Non-Profit Issues, New House Prices, Weather Monitors

M. N.February 20, 2023

Read past Reed Moore daily newsletters

Omaha non-profits are facing challenges as a possible recession approaches.
The study offers a reason why Omaha’s new home prices continue to rise.
Weather monitoring features in Nebraska may be disabled.

Together in Omaha is one of many non-profits facing growing demand. His food pantry is pictured here. Photo by Arzhav Raval.

With the risk of an economic downturn, the role of food banks and housing assistance is growing. This might be a problem.

Arzhav Rawal. Published in Reader.

REED MOORE >>

AROUND OMAHA

Prices for new homes in the Omaha metro area continue to rise, with a UN study linking the rise to government regulations. A study commissioned by a non-profit organization tasked with stopping price increases says regulation spending in Omaha is approximately 32.8% of construction costs, compared to the national average of 21.5%.

Metropolitan Community College wants to take over the Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, which is adjacent to its Fort Omaha campus. The 8-acre site will be used for classrooms and laboratories, a gym, and a centralized headquarters to serve multiple campuses. The acquisition depends on whether the Marines find a new facility.

La Vista Police Chief Bob Lausten is asking the Sarpi District Court to cancel the subpoena in the Ryan Larsen case. Larsen’s mother seeks the recognition of a 12-year-old boy as dead. Lausten says his testimony could expose confidential information to the public and that the investigation into Larsen’s disappearance is ongoing.

The North Saddle Creek Business Development District seeks a name. BID, which was approved by the city council in September, wants the name to be distinct and recognizable as well as historical. A series of meetings are scheduled to discuss a potential name and growth.

On Friday, February 17, the traditional snow day was held in Omaha public schools instead of distance learning. The action was unexpected; In 2020, OPS became an individual technology district and distance learning was to be offered on a snowy day, as was the case on Thursday, February 16th. The World-Herald has a story about why this is not the case.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Don’t forget to get an upgraded booster pack before heading to any of these events.

AROUND NEBRASKA

Maisonettes (unmanned weather monitoring networks) in most Midwestern states, including Nebraska, are under threat. Without sufficient data from maisonettes, farmers cannot make irrigation decisions. The maisonette in Nebraska employs just one technician at a time when the climate crisis is already affecting public health.

Former Dodge County Attorney Oliver Glass is sentenced to nine months in prison for using his position to harass and harass his ex-wife’s boyfriend. The harassment eventually led to the boyfriend, Nathan Shani, making suicidal comments and being committed to a psychiatric hospital. Glass will also pay a $3,000 fine and be on probation for a year after his jail sentence.