City Council Votes On KFAB Resolution Today

When the Omaha City Council votes on a resolution today to request an apology from radio station KFAB (1110 AM) over a controversial parody of North Omaha, talk show host Tom Becka will not be in the council chambers.

Becka said Monday that he will be watching the council's actions on televised coverage of the meeting on Cox Channel 23.

"It should be an interesting day - a very surreal, but interesting day," Becka said.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilman Frank Brown, says KFAB should offer a public apology and dedicate all resources necessary to repair the community damage the parody has inflicted.

Attention surrounding the 36-second faux commercial has steadily increased since Winsley Durand, Director of Minority Economic Development for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, brought it to the attention of city officials nearly weeks ago.

"There has been a lot of good that has come from this," Becka told his listening audience at the conclusion of Monday night's program. "I'm very happy about that, I'm very proud of that. I'm very proud of the discussion that has got people going and the support I have received from the people of North Omaha."

Monday night, Becka was interviewed by a BBC radio program and even the Indiana University student newspaper has published a column about it, saying, "a real leader would sponsor a resolution for better law enforcement, not waste everyone's time scolding a radio personality."

In its 6:30 and 7 a.m. newscasts, KFAB did not mention the council's expected action on the matter today.

"(The attention) is going to die down after tomorrow's vote," Becka told The Reader Monday night.