Bloody Noses, Bruises and Natural Gas

For those of you who didn't know, Wednesday night was the Tech N9ne concert. It was a fun night down on 13th street at Sokol Auditorium, but there were some problems. There was a natural gas leak inside of Sokol, so everybody had to be evacuated, therefore the concert ended early. What a shame.

Oil Spill Recalculated

So I was reading an article in the NY times about the estimations of the oil spill. And it said that the estimations were inaccurate and everyone is criticizing BP for their measurements. Okay? With this new information, the government can do what? There are no huge disadvantages to not know exactly how much oil was leaked. So can you please stop getting angry, and worry more about the actual problem at hand, the oil spill!

I LOVE My Yearbook!

Kudos to everyone who worked on the yearbook...it looks really great! I especially like the "splotches" on the front and the theme of reality check. Awesome job and I'm definitely going to have fun looking at it!

Skutt boy is an inspiration!

Omaha Skutt freshman is diagnosed with cancer...these stories always entice me. This boy is a freshman and made the varsity soccer team, which stands alone as a great accomplishment. From the way he talks about soccer you can tell it is his passion, and will be for the rest of his life.

The fact that he is fighting through cancer and continuing to live his dream is amazing. I have so much respect for people as passionate as him. He truly is an inspiration.

I wish Skutt all the best at State!

Tom White

Democrat Tom White won the democratic primary Tuesday and looks to take down Lee Terry, who is seeking his seventh term, in the fall. Let's go Tom!

PinPoint

There's a new discount card in town. It's call the PinPoint Card and what it does is takes care of debit payments, discounts and loyalty points. A loyalty point is tallied for each dollar spent. After a costumer is awarded with a large amount of loyalty points, they can receive coupons to the retail stores. These retail stores include small businesses within the city.

Why not get this? It not only lightens your wallet, you'll get rewards along with it!

Dear Mother Nature,

It is May. If you look at a calendar, it will say May 12. Do you know what that means? It means right now the season is spring. A time known for its warmth and beauty. If you look outside right now, it is neither warm nor beautiful. It is, however, raining. And while rain is alright for spring, 46 degrees is not. I would like to make a formal request for 70 degree weather. That is all.

Thanks,

Allie

Voting

I voted today. So yeah, its good to get your voice heard. Honestly, more people should vote. I read a statistic that said that only 15% of registered voters will vote today. What a shame.

-Ian

Today is Voting Day

Today is voting day! I saw the people on 9oth and Pacific (if I have my streets correct) holding Scott Hazelrigg signs. Voting is good so people should definitely go and do that today! Also, kudos to Grace for her awesome quote in the World Herald!

Alex Gordon

Alex Gordon, the former first round pick of the Kansas City Royals organization and third baseman for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, has been demoted (again) and this time sent to the outfield. This comes after the first season with a fielding percentage under 90%. The real cause is obvious since he has been demoted before for his terrible batting and this year is no exception since he was batting "below the Mendoza Line" (.200) for the third straight year.

Charlie Ziegenbein Sports Editor

Immigration

According to New York Times, in 2008, the amount of illegal immigrants outnumbered legal immigrants. It hasn't been this bad since the 1920's. In AZ, if any police believes one is suspicious, they may ask for legal documents. This is not official until July 29, 2010.

Dinosaurs Linked to Birds (FO SHO)

Scientists at Stanford have chemically linked dinosaurs to birds with x-ray technology. Although it has been highly speculated that dinosaurs and birds are related, the experiment, involving a high-energy X-ray beamed at a species known as Archaeopteryx (often cited as the missing link between dinosaurs and birds, and also the first feathered animal) identified key chemicals within the creatures bones, wings, and most excitingly soft-tissue.

I know this has been highly debated in the Lance staff, and is a controversial issue, but not at least we know without a doubt, that dinosaurs and birds are family.

Graphics Editor- Julius Fredrick

Perfection

Congrats Jahan Claies, Matthew Deveney, Zachary Christensen, Thomas Gilgenast, Anna Heffron, Grace Lyden, Zion Schell, Elizabeth Thoresnsen, and Nick Ryan for their perfect scores on the ACT, SAT or both. Way to beat the system!

Horse mauled by cougar

A Sidney, Iowa local was reportedly mauled by a cougar yesterday. "I was just grazing in the pasture, when all of a sudden this very rude cougar leaps upon my haunches and tried eating me," said the 2-year-old quarter horse mare. "Naturally I was upset." Despite sustaining cuts and scrapes, the horse, who we'll call Cincinnati, is in stable condition. The cougar was unavailable for comment.

Sam Raybine

Yay Grace!

Congratulations to our own Lance Staff member GRACE LYDEN! Your amazing!! We are so lucky to have you on staff!

marijuana

Nebraska is finally considering the legalization of medical marijuana. A meeting will be held May 22-25 in Anaheim, California. Diana Wulf, the spokeswoman of the Nebraska group H.E.M.P (Helping End Marijuana Prohibition), and the rest of the group plans to attend the meeting to learn more about medical benefits of marijuana. Woot.

Poor Tiger

He's been having a super rough time lately. He withdrew this weekend due to injury, and he hasn't found his swing ever since his infamous "cheating scandal." Hopefully Tiger pulls it together sometime this year.

Keyboard and Topknots

I don't really have much to say other than I got a new keyboard for my laptop and it feels really weird typing on it. Also, that article about topknots (a type of hairdo) in the Living section was kind of interesting. Sometimes, I wear my hair in a bun but definitely not that high, so it probably doesn't count as a legitimate "samurai topknot".

900

Omaha has one of the largest populations of Somali Bantus. They first began arriving in 2003 covered from head to toe in colorful headscarves/dresses or hijabs. This African ethnic group has come to the U.S. for better job opportunities, and to learn English, but they have much to sacrifice, including the alteration of their hijabs.

Just a thought...

This isn't really about any news, but it was mothers day yesterday and I was wondering to myself if a teen girl is pregnant, do they receive gifts, or anything for that matter, on mothers day? Just curious.

Sam Raybine

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

The seniors last Monday is drizzly and wet. As I sat in the drafty auditorium taking my Chemistry final I wondered what the next three weeks would hold. Once the seniors are out there is hardly any class left, and for some classes hardly any students. One sohpomore in chemistry will be in a class of one come next week. Still the learning continues, accumulating in a chapter test during the finals period. This begs the question, is the material we are going to cover in the last weeks just not important enough to appear on the final? Wouldn't that time be better spent at other endeavors? If a class has its final early, and its student body drained, I vote classes be converted into open mods so students can use their time wisely.

Runaway Run

I am a long distance runner. Although I don't do it competitively I absolutely love running outdoors, with my ipod in hand of course. I love the change of scenery and the change in terrain. It's not something you can get in a gym. So, I am loving this runaway run. I wish I would have known about it and I would have been there in a heartbeat. I love finding new trails and places to run that make my jog somewhat more exciting, and pushes me to go further. And what is more unique than running through offutt air force base!

Next year, I am so there!

Potholes

It's almost the middle of May and we still have potholes. This is overly frustrating and just ridiculous! They have overstayed their welcome on our Omaha streets and I believe something should be done about them.

Julie Dworak, News Editor

UN Day Was Not Even Worth It

Seriously, UN Day is sort of a waste of time. No one really gets anything accomplished and it's basically a whole bunch of teenagers waving their signs in the air, hoping to get called on just so that they can get a good grade. This day would be a lot better if (somehow) smaller groups of people were used - this way people would actually discuss issues instead of not really caring about what is even going on. For instance, someone wanted to amend a resolution so that the British pay the United States because the British caused the Revolutionary War. Funny, yes, but totally irrelevant!

Klitz Saves Life

I'm proud of the UNL student Cameron Klitz for saving a man. But she needs to wear less eye liner. Somebody please get this girl some eye makeup remover.

Shelby Pieper

we're all Neanderthals

Researchers have discovered that most humans today contain a small amount of Neanderthal DNA. The first humans left Africa 80,000 years ago and came across Neanderthal settlements in the Middle East. The reason humans today have some Neanderthal DNA in them was because of this crossing 80,000 years ago. In a G-rated explanation, they made love not war.

MR. HOWE?!

Mr. Howe's twin is on the front page of the OWH.

Just kidding.

But seriously, they look the same.

And Charlie's last name is spelled incorrectly in the sports section.

Powering Campus

Creighton University is soon to go solar! I think that is awesome because the environment is obviously a huge issue for the future. By taking the initiative to go solar, Creighton will be able to power three of its main buildings. The university will also be the largest producer of solar power in Nebraska. Hopefully, other universities will follow suit and develop programs like Creighton's!

Voting Low

In the days when everyone has something to say about government it is amazing that so few exercise their voice. Voting the the most powerful weapon of democracy, and lately it has been neglecteed. So, register voters of Omaha, make sure you get to the primary elections, because every ballot in every race counts.

Second day of silence

This is so weird. I am sitting in class and it's extremely quiet. I miss the seniors! I don't know what I will do when they actually leave. Stay at Westside forever! Please...

Shroom Supervisor

In Iowa new experts have been put in place to watch the safety of mushroom hunters. If you are not sure that your mushroom is edible take it to the shroom supervisors. Way to be Iowa!

Julie Dworak, News Editor

A Pakistani-American was charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He had sold his Nissan Pathfinder to a women. Inside the pathfinder was a large amount of propane, gasoline, fertilizer and fireworks. The Pathfinder was parked at Times Square, but no one was hurt.

Treasure!!

Aye, ye scurvy bilge cows! Hoist the Johnny Deer! We set tractor at dawn! A mysterious treasure lies in the rolling farmland of southeast Nebraska. We seek the rare metal niobium har har har!! With the jet engines and laptops made from our treasure, we'll be the most technologically advanced prairie-pirates in the world!ARGH!!!

Graphics Editor- Julius Fredrick

Low voter turnout

According to the Omaha World Herald, record low voter turnout is expected for this primary. I can't vote yet, but for all who don't take the time to, the old adage applies; If you don't vote you can't complain.

Sam

George Loomis

Dr. George Loomis passed away Friday after a long illness. He was 86. We all remember when Loomis graduated in 1952. We were all there when Loomis founded Internal Medicine Associates of Omaha. We will miss you Loomis.

Where is All the Violence Coming From?

WHERE is all of the recent violence in Omaha coming from? Is this normal for a city of Omaha's size? Hopefully, the violence is stopped soon so that Omaha's residents do not feel threatened! We don't want Omaha ending up on the most dangerous cities in the world list! Although, I doubt that would ever happen. Anyway, Omaha needs to get this violence figured out SOON.

Grand Island Man Survives Impaling

A Grand Island man was in stable condition this Monday after he fell from his roof and impaled himself on a floor lamp. He had a one and a half inch wide pipe jutting from the pelvic area to the lower abdomen. The man, Edwin Henriquez, fell through a hole in the roof and inconveniently landed upon a decorative lamp in the corner. Tough break Edwin.

Sam Raybine

mower runs over boy

machines always have the possibility of causing massive bodily hard, especially when driven by teenagers. true fact.

Sam

Teen Mows Over Three Year Old

Carter Geddings, a 3-year-old from Fremont went outside while his 17-year-old neighbor was mowing the lawn and accidently mowed over him. Gedding lost a toe on his right foot and part of his left leg was mangled. He is scheduled to go under surgery today to save his leg. Poor little boy!

Julie Dworak, News Editor

Boy Run Over by Mower

A three year old boy was run over by a Hank Hill style riding lawn mower driven by a neighborhood teen and is expected to have surgery today.

Apparently, the teen was hungover from an intense, prom-instigated weekend of ceaseless binge drinking which had subsequently blunted his reflexes.

Just kidding, it was an accident, and my heart goes out to all involved.

Jobs

Today's front page said if teens have a job, they are less likely to be on the streets. Garry Kern was one of those teens years ago and it got him in jail for about 15 years. Douglas county's unemployment rate is much more lower than north Omaha. The Urban League, Goodwill, and Omaha Public Schools offer many summer opportunities for teens.

5,113

The exact number of nuclear warheads in the United States, 5,113. At least not counting those in deconstruction or already in pieces. Regardless this new open policy endorsed by the Pentagon is a great shot at the Iranian nuclear weapons ambitions. It follows up the START treaty with Russia to decreased the total amounts in both countries and commit to non-nuclear aggression against non-nuclear countries; excluding Iran. Both times President Mahmoud Ahmandinejad threw a public fit, but I think it is a great show of strength by Obama. It may not be possible to stop nuclear technology from continuing to spread to dangerous countries, but we can make our displeasure and poweress known as a method of prevention.

Sophomore Group Guidance

It's virtually useless! Honestly, I have learned absolutely nothing from it. I suppose Guidance may be helpful for about 1/25 of the population, but I already know what I want to do with my life. Who cares what my favorite color is or what career cluster I land in? Those interest surveys are a complete waste of time. They don't prove anything. Just because I like to read, doesn't mean I should be a literature professor and just because I like to help people doesn't mean I should be a nurse. Every time I am in guidance, I feel my I.Q. dropping. I vote to abolish the class. Who's behind me?

car bombing

A car bombing would have possibly been at fault for 3-4 deaths, but fortunately it did not go off. New York City time square was the location of this too-be bombing. Luckily the fertilizer used would not have blown more then a fire ball of the car. FBI are still investigating to who was the driver or owner of the car. Since New York is so amazing they had 83 cameras on the scene, and they are now able to review those tapes.

Jersey

I don't understand the obsession with New Jersey. Can someone please explain this to me?

Oil Spill

Nothing about this fiasco is optimistic. The first method they are using has only ever been used in shallow waters, not 5,000 ft below the surface of an ocean. If it doesn't work, then the oil will continue to spill out for months. MONTHS. I really hope the people running the other rigs will take a look at the rigs' safety. This all just makes me sick.

Real Housewives

Don't judge me. It grows on you.

At first I wasn't some super fan of the show. The ladies are plastic — literally — and the drama can get out of control. But it really has the power to hook you in.

Tonight is the season premier of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Is it trash? Yes, sort of. But it's fun trash that, if you're going to waste your time, sure beats out playing bubble shooter.

I can't wait.

Great Big Paddle

Have you seen a picture of the giant paddle Warren Buffet used? Even I could win any ping pong tournament with that thing!

Smartness is Interesting!

Warren Buffet's annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting was this past weekend, as most of you probably know. I didn't go, but personally, I find really smart people very fascinating. Warren Buffet just reminded me of that. Artemis Fowl (if you've read the books) is another one of those people who has always intrigued me, even though he is a fictional character. Kids that are really young who skip a whole bunch of grades and go to college when they are 12 are also super interesting, although I wonder how they adjust to college life socially. Do their parents still drive them to college? I'm assuming they don't stay in dorm rooms, like the typical collegiate.

Alex Gordon

This guy used to be my hero! All-American third basemen at Nebraska and getting drafted very high in the MLB draft, now he's being sent down to the minor leagues! I was in Kansas City watching a game a couple weekends ago and on the first play of the game he made a diving play. Seems like he was doing fine to me, but maybe he needs some work.

What a disaster...

The oil spill that is hurting the gulf is showing little signs of slowing down. BP is working on methods for shutting down the leak, but if the fail the oil could continue for months. Some have even put it on a scale of Katrina.

-Ian

Responsibility in the Private Sector

Transocean Ltd. owns the plant, BP operates it, and Obama is blamed as it oozes around 200,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Sometimes it seems if Obama made it rain cookies people would claim he was depriving them of milk. The private sector moans everytime the government takes a monitory role, and groans everytime its irresponsibility causes monetary or natural disasters. It's time companies started taking blame, not placing it.

immigration flow decreases

Due to the U.S cracking down on illegal immigration laws, more immigrants are returning to their homelands and staying there. Because of the recession, more legal citizens in the U.S are in need of jobs, and employers have more to choose from. Hiring illegal immigrants is a risk employers aren't as willing to take anymore, which is good news for Americans.

ewww

Can i just say, no woman should wear mini skirts/dresses once they're over 20. The front page of the living section disturbs me in a sense that a bunch of "grown" women dye their hair, go tanning every day, and wear disturbingly short dresses.