A podcast that lifts up, instead of tearing down.

What started as investigative reporting in Nebraska is now a national story.

Flatwater Free Press and The New York Times jointly published an investigation into immigrant workers and Gov. Jim Pillen’s family business.

Pillen is pushing back. I sat down with Flatwater reporter Yanqi Xu and Executive Editor Matthew Hansen to talk about what they found, the governor’s response, and why this Nebraska story is now getting national attention.

#Nebraska #JimPillen #FlatwaterFreePress #NebraskaPolitics #TheDanParsonsShow #newyorktimes

Flatwater Free Press reporter Yanqi Xu and executive editor Matthew Hansen join The Dan Parsons Show for a behind-the-scenes conversation about Xu’s reporting on Gov. Jim Pillen, Pillen Family Farms and the use of immigrant labor.

Xu recently tracked down Gov. Pillen after a news conference to ask him directly about her reporting. His response: “That’s an old story” and “It’s not true.” Pillen later accused Flatwater of being a “left-leaning news outlet” attempting to take out conservative leadership.

But this story goes back years.

Dan first met Yanqi when she and Matthew appeared on his radio show to discuss her reporting on nitrate contamination involving Pillen’s hog operations. Days later, Pillen dismissed the reporting in a radio interview and referenced Xu’s Chinese background.

In this episode, Yanqi and Matthew talk about:

• What the latest investigation found
• How Yanqi pursued the governor for answers
• Pillen’s response to the reporting
• What it’s like to become part of the story you’re covering
• The Omaha World-Herald’s coverage of the confrontation
• And what this episode says about journalism, political power and holding public officials accountable

It’s also a story about persistence: asking the question, following the evidence and showing up when the person in power would rather move on.

Subscribe to The Dan Parsons Show for independent conversations about Nebraska politics, journalism and the people shaping our state.

And for more from Dan—including the new “Off the Record” segment—join us on Patreon.

Flatwater Festival 2026: https://flatwaterfreepress.org/events/flatwater-festival-2026/

#Nebraska #JimPillen #YanqiXu #FlatwaterFreePress #Journalism #NebraskaPolitics #DanParsonsShow

What’s really happening behind Nebraska’s political headlines?

I’m launching Dan Parsons: Off the Record — Nebraska Political Insider Brief, exclusively for Patreon members.

Drawing on more than 30 years in politics, journalism and public affairs, I’ll take you behind the interviews and share what I’m hearing, what I’m watching, and why it matters.

Real conversations. Beyond the headlines.

Join now: The Dan Parsons Show on Patreon

#NebraskaPolitics #DanParsonsShow #OffTheRecord #Nebraska #Politics

After years of sticker shock at the grocery store, could beef prices finally be headed down?

Nebraska cattleman Jim Jenkins talks about what’s changing, and what it could mean for consumers and Nebraska cattle producers.

#BeefPrices #NebraskaBeef #Cattle #Agriculture #Nebraska #Shorts #JimJenkins #TheDanParsonsShow

Nebraska rancher, businessman and former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Jenkins joins The Dan Parsons Show for a wide-ranging conversation about tariffs, agriculture and political leadership, and he doesn’t hold back.

Jenkins argues that President Trump’s tariff policies are driving up costs for Nebraska farmers, ranchers and small businesses while members of Congress stand on the sidelines.

“We need to find people that are willing to step up and get beyond the party and actually govern on behalf of all Nebraskans.”

We also discuss:

• Why Jenkins calls tariffs a tax on American consumers and businesses
• The impact on Nebraska farmers, ranchers and his own family businesses
• Trump’s attempt to lower beef prices through increased imports
• Why Jenkins believes Congress has surrendered too much authority to the president
• The Pete Ricketts–Dan Osborn debate and Nebraska’s changing political landscape
• Why independent candidates may be having a moment
• Jenkins’ own 2014 independent campaign for U.S. Senate
• His criticism of Nebraska’s current political leadership, and what he believes needs to change

Jenkins has spent decades in Nebraska agriculture and business. His message to Nebraska’s political leaders is straightforward: “You are not doing the job right now, my friends.”

Watch the full conversation on The Dan Parsons Show.

#Nebraska #NebraskaPolitics #Tariffs #Agriculture #Farmers #Ranchers #Trump #JimJenkins #TheDanParsonsShow #Politics

Bob Krist is running for Nebraska Secretary of State under the newly qualified America First Party.

Krist explains why he believes a new political party can give Nebraska voters more choices, and challenge a system dominated by Republicans and Democrats.

Is Nebraska ready for a viable third party?

#NebraskaPolitics #BobKrist #SecretaryOfState #AmericaFirstParty #ThirdParty #Nebraska #Politics #TheDanParsonsShow