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XGR–BEATRICE PROBLEMS
LINCOLN—More allegations of neglect are being made against the troubled Beatrice State Developmental Center by guardians who say their loved ones suffered serious injuries because of improper care and a five-day cover-up. On Wednesday, the brother of a 54-year-old mentally retarded and quadriplegic woman who suffered two broken legs filed a lawsuit against the state in Gage County District Court. Also Wednesday, the mother of a 24-year-old mentally retarded man with diabetes who she says nearly died because of negligence at the center filed a claim—often a precursor to a lawsuit—of $1.35 million against the state. By Nate Jenkins.
AP Photos NEBW101-NEBW102, NEBW104.
XGR–ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
LINCOLN—A lawmaker trying to curb illegal immigration assured fellow senators Wednesday that his bill wouldn’t keep children of illegal immigrants from paying the in-state college tuition rate. It appears to be a compromise, after a similar immigration plan from Republican Gov. Dave Heineman fizzled last year because it would have overturned the law that extends the less expensive tuition to some children of illegal immigrants. By Anna Jo Bratton.
AP Photos NEBW105-NEBW108.
ALSO:
— XGR–VOTER REGISTRATION—Supporters of plans to let Nebraskans register to vote on Election Day told lawmakers it could boost voter turnout.
— XGR–DITCH TRAPPING—A bill to allow animal trapping in roadside ditches has turned into a legislative time trap.
TAINTED SYRINGES
OMAHA—A Lincoln man is suing manufacturers he believes had a role to play in the distribution of a contaminated saline syringe used on his wife that he said led to serious medical problems. An attorney for Ralph Sell filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Lincoln against AM2 PAT Inc.—also known as Sierra Prefilled; B. Braun Medical Inc., whose U.S. corporate headquarters are in Bethlehem, Pa.; and Baxter Healthcare Corp. and its Deerfield, Ill.-based parent company Baxter International, Inc. By Jean Ortiz.
PHILANTHROPIST-CASINO DEBT
LAS VEGAS—A prominent Nebraska philanthropist facing felony theft and bad check charges for $14.75 million in debts with two Las Vegas casinos surrendered himself to authorities and posted $1.5 million bail on Wednesday. Terrance “Terry” Watanabe did not enter a plea or speak during a brief court appearance except to clarify the pronunciation of his last name. By Oskar Garcia.
AP Photo NVJH101-104.
BASIN-BNSF
BISMARCK, N.D.—The federal agency that regulates railroads has awarded $345 million in damages and rate reductions to cooperatives in Bismarck and Denver in a rate case against BNSF Railway. The Surface Transportation Board said it is the single-largest award the board has given to a so-called captive shipper—one that is forced to rely on a railroad that has no competition. By Blake Nicholson. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
BILLBOARD BACKLASH
LOS ANGELES—David Allan works in advertising—literally. The six-story building where the chiropractor works is draped in it. “It’s awful, it’s ridiculous,” he said of the massive vinyl banner promoting TV shrink Dr. Phil McGraw that obscures his view of the scenic Santa Monica Mountains. By Jacob Adelman. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
AP Photos AP Photos NEBW101-NEBW102, NEBW104.LA101, LA102.
BUSINESS:
TD AMERITRADE SHAREHOLDERS
OMAHA—The family of TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts will sell 34 million of its shares in the online brokerage back to the company in a deal valued at almost $403 million to help finance the family’s bid to buy the Chicago Cubs. Ameritrade announced the stock purchase agreement Wednesday morning before its annual shareholders meeting. By Business Writer Josh Funk.
AP Photos NEDW101-NEDW104
ALSO:
— BANK CLOSURE—Nebraska authorities are investigating whether criminal charges are warranted for activities at Sherman County Bank before its sale to Heritage Bank in Wood River.
— NEBRASKA UNEMPLOYMENT-PAY—Unemployed workers in Nebraska will soon get a bump in pay.
— KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE-BUYERS—A company that made the opening bid for an embattled northeast Iowa slaughterhouse failed to complete due diligence on the slaughterhouse and is now considered just another bidder.
SPORTS:
BKC–COLORADO-NEBRASKA
LINCOLN—Nebraska plays host to a Colorado team that has lost 26 consecutive Big 12 road games.
AP Photos by Nati Harnik.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— ENTICEMENT CHARGES—A 30-year-old York man facing felony charges of enticing a child online has pleaded not guilty.
— NEBRASKA STIMULUS—Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman says the state is moving fast to spend federal stimulus dollars on roads projects he predicts will help slow the economic downturn.
— CHILD DEATH—A four-month-old Sioux City girl is dead and her father has been arrested on charges related to her death.
— OMAHA HOMICIDE—An Omaha man has been given life in prison for his role in a 2007 torture killing.
— TEEN HOMICIDE—Sentencing is set for March 19 for a Sioux City man accused of killing a Nebraska teenager.
The AP, Omaha.
