Humanities Desk Nebraska Public Media

The U.S. has lost more than 2,800 newspapers since 2005, many of them in rural areas. Now some journalists are redoubling their efforts to provide local news and trying new models in a difficult industry.

The Yazidi SarSal is a new year event in the Yazidi culture celebrated in mid-April every year. This event brings the community members together to appreciate their religious beliefs, cultural values and their history.

The Nebraska Legislature heard a few new voices in its rotunda thanks to a new youth lobby school. The program focuses on teaching students from diverse backgrounds how to advocate for legislation.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan’s LB388 would create a digital advertising sales tax and increase taxes on cigarettes, vaping, lottery tickets, cannabis derivatives and games of skill. Sales tax exemptions for candy, soda, storage facilities and veterinary services would also be eliminated. The bill caps the percentage cities and counties can grow their annual budget and reduces school property taxes by 30% directly instead of requiring taxpayers to apply for a 30% tax credit, according to the Governor’s Policy Research Office.

Thousands of people gathered in southwest Lincoln Wednesday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramandan and fasting in the Muslim faith. Ousmane Youm is a member of the Islamic Foundation of Lincoln community. In addition to fasting and other spiritual disciplines, Ramadan is about giving back.

Senator Lou Ann Linehan’s bill would appropriate $10 million dollars to scholarship granting organizations, allowing low-income students to apply for grants that can be used at private schools. Linehan’s bill would also sunset legislation passed last year giving up to $25 million dollars of tax credits for donations to scholarship granting organizations.