Morning
Omaha
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Good morning, Omaha. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Omaha residents gathered Tuesday at Gene Leahy Mall to celebrate Mardi Gras with the Prairie Gators, marking the first time Riverfront hosted the event (Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, a day of fun before Ash Wednesday). KETV
- ➤ KETV’s Home Cooking from the Heartland is a digital cookbook with over 30 cherished recipes by Julie Cornell, her family, and KETV coworkers—available today on the free Anchovy app for $19.99. Proceeds support the Food Bank for the Heartland, which helps families in 93 counties across Nebraska and western Iowa. KETV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Stand-up comic John Mulaney is set to perform at the Pinewood Bowl Theater in Lincoln on Aug. 21 with a very special guest (tickets go on sale Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.) and will headline at Omaha's Orpheum Theater on Mar. 20. KETV
- ➤ Rock band Breaking Benjamin will perform with special guests Chevelle, Starset and Kami Kehoe at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs on Sept. 20; tickets go on sale Friday. KETV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Dusten Crichton, director of the Thompson Learning Community at UNO, was honored with the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award during the Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience today. He has led the program since 2013 & will lead a campus planning meeting on April 17 in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom. University of Nebraska Omaha
- ➤ Kidz Campus (also known as Honey Creek Child Care) closed abruptly this morning in southwest Omaha, leaving about 50 children without care and staff questioning their final pay; an email blamed staff shortages, billing issues, and state funding problems (noticeably without prior warning). WOWT
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Dry, warm weather and high winds have raised the risk of fast-moving grass fires, with burn bans in effect across most Nebraska counties as firefighters in Lewis Township plan to use new equipment (a 75-gallon UTV) and await moisture to slow the spread. WOWT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Nebraska State Patrol held a ceremony Tuesday to honor fallen Trooper Kyle McAcy, marking one year since his death in the line of duty. WOWT
- ➤ State auditor Mike Foley said companies took millions in tax incentives and left, costing nearly $1.2 billion in lost revenue over the past four fiscal years + lawmakers now debate changes to curb future losses. WOWT
- ➤ The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency is asking for local input on transportation projects including a trail connection study, mobility plan, and streetcar hub proposals from Feb. 17 to Mar. 14 (affecting Omaha, Papillion, and Valley). KFAB
- ➤ Hundreds of Nebraskans with developmental disabilities are facing funding cuts after a new state assessment lowered their support tiers. Advocacy groups report more than 200 complaints as reassessments continue, with caregivers warning of significant impacts on essential services. WOWT
- ➤ Omaha officials say the Encampment Pilot Program, begun in November and set to last six months, is now over halfway through its effort to support those experiencing homelessness. The program served 28 people in November, 6 in December and 13 in January (officials note more housing is needed). KETV
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Nebraska's basketball team will play Iowa City today in a Big Ten rivalry game as the Huskers seek their first back-to-back win since a 20-game streak ended. The Hawkeyes, led by new head coach Ben McCollum (formerly with Drake), will use a slower, deliberate pace. KETV
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Omaha Boat Sports and Travel Show 2026
5 PM – 4 PM — CHI Health Center — Registration required — Explore boats, watercraft, and exciting vacation getaways in the Great Outdoors.
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Bryce Vine Concert
8 p.m. — The Waiting Room Lounge — $35 ADV / $40 DOS — Enjoy a night of music on the 'Let's Do Something Stupid Tour' with VIP packages available.
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NCA Lunar New Year's Gala
6:30-10:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the Year of the Horse with an evening of cultural performances, music, and dance.
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Eagle Run Live Music
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Vino Mas — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of original tunes with Omaha's own singer-songwriter Mark Irvin.
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Omaha Kings & Queens Pro Indoor Soccer
3-5 p.m. — Baxter Arena — Ticket prices vary — Watch the Omaha Kings take on the Minnesota Blizzard followed by the Omaha Queens facing the Kansas Astras in an exciting indoor soccer showdown.
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Kaivon Concert
8-11 p.m. — Slowdown — Check for ticket prices — Experience the melodic energy and danceability of Kaivon's music live on stage.
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An Evening With Toto
7:00 PM — Orpheum Theater — Tickets starting at $90 — Experience the legendary hits of Toto live in concert.
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Johnny Suite Live Performance
8-9:30 p.m. — Slowdown — Ticket info TBA — Experience the island reggae vibes of Johnny Suite from Hawaii.
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Therapy Dogs
6-7:30 p.m. — Student Center — Free entry — Take a break and enjoy some stress-relief with friendly therapy dogs on campus.
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The Work Lab Healthcare Roundtable
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Security National Bank - 3 Pacific Place — Free entry — Engage in a practical discussion on transforming healthcare work culture and exploring alternative employer-sponsored healthcare models.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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