters actually cast ballots in the primary election. Phipps anticipated 20 percent voter turnout. He says while low turnout is typical for a primary election, he's disappointed. Phipps says it seems as though many voters were either disinterested or unaware that an election was going on.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – It's official: Nebraska's Second Congressional District race will be between incumbent Lee Terry and Democrat Jim Esch. Both candidates won their respective primaries Tuesday night.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha plans to add 20 miles of bicycle routes throughout the city over the next 12 months.

Mayor Mike Fahey announced Monday that Activate Omaha and Bikable Communities secured $600,000 for 20 miles of bicycle routes. The goal is to link downtown with bike trails and give bicyclists a safe place to ride.