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NEBRASKA STIMULUS
LINCOLN—It’s called a stimulus package, but much of the money Nebraska stands to get from the federal government might be better described as a safety net. A recent breakdown of the federal stimulus package shows that about $310 million of the roughly $1.15 billion Nebraska will get will go toward Medicaid. The program provides subsidized health care to poor people. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
AP Photos AH101-AH102
DIGITAL TV-NEBRASKA
OMAHA—Some Nebraska TV stations have been swamped with calls from viewers who’re having trouble tuning in after the digital conversion. Jason Effinger, president and general manager of KOLN/KGIN, said the station received 220 calls by mid-afternoon Tuesday. The Lincoln-based CBS affiliate switched from analog just before midnight. By Timberly Ross.
BUSINESS:
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY-INVESTMENTS
NEW YORK—Billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s company sold more than half of its stake in Johnson & Johnson in the last three months of 2008. Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc. filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission late Tuesday that provide a snapshot of its holdings at the end of 2008.
SMITHFIELD FOODS-RESTRUCTURING
MILWAUKEE—Smithfield Foods Inc. said Tuesday it plans to cut 1,800 jobs and close six factories—including one in Hastings, Neb.—as part of a restructuring that comes amid an overall slump in the meat industry. Chief Executive C. Larry Pope said the nation’s largest pork producer was switching its focus from buying up its hard-pressed competitors to operating more efficiently. He said Smithfield would shift away from low-margin businesses and instead work on expanding its packaged meat business, where it can make more money. By Food Industry Writer Emily Fredrix.
AP Photo NEHAS101.
With:
— BC-SMITHFIELD FOODS-RESTRUCTURING-GLANCE
SPORTS:
AGENT ANGST
LINCOLN—As scores of college players queue up to become instant millionaires in April’s NFL draft, football-crazy Nebraska is set to become the latest state to pass legislation aimed at reining in unscrupulous sports agents. There is big money at stake for athletes and their agents, who generally get a 3 percent cut of contracts. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
NEBRASKA MEDIA DAY
LINCOLN—Though his team goes into the season with a revamped pitching rotation and needs to develop depth throughout the lineup, Nebraska coach Mike Anderson’s expectations remain the same. “We should win the Big 12 title and move on through the College World Series,” Anderson said Tuesday. “We should keep thinking like that. Are we young? Yes. Is that possible? Yes.”
AP Photos NEBW101-104.
BIG 12 COACHES
UNDATED—For Texas A&M, the start of the new season is already looking a bit like 1999. Coach Rob Childress is more concerned about a similar ending. For the first time in 10 years, the Aggies enter the season as the favorite to win the Big 12 Conference. They are also the No. 1 team in the Baseball America poll, a preseason first for the Aggies, who last topped that poll in middle of the 1999 season. That season they won the conference title and made their last trip to the College World Series. By Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— CAT SHOOTING-SENTENCE—A man has been ordered to spend three days in jail and pay a $500 fine after shooting and killing his now-former neighbor’s cat.
— BASKETBALL DEATH—The family of a 22-year-old man who collapsed while playing basketball in La Vista says he died from a heart defect.
— SEAT BELTS—A Nebraska lawmaker is on a crusade to get more people to buckle up.
— ALLIANCE SUPERINTENDENT—A Laurel man has been selected as the new superintendent of schools in Alliance.
— SON STABBED—A 43-year-old Lincoln man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, accused of stabbing his son twice in the head.
— PRESS CONSOLIDATION—The Fremont Tribune soon will be printing and packaging its sister paper, the Columbus Telegram.
The AP, Omaha.
