Good morning, Omaha.

Nebraska agencies highlight the need for more foster and adoptive families during National Adoption Awareness Month as over 6,200 children in foster care wait for permanent homes—Boys Town is calling on local groups to recruit and train caring parents.

Omaha welcomes the 26th Holiday Lights Festival and Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, which will light up the Old Market and 72 acres of The Riverfront from Nov.

29 through Jan. 1—events include the KETV Family Festival on Dec. 7 and New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular at 7 p.m. while Conagra aims to supply 6 million meals to the Food Bank for the Heartland.

Today, the 6th annual Midtown Merry Market launched holiday shopping in Turner Park with over 30 local vendors offering items from toffee to clothing—Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special visit.

The market also marks the start of Turner Park's Season of Lights when thousands of holiday lights will turn on later this season.

Omaha-based Hansen-Mueller Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday in a Nebraska bankruptcy court—reporting between $100 million and $500 million in liabilities among 1,000 to 5,000 creditors and following reports that farmers had not been paid for grain deliveries.

Omaha was ranked as the 13th best craft beer city in America for 2025 by Craft Beer & Brewing — Chicago holds the top spot.

The rankings also noted regional cities and highlighted Omaha’s Lumen Beer Co as one of the top 20 small breweries.

UNL faculty passed a historic no confidence vote against Chancellor Rodney Bennett on Tuesday by a 60 to 14 margin, urging the Board of Regents to review his leadership amid plans to cut academic programs and reduce the budget by $27.5 million.

Faculty said their vote was meant to show that decisions affecting the university’s future require more input from its community—regents will consider the proposed cuts on Dec. 5.

Fifth graders in Nebraska elected Charlie Couch from Meadows Elementary School as Kid Governor — his campaign centered on cancer awareness and the runners-up will serve on a cabinet for one year.

Child Saving Institute is finishing the final phase of its $46 million Campaign for Hope project—doubling its campus and adding early childhood education, mental health services and a youth shelter—before hosting an open house on December 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 4545 Dodge Street.

University of Nebraska at Omaha was ranked No. 1 for traditional and online education for veterans by Military Times, and the school—home to over 1,600 military-connected students—earned top marks as the only Nebraska institution to repeat this honor for a second consecutive year.

At UNO, professor Derrick Nero leads students in launching high-altitude balloons that carry science experiments to near space at up to 100,000 feet.

Assistant professor Yury Salkovskiy uses a 3D-printed chamber to test how bacteria handle extreme cold and radiation — future launches will check a new fabric for protection.

OPPD is working to restore power to about 1,000 customers in downtown Omaha after a power outage affected offices including those in the City-County Building — workers are investigating the outage's cause as restoration efforts continue.

Construction on the future Walter Apartments continues at 50th + Leavenworth Street on a site that once housed a laundromat and dry cleaner.

The five-level building will provide 46 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom market-rate units + 44 indoor parking stalls on its subterranean first level.

Freshman goaltender Dawson Cowan of Omaha Hockey was named National Collegiate Hockey Conference Rookie of the Week on November 15 after making 32 saves for a 2-0 shutout win at AMSOIL Arena against Minnesota Duluth — his strong start in just his second game has him at 68 saves with a .944 save percentage.

CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners vs. Nebraska Omaha Mavericks Women's Basketball

1-4 p.m. — Baxter Arena — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a thrilling college basketball showdown featuring the Roadrunners and Mavericks.

A Christmas Carol

1:30-12:30 p.m. — Omaha Community Playhouse — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's holiday transformation in this beloved annual production.

TREES WITH EYES Concert

8-11 p.m. — Slowdown — Tickets available — Immerse yourself in a captivating musical journey with TREES WITH EYES and their evocative lyrics.

Electronic Music Night with Tape B

7:30-9 p.m. — Steelhouse Omaha — Check for ticket prices — Experience the fresh sounds of Tape B, blending old-school dubstep with modern hip-hop vibes.

Algernon Cadwallader Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Slowdown — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of indie rock with Algernon Cadwallader in Omaha.

PWP Wrestling Superstars Event

8 PM — The Waiting Room Lounge — Tickets from $10 — Experience the excitement of PWP Superstars live in Omaha.

Honestav Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — The Admiral Theater — Tickets available — Experience the vulnerable and candid songs of Av Freeman, a breakout artist known for profound storytelling.

Satchel Grande Live

7-11 p.m. — The Waiting Room Lounge — $15 — Enjoy a lively performance by Satchel Grande in an all-ages setting.

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Alan J Levine Theater Performing Arts Center JCC Omaha — Ticketed — Experience the enchanting sounds of Fleetwood Mac in a magical candlelit setting.

Chevy Chase Live Conversation & Screening

7:30-9 p.m. — Holland Center — VIP tickets available — Enjoy holiday cheer and laughs with Chevy Chase as he shares behind-the-scenes stories from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.