OMAPOD

Lavetti Vegas has bars… and jokes… and always brings his ‘A’ game… ALSO… * Decades-old Omaha tradition ‘Septemberfest’ will not return in 2024 - from WOWT * Crossroads project to stall until 2025, developers request more TIF funds - from KETV * Volunteers clean up trash in Omaha parks as part of Earth Day celebration - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe

Watie White is a painter, printmaker and public artist . ALSO… * Regents greenlight UNMC residence hall plan for medical students - from Nebraska Examiner * New rule: Nebraska parole board must show up for most parole hearings - from Flatwater Free Press * Lost Pets of Omaha Area reaches goal for a new thermal imaging drone to help find pets faster - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omap...

Heather Jones is a popular stand-up comedian, multi-talented artist and magic fan. ALSO… * Nebraska lawmakers adjourn, but break will be short-lived as special session looms - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha boxer Steven Nelson arrested in connection with shooting that injured teen - from Omaha World-Herald * Sexual harassment allegations against CEO plunge Omaha education agency into turmoil - fro...

Joslyn Castle’s Special Events Manager Meg Welch tells us all about tonight’s really special event: the first of this season’s Art Walk ’s! There’s also an announcement on one of the booth’s - you’ll never guess which podcast they gave one to tonight! ALSO… * Omaha bartender stabbed while trying to remove customer - from Omaha World-Herald * Douglas County plans to build new acute mental health ce...

SHARE Omaha Executive Director Teresa Mardesen has some great ideas on how we can spend and celebrate the upcoming National Volunteer Week here locally. ALSO… * Sen. Ricketts funds competing abortion ban petition effort - from Nebraska Examiner * Gold touts UNMC growth as he seeks to become NU president - from Omaha World-Herald * Omaha police investigating body found at burned body in midtown - f...

NMotion powered by gener8tor Managing Principal Scott Henderson offers us insight on the problem - and the problem behind the problem… And a lot of good information on the upcoming NMotion Pitch Contest ! ALSO… * Mayor vetoes parking ordinance passed by city council fining people who park in yards - from KETV * OPS teachers would get 2-hour late-start ‘improvement days’ in new calendar proposal -...

Watie White is a painter, printmaker and public artist . Check out Watie’s portraits at The Joslyn Castle during one of the public tours . ALSO… * Democrats investing more in Vargas during Bacon-Frei GOP Primary fight in NE-02 - from Nebraska Examiner * 3 Douglas County deputies injured during arrest of Omaha fugitive - from Omaha World-Herald * New data shows thousands of grads leaving Nebraska -...

For more information on JAG Nebraska, check out JAGNebraska.org . Janelle Duray is President & CEO of the national JAG organization. ALSO… * More than 100 bills sent to Pillen for approval in legislative voting spree - from Nebraska Examiner * Bacon’s House panel seeks 15% military enlisted payment boost, higher housing allowance - from Omaha World-Herald * Disgraced Omaha ex-police officer will s...

Janelle Duray is President and CEO of the national JAG program. For more information on the JAG Nebraska program, check out JAGNebraska.org . ALSO… * Newest version of ‘opportunity scholarship’ program sent to final-round consideration - from Nebraska Examiner * Developers showcase progress on North Omaha redevelopment project - from Omaha World-Herald * Omaha’s ‘No Cruising’ signs: A rarely enfor...

Nebraska Examiner story on Trump v. Brewer (allegedly). The Hill on Defending Democracy Together up in Omaha . Gov. Pillen’s tweet last night. ALSO… * State lawmakers advance bill to hold Omaha housing authority more accountable - from WOWT * Omaha city council votes to criminalize parking on lawns - from Omaha World-Herald * Google Fiber sets up office in downtown as it builds a high-speed intern...

Lavetti Vegas loves good barbecue, good stories & a good crowd… ALSO… * First early ballots mailed out in Nebraska’s first election with voter ID - from Nebraska Examiner * Warren Buffett now No. 6 on Forbes’ billionaires list - from Omaha World-Herald * Douglas County field appraisers set to secure permission to carry pepper spray - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe

For information on the Branched Oak Observatory Eclipse Viewing Party, click here . For information on Jayme Sandberg’s book, click here . ALSO… * NU leaders ponder bold changes, cuts and mergers to compete - from Omaha World-Herald * Bathroom, sports team restrictions fall short in Nebraska Legislature - from Nebraska Examiner * Arizona grand jury indicts suspect in Gretna man’s murder - from KET...

Check out Jeffrey Koterba’s Patreon here . ALSO… * John Ewing Jr. a self-described ‘nuts and bolts guy’ will run for Omaha mayor - from Omaha World-Herald * Pillen’s office, industry groups crafted bill easing ag permitting process, emails show - from Flatwater Free Press * Bill advanced to finance development of ‘Good Life’ retail districts with little debate - from Nebraska Examiner Get full acc...

Tyler Walsh is back in the saddle for another ride… ALSO… * Nebraska effort to revive winner-take-all might be lost for 2024 presidential race - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha non-profits in need of volunteers after recent decline - from WOWT * State senator Mike McDonnell switches to Republican party - from Omaha World-Herald Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe

Erin Clough concludes our conversation on her recent victory at The Funny Bone’s ‘Clash of the Comics’ show… ALSO… * City of Omaha to pay nearly $300,000 to settle sexual harassment lawsuit - from KETV * Omaha woman gets prison, fine for defrauding two state agencies and federal loan program - from Nebraska Examiner * Public mixed on criminalizing parking on lawns in Omaha - from Omaha World-Heral...

Bree Kalhorn returns! And she brings some very serious suggestions on the forthcoming Monopoly - Omaha Edition bored board game. If you have your own suggestions, e-mail them to: omaha@toptrumps.com ALSO… * Omaha police identify officers involved in dog shooting - from Omaha World-Herald * NE business center names four top performers, but did one have a little help from above? - from Nebraska Exam...

Erin Clough helps us celebrate April Fools’ Day. ALSO… * Omaha man sentenced for fraud in inflating claims for COVID-19 aid - part of nation’s largest case of fraud - from Nebraska Examiner * Nebraska Humane Society names longtime leader as new CEO - from KMTV * Global market, food court coming to South Omaha - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe

Assistant Director Stewart Giddings concludes our conversation on YouTurn’s mission … ALSO… * Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr. will run for Omaha mayor - from Omaha World-Herald * Dan Osborn says he has the signatures needed to reach Nebraska’s fall ballot as a U.S. Senate candidate - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha’s Blackstone District set to welcome new barbecue joint, Momo Station moves...

John Paul - Joslyn Castle’s Community Engagement Liaison - fills us in on the exciting new developments taking place as the new Castle & Cathedral Creative District begins to take shape . ALSO… * City of Omaha, police union, sheriff concerned with 911 hire - from KETV * Lawmakers advance Nebraska age verification bill for porn - from Nebraska Examiner * Google Fiber starts servicing its first Omah...

Check out Jeffrey Koterba’s Patreon for a cool making-of video on this Apple & Garland cartoon that we talk about in this episode. ALSO… * Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert says granting her a fourth term would keep the city ‘moving forward’ - from Omaha World-Herald * Nebraska lawmakers advance inland port bill that seeks more public input in North Omaha development - from Nebraska Examiner * Nebraska au...

Tyler Walsh - 84.6K follow his TikTok - loves meat snacks, rodeo and doing comedy… ALSO… * New arts designation in midtown Omaha could transform the neighborhood: ‘It’s a big deal’ - from Omaha World-Herald * Fundraising for Omaha’s new central library surpasses $158 million goal - from Nebraska Examiner * Gretna property owners and mayor see potential in Good Life District, though concerned about...

Jeffrey Koterba is a syndicated editorial cartoonist, artist, writer, radio host, teacher, consultant, creative coach… and coffee drinker. Check out his Patreon here . ALSO… * Anonymous surrender option removed from Newborn Safe Haven Act bill - from KETV * Omaha man wanted for allegedly threatening Douglas County judge found dead - from WOWT * Nebraska Appleseed receives $1 million from philanthr...

Screenwriter Christine Burright concludes our conversation on the script writing process and the unique project she’s developing right now. ALSO… * Students blindsided after OPS announcement eliminating alternative pathway - from KETV * ‘Huge’ Nebraska plan to cut property taxes, raise sales tax - from Omaha World-Herald * Advocates for improved mental health care predict ‘consequences’ from $15 m...

Daisy Curtis of The Funny Bone gives us some insider information on their ‘ Clash of the Comics ’ show tonight… and a big announcement is made, too! ALSO… * Facing a filibuster, sponsor of ‘Newborn Safe Haven’ bill agrees to drop use of ‘baby boxes’ - from Nebraska Examiner * Fans from around the country come to Omaha for the first round of March Madness - from KMTV * Man tells story of tussle wit...

MarQ Manner - of the Omaha Buzz Substack - takes us from Paisley Park with Prince, to an Iowa cornfield with James Brown...to Blue Moon Ghetto in Benson. ALSO… * New Nebraska petition aims to ban abortion after first trimester - from WOWT * Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff visits Omaha, comments on what he calls Trump’s ‘antisemitic’ statement - from KMTV * U.S. Census chief visits NE, touts value of...