Cole Epley
Omaha World-Herald
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Past articles by Cole:
OPPD board votes to shut down Fort Calhoun nuclear plant; about 700 jobs tied to facility
The Omaha Public Power District will shut down its Fort Calhoun nuclear plant by the end of the year, closing a facility that for 43 years has been a significant source of power for ratepayers in eastern Nebraska. → Read More
Nebraska public power entities say generating costs should stay confidential
The head of a Lincoln-based energy firm has asked judges to force three of Nebraska’s public power entities to show exactly how much it costs them to generate electricity. → Read More
As revenue falls with natural gas prices, Tenaska builds renewable energy profile
No doubt the company's heft in natural gas marketing helps buoy it through down cycles, but pairing renewable energy with conventional sources like natural gas “is where the future is” for Tenaska and others in the energy industry, said Jerry Crouse, the company’s chief executive. → Read More
Time for a rate hike? What an increase would mean for your financial holdings is a 'million dollar question'
A gradually improving economic picture seems to have given officials at the U.S. central bank confidence to begin moving the benchmark rate upward. If pursued, the Fed’s hike would be the first time it raised rates since June 2006. → Read More
Omaha entrepreneur's Volcanic Peppers brand capitalizes on hot sauce craze
Tim Bader said demand for pepper varieties most people hadn’t even heard of 10 years ago “is incredible. ... Our sales year-over-year have been increasing about 40 percent annually.” → Read More
Gallup hopes halting presidential horse-race polling will shine light on other ventures
Gallup has moved beyond the who’s up, who’s down of politics, the company says. It’s been long-focused on workplace and marketplace consulting, and it wants the public to focus on that part of its business, too. → Read More
Cabela's credit card business is a cash cow — that's why it might be sold
Cabela’s stands out as the only U.S. retailer that owns a bank for the express purpose of issuing credit cards. Analysts familiar with Cabela’s say the importance of the retailer’s financial services segment can’t be overstated. → Read More
Convergys' Omaha office preparing to cut 191 employees
Employees were notified of the forthcoming change on Monday, a company spokeswoman said. → Read More
First National Bank warns of large data breach at unidentified national business
The Omaha-based bank sent new cards to customers with a letter explaining that its routine fraud-monitoring efforts had determined those customers’ cards were at risk of being compromised. → Read More
Sand industry — including Nebraska plant — feels the pain as oil prices drop
Demand for so-called “frack sand” has fallen — and with it, so has employment at Preferred Sands of Genoa and sister operation Preferred Resin of Genoa. → Read More
First Data's employees now face stock decision
The company’s return to the stock market could present some important financial considerations: Should they hold on to the stock or sell? → Read More
Biggest winners in First Data's IPO? The workers
Nearly all First Data employees have shares in the company because the company offered shares in place of contributions to retirement plans, which were suspended in January of last year to save money. → Read More
As PayPal creates identity separate from eBay, La Vista center presses on with hiring, new services
More than three months into the company’s second life as a stand-alone company, PayPal is aiming to create its “own culture” after 13 years as part of the auction site, a company spokeswoman said. → Read More
First National still top bank in Omaha; Wells Fargo replaces Mutual in No. 2 spot
First National commands more than 26 percent of all metro-area deposits. Across Nebraska, it has almost 16 percent of all bank deposits. → Read More
2 businesses considering major growth in Nebraska
Two companies are considering expansion projects in Nebraska that would bring hundreds of jobs to the state and about $750 million in investment, the heads of economic development for the State of Nebraska and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce said Thursday. → Read More
First Data extends deal with CEO
Frank Bisignano and First Data Corp. have reached a new employment agreement that extends the company chairman and chief executive’s term by two years, according to federal filings. → Read More
Election Systems & Software lays off 25 in management, administrative jobs
Tom Burt, president and chief executive, said the decision was made to allow for spending on customer-service areas of the business, such as technicians that service voting machines. No positions involving direct customer interaction were eliminated. → Read More
First Data's IPO could be around the corner, thanks to the Fed
Industry watchers say the Fed’s decision last week to keep interest rates low, at least for now, has lit a fire under First Data and other companies seeking to enter the public markets. → Read More
Credit unions, bank add Council Bluffs locations as experts fear extinction of local branches
Traveling east into Iowa from downtown Omaha, it’s clear that Broadway and Kanesville Boulevard is a business district, so it makes sense for financial institutions to locate on the thoroughfare, said Bancography’s Jamie Eads. → Read More
Startup spirit helps Omaha company ES&S innovate, thanks to Straight Shot incubator
It can be hard in a big company for a small idea to get the attention it deserves. Sometimes, perhaps the big company should think like a startup. → Read More