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EXONERATED INMATES
LINCOLN—Five people imprisoned for the 1985 rape and murder of a 68-year-old woman were pardoned Monday, two months after investigators said DNA evidence proved they were innocent. In all, six people were convicted in the death of Helen Wilson of Beatrice. The killer left blood all over the walls, and investigators described a gruesome scene in which Wilson was held down and raped in front of a group of people. Her hands were bound, and she died of suffocation. By Anna Jo Bratton.
AP Photos NENH101-104 by Nati Harnik
XGR–RACETRACK SLOTS
LINCOLN—A plan to allow slot machines at horse tracks in Nebraska could open the door to casinos on American Indian reservations. That’s the opinion of an attorney who wrote the proposed constitutional amendment (LR6CA) that was the subject of a public hearing held by state senators on Monday. The proposal says horse tracks in the state would be allowed to have a combined total of up to 3,500 electronic and video gaming machines. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
— XGR–WOMEN’S COMMISSION—Nebraska lawmakers appear ready to bury a state commission for women that has been dead for some time.
— XGR–DUMP MONEY—The Legislature has given first-round approval to a bill (LB180) that would let some landfill fees be used to help small towns raze old eyesores.
VICK LAWSUIT
RICHMOND, Va.—Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick is suing a former financial adviser for at least $2 million. Vick says Mary Wong of Omaha, Neb., misrepresented herself to gain control of his finances, which she then misused. He’s accusing Wong of fraud, breach of contract, negligence and other offenses. Eds: Also moving on sports lines.
BUSINESS:
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE
HELENA, Mont.—Developers of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would transport Canadian crude oil destined for Gulf Coast refineries are seeking an increase in the federal limit on pressure within the pipeline. The developers say the higher limit would optimize the flow of oil. By Susan Gallagher. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention, interest.
KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE-BANKRUPTCY
IOWA CITY, Iowa—An embattled kosher slaughterhouse in northeast Iowa might have found a buyer, though the man in charge of the company’s finances says it’s just an opening bid. Agriprocessors Inc. bankruptcy trustee Joseph Sarachek said the bid of $40 million from Israeli firm Soglowek Nahariya Ltd. is a serious offer that provides a benchmark to other bidders. By Nigel Duara. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention.
KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE-BAIL
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa—Prosecutors on Monday detailed bank-fraud charges in a push to keep a former kosher slaughterhouse manager jailed until his trial, while his wife argued that he’s not a risk to flee. In the federal court hearing, prosecutors argued that Sholom Rubashkin artificially inflated the amounts debtors owed Agriprocessors, a Postville company that has faced legal trouble since an immigration raid last May and has since declared bankruptcy. By Nigel Duara. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention
GATES-FOUNDATION SPENDING
SEATTLE—The assets of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation lost 20 percent of their value in 2008. But Bill Gates says the foundation will increase its giving this year instead of cutting back because of the economic downturn. In his first annual letter, issued Monday, Gates said the wealthy have a responsibility to help those who aren’t. By Donna Gordon Blankinship. Eds: Note Nebraska mentions. Also moving on national lines.
ROHM & HAAS-DOW CHEMICAL
NEW YORK—Dow Chemical said it will not close on its $15.4 billion buyout of Rohm & Haas Co. by this week’s deadline, an announcement Monday that was followed almost immediately by a lawsuit from the specialty chemicals maker. The news sent shares of Rohm & Haas Co. tumbling 14.8 percent, or $9.75, to $56.07. Shares of Dow Chemical Co. fell 4.5 percent, or 62 cents, to $13.71. By Energy Writer Ernest Scheyder. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mentions. Also moving on national lines.
ALSO:
— BUFFETT’S BENEVOLENCE—Billionaire Warren Buffett has donated stock in his company worth a total of nearly $3.6 million to two unnamed charities.
SPORTS:
COLLEGES ADDING SPORTS
LINCOLN—There would be no more forehead grinding, straining, arm-twisting or leg-pretzeling for Justin Ferguson. The only state wrestling champion in Lincoln Southwest High School history was done on the mat. A Nebraska Sports Special by Ken Hambleton of the Lincoln Journal Star.
ALSO:
— NEBRASKA SPRING GAME—Tickets for Nebraska’s spring football game will go on sale next week.
— YANKEES-CHAMBERLAIN DUI—New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain’s arraignment on drunken-driving charges faces another delay.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— EXPLOSIVES CHARGE—A new trial has been ordered for a Nebraska farmer facing federal charges for storing grenades, fuses and a gunpowder substitute in his storm shelter.
— CRETE DEATHS—Authorities are investigating the deaths of two men found in a Crete trailer home.
— US-UEA-NUCLEAR-FORTENBERRY—U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry says he’s concerned about an atomic energy deal between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.
— SAFE HAVEN-GEORGIA—A 12-year-old Georgia boy abandoned last year under Nebraska’s safe-haven law is now at Boys Town west of Omaha.
— TODDLER INJURED—A toddler hurt in an Omaha hit-and-run crash just days before Christmas has died of her injuries.
— CREEPER FOUND—Lincoln police believe they’ve found the person suspected of breaking into homes and watching women and girls as they slept.
— CONCEAL CARRY—The Kearney City Council will discuss the possibility of lifting its decades-long ban on carrying concealed weapons.
The AP, Omaha.
