OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Tuesday started.
Omaha Streetcar construction information meeting set for Tuesday
The first of two meetings over upcoming construction for the Omaha Streetcar project is happening Tuesday evening.
Officials will speak at the downtown Marriott hotel in the Capitol District at 5 p.m. Tuesday. On Wednesday, the second meeting will be held in the Blackstone area at the Kaufmann Room at Scriptown Brewery.
According to a release, the meetings are meant to provide an update on construction and look ahead at work about to start. Following the presentation, the public is invited to participate in a Q&A session.
Three downtown Omaha streets closed Monday for water and sewer work tied to the project, affecting traffic for up to a month. The closures are: Farnam Street between 13th and 14th streets, 12th Street south of Harney, and 16th Street southbound.
Crews continue to monitor fire at South Omaha warehouse
Fire crews are continuing to extinguish hot spots at a South Omaha warehouse that has been burning since Saturday afternoon.
Officials say so much ice has been created in the area near Dahlman Avenue and L street that city plows have been called in to help clear the buildup. So far, 1-2 million gallons of water have been used to control the fire.
Investigators have been on the scene, but due to the structural instability of the building, have not been able to enter, per OFD.
“With the assistance of OFD and OPD drones they have been able to get an interior look at the structure. No victims were located inside the structure at this time and the cause remains under investigation,” an official said in a statement.
No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Tyson Foods beef plant in Lexington to close Tuesday
The largest employer in Lexington, Nebraska — a beef plant for Tyson Foods — will officially close its doors Tuesday.
First Alert 6 is told the closure will result in more than 3,200 people in a town of just over 10,000 losing their jobs. In an interview Monday, current state senate candidate Dan Osborn echoed senate minority leader Chuck Schumer’s claim that the closure is illegal.
“This isn’t left vs. right politics, this is big vs. little and the little guys are getting squished,” Osborn said. “I don’t want to block the foreclosure. But they should be selling it to a competitor, which they’re not doing and that’s where they’re in violation of the law.”
The Chairman of the Lancaster County Republican Party, Jack Riggins, believes state leaders will work with the people of Lexington to ensure everyone is able to find other employment.
An analysis done by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln estimates that the closure will result in a statewide economic loss of $3.28 billion.
Gov. Pillen to kick off construction for final portion of US-275 Project
On Tuesday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is expected in Norfolk to celebrate the start of the final portion of the Highway 275 project.
“US-275 is a critical highway in Nebraska’s transportation network, connecting Northeast Nebraska to Interstate 80 and providing access to vital civil and economic services in the region,” a release from the Nebraska Department of Transportation states.
According to a release, the event is part of a statewide tour discussing Pillen’s accomplishments and goals for Nebraska. Pillen spent Monday in Grand Island, and in the coming days will speak to communities in North Platte, Scottsbluff, and Kearney.
Pillen delivered his annual “State of the State” Address before the Nebraska Legislature last Thursday. He spoke about a growing economy and the current legislative session.
Iowa governor explains how much she wants to fund public schools
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has determined the percentage by which she would increase the state’s commitment to fund public schools.
By the numbers:
2% — Governor Reynolds’ proposed per pupil funding increase for the 2026-2027 school year.2% — Per pupil funding increase for the 2025-2026 school year. The governor and legislature also agreed to provide additional money for transportation and extra funding for some districts.2.7% — The national rate of overall inflation (according to the most recent report in December)
Reynolds is also encouraging districts to look at how they have spent federal COVID-19 money.
“I would look at the budget and see if they used any one time money for ongoing expenses,” Reynolds said. “And that’s been consistent in a lot of the schools that now are facing shortfalls…”
Results of ‘Shine the Light on Hunger’ campaign announced Tuesday
First Alert 6 is expecting an announcement Tuesday of what officials are calling record-breaking results from the city’s latest campaign.
The “2025 Shine the Light on Hunger campaign” was held during the holiday season. The goal was to raise $6 million meals for Omaha families.
All donations, which were collected in the bright orange bins places around town, went to Food Bank for the Heartland.
The fundraiser went alongside the city’s Holiday Lights Festival that wraps up on New Year’s Eve. It has been going on for 19 years.
Mayor John Ewing Jr., Conagra, and Food Bank for the Heartland will be there for the announcement at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
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