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Articles written by Daniel Thompson


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  • Poverty becoming a major issue for Nebraska families

    Daniel Thompson, Editor - Western Nebraska Observer|Aug 6, 2014

    When the subject of poverty comes up in conversation throughout the state of Nebraska, there is seemingly a misconception that surrounds how residents of the state perceive it. More often than not, there is a common belief that poverty is strictly contained within the rural areas such as the Nebraska Panhandle. However, the 2014 Kids Count report, which ranks states based on 16 indicators including educational, social, economic and physical well-being of children using data on local, state and national levels, shows that poverty is pervasive...

  • Local residents turn out for 'Pay it Forward' event

    Daniel Thompson, Western Nebraska Observer|Nov 27, 2013

    The Kimball Event Center was filled with excitement the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 23, as local residents waited in anticipation of the arrival of Caroljo Nagel and the presentation of her new car. News crews and photographers scattered around the ballroom of the Event Center as the side doors opened illuminating the back of the room with sunlight as the silhouette of Nagel passed through the threshold. As she walked towards Blain Schilreff, who has spent the past 35 days collecting donations...

  • State and local prisons faced with overcrowding

    Caitlin Sievers and Daniel Thompson|Oct 7, 2013

    With overcrowding in Nebraska state prisons reaching a critical point, state officials are seeking ways to reform the system. According to a report by the Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska state prisons are currently resting near 151 percent capacity. As of June 30, the nine major state prison facilities throughout the state housed 4,796 inmates. However, they are only designed to hold 3,175. Other states such as Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and South Carolina, which have faced the same problem of overcrowding, have greatly reduced their populations by... Full story

  • The question on everyone's mind: What in the world is a kanalihopper?

    Daniel Thompson|Jul 25, 2013

    Kanalihoppers Restaurant and Spirits, a new restaurant which just opened up in the building that used to house Mulligan’s Restaurant right next to the Kimball Golf Course, is already setting off discussions around town with everybody wondering what exactly the name comes from. According to owner Donna Thompson, the name stems from a story from her childhood involving her grandfather. “My family is Irish. When I was a little girl, my grandpa would come into the house and say, ‘Oh gosh, my kanalihopper is killing me.’ I was about six years o... Full story