Good Day
Grand Island
Thursday, April 9th, 2026
Good morning, Grand Island. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 9th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Homeless shelters report a sharp rise in residents aged 55 and older, with Crossroads Mission reporting a 212 percent jump over two years and Hope Harbor in Grand Island noting more seniors amid rising housing costs and nursing home closures. Hope Harbor will break ground on new apartments this year. KSNB
- ➤ CHI Health St. Francis Foundation’s Ticket to Win raffle starts ticket sales at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 15 in Conference Room 2/3 at the hospital. Tickets cost $100, offer a $10,000 grand prize and cash awards, and funds will support emergency responders and a Baby Bereavement Suite. Central Nebraska Today
- ➤ The Grand Island Public Library is hosting National Library Week events April 19-25 — with Pajamatime Storytime on April 20 at 6:15 p.m. in Bookingham Palace, followed by staff luncheon, scavenger hunt, volunteer day and book sale. The library celebrates finding joy in books, digital resources and community learning. Nebraska TV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Grand Island Public Library will host National Library Week from April 19-25 to celebrate its ‘Find Your Joy’ theme with activities for all ages. The library’s schedule includes events like Pajamatime Storytime (6:15 p.m. at Bookingham Palace on April 20) as well as special appreciation events for staff, patrons and volunteers. Central Nebraska Today
- ➤ The Inspire Awards celebrated women's achievements in Grand Island during Wednesday's Boulder Flatts event. Photos capture the awardees and highlight the community's recognition of these accomplishments. The Grand Island Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh secured a surprise funding boost from a Buffett-backed foundation — it pledged millions to expand free school meals for thousands of Nebraska students. The Grand Island Independent
- ➤ Today, Nebraska Extension educator Elizabeth Exstrom advised homeowners to apply preemergence herbicide early (using soil temperatures of 55 to 56 degrees in central Nebraska) to help stop crabgrass; she added that if weeds sprout, a killing frost later in April may still keep them in check. Nebraska TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Grand Island was named one of 20 finalists for the 2026 All-America City Award by the National Civic League, which honors civic engagement and innovation. A local delegation will travel to Denver from June 26 through June 28 to present the community’s work. Nebraska TV
- ➤ Troopers and local officers are joining forces through the Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign for Distracted Driving Awareness Month to warn drivers against phone distractions, with the initiative running today until April 13 (NDOT funds it). Central Nebraska Today
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Nebraska is moving ahead to implement new Medicaid work requirements with enforcement set for May 1; the Nebraska Hospital Association launched a bilingual website to help residents understand the new verification steps in English + Spanish. KSNB
- ➤ Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska announced that its Behavioral Health Services programs in Grand Island will close in two phases — Day Rehabilitation and Day Support end April 24 while Emergency Community Support, Community Support and SOAR conclude on June 30 as the agency helps clients transition to support providers. Central Nebraska Today
- ➤ Retired agronomist Randy Zmek from Fullerton warned that drinking water from Grand Island nearly reaching Columbus contains elevated levels of iron, manganese, arsenic, Atrazine & uranium, chemicals reported as potential causes of Parkinson's disease. The Grand Island Independent
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Nebraska basketball forward Berke Büyüktuncel entered the NCAA transfer portal Wednesday morning. The 6-foot-10 junior, who transferred from UCLA and played two seasons with the Huskers, will have one year of eligibility remaining. KSNB
- ➤ Nebraska Siege signed linebacker Jayson Serda as its first player, marking a historic step in building its arena football team in Grand Island. The team will hold tryouts on April 11 at the Hawks Championship Center at UNL in Lincoln + invite local talent to join its debut season. KSNB
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La Fe Norteña Concert
9 PM – 3 AM — Diamond Reception Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the vibrant energy of live Mexican-American music with La Fe Norteña and Los Plebes Del 402.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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