OMAHA — A key manager of a Nebraska grant program that’s investing multimillions into historically disadvantaged North and South Omaha neighborhoods has left state government to join the administration of Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr.

Javier Saldaña Jr., formerly the economic recovery division administrator for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, is now Omaha deputy chief of staff for economic development. His new job involves steering real estate development projects for Omaha and helping to carry out mayoral initiatives and priorities.

OMAHA — Nebraska Public Media is launching its own dedicated station in Omaha to expand its statewide reach and better utilize two recently added reporters in the state’s largest city.

NPM recently purchased KOOO, located at 101.9 on the FM dial and plans a June 15 launch for new programming that features National Public Radio news and conversation programs, as well as an “eclectic mix” of rock, blues, folk and alternative country music at night.

Social scientists and commentators have for years been expressing concerns about what they call the “authoritarian playbook.” To be clear, no such book exists. But would-be and actual dictators do tend to follow a common set of strategies to consolidate power.

Since the 2000s, populist leaders from Russia to Venezuela have used their countries’ own democratic systems to overturn democracy itself. One reason for their success may be the fact that supporters of democratic institutions do not seem to have a defensive playbook to match the authoritarians’ offensive one.