Nebraska – Page 2 – Irene North

Nebraska’s LB626 would be devastating for women

On February 22, 2023

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 January 29, 2023

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.

Solace from evil

By Irene

On January 5, 2023

In Ramblings

Along the Oregon Trail in western Scotts Bluff County.

The world feels different at night when all the people and bullshit go to rest. I am alone with my thoughts and can feel comfortable being me. I don’t need to deflect from the constant intrusion of christianity upon my life. I don’t have to hear empty platitudes of misguided people who think they understand everything about everyone and dole out insincere phrases which only make them feel better.

At night, I listen to the sound of the coal cars rumbling through town and the wind blowing, gently shaking my windows and the trees. This time is mine. I have no obligation to be doing anything. I read. I write. I breathe.

Ghost stories for Halloween

By Irene

On October 20, 2022

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 August 15, 2022

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 July 2, 2022

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 May 17, 2022

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.

A picture worth a thousand tears

By Irene

On March 3, 2022

In Ramblings

When I saw this picture this morning, it made me cry. British Neuroscientist Matthew Cobb, who occasionally blogs on Evolutionary Biologist Jerry Coyne’s “Why Evolution is True” blog, sent this picture to Jerry. It’s from a wall in Paris.

I won some awards

By Irene

On May 30, 2021

In News

Although I don’t produce the volumes of writing I did when I was a daily reporter, I am still quite pleased with the recognition of my writing from Nebraska Press Women. I entered 13 articles this year, about half what I used to enter. I received 10 awards. All first place awards go on to the National Federation of Press Women contest. I will know those results mid-June.

Wait. I can explain everything

By Irene

On April 29, 2021

In Stories

Before the dawn of the 21st century, sometimes you had to visit the more skeevy portions of the internet in order to find what you wanted. It was fraught with danger, but only if you didn’t know the traps to look out for before you began.

Writings

Tag: Nebraska Page 2 of 11

Nebraska’s LB626 would be devastating for women

My comments in opposition to LB626

Solace from evil

Ghost stories for Halloween

Monday Musings: Other writings

Me and a turtle

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

A picture worth a thousand tears

I won some awards

Wait. I can explain everything