13-year-old girl from Japan suffers near-drowning at Hastings Aquacourt, prompting closure and cancellation of events.

13-year-old girl from a cultural exchange program with Hastings' sister city in Japan suffered a near-drowning incident at Hastings Aquacourt, leading to its closure for the remainder of 2024. The girl is in critical condition at a hospital in Omaha, and a GoFundMe page was set up for her medical expenses. The park, initially scheduled to close on August 9, has also canceled its Doggy Paddle event on August 12.