Flatwater Free Press

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.

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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.

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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:

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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

Story by Emily Wolf

Dozens of people detained as part of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota have been transported to an unlikely holding facility: a Nebraska county jail.

Lawyers have argued that shipping detainees across state lines makes it harder to provide adequate legal representation.

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Story by Sara Gentzler

In Lexington, laid-off Tyson employees lined up as early as 2 a.m. trying to get financial assistance. The turnout overwhelmed local nonprofits tasked with helping. Now, the local Community Foundation has paused its efforts to distribute aid money as funds dwindle.

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The University of Nebraska is set to take full ownership of Nebraska Medicine for $800M. The announcement in January and the ensuing opposition kicked off a wave of headlines, but what is really going on? FFP Reporter Destiny Herbers helps explain:

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Reporting by Jeremy Turley. Photo by Naomi Delkamiller.

The Omaha Housing Authority hasn’t filed evictions in seven months as it sues over a new state law. A few tenants are threatening staff and committing crimes, staff told Flatwater. They still live in OHA housing.

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Story by Tim McMahan.

London-born indie musician Cornelia Murr traded city life for Red Cloud, Nebraska. She spent a year renovating a century-old house and turned it into a recording space.

“Everyone was so kind and friendly compared to everywhere else I’d ever lived,” Murr said.

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Story by Greg Echlin. Photo by Liz McCue.

New at Flatwater: Curt Tomasevicz fulfilled his dream of playing football for the Huskers. Then, he became the first American in 6 decades to win an Olympic gold medal … in bobsledding.

The improbable story of Nebraska’s most-decorated bobsledder 🔗 buff.ly/DJjq832

Reporting by Sara Gentzler. Photos by Naomi Delkamiller and Brian Neben for the Flatwater Free Press and Paul Pack/KRVN.