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DEVELOPING: XGR–SCHOOL LOBBYING, IMMIGRANT TUITION-LAWSUIT, HOME SALES-MIDWESTERN CITIES, BKC–WIDE-OPEN BIG 12
ADDS: PLAINS STORM, NOT QUITE FOOTLOOSE
XGR–SCHOOL LOBBYING
LINCOLN—Nebraska schools that spend thousands of dollars on lobbyists have caught the attention of state lawmakers, some of whom want to make sure state tax dollars aren’t used to curry favor with the Legislature. A legislative hearing was scheduled for Monday at the Capitol. During 2008, public schools in Nebraska spent more than $576,000 on lobbyists. By Nate Jenkins
With:
— LICENSE SCAN—Nebraska is on track to become the last state to allow retail clerks to electronically scan information from driver’s licenses.
PLAINS STORM
BISMARCK, N.D.—Blizzard conditions shut down eastern North Dakota on Monday, while crews in that state, South Dakota and Nebraska continued efforts to restore electricity to more than 13,000 people. As many as 8,000 utility poles were believed to be down in the Dakotas because of ice buildup and strong winds. By Blake Nicholson.
AP Photos NDGRA101-102
IMMIGRANT TUITION-LAWSUIT
OMAHA—A Kansas attorney has filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of Nebraska’s 2006 law that allows some illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition. Kris Kobach filed the lawsuit Monday in Jefferson County District Court on behalf of several Nebraskans. The lawsuit names the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and other state college boards as defendants. By Margery A. Beck.
NOT QUITE FOOTLOOSE
LINCOLN—It isn’t exactly “Footloose,” but a 70-year-old Lincoln ordinance that keeps minors from public dancing past 9 p.m. is being challenged. Owners of the Bourbon Theatre have asked at least one member of the Lincoln City Council to revisit the 1930s law, which some business owners say is archaic.
BUSINESS:
HOME SALES-MIDWESTERN CITIES
OMAHA—Home sales in the Midwest fell 19 percent between November and December as the rush to claim federal tax credits subsided, but the number of sales still topped December 2008 by 9 percent. The National Association of Realtors said Monday there were 86,000 completed sales in the 11-state region during December. The median home price gained nearly 4 percent, to $173,600. By Business Writer Josh Funk. Eds: Moving on state and national news and financial lines.
With:
— US–HOME SALES moving on national lines.
SPORTS:
BKC–WIDE-OPEN BIG 12
OMAHA—Texas and Kansas State have proved to be vulnerable, and even Kansas has had a hiccup. The Big 12 race is shaping up to be wide open, if the first couple weeks of conference play are any indication. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— EXCESSIVE-FORCE LAWSUIT—A federal appeals court has thrown out a lawsuit against an eastern Nebraska sheriff’s deputy, saying video evidence discredits a woman’s account of being mistreated.
— IOWA CRASH-TEEN KILLED—Windsor Heights authorities say a Nebraska teen was killed when her vehicle flipped over a bridge rail and landed on the street below.
— HAITI RELIEF-BRACELETS—A 10-year-old Nebraska girl is making bracelets to help raise money for Haiti earthquake relief. By Nl-Kcau-Fls.
— COUNTERFEIT-CHECK SCAM—A 49-year-old North Platte woman has been given five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution for helping run a counterfeit check-cashing scheme.
— BAD REFERENCE?—A former executive director of the York County Development Corporation has sued the organization and some of its leaders, alleging she’s owed damages for slander and is owed back pay.
— SEX TALK—Sex, sexuality and sexual health are topics to be discussed at the Omaha Science Cafe event on Feb. 9.
— WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE—The empowerment of women in agriculture will be the theme of the annual Women in Agriculture conference in Kearney in February.
— DINOSAURS AND DISASTERS—At this year’s “Dinosaurs and Disasters” family fun day, scientists will explain extinction by interpreting disasters, climate change and other catastrophic events.
The AP, Omaha.
