Best Rural Organizing Project Podcasts (2024)

1
Marijuana, municipal aid proposed for property tax relief 3:28

2h ago3:28

3:28

Nebraska legislative committees heard proposals Friday to legalize marijuana and provide state aid to cities to reduce property taxes.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Another farm bill extension looks likely 0:47

1h ago0:47

0:47

Getting a new farm bill across the finish line in 2024 is likely doomed against a ticking clock, hot-button issues and election year politics.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Education Committee considers considers school funding changes 4:11

2h ago4:11

4:11

The Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee discussed the idea, but not the details, of state takeover of school operating costs on Thursday.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Online sports betting touted as aid to reducing property taxes 5:06

1h ago5:06

5:06

Proposals to allow online sports betting from anywhere in Nebraska, and to allow the Legislature to ask voters to legalize it this November, were heard Wednesday in the Legislature’s special session.By Nebraska Public Media

1
U.S. Senate passes child online safety legislation 1:07

1d ago1:07

1:07

The U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act this week on a bipartisan, 91 to 3 vote. The legislation requires social media platforms to provide minors with options to disable addictive product features, including algorithmic recommendations. Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts were both co-sponsors of the bill.…

1
Ten years after a genocide began, the Yazidi community continues 4:56

23h ago4:56

4:56

August 3 marks the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide in northern Iraq. A large number of them chose to relocate to Lincoln, Nebraska.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Pillen's tax, budget proposals heard 5:10

2h ago5:10

5:10

The Legislature's Appropriations and Revenue Committees held public hearings Tuesday on Gov. Jim Pillen's proposals to cut the budget and expand sales taxes to pay for property tax relief.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Third-party U.S. Senate candidate drops out, endorses Osborn 1:07

3h ago1:07

1:07

Legal Marijuana NOW Party candidate Kerry Eddy has ended her campaign for the U.S. Senate. Tuesday morning, Eddy announced she is endorsing independent Dan Osborn, who will face incumbent Republican Senator Deb Fischer in the general election. Eddy said polling indicated she did not have a path to victory, and she supports Osborn’s view on marijuan…

1
Midwest Newsroom: These nonprofits are helping immigrant farmers 4:32

2h ago4:32

4:32

Documentation status, language barriers and lack of information can all create barriers for immigrants to access federal grants. Now a number of organizations are stepping in to provide direct support.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Supporters promote alternative to Pillen's property tax proposal 4:09

1h ago4:09

4:09

Supporters promoted a less-dramatic reduction in property taxes than Gov. Jim Pillen has proposed at a Revenue Committee hearing Monday.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Pork producers face longer drives and higher costs 4:16

2h ago4:16

4:16

Over the last two years, several large pork packers have closed plants in California, Minnesota and most recently Iowa. For some pork producers, this means additional miles and more money to deliver hogs on top of tough economic times.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Senators reject attempt to end special session 5:32

2h ago5:32

5:32

The Nebraska Legislature rejected an attempt Friday to bring its special session on property taxes to a close.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Day introduces bill to sell state plane for property tax relief 1:14

34m ago1:14

1:14

Sen.Jen Day introduced a bill during Friday’s special session that would force the sale of the state plane Gov. Jim Pillen uses to get around the state. According to flight logs, on July 25, the first day of the special session, Pillen took three flights connecting Lincoln, Beatrice and Nebraska City. Day said selling the $3.6 million plane would p…

1
Legislature begins property tax session with variety of bills 4:58

6d ago4:58

4:58

Senators began a special session of the Nebraska Legislature devoted to property taxes by introducing a variety of proposals.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Federal court says gender identity not within scope of Title IX 1:06

2h ago1:06

1:06

A Federal district court in Missouri ordered Thursday that the Biden Administration’s rule protecting transgender youth from discrimination not be enforced. Earlier this spring, Nebraska’s attorney general Mike Hilgers and five other state’s attorneys general filed a lawsuit asking the court to stop a new regulation by the U.S. Department of Educat…

1
Online sports betting legalization introduced in special session 1:22

2h ago1:22

1:22

Nebraska voters could decide whether to legalize online sports betting in the state this November, thanks to legislation introduced in the special legislative session dedicated to lowering state property taxes. Thursday morning, Sen. Elliot Bostar put forth a bill and constitutional amendment that would put legalization on the November ballot. It w…

1
Fischer, Osborn polls show different perspectives of Senate race 1:20

2h ago1:20

1:20

Both campaigns in the U.S. Senate race between Deb Fischer and Dan Osborn have very different perspectives on where things stand. An internal poll from the Fischer campaign found the senator has a 26-percentage point lead over Osborn, while a poll from the Osborn campaign showed the candidates tied at 42% each. According to the latest fundraising n…

1
Special session on property taxes set to begin 5:59

1h ago5:59

5:59

The Nebraska Legislature is set to begin a special session on property taxes, amidst uncertainty over the outcome.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Nebraska receives over $300 million in clean energy funding 0:47

8d ago0:47

0:47

Nebraska’s Department of Environment and Energy is receiving $307 million from the EPA. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor reports on the funds.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Rediscovered soil archive shows years of change 3:46

1h ago3:46

3:46

Soil science is a relatively new field and becoming more critical in the work to keep soil healthy and productive. The discovery of century-old soil samples at a land-grant university could offer big clues into how soil has changed over time.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Citizens share thoughts on property tax policy at Lincoln forum 0:58

2h ago0:58

0:58

A dozen state senators from a variety of political perspectives hosted a listening session on property taxes in Lincoln Monday evening. The event comes ahead of a likely special legislative session devoted to reducing property taxes in Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen has said he wants to reduce property taxes by at least 40% by having the state pay for K…

1
From Battlefield to Crop Field: Veterans Finding Purpose at Comfort Farms 32:09

1h ago32:09

32:09

Can agriculture heal the invisible wounds of war? Join us as we talk with John Jackson, an Army Ranger with six tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, about his journey from enlistment after 9/11 to finding peace through farming. At Comfort Farms in Milledgeville, Georgia, John helps veterans cope with post-traumatic stress using farming as therapy. Discov…

1
Omaha property tax townhall: Sounding off, but little harmony 2:15

2d ago2:15

2:15

Most people who attended an Omaha townhall about property taxes agreed they're a big problem, but there was little agreement about what should be done.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Olympian and Husker, Rhema Otabor, previews Paris Games 4:41

3d ago4:41

4:41

Rhema Otabor is a back-to-back javelin national champion for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. At this year’s NCAA Championships, she broke the collegiate record with a throw of 64 meters, which also secured her spot in the Olympics.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Pillen promotes property tax plan 1:14

1h ago1:14

1:14

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday touted his idea for lowering property taxes by expanding sales taxes.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Campaign turns in signatures to hold referendum on school choice 1:26

16h ago1:26

1:26

A group hoping to repeal Nebraska legislation regarding private school scholarships turned in enough signatures to put the issue on the November ballot. If passed, the referendum would repeal legislation passed in April allocating 10 million dollars to the state treasurer’s office to be used for private and religious school scholarships.…

1
Madison solar energy project receives investment from USDA 1:06

3h ago1:06

1:06

A two-megawatt solar energy facility is coming to Madison, Nebraska thanks to an investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The project was selected to receive a Powering Affordable Clean Energy program award, which pays for 40% of the project. Clare Sierawski with the USDA said the solar facility could spur economic development in Madison…

1
Nebraska Public Media’s general manager prepares to retire 6:01

13d ago6:01

6:01

Nebraska Public Media is searching the country for a new General Manager/CEO. Mark Leonard announced in December he is retiring after more than 10 years here. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson sat down with Mr. Leonard to talk about his career and the status of public media.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Tenaska Center receives $2.5 million in additional funding 1:07

7d ago1:07

1:07

Omaha Performing Arts is receiving an additional 2.5 million dollars in funding from the state for the construction of a new building on its campus. Upon completion, the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement will include three rehearsal halls, classrooms and practice rooms, enabling the organization to offer new arts programs. The 108-million-dollar b…

1
Tornado relief feature 4:25

3d ago4:25

4:25

A Blair family is still waiting to hear what options they have after their home was leveled in an April tornado. Over two months later, most recovery organizations have moved on. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor tells us how the community is moving forward and what organizations are still helping out.…

1
Nebraska researchers working on national opioid awareness campai 1:10

20d ago1:10

1:10

Nebraska researchers are looking into how online content creators are promoting opioid awareness. They plan to use their findings to create a national health communication campaign.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Omaha organization launches contraception vending machines 0:57

1d ago0:57

0:57

Women’s Fund of Omaha sells emergency contraception and pregnancy tests via vending machineBy Nebraska Public Media

1
Midwest Newsroom: Why states struggle to house foster girls 4:38

1d ago4:38

4:38

Children in the foster care system with severe behavioral health issues and trauma are often treated in group homes that specialize in individualized care. In at least two states, there is space at these centers for boys but not for girls.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Peaches are bountiful again after last year's poor crop 0:48

2d ago0:48

0:48

The peach crop across the U.S. is much better this summer than it was last year when cold temperatures affected crops in Georgia and South Carolina. Yet in southern Illinois, while some orchards are getting a bumper crop, others are having yet another year of low production.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Santee receive priority from state for clean water project 1:17

2d ago1:17

1:17

After five years under a no-drink order from the EPA, the Santee Sioux Nation in northern Nebraska is one step closer to getting clean water infrastructure. A bill passed in the Nebraska Legislature this spring prioritizes money in the Water Sustainability Fund to go toward infrastructure projects in areas under a no-drink order.…

1
Nebraskans ready to up the ante on betting for the Olympics? 4:32

3d ago4:32

4:32

Sports bettors in Nebraska will be able to wager on the Olympics for the first time since gambling was legalized almost four years ago. Handball, surfing, field hockey and proposition bets like which country will win the most medals are open season for wagering. But one economics professor says some revenues will leave Nebraska during the 2024 Pari…

1
A summer food assistance program for kids started this year 3:46

23d ago3:46

3:46

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SUN Bucks doles out $40 per month over the summer for each eligible child. This is the first year for the program, and it's expected to reach about 21 million kids. Yet 13 states, including Oklahoma and Iowa, turned down the funding.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Pillen no longer leading trade mission to Indonesia 1:06

4d ago1:06

1:06

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen will no longer be going on a trade mission to Indonesia this month. Instead, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly will lead the 12-day mission, while Pillen prepares for a special session on property taxes. Pillen has yet to release a written tax plan and says there is still work to do to get consensus, though he is optimistic…

1
Here’s an update on the Crete shooting of a Hispanic family 1:12

5d ago1:12

1:12

Seven people were shot in Crete last week in what is being investigated as a hate crime. The Hispanic family all survived. Now statewide groups are coming together to make sure the incident doesn’t happen again.By Nebraska Public Media

1
NU chief financial officer discusses almost $1.1 billion budget 19:07

5d ago19:07

19:07

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the almost $1.1 billion budget for NU near the end of June. Chris Kabourek, chief financial officer for the university and the recent interim president, spoke with Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal about the reductions and investments laid out in the budget for this fiscal year.…

1
Unveiling the 'Dirty Dozen': Hidden Pesticides in Your Produce and How to Stay Safe 36:33

5d ago36:33

36:33

Are you aware of the hidden dangers lurking in your fruits and vegetables? Join us on Fresh Take for an eye-opening discussion with Juan Carlos Rodriguez, an Education and Outreach Specialist at Florida Organic Growers. We promise you’ll gain critical insights into the "Dirty Dozen," a list of produce most contaminated with pesticides, and understa…

1
Director of Nebraska Department of Corrections discusses prison 5:55

5d ago5:55

5:55

Rob Jeffreys discusses the impact a new prison may have on the department, and the current state of corrections.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Nebraska lagging behind in distributing EV charging grant funds 1:26

5d ago1:26

1:26

Nearly two years after Nebraska received more than 30 million dollars in federal grant funding to build electric vehicle charging stations, none of that money has been dispersed. Ryan McKinnon with the electric vehicle advocacy group Charge Ahead Partnership said Nebraska is one of around 15 other states that has not yet opened up the grant applica…

1
Medical Marijuana backers hope to earn place on fall ballot 0:24

10d ago0:24

0:24

Organizers of the petition drive supporting medical marijuana in Nebraska "feel really good" about the number of signatures they turned over to the Secretary of State. They had collected over 114,000 signatures on each of the two petitions necessary to change state law. The petitions must be verified to ensure that all are from voters registered in…

1
Missouri River flood impacts southeast Nebraska 1:27

20d ago1:27

1:27

Water has begun receding along most of Nebraska’s eastern border, but the flood is peaking in Rulo in the state’s southeast corner. Further north, Nebraska City is past the worst of the flooding. However, Jim Terrell with the Missouri River Basin Forecast Center said the water has risen back into a moderate flood stage after several inches of rainf…

1
Two more weeks for Support Our Schools petition 0:46

12d ago0:46

0:46

Support Our Schools Nebraska has two more weeks to collect signatures for its referendum aiming to repeal a law giving $10 million to the State Treasurer for private and religious school scholarships. This is different from the deadline for most other petitions, which was Wednesday, July 3.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Burt County farmers impacted by Missouri River flooding 1:26

12d ago1:26

1:26

Randy Olson's farmland was buried beneath several feet of murky water. By Friday afternoon, the water had receded a few feet from its peak, leaving behind a swamp of rotting corn, soybeans and other debris in its wake.By Nebraska Public Media

1
Nebraska National Guard could be used in immigration crackdown 4:56

12d ago4:56

4:56

Former President Donald Trump has proposed using National Guard troops to help arrest and deport people living in the country illegally.By Nebraska Public Media

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