Kassidy Arena
Engagement Producer (2022-2023)Kassidy Arena was the Engagement Producer for KBIA from 2022-2023. In her role, she reported and produced stories highlighting underrepresented communities, focused on community outreach and promoting media literacy. She was born in Berkeley, California, raised in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated with a degree in Journalism at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Kassidy came to KBIA after finishing her full tour of service with Report for America working at Iowa Public Radio covering Latino, Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities. When she’s not at work, Kassidy enjoys playing with her rescue dog Reggie.
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Under a legacy of the war on drugs, some states still ban people with drug convictions from getting government food assistance. Nebraska lawmakers tried to do away with their ban and just fell short.
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Omaha just elected its first Black mayor, giving this year's Juneteenth celebrations new energy. The city wants to mark the occasion by being a model for unity during a time of divisiveness.
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Omaha is considered a blue dot in the red state of Nebraska and now the city will have a new Democratic mayor. John Ewing, Jr., ousted a Republican incumbent and will be the first Black mayor.
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Many schools are mourning the loss of federal funds considered essential. One program in particular would help prepare teachers to work in rural areas where teachers are especially needed.
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Black history month has brought anxiety for some teachers since the Trump administration's mounting efforts to roll back DEI. Educators are finding themselves in the middle of the debate.
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Nebraska has a unique solution to staffing elections: It allows counties to draft workers. Omaha's Douglas County is the only one to regularly use it. Here’s how the jury duty-like system works. -
Students from Nebraska learn how to lobby for causes that matter to them.
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The Take Notes hosts interview other Dream Tree Academy students about their projects and business ideas. Later one, they will be seeking investors for their small businesses/artistic projects. -
This pilot episode of Take Notes is about having the last word when having conversations with adults and parents. Listen to hear the Dream Tree Academy students interview adults and respond to them. -
Take a listen to a trailer for Dream Tree Academy's Podcast: Take Notes
