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Pedaling across the country on the Journey of Hope, a team of cyclists is turning miles into miracles—raising funds and awareness for people with disabilities while forging deep, heartfelt connections along the way. Starting in San Francisco and heading to Washington D.C., they’re not just riding; they’re sharing meals, playing games, and celebrating inclusion in every town they visit. Riders like...

Five Omaha Educare centers are launching a bold new initiative with nonprofit Whispering Roots to teach kids and families how to grow, harvest, and cook their own food — turning gardening into a powerful tool against food insecurity. Starting with the basics — water, sun, soil — the program builds lifelong understanding of the food system, reduces waste, and encourages healthier eating. Families w...

The Benson Community Garden is getting a major upgrade with two new grants—installing a rainwater system by month’s end and launching a discovery center to reveal which plants thrive in our climate. Founded by Kurt Goetzinger, who once walked past this spot on his way to school in 1980, the garden is more than greenery—it’s a neighborhood connector. After pandemic isolation, it’s become a place wh...

A deadly crash in York County early Wednesday morning saw an SUV veer off the road and land directly on railroad tracks, where it was struck by a BNSF train. The driver, not from the area, was pronounced dead at the scene. No train passengers were injured, but investigators are urgently seeking witnesses to help determine how the vehicle ended up in such a perilous position. Listen in comfort: Get...

Severe storms are rolling in tonight with damaging winds and scattered small hail as the main threats—tornadoes are unlikely. Heavy rain (up to an inch) could hit the strongest cells, offering our best chance for rain before a brutal heat dome hits next week. A severe thunderstorm watch is active for Omaha until midnight. Storms are moving east from northeast Nebraska, with the main line expected...

Silver City, Iowa, is in crisis as residents face skyrocketing water bills, bizarre bleach-smelling water, and costly filters—all while aging infrastructure causes overflows and communication breakdowns. Despite a federal grant on the horizon, families are paying hundreds extra yearly to make water safe, raising urgent questions about long-term solutions for this small town’s essential services. L...

Governor Jim Pillen’s calling all state agencies to slash spending—no exceptions—as he pushes for fiscal discipline to protect hard-won tax cuts and ensure long-term budget balance, even with a surprise $50 million surplus from last year’s revenue. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, hig...

Omaha’s rolling out serious consequences for illegal dumping at recycling centers, installing camera towers and deploying a vigilant coordinator to catch scofflaws—fines up to $500 and even license suspensions are on the table for those who treat drop-off spots like personal trash bins. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advert...

A mural in North Omaha honoring local legends like Buddy Miles and Malcolm X got vandalized—but artists Menace and Resa, a traveling husband-and-wife duo living out of a converted bus, flew back from Queens to restore it. They’re on a mission to paint murals in all 50 U.S. states, having already completed 20. The city also added anti-graffiti coating to help protect it. For them, fixing it wasn’t...

South Omaha is lighting up with the groundbreaking of Plaza de la Raza — a $25 million cultural hub set to transform a vacant lot into an amphitheater, art installations, and green spaces for all. Designed to honor the neighborhood’s diverse roots, it’ll feature performance venues, kid-friendly zones, and shaded hangouts, drawing crowds from across the region. Funded by state grants, city, county,...

Nebraska’s GOP lawmakers are doubling down with Trump on Iran, rejecting congressional limits on military action as Iran’s ceasefire violations and nuclear ambitions demand tough pressure. Senators and reps like Ricketts and Smith blame Iran for attacks and inflammatory rhetoric, insisting aggression demands a harder line. But Democratic challenger Chris Backemeyer, a former Iran deal negotiator,...

Fifty years after the devastating 1976 Hotel Pathfinder explosion that killed 20 and injured 41, Fremont is honoring the victims and first responders with a powerful new exhibit. Curated by the Pathfinder Commemoration Committee, the display at the Fremont Area Art Association features rare historical artifacts and raw survivor interviews—collected by the committee’s late founder—bringing the trag...

Omaha’s immigration court is racing to clear a crushing backlog by holding “mega master” hearings—processing hundreds at once, often without lawyers. Judges are overwhelmed, dockets stretch to the street, and self-represented individuals struggle with missed notices and deportation threats. With recent Supreme Court rulings potentially triggering more deportations, the speed of these hearings leav...

One hundred baby care packages, packed with diapers, onesies, sleep sacks, and cozy handmade blankets, are headed to new families in North Omaha thanks to a heartwarming first-time partnership between Creighton Child Safety Center and Christ Child Society. Seniors from the Sazzy Seniors group aren’t just assembling boxes—they’re finding purpose and community through giving back, reflecting on how...

RAGBRAI is just weeks away, with thousands of cyclists hitting the road from Onawa to Dubuque, and emergency crews are on high alert. The University of Iowa is training EMS teams with realistic bike crash simulations to handle the surge in injuries, while firefighters stress the importance of rider responsibility to keep response teams effective. This coordinated prep aims to ensure a safe, smooth...

Fitness influencer Connor Murphy, 32, died in Thailand after reportedly jumping into a lake and drowning—his body found nearby with syringes and pills in his car. His 22-year-old girlfriend said his behavior was out of character and claimed the rental property was vandalized overnight. With over 2.7 million followers, Murphy was known for his extreme “looksmaxxing” body transformation content. Aut...

Former Nebraska wrestler A.J. Ferrari is facing serious charges after being arrested on a warrant for allegedly strangling and assaulting a pregnant woman — a case that’s already sparked legal drama, with his defense arguing he’s not a flight risk, but the judge disagreed, setting his bond at $20,000. His next court date is August 13th at 10 AM. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow:...

Creighton’s basketball team is already sprinting toward next season, even though it’s still four months away. With new head coach Alan Huss at the helm and eight fresh faces joining the six returning players, the team is deep in summer workouts, building chemistry and figuring out how everyone fits on the court. Key newcomers Wes Enis and BJ Davis are expected to energize the backcourt—Enis with h...

E. Jean Carroll is finally set to collect her $5.8 million judgment after a federal judge approved the payout, closing a major chapter in her long legal battle with Donald Trump — who was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a 1996 incident and again in a 2024 defamation trial. The Supreme Court’s refusal to review Trump’s appeal cleared the way, while his continued public statements re...

AJ Ferrari, former Nebraska wrestler, faces serious charges including strangulation of a pregnant woman, domestic violence assault, and false imprisonment, with prosecutors demanding a $250K bond. His defense argued for a lower bond, citing his public status and distance from the victim, leading to a 10% bond set at $25K with strict no-contact conditions. He’s next in court August 13th, amid ongoi...

Severe Storms Threaten Southwest | Omaha News

Gail Chapman’s lifelong love for Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls began in 1976 for America’s bicentennial—and has since blossomed into a vibrant, educational collection that spans generations. More than just a collector, she runs a “doll hospital,” restoring vintage dolls from thrift stores and online auctions, and even travels to connect with fellow enthusiasts and the granddaughter of the original cr...

Nebraska farmers battered by the March and April wildfires are finally getting federal relief — the USDA just approved a disaster declaration, unlocking emergency loan assistance through the Farm Service Agency. Governor Pillen’s swift request paid off, giving eligible growers in Garden, Grant, Lincoln, Morrill, and 17 neighboring counties a critical eight-month window to apply. Don’t wait — head...

Joseph’s College of Cosmetology is shutting down all its Nebraska campuses by July 31st due to rising costs and economic pressures. Owner Angie Meyer says she’s working on a plan to help students finish their programs and will share more details soon. Locations in Kearney and Scottsbluff are affected, and students are reeling from the sudden news. Meyer’s focus remains on ensuring students can sti...

Iowa’s first measles case of 2026 is here — and it’s a wake-up call. An adult in central Iowa, who was vaccinated, contracted the virus after international travel. Health officials are urgently tracing contacts and listing specific locations in Des Moines, Webster City, and Altoona — including Dollar General, Family Dollar, and churches — where exposure may have occurred between early July and now...