Good morning, Lincoln. Here's what you should know today.
Affordable housing complex fills up
All 192 apartments at one of the largest affordable housing projects in Lincoln are rented, the Indiana-based developer told community leaders inside a white tent in the parking lot of the complex in west Lincoln.
The president of the Annex Group was on hand Thursday for a ribbon-cutting at the $35 million Union at Middle Creek affordable housing project, the first foray into Lincoln by the Indiana-based group. He said this was the company’s first investment in Lincoln but it won’t be the last.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird has set a goal of creating 5,000 new affordable housing units by 2030. She said the city is ahead of schedule to meet that goal, having incentivized the creation of 2,670 units so far.
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Zoo announces red panda cubs
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo announced Thursday that red panda mom Tián gave birth to a set of triplets in August.
One female and two male red panda cubs were born on August 10th.
Tian is also the mom to twin male pandas, born in June 2023, and the zoo’s first red panda cub born eight years ago.
While triplet cubs do happen, a mom being able to raise triplets successfully is rare, according to the zoo’s general curator, so it helps that Tian is a seasoned pro. Names for the cubs have not yet been decided.
LPS enrollment grows
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Lincoln Public Schools broke its pattern of stagnant enrollment and grew by more than 600 students this school year, nearing the district’s highest-ever number of students.
LPS released its official enrollment numbers for the 2024-25 school year Thursday afternoon, boasting a growth of 647 students across the district, with a total of 42,282 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12th grades — just 15 fewer than LPS’s record enrollment in 2019-20.
This is the first time in eight years the district has seen such a significant growth in enrollment, and Mike Gillotti, associate superintendent for educational services, said the spike was “a pleasant surprise” for the district.
That’s it for Friday, Nov. 8. Stay in the know with Lincoln’s longest-standing news source at JournalStar.com and we will see you back here tomorrow.
Photos: 2024 Election Day in Lincoln
Daily Nebraskan photographers Emma DeShon (left) and Izzy Lewis send photos to their news desk during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left), Liz Ring Carlson, Lancaster County Commissioner Christa Yoakum and her husband John Yoakum, a member of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District board, chat during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left) and Liz Ring Carlson speak with Lancaster County Board Commissioner Christa Yoakum during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the DelRay 817.
Joanna Davis-Yoakum wears earrings encouraging people to vote during a Democratic watch party on Tuesday at DelRay 817.
Members of the Lancaster Democratic Party congregate during an election night watch party Tuesday at DelRay 817.
Chelsea Richardson (center right) points to a board projecting election results to Kyle Carson (right) both of Lincoln, at a Dan Osborn watch party at Embassy Suites in La Vista on Tuesday.
Incumbent state Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln (center) talks with her mother Debbie Curry of Columbus (right) at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward (left) talks with incumbent Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
District 27 legislative candidate Dawn Liphardt of Lincoln attends a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
Republicans, including Auditor Mike Foley, attend a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, speaks at an election watch party along with his wife, Susanne Shore, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
Cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris are set up at a Democrat watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
Benita Casas wears a cat mascot head while enjoying a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
Democratic Party members congregate around a photo area with cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris during an election night watch party Tuesday Delray 817.
Michael Marcheck poses for a portrait in front of a photo area during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
Chris McCoy (left) and Laura Heine chat during a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
Rep. Adrian Smith speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday. She won her bid for a third term.
Rep. Don Bacon talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science sophomore Leo Sabbini gets ready to make a phone call next to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood at U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (from left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer as volunteers make calls at a phone bank drive at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
First District Rep. Mike Flood and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talk with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (left) talks with Sen. Deb Fischer at Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. The two stopped by to talk with volunteers on Election Day as they made calls to voters.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts talks with supporters at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Election Day in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. Volunteers were making phone calls to voters on Election Day.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood carry pizzas for volunteers making phone calls at Deb Fischer's campaign office in Lincoln on Election Day.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with volunteers at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
Voting stickers are available on a table to voters at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Chris McCollister (left) votes along with others Nov. 5 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Lake Schulke casts her vote on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Katie Goeling (right) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day in November 2024 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Katie Goeling (left) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Katie Goeling (center) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Election official Bob Snider works during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Toussaint Barrett votes Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center.
People line up to vote Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
