Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press

Pillen’s promises: Economic boom and little harm for neighbors. They haven’t always panned out.

As he grew Nebraska’s largest hog operation, Jim Pillen made economic and environmental assurances to residents of small communities where he was looking to build. Some residents profited. Others say Pillen Family Farms prospered while they suffered.

By Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press and Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest

/ 10 Jul 2024

Pillen’s promises: Economic boom and little harm for neighbors. They haven’t always panned out.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s office, industry groups crafted bill easing ag permitting process, emails show

In an email, Pillen's policy advisor said she would move industry 'bullet points into a draft bill.'

By Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press

/ 4 Apr 2024

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s office, industry groups crafted bill easing ag permitting process, emails show

Water’s worth: It sits beneath Nebraska’s farmland and has serious value. But who owns it?

Out-of-state investors are buying up Nebraska land in part because of the groundwater that can be placed on crops. But there are restrictions on what they can do with that water.

By Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press

/ 4 Mar 2024

Water’s worth: It sits beneath Nebraska’s farmland and has serious value. But who owns it?

Who’s Buying Nebraska? Corporations, investors grabbing giant chunks of Nebraska farmland

Seven out-of-state buyers, including a Utah church, a Philadelphia corporate farm and a California investment fund, spent nearly $250 million in the past five years on pricey Nebraska farmland, FFP analysis shows.

By Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press and Destiny Herbers, Flatwater Free Press

/ 20 Nov 2023

Who’s Buying Nebraska? Corporations, investors grabbing giant chunks of Nebraska farmland

Pillen’s Water: High nitrate detected on hog farms owned by Nebraska’s governor

Monitoring wells at 16 Pillen family-tied operations have tested for nitrate levels far above legal drinking water limit. One was so high, an expert said, “it should be a 911.”

By Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press

/ 7 Sep 2023

Pillen’s Water: High nitrate detected on hog farms owned by Nebraska’s governor

Pillen’s Rise: After building pork empire, Nebraska’s governor stands at intersection of state and ag power

Jim Pillen built one of the biggest hog enterprises in the country. Then he got elected governor. It’s a Nebraska success story — one raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.

By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest and Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press

/ 31 Aug 2023

Pillen’s Rise: After building pork empire, Nebraska’s governor stands at intersection of state and ag power

Our Dirty Water: Nebraska’s nitrate problem is growing worse. It’s likely harming our kids.

Many residents of Nebraska are unknowingly consuming nitrate, an odorless, colorless contaminant that’s widespread in the state’s groundwater. They consume it when they shower, when they cook, when they turn on the taps to get a glass of ice water to drink.

By Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press

/ 31 Oct 2022

Pillen’s promises: Economic boom and little harm for neighbors. They haven’t always panned out.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s office, industry groups crafted bill easing ag permitting process, emails show

Water’s worth: It sits beneath Nebraska’s farmland and has serious value. But who owns it?

Who’s Buying Nebraska? Corporations, investors grabbing giant chunks of Nebraska farmland

Pillen’s Water: High nitrate detected on hog farms owned by Nebraska’s governor

Pillen’s Rise: After building pork empire, Nebraska’s governor stands at intersection of state and ag power

Our Dirty Water: Nebraska’s nitrate problem is growing worse. It’s likely harming our kids.

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