The supervisor in Omaha is Josh Funk. 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:
A FARM MATCH-ABRIDGED
RICHLAND, Iowa—He quit his job and drove his wife and their four young daughters across country, a 21st-century pioneer lured to these faraway farm fields by the promise of a life-changing deal with an older stranger. Isaac Phillips always wanted to be a farmer. But some friends as well as colleagues at the Utah jail where he supervised inmate work crews were leery, telling him: a) don’t give up a steady job, b) you’re making a big mistake and c) it’s a crazy idea. By National Writer Sharon Cohen.
AP Photos AP Photo NY326.NY317, NY318, NY319, NY320, NY321, NY322, NY323, NY324, NY325, GFX783. AP Graphic AGING FARMERS.
With:
— A FARM MATCH-WAITING
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—They are lawyers, factory workers, insurance adjusters, even an accountant and a dentist. All share the same dream: They want to farm. And all have applied to a special Iowa program that tries to link aspiring farmers with seasoned landowners who are looking toward retirement—or just planning for the future. By National Writer Sharon Cohen.
AP Photo NY326.
STAGE MANAGER
HASTINGS—When he’s not stocking shelves, talking with employees or running a cash register at the Hastings Wal-Mart Supercenter, James Carson spends his nights and weekends singing and dancing. Carson may be a businessman—he’s been with the Wal-Mart company since 1991 and manager in Hastings since 2000—but his first love is singing. By Shay Burk.
SEAT CLEANER
LINCOLN—The last time you were at Memorial Stadium, did you think about how dirty that seat gets? Trust us. Dirty. By Melissa Lee.
CONCRETE MEDIUM
BEATRICE—He can sculpt dinosaurs and wildlife, rock formations and water slides.. Thom Hunt can do just about anything with concrete. By Chris Dunker.
BUSINESS:
— NPPD WIND—The Nebraska Public Power District says it has chosen the company it wants to build one or two new wind farms in northeast and central Nebraska.
SPORTS:
— NEBRASKA TRAINER—The Nebraska football team continues fall practice on Saturday.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— NEB-TROUBLED CENTER—Another former resident of the troubled Beatrice State Developmental Center has died.
— SIOUX CITY STABBING—A Nebraska man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the stabbing death of a Sioux City man as part of a deal with prosecutors.
— MEDICAL FRAUD—A Vermont woman is set to stand trial in Omaha on federal charges of health care fraud, more than two years after she was indicted.
— LEGISLATURE VACANCY—Anyone interested in serving northwest Omaha’s District 10 in the Legislature should contact Gov. Dave Heineman.
— WEED CONFERENCE—How Nebraska has been treating the weed problems along its vital waterways will be discussed at a national weed management trade show in Kearney.
— YOUNG SENATOR—Nebraska state Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln will represent the U.S. at a government-exchange program in New Zealand in mid-September.
— AG FAMILIES—Five Nebraska farm and ranch families will be honored as this year’s State Fair “Ag Family of the Day,” with ceremonies beginning Aug. 29.
— OFFUTT AIR SHOW—The Navy’s famed Blue Angels aerial exhibition team will soar high above the Omaha area at the end of August during the annual air show at Offutt Air Force Base.
— CONSERVATION FIELD DAY—Agriculture producers can learn how to save water and money at an Irrigation and Energy Conservation Field Day planned by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
— PRESS CLUB HONORS—Officials with the Omaha Press Club say they will honor trucking executive C.L. Werner as the next “Face on the Barroom Floor.”
— FIREFIGHTER MUSEUM—A museum that honors the state’s firefighters and teaches people about fire prevention is open for business.
The AP, Omaha.
