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DEVELOPING: XGR–PRENATAL CARE, FRAUD LIABILITY, EDUCATION GRANTS-NEBRASKA
ADDS: VOTING MACHINE CONTROVERSY, HELICOPTER CRASH
XGR–PRENATAL CARE
LINCOLN—An anti-abortion group says Nebraska state senators’ stances on state-funded prenatal care for illegal immigrants will likely be one of several factors it uses when making campaign endorsements. Nebraska Right to Life executive director Julie Schmit-Albin said Thursday that the issue will likely be one issue the group’s board looks at when considering the totality of a candidate’s anti-abortion record. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
— XGR–WATER TAX—Fees that some lawmakers say amount to an unfair tax on a tax may soon be illegal in Nebraska, a move that would largely benefit Omaha residents but that could also apply statewide.
FRAUD LIABILITY
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court must decide how much the owners of Freedom Financial Group knew about the improper way investments in the company were being sold. The question about what Westley, Carolyn and Patrick Pierce knew is at the heart of a lawsuit argued before the court Thursday. By Josh Funk. Eds: Moving on state news and financial lines.
EDUCATION GRANTS-NEBRASKA
LINCOLN—Nebraska has been left out of $4.35 billion in school reform grants being dangled by the U.S. Department of Education. The department on Thursday named 16 finalists for the grants, which are designed to reward states that have adopted and will continue implementing innovative reforms to improve student performance. Winners will be chosen in April. Eds: For use with BC-US–Education Grants moving on national lines.
VOTING MACHINE CONTROVERSY
WASHINGTON—The largest voting machine company in the country bought its biggest competitor six months ago without advance fanfare. Now the Justice Department is investigating whether to unwind the merger that put a privately held Nebraska company in control of the voting machines in nearly 70 percent of the nation’s precincts. With midterm elections looming and a battle for control of Congress under way, a coalition of election officials from several states and voter advocate groups is pressing the Justice Department to unscramble the combination of two companies. Critics say the merger could cause foul-ups at the polls on Election Day, and some even characterize it as a national security risk. By Pete Yost. Eds: Also moving on national lines.
AP Photo WX101.
HELICOPTER CRASH
SALT LAKE CITY—Two crew members remained in critical condition Thursday after a Coast Guard helicopter crashed in the Utah mountains. The helicopter with five aboard crashed Wednesday morning as the crew was headed back to its base in Elizabeth City, N.C., after providing security support for the Winter Olympics. By Mike Stark. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Also moving on national lines.
AP Photo UTSAL101.
BUSINESS:
— VALMONT-DELTA DEAL—Infrastructure products manufacturer Valmont Industries, Inc., of Omaha says it buying Delta, PLC, of London. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— CO-OP EXPANSION—The Aurora Cooperative plans to spend $11 million to expand the capacity of three of its railroad terminals in the state. Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
— GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL-AT A GLANCE—State tournament scores.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— NEB CHILD BURNED—Police say a south-central Nebraska woman used an iron to burn an arm of her boyfriend’s 6-year-old daughter.
— OMAHA SEX ASSAULTS—An Omaha man who led a church youth group and fosters children has been charged with sexually assaulting two children.
— COZAD EMBEZZLEMENT—A 45-year-old former secretary for Cozad High School had been criminally charged in the disappearance of thousands of dollars from district accounts.
— LINCOLN EMBEZZLEMENT—Lincoln police say a 28-year-old man has been arrested, accused of stealing more than $13,600 from bank customer accounts.
— TERRY FUNDRAISER—Gov. Dave Heineman is coming to the fundraising aid of Republican Congressman Lee Terry, who is seeking re-election to Nebraska’s 2nd District congressional seat.
— INMATES HELP HAITI—Inmates in Nebraska’s state prisons have stepped up to help victims of the January earthquake in Haiti.
— CREIGHTON-HAITI—Creighton University has raised $220,000 for relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
— VETERANS GRANT—A grant of $100,000 has been awarded to help Nebraska veterans, National Guard members and reservists start or expand small businesses.
— NEBRASKA EDITORIAL ROUNDUP
The AP, Omaha.
