Good morning, Omaha.

Casey Hendricks, a military wife from Papillion who recently delivered her fifth child, received a surprise makeover from local stylists after her husband nominated her for a special gift.

The stylists provided color analysis, makeup, hair styling and a new outfit to lift her spirits.

Local realtors in Omaha are ringing bells in a friendly competition to raise funds for the Salvation Army at various donation sites—organizers hope the event sparks broader community support.

The Omaha Fire Department responded to a house fire near N 28th Avenue + Iowa Street on Thursday evening that damaged a home by about $36,000 and displaced its residents while the fire was brought under control within minutes and the Red Cross assisted the family.

Small businesses in Papillion hope the Cookie Crawl (a $25 event) starting at 11 a.m. today downtown will help them recover losses from the cancelled Winter Wonderland celebration as 15 shops host local bakeries.

At 1718 Vinton Street, Louie M's Burgerlust, a family-owned restaurant serving breakfast and lunch since 1980, is now run by Jack Marcuzzo and welcomes customers daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes classic breakfast dishes and lunch specials like Chicken Parmesan Hoagies and Fried Chicken Siracha Sandwiches.

At UNO, Jayla Gilbert, a Management Information Systems major, shared how her confidence grew at the Tech Careers Seminar with one-on-one mentorship + resume reviews during Episode 1 of the IS&T Experience series.

During the holiday break, experts advise parents to discuss online safety, screen time and AI with their kids to protect mental health and build healthy digital habits; they recommend asking open-ended questions and setting clear guidelines at home (modeling healthy device use).

The University of Nebraska is unifying its four Canvas systems into one integrated platform to support faculty and students — faculty can explore the updated system in March 2026 and students will use it for Fall courses while keeping past materials accessible.

On Dec. 5, the Omaha City Council approved a $400 million, mixed-use project in northeast downtown that includes a 6,500-seat soccer stadium with 500 apartments + retail and a Tranquility Park improvement to boost youth athletic facilities and park access.

Drury Hotels closed on a $5.8 million purchase of a 1.4-acre lot on the southeast corner of 10th & Harney Street in downtown Omaha as part of its expanding portfolio.

The deed carries a 20-year restriction on upper midscale hotels but not on the Drury brand.

Omaha families face tight budgets as high home prices and a cooling market affect middle-income households and commission-based realtors—experts expect the market to rebalance by 2026 with potential price drops as mortgage rates stay above 5%.

Nebraska won its NCAA Tournament opener by sweeping Long Island 3-0 at Bob Devaney Sports Center Friday.

The team set a record .476 postseason hitting percentage and will face Kansas State in the second round today at 7 p.m. CT.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after being named Big Ten Running Back of the Year during his junior season (he ran for 1,451 yards, scored 12 touchdowns and added 370 receiving yards).

Joyful Noise Concert

4-5:30 p.m. — Steelhouse Omaha — Tickets from $71 — Experience an unforgettable performance at Steelhouse Omaha from Joyful Noise.

Doane Tigers vs Omaha Mavericks Basketball Game

1-4 p.m. — Baxter Arena — Tickets available — Watch the Doane Tigers clash with the Omaha Mavericks in an exciting basketball matchup.

50th Anniversary of A Christmas Carol

7-10 p.m. — Omaha Community Playhouse — Ticketed event — Experience the heartwarming journey of Ebenezer Scrooge in a beloved holiday tradition.

Michael Charles Live Performance

5:15-8:15 p.m. — The B. Bar — Ticket prices TBA — Experience the legendary Michael Charles as he continues his musical journey with lively blues performances.

Holiday Cheers with Résonance

5-6:30 p.m. — Nosh Restaurant and Wine Lounge — Ticket price varies — Celebrate the holidays with food, drink, and music by your Omaha Symphony.

Parenting During the Holidays: Omaha Edition

2:30-4:00 p.m. — Jewish Community Center of Omaha — Inquire for costs — Gain practical tips for joyful parenting during the holiday season.

Rain - A Beatles Christmas Tribute

7:30-9 p.m. — Orpheum Theater — $83 — Experience the festive magic of The Beatles with a holiday twist at this unique tribute performance.

PWP Wrestling's Candy Cane Chaos

8 p.m. — The Waiting Room Lounge — Tickets start at $10 — Enjoy an exciting night of independent professional wrestling at PWP's festive event.

A Magical Cirque Christmas

7-8:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting blend of circus performances and Christmas nostalgia.

Mocktails and Mixes Workshop

5-8 p.m. — No More Empty Pots Food Hub — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of relaxation with mocktails, music, and fun games in a community setting.