The supervisor in Omaha is Nelson Lampe. Anna Jo Bratton takes over at 3:30 p.m. If you have a news tip or questions about the report, call (800) 642-9920 or (402) 391-0031.
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DEVELOPING: SAFE HAVEN, VERASUN-FARMERS, BRAKE ON BIOFUELS, FBH–EWING-HUMPHREY ST. FRANCIS, FBH–AXTELL-HOWELLS
ADDS: WINTER OUTLOOK, BUFFETT AUCTION
SAFE HAVEN
LINCOLN—Nebraska lawmakers were scheduled on Thursday to announce the formation of a task force to look into issues raised by use of the state’s open-ended safe-haven law. The Legislature is expected to give final approval on Friday to a measure that would put a 30-day age limit in the law and have vowed to address what they say is a lack of services for troubled older youths. By Nate Jenkins
WINTER OUTLOOK
WASHINGTON—Winter looks likely to be mild in the Midwest and dry in the Southeast, the government said Thursday. Warmer-than-average temperatures are expected for the nation’s center, especially Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention. Also moving on national lines.
AP Graphic WINTER OUTLOOK.
BUFFETT AUCTION
OMAHA—Whether it’s a sign of the troubled financial times or wily art investors are waiting until the last minute, there’s been only one online bid for a signed portrait of Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett. As of 8 a.m. EST, the $100,000 offer that opened the bidding on Nov. 10 has not been raised. The Internet auction ends at 7 p.m. Thursday. By Nelson Lampe. Eds: Will be led after auction is closed. Moving on state and national news and financial lines.
AP Photo AH104 of Nov. 7.
BUSINESS:
VERASUN-FARMERS
SIOUX FALLS—VeraSun Energy is promising farmers payment in full for the corn they supplied in weeks leading up to the ethanol producer’s bankruptcy this month, but only if they agree to continue supplying corn at “prevailing market prices in accordance with the most favorable terms and conditions.” Farmers stand to bear the brunt of a shakeout in the ethanol industry. By Energy Writer Dirk Lammers. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mentions. Also moving on national lines.
BRAKE ON BIOFUELS
SAO PAULO, Brazil—Not long ago, investors were swarming Brazil’s biofuel industry, which churns out the cheapest ethanol on Earth. But the financial crisis has put the brakes on one of the country’s most promising export industries, as foreign investment and credit dries up and oil prices fall, making ethanol less competitive. By Al Clendenning. Eds: NOTE Nebraska interest. Also moving on national lines.
ALSO:
— INTERNET CENTER—Internet company People Search Media plans to open a customer support center in Omaha and hire up to 40 people over the next two years.
SPORTS:
FBH–EWING-HUMPHREY ST. FRANCIS
LINCOLN—Ewing beat undefeated Humphrey St. Francis 49-24 to win the state’s D-2 eight-man football championship game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
AP Photos planned.
FBH–AXTELL-HOWELLS
LINCOLN—Axtell takes on undefeated Howells in the state’s D-1 eight-man football championship game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Game time 7 p.m.
AP Photos planned.
With:
— FBH–NEBRASKA PREP PLAYOFFS-AT-A-GLANCE
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— GRAIN ELEVATOR BLAST—Authorities are investigating why a silo filled with corn caught fire and exploded at the central Nebraska city of Gothenburg, injuring one employee. Eds: AP Photo pursuing.
— PK MANUFACTURING FIRE—Officials have shut down a stretch of U.S. Highway 75 north of Omaha as firefighters continue fighting a blaze at the PK Manufacturing plant. Eds: AP Photo pursuing.
— BANKER INDICTMENT—An 80-year-old former Minden bank executive accused of stealing more than $11 million has pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
— JAIL ESCAPE—A Lancaster County Jail inmate who fled from a mental health center in Lincoln has been sentenced to 270 days in jail.
— NEWSPAPERS-THEFT—A 22-year-old old woman who works as an independent contractor for a newspaper has been accused of overbilling a Lincoln convenience store.
— WHOOPING COUGH—The Douglas County Health Department says a whooping cough outbreak at area school seems to have been contained.
— MARIJUANA BUST—A traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Lincoln has led to the seizure of 125 pounds of marijuana.
— SHOTS FIRED—Omaha police say an undercover drug operation ended with a police officer firing his weapon at a suspect’s vehicle.
— FORMER GUARD SENTENCED—A former guard has been given 20-22 years in a Nebraska prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.
— HOLIDAY GERMS—Health officials say traveling people mean traveling germs and everyone should be watching for symptoms of the flu and whooping cough with Thanksgiving approaching.
— ENGINEER SOFTWARE—A Lincoln software company has donated $5.4 million in software to Lincoln Public Schools.
— RURAL POLL—A poll of Nebraskans suggests they like living where they do and that the smaller their community, the more they like it.
— EDITORIAL RDP—Excerpts from recent Nebraska daily newspaper editorials on topics of statewide interest.
The AP, Omaha.
