Happy Friday Ledgers,

Challengers, but make it Lincoln. Beginning November 4th, Lincoln will welcome international talent as it hosts a women’s professional tennis tournament at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center, located on the University of Nebraska campus. According to a Ledger Contributor, this International Tennis Federation (ITF) sanctioned event is the pro circuit's "minor leagues," offering up-and-coming players from across the globe a chance to compete for a $15,000 prize. 🏆

In this week’s issue:

• Barbeque: Squirrel sparks power outage across Lincoln and UNL campus

• What To Do: Happy hour, spooktacular, and P!nk. 👩‍🎤

• Sportz: “Getcha head in the game”

• Neighborhood Watch: Berry Boys’ Dream 🍓

Picture this: It's 2011. You're at a packed frat house, Huskers vs. Penn State on the TV, rocking your Sperry Topsiders with a solo cup in hand. You turn to your buddy and slur, "Man, I hope they play 'Sexy and I Know It' at the Brass Rail tonight." Little did you know, you were witnessing history—the last time Nebraska would beat a top-25 team.

So, is this finally the year we break the curse? Or are we destined to marinate in college football purgatory forever?

- Landon

#BARBEQUE

Squirrel sparks power outage across Lincoln and UNL campus ⚡🐿️

If you smelled something a little… crispy in the air Tuesday morning, it wasn’t just your furnace turning on for the first time in months—it was a squirrel, and it left parts of Lincoln in the dark. What started with a flash on a high-voltage power line turned into a power outage that hit local neighborhoods and UNL campus.

What happened?… Tuesday morning, a squirrel made contact with a transformer, the creature taking a break from absolutely devouring what you thought was your full fall season pumpkin porch display. This furry catastrophe triggered a power outage that stretched from North 1st Street to 27th Street and Benson Street to R Street. The UNL campus was also hit hard, with multiple buildings, including dorms like Abel, Harper, Schram, and Smith Hall, losing power. The outage also affected elevators, leading to eight emergency calls for people trapped inside. 🛗

Lincoln Fire & Rescue quickly responded, safely rescuing everyone caught in elevators, and, fortunately, no injuries were reported. Outside of campus, traffic lights were down, leading to traffic issues in nearby neighborhoods.

Happy ending… Power was restored to most affected areas by 10 a.m., though UNL faced a slight delay in full restoration due to more significant damage on campus. Once power was restored, traffic lights returned to normal, and life in the area began to return to its usual pace by late morning, the remaining singular goard on your front porch, finally feasted upon by the dearly departed’s next-of-kin.

Sources:

The Daily Nebraskan — “BREAKING: Squirrel causes power outage in different parts of campus” | By Alex Gryczanowski

10/11 News — “Squirrel causes power outage affecting 3,400 in Lincoln” 

WHAT TO DO

Happy Hour, Spooktacular, and P!nk. 👩‍🎤

🍸 The Sitch
Tonight, we’re heading to check out The Sitch, a new bar concept by DISH, co-owned by James Beard semifinalist and “Chopped” runner-up Rachel McGill. Taking over the iconic O Street spot, once home to Marz and Gravity, this fresh addition seems like the perfect move for a Friday night. We haven’t made it there yet, but with McGill’s culinary cred, it’s sure to impress.

👻 Spooky Sports
Tomorrow is all about Husker football as they take on the undefeated, #16-ranked Indiana Hoosiers. Kickoff is at 11:00 AM. Here are a few of our go-to spots to catch the action:

• Sportscasters

• Brewsky’s

• Rosie’s

• Gate 25

• The Denton Daily Double

If spooky vibes are more your style, head to Nebraska Game and Parks’ Branched Oak Spooktacular from 3:30-9:00 PM. Perfect for families with little goblins who love Halloween, this event offers pumpkin picking, hayrack rides, and a chance to test-drive costumes before the big day (because let’s be real—it’s all about amortizing that outfit). Later in the evening, enjoy trick-or-treating and haunted trail rides.

🎫 Acro-Yoga Queen
On Sunday, we’ll be snagging last-minute tickets to see none other than P!nk at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Known for her powerhouse vocals and being a meme of herself when the flipping begins, P!nk never disappoints. Show starts at 7:30 PM—it’s time to scream-sing pop bangers.

SPORTZ

Sporting headlines from around the capital.

• 🏐 Volleyball: NU is on the road this weekend, starting with Michigan State tonight at 5:00 PM and Ohio State tomorrow 2:30 PM.

• 🏈 Football: Nebraska takes on #16 Indiana this weekend (Where to watch)

• 🤸‍♂️ Gymnastics: NU Women’s gymnastics schedule was released for 2024-2025.

• ⚽️ Soccer: Husker Women’s Soccer beat Oregon last night 3-0.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

6277 W Leealan Ln, Crete, NE 68333

Berry Boys’ Dream 🍓

This one's for the berry enthusiasts—whether or not this home actually is a berry farm remains a mystery, but with a sign that says “Strawberry” on the barn, we’re fully leaning in. Located just 20 minutes outside of Lincoln, this 5-bed, 3-bath home sits amidst the vines, practically begging to become your next rustic estate. It’s close to Blue Stem Recreation Area, so you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out and breathe in that fresh country air.

This home comes complete with all the essentials for your berry farming aspirations (or just living your best farmhouse life). A barn ready for operations, a charming garden shed, and vintage touches throughout make it feel like it’s been waiting for you all along.

The Details:

• 5 beds, 3 baths

• 3,583 sq/ft

• Built in 2014

• Vines x 100,000,000

❤️ KEEP: The craft room for your creative side, the antique doors and vintage touches throughout, the vines on the barn for a rustic feel, and the garden shed that’s basically Pinterest-ready.

🗑️ TOSS: The vines (as lovely as they are), the garage door on the back of the home (we see French doors here), and let’s rethink the flooring—lighter wood would brighten things up nicely.

🪄 The Plan: We’re going full modern farmhouse here, with a touch of Joanna Gaines magic (IG Inspo). First, we’ll free the house from its viney embrace and give the exterior a fresh board-and-batten makeover in soft brown, with white accents. Inside, we’ll keep the charming vintage pieces but elevate the look with a neutral, simple palette that lets them shine. The garage door in the living room? Gone. In its place, functional open space that flows beautifully.

And for the grand finale, we’ll extend the deck across the entire back of the home, giving you the perfect spot to soak in the Nebraska sunsets. Landscaping? Wild grasses, lavender, and a natural, unfussy approach that fits right into the serene countryside setting.

CHECKLIST

An over-ambitious weekend to-do list.

• Restock on contact solution. 👀

• Change your toothbrush. 🪥

• Swap your loofah out for a fresh one. 🧽

• Replenish your bathroom supplies. If you are every man in America, this means swapping out your 3-in-one body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. 🫧

• Break out your humidifier, the dry season is just about to begin. 🌵

HEADLINES

More news from around the capital.

• Voting: The Nebraska Supreme Court restored voting rights for individuals with past felony convictions.

• Bet: Warhorse Lincoln received approval to open on November 4th.

• Housing: An affordable housing project in the Air Park area moved forward.

• Micro-Loans: Lincoln will be home to a new micro-loan program for underserved communities.

🐯 Weekly Wildcard:
One headline (or post) we never saw coming.

• Hulk: Hulk Hogan stopped in Lincoln this week to promote his beer.