Good morning, Grand Island.

The Nebraska State Fair announced that over 50 western vendors will open a marketplace featuring shopping, food, and animal viewing at the 98th Annual Aksarben Stock Show on the Fonner Park Campus from Sept.

25 to 28—families will have a chance to browse western wear, custom embroidery, and home décor during the event.

The Grand Island Area Farmers Market announced that it will host a Harvest Festival later this fall with local vendors, food, and crafts for families.

Officials said the event will bring community members together in Grand Island to celebrate the season.

Yesterday, Pleasanton Public Schools held a groundbreaking for a new addition—Red Willow County began cleaning up damage from Tuesday storms, a Lexington man died in a Highway 30 crash, and the Grand Island Area Farmers Market will host a Harvest Festival later this weekend.

Laura Gamboa Urrego, director of community engagement at Stuhr Museum, helped organize Welcoming Week to support a diverse community and will be honored on Oct.

16 in Omaha and Oct. 23 locally for her work—her outreach connects nonprofits, schools, and immigrant groups in Grand Island. Born in Colombia and active in local outreach, she builds unity by bringing community partners together.

The City of Grand Island will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 25 to celebrate the new Pier Park Skatepark.

City officials including Mayor Roger Steele, Parks & Recreation Director Todd McCoy, and Chamber President Mary Berlie will speak at the event—marking the first major update to the park in nearly 25 years at a total cost of $892,783.50.

A new Chick-fil-A opened in Grand Island on September 18th—bringing a fresh fast-food option to local diners.

Nearly 40,000 votes have been cast in the Coolest Thing Made In Nebraska contest, and the final four contenders are Dorothy Lynch salad dressing from Tasty Toppings Inc. in Duncan, Wool Yarn from Brown Sheep Company in Scottsbluff, Custom Artificial Limbs from Limb Lab in Lincoln, and the AF Series Combine Harvester from Case IH in Grand Island — voting will continue until Sept. 28 and the winner will be named Oct. 6 during the Manufacturing Summit in La Vista.

About 30 people attended a meeting at the Grand Island Public Library where state Sen. Margo Juarez and ProRail Nebraska officials gathered feedback on expanding passenger rail service in our region.

She said the input will guide a rail planning study that may lead to a new bill in the 2026 session—aiming to improve local transit options.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined the FTC lawsuit against Ticketmaster—accusing the company of deceptive pricing practices that include low starting prices with added fees and extra ticket purchasing margins.

The lawsuit seeks to stop these practices and impose penalties to help protect fans and performers.

CHI Health Good Samaritan Foundation got its biggest gift so far, $12.6 million, to renovate its Maternity Center and update its cardiology suites.

The work will start in spring 2026 and add 11 new birthing rooms and modern imaging equipment—naming the centers after Dr. Dennis L. Edwards and Dr. Daniel J. McGowan as set by the donor.

Oktoberfest Celebration

4-10 p.m. — Liederkranz — Members $5, Non-Members $10 — Enjoy live music by The Killigans, food, and family fun at this festive event.

Platte Valley Boer-Nanza Goat Sale

11 AM – 11:59 PM — Fonner Park — Free entry — Experience the excitement of the annual Boer goat sale in Grand Island.

Colten Wyatt Band: Boot Barn Grand Opening

3-7 p.m. — Old Town Boot Barn — Free entry — Enjoy live music and vibes at the Boot Barn's Grand Opening celebration in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Jeff Smithart LIVE!

7:30-11:30 p.m. — Bandits Sports Bar — Free entry — Enjoy live music and festivities during the Nebraska vs Minnesota football game.