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DEVELOPING: HEALTH CARE SHORTAGE
ADDS: MIDWEST ECONOMY, GIFT OF WRITING, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
MIDWEST ECONOMY
OMAHA—The economy appears to be on the mend in nine Midwest and Plains states and may even be growing again, according to a survey of supply managers and other business executives released Thursday. The Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region grew to 56.2 in September, compared with 48.4 in August and 51.7 in July. A score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next three to six months. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
With:
— WITH: MIDWEST ECONOMY-GLANCE
HEALTH CARE SHORTAGE
LINCOLN—Nebraska’s aging population, especially in rural areas, faces a shortage of doctors and other health care workers that is expected to become more acute as people continue to flee small towns. State lawmakers were scheduled to address the issue during a hearing at the Capitol on Thursday. By Nate Jenkins
GIFT OF WRITING
LINCOLN—Mabel Wingate has party favors at the park. Pens. And they’re perfect for the woman in the wheelchair with a yellow rose on her lapel and pink blush blossoming on her cheeks. Mabel gives pens on her 100th birthday because Mabel loves to write. A Nebraskaland Feature by Cindy Lange-Kubick of the Lincoln Journal Star.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
WASHINGTON—A 13-week extension of unemployment benefits in the 27 states with the highest jobless rates is being slowed by some lawmakers upset that their own states would be left out. Senate leaders had hoped for a quick voice vote endorsing the House-passed bill to ensure a continued flow of funds to more than 1 million workers who are slated to exhaust their benefits by the end of the year. By Jim Abrams. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Moving on state and national news and financial lines.
BUSINESS:
— VENTED-CAP LAWSUIT—An Omaha man who lost his patent-infringement lawsuit against Nike last year has lost his bid for a new trial. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— CEMENT PLANT LAYOFFS—A Louisville cement plant says it will lay off 87 of its 138 employees four days before Christmas. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— GRAIN GLUT—Numbers from the Nebraska statistics office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture show the amount of corn and wheat in storage is up significantly from last year. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
— FBC-T25–NEBRASKA TRAINER—Practice report from Thursday.
— NEBRASKA PREP RATINGS—The Associated Press Nebraska High School Football Rankings in Classes A through D-2.
— FBC–BIG 12 CAPSULES—For this weekend’s games.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— NORTH PLATTE ASSAULT—A North Platte man accused of sexually assaulting a child is out on bond, pending a court hearing next week.
— LINCOLN BODY—Police say a 29-year-old Lincoln man’s death reported earlier this week was the result of an accidental shooting.
— STEAK HEIST—A man who stole a pallet of steaks from his former employer will have to pay for the ribeyes with prison time.
— NEW INVESTMENT OFFICER—Nebraska has a new investment officer to oversee a $12 billion pension fund for government employees including county workers, public-school teachers and State Patrol officers. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— METH SEIZURE—The Nebraska State Patrol says a trooper who stopped a sport utility vehicle for speeding found 15 pounds of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside.
— NEOC EXEC QUITS—The executive director of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission has found a new job at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
— NEB HOUSEHOLDS-CENSUS—A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau says children in Nebraska are more likely to live with their married parents than in single-parent households.
— HARVEST SAFETY—The Nebraska State Patrol is warning drivers to use extra caution during the upcoming corn harvest.
— NO THANKSGIVING BASKETS—Salvation Army officials say they won’t be handing out any food baskets this Thanksgiving in North Platte.
— NEB SUICIDE GRANT—Nebraska will be getting $1.5 million to help its fight against suicide by young people.
— EDITORIAL RDP—Excerpts from recent Nebraska daily newspaper editorials on topics of statewide interest.
The AP, Omaha.
