Happy Friday, Omaha. In today’s edition: Regional banking consolidation, Family Workshop: Gingerbread Houses, Family Fun Night, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Regional banking consolidation: Associated Banc-Corp and American National have agreed to merge in a $604M all-stock deal, positioning Associated as No. 2 in Omaha and No. 10 in Twin Cities deposits, pending approvals — see merger terms and timeline.

Behind the bench in Nebraska: Nebraska Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke reflects on a learning curve first year, touting transparency and outreach while bracing for budget fights and warning court services may end in 2026 — read the full interview.

Inside the court’s chambers: Nebraska’s high court issued all but one opinion unanimously over the past year, reflecting a culture of consensus. Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke explains why and how decisions take shape — learn how rulings are made.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Experience Zoolightful at Omaha’s Zoo
• Shop small at Farnam Winter Pop-Up
• Celebrate Christmas with the Omaha Symphony
• Jingle Jam sparkles with shopping and treats
• Join Santa’s Alpine Workshop at Rathskeller
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Spotlighting a hidden architect: Spike Lee is coming to Omaha Dec. 7 as Film Streams’ Feature9 guest. The piece argues his legacy here isn’t complete without Omaha native Monty Ross, Lee’s early partner and 40 Acres co-founder who helped make She’s Gotta Have It and Malcolm X happen, though his contributions have long flown under Nebraska’s radar. Discover Monty Ross’s overlooked legacy.

Seasonal shopping extravaganza: This weekend, Dec. 6–7, the Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show takes over the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. Expect 150+ exhibitors with handmade gifts and goodies. Hours are 9–5 Saturday and 10–4 Sunday. Free parking, and Saturday attendees snag a two-day re-entry stamp. Get all the details.

Midweek beer reset: Slip into the historic Ashton building for a pint at Kros Strain Draft Works, home to Fairy Nectar and a rotating, no-filler tap list. Run Club, trivia, and friendly food options make it an easy pick when your evening needs a gentle nudge.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎻 Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza @ Omaha Performing Arts | Friday (12/5) at 7:00pm – Candlelight, strings, and a rock pulse you can feel in your shins. Blue Violin turns carols into cliffhangers and drops Bohemian Rhapsody next to Holly Jolly, with choirs, guest vocalists, and a light show your HOA would absolutely not approve.

✝️ Late Nite Catechism @ Omaha Community Playhouse | Friday (12/5) at 7:30pm – Ready for some Catholic school flashbacks, minus the bruised knuckles? Sister is back at Howard Drew, serving sharp-witted catechism, crowd work, and cheeky penance, all with a heart of gold. Equal parts satire, stand-up, and nostalgia, it’s divine mischief for grown-ups.

This weekend

🍪 Family Workshop: Gingerbread Houses @ Lauritzen Gardens | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Trade spreadsheets for sprinkles at this family gingerbread house workshop. They hand you all the fixings, one house per registration for up to five builders with an adult, and you handle the frosting, negotiations, and structural integrity. $45, $35 for members, pre-registration required.

🕊️ Hope for the Holidays @ Holland Performing Arts Center | Saturday (12/6) at 7:05pm – Break out the cozy sweater and head to the Holland, where River City Mixed Chorus kicks off season 42 with classics, Bette, Cher, and Stevie Wonder. Expect harmonies, holiday cheer, and maybe Santa, all ages approved, because he knows where the good acoustics are.

🎄 Christmas with The Celts @ The Waiting Room Lounge | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00pm – Skip the mall, and let The Celts tune up your holiday spirit at The Admiral. This Irish Americana mashup brings pipes, fiddle, banjo, and tight harmonies, equal parts hearth and hooley, family friendly, and lively enough to make your ugly sweater dance.

🛍️ Ho-ho-holiday Market @ Rudy’s bar | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – Skip the mall stampede and wander this annual holiday market stacked with local makers, handmade gifts, and the kind of cozy vibes that make you forget your inbox. Knock out your list, support neighbors, maybe treat yourself to something shiny, or at least some fudge.

🎲 Family Fun Night @ Lauritzen Gardens | Sunday (12/7) at 4:00pm – Bring the crew for ten nights of holiday cheer folded into your Bright Nights ticket, no extra wrangling required. Model trains, s’mores, crafts, stories, games, face painting, Santa, and that warm fuzzy feeling you pretend is from the firepit. Sugar highs, guaranteed.

🎸 Leo Kottke @ The Admiral Theater | Sunday (12/7) at 7:00pm – Fingerstyle legend Leo Kottke is sliding into The Admiral with that 12-string wizardry and perfectly dry stage banter. Tickets start at $35, all ages, so bring a curious teen or your patience for excellence, then settle in for two hands, twelve strings, and zero gimmicks.

Next week

🧠 Emotional Intelligence Mastery Workshop @ TBA | Monday (12/8) at 9:00am – Whether you’re managing a team, wrangling teenagers, or just tired of misunderstanding texts, this one-day workshop sharpens your emotional intelligence. Expect practical tools, real talk, and a vibe that says growth is good, burnout is not. Omaha nice meets actual skills.

❤️ Speed Dating @ Corkscrew Wine & Cheese | Monday (12/8) at 6:30pm – Remember flirting without an algorithm? This speed dating night brings Omaha singles 35 to 55 together for quick, low-stakes chats, real eye contact, and maybe a spark. It’s efficient, and you’ll be home in time to walk the dog, recharge, and text your friends.

🎤 Soul Coughing @ The Admiral Theater | Tuesday (12/9) at 8:00pm – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to revisit your Super Bon Bon era, here it is. Soul Coughing is back at The Admiral with those slinky grooves, wry lyrics, and big nostalgia energy. All ages, so bring a teenager to witness taste.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Jeremy McComb @ Buck’s – 9 pm
• 12/6 The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ DoubleTree Omaha Southwest – 6 pm
• 12/7 Gail Graeve @ Lauritzen Gardens – 10 am
• 12/8 Will Healy @ Strauss Performing Arts Center – 7 pm
• 12/9 Soul Coughing @ The Admiral Theater – 8 pm
• 12/10 Weeping @ Reverb Lounge – 6:30 pm
• 12/11 Mario Adrion @ Funny Bone – 7 pm
• 12/12 John Morgan @ Funny Bone – 7 pm
• 12/13 Ole 60 @ Steelhouse – 8 pm