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DEVELOPING: XGR–PROPERTY TAXES, BKC–BIG 12 COACHES
ADDS: XGR–DEATH PENALTY, XGR–LETHAL INJECTION, TD AMERITRADE-THINKORSWIM GROUP
XGR–DEATH PENALTY
LINCOLN—State Sen. Brenda Council says she’ll pick up the fight to keep prisoners from being executed in Nebraska, introducing a bill to repeal the death penalty and vowing to battle a bill changing the state’s method of execution. Council, of Omaha, said Thursday that she’s adamantly opposed to capital punishment and assured her constituents she’d pick up where her predecessor—Ernie Chambers—left off. Chambers was forced out of office by term limits. By Anna Jo Bratton. Eds: Note includes contents from XGR–Lethal Injection.
AP Photos NENH105-106 by Nati Harnik.
XGR–LETHAL INJECTION
LINCOLN—Three of Nebraska’s top Republicans are propelling a new law to change how condemned prisoners are executed, and they’re determined it be debated by the full Legislature this year. Speaker Mike Flood was flanked by Gov. Dave Heineman and Attorney General Jon Bruning Thursday as he announced that he’ll introduce a bill to make lethal injection the state’s method of execution. By Anna Jo Bratton. Eds: Note includes contents found in XGR–Death Penalty.
AP Photo NENH101-104 by Nati Harnik.
XGR–PROPERTY TAXES
LINCOLN—A lawmaker is proposing a massive shift in how Nebraska delivers property tax relief, saying the current system benefits corporations and even out-of-state landowners. Under the bill (LB13) introduced on Thursday by Sen. Tom White of Omaha, only homeowners would get relief from the state through a pot of $115 million that is sent to county governments. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
— XGR–CAR SMOKE—Lighting up in a car could get you traffic ticket, if a Nebraska lawmaker gets her way.
— XGR–BEATRICE PROBLEMS—Relatives of some residents of the troubled center in Beatrice for developmentally disabled Nebraskans want more assurances the center won’t be shut down.
— XGR–ILLEGAL WORKERS—An Omaha lawmaker is taking aim at employers in the fight over illegal immigration.
BUSINESS:
TD AMERITRADE-THINKORSWIM GROUP
OMAHA—Online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. is buying thinkorswim Group Inc. for $606 million to strengthen its trading business and add new tools for advanced options, futures and other trades. Ameritrade announced the stock and cash deal Thursday morning. Thinkorswim shareholders will receive $3.34 cash and 0.398 shares of Ameritrade for every share they hold of thinkorswim, which is an online brokerage and investor education provider. By Business Writer Josh Funk. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
ALSO:
— BUFFALO NEWS-BUYOUTS—The Buffalo News is offering buyouts to about 300 employees in the newsroom and other departments because of tough economic times. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Moved on state and national news and financial lines.
— WAYNE LAYOFFS—Nearly six dozen people will not be going to work next week at a Nebraska truck trailer plant.
— PRISON CHICKEN—Three men suing over frozen chicken they ate while in prison are getting their day in court. Eds: Also moving on state news lines.
— AGRICULTURE SURVEY—Farmers are being urged to cooperate with the annual survey being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— UP-COAL SHIPMENTS—Union Pacific has set more records for delivering coal out of Wyoming’s Southern Powder River Basin.
SPORTS:
BKC–BIG 12 COACHES
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The preliminaries are over. Ready or not, Big 12 teams are about to open conference play. By Sports Writer Doug Tucker.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— JUDGE VACANCY—A spokeswoman for Gov. Dave Heineman says that once Heineman receives a list of nominees for a western Nebraska judgeship, he’ll move as quickly as possible to replace Kristine Cecava. Voters removed Cecava from the Cheyenne County District Court bench, but she is continuing to serve as 12-county area in the Panhandle until a successor is named.
— AMERICAN LEGION SHOOTING—Two Omaha men will stand trial on homicide charges in the November shooting death of another man outside an American Legion hall.
— PHOTOGRAPHER CHARGED—A court hearing has been postponed for a Grand Island photographer accused of hiding a camera in his studio dressing room.
— DANCE MARATHON—Some students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are getting ready to put on their dancin’ shoes.
— OMAHA HOMICIDE—A 12-year-old Omaha boy who admitted accidentally shooting his 15-year-old friend to death will be going to Boys Town instead of a juvenile detention center.
— ATTACKS-AUDITORIUM—Lincoln’s Southeast High School has a new look and a new auditorium name that honors an alumna who died in the 2001 twin towers attacks.
— BAR HEIST—A thief who broke into a Lincoln bar got away almost empty-handed.
— TEEN ARRESTED—A 14-year-old boy wanted in a homicide case in Indiana has been arrested at Boys Town in west Omaha.
— MCCONAUGHY LAWSUIT—The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District is suing the North Platte Natural Resources District, saying the NRD is hindering efforts to restore Lake McConaughy’s water level.
— UTILITY FIRE—Omaha fire officials are investigating a fire that damaged a natural gas and water utility’s headquarters.
— ARSON TRIAL—A judge has ordered an evaluation and treatment plan for a Fremont woman the judge has cleared on an arson charge.
— BABY DIES—A Grand Island woman faces an April hearing and a new charge in the suffocation death of her 7-week-old baby.
— NELSON-VILSACK—Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson says he expects former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to win confirmation as the next head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The AP, Omaha.
