News

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.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Construction is underway on the first of two swimming pools that'll be used for the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha. The Trials are June 29th through July Sixth.

Monday morning, crews began welding the foundation and the vinyl lining for the warm-up pool. It'll take approximately seven days to complete the first pool. Then, construction will begin on the second the ten-lane competition pool. It'll be built inside the Qwest Center Omaha arena and take up the first nine rows of seats.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Omaha's GO HOPE Coalition continues to offer free counseling to homeowners facing foreclosure.

The Coalition held its third foreclosure prevention workshop Saturday at the Omaha Public Library Washington Branch. GO HOPE stands for Greater Omaha Home Ownership Preservation Efforts. It's made up of lenders, social service agencies, and government entities. The goal is to provide free housing counseling and assistance to homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – The Douglas County Election Commissioner's office predicts 20 percent voter turnout for Tuesday's primary election.

Election Commissioner Dave Phipps says four years ago, primary election turnout was just over 13 percent. It was 23 percent two years ago during the gubernatorial primary. He says early voting has been slow in Douglas County as well.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Iowa is Bicycle Safety Month and that state's Department of Transportation is encouraging more people to ride their bicycles to work.

The Department of Transportation is promoting the benefits of riding your bicycle instead of driving to work. Milly Ortiz, bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, says riding your bicycle to work benefits your health and the environment. She says it's also a smart choice given the rising gas prices.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Second District Congressman Lee Terry is among the House Republicans introducing legislation to help the housing market.

Terry's legislation would provide a one-time tax credit, up to $10,000, to homebuyers. The goal is to encourage home buying and spur economic growth. Terry says too many jobs rely on the housing market and too many people are afraid to buy homes given the current economy.

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Newly released economic indicators show job growth in the Omaha metro area remains strong despite national troubles.

The Greater Omaha Indicators are published by the Greater Omaha Economic Development partnership. The Indicators measure job growth, housing permits, and the unemployment rate. April's report shows Omaha's unemployment rate is holding at three point four percent.