You’d think a Friday in mid-January would be quiet in the Star City. Just the usual biting wind cutting across O Street and the slow-motion shuffle of people heading to the Haymarket for a drink. But the latest news from Lincoln Nebraska has been anything but quiet this week. Honestly, between a massive corporate shakeup on the north side of town and the Husker football roster essentially being rebuilt in real-time, there is a lot to chew on.
It's sorta strange how things happen all at once. One day you're hearing about road closures and the next, a century-old industry is scaling back while the local health department is literally putting vending machines on the street corners. If you've been away from the headlines for a few days, here is the reality of what’s actually going down in Lincoln right now.
The ADM Flour Mill Shocker
First off, let’s talk about the big one. ADM (Archer-Daniels-Midland) just dropped a bombshell. They are ending flour milling at their Lincoln plant. This isn't just some minor corporate tweak; it's a significant shift for a city that has "grain and grit" in its DNA.
They announced this on January 15, and the impact is pretty immediate. About 30 people are going to lose their jobs or have to find roles at other facilities. Now, ADM says they’ll keep doing the packaging and "extruded products"—basically the stuff that goes into those 2-pound to 25-pound bags you see at the grocery store—but the actual grinding of the wheat? That’s done.
Why? Efficiency. Tedd Kruse, the president of ADM Milling, basically said this is part of a five-year plan to "streamline." It’s tough news for the folks who have spent years working those 10,000 hundredweight-capacity machines. The site will still be active, but the smell of fresh-milled flour in that part of town is going to become a memory.
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Big Red’s Transfer Portal Madness
If you follow the Huskers, you know the "offseason" doesn't actually exist anymore. As of Friday night, January 16, Matt Rhule and his staff landed their 18th commitment since the New Year began.
Owen Stoudmire is the latest name to know. He’s a 6-foot-1, 292-pound defensive lineman coming in from Boston College. Basically, he’s a mountain of a human. Nebraska needed some serious beef on the defensive line, and Stoudmire brings 35 games of experience to the table. It's wild to think he actually played against the Huskers in the Pinstripe Bowl just a few weeks ago and now he’s wearing the scarlet and cream.
The portal officially "closed" its window at midnight on Friday, but the ripples of these 16 portal additions are going to define the 2026 season. You’ve got a mix of veteran leadership and raw talent that suggests the coaching staff isn't interested in a "slow build" anymore. They want to win now.
City Hall’s O Street Head-Scratcher
Moving over to local government, there’s been some drama with "Project O Street." If you’ve driven downtown lately, you know the city is planning a massive reinvestment—new water mains, resurfaced streets, and better sidewalks between 9th and 16th.
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But here’s the twist: Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird just announced the city is rebidding the construction contract. Apparently, the initial process led to a bunch of "confusion" among the bidders. This means the timeline might get a little funky. Originally, Phase 1 was supposed to kick off in late fall of 2025 and run through 2026, but with a rebid on the table, we’re all waiting to see if the orange cones show up later than expected.
Honestly, it’s probably better they fix the paperwork now rather than have a half-finished trench in front of the 14th Street Music District for three years.
HealthToGo and Trail Closures
In a move that’s sparked some dinner table conversation, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) just finished installing four "HealthToGo" vending machines. These aren't for Snickers bars. They offer free health, hygiene, and safety supplies. You can find them scattered around town, aimed at making basic essentials more accessible without the red tape.
On a more "outdoor" note, if you were planning on a weekend hike to clear your head, watch out. Wilderness Park trails have started closing daily until noon. They’re doing some intensive forestry maintenance work that’s slated to last through March 31. Don’t be the person who ignores the barricades; they’re dropping trees out there.
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What’s Happening Today (January 17, 2026)
If you’re looking for something to do right now, the Lincoln Women’s Expo is taking over the Sandhills Global Event Center. It’s a massive gathering—mothers, daughters, the whole nine yards. It runs until 5:00 PM today and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. For five bucks, it’s a solid way to escape the cold.
Also, for the sports fans who can’t wait for football, the Husker Women’s Tennis team is back at it. After beating James Madison 5-2 yesterday at the Dillon Tennis Center, they’re playing Omaha today at 2:00 PM.
Actionable Insights for Lincolnites
Life moves fast in a college town that’s trying to be a tech hub and a manufacturing center all at once. To stay ahead of the curve, here’s what you should actually do:
- Check your commute: 8th Street between O and P is closing Tuesday, January 20, for crane work. Don’t get stuck in that mess.
- Summer planning: Parks and Rec summer camp registration opens January 26 at 10:00 AM. Those spots for nature camps fill up faster than a Husker home game.
- Tax prep: The Nebraska Department of Revenue offices are closed Monday, January 19, for the holiday. If you’re looking into those new Child Care Refundable Tax Credits, get your eDASH account set up now so you’re ready when applications peak in February.
- Stay safe: The LPD is still running their Winter Traffic Safety Project. They’re specifically looking for impaired drivers and seat belt violations through the end of March.
Lincoln is in a weird state of transition. We’re losing a bit of our industrial past with the ADM mill change, but we're seeing huge investments in downtown infrastructure and a total overhaul of the university’s biggest brand. It’s a lot to keep track of, but that’s the Star City for you—always moving, even when the wind tries to freeze everything in place.
Next Steps for Staying Updated:
- Set a calendar reminder for the January 26 City Council public meeting if you want to voice concerns about the O Street contract delays.
- Bookmark the City of Lincoln LTU project map to see if your specific neighborhood is on the list for the 92 upcoming 2026 road projects.
- If you're a job seeker affected by the ADM changes, check the NEworks portal immediately, as the city often fast-tracks regional transition assistance for displaced industrial workers.