Latest news with #KETV
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowner blindsided after insurance company issues sudden rate hike with no warning: 'I was surprised by the amount'
Homeowners across the country are seeing insurance rates rise, and the reason is out of their control. Insurance rates are on the rise, and the changing climate is to blame. As extreme weather events become more frequent or more intense (and sometimes both), insurance rates are skyrocketing to account for the growing risk. Last year, Nebraska and other surrounding states saw several tornadoes resulting in billions of dollars in damage. This year, residents in Omaha are still paying the price — their home insurance rates are rising hundreds of dollars. "I wasn't surprised that there was an increase. I was surprised by the amount of the increase," North Omaha resident Mary Butler told KETV. On average, Nebraska residents are paying anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 annually, per Bankrate data. Insurance rates are rapidly becoming unsustainable. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the "average homeowners insurance premiums per policy increased 8.7 percent faster than the rate of inflation in 2018-2022." Homeowners are presented with a difficult choice: bank-breaking insurance premiums or no disaster coverage. Some may not even have a choice — homeowners in high-risk regions can be dropped from their insurance plans without warning. Thousands of Californians were dropped from their policies after the wildfires, and North Carolinians lost coverage following Hurricane Helene. As the effects of the changing climate are felt throughout the country, more and more homeowners are at risk of losing their coverage. Some states are trying to introduce laws that will prevent insurers from canceling policies during times of catastrophe, like wildfires and floods. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If you're struggling to afford your policy payment, know your options — shop around for insurance policies to find the most protection at the lowest cost. You can also invest in home upgrades to help protect your home from extreme weather events. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voters Reject Republican Who Embraced Anti-Trans Attacks In Nebraska Mayoral Race
Voters in Omaha, Nebraska, have ousted three-term Republican Mayor Jean Stothert after she blanketed airwaves with anti-trans attacks during her recent bid for reelection. Stothert was defeated on Tuesday by Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr., who won with 56.3% of the vote to her 43.7%. He's now poised to be the city's first Democratic mayor in over a decade, as well as its first Black mayor ever. (Although the role is nonpartisan, the two candidates can still project party affiliations.) Ewing's win signals a repudiation of Stothert's anti-trans messaging — which national Republicans touted repeatedly during the 2024 election and which fueled anti-trans bills targeting gender-affirming care in at least 19 states. While Stothert reportedly governed as a moderate, she leaned heavily into transphobic rhetoric during the mayoral race, echoing national GOP talking points that framed trans people as predators in public bathrooms and as threats in sporting events. 'Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls' sports,' one Stothert television ad claimed. In an interview with KETV this week, Ewing called the controversy a 'made-up issue by Jean Stothert and the Republican Party.' Other policies the two candidates focused on included more standard local issues like street repairs, affordable housing and police staffing. The contest represents another electoral bright spot for Democrats, who've added to their slew of regional wins since President Donald Trump's presidential victory last November. In addition to flipping the mayoral seat in Omaha, Democrats have also won state Senate elections in Iowa and Pennsylvania, adding to their momentum going into the 2026 midterms. 'From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year,' Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in response to Ewing's victory on Tuesday. 'After tonight, vulnerable House Republicans like Don Bacon are on notice.' While Omaha has been known as a 'blue dot' in a red state for its liberal leanings, Republicans have held the city's mayoral seat since 2013 and continue to hold the region's congressional district. However, Omaha's congressional district, which voted for Trump in 2016, backed Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020 and 2024.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
John Ewing set to become Omaha's first Black mayor and flip the office for Democrats
John Ewing, the treasurer of Douglas County, Nebraska, is set to become Omaha's first Black mayor after his opponent conceded in Tuesday's mayoral election -- and Democrats are celebrating the upset as a sign of what they say is the latest in a string of election victories where they are "outperforming Republicans." Ewing faced off against incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert, a Republican who was running for a fourth term. The election is technically nonpartisan; political parties are not named on the ballot. But according to the Associated Press, Ewing's and Stothert's campaigns became more partisan ahead of election day. MORE: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka arrested at ICE facility while joining Democrats to conduct 'oversight' Ewing currently leads Stothert by almost 11,000 votes, according to election results from the Douglas County Elections Commission. "One of the things I've always wanted to do is be a mentor and an example for the young people in our community, so they could believe that their dreams were possible. And I hope they're watching tonight. I hope they believe that their dreams are possible," Ewing told ABC affiliate KETV late Tuesday night. Stothert said she called Ewing to concede, according to KETV. Democrats are pointing to the results, and how Ewing flipped the office from Republican to Democrat, as a sign of what they say is their continued success in special and off-cycle elections this year. That includes victories or better-than-expected performances in some state legislative special elections, as well as the Democratic-supported candidate's victory in the nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court race in April. "From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year," Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement late Tuesday. Republicans and other observers have argued against reading too much into results of individual. Off-cycle elections, including special elections, or elections such as Omaha's mayoral election that are not held concurrently with Election Day, have a much smaller turnout and are not necessarily indicative of what turnout or results on Election Day in November might be. John Ewing set to become Omaha's first Black mayor and flip the office for Democrats originally appeared on
14-05-2025
- Politics
John Ewing set to become Omaha's first Black mayor and flip the office for Democrats
Ewing faced GOP incumbent Jean Stothert, who was running for a fourth term. By 4:35 John Ewing, the treasurer of Douglas County, Nebraska, is set to become Omaha's first Black mayor after his opponent conceded in Tuesday's mayoral election -- and Democrats are celebrating the upset as a sign of what they say is the latest in a string of election victories where they are "outperforming Republicans." Ewing faced off against incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert, a Republican who was running for a fourth term. The election is technically nonpartisan; political parties are not named on the ballot. But according to the Associated Press, Ewing's and Stothert's campaigns became more partisan ahead of election day. Ewing currently leads Stothert by almost 11,000 votes, according to election results from the Douglas County Elections Commission. "One of the things I've always wanted to do is be a mentor and an example for the young people in our community, so they could believe that their dreams were possible. And I hope they're watching tonight. I hope they believe that their dreams are possible," Ewing told ABC affiliate KETV late Tuesday night. Stothert said she called Ewing to concede, according to KETV. Democrats are pointing to the results, and how Ewing flipped the office from Republican to Democrat, as a sign of what they say is their continued success in special and off-cycle elections this year. That includes victories or better-than-expected performances in some state legislative special elections, as well as the Democratic-supported candidate's victory in the nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court race in April. "From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year," Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement late Tuesday. Republicans and other observers have argued against reading too much into results of individual. Off-cycle elections, including special elections, or elections such as Omaha's mayoral election that are not held concurrently with Election Day, have a much smaller turnout and are not necessarily indicative of what turnout or results on Election Day in November might be.
NBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
First female mayor of Omaha concedes in race against likely first Black mayor
OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha's first female mayor has conceded the mayoral race to a man who will likely become the community's first Black mayor. Voters in Omaha were making history Tuesday by either reelecting the city's first female mayor to a rare fourth term or electing the community's first Black mayor. The race between Mayor Jean Stothert and challenger John Ewing primarily revolved around local issues like street repairs and garbage service, but in the final stretch the campaign touched on more national, hot-button issues such as President Donald Trump's administration and transgender rights. Stothert was trailing by nearly 5,000 votes in early returns Tuesday night. At her election night event, Stothert said she called Ewing and conceded in the race, KETV reported. 'I called John Ewing and I congratulated him,' Stothert said. 'John Ewing is inheriting tonight a great city, and we leave a strong foundation for the city that we love. We are grateful and we are hopeful.' The winner will lead Nebraska's largest city, which makes up nearly a quarter of the state's population. In campaigning for a fourth term, Stothert has portrayed Omaha as a city on a hot streak with a revitalized riverfront, plans moving ahead on a streetcar line and progress repairing city streets. 'I have plans and can talk about them, and they are working,' Stothert told the Omaha World-Herald. If reelected, she would have the longest tenure as mayor in more than a century. Ewing, the county treasurer, said the mayor hasn't focused enough attention on core issues like filling potholes, hiring more police officers and building more affordable housing. 'People just feel like she's had her time, and it's time for somebody new,' Ewing said. Although the mayor's office is nonpartisan, the candidates have made it clear to voters that Stothert is a Republican and Ewing is a Democrat. Omaha is among the few spots in conservative Nebraska where Democrats have a reasonable chance of winning elected offices. Despite a focus on bread-and-butter issues like city services, the candidates have issued more partisan messages as the election neared. A Stothert TV ad says, 'Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls' sports.' Ewing responded that he hasn't dealt with such transgender issues as treasurer and told KETV he wouldn't respond to hypothetical questions. Ewing has aired ads that connect Stothert to the Trump administration, showing the mayor on a split screen with Trump and saying 'Let's say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done.'
