Jody Holston is the Executive Director of Front Porch Investments . Angela Smith is Senior Director of Spark . For more information and tickets to the Reignite2Unite Development Symposium discussed in this episode, click here . To listen to the first part of Jody’s OMAPOD appearance: click here for part one, click here for part two. To see OMAPOD mentioned and quoted in The Washington Post - click here . ALSO… * Omaha city election recap: John Ewing Jr.’s historic victory, city council races, an...
May 14, 2025•20 min
Ryan Reed is a project manager for a historic preservation consulting firm. For more information from The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, click here . For more information on Preserve Omaha , click here . ALSO… * Nebraska’s $11 billion budget for 2025-27 advances to final round with $1.1 million to spare - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha mayoral race takes national politics, culture war twist in final weeks of race - from KETV * Chino the sea lion, a crowd favorite at...
May 13, 2025•20 min
Check out the 2025 OMA Tourism Awards winners here . ALSO… * Omaha City Council candidates make final push before Tuesday election - from KETV * Creighton University announces plan to construct quadrangle - from WOWT * Corgis dash for a cause at annual Omaha Corgi Races - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
May 12, 2025•11 min
Yanqi Xu is Senior Investigative Reporter for the Flatwater Free Press . To read the story discussed in this episode, click here . To listen to the Yanqi’s first OMAPOD appearance: click here for part one; click here for part two . ALSO… * Effort to let largest Nebraska cities consolidate elections will include Lincoln - from Nebraska Examiner * A fellow Chicago native, Omaha’s new archbishop offers support for new pope - from WOWT * $43M Omaha apartment project becomes like an unexpected archae...
May 09, 2025•20 min
Jeremy Turley is Omaha Investigative Reporter for the Flatwater Free Press . To read Jeremy’s story discussed in this episode, click here . To hear Jeremy’s previous OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Prosecutors say fatal shooting of 35-year-old man a ‘murder-for-hire’ case; suspects denied bond - from KETV * Nebraska attorney general steps up medical cannabis opposition, regulatory bill awaits debate - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha native among US cardinals who will vote for the next pop...
May 08, 2025•20 min
“ As Buffett Steps Down, Omaha Is Grateful - and a Little Worried ,” reports the Wall Street Journal So how will the shareholders meeting maintain relevancy? OMAPOD has ideas! ALSO… * Nebraska lawmakers debate budget-balancing maneuvers late into the night, advance key spending bill - from Nebraska Examiner * Meeting over southeast Nebraska’s Mopac Trail project becomes contentious - from WOWT * CB council votes ‘no’ on resolution for future sale of city-owned golf course - from KMTV Get full ac...
May 07, 2025•20 min
Jean Stothert is the 51st Mayor of Omaha. For more information about her campaign, click here . The Omaha mayoral general election is Tuesday, May 13th. To listen to Mayor Stothert’s first part on the 2025 mayoral general election, click here , for the second part, click here . To listen to Mayor Stothert’s controversial first OMAPOD appearance: click here for Part I, click here for Part II, and here for Part III. ALSO… * Omaha arts organizations face federal grant cuts after Friday night emails...
May 06, 2025•19 min
Jean Stothert is the 51st Mayor of Omaha. For more information about her campaign, click here . The Omaha mayoral general election is Tuesday, May 13th. To listen to Mayor Stothert’s first part on the 2025 mayoral general election, click here . To listen to Mayor Stothert’s controversial first OMAPOD appearance: click here for Part I, click here for Part II, and here for Part III. ALSO… * Trump seeks to end fed funding of public media; Nebraska Public Media says order ‘limits’ them - from Nebras...
May 05, 2025•20 min
Jean Stothert is the 51st Mayor of Omaha. For more information about her campaign, click here . The Omaha mayoral general election is Tuesday, May 13th. To listen to Mayor Stothert’s controversial first OMAPOD appearance: click here for Part I, click here for Part II, and here for Part III. ALSO… * Nebraska U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and national Republicans scoff at Dem candidates for 2026 - from Nebraska Examiner * ‘We are all in this together’: May Day Strong protesters gather at Omaha City Hall ami...
May 02, 2025•20 min
“ The Best Advice I’ve Ever Heard for How to Be Happy ,” reports the New York Times ALSO… * Bill advances to slow annual increases to Nebraska minimum wage - from Nebraska Examiner * Habitat for Humanity, local developer brings mixed-income housing to Elkhorn - from WOWT * Planned Aksarben rowhouses underscore conversation about Omaha’s future aesthetic - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
May 01, 2025•16 min
“ Warren Buffett’s successor is a deal-making business whiz who never misses his son’s hockey games ,” reports the Omaha World-Herald “ ‘Like a maze’: New traffic pattern causing confusion ,” reports KETV ALSO… * First new anchor tenant identified for long-awaited Omaha Crossroads makeover - from Nebraska Examiner * ‘We’re not giving up’: Johnny’s Cafe’s taxes increase threefold from recent property valuation - from KETV * Resident voices concerns as developer plans six houses at 56th and France...
Apr 30, 2025•12 min
For more information and tickets to Preserve Omaha Presents: The House That Magic Built, click here . For the My Omaha Obsession piece about “The House of Mystery” - 3316 Center St., click here . ALSO… * Court documents detail 2013 Child endangerment conviction for mother of children found in van - from KETV * Greater Omaha Chamber joins coalition advocating for federal research funding - from KMTV * ‘De facto ban’ of most ‘synthetic’ consumable hemp products in Nebraska advances - from Nebraska...
Apr 29, 2025•9 min
The HEAL Utah Walk Audit Toolkit referenced in this episode, here . ALSO… * KETV Mayoral Debate: Stothert, Ewing disagree on Stothert’s tenure as mayor - from KETV * U.S. Rep. Don Bacon considers retirement, a Nebraska lawmaker interested in running for his seat - from Nebraska Examiner * Former Omaha Northwest baseball coach Bill Olson dies at age 85 - from Omaha World-Herald Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Apr 28, 2025•13 min
“ Omaha area survey shows better pay, transit and housing options are keys to curbing ‘brain drain,’ ” reports Nebraska Examiner . ALSO… * ‘This is public safety’: Congressman Mike Flood says weather balloons will begin to launch again out of Valley - from KETV * Was a candidate for a top state job ‘rejected’ or not? - from Nebraska Examiner * One year after Elkhorn and Minden tornados, OPPD and Mid-American workers reflect on front-line work - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.c...
Apr 25, 2025•16 min
Jessie Coffey is Director, Whole Child Program from the Office of Coordinated Student Support Services for the State of Nebraska Department of Education. For more information on the Nebraska Farm to School program that’s discussed on this episode, click here . To follow Nebraska Farm to School on Instagram, click here . For more information on ‘Beanstock,’ click here . ALSO… * Woman booked on attempted murder charge after shots fired in Council Bluffs - from WOWT * Conflict arises during debate ...
Apr 24, 2025•20 min
Tamara Dwyer is the Homeless Services Coordinator for the City of Omaha. Robert McWilliams is a resident of Omaha’s tiny home community, The Cottages . To listen to the first part of their OMAPOD appearance, click here ; to listen to the second part, click here . ALSO… * Classmates, loved ones mourn loss of 16-year-old girl killed in Omaha crash - from WOWT * Lawsuit against an Omaha club now includes a wrongful death allegation - from KETV * Goodwill turns plastic bags into composite wood in ne...
Apr 23, 2025•19 min
Tamara Dwyer is the Homeless Services Coordinator for the City of Omaha. Robert McWilliams is a resident of Omaha’s tiny home community, The Cottages . To listen to the first part of their OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Gun that accidentally killed 3-year-old Omaha girl was allegedly kept under couch cushion - from Omaha World-Herald * Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine: Release of homicide by child neglect suspect is exasperating - from KETV * Omaha Catholics mourn the death of Pope Fr...
Apr 22, 2025•20 min
Tamara Dwyer is the Homeless Services Coordinator for the City of Omaha. Robert McWilliams is a resident of Omaha’s tiny home community, The Cottages . ALSO… * Man arrested after 3-year-old Omaha girl dies in accidental shooting - from Omaha World-Herald * Omaha man sentenced for deadly hit-and-run - from KETV * South Omaha silos to be replaced with new apartments; town hall planned to share project details - from KMTV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Apr 21, 2025•20 min
Angie Lauritsen is State Director of Nebraska For Us . To listen to yesterday’s episode with Angie on the Nebraska For Us CD2 Town Hall, click here . To listen to the first part of Angie’s first OMAPOD appearance, click here ; for the second, click here . ALSO… * Election 2025: Watch the Omaha mayoral debate - from WOWT * Medical marijuana regulatory bill likely dead in Nebraska after committee splits vote - from KETV * Habitat for Humanity CEO recognized at Omaha conference that drew nearly 3,0...
Apr 18, 2025•19 min
Angie Lauritsen is State Director of Nebraska For Us . To listen to the first part of Angie’s first OMAPOD appearance, click here ; for the second, click here . ALSO… * Plans for a 20 acre development project at 30th and Dodge called ‘The Stitch’ announced - from KMTV * Former state GOP chair says he insisted campaign mailer be ‘accurate’ - from Nebraska Examiner * Omaha small business hit with $1,100 tariff bill - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Apr 17, 2025•20 min
“ Hacked crosswalks in the Bay Area claim to be Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, ” reports KCRA… ALSO… * Investigation reveals ICE doing welfare checks on unaccompanied, undocumented children in Omaha - from KETV * Gov. Jim Pillen announces resignation of Nebraska’s public health director - from Nebraska Examiner * ‘Being Perfect’: Council Bluffs golfer makes Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Apr 16, 2025•12 min
“ Major Development Could Be Coming To Council Bluffs Riverfront ,” reports Grow Omaha . ALSO… * Nebraska auditor details ‘staggering’ impact of corporate tax incentives on state budget options - from Nebraska Examiner * A colorful Metro bus driving around Omaha? This Bennington student designed it - from Omaha World-Herald * Goodwill stores in Omaha metro hit by series of burglaries, authorities search for suspects - from WOWT Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Apr 15, 2025•12 min
“ Marketers for top U.S. destinations are trumpeting a reminder to Canadians amid a dive in tourism …” reports Politico . OMAPOD provides some surefire viral ways Omaha and Nebraska can generate some publicity that will appeal to Canadian - and other international tourists - right now. ALSO… * One killed, one injured in shooting at North Omaha apartment building - from WOWT * Omaha teens set up hammock at megastore to try to steal after close, Douglas County sheriff says - from KETV * DOGE cuts ...
Apr 14, 2025•12 min
Lauren Bates is host of the Sustainably LB podcast & co-founder of Swap Omaha . Listen to Lauren’s previous OMAPOD Podpourri episode here . OMAPOD on the Fontenelle Forest website here . ALSO… * Lawmakers approve no longer issuing front-facing license plates in Nebraska by 2029 - from Nebraska Examiner * Amid shortage, Council Bluffs proposes selling historic golf club for more housing - from KMTV * Trump endorses Sen. Ricketts, slams Dan Osborn on Truth Social - from WOWT Get full access to...
Apr 11, 2025•19 min
Lindsay Decker is CEO of Avenue Scholars . For more information, and to get involved with or donate to Avenue Scholars, click here . To listen to the first part of Lindsay’s OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Sen. Ricketts stands by Trump tariff plans, won’t sign onto Sen. Grassley’s bill - from WOWT * $45M youth complex, said to include Omaha’s largest basketball facility, poised to open in late 2026 - from Nebraska Examiner * ‘$460,000 scammed in past year and a half’: Council Bluffs figh...
Apr 10, 2025•19 min
Lindsay Decker is CEO of Avenue Scholars . For more information, and to get involved with or donate to Avenue Scholars, click here . ALSO… * Nebraska ‘winner-take-all’ bill fails after first-round debate - from WOWT * Omaha Police Officers Association alleges city violated state law, ‘failed to adequately address police shortage’ - from KETV * State auditor details ‘disturbing’ spending within nonprofit serving Nebraskans with disabilities - from Nebraska Examiner Get full access to OMAPOD at ww...
Apr 09, 2025•20 min
Matt Banta is a singer-songwriter and founding member of bands Blue Moon Ghetto, Thousand Houses & Space To Play , and is co-founder of the new Omaha Music Group record label. Space To Play is Matt Banta, Clint Thomas, Kevin Thomas, and Scott Evans, and their music is produced by Dana Murray. To listen to Space To Play’s first single, “Holdin’ The Gun,” click here . To listen to the first part of Matt’s OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Nebraska Legislature to debate winner-take-all bi...
Apr 08, 2025•20 min
Matt Banta is a singer-songwriter and founding member of bands Blue Moon Ghetto, Thousand Houses & Space To Play , and is co-founder of the new Omaha Music Group record label. Space To Play is Matt Banta, Clint Thomas, Kevin Thomas, and Scott Evans, and their music is produced by Dana Murray. To listen to Space To Play’s first single discussed in this episode, “Holdin’ The Gun,” click here . ALSO… * Bacon to introduce bill to give tariff authority back to Congress - from KETV * Thousands in ...
Apr 07, 2025•20 min
Matt Walker is an Omaha-based composer for film, dance and media. To check out The Headliner on Amazon Prime Video, click here . To check out The Pandemic Collection , click here . For more information on the upcoming Benson Film Festival, and tickets, click here . To listen to the first part of Matt’s OMAPOD appearance, click here . ALSO… * Nebraska’s Dan Osborn exploring midterm bid against U.S. Sen Pete Ricketts - from Nebraska Examiner * ‘You never expect it’s going to happen to your kids’: ...
Apr 04, 2025•20 min
Matt Walker is an Omaha-based composer for film, dance and media. ALSO… * Nebraskans, lawmakers react to Trump’s announcement of new tariffs - from WOWT * Ten million dollar civil lawsuit filed against Club 180 in west Omaha - from KMTV * ‘We’d like to have them back’: Congressman Don Bacon pushes to restore weather balloon operations - from KETV Get full access to OMAPOD at www.omapod.com/subscribe...
Apr 03, 2025•20 min
