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STIMULUS-HIDDEN COSTS
LINCOLN—When it comes to the $787 billion in federal stimulus money flowing from Washington to the states, it will cost money to spend money. Nebraska’s governor’s office told lawmakers it expects to spend more than $1.2 million over two years to oversee disbursement of about $1.5 billion Nebraska stands to receive in federal stimulus funds. By Anna Jo Bratton. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
AP Photos NENH101-105.
XGR–DEATH PENALTY
LINCOLN—After more than a year of having a death penalty on the books but with no way of carrying it out, state lawmakers will debate whether to use lethal injections to execute Nebraska’s condemned killers. On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee advanced a lethal-injection bill (LB36) to the full Legislature, which will vote on the measure before the session ends in June. A bill (LB306) to repeal the death penalty also was advanced by the committee but it was not expected to be debated by the full Legislature this year. By Nate Jenkins.
XGR–BEATRICE PROBLEMS
LINCOLN—Medically fragile people forced to leave the Beatrice State Developmental Center and move to hospitals are not being evaluated for a possible return to the center, raising questions among some Nebraska lawmakers. It costs the state almost three times more to keep them in hospitals than in the center. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
— XGR–HANDICAP PARKING—Nebraska lawmakers want to increase fines for illegally parking in spots reserved for the handicapped.
— XGR–STREET COLLECTIONS—Nebraskans may no longer be safe from being hit up for money while sitting in their cars.
— XGR–SMOKING BAN—The Attorney General’s Office says a proposed exemption for cigar bars in the statewide smoking ban that goes into effect this June is not unconstitutional.
FOSTER INSPECTIONS
OMAHA—The attorney general’s office says the State Foster Care Review Board has the authority to delegate staff and volunteers to help conduct inspections. It also says the review board can create its own rules outlining volunteers’ duties for inspections. By Timberly Ross.
CORN-WET FIELDS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—Ed Mies would like to plant corn on his central Illinois farm right about now, but instead he finds himself with time to talk about how wet his fields are. “We’re not quite waxing tractors yet,” he joked Wednesday. But Mies would like to be done by Monday and he hasn’t started planting yet. By David Mercer. Eds: Note Nebraska interest.
AP Photos ILSP101-103.
BUSINESS:
BANKERS SURVEY
OMAHA—A new survey of rural bankers in 11 Midwest and Plains states suggests the region’s economy remains weak, but there are also signs it may soon improve. The bankers who responded to the monthly Rural Mainstreet survey say they’re more optimistic about the future despite low farm equipment sales.
STUDENT LOANS
OMAHA—Federal student loan providers say a proposal to overhaul the student loan system to improve access to aid is moving too quickly and could ultimately hurt students and others. In a teleconference Thursday, federally guaranteed student loan providers advocated for an open public debate on the issue and urged Congress to hear all options before moving ahead on a proposal that would cut private industry from the federal student loan process. By Jean Ortiz.
GENERAL GROWTH PROPERTIES-BANKRUPTCY
UNDATED—After months of tense negotiations with tightfisted lenders, General Growth filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a bid to protect its 200-plus shopping malls including the Glendale Galleria in Southern California and the South Street Seaport in Manhattan. General Growth also owns Oak View and Westroads malls in Omaha, Neb. By Real Estate Writer Alex Veiga.
AP Photos NYBZ144, NYBZ145.
With:
— BC-GENERAL GROWTH-BANKRUPTCY-GLANCE
SPORTS:
NCAA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS
LINCOLN—Courtney Kupets posted her fifth perfect score of the season, matched the highest all-around score of all time and led four-time defending champion Georgia to the team finals at the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships on Thursday. Kupets saved her best for last, recording a 10 on the balance beam after teammate Hilary Mauro led off the event with a fall. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
AP Photos AP Photos NYBZ144, NYBZ145.NENH106, NENH108, NENH109.
ALSO:
— ROYALS-GORDON DL—The Kansas City Royals have placed third baseman Alex Gordon on the 15-day disabled list with a cartilage tear in his right hip. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— NPPD WIND—The Nebraska Public Power District has received 18 proposals to build wind farms in central and northeast Nebraska.
— SHAKEN BABY—A Papillion man accused of shaking his then 2-month-old son has pleaded no contest to negligent child abuse and third-degree assault.
— KANGAROO POUCH VIDEO—A zookeeper’s efforts to earn a kangaroo’s trust has paid off with a video showing twin joeys, tiny and pink, growing inside their mom’s pouch. By Anna Jo Bratton.
— SALMONELLA RECALL—A Lincoln-based food manufacturer is voluntarily recalling packaged pistachios over potential salmonella contamination.
The AP, Omaha.
