Media Mentions

The UNO Center for Public Affairs Research was featured in over 50 stories in 2025 across numerous media outlets. View all of the stories, plus archives of the 2024 and 2023 stories CPAR has been featured in.

Media Mentions

View our data for policy and decision makers research including housing, poverty, and demographic dashboards by county in Nebraska.

Image/Icon	Data for Policy and Decision Makers
	2026 2-12-26 - Grow Omaha - Omaha’s Population Is Growing — But the Real Story is Who’s Leaving 2-10-26 - KMTV 3 News Now - Omaha develops 'Brain Gain' initiative as young professionals leave for other Midwest cities 2-10-26 - Silicon Prairie News - New data confirms Omaha struggles with wages and jobs as the Greater Omaha Chamber rallies for the city at its annual meeting 1-30-26 - Nebraska Examiner - Census data shows less Nebraska ‘brain drain’ but concern for talent in its early 30s Picked up 2-2-26 by Grow Omaha Picked up 2-4-26 by Kearney Hub 1-29-26 - 2Day FM 103.1 - Central Nebraska Adds 20 Childcare Providers, 200+ Licensed Childcare Spots through 6 Regions, One Nebraska Initiative 1-27-26 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska population rises slightly, as international growth reverses Picked up 1-28-26 by Nebraska Channel Nebraska Picked up 1-28-26 by Grow Omaha 1-16-26 - Flatwater Free Press - As Tyson leaves Lexington, a church wonders, ‘What are we going to do?’ 2025 11-20-25 - Silicon Prairie News - Nebraska sees $1.74 billion economic loss from child care shortage as piecemeal solutions try to keep up, new report says 9-17-25 - Flatwater Free Press - Nebraska’s changing demographics defy stereotypes, panelists say 5-15-25 - Daily Caller - Election Upset Sends Clear Message To Republicans: Do Your Job 4-9-25 - The Omaha News - Omaha Metro Surpasses One Million Residents 3-26-25 - Cedar County News - Columnist holds a special place in his heart for Bow Valley A 3-13-25 - Nebraska Examiner - Immigrants help push Omaha metro past 1M population mark as more Nebraska counties grow Picked up 3-13-25 by yahoo! news Picked up 3-13-25 by Norfolk Daily News 3-6-25 - Silicon Prairie News - Nebraska sees modest growth amid ongoing outmigration, new data shows

View our workforce access and equity research including details on occupations, incomes, remote work, and entrepreneurship in Nebraska.

Image/Icon	Workforce Access and Equity
	2025 11-15-25 - Silicon Prairie News - In new reports, founders say access is uneven to Nebraska’s startup ecosystem as entrepreneurship grows 10-14-25 - Pottawattamie County News - Southwest Iowa Rural Summit Highlights Collaboration, Recovery, and Creative Growth 9-27-25 - Lexington Clipper-Herald - Opinion: Paul Hammel: Lagging job growth in Omaha and Lincoln sparks concern (PDF of the article) 9-26-25 - Flatwater Free Press - What’s the role of a college degree in Nebraska’s Kimball County? Depends on who you ask. Picked up 9-26-25 by News Channel Nebraska Panhandle 9-24-25 - Silicon Prairie News - Alarm bells ring on jobs and brain drain in Nebraska. But there’s no silver bullet fix. 9-9-25 - Omaha World Herald - Business leaders sound alarm as Omaha job growth badly trails regional peers 8-6-25 - Silicon Prairie News - The Kauffman Foundation helped support Nebraska’s entrepreneurs – its regional pullback now leaves a gap for local work 7-26-25 - Silicon Prairie News - Nebraska women in STEM celebrate wins, see the state stumbling amid anti-diversity squeeze 6-19-25 - Chadron Radio KBPY 107.7FM/KCSR 610 AM - 2025 Nebraska Career and Technical Education (CTE) Conference 6-18-25 - KGFW 96.1 FM/1340 AM - Kearney Public Schools receives Outstanding Secondary CTE Programs award during NCE conference 6-11-25 - KETV NewsWatch 7 - 'We need more workers': What's the economic impact of ICE raids? 3-16-25 - KETV NewsWatch 7 - Chronicle: Chamber economics 2-18-25 - First Alert 6 - ‘Brain drain’ trending down in Nebraska, but some demographics are looking elsewhere for job opportunities Picked up 2-18-25 by msn.com 2-18-25 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska Chamber’s priorities include saving internship program Gov. Jim Pillen would end 2-10-25 - The Washington Post - An ICE raid gutted a town in Trump's first term. Now, fear of a repeat. (PDF of article) 1-23-25 - KMTV 3 News Now - Omaha Chamber outlines new strategy to combat brain drain, boost economic growth

View our community and economic development research including digital equity, economic development, rural transit, rural youth and young professional surveys, and voter turnout.

Image/Icon	Community and Economic Development
	2026 1-28-26 - Nebraska Examiner - Orange postcards: How they’ll help shape Nebraska’s biggest city 1-25-26 - Grow Omaha - City Invites Residents to Participate in “We Make Omaha” Survey 1-22-26 - Grow Omaha - Report Shows Nebraska Nonprofits Generate $23.1 Billion Annually 2025 12-22-25 - First Alert 6 - Omaha City Council to vote on $69K survey for comprehensive plan update 12-9-25 - Nebraska Public Media - More Nebraskans need rural transportation, but there’s less money to fund it 12-8-25 - Nebraska Examiner - ‘Brain drain’ alarm escalates: Omaha and business leaders flag job lag Picked up 12-8-25 by 10/11 NOW KOLN/KGIN Picked up 12-8-25 by yahoo!news 12-2-25 - KMTV 3 News Now - Omaha works to combat 'brain drain' as young professionals leave for better opportunities 12-2-25 - First Alert 6 - Omaha looking to retain college graduates with 20-year plan 11-25-25 - Nebraska Examiner - Omahans explore ‘brain drain,’ prepare for next 20 years Picked up 11-25-25 by yahoo!news 11-1-25 - The Grand Island Independent - Population growth means more schools in future for Grand Island Public Schools (PDF of the article) 10-31-25 - The Daily Nonpareil - Iowa West Foundation reveals Council Bluffs survey results, calls for more community pride (PDF of the article) 10-29-25 - The Daily Nonpareil - Josie Schafer with UNO's Center for Public Affairs Research on the Council Bluffs Area Survey 10-29-25 - KMTV 3 News Now - Survey: Council Bluffs neighbors love community despite persistent stereotypes 10-7-25 - North Platte Bulletin - Regional economic leaders to meet in North Platte 9-11-25 - AP News - Income inequality dipped and fewer people moved, according to largest survey of US life Picked up 9-12-25 by milleniumpost Picked up 9-11-25 by The Washington Post Picked up 9-11-25 by Spectrum News Picked up 9-11-25 by The Week PTI News Update Picked up 9-11-25 by The Norwalk Hour Picked up 9-11-25 by Toledo Blade 6-23-25 - The Daily Nonpareil - Survey launches to determine why Council Bluffs hasn't grown much in decades (PDF of the article) 6-13-25 - First Alert 6 - Report ranks Iowa’s economy worst in country, Nebraska close behind 5-2-25 - Silicon Prairie News - Young professionals’ survey highlights challenges and opportunities for Omaha employers 4-21-25 - Nebraska Examiner - Omaha area survey shows better pay, transit and housing options are keys to curbing ‘brain drain’ Picked up 4-21-25 by yahoo! news 2-21-25 - Flatwater Free Press - A western Nebraska village voted itself out of existence. Its remaining residents are OK with their fate. Picked up 2-23-25 by 10/11 NOW KOLN/KGIN Picked up 2-23-25 by KNOP News 2 Picked up 2-21-25 by News Channel Nebraska 1-9-25 - McCook Gazette - Survey: Invite young people to return home

2024 Media Mentions

12-23-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Getting ready for value-added thinking
12-23-24 - Flatwater Free Press - Nebraska Evolving: Somalis band together to aid new refugees in South Sioux, a ‘place of opportunity’
- Picked up 1-5-25 by Nebraska Public Media
- Picked up 1-3-25 by News Channel Nebraska Metro - Omaha & Lincoln
12-19-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska, propelled by international migration, surpasses the 2 million population mark
- Picked up 12-27-24 by KTMX-FM 104.9
- Picked up 12-27-24 by KOOL Radio 103.5/95.9 FM, 1370 AM
- Picked up 12-20-24 by KSNB Local 4 Hastings
- Picked up 12-19-24 by yahoo! news
11-27-24 - KMTV 3 News Now - 'We're super excited:' Rental-only development coming to Elkhorn area
11-4-24 - KBEAR 92.3 FM - Survey shows Nebraska rural youths like their small – town living
10-17-24 - Auburn Nemaha County Herald - Five Years of Nebraska Youth Survey Data Reveal Strong Preference For Rural Communities
10-16-24 - Lincoln Journal Star - Editorial: Rural survey is good news, but also a call to action (PDF of article)
- Picked up 10-17-24 by Gering Courier
10-9-24 - The Dodge Criterion - NE Youth Survey Data: A Strong Preference for Rural Communities
10-9-24 - Leigh World - Five Years of Nebraska Youth Survey Data Reveal Strong Preference for Rural Communities
10-9-24 - Hooper Rustler-Sentinel - Five years of Nebraska Youth Survey data reveal strong preference for rural communities
10-8-24 - KETV NewsWatch 7 - Study ranks Omaha 7th most competitive rental market across US
10-8-24 - Lexington Clipper-Herald - Survey: Rural students want to stay in state
10-8-24 - Lexington Clipper-Herald - Rural youths like small-town living
10-7-24 - Lincoln Journal Star - 'Bright future for greater Nebraska': Survey shows rural students want to stay in state (PDF of article)
- Picked up 10-12-24 by York News-Times
- Picked up 10-12-24 by Grand Island Independent
- Picked up 10-11-24 by Sioux City Journal
- Picked up 10-11-24 by York News-Times
- Picked up 10-11-24 by Kearney Hub
- Picked up 10-11-24 by Grand Island Independent (PDF of article)
- Picked up 10-9-24 by York News-Times
10-3-24 - Flatwater Free Press - ‘Quinceañeras every weekend’: Nebraska’s Latinos are increasingly native born – and eager to keep traditions alive
- Picked up 10-12-24 by Omaha World Herald
- Picked up 10-5-24 by Nebraska Public Media
- Picked up 10-4-24 by News Channel Nebraska Panhandle
10-3-24 - Niobrara Tribune - Foundation survey indicates youth desire to return home
10-3-24 - Knox County News - Survey reveals preference of rural towns
10-3-24 - Crofton Journal - Foundation survey indicates youth desire to return home
10-2-24 - Stanton Register - Nebraska Youth Survey reveals preferences for rural towns
10-2-24 - Springview Herald - Nebraska Youth reveal strong preference for rural areas
10-2-24 - Plainview News - Youth want to return
10-2-24 - North Bend Eagle - Survey shows small town preference
10-2-24 - Grant Tribune-Sentinel - Years of Nebraska Youth Survey data reveal strong preference for rural communities
10-2-24 - Albion News - Youth survey indicates desire to move home
10-1-24 - McCook Gazette - Youth Survey shows most prefer to return home — when they can
10-1-24 - KETV NewsWatch 7 - 'What they're wanting, what they're needing': The findings from a new survey that looks at young professionals in the metro
9-30-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Survey shows Nebraska rural youths like their small-town living
- Picked up 10-16-24 by Wilber Republican
- Picked up 10-16-24 by Milford Times
- Picked up 10-16-24 by Friend Sentinel
- Picked up 10-3-24 by Pawnee Republican
- Picked up 10-1-24 by North Platte Post
- Picked up 9-30-24 by Kearney Hub
- Picked up 9-30-24 by North Platte Telegraph
- Picked up 9-30-24 by Columbus Telegram
9-30-24 - 10/11 NOW KOLN/KGIN Pure Nebraska - Five years of Nebraska Youth Survey data reveal strong preference for rural communities
9-26-24 - WJAG News Talk 780 AM/105.9 FM - Leadership is top challenge facing Northeast Nebraska
9-26-24 - KMTV 3 News Now - Young Professionals Survey: 88% are satisfied with overall quality of life in Omaha area
9-24-24 - Omaha World Herald - More transit, lower taxes and housing costs needed to prevent 'brain drain' in Omaha
9-6-24 - Flatwater Free Press - Nebraska Evolving: The perception is that Nebraska's smaller communities are dying. The reality is that many rural Nebraska counties are now growing for one reason. Immigration.
- Picked up 9-8-24 by Nebraska Public Media
- Picked up 9-6-24 by KSNB Local 4 Hastings
8-23-24 - KMTV 3 News Now - Will climate action keep young people in Omaha? This activist thinks so
8-21-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska's new $3M, regional approach to spurring economic development is off and running
- Picked up 8-23-24 by North Platte Post
- Picked up 8-22-24 by 10/11 NOW KOLN/KGIN
8-11-24 - Lincoln Journal Star - Santee Sioux leaders say federal failures have led to housing shortage on reservation
8-7-24 - Aurora News-Register - Aurora, county shine when looking at regional data
8-6-24 - WJAG News Talk 780 AM/105.9 FM - Northeast region kicks off "Six Regions, One Nebraska" campaign
8-6-24 - Norfolk Daily News - Regional leaders gather for inaugural 6 Regions, One Nebraska conference in Norfolk
7-17-24 - Aurora News-Register - ‘6 Regions, One Nebraska’ campaign begins
7-15-24 - KSNB Local 4 Hastings - ‘Six Regions, One Nebraska Initiative’ to benefit the Tri-Cities
7-11-24 - Grand Island Independent - Grand Island event highlights economic development initiative launched in Central Nebraska
7-11-24 - Hastings Tribune - Leaders from region gather for new economic development work
6-24-24 - KNEB 960 AM/100.3 FM - Area ‘6 Regions, 1 Nebraska’ economic development effort starts in Gering
6-24-24 - Scottsbluff Star-Herald - 'Together, we can': '6 Regions, One Nebraska' initiative launches in western Nebraska
6-21-24 - Chadron Radio - Governor’s Office, DED, and Nebraska Chamber Kick Off “6 Regions, One Nebraska” in the Southeast Community College Region
6-21-24 - Nebraska Public Media - State of Nebraska launches regional economic development initiative
6-21-24 - Lincoln Journal Star - State implements 6 Regions, One Nebraska to help spur economic development
6-21-24 - Chadron Radio - Governor’s Office, DED, and Nebraska Chamber Kick Off “6 Regions, One Nebraska” in the Southeast Community College Region
6-18-24 - FedCommunities - Data on anchor institutions help inform decisions at local, regional, and state levels
6-3-24 - U.S. News & World Report - Editorial: Census numbers give insight to the future
6-1-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Omaha business chamber hopes survey project will promote ‘brain gain’
- Picked up 6-3-24 by WJAG News Talk 780 AM/105.9 FM/106 KIX KQKX/97.5 KEXL
- Picked up 6-1-24 by 10/11 NOW KOLN/KGIN
5-30-24 - Lincoln Journal Star - Editorial: Census numbers give insight to the future
5-28-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska urged to become ‘most welcoming place in America’ for immigrants
5-23-24 - The Grand Island Independent - Ayoub: Selling Nebraska to current, potential Nebraskans
5-23-24 - KNOP News 2 - ‘6 Regions 1 Nebraska’ aims to help improve Nebraska communities
5-20-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Selling Nebraska to current, potential Nebraskans
5-20-24 - Lincoln Journal Star - UNMC report sees growth, continued challenges for Nebraska's health care workforce
5-20-24 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska ‘exurbs’ outshine suburbs in latest population growth figures
- Picked up 5-20-24 by 10/11 NOW KOLN/KGIN
5-17-24 - KBEAR 92.3 FM - Health care workforce report highlights challenges, accomplishments
5-17-24 - KRVN 880 Rural Radio - Health care workforce report highlights challenges, accomplishments
5-17-24 - Lincoln Journal Star - Lincoln gets population boost in latest Census figures
5-16-24 - North Platte Post - Health care workforce report highlights challenges, accomplishments
5-16-24 - KGFW 1340 AM / 96.1 FM - Health care workforce report highlights challenges, accomplishments
5-16-24 - First Alert 6 - Census Bureau 2023 estimates show Omaha-area city population declining as counties rise
5-15-24 - KRVN 880 Rural Radio - Governor’s Office, DED, and Nebraska Chamber Launch “6 Regions, One Nebraska” Initiative
5-15-24 - North Platte Post - Governor’s Office, DED, and State Chamber Launch “6 Regions, One Nebraska” Initiative
5-14-24 - North Platte Telegraph - Pillen kicks off ‘6 Regions, One Nebraska’ in North Platte
- Picked up 5-20-24 by Omaha World Herald
- Picked up 5-14-24 by Lincoln Journal Star
5-14-24 - Chadron Radio - Governor’s Office, DED, and Nebraska Chamber Launch “6 Regions, One Nebraska” Initiative
5-14-24 - McCook Gazette - Officials launch 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative
5-14-24 - KNOP News 2 - Governor Jim Pillen visits North Platte to discuss new economic initiative
4-25-24 - KETV NewsWatch7 - 'It's a toss-up': Examining changes in Nebraska District 2 since 2020
4-19-24 - KMTV 3 News Now - Neighbors dreaming of being successful entrepreneurs
3-19-24 - Nebraska Examiner - U.S. census chief visits NE, touts value of data, surveys and notes ‘big change’ headed to state
3-15-24 - KETV NewsWatch 7 - Developer reaffirms commitment to bring a grocery store to downtown Omaha
2-13-24 - City NewsOKC - "Brain Drain" has grads leaving home for better opportunities
2-2-24 - Harvest Public Media - Midwest 'brain drain' persists. And job opportunity is the main driver.
- Picked up 2-6-24 by Nebraska Public Media
1-29-24 - Nebraska Public Media - Cost burden for renters in parts of Central Nebraska is more prevalent, new study finds.

2023 Media Mentions

12-31-23 - Omaha World Herald - Nebraska’s ‘Brain Drain’ Deepens, Loss of College Grads Now Among Nation’s Worst
- Picked up 1-1-24 by Lincoln Journal Star
12-21-23 - Kearney Hub - Capitol View: No more work from home?
12-21-23 - McCook Gazette - Our Opinion: Time to Plug Our State’s Brain Drain
12-21-23 - Successful Farming - ‘Brain Drain’ Persists in Much of America’s Heartland
12-18-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska ‘brain drain’ persists, plus another alarm is raised by new census data
12-5-23 - Midwest Messenger - Welcome to our town: Revitalizing rural America
11-16-23 - First Alert 6 - Omaha Performing Arts working to keep talent in Nebraska
10-18-23 - KETV Newswatch 7 - 'Made their lives easier': UNO researchers evaluate Do Space Tech Pack Program
10-18-23 - Nebraska Examiner - UNL launches partnership to help Nebraska prepare for growing demand in tech careers
10-12-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Survey: Housing surpasses jobs as top reason Nebraskans moved away
9-30-23 - The Columbus Telegram - Invite young Nebraskans to build community with us
9-21-23 - Flatwater Free Press - Remote reality: Agreeable bosses, speedy internet remaking work in Sandhills
8-16-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska ranks 37th for rate of labor force that works from home
8-10-23 - 10/11 NOW KOLN/KGIN Pure Nebraska - 2023 Greater Nebraska Youth Survey Results
8-10-23 - The Columbus Telegram - Voices of the future: Survey finds Nebraska youth like smaller communities, want to stay close to home
8-9-23 - The North Platte Telegraph - Greater Nebraska Youth Survey reveals students prefer small towns, desire safety
8-8-23 - Norfolk Daily News - Survey reveals students prefer small towns, desire safety
8-7-23 - KLKN-TV Channel 8 - Nebraska survey reveals majority of rural students want to stay in small towns
8-7-23 - Omaha World Herald - Nebraska youth survey shows students prefer small towns, don't feel included in community
- Picked up 8-8-23 by Kearney Hub
6-28-23 - Silicon Prairie News - Using data to grow Nebraska’s tech workforce
6-11-23 - KETV NewsWatch 7 - Chronicle: Workforce retention in Omaha
5-22-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Foreign-born Huskers contribute 8% of state economic input, report says
5-15-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Report puts Nebraska near bottom of the pack for female business ownership
4-24-23 - KIOS Omaha Public Radio Riverside Chats - Brain Drain: UNO Researcher Josie Schafer Explains Why Young, Educated Nebraskans Are Leaving, and What That Means for the Workforce
4-15-23 - Lincoln Journal Star - Editorial 4/16: Fighting brain drain about more than tax rates
4-14-23 - 13 News WIBW - City of Manhattan set to put out 2023 community survey next week
3-29-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Job opportunities, not taxes, top of mind when people migrate, UNO researcher says
3-7-23 - The Daily Nebraskan - NE brain drain is growing despite increase in high-skill, high-wage jobs
3-7-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Brain gain starts with nurturing a desire for purpose
2-14-23 - First Alert 6 - Brain drain: A deeper look into why Nebraskans are leaving the state
2-13-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska’s shifting workforce demands amid ‘brain drain’ should sound alarm, researcher says
2-11-23 - Lincoln Journal Star - NU looking to reverse trend of Nebraska losing college graduates to other states
1-6-23 - Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska ‘housing council’ launches with plan for 35,000 new affordable dwellings

Contact Us

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6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182
402.554.7533
unocpar@unomaha.edu

Media Mentions

Media Mentions

2026

2025

2025

2026

2025

2024 Media Mentions

2023 Media Mentions