Nebraska – Irene North

Catharsis

On 2025-05-21

Katie and Irene show off Gering and Scottsbluff from atop the Scotts Bluff National Monument. Photo by Katie Bradshaw.

I haven’t wanted to sit down and write anything since my mom passed away on April 2. Each time I get behind the keyboard, I get sad. Then, the words no longer come. Added to all this, my country has fallen into fascism. I am at a loss of what to do, where to go, and what direction I should be taking.

Throughout all of this, however, there has been the kindness of others who have reached out to me and I want to highlight that instead of the devastation that seems to be surrounding me.

My thoughts on the local paper

By Irene

On 2023-05-31

In Nebraska, Podcast

On May 17, I sat down in the middle of the night to record my thoughts on the state of the local paper, the Scottsbluff Star-Herald, and share a little bit what it was like to work there.

I lost my rights again today

By Irene

On 2023-05-20

In Nebraska

When the Supreme Court of the United States leak of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case occurred a year ago, it was devastating for me. I held out a glimmer of hope that Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey wouldn’t be overturned, but I knew the final decision likely wasn’t going to change. It was still a debilitating gut punch when the decision became official. A right I had my entire life, a right I had exercised, was taken away from me. In that moment, half the American population were told they could not be trusted to make medical decisions for themselves.

Since that time, I’ve written many comments online. I’ve been called a murderer more times than I can remember. I’ve had kind internet strangers step in and tell forced birthers to kindly fuck off. I’ve said so myself. However, it is one thing to be called a murderer by internet strangers. It’s another when it comes from someone sitting in your living room.

Out with the old

By Irene

On 2023-04-25

In Nebraska

One of the lessons my grandmother taught me was to “put your money where your mouth is.” It’s something I’ve hesitated a few times or couldn’t afford to do at the time. Over the years, I’ve provided financial assistance, protested, wrote letters, and made phone calls for issues that were important to me.

Nebraska’s LB626 would be devastating for women

By Irene

On 2023-02-22

In Nebraska

I recently sent the letter pasted below to my state representative, Brian Hardin. The bill, LB626 passed through the committee, on which he sits, and will now go to the floor for debate.

If anyone wants to use what I wrote, please feel free. As readers of this blog know, this is an important subject matter for me, one in which I never thought I’d have to be fighting. It is 2,285 words long. Regardless of whether or not Hardin listens to me, or even reads my letter, I said my peace. I truly hope the bill fails.

My comments in opposition to LB626

By Irene

On 2023-01-29

In Nebraska

Nebraska state senator Joni Albrecht has once again attempted to ban abortion in Nebraska. My state representative, Brian Hardin, supports the bill. Many doctors in the state oppose the bill. The legislature is taking comments from constituents until Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 12 p.m., Central Time, 11 a.m., Mountain Time.

Ghost stories for Halloween

By Irene

On 2022-10-20

In Nebraska

Hubert Clair Bishop – AKA Miss Bish. Nebraska State Historical Society

I’m not a big fan of Halloween, but I sure know a story when I see it.

Monday Musings: Other writings

By Irene

On 2022-08-15

In Nebraska

The inside of the Buddhist shrine at the Japanese Hall in Gering.

For most of my time working at the Scottsbluff Star-Herald newspaper, I didn’t have much of a fear about what would happen to my stories once I turned them in. The rule goes “the editor can, and sometimes will, change your story.”

Me and a turtle

By Irene

On 2022-07-02

In Nebraska

While out for a drive in western Scotts Bluff County on June 28, 2022, I assisted an Ornate Box turtle across the road. These turtles are well-known across the Great Plains and are protected in Nebraska.

An open letter to Gov. Pete Ricketts and Sen. John Stinner

By Irene

On 2022-05-17

In Nebraska

This morning, I sent emails to Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and my state representative, Senator John Stinner. Last month, the legislature narrowly defeated a bill that would have banned abortion in the state. Since the SCOTUS draft leak, Gov. Ricketts has been making the rounds in the media indicating he may call an emergency session of the state legislature to try and pass the bill again. He would like to ban all abortions, without exceptions for rape and/or incest.

I can rage on the internet all I want, but these two men are my only hope for abortion to remain legal in the state. I don’t know if my letter, my words, or my story would sway them to reconsider, but I had to try.

Writings

Category: Nebraska Page 1 of 5

Catharsis

My thoughts on the local paper

I lost my rights again today

Out with the old

Nebraska’s LB626 would be devastating for women

My comments in opposition to LB626

Ghost stories for Halloween

Monday Musings: Other writings

Me and a turtle

An open letter to Gov. Pete Ricketts and Sen. John Stinner