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DEVELOPING: HOLIDAY SNOWSTORM
ADDS: OPPENHEIMERFUNDS-ILLINOIS, BLOCKING HEALTH CARE
HOLIDAY SNOWSTORM
DENVER—A fast-moving snowstorm is on a collision course with Christmas through much of the nation’s midsection. And though some are thrilled at the prospect of a white Christmas, holiday travelers are scrambling to adjust their plans to avoid getting stuck on two of the busiest travel days of the year. By Kristen Wyatt. AP Photos. Eds: Note Nebraska interest.
BLOCKING HEALTH CARE
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Republican state Senate speaker and gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey wants the state attorney general to look into whether a deal struck in Congress on health care legislation could create an opening for Tennessee to opt out of the program. Ramsey told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he considers concessions won by conservative Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska in return for his vote to be unconstitutional. Among other things, Nelson won an agreement that the federal government will pay to expand Medicaid services in his state. By Erik Schelzig.
HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL
WASHINGTON—The White House and Democrats are confidently predicting Senate passage of President Barack Obama’s health overhaul by Christmas after the bill cleared its second 60-vote test. “The finish line is in sight,” Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Tuesday at a press conference with other Senate leaders and cheering supporters. “We’re not the first to attempt such reforms but we will be the first to succeed.” By Erica Werner.
AP Photos DCEV109, DCHH126, DCHH109, DCHH146, DCHH127, DCHH121, DCHH115, DCHH112, DCEV107.
With:
— HEALTH CARE-CONCESSIONS: A look at some of the concessions lawmakers and interest groups won in the latest version of the Senate’s health care overhaul bill.
HEALTH CARE-DEALS
WASHINGTON—A Republican senator who has opposed President Barack Obama’s health overhaul effort said Tuesday that the deals Democratic leaders have cut to round up the votes they need to push the measure through the Senate have been “sleazy.” Speaking Tuesday on NBC’s “Today” show, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina cited concessions won by Nebraska Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, whose support gave Democrats the 60th and final vote they need. Among other things, Nelson won an agreement that the federal government will pay to expand Medicaid services in Nebraska.
SEX OFFENDER-LAWSUIT
OMAHA—A battle over a new law that seeks to add new restrictions on sexual predators in Nebraska is intensifying, but the last-minute legal challenges may not be able to stop the changes from taking effect Jan. 1, as scheduled. Two lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Nebraska’s revised sex offender registry law were filed last week, and the attorney who filed the most recent case said he has plans for at least one more. By Jean Ortiz.
BUSINESS:
HOME SALES-MIDWESTERN CITIES
OMAHA—Home sales remained strong in the Midwest in November as buyers sought to claim federal tax credits, so sales jumped 58 percent over last year’s dismal market. The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday that 106,000 sales were completed last month in the 11-state region. The Midwest’s median home price slipped less than 1 percent to $140,800 in November. By Business Writer Josh Funk.
With:
— MOVING WITH BC-US–HOME SALES
— BC-US–HOME SALES-NORTHEASTERN CITIES
— BC-US–HOME SALES-SOUTHERN CITIES
— BC-US–HOME SALES-WESTERN CITIES.
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS-ILLINOIS
NEW YORK—OppenheimerFunds Inc. said Tuesday it will pay the state of Illinois $77 million to settle an investigation into the firm’s management of a college savings program. Oppenheimer spokeswoman Jeaneen Pisarra said the firm has also reached a tentative $67 million settlement with New Mexico. The firm is in talks with Maine, Nebraska and Texas.
ALSO:
— BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY-DIRECTOR—Billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on Tuesday named Stephen Burke, the chief operating officer of Comcast Corp., to its board of directors.AP Photo NYBZ164.
SPORTS:
AP PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NEW YORK—Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh bulled past the guys who play the glamour positions and proved you don’t have to score touchdowns or toss passes to be the player of the year. Spurred by a dominant performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game, Suh became the first defensive player voted The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year on Tuesday. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo.
AP Photos AP Photo NYBZ164.NENH105, NENH106.
ALSO:
— NEBRASKA RANKING—The Nebraska volleyball team finished the season ranked No. 5 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— BOVINE TB—Nebraska agriculture officials expect that by spring, no more cattle herds in the state will be quarantined because no new cases of bovine tuberculosis were found in the monthslong investigation that’s nearly done.
— WINTRY WARNING—Holiday travelers will want to keep track of the latest weather reports as a major winter storm bears down on Nebraska.
— STORM STOP—A central Nebraska travel center is preparing to help people who might encounter problems with a major winter storm bearing down on Nebraska.
— NEB DRUG RING—All 11 people charged with running a major drug ring in Omaha have made their initial appearances in federal court.
— BROKER BETRAYAL?—Gage County District Judge Paul Korslund has been appointed to the cases of two former Nebraska City brokers accused of securities fraud.
— FOSTER CARE DIRECTOR—A longtime Nebraska foster-care official would be suspended instead of fired under a tentative agreement with the federal government.
— NEB TROUBLED CENTER—Nebraska’s troubled Beatrice State Developmental Center is no longer on state probation.
— CLERK SLAIN—An 18-year-old Omaha teen will stand trial for the murder of a convenience store clerk, but police are still looking for a second suspect.
— LEADERSHIP PROGRAM—Three Nebraska towns will participate in the Nebraska Community Improvement Program Leadership Development Challenge.
— LAKE IMPROVEMENTS—Nebraska trout fishermen have received some good news because work on one of the state’s premier trout lakes has been completed early.
The AP, Omaha.
