News

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.

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.