Profiles

Omaha 7th In The Midwest For Women In STEM

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 1:00am

Commercial Cafe has released a report ranking 123 cities in the United States regarding their STEM employment and the representation of women in STEM jobs. STEM; referring to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; is an area that women are often underrepresented, and many cities and organizations are pushing for more women to join. In 2017, the organization Women in STEM launched as an effort to get young women and high school kids to get interested in pursuing a career in STEM.

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The Colonization Of Hawai’i: A Story Of Greed, Betrayal

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 5:00am

A rainbow is seen over the mountains off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. (GPA Photo Archive)

As we celebrate another Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it is important to remember the story of how Hawaii became part of the United States. While it is not a new story to tell during this time, as more and more native Hawaiians are flocking to the continental United States for affordable homes – with a large influx moving to Las Vegas, where housing is half the cost as it currently is on the islands – it is important to take the time to recall how the 50th State joined the union.

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Guerrilla Gardening: How The Public Takes Beautification Into Their Own Hands

Published by josie@omahadail... on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 8:24am

Guerrilla gardening is used to reclaim community spaces, rejuvenate urban areas, and encourage more connection with nature. It’s a phenomenon that gets more popular every year. There are many benefits to the movement such as encouraging biodiversity by planting native plants and creating community gardens.
(AP Photo)

Guerrilla Gardening is the term for planting in areas that the gardener doesn’t own. While the term was first coined in the 1970’s in New York, it took off again in the early 2000’s when Richard Reynolds started blogging his local adventures in London. Since then, people all over the world have bonded together to improve the areas around them.

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First Star Recycling: Helping The Earth Through Renewable Resources

Published by josie@omahadail... on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 7:57am

Plastic lumber is created from plastic flakes as part of First Star’s sustainability program.
(Tim Trudell / The Daily Record)

It’s as simple as placing plastic, aluminum and cardboard in the recycling containers at home. Creating a sustainable environment is behind the more than 100,000 tons of recycling items that are processed at First Star Recycling, 10330 I Street. Every possible item is recycled, reused or repurposed.

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‘Pink Skies and Butterflies’: Remembering Karly Rain Wood

Published by josie@omahadail... on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 7:52am

Karly Rain Wood was a victim of gun violence at a party on November 13, 2022. Her family and friends shared stories of her infectious smile, her love of dancing, and her habit of carrying a bag of fun from the Dollar Tree to cheer up her friends at her celebration of life in April, on which would have been her 21st birthday.
(Courtesy of Amber Wood)

Karly Rain Wood was a beautiful 20-year-old girl who had a bright future ahead of her. Born on her great-grandfather Carl’s birthday, she was named after him. She was known for her kindness, work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit. She had plans to become a business owner, and her family and friends were excited to see what the future held for her. Unfortunately, Karly’s life was cut short when she was shot and killed at a party on November 13, 2022.

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America’s Track Record Of Distrust

Published by josie@omahadail... on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 8:09am

There’s been a growing disdain for the government. Only 20% of people in the United States have faith that their politicians in DC have their best interest in mind, according to a 2022 study by the Pew Research Center. In the early 2000s, that number was as high as 54%. This mistrust in government isn’t new. Rebellion is a staple of American Culture.

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Crossing Constitutional Boundaries

Published by josie@omahadail... on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 8:08am

Whether it's challenging the legality of pipelines across tribal land or handling crimes committed on reservations, Native American law crosses constitutional boundaries, with lawyers and judges needing to understand the differences. For people like Ed Zendejas and Nicole Ducheneaux, it's just another day at the office.

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Elementary School Mock Trial Tries Jack And The Beanstock

Published by josie@omahadail... on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 8:05am

Students from both Loveland and Swanson Elementary schools participated in a mock trial at the Federal Courthouse on March 30th as part of celebrating Law Day. With the help of actors from the Rose Theater and Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., these students were able to experience what it’s like to be a part of the legal system by performing “The People v. Jack and the Beanstock”, a play created by retired Judge Thomas Eveland of Lansing, MI.

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Bring Earnest Jackson Home: Advocating For Equitable Justice In The Criminal Justice System

Published by josie@omahadail... on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 8:04am

Earnest Jackson poses for a picture as a young child.

Earnest Jackson has spent 20 years in the Nebraska State Penitentiary. According to advocates and lawyers involved in the case, Jackson doesn’t belong in prison.

Jackson’s supporters have been confused for the past two decades with the result of his trial. Questions have been raised, and advocates note concerns in the court transcripts.

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Redlining: The Sordid Truth Of Exclusionary Mortgage Lending

Published by josie@omahadail... on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 8:02am

Nearly 90 years after it was first implemented, many cities in the United States still feel the effects of Redlining, a historically racist practice of designating neighborhoods as high or low risk for mortgage lenders, usually based on race or immigration status. Typically, it was Black residents of cities who felt this the hardest, but all minorities were treated as “risky investments” and had their neighborhoods classified as high risk, or red neighborhoods.