🏗️ $250M Salmon Farm Plans Continue After Fire

This week's looking pretty exciting whether you're into sports, salmon farms, or stocking up on pretzels.

Here's what we've got for you:

Let's dive into what's happening around town this week.

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🏗️ $250M Salmon Farm Plans Continue After Fire GoodLife Agriculture is moving forward with plans for a massive salmon farming facility in Nebraska City, despite a devastating fire in October 2024. Kiel VanderVeen's innovative aquaponics operation, which raises Atlantic salmon and leafy greens, aims to bring a new industry and major economic development to southeast Nebraska with the proposed expansion.

📚 Creighton Professor Weighs In on International Law Questions After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Creighton University Professor Michael Kelly explained the constitutional and international law implications. Kelly noted that while the arrest may be constitutional under federal warrant authority, similar to the 1990 capture of Manuel Noriega, it remains problematic under international law.

🏥 CDC Changes Childhood Vaccine Recommendations For the first time since 1991, the CDC will not recommend all kids get vaccinated for hepatitis B, along with RSV and flu vaccines. UNMC pediatrician Dr. Ann Anderson-Berry worries the new schedule may erode public trust in vaccines and lead to more hospitalizations, though families can still request these vaccines from their doctors.

Taqueria El Rey is expanding with a second location, taking over the former Burger King at 11325 West Dodge Road. They bought the 3,800 sq. ft. building earlier this year and are planning a full remodel. Their original spot is still serving up favorites at 5201 South 24th Street in South Omaha, and they've got several food trucks rolling around town too.

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is building a new quick-serve spot at 1130 North 203rd Street, just southeast of 204th & Veterans Drive near MCC's Elkhorn campus. The Kansas City-based chain is aiming for a summer opening. They already have two Nebraska locations in Miracle Hills and at I-80 & Highway 370.

ACX Cinema 12+ just transformed its old lounge into Backlot Sports+ Bar, a full-service sports bar featuring a massive 16-foot LG Miraclass 4K LED screen plus 16 more TVs. You can order from the full menu at neighboring Backlot Pizza + Kitchen, and they're also hosting private events. Find it all at 6200 South 205th Street.

Supermercado Nuestra Familia held a ribbon cutting this past Saturday, January 3rd, for its newest grocery store at 2323 L Street. The SpartanNash-owned chain specializes in Hispanic food and produce and now has four Omaha locations plus one in Topeka. This spot took over a former Walgreens building that's much smaller than their usual stores at 13,857 sq. ft.

Three national chains are opening at the retail center at 15601 Whiting Circle (southwest corner of 156th & State Street). Wetzel's Pretzels is taking suite 115—this will be their first Nebraska location, with the closest existing stores currently in Minnesota. Planet Smoothie is moving into suite 125, bringing the Arizona-based chain's smoothie game to Omaha (they already have a Lincoln location). And Coldstone is opening in suite 120, adding to their six existing Omaha shops. The center already has Papa Johns and Jimmy John's.

Construction is moving right along at the future Flower Child location at 120 Regency Parkway on the north side of Regency Shopping Center. Steel has gone vertical on the health-conscious restaurant, which is going up in the parking lot northeast of Bonefish Grill and Borsheim's. The 5,002 sq. ft. building will include a commercial kitchen and covered outdoor patio.

Q: The School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan is named after what man, born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1913?

(Answer below.)

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A: Gerald Ford