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DEVELOPING: BKW–MVC-CREIGHTON-N IOWA
CSI-BLOOD EVIDENCE
OMAHA—Douglas County’s chief crime-scene investigator is headed to a second trial in which he’s had to defend himself from allegations of wrongdoing in a 2006 double-murder case that led to two innocent men being charged and jailed for months. David Kofoed faces a single count of evidence tampering in Cass County where his trial starts Monday. He was acquitted on related federal charges in September. Both cases stem from his work four years ago investigating the murders of Wayne and Sharmon Stock of rural Murdock. By Jean Ortiz.
HEALTH OVERHAUL
WASHINGTON—The House’s chief Democratic headcounter said Sunday he hadn’t rounded up enough votes to pass President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul heading into a make-or-break week, even as the White House’s top political adviser said he was “absolutely confident” in its prospects. The administration gave signs of retreating on demands that senators jettison special home-state deals sought by individual lawmakers that have angered the public. By Libby Quaid. Eds: Moving on general news and financial services. Also on national lines
AP Photos CABM103, CABM102.
With:
— HEALTH OVERHAUL-SPECIAL DEALS—The White House is backing down from trying to get senators to remove some special deals from the health care bill.
EXCHANGE-DRUG-DOG DONATION
LINCOLN—My Aunt Gwen bought a drug-sniffing dog last spring. She didn’t tell anyone. By Cindy Lange-Kubick of the Lincoln Journal Star. Eds: An AP Member Exchange. Moved in advance for March 15.
EXCHANGE-4-H DEVELOPER
FREMONT—Leah Miller still remembers when a storm turned the Dodge County Fairgrounds into a wet mess. Back then, the daughter of Jim and Mary Spath of rural North Bend was in junior high school. Her dad was on the fair board. By Tammy Real-McKeighan of the Fremont Tribune. Eds: An AP Member Exchange. Moved in advance for March 15.
EXCHANGE-HEAL AND FORGIVE
COLUMBUS—Sometimes she finds the scar on her forearm. With her fingertips, she feels where the wound knit together so long ago. Like Braille only she can decipher, it communicates cruelty and pain. By Joe Duggan, Lincoln Journal Star. Eds: An AP Member Exchange. Moved in advance for weekend editions of March 13-14.
EXCHANGE-MUSICAL WRITING
OMAHA —It seemed like the perfect career opportunity for Sarah Brownlee. A 2005 Northwestern University graduate with a degree in journalism, she was on the broadcast track. The opportunity came up in Evansville, Ind., where she had family. She applied, got the job and began as a reporter. Six months later she became the morning anchor. By Betsy Hansen, Fremont Tribune. Eds: An AP Member Exchange. Moved in advance for weekend editions of March 13-14.
SPORTS:
BKW–MVC-CREIGHTON-N IOWA
ST. CHARLES, Mo.—Northern Iowa faces Creighton for the Missouri Valley tournament title and an NCAA tourney berth. Game time 2:30 p.m.
ALSO:
— BBC–HOUSTON BAPTIST-NEBRASKA—Game time 2 p.m.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— ALLIANCE RESIGNATION—The Alliance city manager has resigned amid concerns over her handling of some issues.
— QUARTERLY REPORT—The winter edition of Great Plains Quarterly includes more stories about the events and people who helped transform the Plains.
— GREAT GROUNDCOVER—University of Nebraska-Lincoln experts recommend planting groundcover plants between trees and shrubs to reduce the need for mulch.
— DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES—The state Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Nebraskans that people with developmental disabilities are important members of their communities.
— UNMC NURSING—The University of Nebraska Medical Center is making changes to its nursing program in an effort to alleviate the state’s nurse shortage.
The AP, Omaha.
