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Terrell McKinney decided to run for the Nebraska State Legislature in District 11, a seat that is currently held by longtime Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers whose term ends at the end of the current legislative session. His decision to run was based on my life experience in Omaha. My family was poor growing up dealing with a multitude of issues. He has been asked what makes him qualified to be the next state senator to represent District 11 repeatedly. To simply put it “I’ve put in the work the past few years as a community activist and organizer unapologetically on the frontline for our community and will continue to do so once elected. Long answer where I come from I never could imagine even writing this I wanted to be a gang member as a kid like my dad. I spent nights in crack houses just wondering what my next meal would be. If it wasn’t for Joe Edmundson and Roger Parker I couldn’t tell you where I’d be right now. The sport of wrestling gave me purpose and provided me an opportunity to channel my negative energy. Still, it wasn’t easy. My mom struggled to raise my brother, my sister, and I. Many people speak of issues I have the firsthand experience with like living in the projects, section 8, gang violence, poor healthcare, police brutality, and being poor. That’s what drives me, that’s what pushes me to do more for our community. I also know what it’s like to be denied employment because of my background.” He has a Bachelor of Science in Sport Business Management (Maryville University St, Louis) and a Masters of Business Administration (Midland University). Currently he is a law student at Creighton University. His plan going forward for District 11 is to focus on five main areas which are economic equity and opportunity, criminal justice reform, education, healthcare, and community engagement. It’s no secret that District 11 (North Omaha) has been economically neglected. Year after year we see local small businesses open and close because we lack a sustainable economic base. It’s time to reinvest in our community instead of recruiting large firms and outside organizations. We should focus on building from within which would boost small business growth and also employment within our district. A commitment to financial and business education is also needed for residents. The median income for our district is currently $26,964, the lowest in the state. Honestly speaking if we continue with the status quo what we call home won’t be home. As the next state senator to represent District 11he will focus on addressing sentencing discrepancies, making the probation and parole system less punitive, ending the cash bail system, providing resources to improve re-entry, and police accountability. All of which are equally important to decrease the number of our community members going in and to also make sure those that have been are staying out. Education will be key to our community’s future success so it’s on us to make sure we provide our young leaders of the future with the proper tools and resources to be successful. Everyone is guilty when it comes to education in our community so he won’t focus on placing blame. “We all must take a look in the mirror and realize that we must begin to push our kids to shoot for the stars. Expectations have been lowered and it shows in test scores, graduation rates, college graduation rates, and within our juvenile system. If public schools are what we love then let’s make them better.” Class sizes need to be lowered, trauma and mental health therapists/specialists should be inside all schools in our district, teachers need to be paid more, teachers also need to be trained on how to teach our kids, and we also need more teachers from our community. From a community perspective, we must commit resources to alternatives to a traditional college education. We must support our community colleges to help strengthen our workforce needs through career and technical educational programs (Health, Automotive, IT, Construction, and Certificate) and two year Associates Degrees. It’s also been shown nationally that if our students understand where they come from then they will be more likely to succeed academically. This means there needs to be legislation passed that will ensure our students have this understanding. District 11 has the lowest life expectancy and the highest poverty rate in the state of Nebraska. Which is affecting our community physically and mentally. Currently, District 11 is located in a food desert which is an area that has limited access to affordable and nutritious food. While enjoying soul food is great, it’s also important that we make sure our community has access to healthy alternatives. We also must make sure that we deal with unchecked trauma that we have been dealing with since our enslaved ancestors got off the first slave ships in America. The lingering effects of slavery have trickled down to our stud entsand they are being labeled as bad, etc which is fueling the school to prison pipeline. Once elected I’ll work tirelessly to improve

the health of all residents o f District 11 physically and mentally especially our students and senior citizens. “Home is where my heart lives so as much as possible I will make it a point to be present in community spaces interacting with community members. Because changes that need to be made in Lincoln come from the people. I don’t have all the solutions and I shouldn’t it’s on all of us to change our community. I’ll also be one phone call and email away, I’m not superman but I believe it’s important to always engage with our community.” Our community is in need of new voices willing to stand on the frontline for our community unapologetically. Our state legislature also needs young voices that come from diverse backgrounds to make the necessary changes needed to work towards a good life for all Nebraskans. I’ve also been told that I’m too humble or too quiet, quite frankly I believe we have too much work to do for anyone to brag about anything. I’m also a natural listener and I prefer to speak when it’s needed. The one promise I will make to our community is that I’m going to fight day and night for our community. To take our district into the future Terrell McKinney needs your vote on May 12, 2020, in the primary election. To learn more about his campaign take some time to visit the website www. peopleforterrellmckinney. com. McKinney

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Kara Eastman Cancelling Events Until Further Notice

Two Men and a Truck at 4512 S. 68th St. is offering 30 days of free storage to help students that are expected to depart campus housing due to COVID19. Visit www.twomenandatruckomaha.com or call 402-819-0327 to reserve free storage as space is limited.

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Kara Eastman, the candidate for the Democratic Nomination in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District, has announced that, until further notice, she will be suspending all public events, and that her campaign will continue to pay hourly workers. Eastman said, “A comprehensive assessment of currently available data and public health warnings suggest we should avoid events and gatherings. We believe in putting the health and safety of our team, our supporters, and our community first. Therefore, until further notice, the Eastman Campaign will no longer schedule, attend, or engage in any public events. “Furthermore, we’ve taken the step of ensuring that our staff do not feel the need of choosing to work when sick by paying all hourly workers for their shifts if they need to stay home for themselves or a loved one. It is absolutely essential that we put the financial and health needs of our staff and community over other concerns. “We believe and support the excellent work done by local public health officials. It is a true testament to their work that the current number of cases of the novel Coronavirus in Nebraska is relatively limited. “We have decided therefore to continue our door-todoor canvassing. We should note that we have come close to making our first full pass in the district so we are in a position to pivot to phone calls only if need be and we will still be on track with our field goals. We prefer to be guided by science and data, and not fear. It is our policy, however, to wait until schools and other institutions close/convert to online services, to reconsider our canvassing method. “We join with other Democrats in pushing for free and accessible testing for this and all other pandemic conditions. “In conclusion, we will employ all available technological tools to continue to engage with NE-02 voters. Any voters who wish to converse with me should call me at (402) 200-3020.” Eastman