Good morning, Grand Island.

UNK Pride of the Plains announced its 2026 season schedule starting with Aug.

27 at Foster Field. The band will perform at Kearney football games and parades, including the Band Day Parade on Sept. 19 and Homecoming Parade on Oct. 3.

The Nebraska State Fair is set to begin Friday, Aug.

28 in Grand Island and is expected to boost the local economy by drawing over 330,000 visitors each year. Officials say many visitors will come from nearby areas and beyond, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and shops.

The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation announced that nominations are open for the 2026 Kim West Dinsdale Excellence in Teaching Award, which honors exceptional educators (nominations run from Sept.

1 to Oct. 2). Any community member can nominate a teacher or counselor from a local school.

Central Nebraska Humane Society Board President Greg Geis and Executive Director Ashley Meister told Hall County Commissioners on Aug.

25 in Grand Island that the society gave the city six months notice to stop housing stray pets amid conflicting claims about its insurance. The county contract remains in effect.

The Grand Island Fire Department will host a grand opening for its new Station 3 tomorrow at 4 p.m. at 2310 S.

Webb Road; city officials (City Council President Ryan O’Neill, City Administrator Pat Brown, and Fire Chief Cory Schmidt) will deliver remarks before a ribbon cutting and facility tours.

The Central Nebraska Humane Society brought its contract dispute with the city before county commissioners on Tuesday, Aug.

25, after adjustments to monthly payments disrupted a three-year contract; the shelter said it will negotiate a new lump-sum deal before its six-month notice expires (county officials support its position).

State Street in Grand Island remains closed from Tuesday for road reconstruction (from Aspen Lane to Highway 281 including the Diers Avenue section) and will stay shut until Nov.

20.

Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation raised $250,000 from donors and a grant to replace aging defibrillators at its Hastings facility (the new units offer pediatric features and real-time heart data to guide care).

Nebraskans are invited to help reclaim the We Give Blood title by reaching a 20,000-donation goal in a nationwide competition sponsored by Abbott + the Big Ten Conference.

Donors may log their donations today until December 4 to support this life-saving effort.

CHI Health Good Samaritan and CHI Health St. Francis offer a free online estate planning service during national Make a Will month to help residents document their personal and healthcare wishes.

The program also invites users to consider a legacy gift to support local patient care.