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DEVELOPING: MISSING INVESTMENTS, BBA–ROYALS CARAVAN
ADDS: STATE OF STATE, WINTER WEATHER-NEBRASKA,
STATE OF STATE
LINCOLN—The days of big tax cuts appear to be over in Nebraska as the state braces for the effects of the free-falling national economy. Gov. Dave Heineman presented his budget to Nebraska lawmakers Thursday amid the toughest economic climate in decades. The stock market is plummeting, tax revenue is falling and “state government must tighten its belt just like Nebraska families and businesses are doing,” Heineman said Thursday. By Anna Jo Bratton.
AP Photo NENH101-105.
With:
— XGR–STATE OF STATE-GLANCE
— XGR–SOCIAL SECURITY—The taxation of Social Security benefits would be phased out over the next four years under a plan presented by a Nebraska lawmaker.
— XGR–DRIVER CHECKS—Providing fingerprints and getting an extensive criminal background check could be a prerequisite for transporting kids and vulnerable adults under state care.
— XGR–DEATH PENALTY—A proposal to replace the electric chair with lethal injection will compete with one that calls for repealing the death penalty altogether in Nebraska.
WINTER WEATHER-NEBRASKA
OMAHA—It was so cold in Omaha—down to minus 15—that homeless people didn’t come out for a free meal at a roving Salvation Army canteen. Spokeswoman Susan Eustice said Thursday that her organization operates two warming stations during the day and a roving canteen at night.
BUSINESS:
MISSING INVESTMENTS
A trial date is set for an executive of a now-defunct Papillion medical staffing company accused of stealing more than $111,000 from his employees’ 401(k) plans and trying to cover it up. By Jean Ortiz. Eds: Moving on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
BBA–ROYALS CARAVAN
OMAHA—Kansas City infielders Mike Aviles and Alex Gordon are featured at the Royals Caravan stop in Omaha. Aviles was the Royals’ player of the year after batting .325 with 10 home runs. Gordon returns to his home state, where he starred for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
AP Photos.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— COMSTOCK-LAND SALE—A 306-acre site near land where the Comstock Music Series is held has been sold at public auction.
— VOLUNTEER LIABILITY—Volunteers preparing to respond to disasters have the same immunity from liability as those in paid positions.
— TWO VICTIMS—Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine says an investigation into a shooting that left two people dead is trying to answer whether the shooting was justified.
— FREMONT ARSON—Fire investigators say a 19-year-old man set fire to his family home in Fremont.
— FIREMAN’S LAWSUIT—A former firefighter recruit in Lincoln is taking the city to court to get his job back.
— BB GUN VANDALISM—Police are looking for suspects in a rash of vandalism that damaged dozens of cars in the Omaha area.
— TODDLER INJURED—Omaha police have arrested a man in a hit-and-run crash that injured a toddler last month.
— INAUGURATION-BIPARTISAN DINNERS—More Republicans—including Nebraska’s Chuck Hagel—are taking prominent roles in a series of dinners planned the night before President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration as a nod toward bipartisanship in government.
— PRESIDENTIAL HELP—Ten Omaha police officers are headed to Washington to help with next week’s presidential inauguration.
— WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS—A Kansas couple have been told to stop hunting for three years while on probation for violating federal laws on transporting wildlife killed in violation of state law.
The AP, Omaha.
