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–SPREADING AIDS, XGR–SMOKING BAN, FEDERAL STIMULUS-WEB DUEL, GUARD RECRUITING,
ADDS: SUPCO–EMOTICON ENTRAPMENT,
XGR–SPREADING AIDS
LINCOLN—Having sex with the intention of spreading a deadly disease like AIDS would be a felony in Nebraska, under a proposal in the state Legislature. The Judiciary Committee will hear testimony Friday afternoon on the bill (LB625) from state Sen. Pete Pirsch of Omaha. By Anna Jo Bratton. Eds: Will be led from 1:30 p.m. hearing.
AP Photos by Nati Harnik
XGR–SMOKING BAN
LINCOLN—Nebraska lawmakers appear divided over whether to add an exemption to the statewide smoking ban that will go into effect in June. On Friday, they debated a bill (LB355) that would allow smoking in bars where at least 15 percent of the revenue came from tobacco sales. By Nate Jenkins.
FEDERAL STIMULUS-WEB DUEL
LINCOLN—The stimulus package is stimulating something other than the economy in Nebraska: Government Web sites. On Friday, the Legislature announced it is launching a new site to publicize how Nebraska’s $1 billion portion of the stimulus package is being spent. By Nate Jenkins.
SUPCO–EMOTICON ENTRAPMENT
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by a former prison guard who argued that police lured him to send lurid computer messages to an investigator posing online as a 15-year-old girl. In a ruling released Friday, the high court upheld James Pischel’s 2008 conviction and sentence for using a computer to entice a girl into sex. By Jean Ortiz.
GUARD RECRUITING
LINCOLN—Despite the disruptions and dangers of overseas deployment, Nebraska’s Army National Guard ranks have grown nearly 20 percent in the past 3 1/2 years. Guard leaders say they aim to reach 4,000 soldiers by fall. By Nelson Lampe.
BUSINESS:
BANKERS SURVEY
OMAHA—Although economic conditions remain weak, particularly in the farming sector, rural bankers in 11 Midwest and Plains states say there are some bright spots. The bankers who responded to the monthly Rural Mainstreet survey cited small increases in farmland prices, new hiring and banking activity in March.
ALSO:
— CONAGRA PACKAGING—ConAgra Foods says it’s now using a corn-based plastic that includes recycled material for the tamper-resistant seals on some of its products.
SPORTS:
— FBN–BRONCOS-BUCKHALTER—An alleged drug dealer in suburban Philadelphia testified that he did not sell marijuana to former Nebraska running back Correll Buckhalter.
— VOL–EXHIBITION SELLOUT—It’s just an exhibition, but all 2,400 tickets for next month’s Wichita State-Nebraska volleyball match in Scottsbluff sold out in 24 hours.
— BBC–OKLAHOMA ST-NEBRASKA—Game starts 2:05 p.m.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— SEX OFFENDER-PROBATION—A 65-year-old Omaha man convicted of molesting a 4-year-old girl has been sentenced to two years of probation.
— HUSBAND CHARGED—The husband of a missing Nebraska woman faces up to 55 years in prison on sex and drug charges unrelated to her disappearance.
— LINCOLN BODY—Lincoln police have identified the man whose body was found behind a local business.
— TUITION HIKE—The board of a community college in Scottsbluff is considering a tuition hike of 3 percent for the 2009-2010 school year.
— BOGUS DEALS—A Nebraska man accused in a bogus cattle deal has been sentenced to more prison time.
— TEEN HOMICIDE—A Sioux City man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for killing a Nebraska teenager.
The AP, Omaha.
