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ADDS: LETHAL INJECTION-PROTOCOL
LETHAL INJECTION-PROTOCOL
LINCOLN—Nebraska death-penalty supporters got a sign from Arkansas on Monday that a proposed, lethal-injection protocol might withstand a court challenge if OK’d, as expected, by the governor. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Arkansas’ lethal injection protocol, saying “we conclude that it is designed to avoid the needless infliction of pain, not to cause it.” By Nate Jenkins.
FASTER NEBRASKA
LINCOLN—The Nebraska Highway Commission and Roads Department are about halfway finished reviewing posted limits on highways in the state. Speed limits have been raised on about 360 miles so far.
US-STRESS MAP
UNDATED—Weakness in Western energy-producing states helped raise the average U.S. county’s economic stress in December to its highest point since the recession began in December 2007, according to The Associated Press’ monthly analysis of conditions in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. States such as Alaska, Wyoming and Montana lost jobs related in part to a drop in energy and mining exploration. Those states in the past had generally defied the national economy’s weakness. By Mike Schneider. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Moved on state and national news and financial lines.
With:
— BC-US-STRESS MAP-LIST
LEGISLATURE:
— DNA SAMPLES—Felons in Nebraska may not only have to submit DNA samples to the state—they may have to pay for them, too.
— CLOSING TIME—The closing time for bars in Douglas County could be extended until 2 a.m. as in many other states, but only on Friday and Saturday nights.
— TEACHER PAY—A Nebraska lawmaker wants to put wind in the sails of high-performing teachers.
— WORKERS’ COMP—Emergency workers from across Nebraska recalled traumatizing accident scenes when asking for a new level of workers’ compensation coverage.
— FARMER FINANCING—Skepticism and state budget woes have killed a bill designed to help provide financing for young farmers, ranchers and businesspeople in Nebraska.
SPORTS:
T25-WOMEN’S BKB POLL
UNDATED—Nebraska keeps winning and climbing up the Top 25. The unbeaten Cornhuskers (21-0) moved past Notre Dame to No. 3 on Monday in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll. Nebraska trailed the Irish in the poll by 27 points last week, but were buoyed by victories over then-No. 10 Oklahoma State and 12th-ranked Texas A&M to move two points in front. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.
AP Graphic.
With:
— NEBRASKA REVENUE—Even with a 21-0 record, the third-ranked Nebraska women’s basketball program will fall at least a million dollars short of making money.
Also:
— NCAA LAWSUIT—A federal judge has greenlighted most of a lawsuit by former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon, alleging that the NCAA used the images of student-athletes without permission.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— OMAHA HIT-RUN—Police say a man injured in a hit-and-run accident last weekend outside an Omaha party has died of his injuries.
— RAPE CASE DEAL—A 21-year-old North Platte man who pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl has been given 8-to-20 years in prison.
— FIFTH DUI—A former member of the board that oversees Omaha’s Qwest Center has been sentenced to two-and-a-half to six years in prison for fifth-offense driving under the influence.
— VOTING FOR POLICE—The deadline is approaching for David City voters to decide whether their east-central Nebraska community should retain its two-officer police department.
— LINCOLN SEX ASSAULT—A bond review is set for a Lincoln teenager who’s been accused of forcing a teenage girl to have sex.
— LODGEPOLE WASTEWATER—The community of Lodgepole has been awarded a $350,000 grant to improve its wastewater treatment system.
— AMMO WORKSHOP—The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will sponsor a workshop by an ammunition expert who will share tips on loading your own ammo.
— WESTBORO PROTESTS-OMAHA—A Kansas church says it will be picketing a Catholic high school and college in Omaha.
The AP, Omaha.
