🍻 Husker fans turned alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium into a multimillion‐dollar success.

Omaha is fully in its cozy season now—holiday lights are popping up everywhere, the event calendar is packed, and we’re only 21 days until Christmas. This week’s edition is all about helping you make the most of December in the city, from local shopping to new games and can’t-miss shows.

Here’s what’s inside this week:

Let’s jump in and help you plan the week, find a few new favorites, and of course, get you hooked on that new Nebraska Wordie.

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🍻 Husker fans turned alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium into a multimillion‑dollar success. In the first season of beer and seltzer sales, fans bought more than $4.3 million worth of drinks at Memorial Stadium, beating the athletic department’s projections and helping total concessions jump about 75% to over $10 million in revenue. Volleyball crowds also joined in at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, where alcohol sales topped $182,000 and total concessions passed $1.4 million, all while the Husker volleyball team powered through an undefeated 30‑0 regular season and earned a home NCAA tournament opener.

🧊 Omaha’s Small Business Saturday was a letdown for many local shops. A snowy weekend and a 14‑month slide in spending meant Old Market spots like the candy shop and The Amazing Imaginarium saw far fewer shoppers than the “Super Bowl” crowds they count on, missing out on thousands in sales as more people chose to stay home and order online instead. Even so, these stores are doubling down on in‑person experiences like watching candy being made or browsing nostalgic toys, hoping that atmosphere will still draw people in off the sidewalk.​​

🚗 Roundabouts around Omaha are a mixed bag, with some wins and some fights. A new roundabout at 205th and Cumberland in Elkhorn is getting good reviews from nearby businesses, who say it’s well built, clearly signed, and ultimately makes their shops more accessible once drivers get used to it. But other proposed roundabouts on Farnam and near Elmwood Park were stopped after neighborhood pushback, even as the city tests a temporary “quick‑build” roundabout at 33rd and Woolworth and prepares a permanent one at 33rd and Hamilton to slow speeding drivers as part of its Vision Zero safety effort.​

🎄 Nebraska’s Capitol tree lighting is moving to a ticket‑only format this year. For the 6 p.m. Saturday ceremony, people will need a ticket obtained through their state senator, a change that critics say turns what has long felt like an open‑door tradition into something more exclusive on short notice. Gov. Jim Pillen’s office argues the ticket system is meant to keep families and young kids safe at an evening event held after normal building hours, and notes that the Capitol tree will still be open for the public to visit throughout most of the holiday season. You can read more details about the policy shift and public reaction here.​

🏟️ Downtown Stadium Plan Clears Key Hurdle
Omaha moved ahead on financing a new downtown stadium, seeking state support and up to $25M in bonds. A resident spoke against it, citing cost and priorities. Supporters say it could boost events and investment. Expect talk about traffic, taxes, and neighborhood identity as plans firm up.​

⚡ Tougher Electrical Code Passes Despite Pushback
The city adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code. Electricians urged safety upgrades, while home builders warned it could raise costs and slow projects. This change will touch new builds and remodels across Omaha. It’s the classic safety vs. affordability debate, now in code.​

🏗️ $32M Garage, Retail, Apartments Greenlit Downtown
A big downtown deal is set: a 461-stall garage with retail and apartments moves forward at 201 S. 16th St. The city will also sell nearby land, reshaping part of the core. Expect construction disruption, then new shops, parking, and housing in the heart of Omaha.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

Q: What is the motto inscribed in the Great Seal of Nebraska? It can also be found on the state flag, which consists of the Great Seal in silver and gold against a blue background.

(Answer below.)

Play Word Search! New Nebraska themed game every day.

Play Wordie (Nebraska themed Wordle)! New word each day.

A: Equality Before the Law