LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A ballot measure that would let 18-year-olds serve in public office in Nebraska has won first-round approval.

Lawmakers voted 27-11 on Monday to advance the measure, which would apply to the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, the Legislature and the Supreme Court.

Two more legislative votes are required before the measure could appear on the November ballot. Nebraska imposes an age minimum of 21 for state senators and 30 to serve as a governor, lieutenant governor or Supreme Court justice.

Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill says voters should be able to choose anyone who has reached the federal voting age and is otherwise qualified to serve.

Some senators opposed the measure, saying it could result in governors and justices whose brains haven’t fully developed.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A free flight to Washington, D.C., has been arranged for Nebraska Vietnam veterans who want to see the famed memorials and monuments.

The June 6 excursion will be similar to the Honor Flights that carried World War II and then Korean War veterans to the nation’s capital. The flight and related events are being organized by Bill and Evonne Williams, who organized the Honor Flights.

Veterans may apply on the couple’s website, PatrioticProductions.org. The Williamses expect demand for one of the jetliner’s 135 seats will be high, so the flight initially will be restricted to combat veterans. Two Vietnam veterans will select those who will take the trip.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — January results from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states suggest some improvement in the regional economy but not enough to generate optimism.

A report issued Monday says the Mid-American Business Conditions Index jumped to 48.3 in January from 39.5 in December — the first increase in six months.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says falling agriculture and energy commodity prices and global economic uncertainty continue “to restrain supply managers’ expectations of future economic conditions.”

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — The governor’s annual agriculture conference will focus on the future of Nebraska’s biggest industry and the opportunities and challenges it faces.

The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney on March 2-3.

Gov. Pete Ricketts says farmers and ranchers have a chance to learn at the event and discuss the future of the agriculture industry with state leaders.

Several nationally known speakers will address biotechnology’s role in agriculture, sustainable approaches to farming and ranching and trends in what consumers are demanding.

The event costs $100. Anyone interested in agriculture can register at www.nda.Nebraska.gov.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Education Department is seeking sponsors for its Summer Food Service Program.

The program provides meals and snacks to children at schools, churches, playgrounds and parks during summer and other school breaks. It was created to ensure children in low-income areas can get meals when they don’t have access to school lunches or breakfasts.

Eligible sponsors include public or nonprofit private schools, residential camps, and local, municipal, county or state government sites. Also, private, nonprofit sponsors and sites are eligible. Program sponsors may apply for up to $15,000 a year for non-recurring expenses.

Grant application may be downloaded from the Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services’ web page at: https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/SFSP/news.html . To request a grant application packet or to verify eligibility, call Nutrition Services at 1-800-731-2233 or email sue.gilleland@nebraska.gov.

CUSTER-LINCOLN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BROKEN BOW...NORTH PLATTE
357 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM
CST TUESDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM
CST TUESDAY.

* TIMING...LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW BEGINS BY EARLY THIS AFTERNOON.
  HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED TONIGHT. THE SNOW SHOULD DECREASE
  IN INTENSITY TUESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...5 TO 10 INCHES. HIGHEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE
  MOST LIKELY SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80 AND IN SOUTHERN CUSTER
  COUNTY.

* WIND...EAST AND NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH TODAY AND TONIGHT
  BECOMING NORTH AND INCREASING TO 20 TO 30 MPH LATE TONIGHT WITH
  GUSTS TO 35 MPH IN OPEN AREAS.

* IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP MONDAY NIGHT AND
  BLOWING SNOW IS EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT AND TUESDAY MORNING
  MAKING TRAVEL VERY DIFFICULT. PERIODS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW
  MAY REDUCE VISIBILITY TO 1/4 MILE...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.
  DRIFTING SNOW MAY BLOCK SOME ROADS TUESDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.  SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF
SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN
AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.