🌱 Patch AM: How the new streetcar bridges will reshape downtown Omaha’s daily commute

Hey hey Omaha! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How the new streetcar bridges will reshape downtown Omaha’s daily commute
• How a $20M investment could reshape North Omaha’s Malcolm X campus
• Are your car doors locked in northwest Omaha tonight?

Also on today's calendar: Farnam Winter Pop-Up and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Fog in the morning, then mist, with a high of 51 and low of 40 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 59, low: 41.
• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 60 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Grow Omaha Streetcar in Focus: Rebuilding the I-480 Bridges (growomaha.com) — Major changes are underway for Omaha’s downtown street network as the Harney Street bridge has reopened and the Farnam Street bridge is set to close for about a year starting the week of January 5 for reconstruction and streetcar work. These bridge projects, tied to the new streetcar and Urban Core plan, will add bike lanes and reshape how midtown and downtown connect.
   

2. Big vision takes shape at Malcolm X Memorial Foundation campus (3newsnow.com) — North Omaha’s Malcolm X Memorial Foundation campus is set for a $20 million state-backed transformation, adding a cultural museum, amphitheater, empowerment center, and about 200 homes near 33rd and Evans. Project leaders say the 2027 groundbreaking will launch a multi-year build aimed at honoring Black history while expanding housing, jobs, and educational opportunities for local residents.
   

3. Multiple car break-ins reported in Northwest Omaha neighborhood (wowt.com) — Law enforcement is investigating a string of car break-ins in a northwest Omaha neighborhood, with surveillance video showing thieves rifling through unlocked vehicles and stealing items. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking Omaha-area residents for tips and reminding drivers to secure their cars and remove valuables, especially around the holidays.
   

4. Marilyn June Swanson, 81 (enterprisepub.com) — Blair and Omaha families are mourning the passing of 81-year-old Marilyn June Swanson, who was born in Omaha, graduated from Omaha North High School, and later devoted over 20 years to Blair Community Schools. Services will be held January 3 at First Lutheran Church in Blair, with burial in Blair Cemetery at a later date.
   

5. Families gather at Omaha's RiverFront to skate, celebrate before Santa's visit (wowt.com) — Families flocked to Omaha’s RiverFront on Christmas Day to skate the ribbon and soak up holiday traditions together, even without a white Christmas. Locals and nearby residents shared how they’re starting new customs, reconnecting with family after time away, and enjoying the festive atmosphere along the Omaha riverfront.
   

📸 Around Omaha

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Omaha

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 27

• Farnam Winter Pop-Up
  Midtown Crossing, 3320 Farnam St, Omaha, NE, 68131
  10:00 am

Wednesday December 31

• Noon Year's Eve
  Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium , 3701 S 10th St , Omaha
  10:00 am
• New Years Eve Party
  Smash Park La Vista , 8121 S 125th St , La Vista
  10:00 am
• NYE with Johnny Beehner!
  Funny Bone Omaha , 710 N 114th St , Omaha
  7:00 pm
• NYE at The Granary
  Venues at The Granary, Bushwackers at The Granary, Granary Green 7401 Main St Ralston, NE 68127
  7:00 pm

Friday January 2

• Farnam Winter Pop-Up
  Midtown Crossing, 3320 Farnam Street Suite 2101
  10:00 am

Saturday January 3

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Omaha, NE
  DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest , 3650 S 72nd St , Omaha
  6:00 pm

Wednesday January 7

• The Extraordinary Card Magic of Jason Ladanye
  Omaha Funny Bone 710 N 114th St Suite 210 Omaha, NE 68154
  7:00 pm

📣 Omaha Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Thursday Power Partners
  Courtyard by Marriott at Beardmore Event Center , 3750 Raynor Pkwy , Bellevue
  8:00 am
• Library Closed - Christmas Day
  La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
  10:00 am

Friday December 26

• Connection Crew TIPS Group
  Outlook Enrichment , 4125 South 72nd Street , Omaha
  9:00 am
• Business Builders
  Dayspring Bank , 5370 South 72nd Street , Ralston
  9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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• Ludemann Construction — (402) 813-9122
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• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• REUNITED
  FOUND 5:15 12/23/25 We have your little white and black dog with a red sweater. 165th AVE and Madison ST. The owner was found with the help of… (Nextdoor Mission Ridge)
• Hi all my wonderful next door neighbors..
  tomorrow is Christmas Eve.. please take a moment and gather around your family…those next to and those in your heart. Not everyone will be home… (Nextdoor Spring Ridge)

• Even on Christmas Eve, troopers are working to keep Nebraska safe. Good work by Troopers in Omaha to make an arrest after a suspect fled in a stolen... (X: NEStatePatrol)
• A powerful holiday storm lashed Southern California on Wednesday, bringing flash floods and mudslides — with more rain is expected on Christmas Day... (X: WOWT6News)

• McDonald's posted a job opening for Custodian in Omaha. Apply here.
• Nebraska Staffing posted a job opening for Commercial Janitorial Porter in Omaha. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Omaha here.

Ok Omaha! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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