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Good morning, Omaha! In today’s edition: World War II veteran Jack Minton honored, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours live, New Year’s hike, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Ongoing tribute to service: World War II veteran Jack Minton was honored with a medal for his 1944-1945 Army Air Corps service, part of Governor Jim Pillen’s 80th anniversary program with applications still accepted — read the full story.
Journalism that sparks change: From mail fixes to better access in northwest Omaha, First Alert 6 Investigates’ reporting in 2025 prompted changes for viewers, as Mike McKnight marked his forty-ninth year of problem solving — see what changed in 2025.
Governing boards to convene: Douglas County’s Board of Equalization and Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, January 13, at 9 a.m. The meetings are open to the public at the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center — find meeting time and location.
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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Potential shift in ownership: Clarkson Regional Health Services offered to sell its half of Nebraska Medicine and UNMC-area properties to the University of Nebraska for $500 million. The NU Board of Regents will vote on Jan. 9. Leaders say patient care and costs would not change, and Clarkson could refocus as a health foundation. Read the full story.
Burritos worth a detour: When the carb craving hits, Burrito Envy & Tequila Bar delivers specialty burritos filled with al pastor, pork carnitas, Texco barbacoa, even a buffalo-style twist. Pair one with house-infused tequilas, keep the vibes lively, and debate your salsa strategy.
Curiosity break, anyone? Home to 100+ hands-on exhibits mixing science, art, and perception, Kiewit Luminarium welcomes kids, solo tinkerers, and Night Light regulars alike. You’ll leave buzzing with new wait, how? questions… and an itch to keep poking at mysteries.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🏁 Farnam Winter Pop-Up @ 33rd & Farnam | Friday (1/9) at 10:00 AM – Final weekend for Midtown Crossing’s winter pop-up, a cozy cluster of 15 local shops slinging handmade goods, artisan bites, and giftable finds. Swing by 33rd and Farnam, snag two hours of free garage parking, and pretend you planned your shopping this well.
🏠 Opening Reception: Home, Community, and Sense of Place Art Show @ Joslyn Castle & Gardens | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Head to Joslyn Castle for a free opening reception unpacking home, community, and where we actually feel rooted. Expect thoughtful local art, a wink to Opera Omaha’s Susannah, and conversations worth lingering for, with select works later making a cameo at the Orpheum.
🧶 Needle Felting: Daisy Heart @ Lauritzen Gardens | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Finally, a relaxing class where poking something repeatedly is encouraged. Join Rhonda Berman of Zipply Art to prep a zipper, follow a pattern, and add embellishments as you needle felt a daisy heart. $40, $30 for garden members, and blissfully beginner friendly.
🥾 New Year’s Hike @ Hummel Nature Center | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Shake off the holiday cobwebs and hit Hummel for a New Year’s winter hike, with two mellow, one-hour guided loops. Warm up after with hot cocoa in the Nature Center. It is free, family friendly, and RSVPs are nice, not required.
🎭 The Met: Live in HD: I Puritani @ Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater | Saturday (1/10) at 12:00 PM – Skip the flight to Lincoln Center and catch The Met: Live in HD’s I Puritani, all the bel canto fireworks without TSA lines. Oropesa, Brownlee, Ruciński, and Van Horn deliver, Armiliato conducts, the madness is contagious, and Opera Omaha subscribers get a deal.
🐾 Pet CPR & First-Aid @ Paw Paradise Spa & Boarding | Sunday (1/11) at 9:00 AM – Brushing up on Pet CPR and first aid with FurstAidCPR, because Fluffy has a talent for choking on the one piece of kibble. Learn CPR, wound care, and choking protocols, score a 2-year certificate for $80, perfect for owners and pet pros. Register at FurstAidCPR.com/schedule.
🛍 B & T Flea Market @ The Vessel Network | Sunday (1/11) at 9:00 AM – If you love a good treasure hunt without the dirt, hit the B & T Flea Market. New dealers bring antiques, collectibles, glassware, and toys, where grandma’s candy dish becomes your centerpiece, you haggle politely, and your inner curator gets smug.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Omaha report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 43°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 92%
Rain after 8am. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Northeast wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain before 10pm, then rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. North northwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 38°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 19%
A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. North northwest wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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