OMAPOD

ICAN President & CEO Aileen Warren, and Director, Marketing, Communications and Events, Allison Zach fill us in on this year’s Women’s Leadership Conference, coming to the CHI Center on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 - from 9AM - 4PM. For more information, click here.To read the Midlands Business Journal piece about the conference, click here. To register for the conference, click here.To listen to Aileen & Allison’s first OMAPOD appearance, click here for part one, and here for part two.To listen to them on the 7x7x7 event that’s referenced, click here. ALSO…* Omaha City Council makes steps towards TIF change to encourage affordable housing - from KETV* Historic Dundee Creative District announces a new public art project funded by a $100,000 grant - from KMTV* Nebraska Dem Senate candidate Burbank paid third-party candidate’s filing fee - from Nebraska Examiner

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Matt Geiler is an animator, storyteller, musician, Screen Actors Guild member, Second City - Chicago Conservatory Program graduate and is co-owner and Principal Creative at Sick Picnic Media.To listen to the OMAPOD episode from yesterday introducing Bunny and Bear with co-creators Jeffrey Koterba & Christine Burright that’s referenced, click here. To keep updated on Bunny and Bear, click here to follow on Facebook, and here for the Instagram. For more information on Crispy Pickle Films, click here.ALSO…* Death investigation underway after body found in Council Bluffs - from KETV* White nationalist hate group banner removed from I-80 bridge as justice leaders track local presence - from KMTV* Portal Recreation Lake Area lake in Papillion drying up due to underground leak, officials say - from WOWT

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Jeffrey Koterba is a syndicated editorial cartoonist, artist, writer, radio host, musician, teacher, consultant and creative coach.Christine Burright is a screenwriter, freelance writer, radio host and graphic designer.To listen to Jeff & Christine’s emotional last OMAPOD episode on cancer, creativity & perseverance that’s referenced, click here. To keep updated on Bunny and Bear, click here to follow on Facebook, and here for the Instagram. For more information on Crispy Pickle Films, click here. For more information on the animator and co-director/producer Matt Geiler and Sick Picnic Media that’s referenced, click here. To listen to Christine’s previous OMAPOD appearance: click here for part one on scripting The Headliner, and here for part two on Omaha’s weirdness.To listen to Jeff’s: click here for part one on his near-death experience, here for part two on handling tragedy, here for part three on the future of editorial cartoons, and here for part four on Neil Armstrong.ALSO…* Neighbors show up to honor Sgt. Noah Tietjens as fallen Bellevue soldier returns home - from KMTV* Nebraska Supreme Court sanctions Omaha attorney over AI - from Omaha World-Herald* Stranger warns Omaha family from house fire after spotting flames from I-680 - from WOWT

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Matt Mason is the next Artist in Residence at Joslyn Castle & Gardens, a former Nebraska State Poet and a Pushcart Prize-winning poet, with his work appearing in the New York Times, Rattle, Poet Lore, Prairie Schooner and hundreds of other publications. Check out Matt’s Patreon here.Check out Poetry Forward here.To listen to John Paul, formerly of Joslyn Castle, talk about developing the Castle & Cathedral Creative District, click here. To listen to Watie White: click here for him on the Art of Portraiture, and here on telling the story of his residency. ALSO…* Omaha’s zoo, Safari Park are first in USA Today readers’ choice awards; Lauritzen Gardens third - from Omaha World-Herald* Eppley Airfield gives look at progress halfway through construction - from KETV* Architect Stephen Chu shares design vision for new Tenaska Center in Omaha - from KMTV

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Christine Burright is a screenwriter, freelance writer, radio host and graphic designer. Jeffrey Koterba is a syndicated editorial cartoonist, artist, writer, radio host, musician, teacher, consultant and creative coach.To listen to Christine’s previous OMAPOD appearance: click here for part one on scripting The Headliner, and here for part two on Omaha’s weirdness. To listen to Jeff’s: click here for part one on his near-death experience, here for part two on handling tragedy, here for part three on the future of editorial cartoons, and here for part four on Neil Armstrong.ALSO…* Mark Martinez can run for Douglas County sheriff, Supreme Court rules - from Omaha World-Herald* ‘Stay in business’: City of Omaha launches new efforts to help streetcar corridor businesses - from KETV* Omaha’s El Museo Latino celebrates multimillion-dollar growth spurt buoyed by state grants - from Nebraska Examiner

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Dr. Jane Liu is Assistant Professor of Economics at The University of Nebraska-Omaha, Associate Editor of Open Economies Review and a pioneering and world-renowned expert on the study of Cryptocurrency markets, financial stability and macroeconomics.To listen to Jane’s previous OMAPOD appearance that’s referenced: click here for part one on Crypto volatility & the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, here for part two on Crypto 101 and here for part three on her modeling & appearing in Vogue.For more information and to reserve a spot at the ‘Volatility & Risk Spillovers Between Stablecoins, Foreign Exchange, & Bonds’ event that’s mentioned - coming this Friday, March 20th, 2026 at 3pm-4pm at Mammel Hall, click here.ALSO…* Omaha landlord fights to reclaim property after squatters take over home - from KETV* Evnen removes Nebraska Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Burbank from ballot - from Nebraska Examiner* U.S. Open Robotics Tournament in Council Bluffs grew from a kid in a hospital into a global event - from KMTV

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Ken White is a screenwriting professor at UNO. To listen to the first part of this episode on the making of his film Wed the Dark that recently screened at the Omaha Film Festival, click here. ALSO…* Omaha men convicted of sexually assaulting teen receive different punishments from different judges - from WOWT* Omaha launches survey to hear from older neighbors as city pursues age-friendly designation - from KMTV* Omaha deacon’s adopted son, charged in grisly murder of his father, held without bond - from WOWT

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Erik Thorstensen is Director of Digital Initiatives & Production for the Omaha Symphony.To listen to the first part of this episode on the making of his Composing Kaneko documentary that recently screened at the Omaha Film Festival, click here. ALSO…* Douglas County authorities target sideshows with drone enforcement - from WOWT* As Mutual of Omaha tower nears final height, gym, dining floor and ‘sky lobby’ taking shape - from Omaha World-Herald* American Legion Post 32 volunteers call more than 600 veterans at annual Buddy Check-In event - from KMTV

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Kieran Thompson is the director and producer of The Only Way Out Is Through - coming to the Omaha Film Festival on Saturday, March 14th 2026 at 5:15 PM at Aksarben Cinema Screen 6.The synopsis, from the OFF site:Three friends head into the wilderness to reconnect. When one vanishes, the journey becomes a test of friendship, trust, and what it means to truly be there for one another.To check out the film’s website and subscribe for updates on future festival appearances, distribution updates and showings, click here. ALSO…* Nebraska lawmakers inch closer to filling $646 million projected budget deficit - from Nebraska Examiner* Omaha FBI adds a Tren de Aragua leader to Ten Most Wanted list, offers $1 million reward - from Omaha World-Herald* Omaha’s Jewish community strengthens security amid global conflict, stays vigilant after Michigan attack - from KMTV

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Barry Nordstrand is the founder and CEO of Stoner Ranch Productions and the producer of Bonding - World Premiering at the Omaha Film Festival on Friday, March 13th 2026 at 8:05 PM at Aksarben Cinema Screen 6.The synopsis, from the OFF site:Three estranged siblings reunite at a remote Colorado ranch, each hiding a plan that depends on the others. When their agendas collide with the secrets of a powerful tech billionaire, old wounds turn dangerous. Will family bonds save them - or destroy them?For more information and to view the trailer, click here.ALSO…* Omaha’s $411M wastewater project contract stalls as amendment is mulled - from Nebraska Examiner* Committee hears testimony on issues with new developmental disabilities assessment tool - from KETV* Omahan who fought to uncover what happened to her husband in Vietnam dies at 78 - from Omaha World-Herald

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