Omaha Public Schools Budget Crunch: Omaha Public Schools says a Nebraska Department of Education miscalculation tied to free and reduced-price lunch funding created a $50.6 million shortfall, prompting proposed cuts and a property tax levy increase (about $1.05 per $100 of taxable value) plus a $27 million reserve draw, with district leaders insisting students won’t be affected. Local Government & Safety: Omaha Mayor’s 2027 budget proposal outlines big boosts for parks maintenance, police staffing, and fire positions, while a Project Harmony “Omaha Against Traffick” awareness convoy of 30 buses and a semi aims to spotlight child sex trafficking prevention. Public Health Watch: A Nebraska-linked behavioral health workforce model is drawing national attention after Nebraska used $25.5 million in ARPA relief to expand training, telebehavioral health, and clinical supervision. Food Safety: The Taylor Farms cyclosporiasis lettuce recall expanded to 27 states as cases keep rising, with federal counts lagging behind the outbreak’s spread. Culture & Community: North Platte’s downtown survey identified 68 potential historic properties eligible for the National Register, and Fontenelle Forest hosted a public insect survey and night trapping event. Arts & Heritage: Artist Bites highlights Ioway culture with Patt Murphy’s talk on Aug. 5 at Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. State Policy: Gov. Pillen signed an executive order ending ImagiNE Nebraska tax incentives for data centers, shifting review toward resource impacts like land, water, and electricity.