Omaha Events June 11, 2026: CWS Parking, Wing Fezt, and Free Outdoor Yoga

Happy to have you here for another week. Whether you're catching up over coffee or squeezing in a quick read, we've got some good stuff lined up.

Here's what's inside this week:

Plus your usual mix of restaurant news, city council updates, events, and concerts. Let's get into it.

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🍦 A Lincoln ice cream shop refused to melt away after a tornado
In 2019, an EF-2 twister flattened C&L Dairy Sweet after 40 years in business. Owner Hap Loomis retired, but her granddaughter wasn't ready to let it go. Seven years later, the family runs a Dairy Sweet food truck at "Twister Turn," still handing out finger puppets and lemon cones.

♻️ A Nebraska feedlot is turning cow manure into clean-burning fuel
A massive cattle operation near Broken Bow is rebuilding its pens with concrete to capture manure more cleanly. By 2028, that waste will feed methane digesters that make renewable natural gas for a Black Hills Energy pipeline. Some researchers question the climate benefits, but the company calls it a step forward.

🎓 Doane University is cutting nine programs to stay competitive
Doane will sunset five majors and four minors starting in fall 2027, affecting about 80 students who can still finish their degrees. President Roger Hughes called it part of a "Doane Forward" plan, pointing to a new innovation center built around engineering, business, AI and data science.

The commercial real estate playbook is being rewritten—and Brightway Commercial's expertise is where businesses are putting their trust for measurable savings. The company specializes in tenant representation, investment sales, and strategic consulting that protects your bottom line.

Why smart businesses choose Brightway:

🏚️ Old Grain Silos Could Become 233 South Omaha Apartments A developer wants to tear down a decommissioned grain elevator at 3417 Vinton Street — but keep the silos standing. The plan? Build four apartment buildings using the old silo foundations as their base. That's 233 market-rate units in a South Omaha neighborhood that rarely sees this kind of investment. The city could chip in up to $10.4 million in tax financing. Public hearing is set for June 30.

🚒 Omaha Firefighters Caught in a Council Standoff City Council tried to pass a rule letting city employees fundraise — with boss approval — but it crashed in a rare 3-3 tie. A motion to kill it? Tied 3-3. A motion to fix it? Also tied 3-3. The Omaha firefighters' union showed up to weigh in, hinting this affects charity drives for first responders. With one council member absent, nothing moved. Expect a rematch soon.

🍸 Leavenworth Lounge Hits a Wall of Neighbor Pushback A new spot called Haven Express Lounge wants to open at 1217 Leavenworth Street — but three nearby residents showed up to fight the liquor license. That alone isn't unusual. What is? The city's Planning Director and City Attorney both felt the need to speak. That's a sign something's complicated here. Council pumped the brakes and pushed the vote to June 9.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

Fiiz Drinks brought its "dirty soda" concept to Nebraska for the first time, opening this past Saturday, June 6th, in Gretna. The Salt Lake City chain slid into the old Tropical Smoothie Café spot and now runs 75 locations nationwide, with the nearest others way out in Oklahoma City and Denver. 10215 South 168th Street.

Springfield Soda Fountain has packed up and moved down the street, going from 205 Main Street to 129 Main Street in Springfield. The 49-year-old shop, once known as Springfield Drug and Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain, dropped its pharmacy side a few years back and now leans fully into ice cream and espresso. 129 Main Street, Springfield.

7 Brew Coffee fired up its Council Bluffs drive-thru earlier this week on a lot that used to hold a U.S. Bank office. The Arkansas-based chain already has a spot at 182nd & West Maple, with more on the way at 132nd & I Street and 168th & Harrison. 2901 West Broadway, Council Bluffs.

Red Door Woodfired Grill officially opened this week in Aksarben Village, taking over the 8,000 sq. ft. corner that Spirit World used to call home. The Kansas City favorite runs six locations there and is known for scratch-made food and a signature smoky blend of pecan, oak and hickory. They're also working on another spot near 192nd & Highway 370 in Gretna. 6680 Center Street.

Hurrdat Sports Bar & Grill has closed its Gretna location, clearing the way for Thirsty's Pub to move in from its current spot near Highways 6 & 370 sometime in mid-July. Don't worry if you're a regular, though, since Hurrdat's La Vista location at 12744 Westport Parkway is still going strong. 10746 South 204th Avenue, Suite #1, Gretna.

Q: Each January 1st from 1992 through 1995, you could count on the Nebraska Cornhuskers winning what NCAA football bowl game that formerly took place annually in a namesake stadium in Miami, Florida?

(Answer below.)

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A: Orange Bowl