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XGR–PUBLIC LOBBY
LINCOLN—Dozens of lobbyists already prowl the Nebraska Capitol trying to sway lawmakers, so cracking into the business of political persuasion can be tough. But Angela Amack has found a niche—local governments—and statistics suggest business will grow. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
— PUBLIC LOBBY-GLANCE
FIRST SPOUSE
BEATRICE—”I’m real biased, but I think the governor is doing a great job.” That statement by Sally Ganem drew laughs during her talk at the Homestead Education Center recently. A Nebraskaland Feature by Kristin Jirovsky of the Beatrice Daily Sun.
US-RUSSIA
WASHINGTON—The United States should seek Russia’s close cooperation in dealing with Iran and solicit Moscow’s participation or at least acquiescence to a missile defense system in Europe, a panel of former high-level American diplomats and members of Congress urged on Monday. Calling for across-the-board repairs to a splintered relationship with Russia, the commission took note of some recent positive trends. By Diplomatic Writer Barry Schweid. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Also moving on national lines.
BUSINESS:
— LINCOLN INDUSTRIES-LAYOFFS—A longtime Lincoln employer is eliminating about 60 jobs, or 12 percent of its work force.
SPORTS:
— NEBRASKA-NIT—Considering the poor state of the program he inherited three years ago, Nebraska coach Doc Sadler says it’s a major accomplishment for his Cornhuskers to get an invitation to the NIT two years in a row.
— KEARNEY ARENA—The Kearney Hub is reporting that Las Vegas businessman Kirk Brooks has signed a letter of intent to buy the FirstTier Event Center in Kearney and the Tri-City Storm hockey team.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— BODY FOUND—The father of a missing Omaha man has confirmed a body found in rural Saunders County is his son’s.
— SEVERE WEATHER-MESSAGES—Leaders in Papillion say they will rely on more than emergency sirens to alert their residents of approaching severe weather.
— RURAL POLL—This year’s Nebraska Rural Poll will ask rural residents about the economic climate, self-employment and television viewing.
— PRISONER DIES—A judge has dismissed indictments against two former Omaha city jail supervisors in the 2007 death of an inmate.
— BENEFITS BOOST—Nebraska officials say food stamp benefits will increase next month with the infusion of money from the federal stimulus package.
— GEOLOGY GIFT—A couple has given $250,000 to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to help future geologists.
— FORT HOOD DEATH—Officials at Fort Hood say a soldier has died in his barracks room from a cause presently unknown.
— MISSING SERVICEMAN—The U.S. Department of Defense says remains of a Nebraska serviceman who went missing during the Korean War have been identified.
— STABBING-ALZHEIMER’S—A 76-year-old man who said he had Alzheimer’s disease and doesn’t remember repeatedly stabbing his wife has been sentenced to 11 to 25 years in prison.
— MISSING MAN-THEFT—A 54-year-old man who disappeared from Kearney for nine days in January only to turn up in Kansas has been charged with a felony count of theft.
— POWDER SCARE—About 75 Nebraska state government employees got a scare when white powder was found in an envelope on their floor at a state office building in Lincoln.
— FREE HEALTH CLINIC—A Lincoln homeless shelter will be opening a health clinic next month that will offer free preventative care.
The AP, Omaha.
