Omaha Events Oct 8-14: Junkstock, Fright Nights, Switchfoot Concerts

Fall is in full swing, and this week Omaha is pulling together after last week's flood while the weekend fills up with festivals, concerts, and spooky fun.

Here's what's inside:

Let's dive in!

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🧹 Karen Street neighborhood digs out after record flood
Neighbors in Omaha's Karen Street area are cleaning up after Wednesday's flood. City inspectors checked about 140 homes, and two were found unsafe. MUD shut off gas to at least 123 homes. Relief supplies are being handed out at Karen Elementary, with local restaurants chipping in.

🦠 Flood victims urged to act fast against mold
Mold can start growing within 48 hours, so crews gave out free cleanup kits at Karen Western Elementary. Kits held masks, gloves, disinfectant and goggles. Experts say to cut out wet drywall four feet up, expose the studs and spray. Waiting can add thousands in repair costs.

🐱 Cats may care more than you think
The Nebraska Humane Society shared new cat studies showing cats can learn their family's names and change their meows to get food or attention. They show equal affection to everyone at home. Experts suggest using one consistent name for your cat.

🍽️ Central Omaha flood neighbors get meals, kits and support
Neighbors near 60th and L Street are recovering together after last week's floods. The Salvation Army served a Sunday dinner and plans more free meals outside Karen Western Elementary. A shower trailer is being set up, and local businesses are offering cleanup advice.

👶 New childcare centers open in Elkhorn, Gretna and Bennington
Minnesota-based New Horizon Academy has opened four Nebraska schools, adding 736 childcare spots. Nebraska is short more than 17,000 spots. Lincoln and Papillion locations are planned next, and the company says it accepts childcare subsidies.

📚 Scottsbluff schools land $2.9M literacy grant
The Omaha-based Sherwood Foundation is giving Scottsbluff Public Schools a five-year literacy grant. It will fund reading training for teachers, parent literacy nights and playground story walks for preschool through fifth grade.

💰 Nebraskans save more, but inflation bites
Nebraskans save more than most Americans, which helps with buying a home. Still, mortgage rates above 7% and a median home price near $280,000 make a down payment tough. First-time buyers need about six years to save, versus 15 nationally.

🎄 Visit Nebraska picks 24 stops for the Holiday Passport
Travelers can collect stamps from 24 festive spots between Nov. 13 and Jan. 10. Stops include holiday shops, coffee houses and outdoor sites, like The Holiday Market in Ashland. Many offer deals, and stamps earn prizes.

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:

🏗️ 42nd and Center Street Eyes a New Redevelopment Area
A plan to label the 42nd and Center Street area a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) is moving ahead. That label opens the door to redevelopment help like tax financing. The vote was pushed to the October 6 meeting so a public hearing can be advertised, and some neighbors sent letters against it.

🚰 $1.7M More for Papillion Creek Plant Upgrades
The city approved about $1.73 million in added design work with Carollo Engineers for electrical upgrades at the Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility. It's part of a bigger plan to replace aging equipment, which helps keep wastewater treatment running smoothly for the whole metro.

🕳️ $760K More for Emergency Street Repairs
Council OK'd a $760,000 change order with TR Construction for the 2026 emergency utility cuts on minor roads. That's the extra digging crews do when a pipe or line fails and a street has to be opened up fast.

🐴 Horse Hitch Approved Near Howard Street
M-J Carriage Service got the green light to lease city property next to 1098 Howard Street as a horse hitch, so carriage rides in the Old Market have a spot to line up.

🏡 City Lots Head to New Owners
The city sold one parcel near 3115 Myrtle Street to Don's Property LLC for $11,500. Three parcels near 2433 Blondo Street are going to DePorres Development Group LLC for $3 total, a common way to get empty lots back into use.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

Here’s the latest on Omaha’s restaurant scene - openings, moves, 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.)

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*Dates and times can change, so please confirm with the venue before you go.

*Dates and times can change, so please confirm with the venue before you go.

TRIVIA ANSWER

A: Omaha