Humanities Desk | Net Radio

A nonprofit devoted to spreading awareness of human trafficking and how it relates to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People is starting its second year with some new goals. Here's why it came to be and what the nonprofit wants to accomplish in 2025.

A sensory accessible hair salon in Omaha is following national trends to make services more inclusive for families with sensory needs. Sensory Suite Spot was founded for the reason of creating a place for those with sensory sensitivities to get a good haircut.

A volleyball league for those with mobility issues has returned to Omaha. The city had a sitting volleyball recreation league and a competitive team in the 2010s, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic they were canceled. A joint effort from Omaha Parks and Recreation, CHI Health and Nebraska Adaptive Sports has brought back the recreational league.

Nebraska lawmakers proposed several bills in the unicameral this week focusing on the environment. Sen. Ashlei Spivey introduced legislation that would create an Office of Climate Action for the state. The office would create a state climate action plan, coordinate federal grants and monitor how state legislation passed the prior year impacts the environment.

The Nebraska State Education Association, which is the teacher’s union, wants state lawmakers to make “major movements” this legislative session to tackle the teacher shortage.

Sen. Myron Dorn introduced a constitutional amendment in the Unicameral Friday that would raise the salary of state lawmakers to $30,000. He said the current salary of $12,000 is too low to live on without additional financial assistance. Dorn said that keeps some Nebraskans from running for office. In order to take effect, the amendment would need the votes of three-fifths of the Legislature and a majority of Nebraska voters in the next statewide election.

Some theatre teachers are asking the State Board of Education to increase the endorsement level requirement for educators. They spoke at the board's first meeting with four new members on Friday.

The Lincoln Children's Museum has introduced sensory friendly hours. They are doing this by dimming lights, quieting the noisier of exhibits and providing sensory sensitivity kits for visitors to use.

One Omaha, Nebraska couple was staying at a family home near Los Angeles when they evacuated as fires engulfed the canyon nearby.

A bill to change Nebraska’s electoral vote allocation to winner-take-all was introduced in the state legislature Thursday morning. Sen. Loren Lippincott introduced it on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen, who listed it as one of his four legislative priorities for 2025. Lippincott said winner-take-all spreads out representation to Americans in all states, not just a select few.

The 109th Nebraska Legislature is officially in session. The Norris Chamber at the state capitol was filled with the families of senators Wednesday morning. The newly appointed Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court Jeffrey Funke swore in the 25 senators elected or reelected in November. After the swearing in ceremony, senators got to work electing the Speaker of the Legislature and 17 committee chairs.

Governor Jim Pillen named Jewel Rodgers as Nebraska’s next state poet today/Monday during a ceremony at the state capitol. Rodgers will serve a five-year term as an advocate for poetry, literature and literacy on behalf of the state.She says she hopes to use the role to amplify the work of Nebraska writers and inspire others to consume more poetry. Rodgers is the first African American and youngest person to be named Nebraska State Poet.

On the first day of the 119th Congress, the House of Representatives gathered to elect a speaker. Democrats were united in voting for Hakeem Jeffries of New York, while all but one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, ultimately ended up voting for Mike Johnson of Louisiana. That was enough to give Johnson 218 votes, the exact number needed to be elected speaker.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health works with clinics to offer same day scheduling and walk-in appointments. There are multiple providers available in each of the state’s six behavioral health regions. A list of providers can be found on the DHHS Same Day webpage.

A Lincoln-based group is asking immigrants and refugees what their experiences are like coming to the state. Here’s how those survey results will be used.

A new law giving people more control over their personal information online took effect in Nebraska Wednesday. The Nebraska Data Privacy Act allows consumers to access, correct or delete the data companies collect about them. It also enables Nebraskans to opt out of their data being sold to other companies or third parties. Consumers can download a universal opt out mechanism on their web browser, which automatically sends a signal to every website that they don’t want their data being sold.

Minden, Nebraska has been known as the Christmas City ever since Santa Claus himself made the declaration in 1923. The Kearney County Courthouse’s bright red and green lights can be seen from miles away and the community’s annual Light of the World Pageant brings visitors from across the region. “People really gasp when they see those lights," said Jack Hultquist, a longtime Minden resident. Now, the community is looking for ways to keep its traditions going for the next 100 years.

Keegan Smutz and his bridge maintenance crew help cut, deliver and decorate the Durham’s annual Christmas tree. Smutz has helped bring Christmas to Omaha for 10 years now.

Governor Jim Pillen announced the winners of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development grants Friday. Each of the grants were worth two hundred thousand dollars. The Southeast Nebraska Development District received funds to inventory the region’s water and wastewater infrastructure. The SPARK Developer Academy in Omaha and Central Nebraska Development District each won grants aimed at solving the affordable housing crisis. The grants are part of the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative, which launched earlier this year. The initiative was created to fund economic development projects in each of the state’s six community college districts.

As the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, Scott Phillips traveled the state and country sharing his experiences as an educator. But those events are winding down as his time in the role comes to a close.