Morning
Omaha
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Good morning, Omaha. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 19th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Brad Sharp of Lincoln and his teammates turned a former church van into a convertible for the 2026 Chop Top Challenge, a cross-country scavenger hunt that spanned 3,500 miles from Chicago to New Orleans. The team took on odd challenges, earning roadside cheers + smiles. Flatwater Free Press
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Nationwide data shows childcare costs rose 5.2% last year, now averaging 15% of family income. In Nebraska, local families pay 17.9%, prompting many to explore shared care arrangements & alternative support options. KETV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Josh Powell, an art teacher at Bennington High School, received a $500 check today from the 3 News Now Pay It Forward Campaign with First Interstate Bank to purchase more art supplies for his classroom and help students try new techniques. 3 News Now
- ➤ OPS Kindergarten teacher Danielle Kirchhevel received a $500 check from First Interstate Bank’s Pay It Forward Campaign today. She uses the funds to support creative programs (including a Disney theater program) and to expand her skills (taking Spanish courses) to better serve her students. 3 News Now
- ➤ Stacey Schnauber, a District 66 teacher, received a $500 check through the Pay It Forward Campaign with First Interstate Bank for her uplifting work with her kindergarten class. 3 News Now
- ➤ The new Carriage House Café at Joslyn Castle will offer training for Munroe-Meyer Institute students and will have a grand opening celebration during the Castle and Cathedral District Art Walk on Thursday. Omaha World-Herald
- ➤ Cherri Yost, a Blair teacher, received a $500 check from the 3 News Now Pay It Forward Campaign (sponsored by First Interstate Bank) to fund art supplies for her classroom and support her annual exhibit at the local library. 3 News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Sunday night, a tornado struck a farm near Plattsmouth, destroying a grain bin, damaging a truck ($80,000 value), and moving a camper over 100 feet; emergency management advised neighbors to find shelter as more severe storms were expected Monday. 3 News Now
- ➤ Residents in Plattsmouth brace for more storms after recent severe weather caused damage nearby; an EF-3 tornado hit St. Libory Sunday night + heavy rain damaged homes in Ashland and repair crews are working now. WOWT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Drivers in Midtown face street closures for streetcar construction including Monday's shutdowns of Turner Blvd & 31st Street and 36th Street, today Farnam Street closing from 6 to 10 a.m. for concrete placement, and a two-week closure Thursday at 31st Street north of Marcy. WOWT
- ➤ The U.S. Census Bureau released 2025 estimates showing Omaha’s population fell .01 percent—from 489,247 in 2024 to 488,797 last July—while the metro area grew to 1,009,836, driven by expansion in suburbs and improvement districts. Grow Omaha
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Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Alan J Levine Theater Performing Arts Center JCC Omaha — Tickets available — Experience an enchanting Candlelight concert featuring the iconic scores of Hans Zimmer performed by the Listeso String Quartet.
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Middle America School Mental Health Conference
Day 1: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. & Day 2: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Hilton Omaha — Registration required — Engage with leading experts on mental health in schools and earn CE credits.
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Perler Bead Palooza
2-4 p.m. — La Vista Public Library — Parental participation required — Create colorful patterns and pixel art using beads in this fun, hands-on activity for ages 5 and up.
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Taste Of Omaha
5-11 p.m. — Heartland of America Park — Free entry — Experience a culinary adventure with a variety of restaurants and live entertainment for all tastes.
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Alpha Wolf Live Concert
5:30-6:30 p.m. — The Waiting Room Lounge — Tickets available — Experience the genre-defying sound of Alpha Wolf as they ignite the stage with heavy, crowd-engaging anthems.
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Lucy Darling Comedy Show
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughter with Lucy Darling at the iconic Orpheum Theater.
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Disney's Mary Poppins Musical
7:30-11:30 p.m. — Omaha Community Playhouse — Tickets available at discounted prices — Enjoy the enchanting story of Mary Poppins brought to life in this delightful musical.
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Movies on the Green
7-9 p.m. — Granary Green — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly movie night under the stars with themed activities and local involvement.
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Backline's Best Improv Showcase
7-8:30 p.m. — The Backline Comedy Theatre — Free for students and alumni — Experience the best of Omaha's improv with outstanding performances each week.
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Season To Risk Concert
8-11 p.m. — Reverb Lounge — $15 ADV / $18 DOS — Experience the genre-blending sounds of Season to Risk, a first wave post-hardcore band adding dark synth to their evolving musical style.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
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