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DEVELOPING: BKC–SURGING CREIGHTON,
ADDS: XGR–STATE BUDGET, SUPCO–ANONYMOUS CEMETERY,
XGR–STATE BUDGET
LINCOLN—A Nebraska legislative committee is expecting dismal news that could make crafting a two-year budget the most difficult in recent memory. On Thursday, the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee formally released its preliminary budget of more than $7 billion. But the chairman of the committee warned it could change significantly depending on a three-year revenue prediction from a state economic forecasting board. The board meets Friday. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
— XGR–SPECIALTY PLATES—Nebraskans could use license plates to show their diverse allegiances beginning in 2011.
— XGR–SMOKING BAN—A group of Nebraska lawmakers has given hope to smokers angry at a ban scheduled to go into effect in June.
SUPCO–ANONYMOUS CEMETERY
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court will determine whether people buried in a former psychiatric hospital cemetery 50 to 100 years ago took their right to privacy to the grave with them. The Adams County Historical Society has battled for almost two years to make available to the public the names of the 957 people buried in the Hastings Regional Center cemetery between 1909 and 1957. By Eric Olson.
BUSINESS:
— CREDIT FREEZE—Nebraskans probably soon will be able to keep their credit scores under lock and key with just one request.
SPORTS:
BKC–SURGING CREIGHTON
OMAHA—After nine straight wins, Creighton is closing in on the postseason having restored the reputation it earned in the preseason. The Bluejays (24-6, 13-4) surely didn’t look like the Missouri Valley Conference favorites in mid January, when they opened 5-4 in the league and appeared headed nowhere. They go into Saturday’s home game with Illinois State tied with Northern Iowa for the Valley lead and in position for an at-large NCAA bid if they fail to win the postseason tournament. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— SECURITIES PROBE-PRINCIPAL—Another of the principals of a Grand Island business suspected of a Ponzi scheme has filed for bankruptcy. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— WOMAN ATTACKED—A 32-year-old homeless man who attacked a woman on a Kearney hike and bike trail has been sentenced to six years in prison.
— RAILROAD TIE FIRE—Firefighters have contained a fire in a stack of old railroad ties in Plymouth in southeast Nebraska.
— FREMONT-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION—If enough petition signatures are verified, this summer Fremont voters could be deciding whether the city adopts broad measures aimed at illegal immigration.
— WINTRY WEATHER—Parts of northern Nebraska are seeing a mix of rain and freezing rain as winter makes a return, following a brief period of spring-like temperatures.
— NORTH PLATTE STANDOFF—The case of a teenager accused in a standoff in North Platte will remain in adult court.
— SPEEDING DEMON—A five-minute chase at speeds reaching 145 mph has landed a 23-year-old Lincoln man in jail
— EMBEZZLEMENT SENTENCE—A woman accused of embezzling from Family Planning Clinic in North Platte while working as its bookkeeper has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft.
— WRESTLING CHAMPION-DEATH—Officials say homicide is the cause of death of a 97-year-old man reportedly pushed by a former pro wrestling star with Omaha ties.
— ESCAPE CHARGES—A 23-year-old North Platte woman is facing felony charges, accused of helping a 17-year-old boy escape custody and hiding him in Carthage, Mo.
— GAMBLING TIP—A Kansas man has been arrested on suspicion of distributing illegal coin-operated gambling machines in Nebraska.
— STABBINGS-REWARD—A $25,000 reward for information in the unsolved stabbing deaths of a housekeeper and an 11-year-old boy is doubling to $50,000.
— EDITORIAL RDP—Excerpts from recent Nebraska daily newspaper editorials on topics of statewide interest.
The AP, Omaha.
