Flatwater Free Press

Reporting by Andrew Wegley and Sara Gentzler. Photos by Naomi Delkamiller.

Two Tyson workers. The school counselor and soccer coach. The hospital CEO. A business owner. A longtime Dawson County resident.

They’re all experiencing the fallout from the closure of Lexington’s biggest employer differently.

They explained, in their own words 🔗 buff.ly/Y5ZVwOj

A 103-year-old South Omaha steakhouse was this week named a James Beard America’s Classics restaurant, an honor that only one other restaurant in Nebraska has received.

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Reporting by Jeremy Turley.

New at Flatwater: Omaha’s streetcar was originally supposed to open in late 2026, but it’s likely the utility lines along the route won’t even be fully replaced by then. Behind the scenes, heated arguments between the city and MUD turned into delays.

Read more 🔗 buff.ly/k0JLQXp

In Flatwater's first-ever photo essay, Omaha photographer Abiola Kosoko went through over 100,000 images he had taken over the last 15 years to offer a look at Black life across Omaha.

See the full essay 🔗 buff.ly/SJSyqsE

Reporting by Natalia Alamdari.

This Nebraska company is supplying ICE with surveillance tech - Flatwater Free Press ICE signed a $2.3 million contract with Lincoln-based Penlink this past fall.

One tool lets law enforcement comb social media and the dark web for data. Another tracks cellphone movement. Meet the Nebraska company supplying ICE with surveillance tech:

🔗 buff.ly/zvxA9Ls

Reporting by Henry J. Cordes. Photo by Naomi Delkamiller.

The state paused efforts to strip companies of tax incentives under a get-tough-on-China law Gov. Jim Pillen pushed for.

The move came in the wake of reporting by Flatwater Free Press that revealed the widespread impact of the governor’s proposed incentives ban.

🔗 buff.ly/3Xqtwlz

Story by Kevin Warneke. Photos by Abiola Kosoko.

The house off of Florence Boulevard has come a long way — literally. Built 157 years ago as part of Fort Omaha, it later moved and was rumored to be the site of an illegal distilling operation. Now one man is working to preserve it.

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Reporting by Natalia Alamdari. Illustration by Hanscom Park Studio.

New at Flatwater: A Lincoln-based company got its start making software for police departments.

Now, it’s helping ICE track cellphones.

Read more 🔗 buff.ly/IB5qEbd

Reporting by Henry J. Cordes.

New at Flatwater: The state has paused efforts to strip companies of tax incentives under a get-tough-on-China law Gov. Jim Pillen pushed for. The move follows Flatwater reporting that revealed the law’s widespread impact.

🔗 buff.ly/iiqmvIq

An 1860s Omaha home is getting a second chance.

Tim Reeder, a real estate agent and president of Preserve Omaha, bought the house at 6327 Florence Blvd. in 2024. He has been gradually preserving the home, with one key goal:

🔗 buff.ly/wbJ79BA

Story by Tim Trudell

Nebraska’s kickoff of the nation’s 250th anniversary featured a “Founding Fathers” exhibit created by conservative nonprofit PragerU. Historians and Native American leaders see it as a missed opportunity. State officials said a Nebraska-specific exhibit is in development.

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Veteran Nebraska reporter Henry Cordes’ first story for the Flatwater Free Press. Photo by Naomi Delkamiller.

The tough-on-China law championed by Gov. Jim Pillen passed easily, with little debate. Now an unnoticed part of it threatens the state tax incentives of 55 companies operating in Nebraska, according to a Flatwater investigation. Why? Because they do business in China.

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Story by Leo Adam Biga.

Before 'The Godfather,' a Coppola film shot in Nebraska helped set the stage for a changing Hollywood - Flatwater Free Press Three films and a miniseries emerged from this Hollywood-Nebraska intersection, including a documentary about a rambunctious rodeo family.

Famed actor Robert Duvall, who died Sunday, was part of a star-studded contingent who made a movie in Ogallala in 1968. Three films and a miniseries emerged from this Hollywood-Nebraska intersection, including a documentary about a rambunctious rodeo family.

From our archives 🔗 buff.ly/9pRlwGN

Story by Emma Croteau.

As Minnesota ICE crackdown continues, detainees quietly transferred to Nebraska jails - Flatwater Free Press The unprecedented immigration sweeps in Minnesota over the past two months have landed at least 20 detained immigrants in an unexpected place: a Nebraska

Immigrants detained by ICE in Minnesota have been quietly transported to Nebraska jails — now, they’re challenging their detention in federal court.

Read why 🔗 buff.ly/Tb1MWiw

Story by Emily Wolf

Veteran Nebraska reporter Henry Cordes’ first story for the Flatwater Free Press.

Some companies in Nebraska are being labeled "foreign adversarial companies” by a new, little-understood state law meant to get tough on China.

It may put millions in state tax incentives, and jobs, at risk. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/A6jfKIW

New from Sarah Baker Hansen: West Omaha is home to more and more locally owned, chef driven fine dining spots. And now it's got a new, local, chef driven and darn tasty deli in J. Gorat's, off 203rd and Dodge: buff.ly/B0Bo9Yt

Story by Emma Croteau

More and more Nebraska businesses are selling hemp-derived cannabis products — often with THC levels that can produce the same psychoactive, intoxicating effects as marijuana. But a federal ban of intoxicating hemp products is set to take effect in November.

Read more 🔗 buff.ly/GluJlRH