💙 Creighton students wiped out over $2 million in medical debt for about 1,500 Nebraskans

Happy Thanksgiving Omaha! Between sparkling lights, big local stories, and a brand-new Nebraska word search made just for you, this week is packed with ways to stay cozy, curious, and connected.

Let’s jump into what’s happening around the city—and help you plan the week between leftovers, holiday prep, and a little local fun.

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❄️ Post-Thanksgiving snow could make travel tricky around Omaha. Strong northwest winds are hitting the area Tuesday with gusts up to 55 mph in the metro and even higher in central and western Nebraska, while temps fall from the low 50s into the 40s later in the day. Black Friday looks colder with a high near 33 and a growing chance of accumulating snow Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, especially in far eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa, with more light snow possible into Sunday that could slow down post-holiday road trips.​

💙 Creighton students wiped out over $2 million in medical debt for about 1,500 Nebraskans. A small campus group at Creighton University raised roughly $10,000 through bake sales, flower sales, and a “Dance Off Debt” event, then partnered with nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to buy and forgive medical bills at steep discounts, averaging about $1,455 erased per person across 19 counties. The students say the project eases stress for families who struggle with bills that can lead to housing and financial insecurity, and they view it as a first step in tackling a bigger system where medical debt is a major driver of bankruptcies and hits communities of color especially hard.​

🧊 Omaha wants your help naming its snowplows before winter hits. The city is running an online poll through December 5 where residents can vote on playful snowplow names like “Big Red Sled,” “Plowmaha,” and “Oh Snow You Didn’t,” with the winning choices tagged onto plows you’ll see clearing streets all season. You can cast a vote on the Public Works website, and the final names will be revealed in early December, just in time for the first big storms.​

🏙️ A big mixed-use project called Saddle Creek Marketplace is stirring debate in Dundee. The proposal would replace the current Family Fare and nearby strip businesses near California and 46th with around 250 apartments and about 75,000 square feet of retail space, plus new surface and underground parking. Some neighbors are excited about fixing what they see as a long-blighted stretch and adding housing and shops, while others worry about higher rents, parking pressure, and not having enough say in a fast-moving process that’s still early in city approvals.

Omaha’s food scene is staying busy, with new openings, expansions, and ownership changes from Aksarben Village to North Downtown. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new and what’s next.

Q: When Nebraska became a state in 1867, the capitol was moved to Lancaster, which was then renamed Lincoln. Where was the capitol of Nebraska when it was a territory?

(Answer below.)

Nebraska word-search fans, this one’s for you 👀

There’s a new way to test your Husker State knowledge. Check out the new Nebraska-themed word search puzzle, packed with hidden words tied to Omaha and Nebraska places, landmarks, slang, and more. Every word you find has some local flavor, so it’s a fun little challenge for natives and newbies alike.

You can jump in and play anytime here.

A: Omaha