⚠️ Watch your inbox for a tricky new scam

The holidays are here, and Omaha is buzzing with festive fun, big city moves, and a few important heads-ups to keep you safe. Whether you're planning your weekend around dazzling light displays or curious about what's happening behind the scenes at City Hall, we've got you covered.

Here's what's inside this week:

🎄 Holiday magic is everywhere – from glowing gardens to drive-through light shows and free ice skating
🚨 Stay alert – scammers and porch pirates are targeting local neighborhoods
🍴 Restaurant shake-ups – new spots opening, beloved classics closing, and Golden Turtle's grand opening
🏀 Husker hoops are on fire – both teams ranked in the Top 25 for the first time in over a decade

Let's dive in and see what's happening around town!

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⚠️ Watch your inbox for a tricky new scam. Officials in Papillion are warning residents to be on the lookout for fake city invoices showing up in their email. These documents look surprisingly real, tricking people into thinking they owe money for services they never used. Scammers are hoping you’ll pay without asking questions, but the city wants you to double-check everything before writing a check. If you receive a bill that seems off or unexpected, don't panic. Instead, contact the city directly to verify it. It’s a good reminder to stay alert and protect your wallet from these clever schemes targeting local homeowners.

🏀 Both Husker basketball teams are on fire this season. It’s a great time to be a fan, as the men’s and women’s squads are both ranked in the Top 25—something that hasn't happened at the same time in over a decade. Both teams are sitting at a perfect 9-0 record, putting them in an elite club with only a couple of other schools nationwide. The men’s team is seeing its first ranking since 2018, while the women continue their dominant run. The energy is high, and fans are packing the arenas to see if they can keep this undefeated streak alive as the season heats up.

📦 Porch pirates are targeting Douglas County neighborhoods. With holiday shopping in full swing, deputies are cracking down on thieves swiping packages right off doorsteps. Law enforcement is reporting a rise in these thefts and is urging residents to be extra careful with their deliveries. To keep your gifts safe, they recommend tracking packages closely, having them sent to a secure location, or asking a neighbor to grab them if you’re not home. It’s frustrating to lose a delivery, but taking a few simple steps can help stop these opportunistic thieves from ruining your holiday spirit.

🚧 Local shops face an uncertain future due to new development. A massive $103 million project in Central Omaha is set to transform a busy area, but it comes at a cost for existing business owners. Several shops in a popular strip mall are facing displacement as plans for the redevelopment move forward. While the project promises to bring new amenities and growth to the neighborhood, long-time tenants are worried about finding new locations and losing their customer base. The situation highlights the tough balance between modernizing the city and supporting the small businesses that have been there for years.

🚧 City Demolishing M Street Building Despite California Developer's Fight Here's a weird one: the city approved spending $310,000 (from Keno funds) to demolish a building at 10909 M Street (former Westmont Inn and Suites). A California real estate developer actually showed up to fight against it. Why would an out-of-state company care about tearing down an Omaha building? Something bigger is brewing here, and the site's being rezoned from industrial to commercial.

🏢 $19M Union Pacific Land Swap Downtown The city just bought a big chunk of Union Pacific land at 1101 Izard St. for nearly $19 million. At the same time, they're selling UP another property at 1441 Capitol Ave. for $7.3 million. The net cost to taxpayers? About $11 million. What's the city planning for this prime downtown real estate near UP headquarters? That's the big question nobody's answering yet.

🏘️ $40M for Affordable Housing Passes Despite Pushback City council approved $40 million in bonds for affordable housing projects in the urban core, even though some residents sent letters opposing it. This is one of the biggest affordable housing investments Omaha has seen in years. The money will fund housing improvements and new units across the urban core, but critics aren't happy about how it's being funded or where it's going.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

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: Which city in Keith County, Nebraska is home to Haythorn Ranch, the Kingsley Hydroplant, and the yearly Kites and Castles event on Lake McConaughy?

(Answer below.)

Play Word Search! New Nebraska themed game every day.

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

A: Ogallala