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ADDS: PHILANTHROPIST-CASINO DEBT, JETS-SLAUSON, JAZZ-KORVER, STATE BUDGET
DEATH PENALTY
LINCOLN—Nebraska is one step closer to a legal means of executing prisoners, as lawmakers Tuesday gave first-round approval to a bill that would make lethal injection the state’s sole method. The vote was 34-7. Six senators were present but did not vote on the bill, and two others were absent. By Anna Jo Bratton.
AP Photos NENH101-103 by Nati Harnik.
With:
— BC-NE–Death Penalty-Glance
— DEATH PENALTY-OPTIONAL
LINCOLN—As state lawmakers debated issues of life and death, Miriam Thimm Kelle sat in the balcony of the legislative chamber, knitting. As they discussed heinous murders that deserved the death penalty, she worked on a baby blanket for future grandchildren and reflected on her brother’s murder. By Anna Jo Bratton.
STATE BUDGET
LINCOLN—Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman signed a two-year, nearly $7 billion state budget Tuesday without vetoing anything. The spending plan closely mirrors what Heineman asked for in the first place. It relies heavily on federal stimulus dollars and the state’s rainy-day fund to balance the budget. State lawmakers approved the spending plan last week. By Anna Jo Bratton.
LICENSE PLATES
OMAHA—Gov. Dave Heineman says he appreciates Nebraskans’ passion for their license plates. But when it comes to the design of those plates, he believes substance is more important than style. Heineman on Tuesday unveiled the design for the plates that will be used starting in 2011. The winner among four candidates in online polling was one whose background is black, fading to white, with the state’s Nebraska.gov Web address in red letters at the top. By Eric Olson.
AP Photo.
NUCLEAR ’09-FUEL BANK
VIENNA—Buffett’s bankroll, Obama’s clout and the partnership of a savvy ex-Soviet strongman may turn the steppes of central Asia into a nuclear mecca, a go-to place for “safe” uranium fuel in an increasingly nervous atomic age. The $150 million idea, with seed money from U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett of Omaha, Neb., must still navigate the tricky maze of global nuclear politics, along with a parallel Russian plan. But the notion of such fuel banks is moving higher on the world’s agenda as a way to keep ultimate weapons out of many more hands. By Special Correspondent Charles J. Hanley. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
AP Photos NY336, NY335, NY337, NY338, NY339. AP Graphic planned.
PHILANTHROPIST-CASINO DEBT
LAS VEGAS—A prominent Nebraska philanthropist accused of failing to repay $14.75 million to Las Vegas casinos is claiming he was plied with drinks and drugs while he ran up big gambling debts. A letter to a Nevada grand jury that indicted Terrance “Terry” Watanabe alleges hosts at Caesars Palace and Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino kept the 52-year-old former businessman “significantly and visibly intoxicated” while he played table games at the two hotels in late 2007. By Ken Ritter.
BUSINESS:
— CONAGRA FOODS—In a climate of layoffs and furloughs, Omaha-based ConAgra Foods is planning a $28 million expansion in Menomonie, Wis., that will create 30 jobs. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— NEW WEEKLY—A new weekly newspaper soon will be arriving at homes in Gering and other Panhandle communities. Eds: Moving on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
— JETS-SLAUSON—The New York Jets have signed offensive lineman Matt Slauson, their sixth-round pick out of the University of Nebraska, to a four-year deal.
— JAZZ-KORVER—Utah Jazz forward Kyle Korver has had surgery to remove scar tissue from the former Creighton University star’s right wrist.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— WEB COMPETITION—Nebraska lawmakers have compromised on a bill that created a battle over government transparency.
— WIND ENERGY—A bill designed to remove what Nebraska lawmakers say is an obstacle to developing wind energy is headed to the final round of debate.
— BEATRICE PROBLEMS—State lawmakers investigating issues at the Beatrice State Development Center say they need to better define what the facility will be when its transition is complete.
— GIRL’S DEATH—A Sutherland man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in a deal that will spare him from the death penalty.
— BONG CAT—A Lincoln couple accused of stuffing a kitten inside a homemade marijuana bong make a court appearance on animal cruelty charges.
— ANTELOPE-BACKGROUND CHECKS—Antelope County supervisors have agreed to pay a total of more than $11,000 to two former deputies who sued the county and the sheriff alleging they were fired after reporting civil-rights violations.
— CSI-BLOOD EVIDENCE—A July trial has been set for a Douglas County crime scene investigator indicted on four federal charges, including falsifying records.
— OMAHA SLAYING—Omaha police have made a third arrest in the fatal shooting of a New Hampshire man last year.
— STIMULUS-AIRPORTS—A total of $4.7 million has been approved for rehabilitating runways at two Nebraska airports.
— COUNTY ATTORNEY—Deputy Scotts Bluff County Attorney Tiffany Wasserburger has been appointed as the county’s top prosecutor.
The AP, Omaha.
