News from Jena’s city life. Information on urban development, the University, local business, and stories about the people shaping Jena.
The ADAC rescue helicopter ‘Christoph 70’ saw a significant increase in activity in 2025. Stationed at Jena-Schöngleina, the crew completed 1,089 missions—a 12 percent rise from the previous year. Primarily responding to traffic accidents and cardiovascular emergencies within a 70-kilometer radius, the yellow helicopter remains an indispensable lifesaver for the city and its surrounding regions.
Dog owners in the Saale-Holzland-Kreis are on high alert after manipulated food baits were discovered in Crossen an der Elster. Sausage pieces filled with screws were found by local residents, posing a deadly threat to pets. Local police have launched an investigation into this act of animal cruelty and are seeking witnesses. Learn more about this incident and other regional updates.
Mixed news from Schloss Hummelshain: while the iconic heraldic lions and bears are being professionally restored with national support, a fallen tree has destroyed the historical ‘Herzogsstein’ in the palace park. A new donation campaign has been launched to replace the monument in time for a major 200th-anniversary celebration in 2026. Discover how craftsmanship and community effort are working to preserve this Thuringian landmark.
Facing a sudden fever or a late-night medical issue in Jena? On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, healthcare remains accessible outside regular hours. From the GP emergency practice at the university hospital to the on-call pharmacy in Jena-Lobeda, we have compiled all essential contacts and locations for non-life-threatening emergencies across the city and surrounding areas.
A research team from the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena has uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved Triassic ecosystem in the Atacama-Wüste. Featuring rare soft-tissue fossils of insects, fish, and plants, the discovery offers a unique window into Earth’s history 200 million years ago and provides critical data on how life recovers from extreme global climate changes.
Jena’s city center saw massive protests on Tuesday as over 1,000 workers joined a warning strike called by the Verdi and GEW unions. Affecting schools, universities, and the Universitätsklinikum Jena, the action demanded significant pay increases. With heavy traffic delays and limited hospital operations, the pressure is now mounting ahead of critical negotiations in Potsdam today.
In 2025, the crew of ‘Christoph 70’ faced a record year with 1,089 missions—a 12% increase from the previous year. Based at Flugplatz Jena-Schöngleina, the helicopter remains a vital lifeline for East Thuringia, responding to everything from serious accidents on the A4 to critical medical emergencies where every second counts.
Jena faces a financial balancing act. While the city administration navigates a budget freeze, the Stadtwerke Jena Group is launching a massive 150-million-euro investment offensive for 2026. Key projects include the energy transition, housing renovations via jenawohnen, and the modernization of the GalaxSea leisure pool. Discover how Jena aims to remain future-proof despite a tightening communal budget.
In modern society, the “village” needed to raise a child is often missing. The Bürgerstiftung Jena Saale-Holzland is urgently seeking a volunteer “wellcome angel” to support a family with a newborn in Jena-Lobeda. By offering a few hours of your time each week for simple tasks like walking the stroller or listening, you can provide essential relief. Discover how you can help strengthen families in our community.
A kitchen fire in Jena on Monday afternoon caused over €50,000 in damages and left an apartment uninhabitable. While no residents were harmed, firefighters successfully rescued a cat from the smoke-filled rooms. The blaze, which broke out in a residential area, highlights the dangers of kitchen fires and the importance of rapid emergency response.
