COVID-19

Summer Arts Festival Nixed

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 4:05pm

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival has followed guidance from the City of Omaha and Douglas County Health Department and has canceled this year’s festival.

The festival will return June 11-13, 2021, in North Downtown.

Read more about Summer Arts Festival Nixed

New Pressure on Lawmakers as Virus Aid for Firms Hits Limit

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 3:58pm

Washington – Lawmakers struggled Thursday to break a stalemate over President Donald Trump’s $250 billion emergency request for a small-business program, stoking uncertainty about when additional support will be available in a key rescue program now exhausted of funds.

Read more about New Pressure on Lawmakers as Virus Aid for Firms Hits Limit

Outbreaks at Iowa Care Centers Growing, Infecting More Than 200

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 3:36pm

Iowa City, Iowa – More than 200 residents and employees have tested positive for the coronavirus in a growing number of outbreaks at Iowa long-term care facilities.

New statistics released last Tuesday by the Iowa Department of Public Health show the number of state-confirmed outbreaks at those facilities has doubled to six.

Read more about Outbreaks at Iowa Care Centers Growing, Infecting More Than 200

Ricketts Rejects Senators’ Call to Resume Normal Activity

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:00am

Lincoln – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts rejected a call from two state lawmakers to resume normal school and business activities right away, saying that could lead to a surge in new cases that might overwhelm the state’s hospitals.

Read more about Ricketts Rejects Senators’ Call to Resume Normal Activity

Food Pantries’ Resources Stretched as Need Grows

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:00am

Anti-hunger nonprofit Feeding America expects food insecurity to nearly double in Nebraska over the next six months.

Currently, there are an estimated 223,000 food insecure Nebraskans, and the anticipated 45% increase would represent another 100,000 people struggling with hunger during the pandemic.

Read more about Food Pantries’ Resources Stretched as Need Grows

Supreme Court to Hold May Arguments by Teleconference

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:00am

Washington – The Supreme Court will hold arguments by teleconference in May in key cases, including President Donald Trump’s bid to shield his tax and other financial records.

The court will make live audio of the arguments available for the first time. It had previously postponed courtroom arguments for March and April because of the coronavirus.

Read more about Supreme Court to Hold May Arguments by Teleconference

In Nebraska Town, Social Distance Isn’t a Problem

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:00am

Monowki – The mayor of Monowi doesn’t have to crack down on crowds of more than 10 in her Boyd County town near the Niobrara.

And she’s not steering clear of other residents on Broad Street or explaining state-mandated restrictions to her community’s business owners.

Read more about In Nebraska Town, Social Distance Isn’t a Problem

Swim Trials to Return in 2021, Help ‘Kickstart Our Community’

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/15/2020 - 8:22am

The U.S. Olympic swim trials will return to Omaha next year in advance of the rescheduled 2021 Olympic summer games.

The swim trials will be held at the CHI Health Center Omaha on June 13-20, which will partially coincide with the College World Series, which has its opening ceremonies planned for June 18.

Read more about Swim Trials to Return in 2021, Help ‘Kickstart Our Community’

Two Weeks Later, Loans Start Flowing to Small Businesses

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/15/2020 - 8:19am

New York – The flow of money to small businesses under the government’s $349 billion coronavirus relief plan is picking up momentum although many company owners are still waiting and wondering.

Read more about Two Weeks Later, Loans Start Flowing to Small Businesses

Iowa Begins Contract to Create COVID-19 Model

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/15/2020 - 8:17am

Iowa City, Iowa – University experts working to develop models to help Iowa public health officials predict and manage the coronavirus pandemic are racing against time.