Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 05/07/2026 - 12:00am
ATLANTA (AP) — Walking through the frame of his soon-to-be new home on a recent morning, an excited Ozzy Herrera could envision the future. A brown leather sofa to match the floors. Terra-cotta-colored walls. A bar cart near the kitchen.
Herrera, who works two jobs at Atlanta's airport, never imagined he would own a home at the age of 27.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 05/07/2026 - 12:00am
Somewhere between 5% and 7% of U.S. households have rooftop solar panels. Many more Americans want them, but high costs, building locations and landlord restrictions are key obstacles.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 05/07/2026 - 12:00am
Single-family housing starts in March were at their highest since 2022, a fast start to the construction year that could bring more supply to home markets that are still painfully expensive.
The new data from surveys was released April 29 by the U.S. Census Bureau, with information from February and March delayed by issues with the federal government shutdown.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 05/07/2026 - 12:00am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans have added $1 billion in White House security upgrades to legislation that would fund immigration enforcement agencies, a proposed boost for President Donald Trump’s ballroom project after a man was charged with trying to assassinate him at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last week.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 04/30/2026 - 12:00am
As another wave of wildfires ignited last Wednesday, western and central Nebraska property owners aren’t just praying for rain anymore – they’re preparing for how much worse this year could get.
The most recent findings released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center show drought has increased in the last week across a wide stretch of western and central Nebraska – from Sioux to Boyd counties. More than half of the state, 56%, is now seeing extreme levels of drought, according to the newest measurements released Thursday.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 04/30/2026 - 12:00am
A New York City mom and domestic violence survivor felt a flashback of fear when she received a notice in March that the emergency housing voucher she and her son have relied on since 2023 will run out soon.
“It felt like the rug was pulled out from under me,” said Nyla B., who did not want her last name used to protect her safety. “I remember how hard it was to get housing when I left. I didn’t want to go back to a shelter with my son, who has health needs. The thought of being homeless again — or going back to my abuser — came rushing back.”
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 04/30/2026 - 12:00am
RICHBURG, S.C. (AP) — It took less than three minutes for wind-whipped flames to go from licking the side of the house to shattering a window and working under the eaves to burn everything inside. Weeks later, another house in the exact same spot was burning — again in the name of science.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 04/23/2026 - 12:00am
This article was produced in partnership with ProPublica through its Local Reporting Network.
Belinda Daniels panicked in 2018 when the pediatrician said her 1-year-old son, Jovanni, had lead in his body. The toxic metal could stunt his brain, the doctor told her, but catching it early meant she could prevent more damage.
Daniels moved out of her Omaha apartment that had chipping lead paint. The doctor continued testing Jovanni periodically while Daniels followed instructions on cleaning, handwashing and keeping Jovanni away from contaminated dirt.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 04/23/2026 - 12:00am
LINCOLN — After another cut in state funding, an effort to link recreation trails from Omaha and Lincoln through Cass County is looking at other options.
But an official with the agency seeking to build the connector trail said he’s still optimistic, despite more than one setback that the trail will eventually be built.
“Maybe it took this to find the right path,” said David Potter, the general manager of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.
Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 04/23/2026 - 12:00am
Congress’ move to allow mining in a national forest near a wilderness area may have broad ramifications across the country.
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to overturn a mining ban in Minnesota’s Superior National Forest, the headwaters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.