News

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster Counties are home to 52 percent of Nebraska's residents.

That's one finding in a new report from UNO's Center for Public Affairs Research, released Wednesday. Sarpy is the state's fastest growing county, followed by Johnson and Lancaster counties. But the rest of the state only grew by 900-residents from July 2008 to July 2009.

By Cheril Lee

Omaha, NE – Project Interfaith's Annual Architecture Tour goes to north Omaha this year.

The tour happens Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Executive Director Beth Katz says this year's theme is "Places of Worship in North Omaha." The tour will feature St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – Omaha Public Schools officials hope most of the 224 staff cuts coming next year will be made through attrition, resignations and leaving vacant positions unfilled.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Janice Garnett says right now that figure is preliminary. How many cuts are made through attrition or unfilled vacancies, and how many are layoffs, will ultimately be based on projected enrollment and budgets. Garnett says cuts will be across the board and proportional.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – March is colon cancer awareness month, and Creighton University plans to hold two seminars about the importance of being screened.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – A political science expert at the University of Nebraska-Omaha believes there won't be much short-term political fallout from the health care reform vote.

Randy Adkins is a Professor of Political Science at UNO. He says incumbents and voters are on the same side of the health care issue, according to recent public polls. Adkins says that's good for Nebraska's three U.S. Representatives, who are all seeking re-election.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – The Nebraska Business Development Center plans to create a new program for veterans and active duty military personnel interested in starting a small business.

NBDC State Director Bob Bernier says the $100,000 grant from the Small Business Administration will be used to establish a course on entrepreneurship. It'll be an online course, so active duty service members deployed in the Middle East or elsewhere can still take the class.

By Manuel Quinones, Capitol News Connection

Washington, D.C. – Nebraska Republicans are already thinking of ways to undercut the Democrats' health care legislation passed in the House last night.

Republicans have been trying for months to stop the Democrats' health care overhaul and they're not about to give up now.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – A $5.7 million grant is coming to Douglas County to encourage physical activity, healthy eating and obesity prevention initiatives.

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – A new report on wind energy development says 300,000 jobs could be created in that industry by 2025.

The Governors' Wind Energy Association released the report, titled "Great Expectations," earlier this week. The coalition of 29 Governors wants a national standard that ensures 25 percent of U.S. power comes from renewable sources by 2025.

By Cheril Lee

Omaha, NE – Artist Mel Chin will present a lecture at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts Friday evening.

Chin's lecture will focus on his current projects, including the Fundred Dollar Bill Project. It's centered on lead contamination clean-up efforts in New Orleans. Holly McAdams, Community Arts Program Manager for the Bemis Center, says Chin's projects are usually politically-charged and environmentally-engaged.