News

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.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The 2008 Mens College World Series is underway in Omaha. Events began Friday with fan-friendly activities, and games started Saturday afternoon.

Kathryn Morrissey is Executive Director of CWS of Omaha Inc. Morrissey says a year of planning goes in to the ten-day event. She says planning for next year's College World Series will begin as soon as this one ends. Those plans include what worked this year and what didn't.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Four Boy Scouts, including three Omahans, who were killed Wednesday night when a tornado struck their camp are being remembered by the community. Hundreds of people came to the Mid America Council office on Omaha's northwest side Thursday night for a candlelight vigil.

Eight part series begins Thursday night on KIOS.

By KIOS

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

The first installment will air on Thursday night. The program for June 12th includes performances by The Jeannie Bryson Quartet, and Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company featuring Shane Conway.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha's Freedom Park is once again open. The park closed two years ago and underwent renovations.

Freedom Park is the home of the USS Hazard and the USS Marlin. The Hazard was a World War two minesweeper. It was commissioned in 1944 and decommissioned two years later. The Marlin is a Naval submarine. It was commissioned in 1953 as a training and target ship.

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey says Freedom Park serves as a reminder of the sacrifices military servicemen and women make.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – As Omaha prepares for this weekend's College World Series, the city is also moving forward with the event's new home.

The Omaha City Council Tuesday approved on a 6-1 vote the construction and management agreements for a new ballpark. Increases in the car rental free and hotel tax were also agreed to. City Councilman Garry Gernandt voted against the ballpark items.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The National Weather Service says not one but two tornadoes struck parts of southwest Omaha early Sunday morning.

The first tornado was the stronger one. It touched down at 2:10 AM near the area of 232nd Street and West Angus Road, one mile west of Gretna, according to the National Weather Service. That tornado traveled an 11-mile path in to Millard, where it downed trees, knocked out power, and damaged homes and businesses. The first tornado was an EF2, with winds as high as 135 miles per hour.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Relief agencies are finding their resources stretched due to the response to so many tornadoes.

The American Red Cross Heartland Chapter and Salvation Army of Omaha both have volunteers in Parkersburg, Iowa, along with Ceresco and Kearney. Now, both groups are responding to neighborhoods in Millard and southwest Omaha where an EF2 tornado struck Sunday.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The National Weather Service has no plans to re-evaluate its guidelines for issuing a tornado warning following Sunday's storms.

National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Meyer says Sunday's tornado is an instance where even they were surprised by the storm. He says the radar showed a small line of storms with a bow echo on the front end. That usually indicates strong winds, but doesn't necessarily associate it with a tornado.