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Nebraska bill to outlaw ‘revenge porn’ wins initial approval

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — People who post pornographic images of others without their permission or use the images for blackmail could face new criminal charges in Nebraska under a bill advanced by lawmakers.

Lawmakers gave the bill first-round approval Thursday on a 36-0 vote. Nebraska is one of seven states that have not passed a law to crack down on the practice known as “revenge porn,” or nonconsensual pornography.

The bill by state Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, would allow prosecutors to bring felony charges against perpetrators. It includes some protections for minors who take consensual nude photos of minors who are at least 15 years old, as long as those images aren’t shared with other people.

Two additional votes are required before the bill goes to the governor.

Nebraska bill to crack down on human traffickers advances

Photo: Flickr Creative Commons

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Traffickers who sell women and children for sex in Nebraska could have their phones tapped by law enforcement and face prosecution years or even decades after their crimes under a bill advanced by lawmakers.

Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval Thursday on a 45-0 vote.

The bill would extend the statute of limitations for sex and labor trafficking of an adult from three to seven years. For cases involving minors, it would abolish the statute of limitations. Nebraska imposes statutes of limitations for all but a handful of major crimes such as murder, arson, treason and certain forms of sexual assault.

The bill by Sen. Julie Slama, of Peru, is part of a multi-year push to clamp down on human trafficking in the state.

Former corrections officer takes theft case plea deal

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A former police union treasurer accused of stealing more than $170,000 from his union has taken a plea deal.

Sarpy County District Court records say 43-year-old Douglas Glazebrook, of Papillion (puh-PIHL’-yuhn), pleaded no contest Monday to unauthorized use of a financial transaction device. Prosecutors dropped theft and forgery charges in return. He also agreed to make restitution. His sentencing is set for July 8.

Authorities say Glazebrook took the money between January 2016 and this past January from the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 8. He was treasurer.

Glazebrook no longer works for the Douglas County Department of Corrections.

Omaha promises $750K for 2020 Olympic Swim Trials

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha has pledged $750,000 in taxpayer money to cover some of USA Swimming’s more than $3 million in costs to host the 2020 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.

The City Council approved a plan Tuesday to make the second of three annual $250,000 payments to the Omaha Sports Commission for USA Swimming, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

The money was needed to ensure that the trials will still be held in Omaha after one of the organization’s largest corporate sponsors, Mutual of Omaha, scaled back its support, according to city officials. The insurance company cut ties with USA Swimming in 2016, the same year that Omaha hosted the quadrennial event for the third consecutive time.

Josh Todd, the Omaha Sports Commission’s executive director, said the city’s funding is helping offset a drop in sponsorships and donations that often accompanies hosting repeated events in a city.

Regional tourism officials estimated that the 2016 swimming trials had a local economic impact of about $74 million.

Councilman Brinker Harding said investing $750,000 to secure $74 million is a “no-brainer.”

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert noted that the national event drew 200,000 fans in 2016, as well as international media coverage.

“Omaha is proud and fortunate to host the Olympic Swim Trials for the fourth time in 2020,” Stothert said. “The city’s financial support demonstrates our pride and ongoing commitment to Olympic athletes and the fans that support their athletic achievements.”

USA Swimming spokeswoman Belle McLemore declined to comment on the city’s contribution.

Photos: Fire destroys garage in NP

North Platte Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire on 3rd Street and Mills Avenue just after 10:00 am on Thursday morning. The fire was contained to a garage, which sustained significant damage. We are gathering details and will update this story as they become available.

 

5.16 Latest Big Ten Conference sports news: Husker basketball gets Tenn transfer

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Former Tennessee reserve forward Derrick Walker is transferring to Nebraska. Nebraska officials say Walker would sit out the 2019-20 season before playing for the Cornhuskers. Walker has two seasons of eligibility remaining. He averaged 0.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 5.3 minutes for Tennessee this past season.

CHICAGO (AP) — The NBA has picked 11 players from the G League Elite Camp to stay for the draft combine. UCF’s Tacko Fall, Florida State’s Terance Mann, Miami’s Dewan Hernandez, Syracuse’s Oshae Brissett, Nevada’s Cody Martin, Tulsa’s DaQuan Jeffries, Auburn’s Jared Harper, Iowa’s Tyler Cook, Iowa State’s Marial Shayok, Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry and Ole Miss’ Terence Davis were invited to stay for the workouts that begin Thursday.

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA says it is forming a working group to consider how its rules can be modified to allow college athletes to be compensated for use of their names, images and likenesses. NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors say Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman will head the new federal and state legislation working group.

Man found guilty of killing girlfriend in Omaha suburb 

Alan Stack

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) – A man accused of killing his longtime girlfriend in an Omaha suburb has been convicted after a nonjury trial.

Sarpy County District Court records say a judge found 57-year-old Alan Stack guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon. He’d been charged with beating to death Beverly Bauermeister in November 2017 at the home they shared in Bellevue.

The judge acquitted Stack of abuse of a vulnerable adult in connection with the death of Bauermeister’s 90-year-old mother. Stack’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 14.

Former Nebraska state senator cited for urinating in public 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A former state senator who’s been working for the city of Lincoln resigned his post after being ticketed for urinating in public.

Police say David Landis was charged Tuesday after an officer saw him urinating next to his car parked just west of the County-City Building on Friday.

Landis told the Lincoln Journal Star on Wednesday that he regrets what he did and accepts the consequences of what he says was an irresponsible act. The misdemeanor carries a sentence of up to six months in jail. Landis also says he’s applied for pretrial diversion.

He has quit his job as director of Lincoln’s Urban Development Department. Mayor Chris Beutler (BEYTE’-lur) appointed Landis to the position in 2007.

The two served together in the Legislature. Landis represented Lincoln’s District 46 from 1979 to 2007, after term limits kept him from the ballot.

Trial date set for 1 of 2 men charged in Hastings slaying 

Daniel Harden

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) – A trial has been scheduled for one of two men charged in the shooting death of a Hastings man.

Adams County District Court records say 22-year-old Daniel Harden has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Authorities say Harden and 21-year-old Deante Mullen, of Lincoln, killed 19-year-old Jose Hansen on Sept. 11, 2017, during a robbery attempt.

Harden’s trial is set to begin Oct. 22 in Hastings. Mullen also has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and is awaiting trial.

Nebraska lawmakers kick off debate on medicinal marijuana

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska lawmakers have kicked off a debate on a proposal to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes as activists push a much broader ballot measure that would place the issue before voters next year.

Supporters argued Wednesday that the legislative bill is narrowly tailored, with restrictions on how much users can possess and a ban on marijuana smoking.

Senators who oppose the measure say the drug is still illegal at the federal level and argue that its benefits and dangers haven’t been fully studied.

The sponsor, Sen. Anna Wishart, of Lincoln, says the bill is intended to address the concerns of many groups who raised concerns about it.

Legalization supporters are circulating petitions to place the issue before voters on the November 2020 ballot, where it’s likely to pass.

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