A Nebraska bill that would expand protections for human trafficking victims has won first-round approval from lawmakers.

The bill that advanced on Thursday focuses heavily on minors of both sexes who are coerced and sometimes forced into the sex trade.

Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln says the law should reflect that young people often aren’t entering the sex trade by choice.

The measure would define human trafficking as a form of child abuse, offer an affirmative legal defense for human trafficking victims charged with prostitution, and provide immunity to minors who could otherwise face charges.

Lawmakers say they plan to continue addressing the issue. Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln says he’s concerned that the penalties for johns still aren’t enough to dissuade them.

(AP) — A new program will offer an online education in financial literacy to Nebraska high school students and parents.

State Treasurer Don Stenberg on Thursday unveiled the new initiative, which will be available this fall. The program is being offered through an agreement with EverFi, Inc., an educational technology company based in Washington, D.C.

The coursework addresses a range of financial topics, including credit cards, credit scores, insurance, mortgages, savings, student loans and taxes.

Bonnie Sibert of the Nebraska Department of Education says the animated, interactive programs will add a new twist to existing financial literacy programs in schools.

The initiative is sponsored by the Nebraska State Educational Savings Trust, the state’s college savings program.

For more information, visit the State Treasurer’s website www.treasurer.org.

A North Platte man is facing charges in an accident that took the life of a Stapleton man.

Logan County attorney Steve Vinton said Jesus Gonzales-Torres will be charged with motor vehicle homicide and reckless driving, both misdemeanors.

Authorities say Roger Beckett was traveling in a minivan on Highway 83 near mile marker 119 just before 5:00 p.m on May 18., when a pickup driven by  the 71-year-old Gonzales-Torres, crossed the center line and struck the minivan head-on.

Roger Beckett was pronounced dead at the scene and his wife, Barbara, was seriously injured.

Law enforcement initially said they believed alcohol was involved, however they now do not believe that to be the case.

Roger Beckett’s funeral is next Wednesday.

(AP) — A University of Nebraska-Kearney professor has been accused of possessing and distributing child pornography.

The Kearney Police Department arrested 52-year-old Joseph Benz late Wednesday. The Attorney General’s Office says a cyber-crimes unit had been investigating him.

Authorities searched the psychology professor’s home on Tuesday. One computer uncovered up to 20,000 questionable image files, and investigators are looking into at least two other computers.

Benz has been charged with three counts each of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. He is at the Buffalo County Jail.

Records do not list an attorney.

Platte River Mall is gearing up for the first Community Garage Sale Event on June 1^st.

Individuals who live in an area not suitable for holding their own Garage sale or simply want a more convenient place to hold their sale, are encouraged to sign up with the Mall Office soon.

“We have limited spots available and need people to stop in and fill out the registration forms before the 1^st. We have received feedback via social media that there is a need for this in our community and are happy to host such an event,” says Assistant Mall Manager Cassie Condon.

Spots are $10 for four parking spaces and will be held on the west side of the Mall between Nebraskaland Tire and Verizon Wireless.

Additional Community Garage Sale Events will be held July 13 and August 10.