NETRADIO NewsRoom

Progress made on northwest Nebraska fires Lincoln, NE (2012-09-03) Firefighters have been taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to make gains in a series of wildfires in northwest Nebraska near Chadron, Crawford and Rushville.

Nebraska's Lincoln Memorial Turns 100

Lincoln, NE 9/1/12 (2012-09-01) Daniel Chester French's sculpture of Abraham Lincoln commemorated the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. French's next statue of the 16th President is the famous sculpture at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

Fires burn across northwest Nebraska

Chadron, NE (2012-08-31) Fires across northwest Nebraska in Dawes, Sheridan and Sioux counties have burned more than 70,000 acres and windy conditions could fan the flames.

Drought impacting water systems

Marquette, NE (2012-08-31) The drought impacts Nebraska in many ways including our public water systems. More than 80 communities across the state have put water use restrictions in place. In today's Signature Story, Mike Tobias reports on water issues from the perspective of one Nebraska community, and examines the scope of the drought.

Drought hurts ag businesses

Lincoln, NE (2012-08-30) It's not yet harvest time in Nebraska, but already the impact of the drought is hitting the state. Ag businesses are seeing farmers change their buying habits in response to the anticipated low yields from crops, and livestock feeders are looking for food sources to get through the upcoming winter.

Ag producers deal with concerns as they attend State Fair

Lincoln, NE (2012-08-29) The Nebraska State Fair is in the middle of its annual 10-day run in Grand Island. Ninety-five thousand people visited the fair during its first three days, putting attendance figures on pace with last year. NET News Director Dennis Kellogg interviewed veteran reporter Mike LePorte of KRVN Radio and the Rural Radio Network about this year's festivities.

Farmers recovering from flood hit with drought

Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway, MO (2012-08-28) Nebraska farmers on the Missouri River were still cleaning up from the flood of 2011 when the drought of 2012 arrived. In southeastern Missouri, where the Mississippi River burst through a levee, farmers are rebuilding fields and hoping the rain returns, but not the river.

State Fair debate focuses candidates on farm and rural issues

GRAND ISLAND, NE (2012-08-27) In their first debate, held at the Nebraska State Fair, Republican Deb Fischer and Democrat Bob Kerrey answered questions on the farm bill, renewable energy, and immigration. Grant Gerlock of NET News reports that, while Kerrey focused on bipartisanship, Fischer made her case as a conservative alternative.

Short corn crop prompts give-and-take on ethanol

BEATRICE, NE (2012-08-24) As the drought pushes corn prices higher, the EPA is under pressure to suspend the ethanol mandate. Livestock groups say it would free up corn and bring prices down, but as Grant Gerlock of NET News and Harvest Public Media reports, it's not clear whether that's the case.

Controversy simmers over allergies and genetically modified food

KANSAS CITY, MO (2012-08-23) In the same time that genetically modified foods have become a larger part of our diets, food allergies have become more common. Could there be a correlation? Critics of genetically modified food believe so, but many researchers disagree.

UNL study says we view women as sexual objects and men as people

Lincoln, NE (2012-08-22) Women are a series of sexual body parts strung together - or at least, that's how we view them, according to a recent study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The fact that men do this might not be surprising, but researchers say they're not the only ones. NET News reporter Hilary Stohs-Krause has more in today's Signature Story.

Elected officials talk farm policy on the campaign trail BRUNSWICK, MO (2012-08-21) Politicians are crossing country roads to build support from rural voters. With the drought continuing to hang over the Midwest and a farm bill in limbo, farm policy has been a bigger part of the debate than usual. Abbie Fentress Swanson reports for Harvest Public Media on why even the presidential candidates are weighing in on ag issues.

Kansas welcomes the (big) dairy business

CIMARRON, KS (2012-08-20) Nebraska's southern neighbor is finding new ways to grow its dairy industry and keep the milk money flowing in. Even though over the last 20 years there are around 2000 fewer dairies in Kansas, the number of dairy cows has actually increased by 50 percent. Justine Greve reports for Harvest Public Media on why western Kansas is becoming a dairy destination.

Reiman challenges Fortenberry in 1st Congressional District

Lincoln, NE (2012-08-17) In eastern Nebraska's First Congressional District, incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Fortenberry is being challenged by Democrat Korey Reiman. And while voters may be most concerned about the economy, that's not where the sharpest contrasts are being drawn.

Should 'back-to-school' be a thing of the past?

Ralston, NE (2012-08-16) While most Nebraska K-12 students are heading back to school, a small number have already been back in class for more than a month. NET News reporter Perry Stoner has more in today's Signature Story.

VOTER VOICES: Health care a hot topic at outdoor concert

Omaha, NE (2012-08-15) Health care, and how to pay for it. That was one recurring issue among voters talking to NET News at a recent outdoor concert in Omaha. In today's Signature Story, Mike Tobias offers some of these perspectives on this and other election topics as part of the NET News "Campaign Connection 2012: Voter Voices" project.

What if Congress doesn't pass a farm bill?

GARNER, IA (2012-08-14) Congress left Washington with a new farm bill still on the sidelines. Farmers in Nebraska and across the Midwest are wondering what happens if no new bill is passed. Harvest Public Media reports that most of modern farm policy could disappear.

Consumer trends forcing hog farmers to rethink gestation crates

CARROLL, IA (2012-08-13) For many in the hog industry, gestation crates for sows are standard practice. Animal welfare groups call the crates inhumane, and more consumers are beginning to share that view. Sarah McCammon reports for Harvest Public Media that pork producers are feeling pressure to change, but warn overhauling the industry would take time and money.

WWII quilt display is a window into wartime.

Lincoln, NE 8/11/2012 (2012-08-11) Quilters responded to war in quilt design, making quilts for relief efforts, and using quilts to raise money.

Farmers feeling heat in Republican River dispute

BARTLEY, NE (2012-08-10) The Republican River is a critical water source for irrigation along its route through Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. The states are going back to court in a years-long dispute over how the river is shared. Grant Gerlock reports how the decision from a final arbitrator appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court could affect farmers on both sides of the border.

Outside spending a factor in U.S. Senate race, but impact is unclear

Lincoln, NE (2012-08-09) The campaigns of Republican Deb Fischer and Democrat Bob Kerrey are doing their best to elect their respective candidates. But their efforts may be overshadowed, at least in some respects, by groups outside of the campaigns. Learn more in this Signature Story from NET News reporter Fred Knapp.

Toxic trash: Nebraska removes potentially dangerous chemicals from school science labs

Beatrice, Ne (2012-08-08) The calendar has turned to August, and teachers and students are getting ready for a new school year. While classrooms were empty over the summer, some Nebraska high schools took the opportunity to get rid of unused toxic chemicals in science labs.

Heat stress? There's a cow app for that

Higginsville, MO (2012-08-07) Stressed cattle will eat less, hurting the bottom line for beef and dairy farmers. A smartphone application being designed for cattle producers will tell whether their herd is likely feeling stress from the summer heat; Midwestern researchers are hoping their app helps farmers and ranchers keeps their cattle comfortable.

Hoop barns keep cattle comfortable despite the heat

WASHTA, Ia (2012-08-06) Recent weeks of heat and drought have withered Midwestern crops, and the extreme weather is also putting livestock under stress. To relieve their cattle from the heat, some producers are bringing in hoop barns. Harvest Public Media reports on why the versatile hoop barns are becoming more common.

Omaha program looks to training a new generation of Nebraska employees

Omaha, NE (2012-08-03) While Nebraska's unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation, it's still not always easy for young people to find a job - especially a first job. Recent census data shows about one-fourth of 16- to 19-year-olds in Omaha are unemployed. Perry Stoner reports on a summer program in Nebraska's largest city designed to give teenagers job experience and training to make them more employable in the future.

On a mission to fill a gap in dental care

ALLIANCE, NE (2012-08-01) More people have medical insurance than have dental coverage, but an untreated dental disease can result in a health crisis. Grant Gerlock of NET News reports on a two-day dental clinic organized to help people with their unaffordable dental problems. Hundreds of people showed up the Mission of Mercy in Alliance, Nebraska for free dental care.

Tax incentives seen as huge state investment

Lincoln, NE (2012-07-31) New report projects Nebraska Advantage program will cost $505 million and create 51,000 jobs over the next 10 years. Supporters say that's a worthwhile investment, but some wonder if it's the best possible use of the money.

When Midwest farming intersects with tourism, optimism and caution abound

LATHROP, MO (2012-07-30) Breaking into agritourism can be harder than it looks. Farmers and policymakers are trying to boost rural economies by bringing visitors onto the farm to pay for the honor of doing chores like picking fruit or roping cattle. But there is a learning curve for farmers branching out into the agritourism industry.

Iraqi photographer honors the resilience of his country's women

Lincoln, NE 6/28/2012 (2012-07-27) Iraqi photographer honors the resilience of his country's women Wesaad al-Badry wants to show Iraqi refugees as proud and confident instead of as victims of war.

Victim of alleged hate crime speaks out

Omaha, NE (2012-07-27) Charlie Rogers, former women's basketball star at UNL, says accusations the attack was a hoax are victimizing her all over again. Omahans rally in support.