A New Place for Omaha's Stories

Dear Neighbors,

Welcome to the first edition of Omaha Commons!

It's an honor to serve as your editor in chief. I accepted this role as an opportunity to serve the community that has given so much to me and my family. Helping our neighbors stay informed, connected, and involved is one way I hope to give back.

I grew up in central Nebraska and have fond memories of our local newspaper. Before nearly everything moved online, that paper was where we learned what was coming up in the area, read about what had happened, and celebrated the milestones in our neighbors' lives. Familiar names and faces filled its pages, reminding us that our everyday lives were part of a shared community story.

That feeling has stayed with me, and it is part of what I hope to bring to Omaha Commons.

My vision for this paper is to share both what is happening and what is coming next. Alongside local news, I hope you will discover a community meeting, a library program, a neighborhood celebration, a volunteer opportunity, or an event you might otherwise have missed.

I also want us to recognize the people whose everyday contributions make Omaha stronger: the neighbor who shows up, the small business owner taking a chance, and the volunteer quietly making someone's day better. There should be room for life's milestones and moments of joy, too. Those stories deserve a place here.

Some stories will raise difficult questions. Others will give us reasons to celebrate. My commitment is to approach both with curiosity, care, and respect. That means valuing accuracy, welcoming different perspectives, and correcting mistakes openly.

I am grateful to Citizen Portal, a Soar company, for helping make this local newspaper possible.

Your voice will help shape Omaha Commons. Share an upcoming event, suggest a story, or introduce us to someone whose contributions to our community deserve recognition. I also invite you to share local photos you have taken that capture the beauty, character, and everyday life of Omaha. You can send them to editor@omahacommons.com; photos we publish will be credited and labeled as reader-submitted. I welcome your ideas and feedback as we build this paper together.

Thank you for being here at the beginning. I look forward to getting to know more of our neighbors and sharing the stories that help us feel more connected to the place we call home.

Omaha Commons. Local news for every neighbor. 💚

With appreciation,

Rikki Wardyn

Editor in Chief

Omaha Commons