Good morning, Lincoln.

Nearly 100 people gathered on the north steps of the state Capitol on Thursday to honor those lost on 9/11 and to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk—shot and killed the day before.

The event organized by Nebraskans Against Government Overreach featured prayers and personal remarks from locals who vowed to carry on his mission.

First responders and UNL ROTC cadets climbed 2,071 steps at Memorial Stadium on Thursday morning to honor the heroes and victims of the 9/11 attacks.

The climb—mirroring the stairs faced by New York firefighters during the World Trade Center collapse—showed a strong community commitment to remembrance and resilience.

The E.N. Thompson Forum will start a series of five events—each centering on social connection—with the theme 'Belonging: Finding Connection in a Lonely World.'

KVC Nebraska with a Department of Education grant is testing new ways to help foster kids overcome setbacks from frequent family and school moves — the free nine month program works with children ages 7 to 10 and guides local families in Lincoln and Omaha to use school portals, join extracurricular activities, and find job resources until December.

Lincoln Public Schools will soon break ground on a new $24.8 million Yankee Hill Education Center in southwest Lincoln built to support high school students with behavioral needs — the district will repurpose the current building for its Individual Success Program with bids starting in January and plans to open the center at the beginning of the 2027-28 school year.

John Ricks, Nebraska’s tourism director known for his edgy marketing pitch 'Nebraska.

Honestly, it's not for everyone', resigned after mixed reviews and his departure was accepted Thursday while Deputy Director Heather Hogue was named interim executive director.

The Nebraska Public Power District is continuing recovery efforts as it uses a helicopter to drop large wooden structures into pre-drilled holes to repair 41 transmission facilities damaged on August 9 near Friend and Dorchester+crews will use the helicopter again today while asking bystanders to stay at a safe distance and avoid drones.

Lincoln residents can now get text updates on street and infrastructure projects using the new TextLNK service — available for at least the next year.

The service will help keep the public informed about road repairs and work in progress.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen approved new emergency regulations that limit each cannabis cultivator to 1,250 flowering plants—a measure aimed at preventing unregulated production that could fuel a black market.

The rules were signed on Tuesday after the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission met to discuss the limits.

A Lincoln school marked World Suicide Prevention Day by having students draw hearts—smiley faces on butterflies and write notes like 'stay strong' and 'you belong' to show that no one is alone.

The project aimed to spread hope and spark conversation about mental health.

The City of Lincoln opened the world’s first FitBLOCK outdoor gym in Tierra Park on Thursday—featuring exercise stations for cardio, strength and social interaction that can serve up to 28 users at once.

The Parks and Recreation Department will offer free circuit fitness training classes on Sept. 17 if weather permits—furthering Lincoln’s push for community wellness.

Lincoln Standing Bear beat York 21-16 on Thursday night — Hayden Holdren led an improved drive as the win moved the Grizzlies to a 2-1 record, tying last season's wins.

The game marked a key step in Lincoln Standing Bear's season as they built on an early slow start.

For Saturday’s football game against Houston Christian, NU Athletics announced an exception to the stadium's beverage rules—fans may bring one sealed bottle of water into Memorial Stadium due to higher temperatures—while refill stations remain available for empty bottles.

Cherub Live Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Bourbon Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a vibrant mix of dance, funk, rock, and electronic music by Cherub.

Jason Aldean Full Throttle Tour 2025

7-9 p.m. — Pinnacle Bank Arena — Tickets available — Experience the chart-topping hits of ACM Artist of the Decade, Jason Aldean.

Parents Night Out

12 AM — Cooper YMCA — Pre-registration required — Kids enjoy supervised fun with games, crafts, and snacks while parents take a well-deserved break.

Skilla Baby Concert

8-11 p.m. — The Royal Grove — Check venue for ticket pricing — Experience a lively concert featuring the electrifying beats of Skilla Baby.

Hell on the Hill

9 AM – 2 PM — Arnold Heights Park — Check website for fees — Test your endurance and teamwork on a challenging hill in Lincoln's unique race event.

Unteachables Tour Live

7-8:30 p.m. — Howler Comedy Club — $1.81 LNK tax + $0.67 ticket service fee — Enjoy laughs from ex-educators turned comedians at this lively comedy night.

Lincoln High vs. Lincoln Northwest Freshman Football Game

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Union Bank Stadium — Free entry — Catch the excitement as local freshman teams battle it out on the gridiron.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Women's Soccer vs. Michigan Wolverines

7:05-8:35 p.m. — Barbara Hibner Soccer Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Catch the Cornhuskers in action as they host the Wolverines on the field.

Learning to Fly - Tom Petty Tribute

8-9:30 p.m. — Bourbon Theatre — Tickets from $33.93 — Experience the timeless music of Tom Petty in a lively tribute show.

Teen Night at Northeast YMCA

10:30 p.m. — Northeast YMCA — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of basketball, swimming, and games designed for teens ages 11-15.