LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The quality of Nebraska’s corn and soybean crops is suffering because of the recent warm, dry weather.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that crop conditions continued to decline in the state last week when temperatures were several degrees above normal.

About 47 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop is in good or excellent condition. That’s much lower than the average of 81 percent good or excellent that’s typical at this time of year.

The soybean crop is also in bad shape. About 41 percent of Nebraska’s soybeans are in good or excellent shape. Normally, about 79 percent of the soybean crop is good or excellent.

The wheat harvest is nearly complete in Nebraska, which is about three weeks ahead of schedule.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Democratic Party is targeting GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Deb Fischer in a new television ad that portrays her family’s grazing leases on federal land as a welfare handout. 

Democratic Party Chairman-elect Vince Powers on Monday unveiled a new statewide television ad that accuses Fischer of benefiting from a deal that less than 1 percent of Nebraska ranchers receive.

Fischer, of Valentine, has faced criticism for her family’s participation in the program. The ranching corporation pays $4,700 to graze the cattle for seven months, about $110,000 less than the market rate for private land in Cherry County.

Republicans say the accusation distorts the true cost of grazing the land, which includes federal grazing permits, fencing requirements and other regulations. Public grazing also lowers the federal government’s land-maintenance costs.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln insurance agent plans to continue running for re-election to a natural resources district board even though he is due to be sentenced for perjury next month.

Larry Hall is also in the midst of bankruptcy, his insurance license is under review, and he owes an insurance company more than $55,000.

But Hall says to local media that after talking with his supporters, he intends to continue serving on the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District board.

The 67-year-old Hall pleaded no contest to perjury in June. He will be sentenced on Aug. 24 for making false statements under oath during the legal dispute over the sale of Hall’s company, Associated Insurance Managers, to the McCashland-Kirby Insurance Agency in 2007.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A mountain lion killed last year in Kearney will become the mascot of a new elementary school in the central Nebraska city.

The Kearney school district acquired the carcass and plans to have it stuffed and mounted. Then the cougar will go on display at Kenwood Elementary.

Superintendent Brian Maher says he thinks the stuffed cougar will be an educational tool and an artful presence at the school. Donations are paying for the taxidermy.

Police killed the mountain lion in May 2011 after it was spotted roaming through several yards one morning.

State wildlife officials studied the 2-year-old cougar and didn’t find anything wrong with it. The skull is on display at the Game and Parks Commission office in Kearney.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Anyone interested in a Nebraska paddlefish snagging permit should apply for one during July.

Nebraska Game and Parks officials plan to conduct a drawing for the permits in mid-August, so applications will be accepted through the end of July.

Paddlefish permits cost $20 for residents and $40 for nonresidents, but anglers must also have a valid 2012 Nebraska fishing permit.

Paddlefish snagging is permitted only in a prescribed section of the Missouri River during October.

Applications can be submitted online at www.outdoornebraska.org or at a Game and Parks office.