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Looming railroad strike could be devastating to economy in Nebraska and Iowa

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Looming railroad strike could be devastating to economy in Nebraska and Iowa


OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Affect of potential railroad employee strike

With a potential rail strike Friday, customers are doubtless questioning: how may this affect them?

Rail strikes about 30% of the nation’s freight — greater than another mode of transportation — from televisions and automobiles to meals and agriculture merchandise.

If our rail system shuts down for 5 days, one skilled says it may take a yr to get well.

Which industries really feel the affect the quickest?

Iowa State Affiliate Professor Bobby Martens says we may see impacts in agriculture immediately. Native cooperatives and grain elevator programs wouldn’t have capability all through the harvest season.

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“This isn’t a small disruption we’re speaking about. In some sense, a strike that lasts 5 days or longer, for some sectors of the financial system, may very well be as huge as a disruption as COVID was to the worldwide provide chain,” Martens stated.

One business that is already getting hit is gas. The Affiliation of American Railroads experiences that railroads account for 60% to 70% of ethanol transportation.

“If the ethanol plant has to close down, once they may very well be working profitably in any other case, that definitely has an affect on the Iowa financial system and it definitely has an affect on with the ability to produce ethanol as gas,” Martens stated.

Southwest Iowa Renewable Power CEO Mike Jerke says his group has been making contingency plans within the case a strike comes into fruition and the corporate’s ethanol cannot be shipped out.

“As quickly as we get empty automobiles, we’re filling them and sending them again out. That is a stance we have taken within the final couple of weeks,” Jerke stated.

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Every day, Southwest Iowa Renewable Power makes roughly 375,000 gallons of ethanol — equal to 13 rail automobiles. Time is of the essence to get ethanol transported.

“If we won’t ship the product, which means now we have to decelerate. If now we have to decelerate, which means we use much less corn from the farmers, so our market is not as strong because it usually is that if that occurs,” Jerke stated.

As for the remainder of us, fuel costs may go up once more.

“No one likes larger fuel costs,” Council Bluffs resident Don Rolfe stated.

“It is onerous for households — onerous financial system proper now, the place individuals are already struggling and attempting to get again and now this too,” Council Bluffs resident Alicia Campbell stated.

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If the trains cease transferring it places the brakes on nearly each a part of our financial system, emphasizing what union member Pat Pfeifer stated.

“It exhibits how vital we’re,” Pfeifer stated.

One oil and refined merchandise analyst estimates fuel costs may bounce 35 to 75 cents if a railroad strike lasts quite a lot of days, according to a national fuel analyst.

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Libby Kamrowski/ KMTV 3 Information Now

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A pair of trains are seen by way of warmth rises off the rails on Might 27, 2022 close to downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha rail business by the numbers

For those who see a freight prepare in Nebraska, chances are high very excessive that the prepare is run by both Burlington Northern Santa Fe or Union Pacific with nearly 80% of all freight site visitors coming from the 2 main firms.

Each firms herald merchandise like coal and shopper gadgets we purchase in shops. Additionally they ship agricultural merchandise from Nebraska to the western two-thirds of the nation.

Union Pacific is, in fact, headquartered in Omaha, and is listed as a top-eight employer in the complete metropolis. Statewide it experiences almost 6,000 staff.

Union Pacific details

John Stemple/KMTV

Whereas BNSF is headquartered in Fort Value, Texas, it is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, which is managed by the ‘Oracle of Omaha’ Warren Buffett. It additionally has a powerful Nebraska presence with 4,300 staff unfold out throughout the state.

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FS Railroads 12.jpg

John Stemple/KMTV

Whereas UP has extra staff in Nebraska, BNSF ships extra yearly — final yr it shipped two million extra carloads than Union Pacific.

With labor strife, it’s unclear when the railroad giants may decelerate.

Nebraska railroad employees put together for Friday strike inflicting provide chain worries: ‘Would possibly simply lastly break’

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Risk of ‘main affect’ in ‘most industries’

Scott Swenseth, an affiliate professor of provide chain analytics on the College of Nebraska-Lincoln, stated “most industries” may very well be impacted within the occasion of a strike or lockout. It could worsen the inflation downside, he stated.

“When it is containers, it is obtained every kind of various merchandise doubtlessly in these containers, which goes to have an effect on most industries,” he stated.

A 3 Information Now report from January confirmed shopper packages, like Amazon packages, usually journey by prepare. Packages had been pictured littered round trains in mass after being rummaged by way of by thieves within the Los Angeles space.

“We’ve oil that we transfer by rail since we have not been constructing pipelines,” stated Swenseth. “We have a harvest happening within the Midwest and we have product that wants transfer to market. We have the vacation season developing and now could be the time that merchandise is being collected on the completely different distribution facilities.”

the union pacific harriman dispatch center at street level view

Libby Kamrowski/ KMTV 3 Information Now

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The Union Pacific Harriman Dispatch Middle is seen in downtown Omaha, Neb. on March 1, 2022. It’s situated at 850 Jones Avenue.

Impacts earlier than the deadline

Swenseth stated impacts are being felt even earlier than Thursday’s deadline, together with passenger trains that may not make their closing locations within the occasion of a strike.

“Something perishable that might be happening or that has any type of a shelf life, if it will get caught someplace, that shelf life goes to run out,” he stated. “So these are the sorts of issues that they are already having to plan for or really take motion on.”

Congress can intervene

As a result of the impacts can be so vital, there’s a legislation permitting Congress to intervene in railway strikes.

Beneath the Railway Labor Act, Congress can block strikes and lockouts in railroad and airline labor disputes. For instance, Congress may put in place an settlement or lengthen the interval the place strikes and lockouts can’t be approved: the cooldown interval.

The U.S. Home and Senate are in session. Any motion would require greater than a majority — 60 votes — within the Senate.

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There was no plan to be on standby earlier than tomorrow’s 11 p.m. CDT deadline, a spokesperson for Congressman Don Bacon stated Wednesday afternoon.

The native representatives 3 Information Now reached gave us statements, however they didn’t seem able to reply what if any interventions they’d help.

Bacon stated, “We would like a win-win not just for the railroad employees and the corporate, but in addition the nation. A strike can be detrimental for America’s farmers, producers, gas producers, and my constituents as our transport traces are already affected by crippling gas costs and it will shut the nation down. I hope that Congress doesn’t must intervene and that the 2 sides can come to an amicable settlement with the intention to keep away from a disruption in deliveries throughout our nation.”

Congressman Mike Flood stated, “Railroads are a essential a part of Nebraska’s financial system, serving to transfer every part from ag merchandise to manufactured items. A rail strike within the midst of harvest would exacerbate provide chain challenges. I hope that decision may be reached that’s in the most effective curiosity of everybody concerned, so we will hold Nebraska’s financial system transferring.”

Senator Deb Fischer spoke a few potential rail strike on the Senate ground on Tuesday. She stated, partially, “It’s essential that the remaining labor unions and the rail business use these suggestions to succeed in an settlement as quickly as potential…Our complete agricultural system is at stake right here. The financial welfare of the American folks is at stake right here. And world meals safety is at stake right here.”

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Her full feedback are right here.

Spokespeople for Senators Fischer and Ben Sasse, and Congresswoman Cindy Axne of Iowa didn’t reply to questions Wednesday about what, if any, interventions they’d help.

The final rail strike

The latest railway strike was in 1992 and lasted a few days.

“It is one thing that that does come up periodically,” stated Swenseth. “This has been happening for a few years now, the place they have been attempting to work out these points. It actually got here to a head this summer season once they had a deadline, we obtained the cooling off interval, which is what’s now coming to an finish … making this a giant problem this week.”

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I-80 Club: What Is Happening With Nebraska Men’s Basketball?

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I-80 Club: What Is Happening With Nebraska Men’s Basketball?


On this week’s Saturday Morning Coffee Show, Josh Peterson and Jack Mitchell discussed Nebraska men’s basketball’s loss to Rutgers, the upcoming stretch of games, and how the team can come out of things in a better spot.

Below is a lightly edited transcript of their conversation on the podcast. 

Josh: That was supposed to be the win and to play like they did, to get to go down at the half and the second half, it just had that sense of dread, the entire second half. The entire second half was full of dread.

Nebraska guard Juwan Gary tries to score at the basket against Rutgers on Jan. 16, 2025.

Nebraska guard Juwan Gary tries to score at the basket against Rutgers on Jan. 16, 2025. / Nebraska Athletics

Jack: But do you remember after the Rutgers game last year, where I thought Juwan Gary tore his Achilles tendon, of course, and that was a bad spot. Don’t you remember how they played in that game? They just got like physically destroyed by a different, very different Rutgers team then. I mailed that season in at that point, and it got better. So, there’ll still be some good moments, but the schedule is weird because the road games. They’re still such underdogs in these road games. Like they would go, I don’t expect them to, but if they would go get a win against Maryland tomorrow, it basically, everything’s erased. Everything’s back to where it was three games ago, at least resume-wise.

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Josh: Or if they lose, it’s suddenly four straight and another road loss…

Jack: The USC is the one, the USC is the one that, in Lincoln, is the one that could derail the season.

Nebraska center Braxton Meah dunks against Rutgers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Jan. 16, 2025.

Nebraska center Braxton Meah dunks against Rutgers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Jan. 16, 2025. / Nebraska Athletics

Josh: Well, you and I talked about that when you filled in a week ago yesterday, right? Where if they don’t pick up any of these road wins, it’s gonna put so much pressure on the USC game. And now, Jack, I would say that pressure is already there, but now there is gonna be some pressure on the home games, given that they just lost to Rutgers.

To see more, watch the video below! And for access to the entire conversation, consider becoming a member of the I-80 Club today! Do so at patreon.com/I80Club.

MORE: How to Watch Nebraska Men’s Basketball at Maryland: Preview, Breakdown, TV Channel

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MORE: Nebrasketball Brunch Show: Nebraska Drops First Big Ten Home Game In Two Years…Panic Time?

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

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Maryland men’s basketball vs. Nebraska preview

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Maryland men’s basketball vs. Nebraska preview


Maryland men’s basketball is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Northwestern, as Nick Martinelli drained a buzzer-beater for the win at the end of overtime. Point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie twice tied the contest — with six seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and in overtime — but it wasn’t enough to propel the Terps, who are now 0-4 on the road.

Maryland now turns its attention to a program currently on a losing skid: Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers are on a three-game losing streak, most recently suffering a three-point loss to Rutgers, in which freshman phenoms Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper scored 24 and 21 points respectively. Nebraska also lost to then-No. 20 Purdue and Iowa. Its best wins of the season came over Creighton, UCLA and Indiana.

Sunday’s game will begin at noon and air on Big Ten Network.

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Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-5, 2-4)

2023-24 record: 23-11, 12-8 Big Ten

Head coach Fred Hoiberg is in his sixth season at the helm of Nebraska men’s basketball. Last season, he helped the Cornhuskers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014.

Prior to his time in Lincoln, Nebraska, Hoiberg spent three full seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, where he made the playoffs once and won more than 40 games in two seasons. He also guided Iowa State to a 115-56 record in his five seasons as its head coach.

Players to watch

Brice Williams, senior guard, 6-foot-7, No. 3 — Not only is Williams a mismatch for Maryland with his towering height, he’s also one of the most prolific offensive threats in the Big Ten. He averages 18.9 points per game, good for fifth in the conference. He’s also second on the team with 2.5 assists per game.

Juwan Gary, senior forward, 6-foot-6, No. 4 — Gary is Nebraska’s second-leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points per game. He’s also one of the team’s best defensive players, as he ranks second in both steals (22) and blocks (9). Gary has started every game for the Cornhuskers this season.

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Connor Essegian, junior guard, 6-foot-4, No. 0 — Essegian is Nebraska’s third-leading scorer, averaging 11.6 points per game. He has played in all 17 games this season, but has started just three. He leads the team in 3-point percentage, shooting 40.7% from downtown.

Strength

Not fouling. Nebraska, like Maryland, has done a good job so far this season at not fouling. It is tied with the Terps for the third-fewest personal fouls per game in the Big Ten.

Weakness

Turnovers. The Cornhuskers give the ball away the third most in the Big Ten, with 12.2 turnovers per game. They also have the second-worst assist-to-turnover ratio in the conference at 1.13.

Three things to watch

1. Can Derik Queen bounce back? Queen has had an up-and-down slate of Big Ten games. After impressing against Minnesota, he faltered against Northwestern, posting just nine points and undergoing multiple defensive lapses. Whether or not he returns to form against Nebraska will be worthy of note.

2. Can the Terps close late? While it won a relatively tight game against Minnesota, late finishes against then-No. 9 Oregon, Minnesota and Northwestern did not go the Terps’ way. Sunday’s game projects to be another close contest, and Maryland needs to prove it can win if the game comes down to the final few possessions.

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3. Can Maryland match up with Nebraska’s guards? The Terps had some trouble against Northwestern’s 6-foot-6 guard Brooks Barnhizer, who scored 20 points. With Williams and Essegian standing at 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-4, respectively, Maryland will be faced with a similar challenge.



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Amazon Prime packages fall out after semi crashes with train in Nebraska

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Amazon Prime packages fall out after semi crashes with train in Nebraska


An Amazon Prime semitrailer after a crash with a maintenance train in Dawson, Nebraska.
Courtesy: Richardson County Sheriff’s Office

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — An Amazon Prime semitrailer collided with a train Friday morning in southeast Nebraska, spilling packages on the side of the road.

It happened about 8:30 a.m. on Highway 75 in Dawson, which is 20 miles northwest of Falls City, according to the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the semi collided with a maintenance train, causing the trailer to hit a vehicle that was waiting for the train to pass.

The driver of that vehicle was taken to a hospital, then released.

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Authorities said no other injuries were reported.

The semi driver was ticketed for multiple offenses, according to the sheriff’s office.

A photo posted on social media showed damage to the trailer and boxes strewn on the ground.

Highway 75 was closed for several hours during the investigation and cleanup.

Categories: Nebraska News, News





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