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DEVELOPING: NEBRASKA WRAP-UP
ADDS: SUPCO–POLICE FIRING, SUPCO–CAMPAIGN FINANCE, DUI LEGISLATION-IGNITION LOCKS, MIDWEST ECONOMY, INTERNATIONAL BOWL,
SUPCO–POLICE FIRING
LINCOLN—The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that inflammatory remarks an Omaha police officer made against city and police bosses in a union newspaper shouldn’t have led to his firing. In 2005, police officer Kevin Housh was fired for writing an opinion piece that was sharply critical of city and police officials. Housh was later reinstated, but the police union said the city had interfered with the rights of union members to engage in protected labor speech. By Nate Jenkins.
SUPCO–CAMPAIGN FINANCE
LINCOLN—An Omaha city councilman did not break the law when filming part of a campaign advertisement in his office, the Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled. Councilman Jim Vokal had spent at least $23,000 overturning the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission’s $100 fine for an alleged campaign violation. When Vokal, a Republican, sought re-election in 2005, about seven seconds of a 30-second television advertisement were recorded in his city office. The state Democratic Party executive director at the time, Barry Rubin, filed a complaint. By Nate Jenkins.
DUI LEGISLATION-IGNITION LOCKS
CHICAGO—Motorists convicted of driving drunk will have to install breath-monitoring gadgets in their cars under new laws taking effect in Nebraska and five other states. The ignition interlocks prevent engines from starting until drivers blow into the alcohol detectors to prove they’re sober. By Michael Tarm. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
AP Photo CX101.
With:
— BC-IGNITION LOCKS-GLANCE
BUSINESS:
MIDWEST ECONOMY
OMAHA—The recession will worsen and unemployment rates will likely soar in nine Midwest and Plains states over the next few months, but a new survey of business leaders suggests the region may fare better than the nation as a whole. The overall index for the region’s Mid-America Business Conditions survey fell to 33 in December from November’s record low of 37.8.
With:
— MIDWEST ECONOMY-GLANCE
SPORTS:
NEBRASKA WRAP-UP
LINCOLN—Nebraska’s football program may not be rebuilt, but the foundation is poured after four straight wins to finish the season, including the gritty Gator Bowl victory over Clemson. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
AP Photos
FBC–INTERNATIONAL BOWL
TORONTO—For someone accustomed to big games and who won three national titles with Nebraska as an assistant coach, Buffalo head coach Turner Gill was unable to contain his excitement in the days leading up to the International Bowl. “Hello, ladies and gentlemen! Live at Rogers Centre …” Gill announced, before breaking into a laugh as his players prepared for practice at the downtown Toronto domed stadium. By Sports Writer John Wawrow.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— PLANE CRASH—Federal officials are blaming a fatal Nebraska plane crash on bad weather and a pilot who used pot.
— CLERK SLAIN—Police say a clerk was shot as two armed robbers fled her convenience store in southeast Omaha.
— TORNADOES-DEADLY 2008—Last year in Iowa, tornadoes claimed the lives of a dozen people and injured at least 130.
— UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS—Nebraska is raising its maximum benefit rate for unemployment benefits.
The AP, Omaha.
