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DEVELOPING: SWINE FLU-NEBRASKA, IOWA GAY MARRIAGE-TRAVELERS, BERKSHIRE-KLAMATH RIVER
ADDS: XGR–SAFE HAVEN RESPONSE, US-IMMIGRATION-ENFORCEMENT
SWINE FLU-NEBRASKA
OMAHA—Nebraska’s chief medical officer says federal tests have confirmed the first case of swine flu in the state. It involves a California man in his 40s who’s vacationing in the Omaha area. Health officials have said the infection ultimately will be reported as a California case because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta counts cases of infectious disease by residence. By Jean Ortiz.
XGR–SAFE HAVEN RESPONSE
LINCOLN—Nebraska lawmakers have agreed to spend $16 million over the next two years to address problems highlighted by use of the state’s safe-haven law last year. The spending will cover four different measures, including making more children eligible for a health-insurance program aimed at poor families who make too much to be eligible for Medicaid. By Nate Jenkins.
XGR–SCHOOL MONEY
LINCOLN—Nebraska lawmakers are moving toward a compromise on state school aid funding after an impasse threatened to jeopardize the whole budget. Senators advanced a bill (LB545) Thursday that will give larger school districts more money from the state than originally planned. By Anna Jo Bratton.
IOWA GAY MARRIAGE-TRAVELERS
IOWA CITY, Iowa—Dozens of same-sex couples in neighboring states have sought marriage licenses in Iowa, but they acknowledge the move is purely symbolic unless they follow their vows with a move to the one Midwest state that recognizes such unions. Some, such as Troy Fienhold-Haasisare of Omaha, are making just that step. “It’s a whole different world when you cross the river,” he says. By Nigel Duara.
AP Photo.
US-IMMIGRATION-ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON—An Obama administration policy to go after employers who knowingly hire and exploit illegal workers is not significantly different from the Bush administration strategy, according to a copy of the guidelines obtained by The Associated Press. The new guidelines for immigration agents, which the Homeland Security Department calls a “renewed department-wide focus,” will impose fines and criminal charges against employers who break the law. By Eileen Sullivan. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mentions. Moving on news and financial lines. Also moving on national lines.
BUSINESS:
BERKSHIRE-KLAMATH RIVER
OMAHA—A group representing American Indian tribes and commercial fishermen from California and Oregon that has protested at Berkshire Hathaway meetings in the past will be back again this year. But this time the group will be praising Berkshire for the decision officials in the company’s utility unit made to back a preliminary agreement to remove four dams on the Klamath River near the California-Oregon border. By Business Writer Josh Funk.
AP File Photos.
GEN RE-AIG TRIAL
HARTFORD, Conn.—A former executive of Connecticut-based General Re Corp. is to be sentenced for his role in an accounting scandal that authorities say cost shareholders of American International Group Inc. more than $500 million. Robert Graham of Westport is to appear before federal Judge Christopher Droney in Hartford on Thursday. He faces up to life in prison and a fine of up to $46 million, but the other four defendants got sentences of one to four years. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Also moving on national lines.
SPORTS:
— FBN–LAWRENCE PHILLIPS—Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips will go to trial on charges that he attacked his girlfriend in 2005.
— COLLEGE HALL-WISTROM—Former Nebraska defensive end Grant Wistrom is among 18 players and coaches who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame class in December.
— MISSING RING—The Gator Bowl champion ring of a Nebraska football player is missing, and now police are involved. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— PHILANTHROPIST-CASINO DEBT—A lawyer for a prominent Nebraska philanthropist says he’ll fight a grand jury indictment accusing him of failing to repay $14.75 million in gambling debts to two Las Vegas casinos.
— LITTLE BOYS SHOT—Omaha police have arrested an Omaha man who accidentally shot his two little boys.
— PARK SHOOTING—Police are investigating the shooting of three young people in a north Omaha city park across the street from a middle school.
— STIMULUS-CORPS—More than $26 million in Army Corps of Engineers projects have been approved for Nebraska as part of the federal stimulus package.
— WORKERS’ RIGHTS—An Omaha institute for labor studies will mark International Workers’ Day on Friday with a discussion of workers’ rights and the need for economic justice.
— BIKE BENEVOLENCE—An organization in Lincoln known for giving bikes to kids came to the aid of a 91-year-old man this week when it gave him a brand new three-wheeled bike.
— JOHANNS-CLIMATE—Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns says he’s concerned that Democrats will use fast-track budget rules to pass legislation on global warming and health care reform.
— FIRE CAPTAIN JAILED—A former North Platte fire captain will go to trail next month on a charge of violating a protection order taken out by his estranged wife.
— CHILD PORN ARREST—A 28-year-old Chadron man accused of having child pornography has been charged with several counts.
— NO PROFESSOR—A former University of Nebraska-Lincoln assistant professor has been arrested, accused of lying about his academic credentials.
— NEBRASKA HEALTH COSTS—A newly released study says many Nebraskans are spending more than 10 percent of their incomes on health care.
— CHURCH THEFT—A 61-year-old Alliance man who stole gift cards from a local church has been sentenced to 45 weekends in jail.
— EDITORIAL RDP—Excerpts from recent Nebraska daily newspaper editorials on topics of statewide interest.
The AP, Omaha.
