Good morning, Grand Island.

The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation held its 2025 Gift of a Legacy event on Thursday at Riverside Golf Club and honored the Hornady family with the Legacy Award for their long-term leadership and generous support in Grand Island.

Their contributions include scholarships and funding for local projects that continue to shape the community.

Grand Island nonprofits and city officials are working together to help families as SNAP benefits are set to end this weekend—local groups are stepping up food assistance efforts.

The Salvation Army is serving about 250 people in recent days while Hope Harbor and Community Crossroads also offer support and call for donations.

On Oct. 28, the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation awarded seven classroom grants totaling $9,059 for the 2025-2026 school year to benefit 2,385 students—supporting innovative projects from a pico-balloon adventure at Walnut Middle to a milkweed planting at Knickrehm Elementary. The grants aim to boost hands-on learning and creative problem-solving across the district.

Ten months into its five-year contract with the city, VenuWorks reported a loss of $665,343 in managing Heartland Events Center, the director said—raising concerns about the facility’s financial future.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission reminds natural gas customers that the Cold Weather Rule, effective today until March 31, stops utilities from disconnecting service without giving an extra 30 days for late payments—customers facing difficulties should contact their provider to set up a payment plan.

Governor Jim Pillen concluded a four-day trade mission to Israel on Thursday—he met with officials like Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog while promoting Nebraska beef exports and defense technology.

The trip strengthened ties as Nebraska now provides over 99% of U.S. beef exports to Israel and a local plant expanded to meet kosher standards.

Nebraska Extension says pumpkins are healthy as they offer vitamin C & antioxidants along with vitamin A, E and potassium.

Cami Wells explained that the versatile vegetable can be used in desserts, chili, pasta dishes and soup and advised freezing or pressure-canning cubes for later use.

The Nebraska Community Blood Bank is offering donors a chance to win two 50-yard-line tickets to the Nebraska vs. Iowa game on Nov.

28 if they donate blood from Nov. 2 to Nov. 21—NCBB warns that current supplies are low, especially for Type O blood needed in emergencies.

Northwest swept Omaha Gross Catholic 25-15, 25-18, 29-27 in the Class B, District 5 semifinals on Thursday night as Ava Janulewicz set a new career kills record with 18 kills.

The win advanced the second-seeded team into Saturday’s final against top-seeded Waverly—first serve is scheduled for 11 a.m.

On Friday, Nebraska's top-ranked volleyball team swept Wisconsin (25-22, 25-19, 25-13) at UW Field House in Madison, extending its winning streak to 37 sets and clearing the final hurdle to an undefeated regular season.

The Cornhuskers will face Oregon tomorrow at 1 p.m. at John Cook Arena as pregame coverage begins at noon.