Humanities Desk | NET Radio

When was Omaha the Capitol of Montana? -- April 7, 2012

Saturday, 7 Apr 2012 10:15:00 CDT

Elliot West discusses the middle-late nineteenth century, a time of tremendous change here on the Prairie.

Rethinking the word A"fundamentalism" -- March 10, 2012

Saturday, 10 Mar 2012 10:15:00 CDT

Almost everyone has an opinion about religion - but, along with politics, it's a topic that's difficult to discuss. Jerry Johnston talked with two religion scholars about the difficulties of talking about religion, and one word in particular which has the power to divide -- "fundamentalism."

One Book, One Nebraska chooses Starita's book on Standing Bear -- March 3, 2012

Saturday, 03 Mar 2012 10:15:00 CDT

A book that tells the story of Ponca Chief Standing Bear is this year's selection for One Book One Nebraska, a statewide reading and discussion program. The author, Joe Starita, also had an important role in the NET television documentary Standing Bear's Footsteps. Robyn Wisch of KVNO Omaha recently talked with the author, who began by reading an account of Standing Bear's testimony in an Omaha Courtroom.

Nebraska plays role in cutting edge digital arts scene -- February 25, 2012

Monday, 27 Feb 2012 17:15:00 CDT

Classical violinist Tim Fain found Omaha's Kaneko to be a perfect laboratory for an experimental arts project called "Portals".

Important historical anniversaries abound in 2012 -- January 14, 2012

Thursday, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 CDT

Larry Williams is director of the Malone Community Center in Lincoln. He reflects on the continuity between the Civil Rights movement and current student support programs.

Exhibit explores quilts displaying names -- January 7, 2012

Thursday, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 CDT

A new exhibit of inscribed quilts at the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln is a window on women's history, and presents a few mysteries as well.

Important historical anniversaries abound in 2012 -- December 31, 2011

Thursday, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 CDT

Events 150 years ago shaped today's Nebraska: The Emancipation Proclamation, the Homestead Act, Morrill Act, and Pacific Railway Act. University of Nebraska Lincoln Historian Will Thomas gives a brief overview of the influence of those events in 1862.

A classical music concert for homeless and low income people -- December 10, 2011

Saturday, 10 Dec 2011 10:45:00 CDT

The well known Chiara String Quartet performed at Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach recently. The performance raised questions about the necessity of fine art, and the unwritten rules of the concert hall.

THE WHISTLEBLOWER (long version) - Former Lincoln Police Officer Kathryn Bolkovac on her fight against human trafficking -- October 15, 2011

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:15:00 CDT

The film "The Whistleblower" tells the story of an American woman working in Bosnia as a peacekeeper, who tries to intervene in the trafficking of young girls for prostitution. The story's main character is based on Kathryn Bolkovac, a former Lincoln Police Officer. In this interview with NET Radio's Jerry Johnston, Bolkovac talks about her experience.

THE WHISTLEBLOWER (short version) - Former Lincoln Police Officer Kathryn Bolkovac on her fight against human trafficking -- October 15, 2011

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:15:00 CDT

Eric Foner’s book describes Lincoln’s changing strategy for ending slavery. Foner delivers the 2011 Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian on Lincoln and Slavery -- October 1, 2011

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 10:30:00 CDT

Eric Foner's book describes Lincoln's changing strategy for ending slavery. Foner delivers the 2011 Governor's Lecture in the Humanities.

Exploring family homesteading history -- September 17, 2011

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:30:00 CDT

When Broken Bow native Katie Farritor started digging into her family history, she found connections to homesteading, photographer Solomon Butcher, and a great-great-grandfather who thought Butcher was charging too much for the family portrait.

College students choosing careers in nervous times -- September 3, 2011

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 09:30:00 CDT

College freshmen are looking at employment after graduation, but the present weak jobs outlook is influencing their decisions.

Nebraska Native on everyday life in Libya -- August 27, 2011

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:30:00 CDT

The headlines from Libya have centered on military matters – but to get some insight on daily life in Libya, we talked with a Nebraskan who lived there recently. NET Radio's Jerry Johnston talked to Erin Cederlind who grew up in Grand Island, and now lives in Washington DC.

Cather Home Purchased -- August 13, 2011

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:30:00 CDT

The home Willa Cather's parents lived in, and Cather visited during her adult years, is now the property of the Willa Cather Foundation.

Christian Music Festival shows variety -- July 30, 2011

Fri, 29 July 2011 15:00:00 CDT

Hastings hosts the second annual Nebraska Christian Music Festival. The musical styles will vary from Hard Rock to Acoustic Country – and as NET Radio's Jerry Johnston reports, that reflects the variety of one of the largest segments of the music business.

A Fort Robinson Fourth -- July 2, 2011

Fri, 01 July 2011 16:00:00 CDT

Fort Robinson was established in Nebraska's Panhandle in 1873. NET Radio's Jerry Johnston talked to curator of the Ft. Robinson Museum Tom Buecker about Independence Day celebrations there through the years.

Chautauqua in Aurora -- June 18, 2011

Fri, 17 June 2011 16:15:00 CDT

Jerry Johnston talks with Megan Sharp of the Plainsman Museum in the southeast Nebraska town of Aurora about Chautauquas past and present.

Remembering Bill Kloefkorn -- June 4, 2011

Fri, 03 June 2011 17:15:00 CDT

He was a poet, a professor, a mentor, and – for 17 years – the voice of NET Radio's Poetry of the Plains. Jerry Johnston has this remembrance of Nebraska State Poet Bill Kloefkorn.

Reading for Traveling (Nebraska) -- May 21, 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 17:00:00 CDT

Jane Renner Hood recently retired as head of the Nebraska Humanities Council. She talks with NET Radio's Jerry Johnston about her recent travels, and books she recommends as companions to some of her favorite destinations.

Reading for Traveling (Chicago) -- May 21, 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 17:00:00 CDT

Reading for Traveling (Africa) -- May 21, 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 17:00:00 CDT

Remembering Reinhold Marxhausen -- April 30, 2011

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:00:00 CDT

Nebraska lost one of its best known artists this week. As Jerry Johnston reports, Reinhold Marxhausen is being remembered for finding, creating, and sharing beauty.

More Poetry for Spring -- April 23, 2011

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:15:00 CDT

An extended conversation with more poems with Twyla Hansen and Pam Herbert Barger.

Poetry for Spring -- April 23, 2011

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:15:00 CDT

Nebraska writers Twyla Hansen and Pam Herbert Barger read their poetry about the season.

Young Native American film producer finds inspiration -- April 2, 2011

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:45:00 CDT

When Princella Parker joined a team of NET Producers working on a major documentary about Standing Bear, she got a surprise bonus. She learned about Susette LaFlesche, and found inspiration in her story.

Feminist Economist studies land use and families in Africa -- Mar. 19, 2011

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:00:00 CDT

A UNL Economist looks at the facts and figures from a feminist point of view. Jerry Johnston talked with Dr. Ann Mari May to find out more about that point of view, and how it's affecting her research.

Nebraska on the Women's Suffrage Frontline -- Mar. 12, 2011

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:00:00 CDT

Women weren't guaranteed the vote in national elections until 1920. Nebraska voters – all men – went to the polls almost 40 years earlier to decide if women should vote in state elections.

UNL Prof on his own immigrant experience -- Feb. 26, 2011

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:00:00 CDT

Sergio Wals teaches in the Political Science and Ethnic Studies program. He talks about his experience immigrating to the United States – from international student to the path to citizenship.

Extended interview with Chanticleer Artistic Director Matthew Oltham -- Feb. 12, 2011

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:00:00 CDT

An extended interview with Chanticleer's Artistic Director Matthew Oltham, who discusses the Chanticleer sound, connecting with audiences, and his time coaching choirs and choir directors.

Getting musical advice from one of the best -- Feb. 12, 2011

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:00:00 CDT

The choral group Chanticleer has been filling performance halls and selling CD's like crazy for over 30 years. The group's artistic director, Matthew Oltham, was at the University of Nebraska Lincoln Music School this past week.

"With Malice Toward None" tells story of Lincoln's life -- Feb. 5, 2011

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:30:00 CDT

A girl once wrote a letter to a man suggesting he'd be more successful if he grew a beard. The little girl was 11 year old Grace Bidell. The man…was Abraham Lincoln. Jerry Johnston has more.

Surviving the Cold -- Jan. 22, 2011

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:30:00 CDT

How did they do it? How did people who lived on the Great Plains hundreds of years ago deal with the wind, snow, and cold of winter?

Family History as Nebraska History -- Jan. 15, 2011

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 10:30:00 CDT

The mementos and stories that help a family understand its past can also be part of the wider view of history.

"We the People" Civil Rights Exhibit -- Jan. 7, 2011

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:30:00 CDT

A new exhibit at the Nebraska Museum of History in Lincoln outlines the history of civil rights in the state.

Kwanzaa: An American holiday with African roots -- Dec. 18, 2010

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:30:00 CDT

NET Radio's Jerry Johnston talked with someone who celebrates Kwanzaa to get an insider's point of view.

Social cause behind Dickens’ Christmas Carol -- Dec. 11, 2010

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:00:00 CDT

Doing something about the injustice of child labor was the starting point for A Christmas Carol. In the end, the book changed the way Christmas is celebrated. Grant Gerlock reports.

Lincoln teacher volunteering with Operation Smile -- Dec. 03, 2010

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:15:00 CDT

From Nebraska to Mumbai to Calcutta. A Lincoln teacher is in Mumbai, teaching at a high tech school. NET Radio's Jerry Johnston reached her via Skype to talk about leading a school group in volunteering to help among the poorest of the poor.

Hanukah and the "December Dilemma" -- Dec. 03, 2010

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:15:00 CDT

Hanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 1 - or if you're going by the Jewish calendar, the 25th of Kislev. Nebraska's Jewish community will be lighting candles and exchanging gifts for the next eight days. A Lincoln rabbi says the way Hanukah is celebrated comes from a creative tension with Christmas. Jerry Johnston reports.

Dr. James Riding In on the displacement of the Pawnee -- Nov. 20, 2010

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:45:00 CDT

The land we now call Nebraska was once called the Great American Desert. But as the United States expanded across the Great Plains, "Desert" became farmland. That's one way of telling the story--but not the only way.

Organ builder Gene Bedient retiring -- Nov. 13, 2010

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:45:00 CDT

After 40 years of building pipe organs for churches, concert halls, and homes, Gene Bedient is retiring. But his pipe organ business will continue - in the hands of trusted, long-time employees.

The beginnings of multicultural education in Nebraska -- Nov. 6, 2010

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:00:00 CDT

One of Nebraska's leading civil rights leaders, Leola Bullock, died recently. Bullock's passion for education continues to make a difference -– and it all started with her childhood experience of racial segregation.

Remembering civil rights leader Leola Bullock -- Oct. 29, 2010

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 CDT

One of Nebraska's most vocal, persistent, and patient civil rights leaders has passed away. Leola Bullock lived in Lincoln, but her sphere of influence was much wider.

Storytelling central to Plum Creek Literacy Festival (extended version) -- Oct. 2, 2010

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:45:00 CDT

John McCutcheon and Carmen Deedy speak at the Plum Creek Literacy Festival. The festival brings together eight thousand students, teachers, and literacy advocates to celebrate books and reading.

Storytelling central to Plum Creek Literacy Festival (short version) -- Oct. 2, 2010

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:45:00 CDT

John McCutcheon and Carmen Deedy speak at the Plum Creek Literacy Festival. The festival brings together eight thousand students, teachers, and literacy advocates to celebrate books and reading.

Poet Billy Collins coming to Nebraska (extended version) -- Sept. 18, 2010

Sat, 13 Sep 2010 08:30:00 CDT

His popularity as a guest on Prairie Home Companion and the volume of his book sales puts Billy Collins in a rare position. He's a poet who can fill concert halls for readings.

Poet Billy Collins coming to Nebraska (short version) -- Sept. 18, 2010

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:30:00 CDT

His popularity as a guest on Prairie Home Companion and the volume of his book sales puts Billy Collins in a rare position. He's a poet who can fill concert halls for readings.

The Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild -- Sept. 11, 2010

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:30:00 CDT

A book by a Lincoln nature photographer is making a splash nationwide, winning awards for both photography and scholarship. Michael Forsberg spoke at the University of Nebraska this past week, and NET Radio's Jerry Johnston was there.

From school to work - a reading list -- Sept. 4, 2010

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:00:00 CDT

The new school year is just underway -- and it's Labor Day! The connection? The odds are, the better your education, the higher your income. Still, students grumble about classwork they don't find relevant to the working world. NET Radio's Jerry Johnston talked to the head of school libraries in Lincoln, Mary Reiman, to get her thoughts on what students can read to learn about the real world of work.

Great hands, quick moves - a top recuit for the position of pianist -- Aug. 28, 2010

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:00:00 CDT

The Nebraska recruits getting the headlines at this time of year are usually wearing shoulder pads and helmets -- and vying for a spot on the Husker football team. This story profiles another kind of recruit -- one who also has great hands and flashy moves.

The Maccabi games: competition, comradery and community service -- August 7, 2010

Fri, 07 Aug 2010 17:15:00 CDT

Omaha's baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and soccer fields were busy last week. Junior and Senior High-aged kids from all over the U.S. and several foreign countries were competing in Nebraska's largest city. The occasion was the Maccabi Games - a chance for Jewish youth to meet, compete and serve. The service project was in Lincoln's historic Wyuka Cemetery.

The Nebraskan who became a hero in Iran: Howard Baskerville -- July 31, 2010

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:30:00 CDT

He went to Iran (then called Persia) in 1908 to teach in a missionary school. Instead, he enlisted to fight with anti-government insurgents.

Fisher Fountain: Hastings' symbol of hope for nearly 80 years -- July 17, 2010

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:15:00 CDT

Built during the Depression and Dust Bowl days, Fisher Fountain is a Hastings landmark. It's also the largest fountain of it's kind between Denver and Chicago.

Omaha Black History Museum collection saved, being preserved -- July 10, 2010

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:30:00 CDT

Hundreds of historic documents and artifacts detailing the lives of African Americans in Nebraska have been salvaged from near destruction. Robyn Wisch has the story.

The scrap drive of 1942 -- July 3, 2010

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 08:30:00 CDT

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, a call went out to collect scrap metal for the war effort. A new documentary shows how Nebraskans led the way forward for the rest of the country. Jerry Johnston reports.

Aurora home to Baha'i community for 35 years - Pt. 2 -- June 26, 2010

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:00:00 CDT

Thirty five years ago, a religious group found fertile soil for growth in a small town in Eastern Nebraska. A message of gender and racial equality was part of the faith's appeal.

Aurora home to Baha'i community for 35 years - Pt. 1 -- June 19, 2010

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:30:00 CDT

Thirty five years ago something surprising happened in a small eastern Nebraska town -- a religious community was born around a faith very few had heard of.

History Harvest means more data, more stories, more understanding -- June 5, 2010

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:30:00 CDT

If Antiques Roadshow married the department of history at UNL, what would their children look like? For more on the digital history project at UNL, go to http://railroads.unl.edu. There you will find railroad history and maps compiled through digital history methods.

Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance -- May 29, 2010

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:45:00 CDT

A new Veterans Cemetery is under construction in the Nebraska Panhandle on the site of an airfield built for World War II combat training. Jerry Johnston traveled to the site of The Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance and filed this report.

Pipe Organ builder Gene Bedient to retire -- May 22, 2010

Fri, 21 May 2010 13:15:00 CDT

After 40 years of building pipe organs for churches, concert halls, and homes, Gene Bedient is retiring. But his organ building business will continue - in the hands of trusted, long-time employees. Jerry Johnston reports.

Nebraska City's Mayhew Cabin -- May 15, 2010

Mon, 17 May 2010 10:00:00 CDT

The Kansas-Nebraska act was signed this month in 1854. Nebraska became a territory, and whites began settling across the Missouri River. What wasn't settled yet was the question of slavery.

Omaha's South 24th St. is business, cultural hub -- May 8, 2010

Sat, 08 May 2010 08:30:00 CDT

Omaha's South 24th Street has been reborn as a business and social hub for immigrants - just like it used to be. The recent revival is due to both the city's investment and community's perseverance. Robyn Wisch takes us on a tour of the historic, bustling neighborhood of South Omaha.

Nebraska students meet Elie Wiesel -- May 1, 2010

Tue, 04 May 2010 15:30:00 CDT

Meeting Nobel Peace Prize winner, author, and holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel was a rare opportunity for a student group from Lincoln Southwest High. Nebraska teachers continue to work to find the most appropriate and effective way to teach the Holocaust.

A fresh look at The Good Samaritan -- April 24, 2010

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 08:30:00 CDT

New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine says the story, simple as it seems, is complex and challenging.

Holocaust survivor Judy Meisel to speak at State Holocaust Commemoration -- April 10, 2010

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:30:00 CDT

Meisel keeps a busy schedule speaking to student groups and working with gangs. She and her sister escaped a camp, found refuge in Denmark, and emigrated to Canada, then the US.

NPR's Guy Raz on Three-Minute Fiction -- April 3, 2010

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:45:00 CDT

Weekend All Things Considered host Guy Raz talks with Jerry Johnston about creating a complete work of fiction that can be read aloud in three minutes.

Graffiti Art, Graffiti Crime -- March 13, 2010

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:15:00 CDT

Three recent arrests related to graffiti have an Omaha art studio wanting to push for legal places for graffiti artists to express themselves.

Photographing Nebraska's Czech Cemeteries -- March 6, 2010

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:30:00 CST

A photo exhibit by Lincoln resident Jean Lewis tells a story of one of Nebraska's lively - and varied - immigrant groups.

Banjo guru Bela Fleck focuses Omaha ears on African music -- February 27, 2010

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:00:00 CST

Elementary, high school, and college students are all getting in on learning about Africa by focusing on Africa's music.

The 1882 Nebraska Suffrage Campaign -- February 20, 2010

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:30:00 CST

Even though defeated, a campaign to give Nebraska women the vote catapulted Nebraska suffragists to national and international prominence.

Reading to Dogs -- February 6, 2010

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:30:00 CST

Schools and libraries are finding that children find the fun in reading when they read to dogs.

Serving God by serving soup -- January 30, 2010

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:30:00 CST

One of those killed in the Haiti earthquake was a seminary student who had served in Lincoln. A community lunch program is one of his Nebraska legacies.

Play about Nebraska premieres in Massachusetts -- January 23, 2010

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:30:00 CST

The play, "1905" is about Nebraska immigrants learning to live together and accept the new technology of a century ago.

Digging into the data: UNL a leader in digital history -- January 9, 2010

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:30:00 CST

UNL Historian Dr. William Thomas will lead an international study using the latest computer search techniques to find patterns in existing data in the history of railroads.

Revitalizing Omaha's 16th St. - Again -- January 2, 2010

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:30:00 CST

Investors want to ride the rising tide of the Omaha arts district by investing in 16th Street. The Apollon, a new project, is slated to open this year. The developers hope to avoid the mistakes made on the same street by urban planners in the 1980s.

A Christmas Journey to Ft. Robinson -- December 19, 2009

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:30:00 CST

John Carter with the Nebraska State Historical Society tells two stories of bringing Christmas cheer to military outposts - including a trek to Nebraska's Ft. Robinson.

Norfolk Chant Choir -- December 12, 2009

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:30:00 CST

A small choir at a Norfolk Catholic Church is finding a place for contemplation in singing thousand year old unison chant.

Crafts and Handwork go online -- December 5, 2009

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:30:00 CST

There's a new home for the 21st century sewing bee - online. People who knit, crochet, and make crafts are getting ideas and selling their work on the internet.

Ted Kooser: Poetry problems -- November 21, 2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:30:00 CST

Kooser on comparing a fisherman to his boat.

William Kloefkorn: Poetry problems -- November 21, 2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:30:00 CST

Kloefkorn on a hospital room experience.

UNK Poet Don Welch: Poetry problems -- November 21, 2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:30:00 CST

Finding the right words isn't always the easiest thing to do, even for writers. For one veteran Nebraska poet, it took a near fist-fight before the right words would come. Jerry Johnston has more.

Governor's Lecture 2009: Matt Miller -- November 17, 2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:30:00 CST

Full audio of this year's Governor's Lecture in the Humanities: The Tyranny of Dead Ideas by Matt Miller.

The Kaneko: Inviting creativity in a new Omaha space -- November 14, 2009

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:30:00 CST

Internationally known artist Jun Kaneko is opening a revamped Omaha warehouse to serve as a center for creativity in the arts, science, and business.

Matt Miller on dead ideas -- November 7, 2009

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:30:00 CST

Miller delivered this year's Governor's Lecture in the Humanities about ideas, in his opinion, that hold back progress and poison public debate.

History Detective Gwendolyn Wright -- October 31, 2009

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:30:00 CDT

Gwendolyn Wright on being a PBS History Detective and a professor of architectural history. She also talks about Frank Lloyd Wright's influence on suburban design and green architecture.

History Detective Gwendolyn Wright complete interview -- October 31, 2009

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:30:00 CDT

More detail on her views of Frank Lloyd Wright and Modern Architecture - and more on being a PBS History Detective.

Henderson School Mural -- October 3, 2009

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:00:00 CDT

A fifty year-old mural in Henderson's Heartland School is getting a facelift from the original artist. Students are finding that even after 50 years, the mural is still relevant.

Nebraska couple featured in Ken Burns' documentary on the National Parks -- September 26, 2009

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:30:00 CDT

Edward and Margaret Gehrke of Lincoln traveled to National Parks in the early days of the automobile. He took photos, she wrote an expressive journal. Burns draws on both to help tell the story of the impact of the National Parks on park visitors.

Historic homesteader's cabin being moved -- September 19, 2009

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:30:00 CDT

A historic cabin is being moved to a new location at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice. The new location will be out of the flood plain, and back on the prairie where it belongs. NET Radio's Jerry Johnston visited the work site this week, and prepared this progress report.

Private funds keep Omaha library open - for now -- September 5, 2009

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:30:00 CDT

A North Omaha branch library was set to close for the rest of the year. Now, the Florence branch will stay open. It's a story of private money coming to the rescue of a public institution - but the last unwritten chapter may still hold some surprises. Robin Wisch reports.

Nebraskans supporting house building in Guatamala -- August 29, 2009

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:30:00 CDT

Jim Hille, a retired Lincoln architect, is the catalyst behind a growing connection between Nebraskans and an effort to build houses for Gautemala's poorest. The program is soon to become an International Study/Service option for University of Nebraska Lincoln students.

Sarah Chayes on Tribal Culture in Afghanistan -- August 15, 2009

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:30:00 CDT

People in Afghanistan will vote for their next president on 8/20/09. The US has increased its military presence, and the Taliban has promised to disrupt voting. Earlier this year, former NPR Afghanistan correspondent Sarah Chayes was in Nebraska. In this interview with NET Radio's Jerry Johnston, she talks about Afghanistan's tribal culture.

A Sandhills Ballad -- July 25, 2009

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:30:00 CDT

A new novel by the editor of a prominent literary journal is set in the Nebraska Sandhills. The main character, a young woman who loves ranching, has to built a new life after a tragic car accident. NET Radio's Jerry Johnston interviews the author, Ladette Randolph.

Piano Teachers Remembered -- July 18, 2009

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:30:00 CDT

Hastings College Music Professor Robin Koozer talks about his hometown piano teacher, and the difference piano teachers make in Nebraska's cultural life. Koozer is the scholar in residence for New Harmonies, a travelling exhibit highlighting music making in Nebraska.

Pawnee Powwow -- July 11, 2009

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:30:00 CDT

The Pawnee were officially welcomed back to Nebraska with a powwow at the Great River Road Archway Monument in Kearney. Jerry Johnston prepared a montage of people's reaction to the event.

Voices of New Citizens -- July 4, 2009

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Homestead National Monument near Beatrice became a courtroom for a special ceremony this past Flag Day. Twelve people raised their right hand, swore allegiance to the United States of America, and became citizens. Jerry Johnston prepared this audio montage of the voices of New Americans.