Greater Omaha Chamber President & CEO Heath Mello closes out the year with a frank and very candid conversation about public skepticism regarding the streetcar. Plus, a lot of interesting information on the Urban Core Strategic Plan , where Omaha will be next year - and at the end of the decade. OMAPOD will return with new episodes on the morning of Monday, January 6th, 2025. Have a great holiday season and HAPPY NEW YEAR! ALSO… * Pillen to spend pre-Christmas in hospital after being bucked ...
Dec 23, 2024•45 min
Noe Ramirez is a stand-up comedian and comedy show producer . ALSO… * OPPD board approves 6.3% average rate increase - from Omaha World-Herald * Nebraska, propelled by international migration, surpasses the 2 million population mark - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha family shares fight to get a medical robotic arm for teenage daughter - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 20, 2024•20 min
Bree Kalhorn is a stand-up comedian and improviser - for information and tickets to “The Roast of 2024” show, click here . ALSO… * Court documents: Gun used in accidental fatal shooting of 6-year-old Omaha girl was unsecured - from Omaha World-Herald * Lawmakers look at what works, what doesn’t among NE housing programs and incentives - from Nebraska Examiner * Family of Jack Hoffman praying for miracle after new tumors found - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 19, 2024•15 min
Bree Kalhorn is a stand-up comedian and improviser - for information and tickets to “The Roast of 2024” show, click here . To hear the Monopoly - Omaha Edition suggestions OMAPOD episode, click here . ALSO… * City of Omaha, Crossroads developers to close $38.8 million land deal at former mall site - from Omaha World-Herald * Vaccination rates continue to decline for Nebraska school children - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha City Council passes Climate Action and Resiliency Plan - from KETV Get fu...
Dec 18, 2024•20 min
Dan Osborn is a Navy Vet, Union Guy, a Steamfitter & Industrial Mechanic and a Lifelong Independent. For more information on Dan’s Working Class Heroes Fund, click here . To listen to the first part of Dan’s OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Inmate who fatally shot man for waving at girlfriend dies in Omaha Correctional Center - from Omaha World-Herald * Plane passenger is sentenced in Omaha after yelling ‘God is real’ and scuffling with flight crew - from Nebraska Examiner * Former Om...
Dec 17, 2024•18 min
Dan Osborn is a Navy Vet, Union Guy, a Steamfitter & Industrial Mechanic and a Lifelong Independent. For more information on Dan’s Working Class Heroes Fund, click here . To listen to the first part of Dan’s OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Immigrant advocates criticize Pillen’s pledge to follow Trump on deportations - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha firefighters battle large fire in apartment - from KETV * OPD received nearly 800 calls during the ice storm - from KMTV Get full access ...
Dec 16, 2024•20 min
Dan Osborn is a Navy Vet, Union Guy, a Steamfitter & Industrial Mechanic and a Lifelong Independent. For more information on Dan’s Working Class Heroes Fund, click here . ALSO… * One of Omaha’s tallest buildings to be converted to housing - from Omaha World-Herald * Pillen, lawmakers celebrate new laws for Nebraska National Guard recruitment and retention - from Nebraska Examiner * A glimpse into electronic GPS monitoring of Nebraska juveniles - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.oma...
Dec 13, 2024•20 min
Watie White is a painter, printmaker and public artist . ALSO… * ‘Bridging the gap’: Department of Justice mediates discussion with LULAC, Omaha police - from KETV * 2 children, 2 adults hospitalized after apartment fire in Omaha’s Aksarben neighborhood - from Omaha World-Herald * Rural Nebraska crash victims say the same man was waiting for them after separate wrecks - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 12, 2024•19 min
After 21 years country dance club ‘Guitars and Cadillacs’ is reopening in Omaha , reports KMTV. ALSO… * Housing project for combat-injured veterans gains Omaha City Council approval - from Omaha World-Herald * Police investigating robbery of armored vehicle outside Omaha library - from WOWT * Fortenberry seeks two-month delay of re-trial to wait for Trump Justice Department - from Nebraska Examiner Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 11, 2024•9 min
Update on Light the World Giving Machine returning to Omaha in December … Vending machines that dispense healthcare items installed across Omaha + Omaha bar installs vending machine that dispenses contraceptives, pregnancy tests , reports WOWT ALSO… * Nebraska governor’s priorities shift focus from spending and tax changes - from Nebraska Examiner * No bond for teen charged in deadly shooting: Prosecutors say victim was arguing with teen’s mother - from KETV * Omaha Streetcar 2024 Recap: More ut...
Dec 10, 2024•14 min
Watie White is a painter, printmaker and public artist . ALSO… * Omaha’s Howard L. Hawks leaves legacies in higher education, business and philanthropy - from Omaha World-Herald * Rep. Jim Jordan’s letter questions former NE Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s prosecution - from Nebraska Examiner * Elkhorn Public Schools proposes boundary changes for elementary schools - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 09, 2024•20 min
Watie White is a painter, printmaker and public artist . For information on his ‘One Degree of Separation’ art show and reception tonight from 5:30 - 9:00 at The Joslyn Castle Carriage House, click here . ALSO… * Omaha City Council member Aimee Melton will seek reelection in 2025 - from Omaha World-Herald * 2nd Omaha teen gang member sentenced in 2021 murder with high-powered rifle - from WOWT * UNO Goodrich Scholarship Program alum and wife establish program’s first endowed professorship - from...
Dec 06, 2024•20 min
To check out Spotify’s 2024 ‘Wrapped’, click here . ALSO… * ‘Victimizing vulnerable people’: OPD and DCSO working to combat cryptocurrency scams - from KETV * City selling once-vibrant North Omaha building, looking to offload more empty lots - from WOWT * Gwen’s Gift prepares for sixth year; bringing holiday joy to memory care residents - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 05, 2024•20 min
MAHA Festival returning in 2025! Combining forces with Outlandia What could take the festival to the next level? OMAPOD has the answer! ALSO… * Nebraska’s Offutt Air Force Base gets new 95th Wing next year - from Nebraska Examiner * ‘Beyond humbled and surprised’: UNO Chancellor named Woman of the Year at Inspire Awards - from Omaha World-Herald * New data from MAPA shows top traffic concerns in Omaha - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 04, 2024•16 min
Man behind Nebraska’s ‘Lil’ Red’ remembered by family, community , reports WOWT Nebraska defensive lineman reportedly plans to enter transfer portal , reports KETV ALSO… * Omaha City Councilmember Brinker Harding will seek reelection in spring 2025 - from Omaha World-Herald * Fewer voters turned away under new Nebraska voter ID law than in similar states - from Nebraska Examiner * Vending machines that dispense healthcare items installed across Omaha - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www....
Dec 03, 2024•15 min
For more information on Giving Tuesday and SHARE Omaha, click here . ALSO… * From youth clubs to the pros: Why volleyball continues to grow in Nebraska - from KETV * First free outdoor ice skating rink opens in west Omaha - from KMTV * Linking Lincoln and Omaha with a hike-bike trail enters a new phase - from Nebraska Examiner Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Dec 02, 2024•7 min
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! ALSO… * OPD Chief Todd Schmaderer shares plan to continue progress in policing - from WOWT * NEGOP Chair concerned new political action committees are acting as “Shadow GOP” and confusing supporters - from KMTV * CHI Health celebrates opening of new donor care unit at Bergen Mercy - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 27, 2024•16 min
South Omaha rat infestation has Douglas County Health Department seeking help , reports the Omaha World-Herald . ALSO… * Douglas County gets federal grant to improve juvenile justice, must create strategic plan - from KETV * Google: 2024 capital investment in NE is $930M, for a five-year tally of $4.4B - from Nebraska Examiner * Historic downtown buildings to be redeveloped apartments, affordability questioned - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 26, 2024•10 min
Nonprofit looking for artists to create memorial for Omaha community organizer , reports WOWT. For more information on the Kali Baker Memorial Call for Public Art, click here . ALSO… * Omaha man serving sentence after crash dies in Nebraska State Penitentiary - from Omaha World-Herald * Blind community takes to the ice on the Lancers’ home ice - from KETV * Omaha Mayor’s office holds community presentation on homeless response - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 25, 2024•13 min
OPPD board approves salary increase, hears discussion on proposed rate increases , reports WOWT. ALSO… * ‘Streetcar named disaster’: Mike McDonnell, Mayor Jean Stothert spar to start 2025 mayoral election - from KETV * Omaha Police investigates fourth shooting involving an officer since August - from KMTV * Newly retired, Omaha radio personality Otis Twelve turns to new chapter in his ‘strange story’ - from Flatwater Free Press Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 22, 2024•10 min
Nebraska state auditor questions Secretary of State trade mission spending , reports KETV. Read the full report here . ALSO… * State Senator Mike McDonnell to announce Omaha mayoral bid - from Omaha World-Herald * Rountree wins close Sarpy County seat in final Nebraska Legislative race to be decided - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha community remembers Millard West graduate and star-athlete - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 21, 2024•14 min
Brian Joseph is an investigative journalist and the author of Vegas Concierge . For more information about the book, click here . To buy the book, click here . To listen to Part I of Brian’s OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Former Senate candidate Dan Osborn launches new PAC - from Omaha World-Herald * Omaha mayoral veto sticks, so City Council now to reopen talks on updated electrical code - from Nebraska Examiner * PACE Omaha approved for second round of funding two years after scandal ...
Nov 20, 2024•14 min
Brian Joseph is an investigative journalist and the author of Vegas Concierge . For more information about the book, click here . To buy the book, click here . ALSO… * Spivey wins key northeast Omaha legislative race - from Nebraska Examiner * CHI Health Center to start expansion in January, targets 2027 completion - from KETV * 40% of Omaha Public School students are chronically absent from class - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 19, 2024•19 min
Billie Eilish fans camp outside CHI Health Center before concert , reported WOWT. ALSO… * Streetcar officials get a taste of what’s to come after sold-out Billie Eilish show - from KETV * Family of Omaha-born Malcolm X files $100M lawsuit, alleges FBI, CIA, NYPD had role in murder - from Nebraska Examiner * Midtown Merry Market kicks off the holiday season for shoppers and small businesses - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 18, 2024•10 min
Rusty Lord’s WOWT Winter Weather Outlook Segment . Bill Randby’s KETV Winter Weather Outlook Segment. ALSO… * Omaha mayor vetoes electrical code, says City Council version is counter to affordable housing - from Nebraska Examiner * Nebraska small businesses asking questions on how to implement paid sick leave; organization plans to work with state senators on tweaks - from KETV * Extremely rare program, state of the art care coming with Omaha Zoo’s hospital - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD ...
Nov 15, 2024•11 min
Omaha native actor bringing bright lights of Hollywood to Nebraska , reports WOWT. Omaha Meets Hollywood: Timothy Christian’s Mission to Bring Big Film to the Heartland , from Omaha Magazine. ALSO… * ‘So much time’: Douglas County details tedious provisional ballot process - from KETV * Affordable housing concerns sparked by Omaha’s electrical code update - from Nebraska Examiner * Whooping couch cases rise sharply in Douglas County, up in neighboring counties - from Omaha World-Herald Get full ...
Nov 14, 2024•12 min
Nebraska AG files lawsuit against social media influencer, alleging dropshipping, e-commerce scam , reports WOWT. To see this year’s Nebraska America Pageant Queens, click here . Omaha man accused of skimming cards at gas stations to sell diesel fuel , reports KETV. ALSO… * ‘Distinct honor’: Nebraska’s Herbster possible candidate for Trump cabinet job - from KETV * 88-year-old Council Bluffs Uber driver receives military medal after 70 years - from KMTV * City of Omaha picks out official Christm...
Nov 13, 2024•16 min
Nebraska lawmakers express dismay over low return on cash investments by state agency , reports Paul Hammel of the Nebraska Examiner yesterday. Sheriff begins impounding cars, seizing phones of suspected Omaha street racers , reports Brian Mastre of WOWT. So… Could there be one solution to both of these important issues? Well… Click play to discover the incredible answer… ALSO… * $8.3M in federal community development block grants awarded to 18 NE communities - from Nebraska Examiner * ‘We hope ...
Nov 12, 2024•15 min
Sheriff orders crackdown on street racing around Omaha metro , reported WOWT at the end of October. The Douglas County Sheriff has been posting cars that have been impounded recently on social media. But are the punishments enough? OMAPOD revs up some accelerated punishment concepts. ALSO… * Gov. Pillen asks Nebraska lawmakers to overhaul school aid formula in 2025 - from Nebraska Examiner * Veteran families remember loved ones at Omaha National Cemetery - from KETV * Papillion police offer safe...
Nov 11, 2024•9 min
Teen elected to Mills County Board of Supervisors promises to ‘shake up the system’ - reports KETV… ALSO… * Grand jury finds no criminal conduct in Omaha police shooting of unarmed Cameron Ford - from Omaha World-Herald * Lawmakers probe special education, ‘option enrollment’ among Nebraska school districts - from Nebraska Examiner * Downtown Omaha, primed for growth, recovers quicker than peers - from Flatwater Free Press Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Nov 08, 2024•9 min
