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Flatwater Free Press

@flatwaterfreep.bsky.social
2.2K followers 7 following 1.3K posts

Nebraska's important stories. Well told. 🗞️ flatwaterfreepress.org

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 8h
New at Flatwater: To make use of part of the $150 million in opioid settlement funds coming to Nebraska, 35 counties are bypassing spending the money themselves – and sending it to their behavioral health regions. One county commissioner called it a “no brainer." Read more 🔗 buff.ly/l9Oc20h
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Douglas County has no formal contracts to work with ICE, but the Flatwater Free Press found that its sheriff has regularly shared information on local incidents and affairs with immigration officials. Read last week's story 🔗 buff.ly/nM184qj
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
New at Flatwater: Among the grass and flowering plants of Nebraska’s prairies is a now-common sight that alarms grassland experts: shrubs and trees. Experts urge new prairie management standards to adapt to this reality and preserve what's left of Nebraska's prairies. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/iyNLK9U
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
In case you missed it: Parents of teens allegedly abused by state employees in Kearney have few good options to sue the state for money. In Nebraska, lawyers say, it’s nearly impossible to successfully sue under state law for abuse committed by public employees. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/NldpvgU
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Free birth is controversial and relatively rare, but it has gained traction online from social media influencers who promote it. The Midwest Newsroom visited four Midwestern mothers who chose free births for their deliveries. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/ChV1HNK
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
In case you missed it: Extreme heat waves and 100-degree days often get the attention in climate change. But Nebraska’s minimum temperatures also have shot up, presenting an often unseen, overnight threat to people, livestock and crops. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/De6H03w
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Parents of teens allegedly abused by state employees in Kearney have few good options to sue the state for money. In Nebraska, lawyers say, it’s nearly impossible to successfully sue under state law for abuse committed by public employees. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/Q7YcJyw
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Citizen-led ballot initiatives help Nebraskans make direct changes to the state's laws and constitution. But underpinning that power is a network of out-of-state firms and subcontractors that often escape public scrutiny. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/lVUY2ZP
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
New at Flatwater: Douglas County has no formal agreements with ICE, but Sheriff Aaron Hanson has regularly shared information on local affairs with immigration officials. He says it’s part of keeping the community safe. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/v96gN3e
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New at Flatwater: Nebraska’s minimum temperatures have shot up, presenting an often unseen, overnight threat to people, livestock and crops — which all require optimal minimum temperatures to cool down. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/De6H03w
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
An 82-year-old master gardener is leading an effort to make South Omaha’s 24th Street bloom again. And he's teaching others along the way. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/Y1GLhQW
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Lured by the promise of big payouts, out-of-state petition circulators flock to Nebraska every election cycle to collect signatures. But a signature fraud scandal has placed fresh scrutiny on that system. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/lVUY2ZP
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Election season is here. And so is our 2026 voter guide. Search your voting district, learn about candidates and read through our voter FAQ here: buff.ly/UGBqCYK
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us for day two of FlatFest!
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
⭐️ Our fifth anniversary event series kicks off today! ⭐️ We are hosting five days of back-to-back events in Lincoln and Omaha, with a culminating event at Roca Berry Farm on September 23 for our annual FlatFest celebration. For more information about each of our events visit 🔗 buff.ly/2XP0IHy
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Your FFP Weekend Read: Rushville, a northwest Nebraska town, is center stage in the superhero world right now. The new HBO hit series “Lanterns” is set in the town of 877 people. A UNL marketing expert says the town ‘may never get a better promotion.’ Read more 🔗 buff.ly/DwbFxKZ
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
In case you missed it: Harlan and Valley Counties have spent more than $40,000 of opioid settlement funds combined on Flock. Sheriffs say the cameras will help stop drug trafficking, but experts say that’s not a justified use under the settlement agreements. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/njtLI4N
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New at Flatwater: Months before Gov. Jim Pillen recommended her for a $2.5 million no-bid contract, Julie Bushell sought to have state dollars earmarked for technology that state experts were dubious of. No one told the lawmaker she was lobbying. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/WkyhjE9
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We are kicking off our Flatwater Festival this year with new merch at a pop-up this Saturday from 2-4 p.m. at Raygun in Lincoln! Celebrate our fifth birthday with some fresh designs and say hello to our Lincoln reporters. Can't make it? Our merch lives here 24/7 🔗 buff.ly/L1r891C
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Decades ago, lawmakers created a board that predicts Nebraska's tax receipts in an effort to keep politics out. Last week, Gov. Jim Pillen appointed two political allies to serve on it. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/Iq2dcXa
buff.ly
As shortfall looms, Pillen installs allies on board originally designed to keep politics out of budget forecast - Flatwater Free Press
Pillen’s board shakeup, biggest in forecasting board’s history, includes appointment of two prominent former Republican lawmakers
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
South Omaha's Main Street is blooming again thanks to the sweat and brainpower of local volunteers. The effort is led by an 82-year-old master gardener who sees it as an opportunity to bring the community together and educate a new generation of gardeners. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/52IvFuK
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New at Flatwater: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has appointed two Republican allies to a state board meant to keep politics out of tax revenue projections. Critics worry that the unprecedented move is designed to ensure a rosy economic outlook. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/ZPqWw1R
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
One week from today, we will celebrate our fifth anniversary with a kickin’ barn party, Flatwater style. Join us 🔗 buff.ly/9tJ3MuG
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New at Flatwater: Rushville, a northwest Nebraska town, is center stage in the superhero world right now. The new HBO hit series “Lanterns” is set in the town of 877 people. A UNL marketing expert says the town ‘may never get a better promotion.’ Read more 🔗 buff.ly/DwbFxKZ
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Ja’Zavier Martin is among dozens of boys who have alleged state employees sexually abused them at a state-run youth center. "I didn’t understand what she was doing was wrong until it was too late," he said. Now he’s home, in a world unprepared to see him as a victim. 🔗 buff.ly/rj2IviS
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Nebraska counties and cities have spent at least $88,800 of opioid settlement funds on law enforcement uses, including Flock, SWAT training, gas mask holders and THC detection pouches. Experts said it doesn’t fit the spirit of the settlements. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/zPWlSgb
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The Lena Grow program collects data on preschooler talk and trains teachers to increase conversations. It has been linked to higher reading scores. Now, it's being used in Nebraska. Read how it works 🔗 buff.ly/2h2ok7Q
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Want to hear Flatwater senior reporter Yanqi Xu speak about her new story on Gov. Pillen’s company employing undocumented workers? Come join us in Lincoln on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 5:30 p.m. Register here 🔗 buff.ly/h8hJZvD
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
We are one week out from our five-day anniversary event series! Next Saturday, find us at our first event — a pop-up merch shop at Raygun in Lincoln! Learn more about our five-year anniversary events here: buff.ly/jJsX9Cd
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Your FFP weekend read: Twelve drones made 6,000 trips from Amazon’s Papillion warehouse in July and August to deliver packages up to 7.5 miles away. Many of them fly above Chalco Hills Recreation Area, where drones are prohibited. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/wx1RfJG
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We're hosting another forum! This time, we're headed to Morrill Hall in Lincoln on September 20th, where we'll host conversations about covering the president, civic journalism and our investigations with The New York Times. Register for free here 🔗 buff.ly/2isItNG
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
For the last year, we’ve published stories about court hearings, arrests and firings stemming from a rash of abuse allegations out of a state-run youth center in Kearney. Now, hear from the boys in the middle of the scandal 🔗 buff.ly/rj2IviS
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Kearney is set to become home to a nearly 400-megawatt data center campus after spending more than a decade courting the industry. When it’s fully built out, it will consume more power than the entire Tri-Cities of Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings combined. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/unT9140
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
New at Flatwater: Amazon tapped suburban Omaha as one of the first places in the country to roll out its drone delivery program. Those living in the drone zone are already divided on Prime Air. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/LeaQgbk
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
En su campaña de reelección, el gobernador Jim Pillen se ha alineado con la agenda antiinmigrante del presidente Trump, a pesar de que sus granjas han contratado a trabajadores indocumentados. Leer más 🔗 buff.ly/zA1uzqk
flatwaterfreepress.org
El gobernador de Nebraska respalda la campaña del ICE, pero emplea a trabajadores indocumentados - Flatwater Free Press
La empresa familiar del gobernador Jim Pillen es uno de los mayores productores porcinos de Estados Unidos. En su campaña por la reelección, se ha alineado con la agenda antinmigrante del presidente…
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Gov. Jim Pillen has aligned himself with President Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. But for more than a decade, his hog business has employed undocumented laborers, The @nytimes.com and Flatwater Free Press found. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/rOH1O9Q
Title card that reads "As Gov. Pillen backs ICE crackdown, his family business employs undocumented workers"
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
New at Flatwater: The city of Kearney is set to become home to a nearly 400-megawatt data center campus after spending more than a decade courting an industry facing pushback in the state. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/W6TitUh
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
In case you missed it: Omaha Public Schools, the district teaching most of the metro area’s students in poverty, now has the worst teacher staffing levels and worst student-teacher ratios in Nebraska, a new Flatwater analysis shows. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/qunncdi
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
On September 23, we are welcoming legendary journalist George Packer to the FlatFest stage! We sat down with him for a Q & A ahead of the event to talk about his path into journalism. Read the full interview here 🔗 buff.ly/WbX74oK
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
New at Flatwater: For decades, Nebraska small towns have tested ways to attract new people and new homes to keep their communities afloat. The Pawnee City Community Foundation tested its own last year. Here's what happened 🔗 buff.ly/TZbUmf1
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Omaha Public Schools, the district teaching most of the metro area’s students in poverty, now has the worst teacher staffing levels and worst student-teacher ratios in Nebraska, a new Flatwater analysis shows. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/qunncdi
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Flatwater is turning five. In those five years, Editor Matthew Hansen says, we’ve grown from a startup operating out of a broom closet to a force that on its best weeks shows Nebraskans what makes Nebraska special, and also reveals what’s broken and may need fixing. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/QyxeyvG
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
New at Flatwater: More than 110 years after the death of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, Native women in Nebraska are still inspired by her to go into the medical field. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/L3XcR0I
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
For the first time in six years, U.S. Senate candidates in Nebraska are debating live. Watch now 🔗 buff.ly/cqzc7qt
southeast.newschannelnebraska.com
Nebraska's U.S. Senate Debate Headquarters - Southeast News Channel Nebraska
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 6:00-7:00 p.m. CT - Live on News Channel Nebraska
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
In case you missed it: Apartments are now outpacing houses in Omaha. It’s a sign of growth, experts said, but also of how unaffordable homeownership has become for would-be buyers. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/U9EOwiW
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
On the north side of Omaha are almost 4,000 graves, most without markers. The burial ground, called Potter’s Field, is where Douglas County officials buried the city's poor, homeless and ill for seven decades. Who all is buried there and exactly where they’re buried isn’t known. 🔗 buff.ly/hyeK1bS
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
New at Flatwater: The City of Ord voted to remove automatic license plate reader cameras after backlash from locals. But the Flock cameras belong to the county, which wants to keep them. Read more 🔗 flatwaterfreepress.org/a-nebraska-c...
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha is hosting a series of panels called Voice in Action and on Sept. 1 FFP reporter Chris Bowling will be there to talk about neighborhood health conditions — including Omaha's ongoing lead issues. Join us there! Register here 🔗 buff.ly/LW7mpYV
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
New at Flatwater: Since 2022, more apartments have been built in Omaha than houses. That’s a huge shift from a decade ago, when twice as many houses as apartments were being built. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/U9EOwiW
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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Records obtained by Flatwater show an attempt last year by Dan Osborn staffers and allies to disband a political party, which could have benefited Osborn. A spokesman for Osborn’s campaign said Osborn “had nothing to do with the Legal Marijuana Now Party activities.” 🔗 buff.ly/vBkYAoN
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