The supervisor in Omaha is Nelson Lampe. Timberly Ross takes over at 3:30 p.m. If you have a news tip or questions about the report, call 800-642-9920 or 402-391-0031.
AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, can also be obtained from . Reruns are also available from the Service Desk (877-836-9477).
Please send stories of state or regional interest by electronic carbon, by fax at 402-391-1412 or e-mail to omahane(at)ap.org. Technical problems may be reported to 800-822-9921.
DEVELOPING: XGR–SAFE HAVEN, BKW–BIG 12 TOURNAMENT
ADDS: BIRD FEED SHORTAGE, STAI-LOST RING
BIRD FEED SHORTAGE
OMAHA—People who feed birds have been getting their pockets pecked. Birdseed prices have been fluctuating for months, and the cost of a premium seed imported from India is at an unprecedented high. All this has made the estimated one in six Americans who feed wild birds rethink their backyard buffets. By Eric Olson. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
AP Photos NENH201-NENH203 by Nati Harnik.
XGR–SAFE HAVEN
LINCOLN—Nebraska lawmakers have struck a deal that could produce a coordinated plan to provide more care for troubled children. The agreement was reached Tuesday after some legislators raised concerns that they were taking a piecemeal approach to problems highlighted by use of the old safe-haven law last year. By Nate Jenkins.
BUSINESS:
DOW-WHAT NOW
NEW YORK—The takeover that went from an absolute must to a near bust for Dow Chemical will go forward, but now on top of navigating a recession comes the task of combining two very different businesses. Dow has to move quickly because the terms of a $10 billion bridge loan used in buying Rohm & Haas get more burdensome within a year. By AP Energy Writer Ernest Scheyder. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Also moving on national lines.
ALSO:
— DUNCAN AVIATION CUTS—Duncan Aviation says 170 jobs in Lincoln are among the more than 300 jobs Duncan is cutting nationwide. Eds: Also moved on national lines.
SPORTS:
BKW–BIG 12 TOURNAMENT
KANSAS CITY—Most years, the Big 12 tournament has just a handful of teams with a realistic chance win it, usually starting with Kansas and Texas. The Jayhawks and Longhorns are on the list again this year, but this time they’re not alone. They’re not even the favorites. By John Marshall.
STAI-LOST RING
LOS ANGELES—Former Husker Brenden Stai was in the middle of a move to Jacksonville in 2000 when he last remembers seeing the AFC championship ring he once donned. It was on his rolodex in his home office, but the hardware had to be packed up and shipped from Kansas to Jacksonville because Stai was being traded again. By Solange Reyner. Also moving on national sports lines.
ALSO:
— WAYNE STATE-COACH—Wayne State College has announced it will not renew its contract with men’s basketball coach Rico Burkett.
— YOUTH EXPERIENCE—A free football coaching event being put on by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be open to the first 450 kids who register.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— TRENCH DEATHS—Federal authorities have proposed more than $200,000 in fines against an O’Neill construction company for safety violations in the deaths of four workers.
— I-80 POT BUST—Two men from Maryland were jailed in Nebraska after a state trooper found 92 pounds of marijuana in their car during an Interstate 80 traffic stop.
— SALMONELLA OUTBREAK—Health officials have confirmed at least 54 cases of salmonella in four states as part of an outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts recalled by an Omaha company.
— HEALTH FUNDING-NEBRASKA—A nationwide report ranks Nebraska 20th among states for money awarded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for public health initiatives.
— FIREFIGHTERS LAWSUIT—A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that alleged a woman was unfairly promoted ahead of five men to assistant fire chief in Lincoln.
— GRANDFATHER SENTENCED—A 54-year-old Columbus man has been given 4-5 years in prison for sexually assaulting his 4-year-old granddaughter.
— SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE—A North Platte man accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree sexual assault.
— LINCOLN MURDER—A judge has approved a competency evaluation for a Lincoln man accused of killing his mother.
— SWAN POACHING—A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons who illegally killed two swans in central Nebraska last week.
The AP, Omaha.
