Good morning, Grand Island.

Hundreds gathered downtown to see Union Pacific’s Big Boy steam locomotive on its transcontinental journey; the massive 1.2 million pound engine stopped in Grand Island and is headed east to reach Philadelphia by the Fourth of July.

Central Nebraska Prevention Coordinator received the National Visionary Voice Award recently for outstanding contributions to local prevention efforts (recognizing years of dedicated service).

Kwik Trip, a family-owned convenience store chain from Wisconsin known as Kwik Star in parts of Iowa, is in early planning to open locations in Nebraska as it completes due diligence with no stores selected or timeline set.

Four UNK spring graduates were honored with the Nester Student Leadership Award for academic achievement and campus leadership, including Grand Island’s Jonathan Schardt, Ella Ferguson, Jenna Rauert, and Sam Schroeder.

The award recognizes outstanding seniors who excelled in their studies and campus service.

The Grand Island Public Library will launch its 2026 Summer Reading Challenge on Sunday, May 31.

The free program, open to children, teens and adults, runs until Saturday, Aug. 8 and offers rewards and prize drawings including a special contest for early registrants.

Lexington Regional Health Center will open a new rural health clinic in Elm Creek in mid-July.

The clinic will enhance local primary care and be mainly staffed by Leigh-Anne Lehmann (PA-C), made possible through a partnership with the Village of Elm Creek.

On Thursday, the Big Ten Conference released Nebraska volleyball's 2026 schedule — the 17-match round-robin season begins on Sept.

25 with a home game against Rutgers; match times and TV designations are still pending.

Nebraska SIEGE Pro Arena Football

7-11 p.m. — Heartland Events Center — Prices vary — Experience the excitement of arena football with Nebraska SIEGE in Grand Island.

Nebraska SIEGE Pro Arena Football

7-11 p.m. — Heartland Events Center — Tickets start at $48 — Experience thrilling arena football action at this local favorite event.