Humanities Desk

In Lincoln and Omaha, hundreds of snowplow drivers have put in long hours over the last two weeks, with each city using a different strategy to keep the streets clear. Clayton Engelman, the transportation maintenance coordinator for the city of Lincoln, says major arterials remain the city’s priority after the snow stops falling. “Once the snow stops, that's usually what we call zero hour,” Engelman said. “And then at that point, we try to get the streets, the main streets, fully cleared before we move on into residentials.”

In December, the Nebraska Association of Public Employees was granted a motion of temporary relief, which halted the implementation of Governor Jim Pillen’s executive order requiring workers to return to the office in January. But Justin Hubly, the union’s Executive Director, says he received some complaints from union members that were required to return to in-person work despite the ruling.

The eighty-one year-old community activist and Sunday school teacher compared his campaign for Pete Ricketts’ Senate seat to David going up against Goliath in his opening speech. Love said his priorities as U.S. senator would include stronger gun control, more abortion access, and the creation of a robust farm bill.

Sunday morning, the temperature in Lincoln fell to -18 degrees, making it the coldest day in the capital city since February 16, 2021. On that day, nearly three years ago, the temperature dipped to 31 below, contributing to rolling blackouts across the region.

CHI Health Center and Creighton University in Omaha set up a phone line to research long COVID across the state. They are also using the phone line to provide further care to those affected with continued symptoms.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Nebraska Public Media remembers a visit Dr. King made to Lincoln, NE on December 30, 1964. From the stage at Pershing Auditorium, Dr. King spoke at the Methodist Student Movement Conference saying, “I need not pause to say how very delighted and honored I am to be here tonight and to be a part of this very significant conference.” Assigned security for Dr. King was 25 year old Lincoln Police Officer Al Maxey.

Due to the heavy winter storms this past weekend, some community resources have had to shift their plans

It’s been a busy week for Lincoln snowplow driver Brett Bratrsovsky. Lincoln is in its second snow emergency of the week, and Bratrsovsky has already worked multiple 12 hour shifts. He worked 16 hours on Thursday. While the early week storm had warmer temperatures and wetter snow, Friday’s accumulation has been colder and drier, making it easier to plow. But the wind is a problem.

The Nebraska Supreme Court is weighing who can legally help an expectant mother with the birth of her child in Nebraska. A pair of cases involving an unlicensed lay midwife triggered an appeal to the high court. District Court judges in Douglas and Madison Counties threw out charges against Judy Jones, an unlicensed lay midwife after she assisted in the birth of two babies in a home birth. The justices heard opposing points of view during oral arguments on Wednesday.

More than $120 million of state funds are heading to Omaha for the creation of a business park site and youth sports complex in the northeast part of the city. Governor Jim Pillen and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert joined other civic leaders to make the announcement Wednesday. Nearly $90 million will help pay for land acquisitions and infrastructure development near Eppley Airfield, allowing private businesses to begin construction on the site upon completion.