Good morning, this is Omaha Local Pulse for Thursday, July 31. We begin today with a somber update following yesterday’s tragic events outside of Omaha. A massive explosion at a Nebraska biofuels plant in Fremont has claimed the lives of two young girls and a worker. Details are still emerging as investigators work to determine what caused the blast. Our hearts go out to the families and first responders. Counseling and support services are being made available for those affected as the community rallies to support one another.Switching to local government, Omaha City Council is honoring longtime public servant Deb Ward today, officially naming July 31 as Deb Ward Day. Council members highlighted her decades of service and impact across city programs. This thoughtful recognition comes as the council continues its busy summer session, with a special focus on budget approvals that aim to expand funding for public safety and local road repairs this fall.On the economic front, housing and real estate remain hot topics. Property values around Omaha’s lakeside neighborhoods have jumped again, with some homes in new West Dodge developments now topping a million dollars. According to recent data from local developers, strong demand and limited inventory mean home prices in the metro are up about five percent from last year. The city is looking at ways to address affordable housing needs, especially as growth in the western suburbs continues at record pace. On the job front, regional listings remain steady, with the Omaha metro area holding close to four percent unemployment and nearly six thousand open positions, notably in health care, education, and logistics.Weatherwise, we’re waking up to clear skies and comfortable temperatures around 68 degrees as we head into the day. It’s a great morning for walkers and runners, but we can expect higher humidity and temperatures reaching into the low 90s by mid-afternoon. We encourage everyone to stay hydrated and keep heat safety in mind if you’re heading out to area parks or the zoo.There’s a flurry of events to keep us busy as we roll into the weekend. The Jazz on the Green concert series at Turner Park continues tonight, featuring a local favorite brass band. Downtown at the Orpheum Theatre, Broadway’s hit show Moulin Rouge opens for a special two-week run. Farmers markets in Aksarben and Benson are in full swing, so it’s the perfect time to pick up local produce and check out new vendors. Creighton Prep’s summer baseball varsity squad notched a big win last night, keeping their playoff hopes alive, and Omaha North’s robotics team brought home top honors in last week’s state tech challenge.In business news, the much-anticipated reopening of Midtown Bagels on Dodge Street kicks off Friday, thanks to new ownership and an expanded coffee bar. Over in Benson, Mainstay Books is closing its doors after 15 years, citing changes in shopping habits and rent increases, with a final community gathering planned for this Saturday.Turning briefly to public safety, Omaha police report an overall quiet night in most neighborhoods, though there was a string of car break-ins near Elmwood Park late last night. Officers have increased patrols and are asking anyone with security camera footage to come forward.Let’s end with a little positivity. A group of neighbors in South Omaha is organizing a back-to-school supply drive, collecting over five hundred backpacks for local students. It’s yet another example of how tight-knit support makes our community stronger.Thank you for tuning in today to Omaha Local Pulse. We appreciate your trust, and please remember to subscribe so you never miss an update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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