LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is halting production of a new, widely mocked license plate after officials learned that the state icon depicted at the center wasn’t drawn accurately.

The license plate is supposed to show the Nebraska Sower, a statue of a man throwing seeds from atop the state Capitol. The governor’s office said Friday that the image on the plates used elements from a different artwork.

Department of Motor Vehicles Director Rhonda Lahm says the state will redesign the plates to correctly depict the statue.

The decision was first reported by the Omaha World-Herald.

Since the design was unveiled last week, some people have called it boring. Others say the image appears sexually suggestive. The man who drew it says it was based on a nearly identical sower at Michigan State University.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would have given Nebraska state officials more power to recover Medicaid debts has stalled in the Legislature.

Senators failed Friday to overcome a filibuster on the measure, which would have closed loopholes in current state law and allowed the Department of Health and Human Services to hire more attorneys.

Opponents say the measure unfairly targets farm property, but not other assets such as stocks and bonds. Others contend that the department wasn’t designed to handle debt recoveries on a larger scale.

Lawmakers voted 29-19 to force an end to debate, four short of what was needed.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus, says he plans to introduce it again next year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and lengthy sentence of a 17-year-old who killed a western Nebraska jailer.

Dylan Cardeilhac of Torrington, Wyoming, was 15 when he strangled Scotts Bluff County jailer Amanda Baker in February 2014. He was convicted later that year of second-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years to life in prison.

In his direct appeal, Cardeilhac sought a new trial because jurors participated in a reenactment of the choking of Baker during deliberations. But the high court on Friday said that did not constitute juror misconduct.

The court also dismissed Cardeilhac’s argument that his sentence was excessive.

A North Platte man is facing a burglary charge after he allegedly returned a pair of stolen shoes to the victim.

At around 3:01 pm, on March 22, North Platte Police responded to a reported burglary at a residence in the 1200 block of West 9th Street.

The resident told officers that he returned home to find that his front door had been forced open.  He stated that a Xbox 360 and some shoes were missing.

According to Investigator John Deal, the victim had an idea of several people who may be responsible, and officers made contact with numerous potential suspects during the investigation.

At some point, Deal said William Brown contacted the victim and returned the pair of shoes that had been taken in the burglary.  However, Brown denied that he was the one that had stolen them.

On March 31, Brown was contacted by an officer at Casey’s, 2421 Rodeo Road, and eventually agreed to speak to the officer.

During questioning, Brown told the officer where the stolen Xbox was located.

It was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Brown and charge him with felony burglary.

Brown was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center on the burglary charge and an active warrant out of Missouri.

Fifty local nonprofit causes have registered to participate in the first-ever North Platte Giving Day on May 3, hosted by Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation.

“During this 24-hour community giving event, you can choose your favorite cause or causes and give to them either online or at a local donation site,” said Eric Seacrest, Community Foundation executive director.

“It’s easy, and it’s exciting.  There will be cash prizes for nonprofits, a real-time leaderboard, and fun events.  Also, matching funds have been pledged to many nonprofits that will match donations made on May 3.”

Donors anywhere can make secure donations online May 3 on the website www.NorthPlatteGivingDay.org.  Online giving is the fastest growing method used by donors to make charitable gifts, Seacrest said.

Donors also can drop off a check at one of the Giving Day Donation Sites that will include locations of several participating nonprofits.

Donations made online will help nonprofit causes get cash prizes from thousands of dollars provided by sponsors and awarded throughout the day on May 3.  For more information about sponsorships contact Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, 534-3315 or mncf@hamilton.net.

Some nonprofit causes already have pledges of matching funds to match donations from the public.  One organization has $100,000 in matching funds pledged to match other donations received on Giving Day.

Each participating nonprofit cause is qualified as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and Giving Day donations are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent allowed by law.

North Platte Giving Day is modeled after other giving day events held around the country.

North Platte Giving Day fits the mission of the Community Foundation to serve charitable people and worthy causes, said Larry Stobbs, Community Foundation president.  “Our Board of Directors wants the community to know more about the important work of nonprofits and their need for support to carry out their activities.” 

“Giving Day makes helping nonprofits a shared community experience,” Stobbs said.

Almost all 50 participating nonprofits are well known locally and they include organizations based in Brady, Hershey, Maxwell, and Sutherland as well as North Platte.

The list of participating community causes can be viewed online at www.NorthPlatteGivingDay.org.

501(c)(3) organizations located in and serving North Platte and Lincoln County have until April 6 to register participate in North Platte Giving Day.  There is no charge for registration.