LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The recent cool, dry weather helped Nebraska farmers who are harvesting wheat.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 54 percent of the state’s wheat crop has now been harvest, which is slightly behind the average of 61 percent.
Nebraska’s two biggest crops of corn and soybeans appear to be in good shape.
The USDA says 76 percent of the corn crop is in good or excellent condition in the state.
And 73 percent of Nebraska’s soybeans are in good or excellent condition.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Army has provided $1.4 million for more University of Nebraska research into remote-controlled robotic surgery.
University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers have been working since 2008 with the U.S. Army’s Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program to develop miniature robotic technology. The goal is to enable surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures for wounded soldiers who immediately can’t be evacuated.
Dr. Dmitry Oleynikov is director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Center for Advanced Surgical Technology at the medical center, and he says minirobots have the capability to provide basic diagnosis and triage of internal injuries. They would be inserted into patients and be controlled by surgeons elsewhere.
He says the technology may be applied in civilian settings and rural environments.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s Natural Resources Commission is laying the groundwork for projects intended to preserve the state’s long-term water supply.
The commission received $21 million this month as part of a new state water sustainability law, and is expected to collect $10 million to $11 million annually for water management and flood-control projects. The state money will pay for projects related to water management and qualify, flood control, and compliance with interstate water compacts.
The law was passed in the midst of recent drought years and legal fights with Kansas over access to the Republican River, which runs through southern Nebraska.
The law also expanded the commission from 16 to 27 members to include new representation for cities, agriculture, manufacturing, public power districts and wildlife conservation, among others.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Johnny Manziel is No. 2 on Cleveland’s depth chart but No. 1 as the NFL’s top-selling jersey.
The league said Monday the rookie quarterback’s No. 2 jersey outsold all others from April 1 to July 17 on NFLShop.com.
Manziel is followed on the list by three quarterbacks: Seattle’s Russell Wilson, San Francisco’s Colin Kapernick and Denver’s Peyton Manning. Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is fifth followed by St. Louis rookie Michael Sam, the league’s first openly gay player.
The league did not say how many Manziel jerseys — priced at $99.95 a pop — sold during the period.
The Browns drafted the former Texas A&M star with the No. 22 pick. He’ll enter his first training camp as Brian Hoyer’s backup.
DALLAS (AP) — Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby warns that anyone who likes intercollegiate athletics the way they are now will hate what’s coming.
During his opening address at Big 12 football media days Monday, Bowlsby said significant changes are on the way.
Bowlsby isn’t sure people understand how much pending lawsuits against the NCAA and its member schools could change things. He says the Big 12 and other conferences are defendants in seven class-action lawsuits “and that number is growing all the time.”
Bowlsby believes new funding challenges, including legal battles and expenses increasing at a higher rate than revenue, will eventually result in the elimination of some minor sports teams. The former Stanford athletic director also anticipates tension among sports on campus and among institutions with different resources.
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — The National Baseball Hall of Fame says next month’s gala concert featuring the Boston Pops and Paul Simon has been canceled. No reason was given.
The Aug. 2 event was to have been part of the museum’s 75th anniversary celebration.
The Hall of Fame said Monday that LGH19 Productions has asked ticket holders to go to www.cooperstownconcert.com for more information. Hall spokesman Brad Horn is referring questions to LGH19 Production.
Attempts to reach the promoter for comment were unsuccessful.
Hall of Famers Rod Carew, Rollie Fingers, Carlton Fisk and Ozzie Smith were among those to have attended the concert at Clark Sports Center.
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies placed first baseman Justin Morneau on the 15-day disabled list with a strained neck.
The move is retroactive to July 14.
To take his place on the roster, the team selected the contract of infielder Ben Paulsen from Triple-A Colorado Springs. They also designated right-hander Jair Jurrjens for assignment.
The 26-year-old Paulsen will make his major-league debut at first base on Monday against the Washington Nationals.
Morneau is hitting .312 with 13 homers and 60 RBIs. He also took part in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star game.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was out of the starting lineup Monday for a second straight game with a tender left thigh. Tulowitzki said he still felt a “little sore,” but didn’t think he’d have to go on the DL.
DALLAS (AP) — The Big 12 Conference has assigned a female official to work one of its games for the first time in league history.
Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Monday that Catherine “Cat” Conti will be on the crew for Kansas’ season opener at home Sept. 6 against Southeast Missouri State.
While calling this a good opportunity for Conti and the league, Bowlsby says Big 12 officiating supervisor Walt Anderson assigned Conti “because she is just a darned good official.”
Bowlsby says Conti, a Southland Conference official, has paid her dues.
Kansas coach Charlie Weis jokingly said he’ll try not to use as many curse words during the game.
TORONTO (AP) — Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has passed Boston great Carl Yastrzemski on baseball’s career home run chart.
One inning after matching Yastrzemski with No. 452 on Monday night, Ortiz connected again to take over sole possession of 36th place.
Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox is next on the list. He entered play Monday with 454 homers.
Big Papi hit a two-run shot to center field off Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Brad Mills in the fourth inning. Ortiz took Mills deep for another two-run drive in his next at-bat for his third multihomer game this season and the 44th of his career.
Ortiz has 22 homers this year, and 395 with Boston. He hit 58 for the Minnesota Twins before joining the Red Sox.
Ted Williams holds the Red Sox record with 521 home runs, followed by Yastrzemski (452) and then Ortiz.
Ortiz’s first homer Monday night ended his 0-for-18 skid against Toronto and 0-for-11 slump overall.
