Gina Dvorak
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Articles by Gina Dvorak
Election 2026: Ashley Hinson campaigns in Mills County for Iowa Senate seat
GLENWOOD, Iowa (WOWT) - A day after her opponent stopped by an early voting event in Council Bluffs, Ashley Hinson’s campaign bus made a stop in Mills County on Wednesday morning to talk with local voters. Currently serving as Iowa’s 2nd District Congresswoman, the Republican has been making a big campaign push as she travels around the state on her “Fighting for Iowa” tour. She planned to make another stop on Wednesday, in Mount Ayr; and Jefferson on Saturday.
Election 2026: Josh Turek campaigns in Council Bluffs for Iowa Senate seat
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) - With less than two weeks until Election Day — and many races finding themselves in unfamiliar “undecided” territory — candidates are filling their calendars with campaign stops. The Democrat zeroing in on the Senate race in Iowa is making on a cross-state “At the Buzzer Tour”: Josh Turek was in Council Bluffs on Tuesday. The two-time Paralympian stopped by an early voting event — though not to cast his ballot. He said he plans to vote on Election Day.
Douglas County Sheriff credits license-plate readers in locating missing children, stolen property
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has shared some data points about the use of license-plate readers in its law enforcement efforts over the past two months — including the rescue of two children reported missing in August.
Nebraska Supreme Court rules on Omaha doctor's manslaughter conviction Original
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - In a decision issued Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the manslaughter conviction and sentence for Dr. Mark Carlson. In February 2025, a jury found Carlson guilty of manslaughter in a crash that killed 22-year-old Anna Bosma, a South Dakota woman who had just graduated from college, in September 2023.
GOP Nebraska Trump rally: Sen. Ricketts references illegal immigrant arrest after fatal Omaha crash Original
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (WOWT) - A day after a fatal crash in the Omaha metro took the life of a 70-year-old man, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts called attention to the incident — and law enforcement’s report that the other driver did not present U.S. identification at the time of the crash. “Mr. President, you know that the most important thing the government does is keep people safe. Sadly, yesterday, we had a reminder of why it’s so important that we have a secure border,” Ricketts said at Monday’s rally.
Sen. Ricketts responds to ad about his vote as Nebraska governor to pardon rapist
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - On his regularly scheduled press call this week, Sen. Pete Ricketts responded to a question about an ad recounting his deciding vote — during his tenure as Governor of Nebraska — to pardon a man convicted of rape. “This was a a terrible crime — and all accusations of sexual assault should be investigated and fully prosecuted under the law,” Ricketts said on the call. “A pardon in Nebraska doesn't excuse anyone from jail time. In this case, the full sentence was served.
Rep. Don Bacon explains his use of slur on social media post
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - First Alert 6 reached out to Rep. Don Bacon this week after receiving multiple viewer complaints about a slur he used in a tweet. The scrutiny came after he responded to a comment on an X/Twitter post he made about U.S. supporting Ukraine by sending them more F-16s and training their pilots. After being called the “R-word” by a commentor, he responded in kind The Congressman responded in writing: “I was called that slur and replied saying I'm a 9-0 one.
Sen. Ricketts responds to ad about his vote as Nebraska governor to pardon rapist Original
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - On his regularly scheduled press call this week, Sen. Pete Ricketts responded to a question about an ad recounting his deciding vote — during his tenure as Governor of Nebraska — to pardon a man convicted of rape. “This was a a terrible crime — and all accusations of sexual assault should be investigated and fully prosecuted under the law,” Ricketts said on the call. @wowt6news Sen.
Rep. Don Bacon explains use of slur on social media post
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - First Alert 6 reached out to Rep. Don Bacon this week after receiving multiple viewer complaints about a slur he used in a tweet. The scrutiny came after he responded to a comment on an X/Twitter post he made about U.S. supporting Ukraine by sending them more F-16s and training their pilots. The West needs to send more F-16s with more modern radars to Ukraine… and help train their pilots. It is a great investment. https://t.co/82zcabvy38 — Rep.
Flooding hampers travel around Ashland Original
ASHLAND, Neb. (WOWT) - Ashland authorities were advising caution around the city Friday morning as highways were cut off from flooding that hit the state overnight Wednesday. In a 9 a.m. social media post, the Ashland NE Volunteer Fire Department said all county roads were impassable. “All of the county roads are either still under water, bridges washed out, or the roads are too damaged for passage,” the post says.
Nebraska floods: Gov. Pillen signs disaster declaration
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - Gov. Jim Pillen has signed a disaster declaration for areas affected by Wednesday night’s flooding. “The governor has been continually briefed on damage assessments and has ordered state resources to be made available to meet any needs,” his spokeswoman told us Thursday afternoon. Omaha emergency crews rescued dozens of people from flooding as waters reached depths of 8 feet in some areas of the city overnight.
Nebraska floods: Gov. Pillen plans to sign disaster declaration Original
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - Gov. Jim Pillen’s office has confirmed that a disaster declaration is in the works for areas affected by Wednesday night’s flooding. According to his spokeswoman, he plans to sign it Thursday. “The governor has been continually briefed on damage assessments and has ordered state resources to be made available to meet any needs,” she said. Omaha emergency crews rescued dozens of people from flooding as waters reached depths of 8 feet in some areas of the city overnight.
Omaha Public Works says streetcar construction crews prepared for heavy rainfall
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - With continuing rain — and possible flooding — in the forecast for the Omaha metro Wednesday night, First Alert 6 checked in with the city to see how the weather might impact construction along the streetcar route. In particular, First Alert 6 asked about the area around 38th and Farnam streets, where a basement collapse occurred in June in part because of the rain.
Student shot outside Omaha high school; police arrest second Burke student Original
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A 17-year-old student was taken into custody at Omaha Burke High School on Wednesday morning after another 17-year-old student was shot near the school’s baseball field, according to an afternoon update from Omaha Police. Officers were on the scene of the shooting at about 7:30 a.m. Omaha Fire medics took the teen victim to CHI-CUMC-Bergan Mercy hospital with an injury police said was not life-threatening. OPD said in an update earlier in the day that his arm was injured.
12-year-old boy critically injured in North Omaha shooting, police say
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A 16-year-old boy was arrested after his 12-year-old brother was hurt in an overnight shooting at a North Omaha home. Omaha Police said in an update Tuesday morning that older boy accidentally shot his younger brother at about 11 p.m. Monday. OPD and Omaha Fire crews responding to a home near 26th and Spaulding streets found the younger boy suffering from a gunshot wound.
12-year-old boy critically injured in North Omaha shooting, police say
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A 16-year-old boy was arrested after his 12-year-old brother was hurt in an overnight shooting at a North Omaha home. Omaha Police said in an update Tuesday morning that older boy accidentally shot his younger brother at about 11 p.m. Monday. OPD and Omaha Fire crews responding to a home near 26th and Spaulding streets found the younger boy suffering from a gunshot wound.
12-year-old boy critically injured in North Omaha shooting, police say
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A 16-year-old boy was arrested after his 12-year-old was hurt in an overnight shooting at a North Omaha home. Omaha Police said in an update Tuesday morning that older boy accidentally shot the younger boy at about 11 p.m. Monday. OPD and Omaha Fire crews responding to a home near 26th and Spaulding streets found the younger boy suffering from a gunshot wound.
Nebraska, Iowa election officials host Voter Registration Day events
BELLEVUE, Neb. (WOWT) - With Election Day seven weeks away, local election officials are taking advantage of a national push to make sure eligible voters are registered in time to cast their ballots Nov. 3. The Sarpy County Election Commission is hosting a National Voter Registration Day event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Bellevue Public Library. The site was chosen to call attention to the addition of a new ballot drop box at the location, off Fort Crook Road at Harvell Drive.
Omaha archdiocese to honor Father Flanagan’s path to sainthood with Mass of Thanksgiving Original
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Archdiocese of Omaha is planning to celebrate the progression of Father Flanagan along the path to sainthood. In March, Pope Leo XIV officially bestowed Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, with the title of “Venerable Servant of God” — a significant step in the progression to declaring someone a saint in the Catholic Church. Father Edward Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, is another step closer to sainthood.
Nebraska State Fair attendance declines in 2026
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (WOWT) - Not as many people headed for the Nebraska State Fair this year; the total attendance rate fell for the first time since the height of the pandemic. According to numbers issued by organizers on Thursday, the total attendance count across the 11-day event this year was 306,251. That’s 8.4% less than 2025.
Infrastructure grants to help Nebraska identify impactful traffic projects Original
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Nebraska Department of Transportation is receiving $5.15 million to fund infrastructure projects aimed at solving the state’s most problematic traffic areas. Gov. Jim Pillen, Mayor John Ewing Jr. and other leaders announced the new NDOT initiative alongside U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration partners at a news conference on Friday.
Husker fans can bring water bottles into Ohio game Original
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - Nebraska Athletics said Thursday that they will make an exception to the food and beverage policy on Saturday to help fans beat the extreme heat expected at Memorial Stadium. “Fans will be allowed to bring one sealed bottle of water into Memorial Stadium,” Thursday’s update says.
Parents safely surrender newborn at fire station under Safe Haven Law
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT/Gray News) — A couple in Nebraska dropped off a newborn at a fire station, surrendering the infant under the state’s Safe Haven Law. The baby girl was brought to an Omaha fire station Friday morning. The couple told firefighters that they had found the baby abandoned in an alley and left quickly. However, upon further investigation, police tracked down the couple and determined that they were the baby’s parents.
Parents safely surrender newborn at fire station under Safe Haven Law
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT/Gray News) — A couple in Nebraska dropped off a newborn at a fire station, surrendering the infant under the state’s Safe Haven Law. The baby girl was brought to an Omaha fire station Friday morning. The couple told firefighters that they had found the baby abandoned in an alley and left quickly. However, upon further investigation, police tracked down the couple and determined that they were the baby’s parents.
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