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DEVELOPING: WELFARE WITHOUT DRUGS, FBC–OUTLAND BANQUET-SUH
ADDS: NEB STATE OF STATE
NEB STATE OF STATE
LINCOLN—Amid looming budget problems, Gov. Dave Heineman tried to shift focus to Nebraska’s financial health compared with other states’ while acknowledging Thursday that the next 12 to 18 months would be a time of economic uncertainty. In his annual State of the State address, the Republican said Nebraska has gained a reputation as a good place to do business and for people to get a fresh start as other states’ economies falter. By Nate Jenkins.
AP Photos NEBW101, NEBW102, NEBW103, NEBW105, NEBW104.
XGR–WELFARE WITHOUT DRUGS
LINCOLN—A Nebraska lawmaker wants to make sure that welfare recipients in the state aren’t taking drugs. A bill (LB940) Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont introduced Thursday would require welfare recipients to undergo drug testing, and anyone who tests positive would lose benefits for one year. By Josh Funk.
With:
— TEXTING WHILE DRIVING—Sending or receiving text messages while driving may soon be illegal in Nebraska.
SPORTS:
FBC–OUTLAND BANQUET-SUH
OMAHA—Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh is formally presented the Outland Trophy at a banquet in Omaha, 50 miles from the Cornhuskers’ Lincoln campus. The banquet is the state’s final big celebration of Suh, who’ll turn his attention to preparing for the NFL scouting combine next month. By Eric Olson. Eds: Developing from 7 p.m. banquet.
AP Photos
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— SMITH-RE-ELECTION—Adrian Smith says he wants another term representing Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District in Washington so has filed for re-election.
— SMITH-MIDDLE EAST—Nebraska Republican Congressman Adrian Smith has returned from a trip that included stops as several Middle East countries.
— BRUNING RE-ELECTION—Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning is running for re-election.
— FORMER DIRECTOR ACCUSED—A 56-year-old Grand Island woman has been accused of stealing money from the Central Nebraska Child Advocacy Center when she was its director.
— ANTI-ABORTION REWARD—A Kansas-based anti-abortion group is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of abortion doctors who break the law.
— DOCTOR-PANDERING—A Grand Island gynecologist was arrested on suspicion of pandering after one of his patients told police he offered to pay her for sex.
— GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS—Nebraska high school students soon will be required to take more courses in core subjects to help make sure they are better prepared for college or work.
— GRADES LOST—Hastings Public Schools have lost about three weeks of grades, but officials say report cards will still come out on time next week.
— STIMULUS-JOB TRAINING—More than $2.3 million in federal stimulus money is heading to Lincoln for job training.
— NEB GOP VACANCY—The Nebraska Republican Party is looking for a new executive director.
— BIZ FILINGS—Domestic and foreign business corporations can now file their Nebraska occupation-tax reports online.
— EDITORIAL RDP—Excerpts from recent Nebraska daily newspaper editorials on topics of statewide interest.
The AP, Omaha.
