Good morning, this is Omaha Local Pulse for Saturday, May 24. We begin our day with breaking news in local government. After a fiercely contested mayoral race, John Ewing has been elected as Omaha’s new mayor, making history as our city’s first Black mayor. He unseated Jean Stothert, ending her bid for a fourth term. The transition comes just as city leaders focus on key issues, including new housing developments and urban revitalization.

Turning to Omaha’s neighborhoods, the city council has approved a new development near 51st and Mason. Residents will soon see an empty lot transformed into either a duplex or a single-family attached home. Some neighbors are worried about possible congestion, but renters nearby welcome the change as a step toward addressing our housing shortage. The city aims to create more infill within the urban core to ease the demand for housing, and this small project on 51st is just one example of that ongoing push.

On the business front, Papillion just saw Habitat for Humanity break ground on thirty new single-family homes, expanding affordable housing options in our metro area. Meanwhile, the local job market stays steady. Unemployment remains low, with most listings in healthcare, tech, and skilled trades. Several new businesses are opening, including a popular pickleball club making its debut downtown this week.

Today’s weather is having a real impact on our plans. After a night of rain delays, the Big Ten Baseball Tournament at Charles Schwab Field is back on track. At 9 a.m., Oregon faces Nebraska, and games continue through the evening. We can expect more scattered rain showers throughout the day, with occasional breaks of sun. If you’re headed to the ballpark or any outdoor events, keep an umbrella handy.

On the sports front, the Omaha Mavericks delivered a thrilling win in the Summit League Championships. Drew Borner drove in the game-winning runs in extra innings, pushing the Mavs deeper into the tournament and giving us local fans a reason to celebrate. In high school sports, several Omaha teams wrapped up their seasons with strong showings, and we extend a special congratulations to students making all-state lists this week.

Crime reports for Omaha remain stable. No major incidents overnight, but police urge us to lock vehicles and report any suspicious activity, especially around midtown and in park areas where minor thefts have been reported recently.

With the holiday weekend ahead, community events abound. The Papillion Gardening Club is honoring veterans by planting flowers at the Blue Star Memorial, and La Vista’s annual Hometown Heroes Ceremony invites everyone to come out and recognize those who have served.

On a feel-good note, neighbors in central Omaha are coming together to clean up a long-neglected lot, showing how small actions make our city stronger.

This has been Omaha Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

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