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DEVELOPING: CWS-LSU-ARKANSAS, CWS-ARIZONA ST-TEXAS,
ADDS: SUPCO–DEATH PENALTY LAWSUIT, SUPCO–EX-PANTHER APPEAL, FUNERAL PROTEST, NEBRASKA UNEMPLOYMENT, STATE UNEMPLOYMENT, BANKERS SURVEY,
SUPCO–DEATH PENALTY LAWSUIT
OMAHA—Nebraska’s new lethal-injection law won’t be scrutinized right away by the state’s highest court after it refused to consider a motion filed by a man convicted of killing a 3-year-old boy, but more challenges are expected. Raymond Mata Jr.’s case generated last year’s ruling that outlawed use of the electric chair and left the state without a legal means of execution, prompting the Legislature and Gov. Dave Heineman to pass a lethal-injection law that goes into effect later this year. The Nebraska Supreme Court’s decision Friday not to consider Mata’s motion arguing that the lethal-injection method has constitutional flaws means one of the 10 other men on death row may be more likely to prompt court scrutiny of the law. By Josh Funk.
SUPCO–EX-PANTHER APPEAL
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday upheld the conviction of a former Black Panther who claimed he didn’t receive a fair trial before he was convicted in the 1970 bombing death of an Omaha police officer. Edward Poindexter and another Black Panther, David Rice, were convicted decades ago in Douglas County District Court for the death of Omaha officer Larry Minard. Authorities say the pair lured police to a house with a 911 call, then detonated a homemade bomb that killed Minard. By Margery A. Gibbs.
With:
FUNERAL PROTEST
PAPILLION—A judge set no timetable for his ruling after he accepted opposing arguments on Nebraska’s flag-desecration law during a brief hearing Friday. Shirley Phelps-Roper of Topeka, Kan., was charged with violating the law in 2007. She and her attorney, Bassel El-Kasaby, say the law violates her right to free speech. By Jean Ortiz.
BUSINESS:
NEBRASKA UNEMPLOYMENT
LINCOLN—Nebraska’s unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent in May, reports issued Friday showed, making the state tied with North Dakota for the lowest in the nation. Only Nebraska and Vermont did not report increases for the month: Nebraska’s dropped from the revised April figure of 4.5 percent, and Vermont’s was unchanged at 7.3 percent. Nebraska’s rate decline was its second in a row, as April’s level also was down from the revised March figure of 4.7 percent. Last May, Nebraska’s rate was 3.2 percent.
STATE UNEMPLOYMENT
WASHINGTON—The unemployment rate in the West jumped over 10 percent last month, the first time that regional threshold has been broken in about 25 years. On the state level, eight set record-highs and only two—Nebraska and Vermont—did not report increases. The Labor Department reported Friday that 48 states and the District of Columbia saw employment conditions deteriorate last month. The fallout from the longest recession since World War II, was the worst in Michigan as automakers cut tens of thousands of jobs. Its unemployment rate rose to 14.1 percent. By Economics Writer Jeannine Aversa. Eds: Contains material found in NE–Nebraska Unemployment. Also moving on national lines.
BANKERS SURVEY
OMAHA—A new survey of rural bankers in 11 Midwest and Plains states suggests the region’s economy remains weak, but the bankers believe the worst of the recession has passed. The Rural Mainstreet survey’s overall index remained in negative territory in June when it slipped to 34 from May’s 36.2. The survey, which indicates the economic health of smaller towns and rural areas, has an index that ranges between 0 and 100. Any score below 50 on the index suggests a contracting economy over the next three to six months and any score above 50 indicates a growing economy over that time.
SPORTS:
CWS-LSU-ARKANSAS
OMAHA, Neb.—Arkansas and LSU meet in the Bracket 1 final at the College World Series. If the Razorbacks win, they force a rematch Saturday. If LSU wins, the Tigers advance to next week’s best-of-three championship round. By Eric Olson. Eds: Game time 1 p.m., but subject to weather delays.
AP Photos.
CWS-ARIZONA ST-TEXAS
OMAHA, Neb.—Kole Calhoun, who has homered in Arizona State’s first three College World Series games, leads the Sun Devils against No. 1 national seed Texas. ASU would have to win this game and another Saturday against the Longhorns to advance to next week’s best-of-three finals. By Eric Olson. Eds: 6 p.m. start, but subject to weather delays.
AP Photos.
With:
— CWS-NOTEBOOK.
ALSO:
— TEAMMATE TURMOIL—A high school basketball player who took out a protection order against a teammate’s father has settled with the teammate’s family and will transfer to Omaha Westside for her senior year.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— BEATRICE PROBLEMS—A medically fragile patient forced from the troubled Beatrice State Development Center earlier this year has died.
— PIT BULLS KILLED—Police in southwest Nebraska have killed three pit bulls in two separate incidents that happened about 12 hours apart.
— MIDWEST STORMS-NEBRASKA—The National Weather Service says at least two tornadoes left damage behind in eastern Buffalo County.
— HARASSMENT ALLEGED—A Kansas woman is suing Harlan County, Neb., and its sheriff, alleging she was sexually harassed while working for the county over a two-year period.
— BERRY PICKER KILLED—A Grand Island man has been charged with felony vehicular homicide, accused of fatally injuring an 83-year-old woman who was picking mulberries in her yard.
— GUARD CHARGED—A former Hall County jailer accused of attacking his wife has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor assault counts in a plea agreement with the prosecutor.
— KANGAROO TWINS—The 28-week-old Matschie’s (MATCH-ees) tree kangaroos at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo have been given names.
— BRUNING ELECTED—Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning has been elected president of the National Association of Attorneys General.
— LIVESTOCK ID SESSION—Federal officials will be in La Vista to hear opinions about a national livestock identification system.
The AP, Omaha.
