Laura Sambol, WOWT-TV (Omaha, NE) Journalist Profile

Articles

Omaha educators address their own mental health needs

Sep 14, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Laura Sambol

ShareOMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Educators from the Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools reversed roles and became students today. The Archdiocese of Omaha and Catholic Charities of Omaha held a first-of-its-kind Mental Health Symposium. Over 1,400 educators gathered to address the growing need for mental health resources and support for educators within schools and communities.
New four-way stop concerns drivers in Fremont

Aug 16, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Drivers in Fremont are bracing for possible traffic trouble after a new four-way stop went up near one of the city's busiest intersections. The new four-way stop is located at 22nd and Luther Road, just yards away from a main thoroughfare at 23rd and Luther Road. Wayne Hultquist of Fremont said, "I think it's crazy.
Power outage affecting Benson businesses

Aug 2, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The power outage has been taking a toll on small businesses in Benson. "This is the second day now. It's not a good thing, ya know. Not a good thing," said Lee Franklin, Co-owner of A Taste of New Orleans. "But mother nature is out of your control, so all you can do is adjust and go with it."Franklin's restaurant shares space with Ted and Wally's ice cream shop. They're just two of several small businesses along the Benson Strip that are trying to weather the storm.
Omaha crews work to reopen State Street before school starts

Jul 29, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Construction crews are under pressure to complete road projects before the new school year begins. Rachel Pitzel of Northwest Omaha said, "It's been a huge pain in the butt actually."Pitzel is talking about construction along State Street, a major link to Blair High Road and Interstate 680. Her sentiment is also felt by others in the area.
Another large sinkhole opens up in Omaha

Jul 19, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A sinkhole large enough to swallow a car opened up in Omaha Friday, closing off roads and reportedly putting people in danger. The sinkhole is located near 57th and Pratt streets, in north-central Omaha, not too far away from another large sinkhole near 33rd and Cass streets in Midtown. "We woke up this morning to let the dogs out, and we saw water flooding the street," Riley Winfrey, who lives near 57th and Pratt streets, told 6 News.
Boutique offers hope at Omaha's CHI Health Lakeside

Jul 15, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Employees at CHI Health Lakeside are working to build a better Omaha by helping patients in need. They've created a "Boutique of Hope" that provides essentials including clothes, diapers, shoes free of charge. Item by item Emma Rayne goes through the clothes, finding the perfect fit for her son Keoni. As a young single mom of a toddler, Rayne knows raising kids can cost a pretty penny.
Habitat for Humanity's largest Council Bluffs project underway

Jul 12, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Construction is underway on Habitat for Humanity 's largest project ever in Council Bluffs. Inch by inch, construction crews piece together the milestone development. "It's the biggest one-time development that we've done. We've done as many homes in a given year; but this - in one site - is the most homes we've built in a single development," Executive Director Blake Johnson told 6 News.
Lots of new development projects under way in West Omaha

Jul 5, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - There appears to be no end in sight for the expansion of West Omaha. It seems everywhere you look, another new business is opening. Jerimiah Watters is general manager of D1 Training that recently opened near 192nd and Blondo streets. "There's obviously good and bad both right. There's a lot of competition; but it's also a really good area - a lot of really good people out here," he said. Watters said West Omaha is hard to beat for a good location.
Omaha auto repair shops see major spike in workload after storms

Jun 28, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Auto body shops in the Omaha metro area are struggling to keep up with all the cars damaged by recent storms. John Vasquez has worked in the auto body repair business for about 30 years. "I'm the estimator, but I really manage people's expectations," said Vasquez. "That's my main job."Now, Vasquez is having to manage his own expectations after his truck received hail damage Tuesday night. "Now I'm on the other side of customers," Vasquez said. "Now I know how customers feel.
Hubbard Orangutan Forest opens at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Jun 14, 2024 | wowt.com | Laura Sambol

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Hubbard Orangutan Forest is now open at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Like little ducklings, children filed in to see the creatures double their size. They include orangutans Tuki, Ruby, Sepi, Suri, and the zoo's newest addition, Denda, who came from Toledo, Ohio. Brittany McGee of Council Bluffs said, "I think this is amazing.