COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s largest utility is reminding anyone with a boat to take steps to prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels.

Nebraska Public Power District environmental specialist Justin King says zebra mussels can create major problems. For instance, boating has been shut down at Cunningham Lake in Omaha because of the mussels.

The small black-and-white striped mussels, native to eastern Europe, are voracious eaters, gobbling up plankton that many native freshwater fish need to survive.

The mussels can also attach themselves to dam and utility mechanisms, causing damage to motors and facilities.

Tips for preventing the spread of zebra mussels can be found at www.neinvasives.com .

State Sen. Lydia Brasch and former state Sen. Mark Christensen filed notice Wednesday that they plan to challenge the Lancaster County district judge’s ruling.

Judge Darla Ideus rejected their arguments that the petition drive to place the issue before voters violated Nebraska law and the state constitution.

Supporters say the measure would extend health care coverage to an estimated 90,000 low-income residents who don’t qualify for traditional Medicaid or federal tax subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

Secretary of State John Gale has said petition organizers gathered more than enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

“I don’t like the lawsuits, but it does command some attention,” Davis said.

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act contains specific rules that require public accommodations and private businesses to be accessible.

The lawsuits address a variety of issues that people with disabilities have difficulty dealing with, such as sloped parking lots, narrow handicapped-accessible spots, high tables or hallways that are blocked.

Davis has cerebral palsy, which limits her ability to walk and stand. Hillesheim was paralyzed from the waist down when his spine was severed during heart surgery as an infant. They both rely on wheelchairs.

“When I go into a business and can’t use the bathroom, that’s not fair,” Davis said.

Hillesheim said they used to point out issues to workers and businesses owners, but that rarely made a difference. He said advocacy alone doesn’t work, and he’s “tired of feeling second-class.”

Hillesheim and Davis have filed 93 percent of federal ADA discrimination suits in Nebraska since April 2017.

The two were previously involved in the Minnesota nonprofit Disability Support Alliance, which filed dozens of ADA discrimination lawsuits in that state. The group disbanded amid disagreements among members and allegations that some members were taking advantage of the lawsuit settlements.

Hillesheim said most of the money they receive from settlements goes toward paying their lawyer.

Kristal Stoner will also serve as vice president of the National Audubon Society.

Audubon Nebraska’s mission is to conserve and restore Nebraska’s natural ecosystems focusing on birds.

Stoner says birds are “a captivating link to the natural world and an incredible lens through which to view our greatest conservation challenges.”

Stoner holds a master’s degree in science with an emphasis in ecology, evolution and behavior from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University.