OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Wednesday started.
Intense heat followed by strong storms Wednesday, Rusty says
Wednesday is a First Alert 6 Weather Day due to dangerous heat building in and the threat of severe storms developing in the Omaha metro.
“A warm start near 80 degrees will turn into a hot and humid afternoon. The forecast high of 97 would be the hottest day we’ve had in about 1 month,” Senior Chief Meteorologist Rusty Lord says.
There will be storm potential moving in from the west after 7 p.m. Wednesday. Strong wind gusts up over 60 mph are the main severe threat with any storms, according to Rusty.
To get some relief from the heat, visit one of the cooling centers open around town Wednesday:
North Corps at 2424 Pratt St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Heritage Place at Renaissance Village at 3612 Cuming St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Kroc Center Omaha at 2825 Y St. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.One hospitalized after rollover crash in Sarpy County early Wednesday
One person is injured after a rollover crash in Sarpy County early Wednesday.
Shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday, SCSO deputies responded to the crash near 204th Street and Capehart Road, just outside of Gretna.
Police dispatch confirmed with First Alert 6 that one person was taken to the hospital.
Metro Community College board member arrested at meeting
A member of the Board of Governors at Metro Community College was arrested on Tuesday.
Authorities say Adam Gotschall was taken away in handcuffs during the board’s meeting Tuesday night.
Adam Gotschall(Metro Community College)
An official with the Omaha Police Department tells us Gotschall was arrested on a warrant related to a traffic violation. This was confirmed with MCC Police.
At the meeting, board members were set to consider a resolution to censure Gotschall and ask him to resign from the board. We are working to confirm the reason for the resolution.
MCC has confirmed to First Alert 6 that Gotschall refused to resign at the meeting Tuesday.
Police arrest man after cutting, assault at North Omaha corner store
A man has been arrested after a cutting involving another man in North Omaha on Tuesday.
49-year-old Eugene Morris was booked into Douglas County Corrections on charges of criminal trespassing and third-degree assault Tuesday, a release states.
OPD tells First Alert 6 that officers responded to the Blue Nile Corner Store near 20th and Ohio streets just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Police say a disturbance involving Morris and a 67-year-old man was taking place prior to the officers’ arrival.
According to the release, Morris was escorted out of the convenience store after being asked to leave. He later re-entered the store.
Both men were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Morris was then arrested.
Nebraska Rep. Bacon to announce new legislation Wednesday
Don Bacon, the representative for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, is set to announce new legislation in Washington on Wednesday.
In a release to First Alert 6, Bacon’s office says the bill is aimed at combatting “terrorists and disinformation on social media.”
Joining Bacon in presenting the bill is New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Johnathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League.
The announcement is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Omaha mayor submits first budget proposal to city council for 2026
Mayor John Ewing Jr. handed his $1.8 billion budget plan for the coming year to the Omaha City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday.
The plan includes increases for the Omaha Police Department and the Omaha Fire Department. For Omaha firefighters, the mayor’s 2026 budget proposal includes a $4.2 million increase.
Calling it “a vital investment for the city,” the mayor said Tuesday that the Police General Fund budget will go up 6.6%, a $13.4 million bump, accounting for “close to half of the city’s overall General Fund expenditure increase.”
The 2026 budget also includes money for new body-worn cameras, police cruisers, cruiser cameras, Tasers, VR training, and annual mental health checks for officers
Other proposals include improvements to city parks, addressing homelessness, and fixing roads.
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