The past is meeting the present in Nebraska Public Media’s new “Once Again” history podcast.
Bill Kelly, senior producer, is on a mission: digging through archives, dusting off documents and uncovering compelling stories that matter — once again.
Beginning May 1, listeners can download episodes of the “Once Again” history podcast on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube. “Once Again” is also available online.
Devoted history hunters and those casually curious about history will find that each episode of “Once Again” revisits a fascinating chapter from recent Nebraska and Great Plains history and draws stunning parallels from the past to the present.
“As a longtime reporter, I think it’s important to view current events through the lens of history," Kelly said. "This podcast dives deep into intriguing news stories from Nebraska’s past and connects them to today’s headlines."
The new Nebraska Public Media podcast features rich sound effects, music specific to the history of each episode and voice actors who make the stories come alive and create a picture for the podcast listener, much like a throwback to radio theater.
“You hear creaking benches, church bells, footsteps on gravel and horses neighing. The sound becomes another character,” said Emily Kreutz, Nebraska Public Media audio engineer.
The first two episodes drop May 1 and include "Meyer v. Nebraska" and "The Rise and Fall of the Ak-Sar-Ben Racetrack."
In the former, Nebraska law makes teaching German to children illegal in the 1920s and today the case sets legal precedent for the U.S. Supreme Court. In the latter episode, after 70 years, Ak-Sar-Ben shuts down an iconic Omaha horse track. Can casinos revive the horse racing industry and traditions?
The other four episodes of "Once Again" include:
- May 8, Passenger Rail Service: After 100 years, railroads left passenger service to Amtrack. Should the government expand routes and offer high-speed rail service today?
- May 15: Methodist Church Split: An Omaha minister is put on trial for conducting a same-sex wedding and today, the LGBTQ debate leads to a split within the United Methodist Church.
- May 22: Hallam Nuclear Plant: Nebraska’s first nuclear plant went online near Lincoln in 1962 and soon failed. Years later, the state considers a new generation of small reactors.
- May 29: Immigrant Labor: In the 1930s, Panhandle farms recruit Mexican field workers to harvest sugar beets. Today, immigrant labor takes center stage in a divisive national debate.
The “Once Again” history podcast is a production of Nebraska Public Media News.
