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DEVELOPING: FBC–LOMBARDI AWARD,
ADDS: STORM RDP, ILLEGAL-WORKER BENEFITS, CORN ETHANOL-WATER
STORM RDP
DES MOINES, Iowa—A fierce storm left dangerous ice, heavy snow and vicious winds in its wake as it slogged eastward Wednesday, snarling traffic and closing hundreds of schools from the Upper Midwest through New England. More than a foot of snow was expected in parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, where the National Weather Service warned of “extremely dangerous blizzard conditions” and near whiteout driving conditions. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph could build snow drifts between 8 and 15 feet tall. By Luke Meredith. Eds: Note Nebraska mentions. Also moving on national lines.
AP Photos PX104, NYMG104, NYMG103, NYMG102, GFX333, ILSP302, NYR203, MNROC102. AP Graphic MIDWEST SNOW.
With several Nebraska-based sidebars:
— SNOWSTORM-NEBRASKA—Tecumseh is laying claim to the most snow from a powerful storm that pushed through Nebraska.
— SNOWSTORM-NEBRASKA—The State Patrol is urging Nebraskans to stay home after a powerful storm dropped up to a dozen inches of snow across parts of the state. Wind and subzero conditions have taken hold of the region. AP Photos NENH101, NENH102, NENH105.
— SNOWSTORM-NEBRASKA—Roads departments across Nebraska are faced with the same problems: whippy winds gusting to 50 mph, and where to put lots of snow—up to a foot in some places.
— SNOWSTORM-NEBRASKA—The wind gusts of 50 mph whipping the 10-plus inches of snow around in eastern Nebraska make it hard to believe the snowfall has all but stopped.
ILLEGAL-WORKER BENEFITS
LINCOLN—Nebraska has joined a growing number of states in which courts have decided illegal immigrants hurt on the job are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The Nebraska Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a lower-court ruling that slaughterhouse worker Odilon Visoso should continue to receive weekly wages of about $340, payment for future medical expenses related to his spine injury and other benefits. By Nate Jenkins. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
CORN ETHANOL-WATER
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—A new government report examining whether increased biofuels use could pinch the nation’s water resources says farmers in Nebraska and elsewhere on the northern Plains use considerably more water to produce a gallon of corn ethanol than growers in other parts of the country. An ethanol industry group says the report offers little new insight and the vast majority of ethanol is produced from rain-fed corn. By Dirk Lammers.
BUSINESS:
— BROKER BETRAYAL?—A Sarpy County judge has delayed his ruling on the securities-fraud charges against two former Nebraska City brokers because of a paperwork problem. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
FBC–LOMBARDI AWARD
HOUSTON—Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh leads a group of four finalists for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation’s top college lineman or linebacker. Suh, who is also a Heisman Trophy finalist, is up for the award along with Alabama’s Terrence Cody, TCU’s Jerry Hughes and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma. By Kristie Rieken. Eds: Announcement expected about 10 p.m.
ALSO:
— BKW-NEBRASKA-CREIGHTON—No. 24 Nebraska women play Creighton. Game time 7:05 p.m.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— NEB COCAINE SENTENCE—A Colorado woman who was caught with more than 6 and a half pounds of cocaine has been given three-to-five years in a Nebraska prison.
— COUNCIL CHAMBERS BOOZE—The City Council has voted against allowing alcohol in the council chambers in Columbus.
— PRISON DEATH LAWSUIT—A judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit that accused the state and others of ignoring the medical needs of a man found dead in an Omaha prison cell.
— HEALTH OVERHAUL-NELSON—U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson says he still has a number of concerns about the proposed health care legislation, and he’ll oppose the bill if his concerns aren’t addressed.
— HOMELAND SECURITY-OMAHA—U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson says Omaha is again eligible for Homeland Security grants and will receive about $1 million in 2010.
— NURSING HOME SOLD—Nebraska’s Lancaster County has agreed to sell its nursing home for $8 million.
— WINTER FIRE DANGERS—Nebraska fire officials want people to be careful when using space heaters or other alternative heating devices.
— NEB. JOB LISTINGS—Thousands of more job openings are being posted on a Web site overseen by the Nebraska Department of Labor.
The AP, Omaha.
