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Please send stories of state or regional interest by electronic carbon, by fax at (402) 391-1412 or e-mail to omahane(at)ap.org. Technical problems may be reported to (800) 822-9921.
TOP 10-STORIES
OMAHA—Troubled teenagers from across the country were among children dropped off under Nebraska’s ill-conceived safe-haven law, and the bizarre situation was voted the year’s top state story by members of The Associated Press. State senators who passed the bill early in the year were trying to bring Nebraska in line with the other 49 states, which already had laws intended to protect newborns from being abandoned in trash bins, or worse. By Anna Jo Bratton.
AP Photo.
With:
— BC-NE–TOP 10-LIST
— BC-NE–TOP 10-PAST
MELTDOWN-PETS
UNDATED—A growing number of Americans are giving up their dogs and cats to animal shelters as the emotional bonds between people and pets get tested by economic ones. From the Malvern, Pa., man who turned his two dogs over in order to help pay for his mother’s cancer treatments to the New York woman who euthanized her cat rather than keeping it alive with expensive medications, rising economic anxieties make it increasingly difficult for some pet owners to justify spending $1,000 a year or more on pet food, veterinary services and other costs. By Margery A. Gibbs. Eds: Moving on state news and financial services. Also moving on national news and financial lines.
AP Photo NENH203.
MORAST-TRIBES
MITCHELL, S.D.—American Indian tribes could have more influence in management of the Missouri River after a bylaw change by the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes. The change increased the number of tribal representatives on MoRAST’s board of directors from six to 13. Eds: Note Nebraska mention as member of MoRAST.
BUSINESS:
— IRRIGATION PROFITS—Farmers continued investing in irrigation systems in 2008, but the steady stream of orders slowed in the fall at Lindsay Corporation because crop prices fell and the economy faltered.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— ELKHORN FIRE-DEATH—Fire investigators say they’ve recovered a body from a fire-ravaged business in Elkhorn. The two-alarm fire at Peterson RV Sales and Service was reported about 2 a.m. Sunday.
The AP, Omaha.
