LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is looking for farmers, ranchers and agribusiness representatives who want to participate in his upcoming trade mission to Mexico.

The governor’s office put out the call for applicants this week, noting that the trip’s participants will have the chance to meet with Mexican agricultural officials and industry representatives.

The delegation’s size will be limited due to the nature of the trip and the meetings involved. Participants will be responsible for all costs associated with their trip, including airfare, lodging, meals and participation fees.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Steve Wellman says farmers, ranchers and agricultural leaders are the best people to discuss their experiences in agriculture.

The governor’s office says anyone with questions should email Nebraska agricultural trade representative Stan Garbacz at stan.garbacz@nebraska.gov.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska media group is launching a campaign to promote awareness of the First Amendment and its protections.

Members of Media of Nebraska unveiled the new “Think F1rst” initiative Thursday at the Capitol. It’s designed to educate Nebraska residents about the five constitutional freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment.

The campaign will begin July 4 and run through Sept. 30. It will be supported in-kind on statewide radio and television stations, in newspapers, and on the websites and social media platforms of participating outlets.

The foundations of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Nebraska Press Association mutually agreed to fund the multimedia creative elements of the campaign, which were created by Clark Creative Group of Omaha.

One person has been arrested following an operation of the Panhandle Region Team of the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force.

The operation occurred on Tuesday, June 26, in Sidney. The Task Force was assisted by the WING (Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group) Task Force, the Sidney Police Department, Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, Gering Police Department, Scottsbluff Police Department, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and several other entities.

During the operation, James Raymond Hill, 52, of Mitchell, Nebraska was arrested for solicitation of prostitution.

In addition to enforcement against those who solicit sex acts, the operation also focused on recovering victims of human trafficking.

The Task Force would like to thank CAPstone, the Salvation Army, and DOVES for their assistance.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reminding park visitors and area residents of the mandatory permitting process for tractors operating on the beaches of Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (SRA).

Game and Parks has created a simple, required permitting process that follows state park regulations and allows for more towing operations on McConaughy’s beaches. All tractors are required to obtain an annual permit, regardless of whether they are for commercial or private use. There is currently no fee for the permit and an application can be picked up at the Lake McConaughy Visitor/Water Interpretive Center or can be requested via email at colby.johnson@nebraska.gov.

Liability insurance is required for any permit issuance. Contact Colby Johnson at 308-284-8804 or colby.johnson@nebraska.gov for more information.

During public meetings held in the Ogallala area during the creation of the 2016 Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan, Game and Parks received several comments indicating the desire to have more tractors operating on the beaches to provide services to an increasing number of park visitors.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The peregrine falcons that have nested for years on the Nebraska Capitol have failed in their second attempt this year.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says 19/K and his mate, Alley, began their second attempt near the end of May, when she laid three eggs in a nest box on the 18th floor.

Two of the eggs disappeared over the past week. By Monday the parents were incubating the remaining egg infrequently. Neither was seen at the box Tuesday.

The commission’s nongame bird program manager, Joel Jorgensen, says the egg isn’t expected to hatch.

Their first attempt in a nest at the base of the Capitol rotunda also ended in failure.