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DEVELOPING: WINTER WEATHER
ADDS: WRE–NEBRASKA-UNBEATEN BRESTER
WINTER WEATHER
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Steadily falling snow blanketed the Midwest on Thursday, part of a vicious cold snap engulfing much of the nation, and a tractor-trailer spun out of control on snow-slick roads in Ohio, killing four people and injuring seven. The tractor-trailer jackknifed on Interstate 70, crossed the highway median and swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding with a small bus transporting adult disabled passengers, the Ohio Highway Patrol said. By Meghan Barr And James MacPherson.
AP Photos NENH111, NENH105, NENH109, IASIO101, NY2, NY4, IACN101, ILDEC101, FLWL101, FLWL103, OHAS102, OHAS103, FLSAR103, INMC103, INMC102, TNMEM501, INWAY101, OHSPR106, OHSPR107, OHSPR105, OHSPR103.
With:
— WINTER WEATHER-NEBRASKA—Blowing and drifting snow is making travel difficult on parts of Interstate 80 in eastern Nebraska.
— WINTER WEATHER-NEBRASKA—Nebraska ranchers and feedlot operators don’t have much choice about venturing outside in the bitter cold: They have to tend to their cattle.
— WINTER WEATHER-NEBRASKA—Northeast Nebraska officials are encouraging people to stay off the roads because of dangerous conditions created by ice and drifting snow.
— WINTER WEATHER-NEBRASKA—Ice and drifting snow is forcing officials to close highways and local roadways throughout eastern Nebraska.
— WINTER WEATHER-NEBRASKA—Winds gusting to 50 mph were whipping new and old snow around eastern Nebraska on Thursday, making travel dangerous in the subzero temperatures.
HEALTH CARE-NELSON
OMAHA—Sen. Ben Nelson said Thursday he has asked Democratic leadership to extend to all states the extra Medicaid funding promised to Nebraska in the health care reform bill. The Democrat wouldn’t say who he has spoken to regarding the so-called “Cornhusker Kickback” but that he would see to it that Nebraska doesn’t get a special deal. By Timberly Ross. Eds: Moving on state and national lines. Stands as writethru for BC-NE–Health Care-Deal that moved earlier on Nebraska lines.
XGR–ELECTORAL VOTE SPLIT
LINCOLN—Nebraska’s ability to split its electoral votes in presidential elections could be eliminated under a proposal before lawmakers. Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha on Thursday introduced a bill (LB777) to shift the state to a winner-take-all system. He argues the current method of distributing votes puts the state at a disadvantage. By Jean Ortiz.
With:
— MARRIAGE LICENSE LIABILITY—A state senator wants to clear county clerks of liability in cases where an illegal immigrant provides false information to get a marriage license.
— CONVENTION CENTERS—Cities across Nebraska could get a tax deal similar to the one Omaha got to build its Qwest Center.
— WORKERS’ COMP—Physical, on-the-job injuries someday might not be the only types of injuries that could qualify Nebraska first responders for workers’ compensation.
— TRACKING MEDICAID—A Nebraska lawmaker says taxpayers are picking up the health-insurance tabs for too many businesses and wants to make the names of the businesses public.
SPORTS:
WRE–NEBRASKA-UNBEATEN BRESTER
LINCOLN—Nebraska’s Craig Brester has gone from being just another walk-on wrestler to one of the nation’s best 197-pounders. He’s 17-0 heading into this weekend’s National Duals. By Eric Olson.
AP Photo.
BKC–BIG 12 BEGINS
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Feb. 8 game between Kansas and Texas figures to be epic, maybe the biggest in the history of the Big 12. Two undefeated teams, No. 1 vs. No. 2, a dozen or so future pros on the floor. Of course, there’s one potential snag: one of them could lose. The way the Big 12’s shaping up, don’t rule it out. By John Marshall. Eds: Note Nebraska interest.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— OMAHA TAX CHEAT—A 41-year-old Omaha man who didn’t report income from his remodeling business has been given five years of probation, six months of home confinement and must pay Uncle Sam more than $48,600 in restitution.
— ENERGY VIDEO LIBRARY—Omaha Public Power District is willing to share its video library with people who want to increase their home energy efficiency. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— EDITORIAL RDP—Excerpts from recent Nebraska daily newspaper editorials on topics of statewide interest.
The AP, Omaha.
