Brian Fahey, Douglas County Commissioner

09/23/2026

A few reflections on AI:

1. AI is not a solution: LLMs weren’t created to fix a problem. None of us asked for them. They were created to concentrate wealth in the hands of a small group of tech moguls, many of whom appear to be unabashed sociopaths.

2. AI doesn’t work: If I buy a toaster and it burns down my house, we would say it doesn’t work, even if it makes toast. AI agents are increasingly doing things we don’t want for reasons we don’t understand. AI is broken, and its moguls have all but admitted it’s fundamentally unfixable.

3. AI Gives Nothing Back: Did you notice that all the early promises of AI-built future of abundance and prosperity have disappeared? All that's left are the dire warnings of the calamitous economic upheaval that's coming for all of us except a tiny group of ultra-wealth tech bros. AI does work humans are already doing, while stealing the jobs, water, and electricity humans needs to survive.

We don't have to build our future this way.

09/22/2026

Good morning! The Douglas County Board meets today (Sept. 22). Our consent agenda includes a MOU approval for the 2026 Justice Assistance Grant, Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare matching funds, and a labor agreement with Teamster Local 554. Additionally, there’s a public hearing for a special use permit to operate a seasonal campground at Lake Platteview and consideration of a pharmacy management fund for DC employees. Finally, we have resolutions recognizing 51st Anniversary of UNO’s European Studies Conference; honoring the life and memory of the great Sancha Corrigan, and congratulating Michael Wright (Engineer’s Office; 37 years) on his retirement. Congratulations, Michael!

09/14/2026

The Douglas County Board meets tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 15). The agenda includes our public hearing for consideration of applications for property tax exemptions and removal of existing property exemptions (Bd. of Equalization), the September DC Director of Corrections report, multiple grants and temporary liquor license applications on our consent agenda. We also have resolutions honoring Doug Johnson (Public Defender’s; 28 years), James Barna (Co. Engineer; 37 years), Stacey Zimmerman (Health Center, 35 years), and Jimmy Caldwell (Corrections; 37 years) on their retirements! Congratulations! Finally, we have a resolution honoring the memory and legacy of the late Reverend Pastor Kenneth A. Allen, Sr.

Full agenda and link to livestream in the comments.

09/14/2026

Please stay alert for severe weather this evening (Sept. 14), Douglas County!

⛈️ Severe weather is possible later today across Douglas County. Now is the time to prepare and make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and emergency notifications.

📱 Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Enable emergency alerts on your cell phone to receive warnings automatically.

📻 NOAA Weather Radio
A reliable source for weather alerts day or night, especially during overnight storms.

📺 Local Television & Radio
Stay connected to trusted local weather coverage and live updates.

🌐 Websites & Mobile Apps
Use trusted weather apps for real-time information.

🚨 Outdoor Warning Sirens
Remember: sirens are designed to warn people who are outdoors. They may not always be heard indoors.

📲Download our new ReachWell App to receive severe weather alerts and emergency notifications in 130+ languages.

🔗Get the app here: rwell.us/DouglasNE

Have a plan. Know where to shelter. Stay weather aware throughout the day and evening.

09/10/2026

Thank you to the Greater Omaha Chamber for the invitation to speak at yesterday's Politics and Eggs Breakfast. It's always a great event!

I spoke on the growing scourge of poverty in Omaha, why it's both a moral and economic failure if we don't address it, and how it can undermine all the growth we're working so hard to foster.

09/10/2026

Today (Thursday, Sept. 10) is the deadline for TERC appeals for property tax valuation protests.

A Constitutional body created to provide a simpler, less expensive avenue of appeal for property owners to challenge the assessment of property in Nebraska.

09/08/2026

I'm very excited for this new partnership between DCYC and MCC to help prepare detained youth for re-entry. This is an important component to reducing juvenile detention rates in Douglas County and breaking the cycle of incarceration for our youth. Link to the full KETV story in the comments.

09/08/2026

If you live in Dundee and love the flower baskets (and who doesn't), please consider taking a shift to water them!

The best way to see the neighborhood! Have fun driving the neighborhood, watering flower baskets with a spouse, friend, or neighbor. Call/email Peter Manhart 402-350-3890 [email protected] or Dan Rock 402-676-0775 South of Dodge route: Monday through Sunday 40 minutes each day or 80 minutes ever...

09/08/2026

REMINDER: The Douglas County Board of Commissioners is not meeting this week. The next scheduled regular meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 at 9 a.m. in the Legislative Chamber.

Have a great week!

09/01/2026

I’m always amazed when I visit the Bay and meet with Andrew Norman. Recently, I toured their jaw-dropping new facility under construction in Benson and attended their Tide Raisers Breakfast at the Benson Theater. They are doing such incredible work for Omaha’s youth and making Benson an even better place to be!