Pete Festersen

Omahans in Sicily, Italy build upon ‘sister city’ ties with Carlentini   • Nebraska Examiner An Omaha delegation in Sicily, Italy reaffirmed a "sister city" pact with Carlentini and saw an amphitheater get named for Subby Anzaldo.

Omahans in Sicily, Italy build upon ‘sister city’ ties with Carlentini   nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/27/o...

Is Omaha ready for AI? A new partnership aims to accelerate adoption by area businesses The Greater Omaha Chamber and nonprofit Scott Data recently launched a new partnership to accelerate the adoption of AI by Omaha-area businesses through education, technical advising and affordable ac...

I just took a super interesting tour of the Scott Technology Center with a discussion of its AI capabilities. I wasn’t allowed to take any photos, however!
omaha.com/news/local/b...

I took a tour and played the drums today at the updated North Omaha Music and Arts building at its historic 24th & Lake location. The jazz club and new classrooms for students are looking great.

Mayor Ewing was the featured speaker at my Greater Omaha Chamber board meeting this morning.

This morning, I participated in the State of Youth Programming in Omaha with this great panel of young people and community organizations who are supporting this important mission.

The stage is up, and city teams are mobilizing to get Memorial Park ready for Ringo on Friday!

Some great community leaders were honored at the Women's Center for Advancement (WCA) annual event yesterday, and the keynote speaker gave a powerful speech regarding a personal experience with stalking and sexual harassment. ⁦

This heat is no joke. Be careful, and stay hydrated out there and at the College World Series. Here is a list of The Salvation Army Western Division cooling centers for those in need, in addition to our homeless shelters.

Today was the ribbon-cutting for the accessory dwelling unit demonstration project on the Riverfront. Units for under $200,000 with pre-approved and shareable plans are coming soon.

Oh, man. Tough way to lose for Arkansas in the CWS tonight. My heart goes out to those college players. But it should be a great Coastal vs LSU final!

I presided over the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) Council of Officials meeting today, providing an update on the $1 billion terminal transformation project at Eppley Airfield - OMA. It's really important to the future growth of our region and our 5 million passengers per year. ⁦

The City of Omaha releases plan to eliminate poverty in 5 years “This report is a crucial first step in the deliberate approach my administration plans to take in addressing longstanding needs,” Mayor John Ewing said.

I look forward to working with Mayor John W Ewing Jr to address the economic disparities we know still exist in our community. Federal funding cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, CDBG and early childhood education would not be helpful to the effort.
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It's a good call on the tarp and rain delay. Storms are coming in from the west right now.

It’s official! The first phase of the $800 million redevelopment of Crossroads is now underway.

The first phase groundbreaking for Crossroads will take place today at 2 p.m. This phase includes the family entertainment component, which will be followed later this summer by public green space, underground garages, housing, and retail.

Yesterday was a successful Native Omaha Days parade ahead of the Juneteenth national holiday. And I got to patronize one of my favorite taquerias on South 24th Street. It was a day that made me appreciate the diversity of our community.

It was a great first day at the College World Series! I enjoyed the evening game with Mayor John Ewing, state senators, and the Greater Omaha Chamber and Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry presidents.

Little League baseball returns to Omaha's Memorial Park for first time in more than 30 years Memorial Little League is playing tee ball at its home field and has even bigger goals.

It's great to see this newly renovated field at Memorial Park being put to good use. My sisters used to play Memorial Little League there 40 years ago! Way to go, Memorial Little League. ⁦

omaha.com/life-enterta...

Today was the groundbreaking for new Creighton University softball and baseball fields — just in time for the College World Series. It's all part of an impressive campus master plan coming to fruition. ⁦
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Here are some initial resources and ways to assist families impacted by yesterday’s immigration enforcement.

I spent the first morning of my next city council term touring a funeral home. An unusual first appointment! There are over $500,000 in renovations coming to the historic Kremer Funeral Home in Benson.

We're almost ready for tonight’s inauguration of a new mayor and seven city council members in the Legislative Chambers.

The city inauguration is tonight, but here is the coolest thing I will do today! Proud to support Girls Inc. and look forward to helping get the new South Omaha location open soon. Strong, Smart and Bold. ⁦

A come-from-behind buzzer-beater in the NBA Finals, double overtime in the NHL Stanley Cup, and now the longest French Open final in history — it’s been an exciting and heart-wrenching week in professional sports!

The Bob Kerrey Bridge is about to go orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Month. ⁦

@momsdemand.bsky.social

Omaha Police Department seeking to add another member to mental health co-responders The Omaha Police Department is growing its efforts to help people they encounter who are dealing with mental health issues.

This will bring us to a total of seven mental health co-responders covering every police precinct, including an adolescent specialist.

www.wowt.com/2025/06/04/o...

I attended the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance annual banquet last night. Some great neighborhood champions and organizations were recognized for their many contributions.

Benson housing project creates new option for older adults and first-time homebuyers Developers of a new affordable housing option in Benson are officially breaking ground to address this issue.

From WOWT: Benson housing project creates new option for older adults and first-time homebuyers

www.wowt.com/2025/06/02/b...

John Christensen, a tough, visionary leader at UNO, dies at 76 John E. Christensen, who led his hometown University of Nebraska at Omaha through a transformational decade that included expanding the school’s campus and raising its profile both academically and at...

I am grateful for Chancellor Emeritus Christensen's leadership during an important decade of transformation at UNO. I also appreciate his leadership on the city-county building commission. Rest in peace. omaha.com/news/local/a...

City pools opened today for the summer! Just in time for the 91 degree forecast.