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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 12h

Story by J.J. Harder. Photo by Dylan Widger for the Flatwater Free Press.

Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 12h

Nebraska's Der Viener Schlinger has been fired at Ribfest, a GermanFest and famously, Memorial Stadium. It was even fired at a funeral. "It has become the odd pride of Nebraska, one of our most cherished institutions," writes freelance correspondent J.J. Harder. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/RUjRedg

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Story by Henry Cordes. Photo by Lily Smith.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

New at Flatwater: Nebraska football’s budget has more than doubled in just three years, but a Flatwater analysis shows the school hasn't gotten much bang for its buck. By one metric, the team has spent more per win than every college except for one: Rutgers. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/eFAsVMJ

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Home prices keep going up, wages are staying stagnant and homeownership is becoming more unattainable for Nebraskans. So let's talk about it. Join us on Oct. 21 in Lincoln from 9-11 a.m. Register for free here 🔗 buff.ly/U9reBVU

Housing related pictures sit on a grey background with surrounding text that explains and upcoming free event hosted by the Flatwater Free Press and the Lincoln Community Foundation. The graphic reads "Join us for discussions on rising home prices, stagnant wages
and making homeownership more attainable for Nebraskans." The event is on October 21 from 9-11 a.m. in Lincoln.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Story by Yanqi Xu. Photo by Abiola Kosoko for the Flatwater Free Press.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

New at Flatwater: Very few agricultural employers have been charged with harboring undocumented workers in Nebraska. ICE’s worksite enforcement in agriculture remains driven in part by political will and resources. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/LD8kCwx

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

In case you missed it: More than a third of Nebraska’s counties have diverted over $400,000 in opioid settlement funds combined to their behavioral health regions, citing a lack of existing local treatment services. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/l9Oc20h

Two people stand together at an outdoor overdose gathering. They are lighting candles and wearing purple shirts that read "let's end overdose."

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Hi! We just updated our settings. Thank you.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The mile-long walk, which will last about an hour, features public art displays including portraits by local artist Watie White as well as photos and reporting from Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica’s project.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

We spent a year investigating Omaha’s lead clean-up with @propublica.org. Now we want to walk you through what we found, exactly where it originated. Join us for free walking tours at the RiverFront on October 18. Learn more 🔗 flatwaterfreepress.org/events/burie...

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Story by Chris Bowling. Illustration by Hanscom Park Studio.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

New at Flatwater: Nebraska sends more than half of children in its child welfare and juvenile justice systems out of state for serious mental health care, according to a recent report. These separations can be jarring for kids, experts say. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/OrON8tU

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Story by Natalia Alamdari. Photo by Lily Smith.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Kolaches fit for a president and a bar called Czech’erd Flag — welcome to Wilber, Nebraska. The town, dubbed “Czech Capital of the USA” since 1987, recently hosted President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel. Read about his grand tour 🔗 buff.ly/ChJ6lFt

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Story by Greg Echlin. Photo by Darin Epperly for the Flatwater Free Press.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

New at Flatwater: Sam Roberts said he once got fired from a fast-food chain because of his shorter arm. Now, he's the youngest full-time football referee in the state. “I believe very strongly that not just do sports have a rulebook, but so does life," he said. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/INcI60H

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Early voting starts today in Nebraska — do you know the candidates? Meet them all in one place with our Nebraska Voter Guide. 🔗 voterguide.flatwaterfreepress.org

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Your FFP Weekend Read: Democrats and Republicans are scrambling to lay claim to Nebraska’s 2nd District seat in a midterm election that will decide control of a nearly evenly split Congress. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/sqGKEwg

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Reporting by Sara Gentzler. Photo by Lily Smith.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Last week, Flatwater reported on how difficult it is to sue state employees in Nebraska. A group of local and national lawyers is going ahead anyway, filing the first civil lawsuit stemming from a series of sexual abuse allegations against state employees at YRTC Kearney. 🔗 buff.ly/DBkwZs9

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Story by Natalia Alamdari. Photos by Lily Smith.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

New at Flatwater: “Czech Capital of the USA” Wilber hosted President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel with the traditions they know best: Polka music, dancing and lots and lots of kolaches. The visit marks one more chapter of Wilber’s long history of Czech pride. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/ltcUqdw

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Story by Sara Gentzler. Photo by Lori Potter for the Flatwater Free Press.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Breaking: A new federal lawsuit alleges that state workers sexually abused an Omaha boy at a state-run Kearney center. State employees punished the boy when he reported the abuse, the suit alleges. It’s the first of multiple expected lawsuits in the YRTC scandal. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/DBkwZs9

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Story by Kaitlyn Kelly. Photo by Lily Smith.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Changing conditions have made it increasingly difficult for conservationists to manage and restore Nebraska's prairies. Experts say factors such as rising CO2 and increased atmospheric nitrate levels have created new conditions that invasive species. 🔗 buff.ly/3Hji4CF

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

New at Flatwater: Democrats and Republicans are scrambling to lay claim to Nebraska’s 2nd District seat in a midterm election that will decide control of a nearly evenly split Congress. Capturing Omaha's independent and third-party voters could be the deciding factor. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/sqGKEwg

Two congressional candidates side by side.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Story by Destiny Herbers. Photo by Eric Gregory for the Flatwater Free Press.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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

Story by Jeremy Turley. Photo by Lily Smith.

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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

Story by Kaitlyn Kelly. Photo by Lily Smith.

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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 · 29/09/2026

Story by Kaitlyn Kelly. Photo by Lily Smith.

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Flatwater Free Press @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Story by Sara Gentzler. Illustration by Hanscom Park Studio.

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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

Story and photo by Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga/The Midwest Newsroom

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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

Story by Sara Gentzler. Illustration by Hanscom Park Studio.

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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

Story by Emily Wolf. Photo by Eric Gregory for the Flatwater Free Press.

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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

Reporting by Jeremy Turley. Photo by Lily Smith.

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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

Story by Anila Yoganathan in partnership with Grist. Photo by Naomi Delkamiller.

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