Karen Kilgariff

It had strengthened after working hours on a Saturday, which at the time, Army forecasters didn't work on Sundays, so no one knew this storm was coming. Right. It became the Great Blizzard of 1888, with parts of the Northeast seeing nearly 60 inches of snowfall and 50-foot-tall snowdrifts. Five-story building snowdrifts.

It had strengthened after working hours on a Saturday, which at the time, Army forecasters didn't work on Sundays, so no one knew this storm was coming. Right. It became the Great Blizzard of 1888, with parts of the Northeast seeing nearly 60 inches of snowfall and 50-foot-tall snowdrifts. Five-story building snowdrifts.

This storm claims around 400 lives, including 200 deaths in New York City alone. On the heels of these two blizzards, the federal government decides to restructure the Weather Bureau. In 1891, it's moved from the Army's purview over to the Department of Agriculture, which has the reputation of being much more science-minded. and they begin tracking weather across the country 24-7.

This storm claims around 400 lives, including 200 deaths in New York City alone. On the heels of these two blizzards, the federal government decides to restructure the Weather Bureau. In 1891, it's moved from the Army's purview over to the Department of Agriculture, which has the reputation of being much more science-minded. and they begin tracking weather across the country 24-7.

Today, the agency overseeing weather is the National Weather Service, which lives under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They still track the weather around the clock and fortunately have the means to spread alerts and advisories to warn us about extreme weather events. What's that look on your face, Georgia?

Today, the agency overseeing weather is the National Weather Service, which lives under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They still track the weather around the clock and fortunately have the means to spread alerts and advisories to warn us about extreme weather events. What's that look on your face, Georgia?

Are they going to shut that one?

Are they going to shut that one?

Oh.

Oh.

Why are we politicizing? Weather. These departments are important for this country. Necessary even. And the idea that people running them should have experience. Knowledge. A clear criminal record. A background. Basic stuff. Have run, have been chosen by the people.

Why are we politicizing? Weather. These departments are important for this country. Necessary even. And the idea that people running them should have experience. Knowledge. A clear criminal record. A background. Basic stuff. Have run, have been chosen by the people.

You're asking for too much, Karen. You're right. Let me just conclude here. As for Minnie Freeman, she stays active in her community for the rest of her life. First in Nebraska, later when she moves with her husband to Illinois, she becomes active there.

You're asking for too much, Karen. You're right. Let me just conclude here. As for Minnie Freeman, she stays active in her community for the rest of her life. First in Nebraska, later when she moves with her husband to Illinois, she becomes active there.

The New York Times notes, quote, she was a political and social activist in Nebraska and Chicago at a time when female public figures were few and far between.

The New York Times notes, quote, she was a political and social activist in Nebraska and Chicago at a time when female public figures were few and far between.

Minnie Freeman becomes the first female member of the Republican National Committee to represent Nebraska. She's part of a group that creates its state seal. She's even appointed as a delegate to different political conferences by two Nebraska governors. Wow.

Minnie Freeman becomes the first female member of the Republican National Committee to represent Nebraska. She's part of a group that creates its state seal. She's even appointed as a delegate to different political conferences by two Nebraska governors. Wow.

When asked about her heroic adventure during the schoolhouse blizzard in 1888, which earned her so much fame at the time, she matter-of-factly tells the Omaha Evening Bee that, quote, I feel that too much has already been said of an act of simple duty. Notoriety, I do not desire. End quote. Humble, too. It's like Case File style. Minnie Friedman passes away in 1943 when she's in her early 70s.

When asked about her heroic adventure during the schoolhouse blizzard in 1888, which earned her so much fame at the time, she matter-of-factly tells the Omaha Evening Bee that, quote, I feel that too much has already been said of an act of simple duty. Notoriety, I do not desire. End quote. Humble, too. It's like Case File style. Minnie Friedman passes away in 1943 when she's in her early 70s.