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DEVELOPING: IMMIGRATION POLICY, VOL–NCAA-SEATTLE REGIONAL,
ADDS: REPORT CARD, FOSTER CARE REPORT, INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION, GOLD RUSH ART, IMMIGRATION-INDIAN TRIBE, SYRACUSE COACH,
IMMIGRATION POLICY
LINCOLN—A hearing about a new report on a statewide policy for illegal immigrants offered a taste of the divisive debate that could occur when the Legislature convenes next month. One state senator says, though, that the testimony offered him more clarity on the heated issue. By Jean Ortiz.
AP Photos.
REPORT CARD
OMAHA—The state’s latest report card shows Nebraska students continue to improve in meeting state education standards. The eighth annual state report card shows larger percentages of public school students last year met or exceeded standards for reading, math and writing, compared to the 2006-2007 school term. By Margery A. Gibbs.
FOSTER CARE REPORT
OMAHA—Nearly 20 percent of Nebraska children who were placed in foster care in 2007 had mental health problems that led to their placements, according to a report from the state Foster Care Review Board. The annual report released Friday by the independent board said those 739 children needed out-of-home care for behavioral issues. By Timberly Ross.
INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION
LINCOLN—A lawsuit alleging that state employees faced racial discrimination from state use of an insurance plan could be bolstered by findings from the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission. The state commission concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that the state’s use of so-called “zip code splits” discriminated against black state employees. State officials announced in August that use of the splits would stop beginning Jan. 1. By Nate Jenkins.
GOLD RUSH ART
RENO, Nev.—Charles B. Gillespie’s iconic California Gold Rush artwork is no longer a family secret. Historians are hailing the obscure 49er’s extensive collection of sketches and oil paintings after a descendant decided to put it up for sale this fall. By Martin Griffith. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention. Also moving on national lines.
AP Photos NY360, NY359, NY358, NY357, NY356.
IMMIGRATION-INDIAN TRIBE
WICHITA, Kan.—The leader of a group that claims to be an American Indian tribe was sentenced Friday to five years in prison in an immigration fraud case that ensnared about 12,000 people who believed his false claims that tribal membership gave them U.S. citizenship. Malcolm Webber, also known as Grand Chief Thunderbird IV, must also serve three years of probation after release from federal prison and forfeit more than $377,000 seized last year by agents who raided the Kaweah Indian Nation offices in Wichita. By Roxana Hegeman. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention.
BUSINESS:
GENERAL GROWTH-DEBT
WASHINGTON—Troubled mall owner General Growth Properties Inc., trying to stave off bankruptcy, said it is still trying to negotiate an extension on $900 million in debt that is due to be repaid Friday, but warned there can be “no assurance” it will get a reprieve. Investors, however, appeared optimistic that a bankruptcy filing would be avoided. Shares rose 39 cents, or 27 percent, to $1.83 in afternoon trading. The company owns Oak View and Westroads malls in Omaha. By Real Estate Writer Alan Zibel. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
ALSO:
— ALCAN CLOSING—Alcan Packaging plans to close its plant in the southeast Nebraska town of Syracuse and eliminate 71 jobs. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
VOL–NCAA-SEATTLE REGIONAL
SEATTLE—Nebraska takes on Michigan in the NCAA Seattle Regional, with the winner advancing to Saturday’s regional final against either Utah or Washington. Nebraska match starts 8 p.m.
AP Photo pursuing.
SYRACUSE COACH
SYRACUSE, N.Y.—New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone has been hired as coach at Syracuse, returning to the school where he played to try to rebuild a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2001. Marrone was a captain and three-year letterman at Syracuse in the mid-1980s, and the school said Friday he will succeed Greg Robinson, who was fired last month after going 10-37 in four seasons. By Sports Writer John Kekis. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention. Also moving on national lines.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— BABY DIES—A Kimball man has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse in the death of his 15-month-old son.
— RURAL SHOOTING—Central Nebraska authorities are investigating a shooting at a rural home near Overton that left a woman injured.
— CRASH SENTENCE—A 23-year-old Iowa man has been given 18 to 20 years in prison for the death of a Nebraska woman in a collision last year.
— BANK EMBEZZLEMENT—A 62-year-old former bank vice president has pleaded guilty to bank fraud in what officials say is one of the largest embezzlement cases the city of Omaha has seen.
— UTILITY RATES—Customers of the Omaha Public Power District will see their electricity rates go up next year.
— STEAK HEIST—Lincoln police are on the lookout for a steak burglar.
— RAILROAD DONATION—Union Pacific Railroad has donated $10,000 to the food bank that serves northeast Kansas and the Kansas City area.
— JOHANNS STAFF—Republican Mike Johanns is building his Senate staff, naming a legislative director and press secretary.
— DRESS DONATION—A dress shop owner in Aurora has given away thousands of dollars worth of dresses to make prom special for some underprivileged kids.
— GUARD FOUNDING—The founding of the National Guard was scheduled to be celebrated at an event in Lincoln.
— EDUCATION SECRETARY—A former University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor is rumored to be in the running for U.S. Secretary of Education.
— AGRICULTURE SUGGESTIONS—A group called Food Democracy Now is suggesting Chuck Hassebrook, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, to the incoming Obama administration as a good choice to become secretary of agriculture.
The AP, Omaha.
