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: CENSUS-UNDERCOUNTING LATINOS, XGR–FOSTER CARE BOARD,
ADDS: MISSING NEBRASKA FAMILY, XGR–CONCEALED CARRY, OFFUTT COMMANDS, GEN RE-AIG TRIAL
MISSING NEBRASKA FAMILY
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—Members of a missing Nebraska family whose car was found in the Black Hills of South Dakota were interviewed about allegations of abuse nearly two weeks ago on the day they disappeared, authorities said Thursday. The black Ford Taurus was found Tuesday, and authorities were searching for Matthew and Rowena Schade and their children, Devon, 11, and Sean, 8, in rugged terrain near Pactola Reservoir and the village of Silver City. By Carson Walker.
AP Photo NY120
CENSUS-UNDERCOUNTING LATINOS
OMAHA—A Nebraska Latino advocate says local census officials are faltering in their efforts to hire bilingual employees and tracking toward a repeat undercounting in the once-a-decade survey. Mexican-American Commission acting director Angel Freytez said the possible repercussions extend beyond the Latino community. The state could lose federal funding over the next decade because of the many decisions tied to census results, he said. By Jean Ortiz.
XGR–CONCEALED CARRY
LINCOLN—Churches and other places of worship could let security guards carry concealed handguns, under a bill that advanced Thursday in the Nebraska Legislature. A 2006 law allows Nebraskans who get permits to carry concealed handguns. By Anna Jo Bratton.
XGR–FOSTER CARE BOARD
LINCOLN—State lawmakers have advanced a measure requiring State Foster Care Review Board members to disclose funding they or their employer receives from the state Department of Health and Human Services. The bill (LB679) from the Legislature’s Performance Audit Committee passed the first round of debate Thursday. By Timberly Ross.
With:
— XGR–BEATRICE PROBLEMS—Gov. Dave Heineman says dozens of new medical staff members have been hired at the Beatrice State Developmental Center. By Anna Jo Bratton.
OFFUTT COMMANDS
OMAHA—Offutt Air Force Base has lost a chance at 900 new military and civilian jobs to a Louisiana base. Barksdale Air Force Base, east of Shreveport, instead was selected to house the Air Force’s new Global Strike Command. By Nelson Lampe. Eds: Contains material also found in Washington-datelined story slugged BC-Global Strike Command moving on state and national lines.
BUSINESS:
GEN RE-AIG TRIAL
HARTFORD, Conn.—The former chief financial officer at General Re Corp. was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in federal prison for her role in an accounting fraud scandal that artificially propped up the stock price of insurer American International Group Inc. Elizabeth Monrad, 52, of New Canaan was also fined $250,000 for her role in the case, which authorities say cost AIG shareholders more than $500 million. Gen Re is part of Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
ALSO:
— EARNS-LINDSAY—Irrigation equipment maker Lindsay Corp. says its fiscal second-quarter profit plummeted nearly 99 percent.
— SWITZERLAND-SWISS RE—Swiss Reinsurance Co. said Thursday it will cut 10 percent of its work force this year in a bid to reduce costs and simplify its operations. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
SPORTS:
— GIRLS ALL-STATE—Here is The Associated Press All-State Girls Basketball Teams for the 2008-09 season.
— BOYS ALL-STATE—Here is The Associated Press All-State Boys Basketball Teams for the 2008-09 season.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— OFFICER ACCUSED—A Nebraska City police officer apologized to his chief as the officer resigned following a court hearing on a charge of peeping into a city residence.
— TWEEDY SENTENCE—A judge on Thursday sentenced Shane Tweedy of Nebraska to a minimum 37 years in prison for killing Patrick Montgomery at his Yankton home last spring.
— CORN SYRUP SPILL—Officials have cleaned up a sticky mess on a state highway near Sutherland in western Nebraska.
— UNK-TUBERCULOSIS—The University of Nebraska at Kearney is informing students about a possible case of tuberculosis in one of its students.
— INCEST SENTENCE—A 76-year-old Lincoln man has been sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting his disabled, adult daughter.
— CROSSBOW ASSAULT—A 49-year-old Lincoln man has been given prison for firing a crossbow at a neighbor.
— OFFICIAL BUSTED—A special prosecutor says he probably won’t file drug charges against the director of Hall County juvenile services.
— GROCERY STORE FIRE—Fire has damaged a popular grocery store in north Omaha.
— DONATE LIFE—More than 400 people are waiting for organ and tissue donations in Nebraska.
— EX-POWS DISBANDING—A ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion will note the end of the Nebraska Department of American Ex-Prisoners of War.
— OPPD PAYMENTS—The Omaha Public Power District paid more than $21 million this year to the 11 counties it serves. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— JUDGE APPOINTED—Norfolk attorney Jim Kube will be sworn in Friday to take over a northeast Nebraska district court judgeship.
— TOOTHPASTE SPOKESWOMAN—A Hastings dentist has turned a failed attempt to get fluoride into her city’s water into a gig as a national spokeswoman for a toothpaste company.
The AP, Omaha.
