You answered.

A total of 186 people completed our reader survey, including current subscribers and people who do not presently subscribe. We also held focus groups where everyone was encouraged to speak candidly about the newspaper, what they appreciate, what they skip and what they hope to see in the future.

We listened carefully. Now we are preparing to act.

The Journal will be making several changes in the coming months, including expanded youth coverage, a more active digital presence, more local features and changes designed to make better use of the limited space in each printed edition.

However, before we explain where we are going, we need to be honest about what it takes to produce this newspaper every week so you understand some of our changes.

A single copy of the Falls City Journal currently sells for $1.50.  It costs us approximately $3 per copy to produce, print and distribute the newspaper.

That cost includes far more than paper and ink. It includes printing, postage and mailing expenses. It includes software, service subscriptions, graphic resources and other essential tools required to design, produce and distribute a modern newspaper. Those expenses come before all your other basic office expenses, leases, staff pay and “tech.” 

A print subscription presently costs $55 a year, which works out to approximately $1.05 per week, or about 15 cents per day. 

That price no longer reflects the actual cost of producing the newspaper.

Unfortunately, subscription prices will be increasing. We have not made that decision lightly and we know every household and business is watching its expenses. However, the current pricing structure is not sustainable if Falls City is to continue having a locally owned, locally staffed newspaper.

Our survey showed that readers understand the seriousness of the situation. Seventy-four percent of respondents said they would pay more if they knew the newspaper was struggling. Among current subscribers, 79% said they would pay more, and two-thirds of non-subscribers who responded indicated they would be willing to help. The survey also found that 80% of respondents were willing to pay at least $2 per issue. 

We do not share those figures to pressure anyone. We share them because transparency matters. Readers deserve to know what it costs to produce the newspaper and why changes are necessary.

As of July 2026: A 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola was listed at $2.49 at Hy-Vee.  A specialty coffee can typically cost $6.00 or more. 

A bottle of pop may be gone in 20 minutes. A cup of coffee while completely necessary may last through the morning. For $1.50, the Journal provides a week’s record of local government, schools, businesses, achievements, deaths, celebrations and community life.

At $2 per issue, the Falls City Journal would still cost less than many bottled drinks, specialty coffees and snacks. Two dollars buys one week of locally reported and verified news.

A $75 annual subscription would be $1.44 per weekly issue; $6.25 per month and 20.5 cents per day.

It costs the Journal nearly $3 to produce, print and distribute each copy, yet we currently charge only $1.50. Three dollars may purchase a drink or a snack. At the Journal, $3 nearly pays for the production and distribution of an entire newspaper containing the permanent record of one week in our community.

The clearest message from the survey and focus groups was that readers want more local people, local stories and local connections.

The five subjects receiving the greatest interest were obituaries and announcements (baby/wedding), feature stories, local government, local activities and school stories. Readers also expressed strong interest in historical photographs, human-interest stories, youth writing and more coverage of local businesses and community members. 

Feature stories received particularly strong support. Readers want to learn more about the people, businesses, traditions, organizations and histories that make Richardson County distinctive.

We agree.

You will see more locally focused features in the newspaper. Some may be historical. Others may introduce readers to an interesting neighbor, a longtime employee, a volunteer, a business owner, a student, an artist, an athlete or someone making a difference.

Readers can help us find those stories.

We cannot know every person, project or idea worth covering. Readers are encouraged to email us, stop by the office or leave a note when we are away. A good feature idea does not have to involve a major award or a dramatic event. Often, the best stories begin with an ordinary person doing something extraordinary or simply something interesting.

But, this is a partnership. We would ask that events that we cover with stories be advertised.

This is your newspaper and we want the people of this community reflected throughout its pages.

One of the changes we are most excited about is a proposed page focused on local youth.

We hope to work with area schools, teachers, parents, organizations and students to feature photographs, classroom projects, achievements, artwork, writing and other activities involving young people. We hope the schools will be as excited to participate and work with us as we are to feature our local students.

Children deserve to see themselves and their accomplishments recognized in their hometown newspaper. Parents and grandparents also deserve a newspaper that preserves those moments in a permanent, printed record.

Adding new material means making difficult decisions about how we use space.

Based on reader feedback, the weekly church-information section has been removed from the printed newspaper and placed online.  The printed church information occupies a significant amount of space that can be used for youth coverage, feature stories, photographs and other material readers requested. 

This does not mean church news is unimportant. Churches remain a vital part of the community. The information will remain available, but it will be delivered in a format that allows us to use the printed newspaper more effectively.

The public-record page has also be tightened and better organized. Our editorial and opinion pages have been condensed so more space can be devoted to locally produced material.

We have also found  a new crossword puzzle host who offers us movie reviews, entertainment stories, games and comics. 

Not every change will happen immediately. Some require new partnerships, new technology or additional revenue. However, the work has begun as we are sure you have noticed in the new format of the paper. 

One of the most promising ideas under consideration is an additional e-edition for digital subscribers.

This edition would give us space to publish material we cannot always fit into the printed paper, including additional photographs from community events, recipes and other items that may not have enough advertising support or available space for print.

A printed newspaper has physical limits. Every additional page increases printing and mailing costs. A second digital edition would allow us to provide more content without removing material from the weekly newspaper.

We have also met with a service that is going to change how the e-edition is delivered. Our goal is to make it possible for subscribers to receive the newspaper directly in their email inbox rather than requiring them to remember to visit a website and log in. We believe easier delivery is an important step toward making the Journal more accessible. If you are a current e-edition subscriber please keep an eye out for more information as this moves forward this month.

Readers also made it clear they want to hear from us more often between printed editions.

Seventy-four percent of survey respondents said they would like to see more newspaper content posted on social media. The Journal presently has approximately 5,600 Facebook followers and 336 Instagram followers, giving us an opportunity to reach readers throughout the week. 

We are working to become more active on Facebook and Instagram with additional photographs, short videos, HS sports interviews and previews of stories appearing in the newspaper. Most stories may be available exclusively to subscribers. Our goal is not to replace the printed newspaper with social media. It is to use each platform for what it does best.

The newspaper will remain the complete, permanent record of the week. Social media can help us deliver timely information, introduce readers to upcoming stories and keep the community connected between editions.

Subscriptions are essential, but subscriptions alone cannot support a community newspaper. Local advertising makes local reporting possible. When a business purchases an advertisement, it is not simply buying space on a page. It is helping pay for coverage of city government, schools, sports, public records, local organizations, community events, elections and the people who call this area home.

The company who is going to change the way we deliver our E-edition will also be taking over our website to streamline the sign-up process, get articles online  and on social media quicker. We are so excited about this change and hope you will be too. This month you will see changes and updates to our website. We will keep you updated on the process.

Our focus groups also told us that businesses are interested in more modern advertising choices. We are exploring options and attending classes that help us understand social-media advertising, sponsored videos, digital advertising, sponsorships and Facebook photo sponsorships.  We want to give local businesses more ways to reach customers while continuing to offer professionally designed print advertising. When local businesses support the Journal, they support a newspaper that reports on their customers, employees, schools.

We are still learning, listening and looking for better ways to serve this community. We know we need to make a greater effort to hear from teenagers, young adults, parents and younger families as we plan the Journal’s future.  We want the Falls City Journal to be a newspaper for people of every age not only those who have read it for decades, but also those who may be discovering community journalism for the first time.

If younger readers have ideas for stories, videos, social-media content, school coverage, community projects, youth columns or other ways to make local news more engaging, we are ready to listen. We also welcome suggestions from teachers, parents, students, young professionals and community organizations about how we can encourage more people to read, participate and become invested in what is happening locally.

Community journalism works best when the community takes part in it. That might mean suggesting a feature story, submitting a photograph, writing a guest column or “Say Your Piece,” helping us connect with students or simply telling us what would make the newspaper more useful to you.

We strongly encourage you to use the pages of our paper to “Say Your Piece.” Facebook can be great for a lot of things, but we found from our focus groups and surveys that the community does read the paper. It’s an excellent way to get information and ideas to the public. Take advantage of an excellent resource you have right here. 

We will not get every change exactly right on the first try. We will continue to evaluate what works, make adjustments and evolve as our readers and community change.

The Journal has served generations of local families, but preserving that legacy requires us to reach the generations who will carry it forward. We are open to new ideas, ready to experiment and committed to building a newspaper that remains relevant, welcoming and valuable to everyone.

We can’t begin to express to you, our readers how important this newspaper is to us and how much we want to get this right for you. 

Thirty-six percent of the people who completed our survey were not current subscribers. Their participation tells us that even people who do not presently receive the Journal consistently care about whether this community has a newspaper. 

The Journal cannot survive on concern and good wishes alone. 

It needs subscribers. 

It needs people who purchase single copies.

It needs businesses and organizations that advertise.

It needs schools, clubs, churches and community members who send us information and photographs.

It needs readers who tell us when we are doing something well and when we need to improve.

We know asking people to pay more is difficult. We also know that disappearing quietly, reducing coverage or allowing the newspaper to become less useful would be worse.

We are choosing to invest in the future. We are choosing more local stories, more young people, more photographs, more digital access and more communication with readers.

We are choosing to change with the times while protecting what makes a community newspaper irreplaceable: locally verified information, public accountability and a permanent record of life in Richardson County.

You spoke, and we listened. Now we are asking you to move forward with us.

Subscribe. Purchase a newspaper. Advertise your business. Send us your story ideas. Share our work. Encourage your school, organization or employer to participate.

The Falls City Journal is your newspaper. With your support, it can remain that way for generations to come.

The post You spoke. We listened. – How the Falls City Journal will be moving forward. appeared first on THE FALLS CITY JOURNAL.

The Postal Service is conducting a discontinuance feasibility study of the Rulo Main Office. The study is part of the formal process used to determine whether an office should be permanently closed. No final determination has been announced.

Postal services have not been offered at the Rulo office since it was placed under emergency suspension Dec. 31, 2018. According to a July 31 notice sent to customers, the suspension followed the termination of the Postal Service’s lease by the property owner. The Postal Service said no suitable alternative location was available in Rulo.

Since the suspension, Rulo customers have received postal products and services through the Falls City Main Office at 1520 Harlan St., 9.27 miles from Rulo.

Other nearby offices include the White Cloud, Kansas, office at 214 Main St., 8.56 miles away and the Craig, Missouri, office at 103 S. Main St., 10.12 miles away.

The Postal Service said permanently closing the Rulo office would not change the services currently offered through the Falls City office. Rulo post office box customers would continue receiving their mail in Falls City.

If the Rulo office is permanently closed, the Postal Service said the status of affected customers would change from temporary to permanent in its system. Customers’ post office box numbers and the Rulo ZIP code, 68431, would remain the same.

The Postal Service had scheduled a virtual community meeting July 31 to provide information, answer questions and receive comments. 

“We value your opinions during this review process,” Shane McLaughlin, manager of Post Office Operations, wrote in the notice.

Responses must be received by Aug. 14 to be included in the feasibility study and considered before a final decision is made.

Written comments may be hand delivered to the Falls City Main Office or mailed to:

Manager Customer Relations

Dawn Cook

7900 Hickman Road

Des Moines, IA 50324

The Postal Service said comments will become part of a publicly available record. Names and contact information will be removed, but the comments may be available for public review.

Federal regulations require the Postal Service to consider several factors before closing or consolidating a post office. Those factors include the effect on the community, the effect on postal employees, the Postal Service’s obligation to provide effective and regular service to rural communities and small towns, potential economic savings and other factors the Postal Service considers necessary.

Community members who want the Rulo office preserved may use their comments to provide specific information about local postal needs, the effect of traveling to another community for service and any suitable locations that could be considered for a Rulo facility.

After the questionnaire responses and community input are collected, the Postal Service said a proposal will be posted in the retail lobby of the Falls City Main Office.

If the Postal Service decides to proceed, federal regulations require public notice of the proposal and a public comment period lasting 60 days. Any final determination must be issued in writing after those comments are considered.

People regularly served by the Rulo post office would have 30 days after a final determination is posted to appeal the decision to the Postal Regulatory Commission. A permanent discontinuance could not take effect sooner than 60 days after the final determination is posted.

The post Rulo residents have until Aug. 14 to oppose permanent post office closure appeared first on THE FALLS CITY JOURNAL.

“The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the country,” said Hilary Maricle, FSA State Executive Director in Nebraska. “The success of the 2026 enrollment period reflects USDA’s Farmers First commitment and the dedication of America’s farmers and ranchers to protecting our natural resources.”

Accepted acres include participation through General CRP, Grassland CRP, and Continuous CRP initiatives that support soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and long-term conservation on working lands.

Of the 71,980 acres set to expire on Sept. 30, producers submitted re-enrollment offers for approximately 48,000 acres. Additionally, producers submitted offers to enroll 351,676 acres of new land in Nebraska. Nebraska had the highest number of accepted CRP acres in the nation. Counties with the highest accepted acreage include Sheridan, Sioux and Grant counties.

USDA’s CRP is one of the nation’s largest voluntary conservation programs, helping agricultural producers protect sensitive land while strengthening rural communities and supporting long-term sustainability.

More Information  

Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production, the program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits to farmers, ranchers, and landowners across the country.

The post USDA Accepts 359,695 Acres in Nebraska Through 2026 Conservation. Reserve Program Enrollment to Benefit Natural Resources, Ag Operations appeared first on THE FALLS CITY JOURNAL.

Since May 2026, Nebraska has reported 49 cases of cyclosporiasis. At this time, there have been no reported cases of cyclosporiasis in Nebraska related to the recent outbreak in the United States. DHHS is working with federal and local public health partners to investigate a number of domestically acquired cases to determine if there are shared exposures linking cases together.

“Cyclosporiasis is not a new infection. Nebraska sees a small number of seasonal cases each year between May and September, typically associated with international travel,” said Dr. Timothy Tesmer, DHHS Chief Medical Officer. “Nebraskans who develop symptoms lasting more than three days should contact a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can help shorten the illness and reduce the risk of dehydration and other complications.”

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which is typically spread through contaminated food or water, most commonly fresh fruits and vegetables. Previous outbreaks have been linked to bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions. It is not spread from person to person. Symptoms usually develop about one week after exposure and include watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, stomach cramps, and nausea. Without treatment, it can last for weeks or longer, and symptoms may come and go.

Reduce Your Risk:

• Cook foods when possible. Heating food to at least 158°F (70°C) kills the Cyclospora parasite.
• Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under clean, running water before eating, cutting, or peeling them. Scrub firm produce such as melons and cucumbers with a clean produce brush.
• Clean and sanitize your hands, cutting boards, utensils, countertops, and other food preparation surfaces before and after handling fresh produce.
• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas before preparing or eating fruits and vegetables.
• Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables promptly.

Treatment

People experiencing gastrointestinal illness, such as sudden or ongoing diarrhea lasting more than three days, are encouraged to contact their health care provider. Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics along with rest and drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration. Additionally, if you are sick with cyclosporiasis, local or state health officials may contact you to ask about what you ate in the two weeks before becoming sick.

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/index.html.

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By Leo Adam Biga

Flatwater Free Press

When about two dozen members of Beatrice High’s Class of 1961 recently gathered for their 65th reunion, it was more than the usual redux. For many, it marked the first time in years that they had set their eyes on a cinematic time capsule — a feature-length documentary chronicling their 15-year class reunion that coincided with the U.S. bicentennial 50 years ago.

“Reunion ’61-’76” was made for and broadcast on Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (now Nebraska Public Media) then largely vanished, save for a few screenings at class reunions over the decades. 

“I think it holds up very well,” said grad and retired history professor Bob Cherny, who co-moderated a Q&A at the July 11 reunion in Beatrice.

A sharper, digitized version of the film will debut July 29 as part of the Made in Nebraska series at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center in Lincoln. Ross program manager Laurie Richards called the film “a hidden gem of the cinema verite movement that should be seen because it reflects its times in such a raw, remarkable way.”

Its maker, John Spence, was himself a member of the Beatrice Class of ’61, and in 1976, he worked in NET’s film unit. He said the concept behind the project was simple.

“Because we literally hadn’t gotten together as a group for 15 years, and a lot had happened in the meantime. I was frankly very curious to see how people turned out and if they had found a unique way of getting by.”

Spence had no script, just an idea that evolved as he met with people and events happened. Of course, he needed buy-in from his classmates. They agreed to participate “because we knew film was John’s thing so we just sort of went along with it,” said classmate Pete Genzlinger. 

“I’m not sure many people thought anybody would see it anyway besides us,” he added.

LINK TO DOC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrLnXGODMzM

The group proved willing participants — and worthy subjects.

When they entered the world, World War II was still raging. Both Spence’s and Cherny’s fathers died in the conflict. When the 135 graduates received their diplomas at the municipal auditorium on May 24, 1961, John F. Kennedy was still president. The Cuban Missile Crisis had not happened. Vietnam was far from most Americans’ radar. The Beatles were years away from invading the U.S.

After their graduation, the country saw change and tragedy: the sexual revolution and rise of feminism, the fight for civil rights, Cold War dread, the assassinations of JFK, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, the Vietnam War, Watergate.

By the time this cohort reunited in the bicentennial year, they were veterans of the nation’s culture wars, witnesses to a decade and a half of upheaval not unlike today’s America.

In the film, grads share what they did after high school — from serving in the military to attending college to entering professions to starting families. Some moved away, some stayed put. Some did what they set out to do, others were still searching. 

A surprising number found themselves in creative careers. Genzlinger painted and taught art. Vicki Krecek became a writer and Omaha communications professional. Jim Meyers ran his own photography studios and a pottery business. Barbara Hibben became the first research assistant for the then new Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery before heading to the East Coast. Gibb Hedges became an illustrator and ran the popular Beatrice bar Gibbs’ Place for three decades. 

And there was Spence, the filmmaker. As he came of age, his ambivalence about his hometown grew. By the time graduation came, he couldn’t wait to get away. But he didn’t get far — he has lived in Lincoln since 1962. 

“Quite frankly, the more and the further I went away, the better home looked. … Lincoln’s only about 40 miles from Beatrice, but in my heart, my mind, it’s a thousand miles away.”

The 65th reunion was a different experience for this group of now 82- to 84-year-olds reflecting on themselves from a half century ago. Whereas with earlier reunions people talked about careers and families, the focus now veers toward the bigger picture.

“The list of people that have died gets longer every year, and it’s so sad,” Krecek said. 

Hibben, who became a career U.S. foreign service officer after her art career, traveled from Pennsylvania with a daughter for the 65th reunion out of a sense of urgency. “Because I think it’s probably going to be the last time I get to see some of these people,” she said. “I miss quite a few who I remember well.” 

Meyers, who recently resettled in Beatrice, acknowledged the reality of their age. But he mused, “There’s a pretty good group of us that feel like we’re just going to keep going. Maybe we’ll have a 75th. Why not? If you don’t believe that way then you probably won’t make it.”

Watching the film again, some noted how the polarization of today reminds them of the divisions of the turbulent ’60s and ’70s. 

“Yeah, I thought about that when I watched it,” Krecek said.

The Class of ’61 has managed to avoid that same division at their reunions, going to lengths to avoid talking politics and other polarizing subjects.

“We recognize that at meals people may end up at separate tables because they may feel strongly on both sides,” Hibben said.

The doc doesn’t refer to the disproportionate number from the class who pursued creative lives or careers, but 65th participants did. Past reunions featured exhibitions of classmates’ work. Grads pointed to the town’s maverick streak and legacy of strong art teachers — like Don Hazelrigg, who Meyers said encouraged students to “explore” and make things — as contributing factors. 

Spence said “Reunion ’61-’76” is his answer to “nonfiction unfettered personal filmmaking.” Michael Farrell was the director of photography on the project and used a handheld camera to capture its intimate black-and-white images. He feels Spence made a minor classic. 

“This is a very interesting slice of American life, and I think John’s got something really important to say with this film. It’s a really important piece of work and it shouldn’t just get buried someplace.”

Classmates appreciate that their class is the rare one anywhere, anytime immortalized in a film. Class archivist Peg Quakenbush echoed others in saying, “It’s very special … for us and we’re lucky.”

Meyers was teaching art in Nelson, Nebraska, when the documentary aired. His students watched it. Years later, one of those students told him that Meyers and his classmates inspired them to stick together much the same way. ”It wasn’t me,” Meyers said, deferring the credit, “it was John (Spence) and what he did with that (film).” 

Spence is satisfied it remains an honest, unadorned looking glass into the past. “I do like the idea it could be about any small Midwestern town and the folks in it,” he said. “That’s the value of it in my mind.”

The ’61 class has gathered for past milestone reunions. When the 60th coincided with COVID, the reunion was held virtually. The 65th was not the first time the doc got screened. Seeing and hearing themselves from a half century ago elicited the usual laughs and perhaps more tears than past screenings. 

Though Bob Cherny lives on the West Coast, he has actively organized several reunions. Why? “I guess just the idea to get back in touch with people I knew and fell out of touch with.” 

Genzlinger, who has made all the reunions, said the attraction to catch up is natural.

“The first ones I attended, I was curious to see how people had changed. Some of those people I don’t know why I didn’t become closer to them in school because I realized they’re neat people and I wish I had. I wish I knew their story. Everybody has a story.” 

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

The post Fifty years ago, a documentary chronicled a Nebraska high school’s class reunion. It’s about to hit the big screen.  appeared first on THE FALLS CITY JOURNAL.

B-roll − e-bikes and e-scooters

Sound bites – trauma surgeon

OMAHA, NE (July 21, 2026) — As e-bikes and e-scooters surge in popularity, AAA – The Auto Club Group is providing its new “E-Ride Ready” campaign to help parents better understand the risks associated with these fast-moving devices and take steps to prevent serious injuries.

“E-rides have spread so quickly that laws, infrastructure, and safety awareness haven’t kept pace,” said Brian Ortner, Spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That leaves many parents trying to figure out what’s safe, what’s allowed, and what rules to set. AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign helps to close that gap.”

At the center of the campaign is The Auto Club Group’s new E-Ride Safety Guide, a free resource that helps families:

• Understand how e-bikes and e-scooters operate
• Choose helmets designed for the speed and type of device
• Identify where riders can safely and legally ride
• Set clear safety expectations before a child’s first ride

This campaign comes amid growing concern nationwide about injuries involving young e-riders. A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission review found micromobility-related injuries rose an average of 23 percent from 2017 to 2022, contributing to an estimated 360,800 emergency department visits and 233 deaths. Medical experts say e-ride crashes commonly involve vehicles, pedestrians, and fixed objects such as curbs and mailboxes.

“As e-rides become more common, younger riders are often sharing the road with traffic before they fully understand how to navigate it safely,” said Ortner. “When you combine higher speeds with limited experience, the risk of a serious crash increases quickly. That’s why it’s critical for parents to stay involved and set clear expectations before a child rides.”

Helmets save lives

Medical experts say helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries, yet many young riders go without one or use helmets that are not designed for higher-speed devices.

“Helmets can make all the difference in a crash,” said Ortner. “Parents should make sure riders wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride and ensure it matches the speed and capabilities of the device. AAA’s new E-Ride Safety Guide helps families understand the different standards and when they apply.”

E-Ride laws vary by location

Confusion about e-bike and e-scooter laws can create additional risk for families. Rules governing rider age, helmet requirements, and where devices can operate often vary widely by state and local communities.

Federal law generally defines a low-speed e-bike as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and top assisted speeds ranging from 20 to 28 mph, depending on classification. Some higher-speed devices commonly used by teens may fall outside traditional e-bike classifications altogether and require a driver’s license and registration.

Nebraska law at a glance:

• No statewide minimum age for e-scooter riders
• Helmet required on e-bikes and e-scooters for 18 years of age and younger
• E‑bikes may ride where bicycles are allowed
• Sidewalk riding is generally permitted statewide
• Public trail use as permitted
• Local municipalities may have specific restrictions
• E-bikes and bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as drivers, such as, honoring stop signs and traffic signals.

AAA encourages families to review their state and local laws before allowing children or teens to ride. The E-Ride Safety Guide also highlights safe riding locations and encourages families to prioritize environments with less traffic and fewer hazards.

AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign encourages families to:

1. Know the speed and capabilities of the device
2. Require properly fitted helmets, rated for the e-ride’s top speed
3. Understand where e-rides can legally and safely operate
4. Practice safe riding habits around traffic and pedestrians

The free E-Ride Safety Guide includes:

• An overview of e-bike and e-scooter types and performance differences
• Helmet guidance and safety checklists
• Tips for riding around traffic and pedestrians
• Safety conversation starters for parents and young riders
• Safety tips for drivers and e-riders

As e-rides become more common in neighborhoods and on roadways, AAA says preparation is critical to preventing injuries.

“E-bikes and e-scooters can be a fun and convenient way to get around, but they require more awareness and responsibility than many families expect,” said Ortner. “When parents understand the risks and set clear expectations, they can help prevent crashes before they happen.”

Families can download AAA’s free E-Ride Safety Guide at sm.AAA/ERideReady

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG), named a 2026 Forbes Most Trusted Company in America, is the second-largest AAA club in North America, with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG is part of the national AAA federation, which serves more than 66 million members across the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on social media.

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Deputies responded to the scene along with Falls City Rural Fire and Falls City EMS. Upon arrival, emergency responders located a single-engine Cessna aircraft that had successfully completed an emergency landing following an apparent engine failure.

Two occupants were aboard the aircraft at the time of the emergency landing. Neither occupant was injured, and no medical treatment or transport was required.

To allow the roadway to be reopened, the aircraft was moved off the county road and onto private property near the landing site. The aircraft remains secured at that location pending recovery and investigation by the appropriate federal aviation authorities.

The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office notified the appropriate federal agencies. The National Transportation Safety Board, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, will conduct the investigation into the cause of the emergency landing.

County road closures associated with the incident were removed later that evening, and normal traffic resumed.

The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office thanked Falls City Rural Fire, Falls City EMS and all assisting personnel for their prompt response and professionalism.

The post Emergency Aircraft Landing in Rural Richardson County appeared first on THE FALLS CITY JOURNAL.

Flatwater Free Press

Kirsten Johnson was sitting at home on Christmas Eve when a sharp wave of pain stole her next breath. More than a week past her due date, the first-time mother immediately recognized the first sign of labor.

Johnson and her husband left their rural home near Dunning and sped off on the two-hour trek to the hospital in Kearney, a trip Johnson had reluctantly made for dozens of appointments.

Battling heavy fog and icy roads, the couple arrived around 1 a.m. The contractions intensified just before dawn.

A few hours later, Johnson held her wailing baby boy after delivering him in a natural water birth on Christmas Day 2024. While successful, it also solidified Johnson’s desire for a different avenue for birth: midwifery.

“Being a first-time mom, you don’t know what to expect,” Johnson said. “So, just hearing that X, Y, Z can go wrong and people are going to pressure you into things, it’s a lot all at once. I think, had I have had a midwife with him, I would have felt a lot more empowered.”

Mothers like Johnson interested in alternative forms of birth run headlong into existing Nebraska law.

State law prohibits nurse midwives, the most qualified group of midwives, from assisting in home births even as mothers continue to seek such care from less-educated midwives and doulas.

Nebraska is the only state in the nation where certified nurse midwives — registered nurses with advanced training — can’t assist with home births. Nebraska is also one of only two states that requires physician supervision of nurse midwives.

A 1984 state law licensed and regulated nurse midwives, but a last-minute addition requested by the Nebraska Medical Association prohibited them from assisting in home births.

The measure also failed to address forms of unlicensed midwifery in the state. This allowed less-educated midwives to assist in home births until two years ago, when the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that all midwives must hold a license to practice.

In 2024, about five planned home births occurred in Nebraska per 1,000 live births, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. That number had slowly increased over the previous decade.

[graphic showing rise in home births]

Nurse midwives have been practicing in Nebraska hospitals, birth centers and clinics for more than 40 years — under the supervision of a physician.

Beyond their specialization in primary, sexual and reproductive care, nurse midwives can conduct exams, order tests, prescribe medications, do procedures such as pap smears and address gynecological concerns.

Ann Seacrest, who moved to Nebraska in 1981 while pregnant, led the movement to license nurse midwives after realizing there was no systematic way to receive midwifery care in the state. She began working on what became the 1984 law soon after delivering her baby.

While physician supervision agreements were standard at the time, Seacrest said the midwife legislation didn’t originally include the home birth restriction until the Nebraska Medical Association requested that such a provision be added. Wanting the measure to pass, Seacrest and other supporters agreed to the addition.

“I have huge remorse every time I get asked about home birth,” Seacrest said of the wording that prohibits nurse midwives from assisting in home births. “… I would do anything I could to undo it, because it shouldn’t be there. Particularly now, it shouldn’t be there.”

Although some efforts have been made over the years to reverse the restrictions, the Nebraska Medical Association and the Nebraska Hospital Association have begun to talk with the state’s nurse midwife group and expressed openness to supporting and advancing the profession with certain guardrails. 

“(Nebraska) families have strong feelings about home birth,” said Robert Wergin, president of the medical association. “… If they should occur, it should be with a highly trained person in a low-risk identified patient with collaborative arrangements made.”

A 2024 analysis from the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that midwife care often reduces medical interventions during childbirth with favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes in most cases. Additionally, a researcher at the Boston University School of Public Health found that states with larger proportions of their births attended by midwives tend to have lower infant and pregnancy-related mortality rates.

Elizabeth Mollard, president of the Nebraska affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, said the state’s regulations have made it difficult for nurse midwives to function “from the get-go.”

Under the 1984 law, nurse midwives must practice under a licensed physician who is readily available for consultation. 

Mollard said many midwives have struggled to find physicians willing to sign a supervisory agreement because of possible liability risks. This has caused some nurse midwives to switch to non-birth-related roles or to leave the state altogether.

As of June, 113 people had active nurse midwife licenses in Nebraska. Approximately 87 were practicing in some capacity, while only 44 were providing birth services.

The supervision requirement has also been the “primary barrier” to opening and sustaining freestanding birth centers in Nebraska, Mollard said. Such centers in other states are run by midwives, exist separately from hospitals and handle low-risk pregnancies.

Nebraska has seen three separate freestanding birth centers fail over the years, with the latest closing in Lincoln in 2024. Although multiple factors led to their demise, Mollard said the underlying issue was unreliable physician collaborations.

Nurse midwives are a “highly trained workforce” that could help fill the gap in the state’s maternity care shortage, she said.

“It’s just silly when we see these statistics about maternal care deserts and that there’s no obstetric care provider in that community, and it’s like, ‘Oh, wait, actually there is,’” Mollard said, referring to nurse midwives. “It’s just our laws don’t allow them to actually care for patients.” 

In late April, a nurse midwife legally assisted with a home birth in Hastings after a pregnant mother named Hope Lindstrom sued the state. The state settled and allowed the birth to proceed in the home. Lindstrom had argued that the home birth ban on nurse midwives violated her 14th Amendment rights and religious freedom.

Heather Swanson, a nurse midwife in the state since 2002, attended Lindstrom’s birth along with two registered nurses. Before the birth, Swanson said she conducted a risk assessment to ensure Lindstrom was fit for out-of-hospital care. She also met with the city’s emergency medical services team to discuss a transfer in case of complications.

Lindstrom’s home birth gave Swanson and nurse midwives across the state hope for change. 

“I feel like there’s enough evidence to say planned home birth attended by a licensed provider is where we see the safest outcomes, if risks are appropriately assessed and attended to,” Swanson said.

On the other hand, Mollard said the current system of home birth in the state “is the most dangerous system of home birth.”

Mollard said home births have been handled “underground” by individuals with varying levels of experience. If something were to go wrong, there is little to no communication with healthcare authorities upon transfer to a hospital.

“Right now, we have a really ugly system where you have a choice of a hospital or giving birth alone or giving birth with somebody who is practicing illegally,” Mollard said. “If, for whatever reason, a hospital is not acceptable to you, then your two options that are left are not great options.”

Because of the 1984 nurse midwifery law, nurse midwives are the only type of midwife recognized under Nebraska statute. That lone recognition created an avenue for the less-educated midwives in the state, including certified professional midwives and traditional midwives, to practice unregulated.  

[sidebar explaining differences between midwives]

The loophole was addressed by the Nebraska Supreme Court in 2024 after it ruled that the state’s Uniform Credentialing Act restricts unlicensed persons from presenting themselves to the public as individuals qualified to treat any physical condition.

The cases that triggered the Supreme Court decision involve a now 78-year-old professional midwife named Judy Jones. She had attended home births in 2021 and 2022 in Madison and Douglas counties. In the Douglas County case, the baby died because the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. 

Judy Jones is charged with unlawfully practicing as a nurse midwife after receiving a cease-and-desist order, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

The cases are moving through the courts in both counties. Trial dates have been set for this summer.

The regulations on midwives and home birth have left mothers in search of alternative birth services with one remaining option — unassisted birth. 

Madison Jones, a mother of four who lives in Hay Springs, is an advocate for midwifery care, but after moving to rural Nebraska in 2022, she found she had no midwife option. When it came time to deliver her fourth child last year, she decided to do it unassisted.

Madison Jones has worked as a labor and delivery nurse in Chadron and Alliance and as a certified doula. Her experience in maternity care made her feel more prepared to handle her own unassisted birth. She also lives within 25 miles of a hospital and said she could have gotten there quickly if complications had arisen.

Both nurse midwives and professional midwives are now engaged in separate legislative efforts trying to remove barriers to their work.

Nurse midwives want to receive full practice authority and be authorized to assist with home births. Professional midwives want to gain licensure from the state to legally do the same.

Two midwifery bills — one addressing nurse midwives and the other addressing professional midwives — were introduced in the 2025 legislative session by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair but failed to advance.

Both midwife groups plan to continue their efforts in the 2027 legislative session.

Mollard emphasized that the primary goal of the nurse midwife legislation is not to move births out of hospitals. Instead, she said, it’s to make use of a workforce ready to provide women’s healthcare in “the communities that need it most.”

“We have licensed nurse midwives living in Nebraska who would like to be caring for women and families,” Mollard said.

Abigail Cada, a representative for the Nebraska Certified Professional Midwives Alliance, said acquiring state licensure would allow professional midwives to serve clients at home without legal uncertainty. 

Wergin, president of the Nebraska Medical Association, said nurse midwives could be important collaborators in both urban and rural communities. But the medical association, he said, does not believe professional midwives are equipped to “ensure patient safety” during home births.

“They don’t really have the formal medical training that a certified nurse midwife has, and their standards fall far short of what we felt was a safe maternity situation, especially in obstetrical emergencies,” Wergin said.

Margaret Woeppel, the chief nursing and informatics officer with the Nebraska Hospital Association, said the association is open to nurse midwives practicing to the full extent of their training with proper safeguards and coordination of care.

The medical and hospital associations produced a set of guidelines for home birth care that they say are needed to gain their approval in future legislation. The guidelines include the early recognition of high-risk pregnancies that shouldn’t be handled outside of a hospital and a written plan for transfer if a birth becomes complicated.  

Mollard said nurse midwives are accepting of the guidelines to allow them to practice without physician supervision and assist in home births. She’s hopeful that, by this time next year, Nebraska will join the majority of states providing access to alternate forms of birth care. 

“I think a lot of people misunderstand moms and babies who are pushing for midwifery care, thinking that the safety of our babies and ourselves aren’t our No. 1 priority,” Madison Jones said. “Women are still having unattended home births, and the bad outcomes that come from those things could be prevented by better midwifery care access.”

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

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By Ben Goeser

Silicon Prairie News

Among the College World Series, World Cup and NBA Finals merch visible last week on the streets of Lincoln’s Haymarket, another familiar piece of branding was readily evident. While it is not unusual to see the Hudl logo in the area, with the sportstech company’s global headquarters being based there, June 8-12 marked a special occasion. 

It was Hudl Week 2026, bringing together employees from around the world to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hudl, the juggernaut born in Nebraska. Organizers said 27 countries and 38 states were represented. 

Since its founding in 2006, Hudl has demonstrated a startup journey of significant growth and market reach. The company offers a suite of video and analytics products, including software and physical cameras, for various sports at the youth, school and professional levels. 

The tech enables coaching staff to streamline the process for gathering data on team performance and sharing learned insights. Athletes are able to compile highlight reels that they then can share with prospective recruiters. Schools and organizations gain tools to engage with fans through streaming and sharing updates on game seasons. 

Ten years ago, Hudl was in the midst of constructing its headquarters. At the time, leadership said there were over 400 full-time employees across five continents and 12 countries. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the office took place in 2017. 

The numbers may fluctuate, but it has since been reported that Hudl has scaled from three co-founders to over 5,000 employees. The company has touted 18 acquisitions, exclusive agreements and partnerships across sports leagues and support for “hundreds of thousands” of teams worldwide with its offerings. 

Hudl Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Brian Kaiser said Hudl Week was a chance for employees from all over to meet, build connections and embrace the company culture and outlook. He said Hudl used to hold a company retreat in Las Vegas, but the logistics for such a trip have become more difficult.

“We have about 1,600 full-time employees,” Kaiser said. “Plus, we have an additional about 3,500 employees in India and Egypt that are full-time Hudlies, but it’s a little different. They do a lot of our tagging and analysis work for us.”

“When we started Hudl back in the day,” he said, “we were just really passionate about it and did it with a couple friends and thought we were on to something, but certainly could not imagine where it’s at today.”

Such progress can be personified in Hudl’s workforce, as seen in Martha Reyna, a customer success manager for the company. Reyna was one of the almost 1,800 “Hudlies” and invited guests in attendance during Hudl Week.

Reyna is originally from Mexico, went to college in West Virginia and worked for the sports data company StatsBomb in the United Kingdom, where she lives. Hudl acquired StatsBomb in 2024. Although she was aware of Hudl, Reyna said Nebraska was never really on her mind. On this visit, she said the state had provided a welcoming atmosphere for her and her co-workers from across the world. 

“You see so many faces that you normally just message,” Reyna said. “And now actually seeing them in person, being able to talk to people from very different parts of the world — like speaking with someone from Europe and speaking with someone from Japan and speaking with someone from Nebraska — it’s just incredible to see everybody in the same place.”

Hudl has helped place Lincoln on the map for sportstech, inspiring other startups in the space to build in the state’s capital. Beyond charitable commitments to communities that employees call home, the company also remains a close collaborator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and its talent pipeline. UNL is where Hudl’s co-founders got their start, and the school’s football team was its first customer.

“We have a lot of the benefits that come from being a more established company. We have the funds to invest and pursue good ideas. We have an incredible team,” Co-founder and CEO David Graff said. “But we certainly try to keep all the great things that come with being scrappy as a startup.” 

Leadership and impact 

Hudl’s three co-founders are Graff, Kaiser and John Wirtz. They started Hudl during their time as students at UNL and its Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management.

While Graff and Kaiser continue in leadership roles at Hudl, acting as CEO and CTO respectively, Wirtz has since stepped out of his position as chief product officer. Michelle Henry is the current CPO. 

“John taught me so much about how to think about product strategy tied to market outcomes, lead a team from the front and stay connected to our customers,” Henry said in an email to SPN. “It’s a big role. But I felt well-prepared to take that on because I had learned from one of the best.”

Now fulfilling a more part-time position as an executive adviser, Wirtz has continued lending a hand to Nebraska’s startup ecosystem. This includes acting in a mentorship capacity for other startups and student founders. He serves as a board member for Kearney-based utilities startup Fast Forward and chairs the advisory board for the UNL Center for Entrepreneurship. 

Samuel Nelson, director of the UNL Center for Entrepreneurship, said the name recognition of Hudl and having its leaders in UNL’s “backyard” give the college and its programming an advantage with recruiting talent.

Hudl has remained a core supporter of UNL’s programming, Nelson said. The company has been a source for classroom guest speakers, internships and sponsored projects for the Raikes School.

“I just don’t want to understate what Hudl does with the entire university because I’m just one sliver of what they do with the university,” Nelson said.

Tackling opportunities and the future

Hudl has progressed far beyond its early startup years. The environment has similarly shifted into a new era with NIL changes and pressures for solutions. 

Earlier this year, competing business QwikCut filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, claiming that Hudl monopolizes the market of school sports and athletics departments. QwikCut alleges that Hudl uses tactics such as acquisitions, agreements, exclusionary bundling prices and tech barriers to cross-platform video exchanges — making it difficult for competitors to fairly enter the space. 

Hudl’s attorneys argued in response that the complaint should be dismissed. They say QwikCut lists acquisitions that are too old or not relevant. They also say QwikCut has not proved anticompetitive conduct or unlawful actions and note that Hudl isn’t obligated to share its tech and help its competition. 

Hudl leadership declined to comment on the case.

Hudl has a track record of adapting to industry advancements, as seen in its efforts to move into sharable and streamable video content around the evolution of YouTube and Netflix. As needs have evolved for its own workforce, such as the rise of working parents, Hudl has put energy into addressing them — as seen in its childcare services housed at its headquarters. 

Kaiser said sports’ reliance on a “passion in humanity” makes it unique in weathering any complete disruptions in the rise of artificial intelligence. He said Hudl is exploring the impacts the tech can bring to athletes, games and the business. Areas of interest mentioned by Henry include AI-powered coaching assistants and cameras that can instantly provide stats when a game ends. 

“We’re building a single platform that connects coaches, athletes, analysts, sport scientists, parents, recruiters and fans around the most complete library of sports video and data in the world,” Henry said. “The future of Hudl is one where every moment in sports gets captured, every athlete gets the recognition they deserve and every program has the tools to win.”

Kaiser said that even with Hudl’s global presence, there has never been serious thought about moving the headquarters out of Lincoln. He credits community support, Midwestern culture and the investors who call the region home and said that being in Lincoln has actually pulled in more talent from abroad. 

“We’ve had a bunch of people move here after visiting from Barcelona, from London, from other international locations — moved to Lincoln because they like this place,” Kaiser said. “So, it’s not just me kind of making this up. The proof is actually in the results, and we see it.”

Hudl leadership said founders interested in building their own startups should seek experienced advisers for guidance. They credited mentors in the local ecosystem for helping them overcome the many challenges that came with scaling a company. They added that it’s important to spend time trying to understand the customer and surrounding oneself with a trusted team willing to voice opinions. 

“Find something you’re really passionate about, you really care about learning more about,” Graff said. “Root the products you build in those customers’ problems and finding great solutions for them.”

Silicon Prairie News is the leading independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on covering stories about innovation and entrepreneurship in Nebraska.

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