LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — When Nebraska lawmakers sought to ease prison crowding two years ago, they expanded probation services in hopes that more supervision and treatment would reduce the number of low-level felons behind bars.

But now, in the wake of this year’s budget crisis, some lawmakers fear cuts to probation services could undermine the work they’ve done so far.

Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete says the cuts are concerning, and she worries that judges will send low-level offenders to prison if they don’t believe probation services are adequate to handle the caseloads.

The cuts came as lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts sought to fill a projected $900 million revenue shortfall in the upcoming two-year budget.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farm groups and some members of Congress from farm states are decrying proposed cuts to crop insurance and other safety net programs for farmers included in President Donald Trump’s budget.

The proposed cuts come as farmers are facing their fourth straight year of falling income. They could particularly affect farm states such as Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska that helped Trump win the November election.

One proposal would cut the federal crop insurance program by $28 billion over 10 years. Programs that provide crop subsidies would lose $9 billion.

But Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa farmer, says the crop insurance cuts won’t make it through Congress.

The Trump administration says the proposed cuts help fulfill a campaign promise to balance the federal budget.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The deadline is approaching for Nebraska meat processors to apply for participation in this year’s Hunters Helping the Hungry program.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says processors have until July 1 to apply. The program allows hunters to donate the deer they kill to Nebraska residents in need. The processors accept the meat and turn it into ground venison before it’s donated.

The application form and program guidelines are available at https://outdoornebraska.gov/hhh. The commission will contact eligible applicants by July 31.

GIBBON, Neb. (AP) — Officials from central to eastern Nebraska are warning the public to use caution around rain-swollen rivers.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office is urging caution on the Platte River following two separate incidents on the river in recent days. Capt. Bob Anderson says two teenage girls were found clinging to a log in the middle of the river after trying to float down it Thursday. The girls were uninjured but had to be brought to shore.

On May 27, officials responded to reports of a person on an inner tube trapped in a man-made diversion on the river. No one was injured.

In eastern Nebraska, Elkhorn River access sites remained closed Saturday because of high water flows.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A medical services provider is ending its contract with a Nebraska prison, citing staff safety concerns.

Corrections officials announced Friday they will take over management of medical services at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution starting July 24. The change comes after Correct Care Solutions sent a 60-day notice that it was terminating its contract.

Dr. Harbans Deol, the department’s deputy director for health services, says the department is prepared to manage medical services in-house and has already begun to recruit staff.

Corrections officials say the contractor cited general safety concerns, but noted that none of the company’s employees have been harmed at the prison.

Correct Care Solutions has provided medical services for the prison since September 2005. The department already manages medical services at its other nine facilities.

• Jesse Ray Allen, 26, North Platte and Jessica Alice Montgomery, 29, North Platte

 

• Michael Robinson, 54, North Platte and Glenda Rene Nesslein, 47, North Platte

 

• Troy Isaac Bainter, 24, North Platte and Haley Nicole Placke, 22, North Platte

 

• Michael Jon Neiman, 22, North Platte and Katherine Elizabeth Williams, 22, North Platte

 

• Juan Francisco Orellana, 37, North Platte and Tawnia J Alloway, 36, North Platte

 

• Joshua Eugene Margritz, 20, Hershey and Chelsey Ann Nickolite, 26, Hershey