WATCH: Governor dodges questions about town hall comments, no-bid contract
When Nebraska Gov. Jim Pilen stepped back from the podium while a reporter inquired about the big story everyone in the state was talking about, and a spokewoman explained why the governor wouldn’t answer the question — something he makes a habit of, even when they’re on the topic he’s presenting — it was easy to see the moment was prime for social media. [STORY]
WATCH: Omaha mayor, police chief comment after officers hurt in fatal shootout with suspect at gas station
The breaking news story was still coming together when the mayor and police chief spoke to reporters, outlining the day’s events that led to an exchange of gunfire that left a man dead, three officers injured, and a bystander in harm’s way. At that update, official tied together two different crime scenes and shared dramatic details about what unfolded at the gas station — information that was best delivered by the police chief himself. [STORY]
WATCH: Hantavirus patience arrive in Omaha for observation at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine
In May 2026, Omaha was experiencing a scary case of deja vu. Nebraskans remembered when cruise ship passengers were transported to Omaha in March 2020 for observation at the National Quarantine Unit at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine. There was an eerie familiarity about the events that played out in May 2026, when more cruise ship passengers were brought here for a similiar purpose. The arrival of people potentially exposed to hantavirus was a story we followed overnight and into the early morning hours, getting breaking news clips posted ASAP, even though it would be hours before most of our audience saw them. [STORY]
WATCH: Omaha mayor, police chief comment after officers hurt in fatal shootout with suspect at gas station
The breaking news story was still coming together when the mayor and police chief spoke to reporters, outlining the day’s events that led to an exchange of gunfire that left a man dead, three officers injured, and a bystander in harm’s way. At that update, official tied together two different crime scenes and shared dramatic details about what unfolded at the gas station — information that was best delivered by the police chief himself. [STORY]
WATCH: Omaha building crashed into a second time in days
When MMJ Andrew Pfeifer was assigned to get out to a breaking news scene where a U-Haul hit a building in Omaha, he was clearly taken aback when he read the address: Just days earlier, he had spoken with the owner of the business at that location after the other side of the building had been hit by a minivan. His genuine connection to the scene and the shocking nature of the facts in front of him made it an easy decision to nudge him for a social video from the scene ASAP. [STORY]
WATCH: Authorities investigate multiple crime scenes following dramatic police chase in streets of Papillion
Viewer-submitted video of shots fired during a police chase through a neighborhood. But even after the most dramatic parts of the story were long reported, there was still a lot of interest about the details that unfolded that day. Scene video captured by reporters is often just background for updated reports on TV; but on social media, they’re a quick close look at the places where the local news of the day happened. [STORY]
WATCH: Victim’s family stunned after cold case murder suspect’s plea of ‘no contest’ on lesser charge accepted by authorities
The family of Mary Kay Hesse waited decades for the 17-year-old’s killer to be brought to justice. But the suspect arrested in her death was allowed to plead “no contest,” was sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison, and was released a few months later. Investigators say he stabbed the teen and dumped her on a Saunders County road more than 50 years ago. The familiy was devastated by the outcome but continued to share their story with our reporters, and videos of their statements outside the courthouse brought the humanity of a long-ago case into focus so many years later. [STORY]
WATCH: Victim’s family receives phone call of support from Sen. Joni Ernst
Years after the 2016 death of Sarah Root in a high-speed crash with a man in the country illegally, the case got national attention as her family put pressure on the search for the suspect. The Roots’ ordeal became an example for the Trump administration as it sought to push against illegal immigration through use of force. A compelling case in its own right, even without a political lens, the Roots received a phone call from Sen. Joni Ernst, who helped establish a law in Sarah’s name, shortly after the verdict was delivered. The moment was significant and urgent, even if the video itself wasn’t easily conducive to a vertical video format. Of course, now such editing tends to include a full-frame horizontal on the bottom to give viewers a better sense of the full scene, which is also available in the full story. [STORY]
WATCH: Casey’s added to S&P 500
Business headlines don’t tend to work very well on local news social media accounts; but when the subject was Casey’s, it was sure to be a talker. Locals have strong feelings about the gas station chain, which has become more prevalent in the region in recent years. While the conversations in the comments leaned more toward gas prices and full on debates of the quality of the pizza served inside the stores than Wall Street, the interactions propelled the short video clip to viral status.
WATCH: Coach Rhule talks gratitude after contract extension
Nebraskans take their college football seriously, so when Head Football Coach Matt Rhule talks, many in the state tend to listen. At this particular news conference, held on the heels of the announcement that he had signed a contract extensions with the Huskers, it was prudent to get the coach’s words out to fans ASAP. [STORY]
Gina Dvorak. 