In case you missed it: From 2020 to 2024, the median household income in Nebraska barely budged. At the same time, home prices rose by 20%. It’s hitting first-time buyers hard. Read the first story in our new housing series 🔗 buff.ly/lSwmg68

The Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica independently tested hundreds of homes in eastern Omaha, Nebraska, and found toxic levels of lead in soil — including in yards that the EPA remediated years ago. Here’s how we did it 🔗 buff.ly/GjPMrNN

NEW: The EPA spent hundreds of millions on lead remediation in Omaha, home of the nation’s largest residential Superfund site. New soil tests by @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social and ProPublica show that years later, many yards still have harmful levels of lead.

The EPA Heralds Its Omaha Cleanup as a Success. But We Found Many Yards Still Have Toxic Levels of Lead.

The agency spent hundreds of millions on lead remediation in Omaha, Nebraska, home of the nation’s largest residential Superfund site. New soil tests by the Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica show th...

propublica.org

The EPA spent hundreds of millions on lead remediation in Omaha, home of the nation’s largest residential Superfund site. New soil tests by the Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica show that years later, many yards still have harmful levels of lead. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/OdKGtdX

Two members of the Omaha Public Schools board who represent North Omaha have both missed nearly a quarter of regular board meetings since the start of 2023. Both have missed over two dozen votes, including on issues related to the budget and superintendent approval. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/3Wi2E6H

In case you missed it: Sexual abuse-related allegations at a state-run Kearney youth center are far more widespread than previously known, according to a new investigation, which says the center’s culture allowed the alleged abuse. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/zZeDl7H

Your FFP weekend read: Hordville, a village in central Nebraska, lost its only butcher, grocery store and school. But in 2018, it gained something: a bar. While Hordville hasn’t seen major growth in the years since, its population decline has stalled. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/oEgWedp

Can you afford an “affordable” home in Nebraska? Our new housing affordability calculator shows where you could afford a home across all 93 Nebraska counties. Try it now 🔗 buff.ly/4B62pPj

New at Flatwater: Nebraska paychecks aren’t keeping up with home prices. And it’s gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic. For young Nebraskans, “The Good Life” grows more out of reach every year. Read the first story of our new series 🔗 buff.ly/lSwmg68

Two members of the Omaha Public Schools board have missed nearly a quarter of regular board meetings since the start of 2023, citing health reasons. Their absences stand out compared to other local school board members. Constituents worry if their voices are being heard. 🔗 buff.ly/3oDrCag

New at Flatwater: Hordville, a village in central Nebraska, lost its only butcher, grocery store and school. But in 2018, it gained something: a bar. And not just any bar. Locals say "Banana Rams" has renewed the small town’s sense of community. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/lwdvkgl

New from Flatwater: 44 sexual abuse-related allegations. 37 youth. 19 staff members. A new investigation offers a stark picture of the spate of abuse accusations at a state-run youth center in Kearney – and criticizes DHHS for failing to stop or report alleged abuse. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/zZeDl7H

Breaking from Flatwater: Sexual abuse-related allegations at a state-run Kearney youth center are far more widespread than previously known, according to a new investigation, which says the center’s culture allowed the alleged abuse. Read more at flatwaterfreepress.org / link in bio

For decades, a state fund has provided aid to Nebraska cities whose needs exceed their resources. But after lawmakers reduced the amount of money flowing into the fund to help stem a growing budget deficit, some worry that there won't be enough money to go around. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/zK2vVd9

Your FFP weekend read: Nebraska prison officials have stopped pursuing a program that would have allowed some inmates to leave prison early after pushback from legislators and comparisons to a past controversial program. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/qNuW55G

New at Flatwater: As property valuations rise across the state, local governments are feeling the pressure to lower their tax rates. Crete did just that — then found out it would lose more than $600,000 in state aid as a result. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/zK2vVd9

New at Flatwater: Nebraska prison officials have stopped pursuing a program that would have allowed some inmates to leave prison early. It’s unclear why, but an administrator linked to previous Flatwater reporting in telling others about the decision. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/qNuW55G

Members of Beatrice High’s class of ’61 gathered this month to celebrate their 65th class reunion. It was the first time in years they’d watched a little-known documentary about their class. It is now heralded by some as a cinematic gem. 🔗 buff.ly/UHPXgpd

New at Flatwater: For over half a century, the Polk County Fair demolition derby has been a point of pride and intense competition. Almost 40 four-wheeled scrap-metal vehicles entered this year’s derby. Read more about the legendary hits 🔗 buff.ly/EVCnYKA

Four former state employees have been arrested on allegations they sexually abused teens at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney. One has been sentenced. The top Kearney administrator was fired. Now, her former boss is also out of a job. Read the latest 🔗 buff.ly/8TC53dx

In case you missed it: A total of 255 food distribution sites in the state could be affected if Nebraska adopts proposed federal guidelines meant to keep undocumented immigrants from accessing federal emergency food assistance. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/POqxXkk

Your FFP weekend read: Federal prosecutors want Paul Younes and family members to testify in its investigation into whether their companies improperly got $4.6 million in PPP loans. Their lawyer says enough is enough. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/7xCr4C1

New at Flatwater: As Beatrice High’s class of ’61 gathered for their 15-year reunion in 1976, one of their own decided to make a film documenting the event. The result: an unvarnished snapshot of small-town America during the nation’s bicentennial. Read and watch 🔗 buff.ly/UHPXgpd

New at Flatwater: The man overseeing Nebraska’s youth rehabilitation and treatment centers is out of a job — the latest leadership change in the wake of alleged sexual abuse by employees at the Kearney youth center. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/8TC53dx

New at Flatwater: People seeking federal emergency food assistance in Nebraska could soon have to prove their citizenship. Food pantries say it would cause “significant strain” to their operations and increase food insecurity in the state. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/POqxXkk

More money in Omaha? Famed Omaha investor Warren Buffett cut fellow billionaire Bill Gates out of his charitable giving sooner than expected, CNBC reported. Omaha’s charities may stand to gain from the move.

New at Flatwater: If you’ve been to Kearney, you’ll recognize the name. It’s on conference centers, a street sign — and now, a federal court filing. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/dCqFhey

Omaha kids are walking onto the pitch with Lionel Messi tonight as Argentina takes on Switzerland in the last 2026 World Cup quarterfinal. This marks the fourth and final match that Football for the World USA, an Omaha-based nonprofit, was selected to participate in. Read more 🔗 buff.ly/jIGVhhh

A goal to spread soccer lands Omaha kids on the World Cup field - Flatwater Free Press

Twenty-two Omaha kids will have the chance to accompany players onto the field before four World Cup games in Kansas City this summer. The nonprofit sending them says it's another part of their…

flatwaterfreepress.org

Earlier this year, Flatwater reported that a York County woman maintained her authority over at least 25 vulnerable Nebraskans after being arrested for theft and abuse. Now, Becky Stamp faces dozens of new charges involving 20 more vulnerable people. Read the initial story 🔗 buff.ly/RQgiL62

For 75 years, Sumner has saddled up a small-town celebration. Our freelance correspondent Lori Potter has attended 15 of them. Read and see why she always goes back 🔗 buff.ly/iBnPK0E