LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is one step closer to repealing a state constitutional amendment that allows people to be enslaved as punishment for a crime.

Lawmakers advanced the proposed repeal Thursday on a 44-0 vote. Two additional votes are required to place it on the 2020 general election ballot for voters to approve or reject.

The state constitution has banned slavery and involuntary servitude since 1875, except as punishment for a crime. Supporters say that provision hasn’t been used in recent history but was once invoked to force former slaves back into unpaid labor for private parties, a system known as convict leasing.

The measure’s sponsor, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, says the amendment sends an important message about Nebraska’s values.

CLAY CENTER, Kan. (AP) — Kansas authorities say a Nebraska man who was reported missing earlier this week was found dead in his car.

Clay County Sheriff Chuck Dunn says the body of 66-year-old Rick Kubes, of Auburn, Nebraska, was discovered Wednesday evening about 3 miles (4.83 kilometers) north of Clay Center on Kansas 15.

Dunn says an official cause of death hasn’t been determined but it appeared Kubes had a medical issue because his vehicle had drifted off the road.

The sheriff says Kubes left a home in Clay Center early Sunday to drive to a hospital in Auburn because he was suffering from back pain.

A statewide silver alert was issued on Monday when after he didn’t arrive at the hospital.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill to help Nebraska policymakers identify the number of missing-person cases involving Native American women has won first-round approval in the Legislature.

Lawmakers advanced the measure Thursday on a 40-0 vote.

The measure would require the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct a study on missing Native American women cases and identify what can be done to address the problem. The patrol would also work with tribal and local law enforcement, Native American tribes and American Indian organizations as well as the U.S. Department of Justice.

The bill is intended to help officials identify the scope of the problem and any barriers to fixing it. The patrol would submit a report to lawmakers by June 1, 2020, with data on the number of missing Native American women.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state lawmaker who introduced a bill to classify conversion therapy as child abuse says she will withdraw the measure amid concerns that it could punish parents who are misled.

Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, made the announcement shortly before a legislative hearing Thursday on the proposal.

Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice that attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Hunt says she decided to withdraw it after hearing from survivors that parents are often misled into placing their children in faith-based counseling without knowing that it includes conversion therapy.

Hunt, the state’s first openly bisexual senator, says she will continue to pursue a bill that would prohibit licensed medical professionals from performing conversion therapy.

Eagle Communications announced today that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kurt K. David has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

David has served as Chief Financial Officer at Eagle Communications since 2006 and has worked as part of the financial services and communications industry in Kansas for over 25 years.

Gary Shorman will continue as Chairman and CEO of Eagle Communications and President of the Schmidt Foundation.

“Kurt’s new leadership role represents the ‘forward ever’ growth of our company, in employee ownership, financial, advocacy, and community leadership,” Shorman said. “We believe that advancing good people is one of the hallmarks of our success”

David earned an undergraduate degree in finance and management from Kansas State University and a master’s of business administration from the University of Kansas. He also has a master’s of agribusiness from Kansas State University.

He has held officer and leadership positions with the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, Heart of America Development Corporation, Rotary and the Ellis County Historical Society. David is also Past Chair of the Kansas Cable and Telecommunications Association. He is an avid triathlete competing locally, regionally and at the World Championship level. David and his wife Kathy have two children, Hayden, Olathe, and Jennifer, New Orleans.

In addition to David’s promotion, the Eagle Board has promoted Travis Kohlrus to Vice President of Eagle Broadband Division, which provides TV, internet, phone, as well as technology and marketing solutions in over 60 communities across Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.

“Under Kohlrus’s leadership, our Broadband Division has seen exciting growth,” Shorman said. “This promotion is appropriate as Travis represents us in community and state issues facing our company. The change also signifies the importance of leadership growth as we look to continue to build our company for the next 20 years.”

A native of Ellis, Kohlrus joined Eagle Communications in 2003. He was elected to the Eagle Communications Board in April 2017. Kohlrus and his wife Susie have two children Tanner, 14, and MaKenzie, 11.

North Platte Post is a division of Eagle Communications.

HAYES CENTER, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska school superintendent is crediting a driver for evacuating seven students from his bus before it erupted in flames.

Hayes Center Superintendent Tony Primavera says the bus was between rural stops Monday afternoon when the driver smelled what he thought was burning wires. He stopped the bus and got the students off, noticing smoke coming from a control panel to the left of the steering wheel.

Primavera says the driver tried to employ an extinguisher, but the smoke overwhelmed him and the fire broke out. It left only charred wreckage.

The superintendent says no one was injured. Primavera also said Wednesday the driver preferred that his name not be released.

Hayes Center is a village of about 200 residents in southwest Nebraska’s Hayes County.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Roman Catholic university in Omaha will no longer require most first-year applicants to submit results from the ACT or SAT tests beginning in 2020, in an effort officials hope will improve diversity.

Creighton University announced the test-optional initiative on Tuesday, The Omaha World-Herald reported.

The idea came from discussions among university leaders about enrollment, diversity and inclusion, said Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, the private university’s president.

Some education officials believe standardized testing has inherent biases that hinder students who don’t have access to resources and support, and that tests don’t necessarily predict a student’s success. Some students believe the tests don’t accurately reflect their skills.

“I want us to provide greater access for less advantaged candidates,” Hendrickson said.

For those who don’t submit their scores, the university will review the student’s official high school transcript, personal statement and evaluation from a high school counselor. Students can also submit a resume and a letter of recommendation from a mentor, such as a teacher, coach or counselor.

Applicants required to submit their scores include home-schooled students, direct-entry nursing applicants, students who will play NCAA sports and students who attended high school outside the U.S.

Students who want to include their scores in their applications, regardless of requirements, will still be allowed to do so.

The university will continue to gather test results after students are admitted to monitor how the policy is working.

Other schools have adopted similar optional testing application systems, including the University of Chicago, DePaul University, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, Hendrickson said.