By Erin Bamer | Reporter
Omaha Central Library, which saw roughly 145,000 visitors in its first two months after opening in April, is to receive the top “Summit Award” at the CRE Summit to be held Aug. 21 at CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha.
The Omaha Central Library at 72nd and Dodge Streets is the 2026 CRE Summit choice for its “Summit Award” winner. The Commercial Real Estate Summit is to be held Aug. 21 at the downtown CHI Health Center, and organizers expect roughly 900 participants. The lifted corners on east and west sides of the new library were designed to mimic the opening of a book. (Photo courtesy of APMA, HDR, Tom Harris)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
OMAHA — Nebraska’s largest annual conference of real estate and development experts, now in its 37th year, is poised to recognize Omaha’s new $158 million public library as its pick for a project with extraordinary rippling impact.
Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts speaking at the capitol for a presser on Fairness for Girls’ ballot measure on June 30, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
COMMENTARY
By George Ayoub
Perhaps it’s the dog days’ heat. Or maybe some other atmospheric phenomenon. It’s possible, too, that we’re simply tired of the unremitting hoohah and have checked out politically. Whatever the culprit, real or imagined, our vision is clouded, our focus blurred and our eyes have strayed from the prize. Assuming, of course, we can agree on what the prize actually is. Big assumption.
The Ptarmigan Fire burning in Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness, as seen in this aerial photo taken by smokejumpers July 20, has crossed the Canadian border and burned at least 18,000 acres so far. State leaders in Oregon and Washington have called for reinforcements and expect a grueling August. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)
PUBLIC SAFETY
By Alex Brown
With dozens of large fires burning across the Pacific Northwest, and nearly 2 million acres burned already, state leaders are calling for firefighting reinforcements and bracing for a grueling August.
Wildfire smoke caused unhealthy levels of air pollution across Washington, D.C., in mid-July as fires raged across Ontario, Canada. A new study examining years between 2003 and 2019 found that the primary pollutant affecting pregnancies was wildfire smoke. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
HEALTH
By Kelcie Moseley-Morris
A new study examining pollution levels across a 16-year span found that while general pollution levels from sources such as cars and industry have significantly declined, recent increases in wildfire smoke air pollution have offset those gains and could be contributing to negative outcomes for pregnant women and babies such as low birth weight and preterm births.
Online prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket are attracting scrutiny from state lawmakers, who argue the platforms are undermining state gambling regulations. (Photo by Alyssa Chen/Minnesota Reformer)
TECHNOLOGY
By Kevin Hardy
CHICAGO — The escalating feud between states and online prediction markets was on full display at a summit of state lawmakers this week as legislators publicly scolded Kalshi and Polymarket, the two most prominent platforms.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
What is Dan Osborn’s appeal to voters in Nebraska’s US Senate race? | Juan Salinas II
Nebraska has awarded half of $218M in rural health program | Cindy Gonzalez
COMMENTARY
EDITOR'S CHOICE
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