Omaha

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The three survivors of a South Dakota plane crash that killed nine members of an extended family from Idaho were in stable condition today, a family representative said.

The survivors were being treated at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. The family was returning from an annual pheasant-hunting trip when the plane crashed Saturday in a cornfield near Chamberlain shortly after takeoff during a snowstorm.

Coming up on The Exchange, we talk with Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill about next week’s primary election.

Gill also addresses new changes in Iowa’s voter ID law.  

Also, a new exhibit at the SC Art Center’s hands-on gallery and more. 

We will learn about a new effort to understand the immigrant experience in Siouxland and learn about the legacy of a lynching that took place in Omaha a century ago.

We will preview Riverssance which is coming up this weekend in Riverside Park.  

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Strong thunderstorms hit eastern Nebraska and western Iowa and dumped heavy rain and, in southwest Omaha, piles of hail left some motorists temporarily stranded.

Western Nebraska was first to endure the storms last night, with hail larger than 2 inches in diameter. The Omaha World-Herald reported dozens of cars pulled off Interstate 80 with broken windshields.  In Council Bluffs, Iowa, a number of streets flooded as more than 2 inches of rain fell there overnight. Flash flood warnings were issued there and for areas around Lincoln and Omaha.

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Strong thunderstorms that raked eastern Nebraska and western Iowa dumped heavy rain and, in southwest Omaha, piles of hail that left some motorists temporarily stranded.

Western Nebraska was first to endure the storms Monday night, with hail larger than 2 inches in diameter. The Omaha World-Herald reported dozens of cars pulled off Interstate 80 with broken windshields. About 8,000 Omaha Public Power District customers lost power.

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Water releases from Gavins Point Dam will be increased today and Wednesday because of heavy rainfall over a large portion of the Missouri River basin above Sioux City.

Rainfall in Nebraska, South Dakota and central North Dakota for the past seven days has been 200 percent to 600 percent of normal, leading to higher inflows to South Dakota reservoirs.  Increasing Gavins Point releases will allow more water to pass through the system and slow the rise at reservoirs upriver from Gavins Point, near Yankton, South Dakota.

"Kaneko is based in Omaha, has been there for many many years and is probably the best known artist in Omaha," says Behrens.  "And if you go to almost any public square or park in Omaha, you'll find his works, so this a piece that we are very proud to have in our collection."

You’re listening to The Exchange, on Siouxland Public Media.  I’m Mary Hartnett.  The language of the Omaha Tribe is in crisis.  There are fewer than a dozen native speakers left.  However, a Nebraska filmmaker has produced a new documentary called “The Omaha Speaking.”  Timmerman has been working in partnership with Omaha tribal elders and sisters Octa Keen, Winona Caramony, and Glenna Slater.   85 year old Glenna teaches at the Nebraska Indian Community College.  I spoke with Timmerman and Glenna this week when they were in Sioux City for an event.  

Edem Soul Music will be opening Ode’s live storytelling night on Friday, April 6, starting at 6 p.m. at The Marquee in downtown Sioux City.

On The Exchange this week, we speak with three of the nine candidates for the Sioux City City Council primary that's coming up on October 10th.  Today we talk with incumbent Alex Watters, who was appointed last year to take over the seat of council person Keith Radig.  Radig was elected to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors.  We also hear from challengers Doug Waples and Brett Watchorn.  Next week, we talk with the remaining six contenders.

This week's artists: