# TAX FACTS: WHAT DOES THE RECORD SHOW? During the October 15, 2026, Nebraska 2nd Congressional District debate, Democratic candidate Denise Powell challenged Republican candidate Brinker Harding over taxes and fiscal responsibility. According to an October 15, 2026, press release issued by the Powell campaign, Harding voted for more than $1 million in new taxes while serving on the Omaha City Council. The Powell campaign also raised allegations concerning late tax payments involving businesses associated with Harding. THE POWELL CAMPAIGN'S SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS: CITY COUNCIL: The Powell campaign alleges that Harding voted for more than $1 million in new taxes while serving on the Omaha City Council. FALL FOODS: The Powell campaign states that Harding served as a director of Fall Foods and alleges that the company failed to pay federal taxes on 10 occasions, resulting in five federal tax liens totaling more than $121,000 between 2015 and 2020. HARDING INVESTMENTS: The Powell campaign alleges that Harding was a partner in Harding Investments and that the company failed to pay property taxes on 28 occasions and was listed for tax sale eight times between 2009 and 2024. BUT WHAT DO THE ACTUAL RECORDS SHOW? In this Conversations with Cheryl Weston (CWCW) report, we review the Powell campaign's allegations and identify the public records needed to determine what happened. Questions remain about the specific Omaha City Council votes, the businesses' tax histories, whether outstanding tax obligations were subsequently paid or resolved, and Harding's response to the Powell campaign's allegations. CWCW has not independently verified the underlying tax records or City Council voting records cited by the Powell campaign. CWCW is requesting supporting documentation from the Powell campaign concerning its October 15, 2026, allegations. In addition, CWCW is also providing Brinker Harding an opportunity to respond, clarify the allegations, and submit relevant records. Both parties are being asked to respond by October 20, 2026. 🎥 WATCH THE FULL DEBATE — WOWT FIRST ALERT 6 https://www.wowt.com/video/2026/10/15/full-video-nebraska-2nd-congressional-district-debate/ WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD VOTERS BE ASKING — AND EXPECT ANSWERS TO? 1. Which specific City Council votes account for the $1 million in taxes alleged by the Powell campaign? 2. What responsibility, if any, did Harding have for the tax obligations of the businesses identified by the Powell campaign? 3. Were the taxes and liens eventually paid, released, or otherwise resolved? 4. What documentation should candidates provide when questions arise about their public voting records and business-related financial obligations? Should candidates seeking national office be expected to respond publicly to documented questions concerning their fiscal responsibilities? #WHAT SAY YOU? How important is it for candidates to explain their voting records and address questions about financial obligations associated with their businesses? What should voters expect from candidates seeking national office when questions arise about fiscal responsibility and accountability? Share your thoughts in the comments. CONVERSATIONS WITH CHERYL WESTON From the preface to the epilogue. Let's discuss the whole story. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationswithcherylweston Website: https://www.ConversationsWithCherylWeston.com **SOURCES USED FOR THIS VIDEO:** - Denise Powell campaign press release, October 15, 2026 — source of the tax allegations. - WOWT First Alert 6, Nebraska 2nd Congressional District Debate, October 15, 2026 — debate footage. *Editorial disclosure: The financial allegations discussed in this report originated with the Powell campaign. CWCW has not independently verified the underlying records and is providing the information for public examination and discussion.* #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #TaxFacts #BrinkerHarding #DenisePowell #NebraskaPolitics #NE02 #Omaha #Election2026 #WhatSayYou

TAX FACTS: WHAT DOES THE RECORD SHOW? During the October 15, 2026, Nebraska 2nd Congressional District debate, Democratic candidate Denise Powell challenged Republican candidate Brinker Harding over taxes and fiscal responsibility. According to an October 15, 2026, press release issued by the Powell campaign, Harding voted for more than $1 million in new taxes while serving on the Omaha City Council. The Powell campaign also raised allegations concerning late tax payments involving businesses associated with Harding. THE POWELL CAMPAIGN'S SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS: CITY COUNCIL: The Powell campaign alleges that Harding voted for more than $1 million in new taxes while serving on the Omaha City Council. FALL FOODS: The Powell campaign states that Harding served as a director of Fall Foods and alleges that the company failed to pay federal taxes on 10 occasions, resulting in five federal tax liens totaling more than $121,000 between 2015 and 2020. HARDING INVESTMENTS: The Powell campaign alleges that Harding was a partner in Harding Investments and that the company failed to pay property taxes on 28 occasions and was listed for tax sale eight times between 2009 and 2024. BUT WHAT DO THE ACTUAL RECORDS SHOW? In this Conversations with Cheryl Weston (CWCW) report, we review the Powell campaign's allegations and identify the public records needed to determine what happened. Questions remain about the specific Omaha City Council votes, the businesses' tax histories, whether outstanding tax obligations were subsequently paid or resolved, and Harding's response to the Powell campaign's allegations. CWCW has not independently verified the underlying tax records or City Council voting records cited by the Powell campaign. CWCW is requesting supporting documentation from the Powell campaign concerning its October 15, 2026, allegations. In addition, CWCW is also providing Brinker Harding an opportunity to respond, clarify the allegations, and submit relevant records. Both parties are being asked to respond by October 20, 2026. 🎥 WATCH THE FULL DEBATE — WOWT FIRST ALERT 6 https://www.wowt.com/video/2026/10/15/full-video-nebraska-2nd-congressional-district-debate/ WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD VOTERS BE ASKING — AND EXPECT ANSWERS TO? 1. Which specific City Council votes account for the $1 million in taxes alleged by the Powell campaign? 2. What responsibility, if any, did Harding have for the tax obligations of the businesses identified by the Powell campaign? 3. Were the taxes and liens eventually paid, released, or otherwise resolved? 4. What documentation should candidates provide when questions arise about their public voting records and business-related financial obligations? Should candidates seeking national office be expected to respond publicly to documented questions concerning their fiscal responsibilities? #WHAT SAY YOU? How important is it for candidates to explain their voting records and address questions about financial obligations associated with their businesses? What should voters expect from candidates seeking national office when questions arise about fiscal responsibility and accountability? Share your thoughts in the comments. CONVERSATIONS WITH CHERYL WESTON From the preface to the epilogue. Let's discuss the whole story. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationswithcherylweston Website: https://www.ConversationsWithCherylWeston.com **SOURCES USED FOR THIS VIDEO:** - Denise Powell campaign press release, October 15, 2026 — source of the tax allegations. - WOWT First Alert 6, Nebraska 2nd Congressional District Debate, October 15, 2026 — debate footage. *Editorial disclosure: The financial allegations discussed in this report originated with the Powell campaign. CWCW has not independently verified the underlying records and is providing the information for public examination and discussion.* #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #TaxFacts #BrinkerHarding #DenisePowell #NebraskaPolitics #NE02 #Omaha #Election2026 #WhatSayYou

🚨 **LISTEN UP, DOUGLAS COUNTY VOTERS!** The Douglas County Election Commission has announced additional office hours in October! Don't procrastinate. Know the dates, know the hours, and make your plan. 📍 12220 West Center Road, Omaha For more information: https://www.votedouglascounty-ne.gov/ **WHAT SAY YOU?** #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #ListenUp #DouglasCountyNE #Omaha #VotingInformation #Election2026 #MakeYourPlan

"LET'S TALK POLITICS — NORTH OMAHA, THE POWER OF THE VOTE, AND THE 2026 ELECTIONS" Does North Omaha recognize the political power it holds? And what could change if more registered voters participated in elections? In this edition of *Conversations with Cheryl Weston*, Cheryl Weston sits down with Linda Jensen of **Like Minded Friends Indivisible** for a wide-ranging discussion about politics, voting, political accountability, and issues affecting North Omaha, Nebraska, and the nation. **Topics discussed include:** - **North Omaha's voting power:** The discussion examines low voter turnout and what greater participation could mean for local, state, and federal elections. - **Brinker Harding and the Trump playbook:** Comparisons of campaign strategies, political messaging, and references to John Cavanaugh and Joe Biden. - **Trump's endorsement of Brinker Harding:** Questions about political endorsements and their significance. - **The One Big Beautiful Bill:** Concerns about federal spending, the national debt, and the potential consequences of the legislation. - **Iran and political rhetoric:** Discussion of statements attributed to Donald Trump and their implications. - **January 3 and January 6:** Questions about political rhetoric, democratic institutions, and concerns about possible unrest. - **North Omaha investment:** Questions about the substantial public and private funds directed toward North Omaha and whether residents are seeing meaningful improvements. - **Political accountability:** The responsibility of elected officials to the communities they represent. One of the central messages of this conversation is: **“We have the power. It's just we're not using power." The conversation challenges viewers to consider the relationship between civic participation, political representation, and accountability. The speakers express their own interpretations, concerns, and opinions. Statements about possible future events, financial figures, and election outcomes should not be understood as independently verified findings or predictions. **WHAT SAY YOU?** What issues should voters be asking candidates to address? What would meaningful accountability and investment in North Omaha look like to you? Share your thoughts in the comments. Respectful dialogue and different perspectives are welcome. **CONVERSATIONS WITH CHERYL WESTON** *From the preface to the epilogue. Let's discuss the whole story.* 🌐 Website: https://www.ConversationsWithCherylWeston.com ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationswithcherylweston 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555736554019 #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #LetsTalkPolitics #WhatSayYou #NorthOmaha #NebraskaPolitics #NE02 #VoterParticipation #PoliticalAccountability

Should Data Centers Build Their Own Power Grid? | Mark Gudgel on OPPD In this excerpt from my conversation with Mark Gudgel, candidate for the OPPD Board, we discuss the growing demand that large data centers can place on the electric system—and whether those facilities should be expected to provide more of their own power infrastructure. Gudgel addresses the idea of data centers creating or supporting their own grid capacity rather than placing the full burden of new demand on the existing public power system and its customers. The issue raises important questions for OPPD ratepayers: Who should pay for the additional generation and infrastructure required by very large energy users? Should residential and small-business customers help absorb those costs? And what protections should be in place before OPPD approves service for major new loads? What do you think? Should large data centers be required to provide more of their own power capacity? Watch the full Mark Gudgel interview: https://youtu.be/GIThlUbu-_4 From the preface to the epilogue. Let’s discuss the whole story. Conversations with Cheryl Weston #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #MarkGudgel #OPPD #DataCenters #PublicPower #Omaha #Nebraska #EnergyCosts #OPPDBoard #Ratepayers #Election2026

CONGRESSWOMAN JOYCE BEATTY IN NORTH OMAHA U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio visits North Omaha on October 8, 2026, in connection with the North Omaha Candidate Forum hosted by the Nebraska Democratic Party and Black Caucus. Conversations with Cheryl Weston brings you coverage of her visit as North Omaha residents prepare for the November 2026 election. What role should elected officials play in ensuring that communities like North Omaha are heard, represented, and included in decisions that affect their future? Watch, listen, and share your thoughts in the comments. Conversations with Cheryl Weston From the preface to the epilogue. Let's discuss the whole story. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationswithcherylweston #JoyceBeatty #NorthOmaha #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #NebraskaPolitics #Omaha #CivicEngagement #Election2026

Conversations with Cheryl Weston sits down with **Mark Gudgel, candidate for the Omaha Public Power District Board, Subdivision 2**, to discuss why decisions made by the OPPD Board matter to customers throughout the public power district. Gudgel makes an important point during the conversation: **if elected, he would represent 12.5% of the eight-member OPPD Board.** While he would be elected from one subdivision, the decisions he helps make would affect OPPD customers across the entire service area. Those decisions can involve electric rates, reliability, energy generation, long-term planning, growing energy demand, data centers, and the future direction of public power. That is why OPPD Board elections deserve attention. Voters are not simply choosing a representative for one subdivision—they are helping determine who will make decisions that can affect every OPPD customer. Gudgel also discusses why he is seeking a seat on the OPPD Board and what he believes should change in the utility’s leadership and direction. **One board member. 12.5% of the vote. Decisions that can affect every OPPD customer.** Watch the full conversation and hear Mark Gudgel explain his positions in his own words. Then tell us in the comments: **What should be the top priority for the next OPPD Board?** From the preface to the epilogue. Let’s discuss the whole story. **Conversations with Cheryl Weston** 🌐 www.ConversationsWithCherylWeston.com ▶️ YouTube: @ConversationsWithCherylWeston #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #MarkGudgel #OPPD #OPPDBoard #PublicPower #Omaha #Nebraska #EnergyRates #DataCenters #Election2026

Your vote matters. Have questions about voting? Get informed, make a plan, and participate! Conversations with Cheryl Weston welcomes Douglas County Election Commissioner Danielle Jensen for a conversation ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm election. Our message: helping voters—not putting up barriers. Watch this 37-minute, 48-second interview, share it with someone who has voting questions, and join the conversation in the comments. For official information about registration, early voting, voter ID requirements, your polling place, and your sample ballot, contact the Douglas County Election Commission: https://www.votedouglascounty-ne.gov/ Phone: (402) 444-8683 Subscribe to Conversations with Cheryl Weston: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationswithcherylweston Visit our website: https://www.ConversationsWithCherylWeston.com From the preface to the epilogue. Let’s discuss the whole story. #ConversationsWithCherylWeston #DouglasCounty #NebraskaVotes #Midterms2026 #YourVoteMatters #election #electioncampaign #electionnews #electioncommission